Tennessee Men's Basketball
Tennessee started.
Gonzaga finished.
And No. 15 Tennessee saw its 37-game home winning streak end with an 89-79 loss in overtime to Gonzaga before 22,326 fans inside Thompson-Boling Arena on Wednesday night.
Tennessee (9-4) saw a double-digit first-half lead vanish, but still rallied to force overtime thanks to an acrobatic, off-balance basket from Tyler Smith.
That shot, which tied the game 73-73 with about 24 seconds remaining, was the final highlight for Tennessee.
Gonzaga, which also defeated Tennessee 83-74 in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando on Nov. 30, jumped out to a seven-point lead in overtime and never looked back.
UT never mounted a serious threat in the extra five minutes and shot just 2-of-11 from the field in overtime.
Smith, who had two points and no field goals in the first half, came alive late to finish with 17 points.
“He really battled back,” said UT coach Bruce Pearl, who lost the first game in Thompson-Boling Arena to a non-conference opponent in his four seasons. “I don’t know why he was struggling early, but he’s a great competitor. Whatever was ailing him, he was able to overcome it with his desire to compete.”
Gonzaga (9-4) snapped a three-game losing streak — and ended another significant UT streak in the process.
In addition to dealing Pearl his first non-conference loss in Knoxville, the Vols dropped back-to-back for the first time since losing to Kentucky and Ole Miss in January 2007.
The Bulldogs (9-4) got a game-high 26 points from Matt Bouldin.
Cameron Tatum led UT with a career-high 22 points.
But the Vols, much like Tatum, faded late.
Paced by the redshirt freshman’s 19 first-half points, UT ran up a 15-point lead in the first half.
“It was a good first half, but in college it’s 20-minute halves right now,” Tatum said. “It’s all about putting both those halves together as a team.”
After suffering through a nearly 10-minute stretch without a field goal, Gonzaga closed the gap to 40-33 at the half.
And after two quick Tennessee baskets, the Bulldogs unleashed four-straight 3-pointers to take their first lead since the opening minutes.
UT’s Wayne Chism had 15 points and 19 rebounds, his third double-double in the last five games.
“I’m glad the refs are letting me play now,” Chism said. “I’m really satisfied.”
Tennessee returns to the court with its SEC opener Saturday at Georgia (TV: WVLT, noon).
That game will be another test for a team whose toughness has been questioned at times early in the season.
“I thought they showed some real toughness (against Gonzaga),” Pearl said. “Obviously when you lose a couple games now, that toughness is going to be challenged once again. We’ve done all this to prepare ourselves for conference play.”
Smith OK: Pearl said after the game that Smith, who appeared to injure his left leg after a hard fall on the baseline in OT, would be OK.
Pearl said Smith would be evaluated, although the junior walked off the court on his own and returned to the game seconds after coming out.
Hopson Limited: UT freshman Scotty Hopson saw limited playing time because of illness.
Pearl said Hopson had a bout with the flu Wednesday and wasn’t sure he would be able to play at all.
Hopson, who started all but two games entering Wednesday night, played 11 minutes and scored five points coming off the bench.
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Comments » 241
edvol writes:
this team will never go anywhere. there's no discipline, no leadership, no coaching. it looks almost like BP throws a ball on the floor and says "play". When comments after games are "they wanted it more" "they played harder"
"i don't know why we played so poorly" are the norm, you have problems. This team is full of four and five stars and are not just losing, but getting dominated by teams with less talent. I'm as happy as the next guy with renewed enthusiasm for Tennessee basketball, but let's face it...the peak has come and gone. This is a 500 team with better than 500 talent. Ask yourself...why?
volcycle writes:
Oh well, same ole Tennessee....
BIGEJ writes:
Opinions vary.............GO VOLs....
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
How depressing. I'm coming to the realization that our bball team will suck this year. At first, I thought they'd improve, but I'm not seeing it. Piss-poor defense is happening game after game.
I feel badly for Burce. We know he's a good coach. Sad to say, the kids he has recruited aren't getting it done where it counts.
Hats off to wayne Chism for working his butt off tonight. We miss our shooters and we miss our passers. We suck at both.
Sigh.
cainclifton23 writes:
I love how people expect the same results as last year from a team so many new pieces. and no big time clutch shooters.
Im glad fans are already pulling the over rated and all that stuff, go ahead and do that. it shows the real fans, to the fair weather fans.
We are struggling on defense. and those goes back to all the young players, not understanding the game fully.
