So, this is how it feels.
When Tennessee basketball fans, 22,326 of them, filed out of Thompson-Boling Arena late Wednesday night, gone were the grins. No one felt much like singing Rocky Top.
For the first time in 34 months Tennessee lost on its home floor.
Since March 1, 2006, 37 crowds had gone home happy. Not this one.
Gonzaga came across the continent from the Pacific Northwest and beat the Vols 89-79. That UT forced the game into overtime was testament to its grit.
But the better team won. Again.
This was a rematch of a Thankgiving tournament title game in Orlando, Fla. Gonzaga got that one, too, 83-74.
Since Bruce Pearl came to town nearly four years ago, Tennessee has grown accustomed to winning. Winning big.
Losing at Kansas on Saturday, that was one thing. Two losses in five days is another. That's the change Pearl has wrought in Tennessee basketball culture.
But this team has some issues and when you play good teams they get exposed.
Let's present the overtime as microcosm of those issues.
Gonzaga scored on every possession in the extra session, save its last when the Bulldogs willingly took a shot-clock violation with a 10-point lead.
The Zags not only scored, they seemed to score with ease.
All five players could go get a basket, whether it be guard Matt Bouldin toasting J.P. Prince on yet another layup, or 6-foot-11 Austin Daye popping in an open 3-pointer, or another 6-11 guy, Josh Heytvelt, nestling in a soft 17-footer.
Much has been made of the Vols' defensive shortcomings, and, for the record, Gonzaga shot 52.5 percent in a hostile environment.
But Tennessee's offense is stagnant as well.
Cameron Tatum's red-hot start disguised for a while the Vols' struggles to make a basket.
Tatum matched his career high with 19 first-half points then opened the second half with a 3-pointer, his fifth of the game. From that point on, Tennessee shot 13 more treys and missed every single one.
The bottom line behind the arc was 6-of-28 - Tatum 5-of-10; everybody else 1-of-18.
Somehow, the Vols are going to have to figure out how to attack a zone defense. Throughout the second half, most of UT's scores came on rebound efforts, rather than anything produced by the half-court strategy.
Wayne Chism was magnificent in defeat. He made only 5 of 16 shots but fought for 19 rebounds.
Tyler Smith willed his way to 17 points, none of which came easy.
Prince struggled to finish around the basket. Bobby Maze was 1-of-9, Reynaldo Woolridge 0-of-5. Scotty Hopson, under the weather, played only 11 minutes.
It all added up to 36.3 percent.
Chris Lofton, phone home.
Lofton wasn't there, of course, but his parents, Frank and Kathy, were pictured on the JumboTron. That got a big cheer.
Another inspirational Vol tried to lend a hand.
With Gonzaga leading 73-71 with 38 seconds in regulation, the JumboTron flashed former player Dane Bradshaw in a recorded message exhorting the crowd to make some noise.
Then the real Bradshaw stood up courtside and waved his arms. The crowd roared: "Dee-fense," "Dee-fense.''
It worked. The Vols forced a turnover on an inbounds pass - their trademark - and went down and scored to send the game into overtime.
But there was no 38th consecutive happy exit. The last week before SEC play begins was a downer.
"Kansas and Gonzaga,'' said Pearl. "There's nothing else to explain.''
Kansas and Gonzaga indeed. Pearl's philosophy has been to play anybody anywhere. Unfortunately for UT fans, being a witness at most of those games required a travel agent and a ticket broker.
Austin, Columbus, Oklahoma City, New York, Seattle, Newark, Orlando. If you earned a perfect-attendance star for the Vols' marquee regular-season games, you've racked up the frequent-flier miles in the bargain.
Of course, it's understandable that marquee teams wouldn't be lining up to visit Thompson-Boling Arena. Texas, Memphis and Ohio State are among the body count in that home-court winning streak.
But not Gonzaga. The streak is over. So this is how it feels.
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strangem@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 50
VOLorado writes:
We're used to leaving unhappy.... just not during basketball season.
Let's start a new streak.
GO VOLS!
