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Tennessee Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Making history wasn’t in the cards for Tennessee on Thursday night.
Louisville denied the Vols’ bid to become the first UT men’s basketball team to reach the Elite Eight with a 79-60 victory in this East Region game before an announced crowd of 19,092 at Bobcats Arena. It’s the second year in a row the Vols were defeated in the Sweet 16.
The third-seeded Cardinals (27-8) used their athleticism and size to dominate second-seeded Tennessee (31-5) on the boards, holding a 43-28 advantage that proved too much for the Vols to overcome.
Tennessee finished the season with a school-record 31 wins and captured the SEC title outright for the first time since 1967. The Vols also attained a No. 1-ranking in the polls for the first time in school history and ended the regular season No. 1 in the RPI ratings.
“I told the guys that tonight’s game doesn’t take much away from the finest season in the history of Tennessee basketball,’’ UT coach Bruce Pearl said.
Pearl brushed off rumors he might leave the Vols for another coaching vacancy — there’s been widespread speculation that Indiana will pursue him for its opening.
“It’s great to be a Tennessee Vol,’’ Pearl said. “I anticipate I’ll be back if Tennessee will have me, and I think they’ll have me.’’
Senior Chris Lofton is one person the Vols won’t have back. Lofton led the Vols with 15 points and finished his career with 431 3-pointers, most in SEC history and third all-time in the NCAA ranks.
Lofton was just 3-of-15 shooting including 2-of-11 beyond the arc against Louisville and left the arena visibly distraught.
“I’m disappointed … just very disappointed,’’ Lofton said. “They really didn’t leave me at all; I had (Earl) Clark on me, he was long, a 6-foot-9 guy, and he was able to tip some of my shots.’’
JaJuan Smith scored 12 points in his final game with the Vols, and Tyler Smith 11, albeit only one after halftime.
Tyler Smith said he’ll consider declaring himself eligible for the NBA draft after getting a draft evaluation and discussing it with Pearl.
“It’s been my dream; if I’m able to do it, I might, but I’m not sure,’’ Tyler Smith said. “If my family needs the money, and I’m sure they do … that’s what it will come down to. I want to be a first-rounder. If I’m not, it’s not even worth a look for me.’’
UT looked good in the opening moments of Thursday’s game, taking a 5-2 lead on a Tyler Smith three-point play.
But Louisville stormed back and held the lead for the rest of the game after Juan Palacios hit a 3-pointer to make it 9-7 at the 16:59 mark.
The Vols missed 14 consecutive shots during one first-half stretch and the Cardinals went up by as many as 16 en route to a 37-30 advantage at halftime.
The Vols rallied to cut the deficit to 37-36 in the second half on a JaJuan Smith layup in transition with 16:50 remaining.
The Cardinals answered with an 8-0 run to take a 49-39 lead with 13:24 left when Clark scored two of his game-high 17 points.
“I just kept reminding the guys anytime we needed baskets what we needed to do; we had to use back screens,’’ Louisville coach Rick Pitino said. “I told our guys, ‘This (Tennessee) team will not go away.’ ’’
UT closed back to seven on a Lofton 3-pointer with 8:19 left that made it 54-47, but Louisville staved off the comeback bid with an effective zone defense and an attacking offense and pulled way in the closing minutes.
“They got to the rim, and they got to the foul line,’’ Pearl said. “I’ve been coaching a long time, and never has the tempo of a game been dictated so much by an opponent. We struggled all night long.’’
UT forced 20 Cardinals’ turnovers but committed 17 of its own and never got into sync, connecting on 19 of 56 (.339) shots, 5 of 20 (.250) beyond the 3-point arc.
“That’s the most frustrating thing, is we know we could have played better,’’ JaJuan Smith said. “We don’t feel we played our best basketball all year, and that’s what’s eating us up the most.’’
Tennessee’s foul troubles were another factor throughout the night, as JaJuan Smith, Tyler Smith and Wayne Chism all missed crucial minutes.
Pitino improved his record to 8-0 in Sweet 16 games and will lead his team into a 9:05 p.m. Saturday Elite Eight matchup against No. 1-ranked North Carolina.
The Tar Heels (35-2) dispatched of Washington State earlier Thursday.
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 282
VOLinGA writes:
That was embarrassing.
tenncorncob writes:
It is hard to overcome an 18-1 run. Great season. We'll miss the seniors, best wishes to you.
utchris writes:
Thanks for a great season guys!
hallmo11 writes:
A great ride, Vols. Thanks to the seniors for taking us there.