Im glad we are playing these ncaa tourney games right now and figuring out what we are doing wrong.
floridavolsfan writes:
Your right---"ORGANIZED CHAOS" will never ever beat a team with a system!!! For you slow ones organized choas is not a system!
PureOrange writes:
This team keeps looking worse instead of getting better. Coach Pearl has been known for hustle teams. This team is determined to not hustle.
J.P. Prince seemed like he had rather be somewhere else. His layups were pathetic, and his other shots were even worse.
22,300 people could not even help this group. I do not understand lack of hustle and want-to, but this team is looking more and more like our last few football teams. That certainly pains me to say that.
The Lady Vols started out with new players and had some real growing pains, but they have shown so very much improvement. Our men's team looks much worse than they did early.
b_neas writes:
Face it people this team is way way to young to be expected to be a top 15 team right now, as the season goes on they should get better. That being said if i see JP take it to the hole again like a 3rd grade girl and sissy it up i am gonna slap his mom. He killed UT in OT two sissy takes to the hole and then lost his man on defense. This is a team that still has to learn to play together, they at least played hard tonight. UT does just not match up well vs Gonzaga. Good thing the SEC is down this year. Hopefully we can win 22-24 games and get a 4 or 5 seed in the tourney and maybe make some noise.
floridavolsfan writes:
Blame it on Dickie V for snubbing the Vols!!! He cost us our home winning streak... HE'S A PTP, BABY!!!
vtvol#210290 writes:
Relax everyone, BP has no choice but to play a bunch of freshmen. They will continue to grow as the season progresses. They still have a lot to learn, especially on defense, but I have faith that these kids are coachable. Besides, would anyone rather have our boys hot in Jnauary or hot in March?
b_neas writes:
AMEN!!!
bobscleo#330846 writes:
this group reads how great they are supposed to be
they ain't s@@@-TOO MUCH PRESS NO "d", NO SHOOTERS, WELL LOT'S OF SHOOTERS, NO 1 THAT CAN HIT-HOW PITIFUL
AT BEST 8& 8 SEC-LOW SEED -MAYBE CBP DIVORCE AFFECTING PERFORMANCE-I DOUBT IT-TOO MUCH PESS, TOO LITTLE EFFORT-FIRE MIKE HAMILTON
floridavolsfan writes:
Give the boys to Pat Summit----I am sure Bruce can coach the the Filly's!!!
Beast writes:
These guys can't play man defense--get them in a fu@#ing zone coach! how obvious does it have to be? i'm a football guy but i can see this s#it from 380 miles away. XXXXXX
PureOrange writes:
Old habits are hard to change, and this team is forming some bad habits. Bruce Pearl's teams always played 40 minutes, but this team does not.
Being young is no excuse for not playing hard. If they play with the same effort in March that they are playing with now, they will get to watch a lot of games on TV.
bobscleo#330846 writes:
NOTHING SUCKS LIKE A BIG ORANGE
teedub writes:
This may be the year when we really find out what kind of coach BP really is. We know he can motivate and breathe life into a program. Those two items were checked off in year 1!! Personally, I think we'll see a better team come SEC tourney time. However, time will tell.
Go Vols!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
I can and have respected that viewpoint. However, the last 2 games have shown a lack of evne basic defensive play....
did you see how easily Boulden got around THREE players at the end of regulation???
This is not just freshman stuff. This is a mindset to sell out playig D first.
Beast writes:
except you sausage smoker!!
floridavolsfan writes:
Chris Mathews gets a tingle up his leg when he hears Monte Kiffin speak!!!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
there is no basis to think we will be hot in March cause we sure arent getting better and BP himself has suggested that
As bad as we are on defence I really think BP stresses it and coaches it good but these guys dont executes--there is no indication at all he coaches offense and thats where I'm disappointed in him ----as another said this is ununorganized chaos/street ball/with nothing but jacking missed brick and airballs----shooting % overall and 3s continue pathetic which wont win with horrible defense--------nothing but butchered layups close in but at least we can draw some fouls-------I've had it with all the 3s--nothing but wasted trips and BP as much as i like him personally is to blame for that knowing these guys are not shooters
floridavolsfan writes:
He's trying to give up the sausage!!
b_neas writes:
There is a reason CBP has a top 5 winning %. He is a great coach and recruits well and demands high character from his players. We tend to forget that point. As long as he is at UT we will have a respectable program on and off the court!!
floridavolsfan writes:
If these kids don't graduate the all become brick layers............THAT'S AWESOME BABY!!!
