UT-Georgetown box
Tennessee Men's Basketball
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — “That was Georgetown!’’ Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl yelled as he exited the court Friday afternoon.
The 12th-ranked Vols scored a 90-78 victory over the defending Big East champion Hoyas at The Milk House in the semifinals of the Old Spice Classic.
Tyler Smith scored 21 points and redshirt freshman Cameron Tatum scored 14 of his 17 points in the final six minutes as UT (5-0) rallied from eight down in the second half against No. 21 Georgetown (3-1).
The Vols play No. 9 Gonzaga (4-0), which defeated Maryland 81-59, on Sunday (TV: ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.) in the championship game.
“Beating Georgetown is very significant for the Tennessee program and significant for the SEC,’’ Pearl said. “I grew up a huge fan of John Thompson, and I’m a fan of his son (Georgetown coach John Thompson III).’’
It was the Hoyas’ fans sensing victory at the 9:11 mark of the second half when 6-foot-11 freshman Greg Monroe drove to give Georgetown a 65-57 lead.
It was all the Vols could do to stay in the game, having scored just one field goal over the previous seven minutes after Wayne Chism sat down with his fourth foul and the Vols up 47-44.
The Hoyas went on a 12-0 run after Chism’s exit that included two 3-pointers by Omar Watted, a former Science Hill High School standout who scored a career-high nine points.
“We found great adversity, because we played a great opponent, and we were in foul trouble,’’ Pearl said. “Our (starting) five are good, but our 10 is perhaps what makes us better or different.
“We go to the bench, and we don’t fall off.’’
Backup point guard Josh Tabb sparked the rally with a drive that drew Monroe’s third foul and led to a 6-point possession.
With UT down 65-59 and 9:07 left, Tabb missed the ensuing free throw, but freshman Emmanuel Negadu rebounded and was fouled on his put-back attempt.
Negadu, the third-string center, split his free throws, but J.P. Prince got the rebound and Bobby Maze hit a 3-pointer to pull the Vols within 65-63 with 8:37 left.
UT stayed close over the next 2½ minutes before Tatum erupted, his 3-pointer from the corner giving the Vols a 67-66 lead with 5:57 remaining.
Monroe hit a free throw to tie the game, but Prince answered with a three-point play giving UT a 70-67 lead.
Georgetown’s Austin Freeman scored on a back-door cut for the Hoyas’ first field goal in nearly five minutes.
But the momentum was with the Vols, and Tatum was feeling it, hitting another 3-pointer from the corner to expand the lead to 73-69, and then getting a steal and dunk to make it 75-69 with 4:15 left.
With 2,000 Vols’ fans in attendance roaring, Thompson called time out and drew up a play.
DaJuan Summers executed, dunking over Negadu at the 3:52 mark to make it 75-71
Smith, like Summers a junior projected in the first round of the NBA draft, responded, backing down Monroe and scoring on a leaner.
“He took the ball right at Greg and stuck it right up his nose,’’ Pearl said.
And then Tatum stuck a dagger in the Hoyas’ heart, hitting an NBA-range 3-pointer banked in from the top of the key to increase UT’s lead to 80-71 with two minutes left.
“You could see those guys eyes get real big when he made it,’’ said Maze, who had 14 points to go with nine assists. “It drained them.’’
Tatum hit another trey the next trip down to make it 83-72 with 1:06 left.
“We were 10 for 16 from three, and we hit 29 of 55 shots,’’ Pearl said. “No one shoots 53 percent against Georgetown.’’
UT is the 10th Hoyas’ opponent over the past 75 games to shoot better than 45 percent.
“I would point to our bench and give them credit,’’ Pearl said. “We need a day off; that was a physical game.’’
That was Georgetown.
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 61
Hopson2008 writes:
As Bert says, "MONEY!!!!!!"
vol88 writes:
Nice win Vols!
JMP_Vols writes:
What a game Cameron Tatum had. His stretch in the second half really made the difference. Bobby Maze has improved the point by leaps and bounds this year.
Great win today.
Jeremy7679 writes:
Tatum killed this game. Nice win for the Vols against a quality opponent. Let's go get Maryland/Gonzaga tomorrow.
Oh, and John Adams sucks.
VolFanNC writes:
Awesome game!! Really good to see this team, was wondering how they would do against Gtown. This team has a chance at being something special. As Hopson, Woolridge, Negedu and Maze get more experience, this team can be great by the end of the season.
bhjohnso#207063 writes:
who cares about top 25 rankings, at this point in the season it's more about the name on the jersey.
