Tennessee Men's Basketball
Ravern Johnson rose up in his maroon uniform and buried a 3-point basket. Deep into the first half, Mississippi State led by eight points.
Didn't Bruce Pearl say Tennessee absolutely had to win this game Wednesday night? Or else UT's NCAA tournament hopes were dashed?
So there the Vols were in the final days of February, sliding on a slippery slope toward the NIT.
But there was a second half to play. And during that 20 minutes, Tennessee righted itself. The Vols did what they had to do to notch an 81-76 victory at Thompson-Boling Arena.
"If we don't win this game, we're in trouble,'' Pearl said afterward, confirming the dilemma.
But Tennessee's work is far from done. There's more trouble ahead.
Over the past few weeks - and especially last week in double-digit losses at Ole Miss and Kentucky - the Vols have put themselves on a brink of sorts.
They've squandered a large chunk of the equity built in the non-conference season.
Wins over Siena, Georgetown and Marquette seem like they happened last season. How many 3-pointers was it Chris Lofton made against Siena, five or six?
Even starting off SEC play with three road wins seems long ago.
So now it's come to this:
Serious UT hoops fan, your job has become more complicated.
For the first time in the Pearl Era, you can't narrow your focus to just your team. You have scores to monitor from sea to shining sea.
In short, you're living life on The Bubble.
You wake up this morning with some confidence your team is in the bracket, were today Selection Sunday. But some teams will fall out and some will move in the next few weeks.
The last thing you wanted to see was Maryland brushing up its suspect resume by beating North Carolina last weekend.
You could have surely done without Providence rising up and smiting No. 1 Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. Talk about a quality win.
You didn't need Texas A&M throwing in that buzzer-beater at Nebraska. That's three in a row for the Aggies, if you're counting, and you should be counting.
Tonight, you emphatically do not want Cincinnati to beat West Virginia.
You most certainly don't want UAB to upset Memphis tonight. Yeah, it would be a hoot to see Memphis lose, but don't be tempted. You've got to see the big picture and UAB is lurking on The Bubble.
Here's your homework for Saturday: Cross your fingers that Temple doesn't win at Dayton and that Notre Dame doesn't knock off UConn.
It's not too early to get your priorities in line for conference tournament week.
You very much want Butler to win the Horizon League tournament. You're a huge Gonzaga fan when the West Coast Conference tournament tips off.
It will be bad news for The Bubble Brotherhood if somebody upsets Siena in the Metro Atlantic tournament, or Utah State in the WAC.
You'll be safe with either Dayton or Xavier in the Atlantic 10 but if, say, Rhode Island jumps up and steals a bid, it might be your bid.
By the last days of February, Pearl's previous three UT teams were thinking about seeding, not surviving.
Without a doubt, Tennessee took a crucial step toward survival by beating Mississippi State.
"That was a great team effort tonight,'' Pearl said.
Exactly the kind of great team effort UT didn't get at Auburn, Ole Miss or Kentucky.
But that's in the past. The Vols took care of business Wednesday night, so now they still have a viable future.
That future is a visit to Florida on Sunday, then one to South Carolina one week from today.
"We've got a tough row to hoe,'' Pearl said. "We understand that.''
The Tennessee fans also have some hoeing to do. Somebody's got to monitor all those scores.
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strangem@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 46
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Great article! These are exactly the kind of possibilities that could knock us right out of the NCAAs unless we pretty much win out. No more up and down! One more "down" could kill us!
utchris writes:
Here is a novel idea....
We win our remaining games and do not have to worry about other teams!
hdhurst writes:
I know I am going to sound like the quintesental (?) anti-vol fan, but even if they do get into the NCAA tourney, what kind of hope do they have of really advancing? Sure, you are thinking like I have thought several times this season, "what if they have finally gotten it together?" Well, in my opinion, to have a nice tourney run, they should have been "peaking" at this time. But, instead, we have a team that is up one moment, down the next. With no proven leader (sorry T.Smith, have to call you out here), I don't see us doing much of anything. I really hope they prove me wrong, but honestly found myself looking at the 2009 and 2010 recruiting prospects tonight. If Hopson gets his act together, if Smith stops throwing up Sh*t, if we can get good guard penetration and kick-out, if we can play good team defense, if we can....heck, I don't know, I am not the coach, but something just doesn't inspire me to hope with this team. Maybe I have become a little too use to seeing Lofton and J.Smith willing us to victory too much. Anyway, go vols beat the living guts out of the gators and maybe I will get back on the bandwagon.
seofeed writes:
It seems apparent that the reason this team is where they are is pretty simple. Duke Crews and Ramar Smith. Those were two great young players (5 star recruits) that made terrible decisions to get kicked off the team. With them around, we are talking about seeding instead of bubble.
