LSU center Chris Johnson was so disappointed with his performance in last Saturday's loss to Xavier, he sent a text-message apology to his teammates.
He sent another message Wednesday evening at Thompson-Boling Arena. And he didn't have to write a word.
His stat line said it all: 14 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots in LSU's 79-73 victory.
"He took that (loss to Xavier) to heart," said LSU guard Marcus Thornton, who scored a game-high 29 points. "I appreciate him coming through like that for the team."
Johnson came through when it mattered most. He had three clutch blocks down the stretch and added a pair of crucial free throws to give LSU (16-4, 4-1 SEC) a three-point lead with 45 seconds to play. Then, on the next possession, Johnson blocked Wayne Chism's shot.
Johnson, who ranks second in the SEC in blocked shots, said he altered his approach against the Vols. He was especially conscious of not going for head fakes.
"I just tried to keep my hands down and stay low (on the fakes)," Johnson said.
Thornton can appreciate opponents' frustration with trying to shoot over Johnson.
"We're usually on the same team in practice," Thornton said. "But last year, no matter how high I would shoot it, he would get up there and block it. That's just his God-given ability."
With Johnson dominating inside and Thornton scoring on the perimeter, LSU seemed on the verge of a rout when it led 61-47 with 12:39 to play. UT then reeled off 13 consecutive points to cut the lead to one.
"They started coming back, and we started taking quick shots," Thornton said. "That's just how it is sometimes."
LSU faltered but it didn't fall.
"They did a really good job of keeping their poise," first-year LSU coach Trent Johnson said. "That's the best win we've had all season."
While Chris Johnson and Thornton were the stars, Tasmin Mitchell also made significant contributions in his matchup with Tyler Smith.
Mitchell had 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. Moreover, he played excellent defense against Smith, who made only two of seven field-goal attempts, scored just nine points and had five turnovers.
"(Smith) impacts winning unlike any player in our conference and probably in the country," Trent Johnson said. "Tasmin has done an excellent job all year long of being consistent and playing within himself."
With Mitchell playing within himself and Chris Johnson playing above the crowd, that was too much for UT to overcome.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 37
UTVolAlum writes:
John I am sure you loved writing this article you were cheering for the LSU Tigers all night.
MrBamSeydu writes:
Scotty Hopson enjoys romance novels, the Lifetime channel, knitting, and strawberry daquiri's.
PS - Dear Josh Selby, you can't get here fast enough!!!
Volnbama writes:
We suck
StroVol writes:
8 hours a day on perimeter shooting? Just a thought. This team cannot shoot a basket
drone#208075 writes:
One of those character building years. Always hate those. Especially when it hits all in the same year - football, men's & women's basketball.
TommyJack writes:
Any thoughtful nitwit should have seen this coming this year. Can you say REBUILDING? Use your heads, mopes. Next year will be better. BP knows what he's doing.
jasonn1970 writes:
I thought Tennessee showed many signs of improvement last night. They just lost to a better team. LSU's starting 5 can play with anyone imho. Too bad the Vols press isn't good enough this year to make depth an issue.....
volfan1985 writes:
Were definately in a rebuilding year!! Sucks losing though! I was proud of Negedu last night! i thought that he stepped and showed the fans what he is capable of. Scotty has got to continue to be aggressive. Tyler needs to quite doing the same move everytime he drives to the basket (it's starting to be to predictable) and as far as Chism is concerned, he needs to continue being the best player on the team!! We can only get better! GO VOLS!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
At least we manage to highlite the opponents best scorer.
Field day at TBA.
TIGERDAN writes:
LSU was beaten by 10 at home last sat to #10 Xavier.
Still Xavier beat Memphis...at 16-4 after KY gets beaten by Ole Miss-
LSU is the SEC's best bet for maybe one top 25 team...
TIGERDAN writes:
Isn't it always- "wait until next year for UT hoops"???
They only have 1 recruit...must be a monster....look out SEC, NCAA, Memphis
they are all shaking in their hightops!!! LOL
Orangeblood13 writes:
we can only hope.
Let's hope there isn't anymore "5 stars" out there like Hopson. That kid is a bust, but shooting from our guards has been poor.
CBP will find away, if not this year , next
Orangeblood13 writes:
in this league, you guys might be between SC or Vandy. That powerhouse of a conference you play in really putting you on the map. You got us this year. woot, woot
Memphis High is on the map
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
LSU was quicker and wanted this win more. Tyler Smith needs to step it up and be a leader!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
When you're right, you're right. The last two UT teams especially had an identity forged by at least two hustling overachievers named J. Smith and C. Lofton. They were partly taught to lead by a mature "glue-guy" named D. Bradshaw. THEY played hard and smart nearly all the time--though Juanny COULD get out of hand at times--and didn't care who got the credit, just that the TEAM got the win. This year's team...not so much.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Correct.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
We couldn't shoot inside either. Tough night! Hard game to watch.
