Tennessee Men's Basketball
AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn rolled Toomer’s Corner after beating Tennessee in its previous trip to The Plains two seasons ago.
The Tigers simply rolled the Vols j- and Toomer's Coorner - again Saturday.
“We battled,’’ UT junior center Wayne Chism said, “but they came up with the win because they were more physical.’’
Auburn’s Korvotney Barber hit an uncontested layup with 4.3 seconds left, and J.P. Prince missed a leaner at the buzzer as the Tigers (14-9, 3-5 SEC) beat the Vols 78-77 before a crowd of 6,321 fans at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.
“This is our most disappointing loss,’’ said UT coach Bruce Pearl, whose team drops to 14-8 and 5-3. “Every other loss we have is to guaranteed NCAA tournament teams. Auburn, right now, isn’t a guaranteed NCAA team.
“We were really in good position to win the game. I don’t know the statistics, but we don’t lose when we have a lead.’’
The Vols were 84-7 the past 3½ seasons when leading or tied with five minutes left in a game (they led Auburn 71-67 at the five-minute mark), and entered the action 13-0 this season when out-shooting their opponents, as they did Saturday (59.2 percent to the Tigers’ 53.7 percent).
The trends didn’t end until Prince’s shot clanked off the rim at the buzzer.
“I thought it was going in,’’ Prince said. “It felt good coming off my hand.’’
Barber’s game-winner was considerably easier from point-blank range. Barber found himself wide open after an airborne Wayne Chism narrowly missed stealing an inbounds pass at midcourt with 10.4 seconds left. Chism had the ball in his hands, but it came loose. Tay Waller came up with the ball for the Tigers and found Barber open under the basket as Chism scrambled to get back in position.
“I felt like I had it,’’ Chism said, “but I couldn’t get my legs back under me.’’
That was the story of the day for the Vols, who got out-rebounded 34-21 and were outscored 19-2 on second-chance points.
It was just as Pearl said he feared it could be.
“I thought one of the ways Auburn could win the game was out-rebounding us,’’ Pearl said. “They played hard, they are very athletic, and they beat us to a lot of 50-50 balls. We showed our team tape of them beating people to 50-50 balls repeatedly.’’
Now, Pearl has more tape of the Tigers’ out-scrapping an SEC opponent.
“We got a big victory over the top team in the SEC, I think,’’ said Barber, who shot 8-for-8 from the floor and scored 21 points.
“If we were gonna lose,’’ said Rasheem Barrett, who led Auburn with 27 points, “we were gonna lose going down without a fight.’’
Tyler Smith led the Vols with 21 points, Prince had 18 and Scotty Hopson scored 14.
“It shouldn’t have been that close at the end,’’ UT point guard Josh Tabb said. “Auburn hit some big shots, and we couldn’t get our hands on the loose balls. We’ve got to get tougher on the 50-50 balls.’’
A Smith basket with 38.7 seconds left gave the Vols a 77-76 lead, setting the stage for the frantic finish.
Auburn’s Lucas Hargrove drove and drew a foul on Cameron Tatum with 16 seconds left.
Hargove missed both free throws, the second hitting the front of the rim and coming off at an awkward angle.
“That ball came off and hit me right on the head,’’ Chism said. “I thought it was coming off long.’’
Barrett beat Smith to the loose ball, and Tigers’ coach Jeff Lebo called timeout.
Moments later, Prince had Auburn’s Frankie Sullivan trapped against the sidecourt and appeared to hit the ball off of him and out of bounds. The Tigers, however, retained possession under the basket, setting up the pivotal inbounds play that led to Barber’s game-winning basket.
Auburn led 43-41 at the half, even though the Vols hit 60 percent of their shots (15-of-25), including 58.3 percent (7-of-12) beyond the 3-point arc. UT’s defense was at times passive, as the Vols forced only two first-half turnovers on the smaller, quicker Tigers.
UT returns to action at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson-Boling Arena against Georgia.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 333
playdoh writes:
Pearl's loss. Should have saved the time out.