Thank you, Bruce, for showing us the way!
tdbigo writes:
Let’s face it, we are stuck in basketball purgatory. Over 100 years of B-ball and not one elite eight.
hueypilot writes:
Very disappointing to see them play their, IMO worst game of the year. Don't understand repeatedly driving into traffic jam at the rim having shots repeated blocked or just losing the ball on a deflection. Don't understand Lofton not showing up at tournament time. Don't understand Chism playing pressure defense on a center thirty feet from the basket to pick up an early foul and essentially rule himself a non-factor for the game. Dont understand Pearl's kid in there at the end of the half. Is this the same team we watched all year? Very disappointing.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Thanks for a great season...but this game was SLOPPY! Too many hurried shots, lazy...the players looked like they weren't even interested..but Coach Pearl was great as usual..
tigervol9802 writes:
Thanks go to Lofton, JaJuan, and Howell. Thanks for helping us back.
midtowncowboy99 writes:
Best coach in America...
gruntworks writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
DooleyNoted writes:
Get over it tdbigo! Before Pearl we had never even sniffed the places he has taken us. Continue to recruit well and we will be back. Thanks to the seniors.
budrhon writes:
Cards were more agressive and more physical. Looks like the Vols gave up after Tyler got his 4th foul. Still a good season.
billadcock#209476 writes:
Gruntworks...you are an a@$
volwalk writes:
Hats off to Louisville, they exposed our biggest weakness (point guard). They were the better team---I think the reason our team never peaked was because of the poor point guard play down the stretch.
Still a great year for the Vols and I am very proud of those guys. Hopefully, Ramar will figure out how to play controlled basketball next season. If he played as good as he did the second half of last year---this team could have went much farther.
utduke writes:
I am proud to be a Tennessee Vol! Great job seniors!
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
I have to agree with some earlier comments about Pearl from the other article. He is a great regular season coach but a not-so-great tournament coach. Heck, we gave OSU a better game last year with a "less talented" team. What happened after the Memphis game that this team sort of fell apart?
And yes, the shooting percentage is his fault. The players take the shots the way they are coached. If Fulmer is to blame when the secondary breaks down then Pearl is to blame when them team plays guys play sloppy offense.
All and all it’s been a fun season. 31 wins and an SEC title is nothing to be ashamed of. It would have been nice to them make more of a contest tonight, win or lose.
Oh well,…… 155 days until football season.
gruntworks writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
brokebackvol writes:
Great season folks
TigerVol writes:
We'll see how much Pearl love UT....my bet is he is on his way to IU. Say goodbye to Scotty Hopson. What a joke we were the last 10 games of the year. Glad Screech is gone and why were we trying to make sure Steven Pearl and the Big Chill lettered tonight? I will say Thanks Senoirs! Lofton and Smith were fun to watch.
midtowncowboy99 writes:
Now Bruce gets to try and win with his players...No more Lofton or Smith. Ouch. Maybe Chism can bank in a few more three's. Didn't see the Dolls run that play tonight. Also missed the airballs for stick backs....
cornnut311 writes:
I love Bruce Pearl, but we were out of control.. out coached... The was no controlled chaos... Just chaos... We better learn how to play in the half court by next year.. Because everyone around us is getting better.
OldNumber7 writes:
Great season. Too bad the end looked like we didn't deserve the be on the court.
RJ_Vol writes:
Seniors, thanks for a great year and winning the SEC regular season! I continue to believe that Bruce Pearl should've erased the Indiana rumor earlier...maybe that should tell us something. We have not played the same since it came out. The players love their coach, and I think the Indiana story was a significant distraction.
gruntworks writes:
By the way, exactly how many teams from the mighty SEC are left in the tournament?
Grim1 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
billadcock#209476 writes:
gruntworks.......you are still an A#%
midtowncowboy99 writes:
What happened after the Memphis game that this team sort of fell apart????
TN blew their wad against Memphis. Took all of their energy and they never recovered.
kceltic#232917 writes:
I've never been one to point fingers,but could someone tell me how Ramar Smith got a scholarship.He can't shoot,he can't take care of the ball and is a liability on defense.Seemed the whole 2nd half,all he did was run as fast as he could to the goal.He either misssed a lay-up or got fouled and couldn't hit a free throw.Bruce needs to seriously get a shooting coach for him before next season.
gruntworks writes:
May be billadcock, but you're still a LOSER!
RollAFatty writes:
Here's a thanks to Louisville for saving the Vols from a Tarheel beatdown.
billadcock#209476 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
volsfan327 writes:
It was a fun ride this season. Sorry it's over, I was ready to see us take on UNC! Thanks to the team and Coach Pearl for exciting season....I'm ready for some football GO VOLS
jacksonvol writes:
Well, they just sucked tonight. We couldn't buy shots when it mattered. Hope we are better at the foul line next year.
midtowncowboy99 writes:
Too bad TN can't get the calls like UCLA. Love plays with total immunity.
The officiating was horrible in the game.
PharmDVol writes:
I hate that we lost tonight, but not so much that we lost the game, but the way in which we lost it. IMO, it was the worst game we've played all season, and it couldn't have come at a worse time. I just want to give a shout out for Jajuan, a walk-on that turned out to be a star for Tennessee. I'll miss seeing him out on the court. As for Lofton, I hate it ended the way it did for him. For so long, he was "the man", and tonight he helped shoot our way out of the tourney with his off-balance circus shots. Still, we wouldn't be where we were without him and I appreciate all he has done. I thought it was odd that Stephen Pearl was in the game tonight. I hope that Pearl wasn't playing his son in the game because he has thoughts of leaving for Indiana and wanted Stephen to get some playing time before he left. Anyways, it's been a "heck" of a run. Hopefully our Lady Vols will repeat and then we can count down the days until UAB. Go Vols!
