Stats
The Vol Historian
Tennessee Men's Basketball
BATON ROUGE, La. - Tennessee's JaJuan Smith stole the game from LSU on Saturday afternoon.
The senior, battling the flu and a 100-plus degree temperature, stole the basketball from Marcus Thornton with 14 seconds left and scored on a breakaway layup with 11 seconds left in a 47-45 victory.
The Tigers came within a fraction of a second of forcing overtime, but replays showed Chris Johnson's dunk off an Alex Farrer miss came after time expired.
Smith's only basket of the game, however, was right on time.
"I told Coach, 'I think I've got one in me,' " said Smith, who played just 22 minutes before re-entering the game with 19 seconds left. "I hadn't done anything all night. I took a chance; I'm a risky player, I like to take chances.''
LSU (8-14, 1-7 SEC) was playing its first game under interim coach Butch Pierre. LSU fired John Brady on Friday.
Chris Lofton led No. 7 UT (21-2, 8-1) with 15 points and Tyler Smith added 12 in front of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center crowd of 10,165.
"We didn't deserve to win this game,'' Lofton said. "Like Coach (Bruce Pearl) said, we might be the most overrated team in the country.''
Pearl, who watched his Vols nearly squander a 12-point second-half lead, said he was pleased with the effort but not the execution.
"Because we're giving such a great effort on defense, turning over LSU 22 times and getting 22 offensive rebounds … we're resting on offense,'' Pearl said. "We had too many guys standing around watching Tyler and Chris and waiting for them to win the game for us offensively.''
Pearl made no secret of his displeasure in his post-game talk with the team; his voice could be heard through the arena's concrete walls.
"I wanted them to look at this like a loss,'' Pearl said. "You want to make progress; we want to get better. We won the game, but we didn't get any better.''
First things first, the Vols might want to try to get healthy.
In addition to Smith, whose illness forced the team to delay its travel to Baton Rouge, point guard Jordan Howell had missed the past two practices with an illness.
Lofton, who missed Thursday's practice while attending his grandmother's funeral in Maysville, Ky., was battling a challenge of his own - LSU defensive ace Garrett Temple.
"I just didn't want to force things today because he is such a great defender,'' said the 6-foot-2 Lofton, who had averaged 10 points in three previous meetings against LSU when guarded by the 6-6 Temple. "I tried to pick my spots.''
Other than JaJuan Smith's steal and layup in the closing seconds, Lofton's NBA-range 3-pointer with 3:37 remaining was UT's only field goal during the final 10 minutes.
A Tyler Smith 3-pointer with 10:08 remaining had boosted the lead to 42-32.
That's when LSU started its comeback, scoring off three consecutive put-back baskets to cut the lead to 42-38 with 7:34 remaining.
A Thornton drive with 3:55 left made it 42-40 and forced Pearl to call timeout and set up Lofton's 3-pointer.
"Tonight, if it wasn't drawn up, it wasn't going in,'' said Pearl, whose team shot a season-low 31.7 percent from the field. "Every basket was out of timeout, or a play-call, or a side-set. We just got nothing, very little out of continuity, very little out of the fast break.
"Their ability to block shots was a factor, and our inability to score around the basket was frustrating. Free-throw shooting is a terrific problem.''
The Tigers' nine blocked shots were the most by a UT opponent this season and the Vols' 4-of-15 (26.7 percent) effort from the free-throw line was easily the lowest of the year.
"I wouldn't consider it a moral victory,'' said Pierre, whose team tied the game at 45 on Johnson's three-point play with 1:15 remaining. "The guys gave tremendous effort holding this team to 47 points, which is their lowest total on the season.''
The 47 points is the second-lowest total of Pearl's three-year tenure with the Vols behind a 56-44 loss to Butler in last season's preseason NIT and the fewest points in a UT win since the Vols scored a 47-46 win over Kentucky in 1999.
The Vols return to action at 8 p.m. Wednesday when they put their 28-game home-court win streak against Arkansas (17-5, 6-2).
The Razorbacks and Kentucky are the only two teams to beat the Pearl-coached Vols in Thompson-Boling Arena, both emerging victorious in 2006.