Madkels writes:
This team is as bad as last years team was good. We sukkk!
NorthwestVol writes:
One point loss on a inside layup with 4 seconds left. Out rebounded 34-21.
Gutless may be a bit harsh, but it's all that comes to mind at the moment.
tractoronthepole writes:
JP Prince cost us this game. He pushes off for no good reason other than he is mad he isn't passed the ball. JP play for Tennessee not yourself, you are better than that. You made some incredible plays today, and act selfish in the end. You played some point last year, show us more assists, you are a veteran.
govols26 writes:
Way to throw a game away...that was horrible rebounding against a team we should've been able to walk over on the boards. And way too many three point atempts in the second half. It was obvious they cooled down from beyond the arc, so why would you go away from your bread and butter in the post late in the game? That shove on offense by J.P. was about as dumb a play as he could've made at that point...
They regressed big time.
volmattna writes:
Cameron Tatum, is the worst basketball player that i have ever seen!!
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Two stupid fouls were the difference in the game IMO.
1. Brian Williams' intentional foul.
2. J.P. Prince's push off after Maze just crossed half court.
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
Relax. This team is getting better. Should have won this game today, but we didn't. We didn't rebound a 2nd missed free throw with the game on the line...Chism went for the steal with 14 seconds left on an inbounds pass in the backcourt and Tyler seemed to be guarding no one on the last play. We failed to execute a play and they did. We will still make the NCAA tournament, but our conference title hopes took a huge hit.
We had a chance to capitalize on Kentucky's slide, however it looks like LSU may run away and hide from the rest of the league.
SFOrange writes:
disappointing team.
Rockytop98 writes:
Heartless loss and this team continues to not man up when in a tight game. Too many threes, not enough to the basket and NO DEFENSE!! Long season already maybe the NIT is what we deserve this year? GO VOLS!!!! Please!!
blitzshoot writes:
Turnovers, Freethrows, and Rebounds. Does this squad practice or just show up for games? The get beat and look stupid doing it.
When is basketball recruiting?
huntined#565710 writes:
Not getting the rebound on a foul shot cost us..they had 3-4 chances to score on their end by getting the rebounds.
Gave Fla a chance to really take the lead if they beat KY tue.
eduardo writes:
3:08 to go up 4? Boy that sure is generous with the time. I think there was like 1:50 to go. You cannot shoot a 3 with that much time to go up 4! Must pound it inside! It would have been better to get a shot clock violation in that situation. The court was uneven when he shot it and nobody was underneath or back. Come on Tyler play smarter than that dude!
wally writes:
How about Brian William's momentum-killing intentional foul? What in the heck was that?!!?????
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Well said.
Screw all the bandwagon fans who throw the team under the bus after a loss.
12packvolfan writes:
I HAVE 2 AGREE WITH U ON SOME OF THOSE STATEMATES.I DONT THINK BRUCE EVER SAYS ANYTHING 2 CHISM OR SMITH
NorthwestVol writes:
Maybe it's time to put in some of those slow short guys on the end of the bench. At least they might give some effort. Sit these egos down.
Colliervol writes:
Wasn't Pearl's loss. Try those absolutely dumb fouls by Willams (basically cost 4 points) and J.P. (stupid push off at a critical time when we were up). Add that to shoddy defense and getting out hustled by a bunch of midgets on offensive rebounds (like fumbling on that last rebound on the missed free throw by Hargrove. Get that one and the game is over). Those things will get you beaten on the road. Simple as that.
This team may be the least intelligent in the NCAA. I have never seen so many bonehead plays and forced shots and it's been going on all year. The early season fooled me badly on this team. Talk about missing leadership in Lofton and Jajuan. Just woeful performance.
dmcintosh writes:
Poor officiating. Poor offense. Poor defense. Another career game for an opponent. SAD! What happened to the statement from three years ago: "No one will EVER out-play and out-hustle this team."?? We have no team chemistry, no hustle, no heart. Pathetic!
