Harris Dominates in a Matter of Minutes

Tobias Harris and his University of Tennessee teammates start their Southeast Conference schedule this Saturday afternoon, traveling to Fayetteville, Ark. to go up against the 10-3 Arkansas Razorbacks. The Volunteers (10-4) will be without head coach Bruce Pearl, who is beginning the first of an eight-game SEC suspension for recruitment violations.

According to Tennessee Basketball Game Notes—which are made available to Dix Hills Patch—following last Friday’s 49 – 48 loss to the College of Charleston, Pearl said that he planned to limit playing time for some players. That loss was the fourth in the past six games for the Volunteers. At that time, 12 players were averaging 10 minutes per game or more.

But Harris fans need not worry that the Half Hollow Hills alumnus will lose any of his playing time.

Harris recorded his third double-double on Wednesday night. In a 104 – 84 win against Memphis, Harris scored 13 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in just 21 minutes of play. The freshman sensation is averaging just under 28 minutes per game, right behind team leader Scotty Hopson. Harris has been a strong presence, not only scoring points, but also on the glass. He’s currently second on the team in rebounding (first on the defensive end), averaging seven rebounds per game, and his play down low is one reason why he’s attempted a team-high 81 free throws.

The Arkansas game will be televised on the SEC Network. Locally, fans can next see Harris on Tuesday night, when Tennessee hosts Florida. That game is on ESPN beginning at 9 p.m.

Here are Harris' game averages, for minutes played, shooting percentages, rebounds and points.