FortyNinerVol writes:
I hate to admit this, but I take full responsibility for this loss. I haven't ever been to a mens basketball game, I am a season ticket holder for football but this would be my first game into Thompson Boiling to see the men play(I have been to a few women's games.) Don't worry I will not be attending in any games in the near future, sorry for all the commotion I have caused and lets start a new win streak with Kentucky.
RockyTop writes:
Our younger players are going to have to grow-up fast. We need to take better care of the ball and quit giving up unforced turnovers, and we also missed to many shots around the basket.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
It's not your fault, it's mine, I was showing off with some girl acting silly instead of concentrating on the game, and when I cam e up for air, we were behind and it was the second half. I should have watched the game by myself and rooted us on to victory. It was my fault.
tn_vol_67 writes:
GO VOLS!!!!!
VolJunkie writes:
Good article Mike ... first UT loss I have experienced at TBA, it was a quiet walk to the car ...
VolJunkie writes:
Agreed, though I thought G'town would end Notre Dame's streak ... UConn will be a tough home game for them, probably a good thing for their streak that they play Pitt on the road.
GreerVol22 writes:
One thing is for sure, there will be no March if he can't get some hustle and simple defense out of these prima donnas. It's playground basketball,... lazy defense, wild shots and dare is say very little coaching to improve.....We own some responsibility too. As fans in the arena, the team responded to the crowd. However, it took Bradshw and Pearl to pump us up. Don't kid ourselves into thinking that we are a baskeball audience. Watch a Duke or UNC game on TV. That crowd never quits.
adimatteo#261830 writes:
oh my, we lost a home game after 37 wins in a row,yep, program is shot, kids are no good, dont try, sky is falling, must not be focused anymore...how on earth could this have happened???...
houvol#438636 writes:
Gonzaga scored at will. The defense never showed up. Lets face it, we suck. Good thing the SEC is weak. We still will have a decent record at the end of the season and still make the NCAA. I expected better out of this team and coaching staff. This team is a 2nd round hopeful.
Ringside writes:
It's not the losses that this team has, it is how they lose. Problems that should be corrected are not. Same problems each game. Stay the course and work like heck.
pupvol writes:
AMEN! It just looks like they"re not even working on their weaknesses.
Singaporehillbilly writes:
Out coached again.
Volgrad777 writes:
Arkansas will almost certainly break the top 20 next week with two wins over top 10 teams.
UT_Pup writes:
One word says it all:
DEFENSE
Pullingguard writes:
Bruce Pearl has to recognize that defense helps win basketball games and UT looks lost in it's effort to play decent defense.. Its all about pressure and turnovers for the vols and if that does not work just play loose and hope the other team does not score... SEC is not gonna be any cake walk for the Vols for this team has not jelled.
jturne44 writes:
this is such a young team with no identity...don't be so harsh! you are the loser dude...Gonzaga is opposite of a bad team, they in fact go to the tourney and go far every year...and as you saw they are always a great shooting team...
MoneyBaby writes:
Pearl said "There's nothing else to explain". Well coach, explain to us why after finally getting to the point in your career where you can recruit the best talent on the floor, you can't get that talent to actually live up to itself? Have you been beaten once this year by a more talented team? The biggest question for you now coach is can you live up to your own well-deserved hype now that you have the tools to win? So far, no, you can't. You do better with scrubs that drink your Kool-aid. The players you have now aren't buying into what your pouring. Don't tell us they aren't physically capable of pressing teams like last year's team did. That's a load. As hard as it is to admit, the marquee names you have brought in have thus far showed not one ounce of heart. When and if they ever scrap hard enough to bleed, it will be green, not orange. Your job now, coach, is to get them all blood transfusions. Dig deep. You can do it. You turned Bradshaw into a folk hero. Turn this group into a team.
