SEATTLE — The Battle in Seattle was underway before Saturday’s opening tip at KeyArena via the cell phones of Tennessee’s JaJuan Smith and Gonzaga All-American candidate Jeremy Pargo.
Smith and Pargo attended the LeBron James Nike Camp together last summer and have stayed in touch since.
“We’ve been texting each other a lot,” Smith said, “and just having fun talking trash.”
Smith won the battle with Pargo, scoring 18 while defending Pargo and limiting him to eight points.
Consequently, the No. 11 Vols won the war, beating the Zags 82-72.
“I had an advantage from playing (Pargo) this summer,” Smith said. “It took a lot of time for me to see what he does best, and I watched film.
“I just tried to keep him frustrated and out of his rhythm.”
Pargo, who led Gonzaga with 12.8 points per game entering the game, didn’t score until he hit a free throw with 6:26 left and finished 1-of-7 shooting.
“JaJuan is their unsung hero,’’ Zags coach Mark Few said. “Jeremy (Pargo) had a rough game. When you play a top-10 team, your main guys have to play well.”
Smith, who hit 7-of-13 from the floor and 4-of-9 from beyond the 3-point arc, said he knew he’d needed a good performance for the Vols to win.
“Keeping up with Pargo was the big thing, because he can get them going.” Smith said. “I knew this day was coming from me (offensively); I’ve been in a little slump.”
Smith had hit 9-of-31 (.290) of his 3-point attempts the previous four games.
“JaJuan had such a solid game for us,” UT coach Bruce Pearl said. “One of our goals was to extend on (Pargo) for 94 feet; he’s so good in the half-court at an angle.”
The Vols left Seattle’s KeyArena in agreement that the win over Gonzaga marked their best defensive effort of the year.
“Coach just told us to press up on them real hard,” UT forward Tyler Smith said. “We just helped each other out, and we played pretty well. It was out best defensive effort.”
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Comments » 22
Chainsaw writes:
Way to go...best look Pargo had all night was from the free throw line. Let's pack TB on January 9 for the start of conference play!
InBruceWeTrust writes:
That was a great win on the road. Coach Pearl did a great job keeping the players heads in the game. Everytime Gonzaga looked like they were going to come back, Bruce got things going again. I am very impressed at the composure and discipline of our players going into a 95% opposing crowd. They look like their in great shape for SEC play.
jevolball7 writes:
I thought Pargo was a canine disease.Oh,that's Parvo.No matter they're both extinct!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Outstanding win, guys. Defense like that will win championships.
PLEASE start pounding the boards a bit more -- especially you, Wayne Chism. We need 10 boards a game from you.
FatherVol writes:
jevolball7, as a person who raises and shows Chinese Shar-Pei with several Best-In-Show winning dogs, Parvo is not extinct but still a thriving menace to young puppies especially. Pargo may have been contained, but he is still very much alive as well. Bring on the Rebs!
weedbreath writes:
Rebound, Rebound, Rebound got to learn how to Rebound. I love the intensity but at some point the offense rebounding for the opponents is going to come back and bite the Vols if they do not get this straightened out soon.
87UTVOL writes:
It does seem like over the past 3-4 games Pearl has got his rotation down. The 'team' is coming together at the right time and winning important games in the process.
There was some debate a couple of weeks back, but anyone want to take Tabb over Prince now? No offense to Josh, but playing time is a competition. I hope good things are in store over the next couple of years for Tabb. Remember, we start 3 seniors at guard.
And, speaking of surprises, who would have thought B. Williams would be pushing Crews and Chism for playing time? And with the unexpected (hopefully temporary) loss of Crews, Williams' play has been huge.
We do need better rebounding. Some of that is the style of play. But, we need better. It may cost us some day.
eduardo writes:
Sure is nice to see that someone on the hill can actually coach. Pearl since he has been here has done one whale of a job. Turning this program around in only a couple of years. Kenlucky ran their coach off and got a stiff. No way do they win more games than they lose this year. They are terrible. Pearl in his first year almost got us to the sweet 16. This team should make it to the final 4. They play incredibly hard for 40 minutes. Opponents succumb to their pressure. Once again it sure is nice to see wonderful coaching!
