When we watch our favorite basketball teams, we evaluate the players on both teams. Comparing which teams have the most seniors, the height of all players, and which ones can shoot a 3-pointer. This evaluation actually leads people to their predictions of a game because all three play a huge role in determining the victor.

While height comes from genetics and a 3-point shot comes from relentless practice; senior leadership comes from experience.

In order to gain that experience, your team must face difficult times in addition to success. An example of this can be seen from the University of Tennessee basketball team.

Rewind back to 2006 in Knoxville. The Vols brought in an outstanding recruiting class after coming off one of the best seasons in UT basketball history. While Tennessee already had sharpshooters Jajuan Smith and Chris Lofton, the Vols added five more players. Their names were Duke Crews, Ramar Smith, Marques Johnson, Josh Tabb and Wayne Chism.

As the season began, the team’s strengths and weaknesses were more apparent.

The tallest player on the team came in at 6 feet 9 inches. Opponents wanted to play the inside game against Tennessee, hoping for the best match-up.

In that season, the Vols played against Texas and Ohio State who both had the top inside players in the country. Tennessee beat the Longhorns in overtime in Knoxville, but lost to the Buckeyes in Columbus.

This loss to Buckeyes came from a performance led by freshman center Greg Oden. Oden and his 7-foot frame towered over Tennessee and dominated for most of the game. Crews and Chism both were outplayed.

Moving on to 2008, we see senior guards Jajuan Smith and Chris Lofton continuing to make 3-pointers and plays that no one else in the SEC can make.

While Duke Crews and Ramar Smith were kicked off the team by this time, fans still watched as the Vols moved into the NCAA Tournament and earned a Sweet 16 appearance. The Vols found themselves playing against the Louisville Cardinals.

A story very similar to the 2006 Ohio State game ensued as the Vols were eliminated and Louisville advanced to the Elite Eight.

Looking back at those five players recruited in 2006, we can see a real story of senior leadership. Of the five players on that recruiting class, only forward Wayne Chism remains.

Chism has played well throughout his whole career and has been the most consistent player on the team. Losing to teams like Ohio State and Louisville helped Chism, as the loss put things in perspective. The losses showed him what it took to be an elite forward in college. This knowledge and wisdom could only come from experience.

So, whenever we see a young but experienced team like Tennessee, do not dismiss the young players and their potential for growth.

Chism did not start out as a superstar. Young players may not know exactly what it takes to be one of the best yet, as players like Wayne Chism have shown us.

Give a young team time and you will not only see a team with more skill and athleticism, but a team with more experience and senior leadership.

This leadership can take a team and pull them through difficult times.

While these hardships and close games will occur, it may not come down to 3-pointer shot percentage or height advantage, but it will come down to the ability of seniors to pull a team through.

Close games happen all the time, especially in the NCAA Tournament. When a team has senior leadership, they know what it’s like in pressure situations.

That knowledge can pull a team through a rivalry game, a tournament game, and even a National Championship game.

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