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Comments » 166
Ironcity writes:
Shot 31% from the field 27% from the line. How did we win this game??? I was unable to see this because we had the UGA feed in Atl.. It looks like
Prince is hitting a wall right now. Howell has been just awful the last 6 weeks. Its really inexcusable that Chism and Prince can't get their FT%'s to at least 50%. They are true liabilities at the end of the game. What happened to JuJuan that he was not in until the steal?
VolBall writes:
Whew! Free throws, free throws, free throws... J.P. and Chism have got to work it out at the line. NO excuse for such horrible free throw shooting.
But, how about JuJuan's steal and lay up!
Coach Pearl did a great job with some X's and O's out of time outs. And, he substituted JuJuan in for defense prior to the great steal.
GO VOLS!!
pupvol writes:
jajuan"s had the flu. played in first half. team looked sluggish,not sharp.gotta work like heck!
BigMikeUT writes:
That was as ugly a win as you'll ever see in college basketball. Their length gave us fits, they blocked shots and almost every interior pass we attempted was deflected or stolen. JuJuan had the flu so he didn't play a whole lot, and when he did play it was pretty obvious that he wasn't feeling well (he airballed a couple 3's), but when we needed him the most he came up huge for us. Fortunately for us LSU has no real offensive threats, you have to give them credit for playing great defense though. Ugly win, but 21-2 is 21-2. Big game against Arkansas coming up!
VolBall writes:
Ironcity, I admit that I watched the whole game. It was ugly. You're right, Prince and Howell are both playing awful lately. I'm not sure why JuJuan didn't see more minutes.
LSU's length on defense gave us problems, and they seemed to get every bounce on loose balls the entire game.
We were fortunate to get out of there with a win.
jdcdjc#246285 writes:
I'm not saying anything profound, but free throws are going to be our downfall.
tuckepk writes:
Coughed up another double digit lead in the second half with turnovers and pitiful free throw shooting down the stretch. Vols looked as bad today as the looked good against UF. They'll have to perk up against Arkansas with their big front line. Unlike UF and LSU, the Arkansans are not freshmen & sophomores.
TommyJack writes:
On radio it sounded like Pearl just flat took this one away from LSU.
knoxtenor writes:
A disturbing trend recently has been the five-minute dry spell with about 10 minutes left in the game. I suspect that this is due to the guys on the court hitting the wall stamina-wise. I know that in close games Bruce wants to keep all his best in, but letting them "rest" on the court while the other team eats up a double-digit lead doesn't seem to be working. We've been L-U-C-K-Y to win the past few. I'd rather Bruce take random chance of the equation.
And, looking up at the most popular stories on GoVolsXtra, I notice No. 9 (at this moment): "Pearl: Avoid Foul Behavior." Apparently there are some players that failed to get that message.
UTfaninYankeeland writes:
Had to follow this game on ESPN Gamecast. It must have been one ugly SOB of a game. Hopefully this is our one ugly game of the year.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Oh good grief grvol, hold off the jabs at the football team for cryin' out loud.....even if we won a national title people would still take jabs at'em.
I love the fact this team will find a way to win, good day or bad day on the hardwood. You may have been watching them for 40 years, but you haven't seen a Tennessee bball team quite like this, so that point was moot. Good win, sloppy, but a win is a win!
GO VOLS!!!
volguy615 writes:
free throws did hurt tremendously, but i have been in street fights that were not that rough. even the announcers on tv, (one an lsu grad) talked about it. i am just thankful we got out of there with a win.
pms151 writes:
Pearl did take it away. After the 14 min mark or so the players just could do nothing. Chalk this one up to Coach.
volguy615 writes:
you r swo right andy
UTfaninYankeeland writes:
As most of us have said several times this year. This is a game we would have lost a few years ago. We find a way to win baby. That's the bottom line.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Winning ugly is much better than losing prettily! See why the cognoscenti feared this game? We're one lucky basketball team this afternoon! Go Vols! SAVol
BigManVolFan writes:
Is the only thing our boys work on in practice is 3 point shooting and full court pressure?
They SUCK at the free throw line....This far into the season they should be alot better but instead they have gotten worse!!
We only have 3 guys on the team who are reliable at the line..T. Smith, Chris Lofton, and J. Smith....
Lady Luck was on our side today gentlemen.