vtvol#210290 writes:
Yes, they played like phooey these last two games. Yes, there is no discipline at times. Yes, Wayne Chism should be benched if he EVER attempts another three again. The Vols did play in a hostile environment at Kansas and play an unranked but top 25 caliber Gonzaga program back to back after a two week layoff. Let's wait until the boys finish their first round of SEC games before writng them off. Until then, In Bruce We Trust.
mike_d writes:
They better find someone to "go to" in big spots. Or shall I say, they better find someone to knock'em down in big spots.
vtvol#210290 writes:
Are you for real? I bet you weren't this quick to have Fulmer removed. Oh wait, you probably want him back.
ps11824 writes:
floridavolsfan, please do not call our Lady Vols fillies. And do not take Pat's name in vain. The guys still have growing pains and sickness and injury to deal with. Our guys seemed a bit stymied in their half court offense.
walt23tn writes:
I don't see us as respectable with the losses we've had lately. We are looking as bad as a projected SEC champ ever has going into SEC play. We can't play a zone, and we can't play against a zone. If anybody makes a cut on us, forget it. Nobody takes it to the hole, we stand around,.......and watch Chism and Prince shoot 3's????? We are not a good 3 point shooting team, but I would rather see Tatum, Woolridge, and Hopson's arms literally fly off shooting 3's than to ever see Chism, Prince, and Tabb take one more three...even at the end of a shot clock. I like Pearl, but if that's your game plan, this could be a long stretch. I also get tired of hearing people aren't Vols fans because they criticize. In fact, it's the opposite, some of us care maybe too much and these silly, no effort losses kill us. Maybe you guys with the Fulmer pat-on-the-back style of fan participation should get a little more intense. The crowd laid down after a couple of minutes in the game tonight. Anybody seen Duke's fans? (And I hate Duke!!)
VOLsoldier writes:
"choas" must be a Florida term. I've never heard of it.
Southpaw_Vol writes:
You're a moron. This team is 9-4 and playing QUALITY opponents. This team is YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED. This is JAN NOT MARCH! We need games like this to make us better come March.
All of you idiots that are saying CBP can't coach these guys better be prepared to eat crow come March.
Patience is something Vols Fans need to find. Gonzaga is a great team. How we tend to forget that this same Vols team beat Georgetown AND Marquette.
rep88 writes:
can anyone tell me why jp prince sucks so bad all of a sudden. He was rocked all night tonight and cant even hit layups anymore. He cant play defense and is lazy but he used to be able to score now he thinks he has to make espn on every damn lay up. As for chism played a great game but still takes far to many stupid 3s and takes us out of big moments of the game. I love bruce will all my heart for what he has done here but he is not coaching and not getting into these players like he should. sit prince until learns to play d and if nothing else let scotty and woolridge get ready for next year cause princes effort is a joke
TSNVol writes:
For one thing, terrible execution on offense (except for Tyler). I played ball and my coach use to say two things. 1) On offense USE THE SQUARE ON THE BACKBOARD!
IF YOU STAND AROUND IT MAKES IT EASY FOR THE OTHER GUY TO GUARD YA!
UT missed easy under-the-basket shots because they try to strip the net, instead of using the backboard. It just makes me crazy when I see a player miss an easy shot because they don't use the SQUARE! And too many players out of position shooting shots they shouldn't attempt. Tatum was hot and they just went away from him instead of setting him up like Zaga did for Matt Bouldin who was outstanding with 26 points.
2) On offense the Vols have NO motion in their sets. They kinda stand at each wing and either Wayne or Tyler move around the paint. If we tire out our defender we have a better chance at getting the open shot or even a layup.
This team needs to take a good look at themselves without coach Pearl around. Someone on this team needs to take charge and kickstart some you know what!
rep88 writes:
not to mention can we please sign one white boy that can shoot the rock cause we had one light us up tonight
tenmanjonez#561272 writes:
This is ridiculous. People seem to be expecting us to be able to compete with the likes of UNC, Duke, UCONN, Pitt, or the other top-echelon teams with such a young team. Granted, we did not play as the better team tonight, but the 2 players that were supposed to show up, did, along with Cameron Tatum. Kid is amazing. J.P. Prince doesn't look like he has any business holding a basketball, but just imagine what this team will be like in a year or two. THEN and ONLY THEN can we compete with the likes of the aforementioned teams.
edvol writes:
We lost at home to a 7-4 team, after holding a 15 point first half lead. All the "this team is young and will come around" would be fine if we were playing teams with more talent that ours. But we are not. Not showing up at Temple was bad enough. But this happened at home, and as someone said "this team is getting worse, not better." And if it is organized chaos...someone has to stop that...and he has not. I respect BP and love the Vols, but I'm just stating facts. BP needs to change his approach to coaching this team. If he's prepping them, watching tape and coaching them -- it's not working.
dvols writes:
new concept! recruit players that can shoot the ball!
we will finish third in the east at best! alimonys is a rockin.
cdonsbach writes:
We're young and will be better next year.