TommyJack writes:
I never knock Bruce. But that time-out was real bad decision. Also...is it me, or is Bobby Maze pretty much useless? Ok, ready for incoming.
eduardo writes:
Dont forget DEFENSE! How in the world do you let so many plays happen in the last 2 minutes to lose that game. Everything had to happen for us to lose that game and it did. Very disheartening loss!!!! I agree about the basketball IQ too. We do some really stupid stuff on the offensive and defensive ends. I guess we are what our record says we are. Man I thought these kind of years were over after 4 twenties and buzzy boy left. We just cant get out of our own way!!!
blitzshoot writes:
Time is running out. kinda late in the season to talk about "turning things around." No heart or passion.
It's like watching a pick up game at the Y.
NorthwestVol writes:
Respectfully disagree. The buck has to stop somewhere. These are Pearl's kids. He's responsible for the talent he recruits and the team he molds them into. They may be a good team this time next year, but they are not showing much, if any, improvement this season.
eduardo writes:
I'll tell you what I am sick of seeing with Williams is when he commits a foul and wants to argue with the ref. If I was the ref and he continually did that with me I would slant toward the other team every time Williams was in the game. Someone needs to tell him to play ball and leave the officiating to the officials.
ruffbunch#253882 writes:
As frustrating as this loss is- we have shown improvement over the past few games. Our inside game and outside shooting have been better. What we have not cut down on is stupid mistakes. If we block out on free throws, not rush our offense and throw up quick 3's, not lose our heads and grab (BW) people or push off (JP) we win this game.
If we can cut out half of our mental errors we can be a good team. You guys have got to chill out on dogging this team. It is frustrating but we are improving in many key areas and playing better team ball.
I love the way we are pounding inside.
PLUS- why in the world did we not go zone and stop their inside game? Can we please for once give a zone a chance? not a 3-2 all the time either. Try a 2-1-2 some.
I say we mix up our D and we become a better team too.
I am sticking with this team. I love Pearl and would not trade or go back to the sucky teams of the past.
GO VOLS!!!
blitzshoot writes:
You're right. WIlliams is unbelievable. I hope they keep
him away from sharp instruments. He tries to tackle a player and looks up like " what did I do?"
1vavolfan writes:
Tennessee fans suck, all you whiners just go ahead and jump off the bandwagon but don't be jumping back on when they win a few in a row.
littleorange writes:
Guard play has been a problem all year......I don't see that getting fixed this year. Have been to every home game for the past 5 years and will be there to support the guys in the future.
huntined#565710 writes:
There is just no way we should have lost to that team...Those kind of games just take the SEC championship away from you..Didn't look like out team knew how important this game was.. Now we have to depend on other teams not winning to be back in the loop instead of leading.
givehim6 writes:
Several things come to mind: defence, great defencecive try the last min. of the game, before that {lazy}. shooting, 3 point & free throw, need to get some. Motivation, remember the UF game play every game like that.
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Also....like you said, we have 8 games to go and they're all winnable. We also have the SEC tourney coming up.
If you're giving up, fine. Don't let the door hit you in the @ss on the way out.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Incomin'!
Realism. No SEC team in the Sweet 16.
Waddaya think?
OrangePower11 writes:
My hats off to whomever designed the final defensive set. The huddle must've sounded somehting like this...
"O.k guys, here's the plan. I want two guys all over the man closest to the halfcourt line. Under no circumstance do I want the man 40 ft from the basket to beat us.
"Coach, what about the man that will be left alone under the bucket?"
"FUGETABOUTIT! We'll have Tyler Smith down on the block to stare a hole through the mans chest as he attempts the layup, which should cause him to miss. Even if he hits, we'll still have 4.4 seconds to force up an out of control shot that looks more structured than 90% of our offensive sets."
"NOW GO OUT THERE AND PLAY TENNESSEE 08-09 BASKETBALL BOYS!"
reg_mza#219136 writes:
Free throws. If we hit even so much as 2 more free throws in the course of this game, we win, theoretically. But if we hit 5 more, I think it's safe to say even without theory, we win.