Ironcity writes:
Get over yourself. This team and its players are not that good period. Who on this team is a defensive stopper? No one is. Tyler and Wayne play hard but they do have their shortcomings. Bobby Maze makes me dream of the days of a stoned Ramar Smith. None of our wings are good defenders. Maybe the biggest disappointment is Josh Tabb. At one time he was thought to be a defensive stopper who brought energy to the floor. It turns out the more he plays the less he has to give. These kids are learning what all freshman learn, the effort has to be there weather you have the ball in your hands or are without the ball. I do see improvement in what we are attempting to do. I wish our bigs had better post moves and could finish once in awhile but the fact is they don't.
Hudro writes:
Strange isn't it that we have gone from a team that pressured you for 40 minutes to a team that lets you glide to the basket unmolested. We still are good at defending the inbounds but need so much work on defense.
Questions for anyone. Does everyone on the team have the green light to jack up a three regardless of time or circumstances? That is the only way I figure out Woolridge et al taking such ill advised threes.
jsm67vol writes:
You are a loser and we have to look no further than your screename to know that. Keep making your ignorant posts though, so we can keep reminding you what a loser you are. When is the last time UT had a 37 game home win streak broken? All streaks comje to an end idiot, well except that 24 game streak UT has over KY football. KY couldn't even keep it close this year with the worst UT football team in 3 decades. Happy New year to you LOSER!
bowlinggreenvol writes:
Yes we have been beaten by a more talented team this year. It's happened at least twice...by the same team. Gonzaga was believed by many to be the second most offensively talented team in the country behind UNC. I don't think they've done anything to prove that notion wrong. They literally have 5 different guys that score 20 a night and score from anywhere on the floor. As we saw last night they can easily widdle a 15 point lead down to 5 in a matter of 3-4 possessions. We're not that talented of a team, we're an athletic team there's a difference. Athletes can only take you so far then basketball skills are neeeded i.e. Memphis last 3 years.
bowlinggreenvol writes:
*can score 20 a night
ETNTigerFan writes:
so they'll get you 2 elite eights and a national championship game? I'll keep taking the athletes.
volfan#207874 writes:
Well...just let a DARN good team (Gonzaga) come into TB and leave with a hard fought overtime win and the nattering nabobs of negativity stampede to downplay the talent and ridicule the coaching staff. I will agree that the Vols did not play up to their expectations, but there is an old saying in the West that goes: "There ain't a horse that can't be rode and there ain't a man that can't be throwed."
Who among us has not had our ego handed to us in a loss to a mediocre team. I have played some basketball in my youth, and have been involved in wins that were considered major upsets, and have been a part of the team that lost to far inferior teams. I feel that the Vols had what could be considered an "off night" last night and am feel sure that they will put that game behind them and work to get better in all phases of the game. Go Vols!
ellerbee123 writes:
I am in TOTAL SHOCK at the mentality of the Tennessee fans posting on this site. Before you go after Bruce, why don't you check our players vs. the other basketball teams in this country. Yeah, lots of Freshman and sophomore v - mostly seniors with a junior or two thrown in. Makes me deathly ill. I also imagine you are like me and when Lofton and Bradshaw were freshman I could not name one player on the boys team. Did not even start keeping up until Dane and Chris were sophomores. Bruce has done sooooo much for this school's basketball program and believe me in a year or two you will realize how much.
Thank God we got rid of the real loser on the hill.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Time to shorten the bench, go to zone defenses--sometimes with traps in the corners--and try to pound the ball inside on offense. No, we don't post especially well either, but, as Jay Bilas said, this team's best offense is the missed shot and the offensive rebound. Sit BW and give his minutes to Negedu. Make it clear to Tatum, Prince, Hopson, and Woolridge that two of them are going to get most of the minutes and let them go at it. No more threes for Chism--I would rather have him inside chasing other guys' air-balls. No more 3-foot passes through eight guys in the lane--either take it up STRONG or pass it back out and start over. Neither Maze nor Tabb are "The Solution" at PG, but they are all we have. I don't expect CBP to do this or anything like it--it IS his team. This is just what I would do with this team right now, though I prefer to play fast. What we are trying to do right now clearly isn't working at a Top-25 level.
khelton657 writes:
Well stated.....