Triton1 writes:
Thing is hd, you have to at least get there every year if you want to be considered a big dog. We have to get there, then worry about making a run.
jakethevolguy writes:
I agree 100%. I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday.
golfballs03 writes:
Some fear mongering by Mike Strange. As long as UT doesn't lose to Alabama, we will be in the tournament.
1stPoliceJustSayNoToPosting1st writes:
Great read.... but, i don't think Tennessee is THAT much on the bubble.... but we'll see..
ect1983 writes:
Well debbie downer----I guess they ought to just fold it up and quit....God knows no team ever upsets anybody in the NCAA tourney , do they ? Loser.
shipperman#280095 writes:
I agree with you in principle, but if we back into the NCAA, we will lose either in round 1 or 2. I see the NIT personally.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Face facts, this "team?" is not very good
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I'm all for it!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You aren't saying anything that many of us haven't been feeling for most of the season now. No question this team has more than a few holes and a few too many erratic parts that have to function much better before anybody can get too optimistic. Still, this IS a crazy season in college bball generally and we are not the only team that has problems of one kind or another. With the nationwide parity in talent, whoever, among a couple score of teams outside the top dozen or so, puts it all together for a couple of weeks could go deeper in the tourney than anyone suspects right now.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Don't fool yourself. If we go 1-for-3 in our remaining games and do our usual "one and done" in the SEC tourney, that will be 4 and 6 in our last 10 games. Whatever some of us might think about the SEC being unfairly disrespected this year, the selection committee will NOT be impressed with a finish like that. Strange makes points that we would ignore at our peril.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I agree with that EXCEPT I would say, "Don't decide from 20+' out that you are going all the way to the rim with that 6'8" guy in your path; stop and go STRAIGHT up into a short jumper, and don't drift." I agree that he gets a little tentative sometimes right at the rim, but sometimes he shouldn't have tried to get all the way there in the first place. As for your other comment about Tyler, I agree that that is what he OUGHT to do, but I think his knee IS still bothering him. Therefore, he needs to pass the ball out more after he has drawn the defense to him. They need to try to go to him earlier in the shot clock so if he doesn't have a good look, he can pass it out with time for someone else to do something besides jack one up with the shot clock running down.
volwalk writes:
Some of you guys--worry about way too many things, first lets take this ugly victory-(positives-Hopson,Maze,Tabb and Williams) then focus on the gayters. Take it one game at a time--win 19 to 20 and get to the tourney. Once we get to the tourney, anything can happen...getting there this year would be a nice accomplishment and we can use it to build for next season. First things first--Focus on the gayters and take care of business.
jmcarr33#225961 writes:
I know it's been a rollercoaster season, but please quit being so negative. If Scotty keeps improving like he has been the last few games and JP gets his 9 or 10 points a game, and Wayne and Tyler keep doing what they've been doing (for the majority of nights) we could definitely (with the right draw) make a run in the tourney. Of course, that's if we finish strong and gain some momentum. Look at Memphis, they might end up being a 1 seed, and we completely blew that game against them!!! We can compete with all but a few teams in the country (Kentucky & North Carolina to name 2).
lomas98 writes:
If you or anyone else thinks this team is a national championship caliber team, I want what you are drinking. The goal is to make it to the big dance and see what happens. So be it if they go one and done. It can be a magical ride to just make it to the second weekend. I would rather see this team get beat in the NCAA on CBS than be hidden on ESPN 2 against UNC Wilmington in the NIT. Stay positive and enjoy the post season touraments, this is what is so great about college basketball.
lomas98 writes:
The article is 100% correct. Fortunately this year there are not many mid majors that are good enough for an at large bid like in years past. There will be some upsets in the conference tournament and teams will steal a bid, but I think we are okay. Duke beating Maryland helps. Providence will lose a few more. The committee has placed a lot of emphasis over the last few years on conference tournaments for at large teams. I just hope we don't go 0-1 in the SEC. Hopefully Marquette doesn't fold with their best player going down, that is our best win.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
Bruce still has to "coach" this team. 2.5 seconds left in the first half and they are inbounding the ball on their own end of the floor. They look clueless out there and no movement away from the ball. They decide the best thing to do is pass the ball backwards to Chism at halfcout and shoot up a prayer? Are you kidding me? EVERY possession for the rest of the season is important and these guys and coach apparently do not think so.
Volunatic writes:
One down. All I ask of the Vols is twelve more wins in a row.
As for watching the scoreboards and rooting against other "bubble" teams-- nah. Sounds confusing. I hope the Vols just do their jobs and win games.
texasvol73 writes:
Doesn't matter - Vols are not going to beat FLA and SC on the road - 12 losses will not get you in from the weak SEC this year... hate to say it, but true...
teedub writes:
right on, seofeed. every game i can't help but think of the impact ramar would have had on this team.