This team is as Memphis was last year, expect for no ability to close out of games and stomp on teams.
NorthwestVol writes:
It's hard BB. Hard to support a team that plays so soft with such an apparent lack of effort and desire. Blind faith that things will improve?
tractoronthepole writes:
So which game were you watching, we just played an Auburn team who was 2-5 going into this game. Is it in your nature to want to watch us play to the talent level we face and say we are showing improvement? You don't need to chill you need to understand basketball.
TD_4_UT writes:
Brian Williams played better last year, so did Prince. Tyler tries to do too much. Last part of game NO REBOUND!NO STEAL!NO DEFENSE!
memphis_vol_fan writes:
How is jet ride back home treating you?
rocky_topper writes:
Lazy bunch of players. None want to play defense. They don't want to rebound, defend the 3-point shooters, etc but they sure want those point numbers. If they make the dance, they will be put out in the first round. Why did JP even take that last shot? It's not like he's the best shooter on the team. I guess he just wanted the two points or die!
blitzshoot writes:
There is time to get this team turned around. They will start making free throws for the first time this year. Just wait. They will start rebounding and hustling. Watch.
They will play with passion and heart especially on defense. Just watch..there's time....just wait. LMAO
12packvolfan writes:
can u tell bruce 2 relate that 2 his players.GO VOLS WIN NIT
ruffbunch#253882 writes:
No excuse on the loss but if you cannot see areas where we are improving then you are just too frstrated to notice. Maybe we fall apart but I believe we will make the tourney and might even win a game or two.
Two ways to look at everything- choose to say we suck and mess on yourself OR learn from it and improve. I see us imroving. Clean yourself off.
kcpboarder writes:
I know these are 18,19,20 year old guys...but there has to come a point when maybe one of them will get some basketball I.Q. This is without a doubt the dumbest Bball teams I have ever seen play. You could see that loss coming, espeacially when you have success inside all day then start shooting threes. The only thing J.P. prince could have done dumber after that shove, was that retart salute he does. And why do we use our last time out at that point, they should know what they are doing before that...and since we did, you would think they would have drawn up some kind of play for the end. I don't know, maybe they did and it was give it to Prince let him dribble the clock up and then throw up from NBA range!! Nice guys. Just really irritated on losing because no one has any brain cells. I'm not going to even get start on rebounding. Out
TopTenn writes:
Terrible loss to a bad team. There's a lot of blame to go around. B. Williams intentional foul, Tyler 3pt. when up by 4, Wooldridge two bad 3 pt. shots, and letting JP take the last shot. A blown opportunity when our next two games are wins. Go Vols beat Georgia.
blitzshoot writes:
Did anyone hear Williams after the game ask Pearl, " this is halftime , right?"
volbballfan writes:
agreed. the so called fans on here are fn ridiculous. this team has played well of late and imo actually played well today other than the williams and jp mental lapses. the game was ON THE ROAD, which is a hard place to win in CONFERENCE PLAY, for all of u fair weather fans that want to throw them under the bus. did they blow the game, of course, but they were in it until the very end. we just need to keep fine tuning things and we will be fine. for all u that want to load this site up with b1tching and moaning, go put on ur tiger high or kitty cat gear, as i will speak for the TRUE UT FANS, we dont need/want to hear ur nonsense
oldladyvol writes:
Is Coach Pearl telling the guys to keep shooting (and missing) threes? Even I can see they could score every time they took it inside. Other then Tyler trying to do too much, this is a team of "all stars"-selfish. Where is their basketball sense?
tractoronthepole writes:
Never said we suck or even thought we suck. If you cannot see that we have players playing for the name on their jerseys rather than the school they play then you are a fan of the players not the university.
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Aight, then let me rephrase. We have eight games left. Six of those we should win. The other two (UK, USC), I'm not so sure about.
We sucked today, but IMO people shouldn't write them off just yet when they are capable of winning out the remainder of the reg. season.
armyvol544 writes:
Is it football season yet?
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