Colliervol writes:
Good win an another step in the process. Tyler Smith generally brings it every night and they are getting good contributions from everybody. Woolridge and Williams yesterday. Tatum and Negedu today. Somebody else tomorrow. Chism seems to be playing under more control than last year and Prince is steady. And I am extremely pleased with Maze. He seems to be as good as advertised.
Keep in mind that Georgetown is one of the best defensive teams in the country and the Vols just hung 90 on them. The most points Georgetown gave up last year in any game was 82.
allvol9 writes:
What a game.....and great win for the Vols. Hoping it will be Maryland tomorrow since we already play the Zags later.
TommyJack writes:
Extremely please with this team. Like the bowling shirts the staff was decked out in, too.
nola_vol writes:
Brian Williams is a magician!
Call it sleight of hand or whatever, but tell the truth: have YOU been able to spot half the fouls they call on him?
Of course, maybe... Williams is just the magician's assistant--and the referees are the REAL magicians.
Dunno. Hard to figure.
tennesseetitan_vol86 writes:
i am continually impressed more and more with this young teams level of play. if you would have told bruce he would start the season 5-0, all 5 wins by double digits with wins over georgetown and siena, he would have took that in a heartbeat!
FatherVol writes:
Scotty, I think it has something to do with the fact that the Hoyas are #21 in the AP poll to which the KNS subscribes. It is the poll within the family of AP papers and who doesn't want to keep things in the family, right? The USA Today/ESPN-Coaches Poll has the Hoyas at #16 is done outside the family.
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
"we knew Bobby Maze can't shoot beyond 15 feet" -Kermit Davis Head Coach Middle Tennesse State University. That's why you coach Middle Tennessee Kermit.
junder13 writes:
Tatum came up huge and the Vols played amazingly down the stretch going on an incredible run in the last 7 or 8 minutes. I'm glad Tatum hit those treys cuz I was not happy with the missed layup at a very important part of the game (to tie it at 63). Obviously, the three 3s that followed helped me forget about that. lol
The fact that we beat Gtown with our most experienced and arguably best "big" only playing 12 minutes or so due to foul trouble (Chism, of course), speaks volumes for this team. And it's not like B. Williamns played well either. I saw too many turnovers, missed inside shots, and missed rebounds from Baby. Tyler brought it though and so did Negedu! He's gonna be special. This season's gonna "b-maze"-ing!
miamiVOL writes:
solid win for the team, hopefully they can wrap up the Old Spice championship on Sunday. JP Prince well on his way to winning his 2nd SEC 6th man of the year
FatherVol writes:
Where is "overated" and all the other Memphis scum that rises to the surface here after we beat "creampuffs"? Oh, I think I just saw some of that scum washing down into the storm gutter on North Thomas...
What time if the Terps-Zags game? Is it televised?
webbofconfusion writes:
I guess after todays leak, we are the new Kentucky.
TopTenn writes:
overated hibernating this season
indianacurly writes:
we're starting to get different guys stepping up ... very encouraging. hopson is due again
DCVolFan writes:
I was listening to Georgetown's radio broadcast up here in Washington. I turned it on at the half, and the way they were talking about how good G'town was doing, I thought UT was trailing by about 10. Eat it, Hoyas!!
tennrich1 writes:
Was it my imagination but where the refs really messing up the flow of the game....generally do a great job, though
TopTenn writes:
The national TV exposure is priceless for 2010 recruits.
ncvol writes:
Loved the intensity that UT played with. They didn't let up and hung in there till the end of the game. Go Vols ...Do it again tomorrow. Job well done !
Titan writes:
Overrated is still trying to help Caliper Man figure out when he can use those two timeouts he saved from the championship game. Caliper said he checked and the expiration date on them said 12/31/2008.
eduardo writes:
Thank goodness for the basketball team, because this football program has become a joke! Tell me we just didnt hire lame kiffin. Tell me that! What a debacle!