Beat Florida!
TommyJack writes:
Agree with fan4.
mlynn1 writes:
Agreed TommyJack, we just need to be patient.
Volumnus writes:
Yo Gen! I agree... trouble is that it is hard for us to not get beat by a better team...
Volumnus writes:
You think well!!! I know that they have the number of the Guru that KY used for their perimeter shooters.... they should drop a dime and make that call. He works with a lot of NBA players. He can teach them the formula.... And he can teach all of them to shoot free throws... 3 more games won if we hit the FT's.
TIGERDAN writes:
Oh, "in this league" ...you mean the SEC-
Memphis is 13 of last 16 = 81% beat SEC West champ MSU in NCAA regionals- just beat SEC preseason champ on the road?
What is your point again?...
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Surely couldn't hurt! Make that call, Bruce!
drewgizzle writes:
what happened to us!? before the season even started, we were predicted to pone this year! And were actually ranked! we're gonna have to pull our heads outta our butts and actually PLAY!
Vol_Jokes writes:
I heard bruce wants to buy a second house.
said he might as well enjoy things. where else can he go and
make this kind of money for failing miserably. woudl be fired from a real job. Who you guys getting beat by next....i mean playing next?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I sometimes eat "pone" with my collards and pinto beans, but I'm not sure what it means here(;-P)!
THE_VOL writes:
You can forget Mr. Selby. It ain't happenin'!
THE_VOL writes:
I presume you're referring to you and your boyfriend.
THE_VOL writes:
Why the F-*-*-K are you even thinking about next year you freaking moron??? I believe there are still 11 REGULAR season games left plus an SEC tourney and the NCAA tourney!
Now as for you idiotic evaluations:
Tatum/Hopson/Woolridge - ONE of these 3 may not even be here next year - not enough minutes for these 3 egos. Even if they are if they can't shoot or defend MUCH better what difference does it make???
Jurick - the second coming of Ryan Childress will be lucky to EVER play a game at TN. This kid is a MAJOR project.
Maze/West - a great duo? Based on what? Maze has been so good he got himself benched last night. And West? NOBODY on this board has EVER seen him play!!! He was NOT highly recruited and you should have learned you lesson about predicting nonsense for guys (see Hopson, etc.) BEFORE they step on the court!
Casey Mitchell? A top 5 shooter? Again, BASED ON WHAT??? Some idiot recruiting sites "star" system??? Leading some podunk league? PLEASE!! Everybody THOUGHT Hopson could shoot too!!
doctorvol#211700 writes:
some informed comments, others - not so much. Tyler would deliver more if there was an outside shooter to deliver to on inside-out game. He wouldn't go 1 on 2-3. Problem that our best inside scorer is also our ONLY confident outside shooter. Young guys turn down open in-out 3s to drive, float, and hit front rim. Our young guys may not be receptive to coaching, but I fear some have impaired capacity of learning the plan. Blaming CBP and other coaches, or, as I heard today, "just not seeing the coaching this year", makes no sense. Negedu, on the other hand, is learning and improving. Solid and protects ball in traffic. I just can't lay any blame on coaches or Wayne, Tyler.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Normally I would agree. However, if UT gets a 2 point lead at home in the final 3 minutes of a game, we should be able to put it away. No way UT should give up a lead at home to a team on the same level.Especially with the leaders we have in Tyler and Chism.
I don't think we should ever have Hopson and Tatum in at the end of a close game this year. Not enuff savvy! They need another year of exp.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Next year's team all depends on whether or not Tyler and Chism leave. If they stay, the development of Negedu, Williams, Hopson, and Tatum will put UT in top 10 easy. If they leave, UT will be like this year - a 20-12 team getting a 10-12 seeding.
chisigs2 writes:
Can't get away from the Tigers can you? First Memphis... then the ladies go down to the Auburn Tigers.... and now LSU.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Beat Florida. Please?
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Wher you frum boy? Ya frum 'nuther cuntry er sumpin'? ju saeh ah wuz whut...barly..litiate....
Haaaa...that's a new one! I have never heard anything of the sort before. I have been called stupid however by some of your kin from Memphis.
Oh that's funny about Tennessans all being kin to each other. Leave off the boring first and last paragraph and you have an actual basketball post. Go UT
(Orange bloods of Tennessee).
mocsandvolsfan writes:
It'd be great to have Bradshaw back! Win or lose we'd see some hustlin'.
Let's get "Gater"!
tan007 writes:
I couldn't agree with you more about Wayne Chism. He has improved a lot since last season & seems to be getting better each game.
What a great young man to watch play basketball! When he went down at one of the games & wound up in the hospital I was totally sick until I heard he was o.k.
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