And another thing...why are we constantly out-blocked every game...it seems like every team we play blocks 7-10 of our shots?
ggriggs939#223122 writes:
I still wonder how the baskets were rigged so that when the VOLS shot, the ball always rebounded off the rim, but when LSU shot, the ball stuck to the rim until it rolled in the hoop.
I was fearful the Tigers had bought one for Brady's retirement gift.
yeavols#228407 writes:
The Vol LSU game was on Yahoo sports feed audio or full internet visual broadcast..in Atlanta the Georgia Florida game was on Raycom. I was able to enjoy the student section jump and down for nothing. A win is a win..defense prevailed, sloppy at times, but LSU was playing for all the marbles. I enjoyed it. GO VOLS!!!
utchris writes:
Sometimes things just do not go right and you have to just gut out a win. There never was a flow to the game. Both team looked liked they were playing with a wet noodle. Thank goodness for Chris Lofton. Even the TV feed was bad; even more realized when I flipped over to ESPN during a break. Now back to the confines of TBA. That loss for LSU probably just set a tone for the rest of their season. I am sure Coach Pearl and the boys will get some rest, get healthy, and be ready for the Backs on Tuesday night.
volfaninchattanooga writes:
Ugly game, no intensity after the 10 minute mark in the second half, and we just simply made some stupid passes. I'm glad we have athleticism and talent, because we sure don't play very smart. Blew a big lead with some awful decisions on the offensive end that allowed LSU to get back into the game. Great game defensvely though, we really played hard on the defensive end of the floor. J.P Prince and Jordan Howell are not helping us much right now. Howell cannot hit on the road, and Prince is a hot dog that really can't shoot very well. I'm still suprised we won this game. It was one ugly one to watch. Pearl is magnificient. Great calls out of the time-outs.
pms151 writes:
You got it right txsvol. Also great spelling on 'prettily'. Never even used the word. LOL.
bshell12 writes:
Howell had the flu today as well as Jujuan evidently Jujuan had 102 temp before the game....on the post game interview bruce was angry about offense continuity....J.P. Prince is the reason, he only looks for himself wont rebound on the defense boards, always runs down the court right after an opponents shot. Tabb is a player who is great on defense and looks to make other people better unlike the selfish JP
fundamentals83 writes:
Wow,
What a game. 47 points and a win. Kinda looked like more than JuJuan had the flu, several were dragging around and lacking energy.
pms151 writes:
bigmanvol,
You play with the talent you recruit for your system. CBP recruits for speed, quickness and intensity. They practice that way and play that way. I agree that FT shooting is important but we are where we are because of CBP's style of play. Would you rather be .500 in the SEC with an 80% FT or where we are now. The 5* players are starting to notice us and will start to filter in. We as fans have to realize that this is new territory for us as well and buy into CBP's decision making. Go Vols.
UTfaninYankeeland writes:
I think JP has a great upside but BP needs to sit him down and let Tabb take his minutes for a few games. I think BP may have made a deal with the devil in order to get JP to transfer here. There is a reason Arizona didn't object when he wanted to transfer. BP also sees his potential though and will get him in line in time for March Madness.
messinaround writes:
We have put up with this Pearl guy way to long,it's time we clean house and get us a real coach. Sounds like we have some good candidates here on these post.
martinvolfan writes:
I agree with the JP assessment. He tries too much to make the highlight reels instead of playing team basketball. JP looked horrible on the FT line. Glad for a close W rather than a close L. Go Vols beat the piggies!
bshell12 writes:
Amen Pac, Amen
martinvolfan writes:
I agree with the JP assessment. He tries too much to make the highlight reels instead of playing team basketball. JP looked horrible on the FT line. Glad for a close W rather than a close L. Go Vols beat the piggies!
Kwitcherbellyachin writes:
You know what's nice? It's nice to be 21-2, ranked in the top 10, and being able to complain about the last game. Isn't it? It's much better than the days of such all-stars as Steve Hamer, Scooter McFagdon or Damon Johnson. Not that I had a problem with players from those eras, but those were some difficult games to watch in the Houston/O'Neill/Peterson days.