48orangenation48 writes:
Tatum- 3 man or AKA "Cam Man". Prince- 3's and inside shots. Chism- inside man, offense and defense. Maze- floor runner. Smith- hard drivng SEC MVP. Tennessee Basketball- National Champs '09
bluetick writes:
Dang! I missed the game.
xvolx writes:
good team effort. thought tyler smith played out of control at times. He just needs to be part of the team.
murrayvol writes:
They were doing good DC - down 2 at the half. If Tatum doesn't go crazy in the 2nd half, this is a nailbiter to the buzzer. The difference was numbers (10-6) & bench production (37-12).
gaVOLman writes:
That's what I really love about his team. It seems like every game someone else steps up in a big way. Its not a one man show any more. We have lots of weapons that can go off at any moment.
smokeyvol1 writes:
Guys, we need to vote for our player "Tyler" for MVP of this tournament. Show him some love!
smokeyvol1 writes:
http://www.oldspiceclassic.com/poll_2... Sorry I forgot to post the link for my comment above!
murrayvol writes:
The stats that jump out at me are 5 guys off the bench w/double digit minutes (okay Williams had 9) and a collective 37 pts.
A few teams might match the numbers but not the productivity.
dopedawg writes:
Wow, what a game!!!!! I need my heart meds........Go Vols!!!!!
FatherVol writes:
Titan, this is PRICELESS!
Value of an NCAA basketball: $42.95
Value of a pair of basketball shoes: $137.49
Value of an arena to share with a losing NBA franchise: $17.4M
Value of two timeouts wasted in NCAA Title Game: ZIP-NADA-ZERO-PRICELESS
Cost of
serenehunter#668900 writes:
Way to go Bruce! Arguably the best College coach in the land!
tnbigg writes:
Agree...
nola_vol writes:
Responding to xvolx: "good team effort. thought tyler smith played out of control at times. He just needs to be part of the team."
It looked to me like he was forcing some defensive contact on his shots in the lane, trying to earn some free throws and put some Hoyas on the bench with fouls... but on this Black Friday, all the refs were buying were flops from the round-heeled Hoyas.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
We are the Dook of the Smokies.
And, don't look now, we are working under the hood of the defunked football machine. Hope abounds!
Slystone writes:
Quality win by the Vols. This team is deep and serving notice to all, "Be prepared". Point guard play indeed better than last year. Tatum is the real deal. Look forward to seeing them on Sunday.
VolinCalif writes:
Well It's Gonzaga and it could be a real nail bitter. It will give a preview for Jan. That will be my 1st home game sense 56. Comming with my granddauger, yes she's a student at Gonzaga. We will each carry our colors, can't wait.
go Vols win them both.
CoachNeyland writes:
I was front row at that corner where Tatum lit 'em up... best seats in the house LOL
tennesseetitan_vol86 writes:
I just voted for tyler smith for tournament most outstanding player, the current poll has Kenny Hasbrouck from Siena leading by a landslide of 66 percent, are people that stupid? because im pretty sure that he hasnt done much that has been outstanding in this tournament. fellow vols, gimme some feedback on this please
tennesseetitan_vol86 writes:
here is the link to vote for Tyler Smith:
http://www.oldspiceclassic.com/poll_2...
Madkels writes:
Agreed. They called it too tight. If the refs would have let them play a little more loose, we could have hung a hundred on G'town!Too many touch / phantom fouls both ways.
But the results are what count. This team is developing a great chemistry already. You have to credit BP for that. Let's beat the ZAGS!
bobmcreynolds#663132 writes:
Bobby Maze is THE REAL DEAL. 4 for 4 from the field, 2 for 2 from 3 point land, 9 assists and 0 turnovers. I wonder where Ramar Smith is?
CleverUserNameVol writes:
Ramar Smith and Duke Crewes are somewhere doing bong hits and dreading going in to work at McDonald's tomorrow. Brian Williams isn't a magician, he's an X-Man, didn't you notice him committing those fouls with the use of telekinesis? The GTown players were the magicians, I know I saw them them take two charges while appearing to still be moving. Amazing! Another group of refs that were channeling Ted Valentine. They just didn't run full speed to center court, make the call, do a backflip then bow, like he does. I hope the team gets some rest tonight and tomorrow, they're gonna need it. Gonzaga plays b@lls to the wall like we do. I have no doubt they can win, but it's going to take all the guns. Go get 'em, fellas!
CleverUserNameVol writes:
Talk about chemistry, did you see the little dance Maze and Prince broke into after they got that 5 second call? That made me chuckle. They're starting to bring it all together I think, and I like it.
blitzshoot writes:
GREAT JOB VOLS! YOU CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY VOICE! GO GET'EM!
trivol writes:
Bruce! Bruce! Bruce!
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