Everyone freaking out should just stay home, you most likely sit on your hands the entire game anyway.
GO VOLS!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
maybe we can use the "inexperienced" excuse some for defense and some of the finer points of the game but i wont buy it as it relates to shooting----they been jacking shots all their life---make some for a change----never seen so many bricks and airballs and Bert declarings of "terrible shot"-----I'd start with Woolrich warming some bench---lost playing time is the only thing thats going to get these guys attention and I too am tired of Prince butching shots from near and far
vol4good#206163 writes:
Well Bob, if we need any phooey out of you, we will squeeze your head!
tnbud62#231266 (Inactive) writes:
We hustled for 4 minutes late in the 2nd half then never again, we are a team of shooters who cant shoot and we have ZERO DEFENSE,we have streaky shooters who arent consistant and we have no floor leadership and no 3 point shooters,CBP WILL CORECT THIS ,I HAVE FAITH IN HIM,GO VOLS! BEAT BAMA!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
chism had 19 boards--tonite is not the time to be criticizing him--------there is noone on this team who has shown they can make 3s with any reasonable consistency and decent % and others should be reduced on 3s as well
3ballvol writes:
All of you folks ripping Bruce are freaking spoiled brats! I sat there night after night under wade houston on in to the Buzz era! We wouldnt have even been in the discussion. This was one of the worst basketball programs and atmospheres in america. Are you kidding people we used to have to go watch freaking Gannon Goodson play post! Atleast we are in the discussion these days. We dont have a pure shooter and the freshmen are a step slow bottom line.
kdaff51 writes:
Simply no defense. They should all have the flu in the morning from the draft that came thru those backdoor cuts.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
anything other than a 2 handed dunk has a 70% failure rate-
just_a_vol writes:
Wow! Have we turned into bammer football fans? Last year we were all declaring that UT was ready for a final four run and our coach was the second coming and now 2 out of every 3 posts is about how pathetic our team and coach is. Have a little patience. We will get better! We are young and inexperienced and learning a new style of play this year. We don't have a Lofton, or J. Smith to shoot teams out of the zone but you still have to take those shots. Ever try to get the ball inside against a packed in zone? As for D....we did stink getting through screens and haven't done a good job all season but do you really think CBP isn't trying to teach that? Some people who post on here obviously have more experience and knowledge than our present basketball coach. Maybe they should have sent in their resume when Buzz got the boot. Chill and watch the Vols improve. If we are still making the same mistakes at the end of the season then you can have a hissy.
GR82BAVOL writes:
“I’m glad the refs are letting me play now,” Chism said. “I’m really satisfied.”
What do you think now parker? They lose and he's satisfied?
CoachNeyland writes:
Brian Williams is a joke.
harvo12#250673 writes:
Little league don't count friend. You might have played ball, but you didn't play any kinda ball like the Vols play. Here's what's wrong with what you said.
1.) It's not always easy to use the backboard when you're getting hammered by 3 people down low. And they are still missing layups hitting the square. And if you're in front of the basket, it's easier to try to lay it in against a defense then put it off the glass.
2.) Tyler wasn't the only one who had a good night offensively. Tatum had a great first half, and Wayne Chism was my player of the game. When we went inside to him, he was unstoppable.
3.)We didn't go away from Cameron. He had several opportunities to score. He didn't have the confidence to score. He stopped shooting his open threes, and instead of pulling up for an open 10-15 footer, he drove it all the way in and turned it over. He's got to make his own shot like he was at the start of the game.
4.)The NO motion thing you are referring to is the actual play. It's designed that way. Until you coach the team and call the plays, I wouldn't blame it on the players. It's kind of like a false motion to keep the defense in a defensive stance for a shot clock and to try to catch them napping. You didn't recognize them running it last year because Chris and Jajuan make that shot at the end of the shot clock.
Hey, good try though.
GR82BAVOL writes:
Every one of you who left with exactly 1:00 left in OT and the VOLS down 7 oughta turn your season tickets in. I've seen many a comeback in the final minute, especially with the potential for a 4 pt play...potentially a 2 possession game and a bunch of you are leaving...It looked great on TV...really classy.
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