Seriously, the sky isn't falling. We're winning games we shouldn't win, and winning game we should. It's fun to be a Vol basketball fan these days, even on bad days.
pms151 writes:
Some of you guys just don't have a clue. We got ambushed today just as BP predicted and we fought our way out of it with a win. JP is in his first year here and will improve in team play. His talent is undeniable.
dqnapier#225584 writes:
I agree BShell12. Prince is really hurting us right now. Josh Tabb is a much better team basketball player. Hope to see more of Tabb down the stretch
orangeblood writes:
JP tries to drive to the basket every time he touches the ball. He shoots the ball every time. I about pulled my hair out watching him play today. But a win's a win i guess. You gotta have luck to win like we have been this season...and boy did we get lucky today....
volntx writes:
Good teams win close,ugly games on the road when they do not play well. A win is a win! Learn and keep moving forward.
pupvol writes:
It seems like we play down to the competition. I doubt memphis,kansas duke or ucla comes to baton rouge and looks like tenn did.
bshell12 writes:
I Love bruce pearl and his style of play which is what perplexes me as to why he continues to play him, because JP is everything bruce coaches against
doctorvol#211700 writes:
JP needs to meet with Mr. Justus on some FT sessions. He needs technique, as well as a routine. He did, however, create several steals, including 3 of 4 consecutive trips late in the 2nd half. That's why he remained in the game.
pms151 writes:
pup vol, those teams are not SEC rivalry teams. No comparison.
UTfaninYankeeland writes:
pupvol: Of course mem, kan, duke, or ucla wouldn't play in BR that way. They are not SEC teams playing an SEC game on the road. Totally different mindset. Every team in America plays like dogs sometimes. Sometimes they get beat because of it and sometimes they don't. That's why they play the game.
schymtz writes:
Fantastic, inspired defense by LSU had a lot to do with this game, but UT played good defense as well. I thought the game a fantastic tribute to Coach Brady, What is it with LSU and coaching announcements before games with UT? I thought the LSU move before the SEC Football Championship probably impacted that game. In this case, a retiring AD made a sacrificial decision for questionable reasons. Brady is one of very few coaches to have a winning record against BP. UT ought to know that canning a good coach does not always bring success: witness the Majors disappointment. Can't help hoping LSU (and KY) get a taste of that lesson. I think Tennessee very fortunate to have Fulmer and Pearl. Fulmer came within an ace of Beating LSU. Pearl did steal this game from LSU with coaching. Team played like they all had the flu. Great, difference-making win!!!
pms151 writes:
JP is probably sitting between CL and JJS on the plane as we speak. He will pick it up. This is one really mature kid.
volntx writes:
ALL the top teams play bad somedays, Memphis about got beat at home last week by a below SEC talent team. When you play 30 something games you are not going to be sharp everytime. And some teams match up well against other teams regardless of records. LSU still has SEC talent,they are not some directional school.
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
If we can win with the flu, then we can beat anybody. The game was ridiculous from beginning to end, especially the officiating (how do you call light fouls but not hard fouls...I didn't get that), but we got it done. Let's move on.
dqnapier#225584 writes:
I hope you're right pms151. I don't have any doubt that he will help the Vols in the years to come. I just think Tabb knows the sysem better and would help us more this season. However, BP has done such a great job in Knoxville and has earned the right to not be second-guessed.
pms151 writes:
I just hpe like hell I'm right too dq.
creepykev#228270 writes:
I think that after this season it will come out that Prince needs more surgery on his shoulder. He goes to the rim all the time because it hurts him to shoot from further out. He's doing all right and we are winning. You wouldn't think that from all these hateful posts. We looked ugly and still won.
volfan#207874 writes:
Wow! All those posters who also know the best way to coach a team and FREELY give their opinons! Gosh, what would Pearl do without their help? I think that Pearl is THE Coach and should be recognized as one of the team who enjoys the "ugly" win. I say ugly, but any win is a pretty win since it goes in the "W" column. I have been a Vol fan for over 60 years. Back in the "40's"and 50's it was mostly reading the newspapers and listening to them, occasionally, on the radio. I know that there were several mistakes and poor judgement on some of the plays in this game, but a win is a win is a win.
Go Vols and Sizzle the swine!
volfan73120#211815 writes:
Is there any way you can coach a player to shoot foul shots? It is hard to believe we are that bad, with all the talent we have. We didn't get many chances to shoot foul shots today, but I don't remember anyone making two in a row.
pms151 writes:
Gee Zander good comment. Sorry I just can't remember which conference Memphis plays in. I can't understand why.
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