knoxtenor writes:
I hope our one-and-dones have backup plans in place, maybe like actually STUDY at the university and get a degree. I can't see any NBA team being interested in any of them as they're playing right now.
bowlinggreenvol writes:
Yes I would be happy with those runs myself, but you DIDN'T win it and the two Elite 8 teams should have been Final 4 teams at minimum but they weren't able to get over the hump. You were able to out athlete many teams especially in that joke of a conference you play in, but when you played someone with athletic ability on par with your own but better "basketball players" you struggled i.e. UT, OSU, UCLA. Fortunately for Memphis the possibility of playing teams as athletic as them rarely occured until tournament time and until last year it only carried them so far, which was my point.
db11_cn writes:
Good analysis. I thought Hopson played well in his minutes, then found out he was battling flu. Maybe illness made him focus on being a more complete player than a McDonald's A-A. Prince has never looked worse, Negedu gave those 'Zag "trees" all they wanted. He should play more.
Anyone know if Jurick has left? He wasn't dressed out last night.
UT still among nation's best 25.
bowlinggreenvol writes:
I don't understand your mentality as a Tennessee fan. It amazes is me how many people openly admit that they didn't start following UT basketball until we started winning, and you want to point out "fair weather" fans who are starting to mumble. You should follow the team regardless of the record if your truly a fan of the University. I did not grow up in the state of TN, never had a relative go to UT, and never lived there until I started at UT in '04. I grew up a TN fan in the state of FL and always knew what was going on with EVERY sport. I followed the Jerry Green and Buzz Peterson era's of bball religiously. This is a kid who drove 4 hours to G-ville by himself as a HS senior to watch a 14-17 TN team play UF, the same kid that showed up to every basketball game an hour early in Buzz's days(coached 2 of my 4 years of school) or was willing to hop in the car by himself and go to Columbia or Nashville for a baseball game because he loved the sport and believed in supporting his school's athletics. You want to talk about fair weather fans, it wasn't 4 years ago there'd only be 13k for a UF or UK game now we're mad if there's not 20k. Where did you other 7k come from? I strongly believe that winning should not affect whether or not you attend a game. You attend because you love your university and you want to support its student athletes in every way possible and what's simplier than going to a game and showing them you care. For all of you who didn't follow TN bball until the last 2-3 years I don't want to hear any complaints from you or any testaments to how great a fan you are.
givehim6 writes:
I think the problem is no one on this team has experienced the pre-Bruce game. Maybe these young Vols need to have there noes in the mud a year to get there rears in gear.
THE_VOL writes:
GEE I LONG FOR THE DAYS OF KEVIN O'NEILL!!! YEAH, I KNOW, WE DIDN'T WIN HARDLY ANY GAMES AND PLAYED - NOT A SLOW-DOWN - BUT RATHER A STOP OFFENSE! BUT HEY, WE WERE ALL CERTAINLY MUCH HAPPIER BECAUSE WE HAD NO EXPECTATIONS - RIGHT???!!! TRUISM OF THE DAY - THERE IS NO ESCAPING MORONS ON THIS PLANET!
THE_VOL writes:
The ONLY thing you know regards robbing cradles - which of course you learned from your ChildMolesterInCharge!
THE_VOL writes:
Seriously, have you people forgotten two years ago???? An undersized team with a benchload of touted freshmen LOST 11 games yet ended up within ONE BUCKET of the Elite 8. There are all kinds of excuses and opinions flying around - mine included at times - but the bottom line is that the games are played for a reason and until this group either fails to make the tourney or gets eliminated we march on. I remember an NCState team that literally won it's way into the NCAA's by winning FOUR ACC tourney games and then went on win SIX straight in the dance! They had a coach who later said "Don't give up, don't ever give up." Non-believers and chronic whiners are now excused from the Vol Nation!!!
