How Tennessee basketball is preparing for Louisiana star Jordan Brown in March Madness
ORLANDO, Fla. − Olivier Nkamhoua has seen a hearty helping of film on Louisiana star Jordan Brown as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Tennessee basketball forward is ready to see what the Ragin’ Cajuns big man brings to the court.
“You can only learn so much film,” Nkamhoua said. “So I am curious to learn what his game will really be like on the court.”
Brown is on the Vols’ minds as No. 4 seed Tennessee (23-10) prepares to face No. 13-seeded Louisiana (26-7) on Thursday (9:40 p.m. ET, CBS) at the Amway Center. Brown averaged 19.4 points and 8.7 rebounds this season.
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The 6-foot-11, 225-pound forward was named All-Sun Belt first team and Williams was named to the second team. Brown was a 2018 McDonald's All-American, started his career at Nevada and was the Pac-12 sixth man of the year in the 2020-21 season.
Jordan Brown reminds the Vols of Auburn's Johni Broome
Tennessee’s big men likened Brown to Auburn standout Johni Broome, a 6-10, 235-pound forward for the Tigers. Broome averaged 14.0 points and 8.4 rebounds to earn All-SEC honors.
“It’s just the way they use their bodies and carve out space,” Vols forward Tobe Awaka said. “They sort of have the same post moves and like to spin baseline on either block. I think the main difference is Jordan is better with both hands. Johni more so likes his left hand than his right. Jordan has a nice jump shot as well.”
Nkamhoua praised Brown’s efficiency, especially when the junior gets to his spots on the court. He noted Brown tends to make things happen once he has the ball in hands. It is up to Tennessee’s big men to limit those opportunities.
Tennessee's 7-1 center Uros Plavsic stressed using physicality to try and make Brown’s post catches difficult.
“He knows where he wants the ball,” Plavsic said. “He has great footwork, great touch around the rim. He can drive the ball as well. I think it is going to be a really good challenge for all of our bigs.”
Tennessee basketball will lean on its depth vs. Louisiana
Tennessee has leaned on having four post players to throw at opponents this season. That will be its plan against Brown as well.
Plavsic brings a lot of physicality. Awaka matches that and has a low center of gravity at 6-8, making him an imposing option. The 6-9 Nkamhoua has athleticism to challenge opposing forwards.
Jonas Aidoo, who is 6-11, is Tennessee’s best shot-blocking threat and saw his role rise late in the season.
“We have a lot of bodies to throw at him,” Plavsic said. “Everybody just needs to be on the same page and know personnel and know what to do and his spots on the court.”
Tennessee would face the winner of No. 5 Duke (26-8) and No. 12 Oral Roberts (30-4) on Saturday if it advances past the Ragin’ Cajuns and Brown.
“I think it pretty exciting,” Awaka said. “I think it is a great test for us overall. It is going to be a challenge, but I think we can handle it.”
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How Tennessee basketball is preparing for Louisiana star Jordan Brown