TommyJack writes:
Is it my TV, or is the shade of orange on the BB team different than FB?
TommyJack writes:
TD: Unlikely
daddyaxe writes:
BOTH OF OUR BASKETBALL PROGRAMS ARE AT THE TOP AND I DON'T SEE NO LET DOWN IN YEARS TO COME...WAIT AND SEE WHAT PEARL DOES WITH ANOTHER YEAR OR TWO OF RECRUITING...IT WIL BE AMAZING....(IF HE STAYS) HE WILL BE THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER NBA COACH IN THE NATION
TommyJack writes:
Weedbreath: Are you high now?
1974Vol writes:
When does Lofton get untracked? Final four run depends on him doing so. He's still the "go to" guy when the games on the line. I want to see him get on one of those 12 for 15 shooting nights and hang a 30 on somebody before we get too deep in the SEC.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I too would like to see Chris get his mojo back, but thankfully the success of this year's team doesn't depend on a 20+ game from him every night. He is still a threat who draws the other team's best defender and attention from all the others. He is also a stat-sheet filler in other ways as well as being a strong defender. I heard him say on TV last week that he has a few mechanical flaws in his stroke. With his work ethic, I have no doubt that his stroke will return. Meanwhile, he is still my favorite Vol because he hasn't let his offensive woes affect his effort and performance in other ways. The respect and affection the other guys have for him is obvious. It just occurred to me that if he is not last year's Lofton, he just might be this year's Dane Bradshaw! In any case, the team continues to thrive and I'm sure he wouldn't want to prosper offensively and have the TEAM struggle.
Ironcity writes:
Number 8 in the most recent polls.
tennautumn#235851 writes:
Coach Pearl is to be commended. That Gonzaga game was terrific, as was the Xavier one. Our guys kept up their intensity the whole 40 minutes in each game and didn't let the crowds faze them. It's so nice to know we have 2 great basketball teams now at Tennessee, and 2 great coaches! The addition of Prince and Smith has been a great asset to the team -- which was pretty darn good even before they arrived. Eat your hearts out Kentucky fans! We've got the best coach in the conference, in fact, I think we've got the best in the country. in fact, we have the two best: Pat and Bruce! Just want to say, GO VOLS, beat Wisconsin!
jevolball7 writes:
Father Vol,You're sense of humor or lack there of,is pathetic. It was tongue in cheek!!! Suggest prayer.
DSaVol writes:
Wow! The moonshine wagon must REALLY be making the rounds in Tennessee today! mbumburu - once again, how many guys in the country are averaging 10 boards a game???? Your nonsense is really growing old. 87UTVOL - Williams has been a factor in exactly ONE game since Crews went down. Against Xavier and Zaga, he was invisible - except when he was fouling someone. VolCR - Griffith only HOPES the Vols don't win tough games so he can go in his wine cellar, pop a bottle of Boone's Farm, and write more moronic nonsense. He's a suck-up of the worst kind - nice to your face with a knife under his shirt. 1974Vol - apparently the older Vols get the more irrational they become. How many 12 for 15 nights has Lofton had in his career???? When will just a good solid TEAM WIN be enough for you people? Chris Lofton doesn't give a rat's a$$ who gets the credit so why should any of us? tennautumn - Pat is NOT the second best coach in the country my friend. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL and keep pumpin' down that moonshine - it's great comedic relief!
TommyJack writes:
Wow...get it all out, DSaVol.
Vol_In_Ohio writes:
Two questions:
1) Where would you have us ranked?
- I would say #7 with Michigan St. below. Seems like Georgetown should be above for now.
2) Do you care more about the Ole Miss game in a week+ or the Wisconsin game?
- I know I should think the Outback matters, but the game just has no importance whatsoever. I care, but I think I'll care more on Jan 9.
Any opinions?
budrhon writes:
Okay, Football season is over can we please get the Mens Basketball schedule up on the home page?
jondadam#645313 writes:
Tennessee has the talent, coaching and several key road wins under it's belt. The true test will be against Old Miss that knocked Clemson from the unfeated ranks. Maybe Tennessee can return the favor to Old Miss.
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