By Jimmy Hyams

Grant Williams became only the ninth player in Tennessee history to be named SEC player of the year.

He averaged 15.2 points and 6.0 rebounds. He shot 47.3 percent from the field. He made key baskets to help win several games. He even made a clutch goal to give the Vols a one-point lead over Loyola Chicago before the Ramblers bounced in a game winner in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

While Williams was a better player as a sophomore than as a freshman, he didn’t show improvement across the board. He averaged 12.6 points and 5.9 rebounds last season, but, a year ago, he had more blocks (61 to 44) and more steals (26 to 21), shot a better percentage from the field (50.4 percent to 47.3 percent) and made 12 of 32 from 3-point range, compared to 3 of 25.

One puzzling part of Williams’ game was rebounding. Although only 6-foot-6, he is strong, has great length and plays in the low post. Yet, this past season, he had seven games with 3 or fewer rebounds and 11 with 4 or fewer rebounds. Wing player Admiral Schofield actually averaged more rebounds per game than Williams.

This past season, Williams averaged only 12.6 points in the last five games and had a four-game stretch in which he scored in single digits three times.

For Williams to truly be the best player in the SEC, he must improve his rebound totals, be more consistent on mid-range jumpers and stay out of foul trouble.

But that’s not all.

Tennessee coach Rick Barnes focused on other elements that could make Williams better.

“Conditioning,’’ Barnes said. “I think that is a major part of what he needs to do and he obviously needs to continue to work on his skill.’’

But conditioning is the primary deal.

“He needs that more than anything,’’ Barnes said. “and if he does that, it will help him in a lot of areas. It will help him guard the ball better on the perimeter, allow him to play harder longer,  allow him to rebound more consistently.’’

Williams play much of this season with a hip injury. Bu Barnes shrugged that off, saying most players late in the season “deal with something.’’

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