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Adams: Vols overcome history, Gamecocks
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ATLANTA — The past didn’t matter Friday afternoon at the Georgia Dome.
Never mind Tennessee’s dreadful history in the SEC basketball tournament. Or that Chris Lofton missed eight of his first nine 3-point shots. Or that Tyler Smith went scoreless in the first half.
Lofton and Smith righted their wrongs down the stretch, and the entire team rose above the program’s tournament tradition in an 89-87 second-round victory over South Carolina.
Many other UT teams would have lost the game this team won.
They might have folded early when South Carolina elevated its play to a level it didn’t approach in 33- and 24-point regular-season losses to the Vols. Or they would have faltered late when the pressure mounted and the opponent played with more precision and passion.
This team repeatedly distinguished itself from its predecessors in winning the SEC regular-season championship. It further distanced itself from its predecessors by executing a series of clutch plays that defied its post-season history.
The fourth-ranked Vols didn’t forget their history, which consisted of 12 losses in their last 17 SEC tournament games. They overcame it.
“In the back of my head, I was thinking it just might be a curse on Tennessee getting over the tournament hump,” UT senior guard JaJuan Smith said. “But we fought through it.”
The fight came down to a couple of long shots — the one Lofton made; the one South Carolina point guard Devan Downey missed – and a wrestling match of sorts beneath the basket in which Tyler Smith prevailed against Dominique Archie.
Those are not the kind of plays that usually go UT’s way in this tournament. But they are the kind of plays that go this team’s way.
“It allows me to sleep a little bit at night,” UT coach Bruce Pearl said. “For those of you who haven’t followed us this year, this is the season we’ve had.
“We miss a free throw; Tyler Smith gets the rebound. Wayne Chism makes a 3; Chris Lofton makes a play. JaJuan Smith steals the ball and gets a layup.
“It’s just been that kind of year. I sleep at night knowing we’re going to find a way.”
Lofton led the way this time with his 3-pointer behind a two-man screen of Chism and Tyler Smith. That gave the Vols a two-point lead with 12 seconds to play.
“We all know that Chris Lofton can shoot the ball from anywhere across half court,” said South Carolina guard Zam Fredrick, who hounded Lofton most of the afternoon. “You just can’t give him no space.”
After Downey missed a 3-pointer, South Carolina had a final chance for a tie when it inbounded the ball under the goal with 1.1 seconds to play.
Tyler Smith, who scored 11 consecutive points in one stretch of the second half, tied up Archie once Archie received the inbounds pass.
“I just tried to get my hand in there and tie him up without fouling,” Tyler Smith said. “I didn’t know if they would call it or not, because they had been calling it close.”
Against other UT teams in other SEC tournaments, maybe there would have been a whistle. Or South Carolina’s last shot would have hit its mark, and UT’s last shot would have dented the backboard.
But that’s old news. And the Vols would have none of it Friday afternoon.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by LargeOrange on March 14, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
SO John Adams, are you saying that we didn't just "Ike out a win over the Gamecocks" like the LSU win? I find that the less words that you add and the more quotes you use the better your work is. Try harder and just use pure quotes from Coach and the players, it is so much more insightful than your mediocre editorializing, yes I know that is your job, that doesn't mean you are any good at it.
Posted by rockyknox on March 14, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job .............. my sentiments exactly LargeOrange.
Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 14, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ut--ohhhhhhh, did you forget again LargeOrange that you are boycotting John Adams?????
Posted by LargeOrange on March 14, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep, I couldn't stop myself. I am going to say 20 "Hail Fulmers" as penance. :-)
Posted by rockyknox on March 14, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LargeOrange, have you noticed that Johnny has been writing like crazy lately? He craves attention even if it is negative attention.
Posted by anthony on March 14, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this is great all the hate adams fans in one place, like i go to the ballgame and it's all Orange@@@ I just love it. Go Vols@!@
Posted by LargeOrange on March 14, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Remember he didn't post an article for days after his hatchet job article. That was when he was on his SEC Rival city VOl bashing radio tour. He probably has a word count quota and is trying to catch up.
Posted by cdldoc on March 14, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am boycotting Adams and I refuse to read his blather. Was it as bad as usual?
Posted by rockyknox on March 14, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LargeOrange, Johnny has been all over the place recently. A few weeks ago he wrote "the first in a series of articles commemorating the 1998 championship" football season. Do you think Griff or Strange reminded the knucklehead that we are in th midst of the greatest basketball season in the history of the school and he should get on task?
Posted by LargeOrange on March 14, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No cdldoc, it was better than most of his work product, owing mostly to the fact that it was 90% quotes from others which helps to dilute his sophomoric drivel. He managed to throw in a couple of zingers like "Tennessee’s dreadful history in the SEC basketball tournament" and "their history, which consisted of 12 losses in their last 17 SEC tournament games.", but he tossed a few bones to this team by saying that they somehow managed to overcome their usual crappy performances. Keep the faith and continue your boycott, I held my nose and skimmed through Adam's words and read anything in quote marks looking for the meaningful parts.