doctorvol#211700 writes:
Unbelievable negativity here. I have followed closely the Vols for many years, beginning with being pelted by oranges in memorial gym whem I was 9 in '69. We currently do not have the experienced and savvy guard play that we had come to enjoy, appreciate, and, apparently, take for granted over the past few years. I guess all these folks would feel better if CBP had scheduled a bunch of preseason nobodies and we were 12-1. Last night, Chism played great. Yes, I wish he would be selective on 3s, only taking the shot with one-step rhythm. He rebounded hard amongst trees, and fought for loose balls. Maze played a bit better on D, and forced a big turnover on an in-bounds play right in front of me late. Our young-playing teenagers, Hopson and Woolridge, clearly need to grow up and toughen up, but they were sick last night, and that is no measure. With only one outlet on the wing, Tyler faces more pressure in the paint than last year. At least we know our weaknesses, and Coach says we are working on them.. Why not believe him? He elucidates our issues very well in the post-game. So much better than J. Green "well, we rolled out the balls and the shots didn't fall tonight". GO VOLS! Let's support our guys.
ellerbee123 writes:
Considering my husband graduated law school at UT and we give a large amount of money to UT and also directly to the Boys' Basketball program, I will darn well state how I feel, when and where I want. Also, judging by the 04 entry to UT, I was sitting at UT ball games before you were even a glint in someone's eye. However, I do not subscribe to losing programs, basketball, football or otherwise. Therefore, I will go when I want to and stay home when I choose. That my friend, is my choice. I do however, continue to make my contributions.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Jurick was sitting behind the bench in civvies. He is being red-shirted this year. Unfortunately, I don't think we ARE among the best 25 right now. I have hope they will be by tourney time, but they have a LONG way to go right now.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Glad to hear you testify, brother! My Vol bball fandom goes back to the early '60s. Every year, I felt that THIS would be the year the Vols do it! Yeah, I was that deluded(;-P)! It is however only since CBP arrived that I could actually THINK this would be the year--yeah, I'm STILL that deluded(;-D)! GO BIG ORANGE!!!
dvols writes:
unhappy? what short memories, be happy we get on tv and espn likes pearl ....for now.
budd#207344 writes:
And we will react to your comments accordingly
pammyvol1000 writes:
We need some long shooters!! Period.. Tatum is getting there but jeez.. why do we get so lost on defense and giving up easy shots?
volwalk writes:
BACK OFF!!!
We have the best basketball coach that our program could have---agree that its defferent coaching the likes of bradshaw,loften and smiths vs. hopson,woolridge,tatum--but give me a break dude. These kids are freshman and they deserve a chance just like Bruce. Your attitude, hopefully its the minority, is the kind that makes me puke and would love to send it up to the big blue nation that ran off tubby. You see how that worked out...Minnesota is ranked and KY is not. As hard as it is to watch--we have to be patient with the change and the post Loften---I assure you that Bruce is the man and will right the ship!
cainclifton23 writes:
Our TBA fans SUCK!
Anyother crowd having a primetime ESPN REMATCH would have been going INSANE!
but oh no, now that all the stuck up rich folks are at the game they only cheer when we dunk or when the kiss cam is on.
When its a tie game and were on defense is the place going nuts like it should? No?
Thats why the previous two teams were so dominate at home. Our crowd was so wild, every minute of the game they were on their feet and screaming.
we dont have that anymore, we have gotten used to winning and that is killing us now
What is the point in having all these fans come to the game when they dont even help us win.
I hate that its become a "status" thing to come to games, just like in football
cainclifton23 writes:
haha you're so gay.
SFOrange writes:
Fans? I watched on ESPN2--while the crowd was big must in the lower bowl sat on their hands...ok, the students tried...but man, its no home court advantage. Go Vols.
floridavolsfan writes:
Every time I hear Monte speak I get a tingle up my leg!!! I sign my posts--my name is Chris Mathews
floridavolsfan writes:
Can't win every game--Bruce has spoiled you!!! 9-4 and you open the door--SEC isn't going to be easier---Better than the donut man!! Duke DeLuca
ladivolfan writes:
That's right fans. Kick 'em while they're down. Bad mouth the players. Bad mouth the coach. Bad mouth each other. That'll teach that bunch of young players that Vols fans support their team.
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