Ironcity writes:
Team lost its edge after Memphis St. (Yes its still Memphis St.)game. Not as athletic as I thought and it showed against a number of teams late in the season. It was a great season and quite frankly our record was better then I could have imagined. With coach starting to get his guys in, I think we will see a more athletic team and maybe a team designed to do what the coach wants them to.
Thanks to all the seniors. I truely will never forget Chris Lofton. Good luck in your future and make UT proud!
flyintiger writes:
Is it Sloppy Top or Rocky Flop?
Way to go 0 for Kentucky!
Great Season-Priceless Ending!!!
MrBamSeydu writes:
Man, I knew we were eventually going to lose.... but losing the way we did just made it obvious (from a national standpoint) that Tennessee isn't ready to be considered an Elite program. I guess pun intended there.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Didn't have jack to do with coaching or point guard play:
WE COULDN'T SHOOT THE FREAKING BALL.
We missed from 3, from point blank, from the FT line. That is bull about UL defense or whatever. Chris went, what, 5 for 19 or so????
Add to that the rushed fastbraks to nowhere....
cdonsbach writes:
Great season guys, you'll get 'em next year!
It's always great to be a Tennessee Vol, but it's even better when you get to experience, as a fan, a season in which your team beats the #1 team in the nation in a major television event.
tdbigo writes:
Yo, mtoms1272 don't get me wrong I love the big orange. I am unlucky enough to be stuck in south AL and will have to hear phooey all day tomorrow. It is just frustrating to have one of the top teams in the country for once and have the same results. I love Pearl and hope he takes us all the way. Just seems after exactly one hundred years of B-ball we would sniff a final four.
utchris writes:
Lets let the Tiger High fans gloat and try to rag for another day or two. No matter how many games they win this year, one thing will remain constant; they lost at their place to OUR team. I will give it to memphis though, their team does lead the country in most run ins with the law.
No need to talk about what we were or were not tonight. Only time to celebrate all the things that these guys accomplished did right this year. BP and Co. will go back to the drawing board and work on the problems at another time.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Bertlekamp just summed it up. Once we got in foul trouble, we couldn't defend them. Chris's shot was off, but we were saddled with fouls early and often on our most important players. The refs did a good job of evening it out by calling fouls of the ball or while it was in Ramar's hands but we just couldn't knock down enough shots to overcome it. Maybe UT should start making some political contributions too if we want to get an even game!!!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
gruntworks, too bad you aren't sitting beside me in a bar, 'cause we'd be outside about now and you'd have a broken face.
RJ_Vol writes:
PharmDVol...Great post!!! I agree w/ all points. I'm not sure why the younger Pearl was in the game either. I think he has talent, but has he earned playing time in the NCAA's?
alfrizzle097 writes:
Some of you guys need to drop the negativity about the program. It has never been good, but that doesn't mean it can't be good.
The season was great, by far the best in UT history. This team simply didn't have the toughness (mental) to ignore the hype and improve after the Memphis game.
If Pearl leaves I don't blame him. Another two years and people will want his head just like Fulmer.
Great season. Bad game. End of story.
We need a point guard for next year. Could be Ramar if he learns a pull up and free throws or JP with a little experience. Hall is the new guy, yes?
Look forward to it. Just wish I wasn't looking for at least another two days.
midtowncowboy99 writes:
The BCS corruption has already determined the outcome. SEC has won last two football and hoops championship. So give TN the roughest path of any 2 seed, even though they were the 5th seed in the tournament. Make sure and deny Memphis any chance at making the final four. A #1 seed, 3rd in tournament, play 2nd best team in SEC in the 2nd round, play Michigan State in sweet 16. Then have to play Texas in Houston. The NCAA committee will no allow a non-BCS school to make it to the final four. UCLA was handed a birth in the final four, just like Kansas....
The corruption lives...and TN was a victim.
jr8657 writes:
Not the way we all hoped this would end up but it did. Were outplayed at every position tonight, didn't really show up at all i don't think. We are in serious trouble next year at point if the kid from Mich. is not the real deal because J.P. ...I don't think so!!! Ramar has got to work his tail off this offseason to get better as do all of the guys. We must sign someone to replace "5" as an outside shooter or we will have no one that can score outside the paint! Thank you Seniors!! Good luck and God Bless You in your futures!!
hatcherd writes:
Vols did not show tonight. They appeared beaten from the opening tip. All around poor play made them appear that they did not belong. #1 seed? They were lucky to make it this far.
I thought the officiating was poor, but not the reason they lost. We never showed up tonight.
utfpmd writes:
Tiger High can talk all they want, but their season will be over this weekend also.
At least we can look forward to football season (and for us UT grads, having a real diploma).
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