Posted by BillVol on March 14, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Another good column, John. This team IS different. They are tough and know how to win. Keep up the good work.
Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 15, 2008 at midnight (Suggest removal)
lmao---"continue the boycott" as you all are here--Adams has just got to be rolling the floor laughing at such nonsense ----largeorange, not liking his opinions is one thing, not thinking he has a right to an opinion is another and just why do u object so to writings that may be factual like "12 losses in their last 17 sec games"---does the truth just hurt your feelings that much-----------so these guys should reinvent the facts just to make the koolaiders happier in there delusion???---this is both sad and laughable
Posted by LargeOrange on March 15, 2008 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You are the one being delusional Yaba... Your failure to grasp the bigger picture is sad and laughable. I have never said he doesn't have the right to say what ever he wants, but so do I and others that help pay his salary by showing up as hits on this website (which governs advertising prices and some who still buy this newspaper), who feel he crossed the line this time. My beef is that he went to Birmingham and Atlanta and trashed our team and coach in an offensive and personal way on the public airways. That had nothing to do with generating readership to the KNS. In case you doubt me, listen to his distortions and bias for yourself. http://www.finebaum.com/media/archive...
Posted by jimr07 on March 15, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LargeOrange--hang in there. great post.
Yabawhatever--who is to determine the truth?
Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 15, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LO, thanks for the link. With all due respect we can just agree to disagree. IMO its not local journalists job to be cheerleaders but to instead truthfully report facts and give opinion. What he stated was fact----you and others just dont agree with his conclusions which certainly is your right just as he has a right to have and state his opinion. Criticisms of college coaches goes on everywhere not just at tenn-----major city columnists roast the local pro teams that arent performing without outcry cause the fan base isnt koolaiders. Do you think Tubby Smith wasnt roasted at Kentucky--by you definition its right for a columnist to roast a coach if most of the fan base agrees but he shouldnt if most of the base disagrees. Thats gutless-------Adams showed spine in saying his truth thoughts knowing the division of fan opinion
He has a right to his opinion and those posters have every right to disagree but to personally attack and ridicule the guy just cause you all disagree is childish and just shows collective ignorance and closemindedness and unreasonableness
I assure you the clicks no matter how many on this FREE site are not contributing even slightly to John Adams salary. If you truely felt that then you "boycotters" would actually stay away rather than read his every article and then attacking him with juvenile postings while all the while urging "continue the boycott"
Posted by mtnvol on March 15, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Flintstone, I don't know how long you've read Jack A$$'s work over the years, so let me tell you what many of us think. Jack A$$ has historically bashed the program, using snide remarks, left-handed compliments, and opinion as if it was fact. Look at this one...the first two paragraphs are negative. Everything he writes is tinged in negativity (glass half empty kind of thing).
You are correct in that he can have an opinion and so can we. He (obvious to many) harbors hatred for the FB coaching staff, program, and school. Therefore, we harbor hatred for Jack A$$. He has his outlet and so do we.
As for "spine", what would be more courageous, writing a hatchet job and running to Alabubba for radio shows for more bashing or actually meeting with the coach face to face?
To be honest, the only way the KNS will make a change is for advertisers to vote with their dollars. Anything we say here falls on deaf ears at the KNS, IMO.
Posted by Bigger_Al on March 15, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John Adams drives 42 MPH in the passing lane with his left-turn blinker flashing while singing along to Conway Twitty songs.
Posted by VOLstuckINky on March 15, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
next history made ... JA leaves
Posted by volengr on March 15, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm glad I live in Atlanta where there are writers who write negative about the Bulldogs and Yellowjackets and it's taken with maturity. I think some of you want a communist society in Knoxville where only Vols fans are allowed, and nobody says anything negative about The Big Orange or they are sent to the cornfield. Start accepting that UT does bad things every now and then, and since the Sentinal is printed in Knoxville, you'll hear more of the negative about that university than any others - duh. Starting with myself, how about commenting on the article content. Everytime I read a few comments they immediately turn into whining about the writer. Next time you sense negativity toward your orange blanky, how 'bout grabbing some tissue and go cry in the corner instead. Nobody wants to read your pouting and crying cause you feel someone's not blowing orange sunshine up your a$$.
Posted by agentorange on March 15, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
fire john adams. he's a spineless commie, weasel. he wears tighty whities, fulmer fathered his children and he's stupid. and he has no clue about football and he's he's a loser lsu grad whose degree is the equivalent of used toilet paper. fire john adams. thank you.
Posted by rockyknox on March 15, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Little Johnny thinks the more he writes the more distance he can put between himself and the apology he owes Coach Fulmer.
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