Orangeblood13 writes:
thanks for your positive influence.... I think getting to the dance would be a battle won at this point. Maybe the preseason hype was a little much, but this team is battling.
Go vols
Orangeblood13 writes:
your an idiot, plain and simple. Even the great ones have tuff years.
If not for Pearl, Tenn Basketball would not be on the map right now.
go back to your moms basement playing with army men
holleyab writes:
"We've got a tough row to hoe,'' Pearl said. "We understand that.''
God, i love our coach
Bigger_Al writes:
I love our coach too. I have a hard time envisioning a win at either Florida or South Carolina, so I think we're going to need two wins in the SEC tourney.
Basketball_Jones writes:
I'm not sure if this team makes the tournament or not. They have 1 quality win over Marquette and thats it. The SEC is way down and LSU is the only team I would consider being a quality team, and we lost to them.
I would say Tennessee makes it based on Pearl. More than likely whether its the SEC,NCAA or NIT Tourney, there's a very good chance this team will be one and done.
One good note, no one on this team can play in the NBA right now so everyone will be back, to go along with a couple of good freshman and Daniel West.
Volunatic writes:
I agree that Tyler's season has been bad enough that his NBA prospects are pretty dim without a good senior season. I also think "one and done" is a distinct possibility in postseason play, so looking ahead to next season is a natural response for us Vol fans.
However, I don't think getting Daniel West eligible is a "done deal".
TrouserCough writes:
Actually, neither were getting much playing time before being kicked off, due to the way they played. Smith was so bad Pearl started Prince at point in the NCAA tournament.Why do people have such great memories of players when they're gone. Everyone was complaining about Ramar last year.
volcycle writes:
Maybe if we stay desperate, even through the SEC tourney,... maybe... this team can stay focused and play as a team. It sure wouldn't hurt to bench those who don't play as a team and force ridiculous shots. Not permanently bench, but long enough to get their attention. There was a time earlier in the year when Tyler played like a leader and tried to get the rest of the team involved. I don't remember the games, but we actually looked unstoppable in those games. Then we went back to this current style we are playing. Come on guys get it together!
Volunatic writes:
I remember when people were saying if Buzz Peterson hadn't dismissed Terrence Woods then the Vols would have won 20 games. (Terrence did do pretty well afterward at Florida A&M, but that's not even remotely as competitive as playing in the SEC.)
OrangeMaelstrom writes:
Me say Witch_Doctor best and most hilarious poster on this site...Me choke on me lunch upon reading this comment
johnlg00#206211 writes:
There are an AWFUL lot of teams between UK and UNC, and all the ones above them, that would hammer us into the floor unless we play as well as we have at our best this year, and we have only done that a few times. Not saying what you say can't be done, and I'm all for it, but it would, IMHO, take a flat-out miracle for us to get to the Sweet Sixteen this year. We aren't even SURE we will be IN the NCAAs yet!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Yeah; kinda funny when you look at it that way! Fans, perhaps even more than most people, see what they want to see.
bluetiger writes:
Even if Memphis does lose tonight, the Tigers are in the tournament, with a 2 or 3 seed.
Pretty dang good for a team that lost its three star players.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
What a bunch of BS....watch the scoreboard, cross your fingers and hope the other teams lose? What happened to simply win your games? Is Fulmer coaching the basketball team? This sounds so much like the past football seasons...hope Florida screws up along the way. Just a thought but could Pearl be more interested in the young cutie than he is the basketball team? Maybe his enthusiasm has been shifted to her?
tmartin writes:
Where do we call to reserve our tickets to NIT tourney games in Knoxville? We should be at home for most of it with the high seed we'll get!!!!!!!!!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I agree.
madcow26#524674 writes:
9-7 sec, 19-13 overall record, 12 or 13 seed in ncaa...then one and done...
vols1977 writes:
Don't mean to call you out man. If you are not on the wagon when things are down, then you might as well not be on the wagon at all. Go Vols!
Vol_from_birth writes:
win SEC tourney.... 6 seed
jerseydevilvol writes:
im kinda just thinking out loud here but why would we want temple to lose, that was one of are worst losses of the year, wouldnt we want them to win as many games as possible to make us look a little better. can someone explain this to me please i dont understand
utucla writes:
yeah...playing in a league where you get an automatic 20 wins every year....let's see, i believe you have only one win over a top 25 team...Gonzaga...not bad...but you also lost to G'town and Syracuse and Xavier...oh yeah that's right...that was before Evans starting playing the point...yeah, i would use that excuse too if i were you...
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
I think 1-3 will still get us in. Probably need to win 1 or 2 in the tourney, though.
All you others out there, I still think Pearl is who we need. Give the guy the benefit, if this happens again next yr., then start the complaining. Let's see how things go.
rustyfourqbtn writes:
we don't care about you, memphrica, or that thug of a basketball coach who won't even give scholarships to white kids.
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