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Tennessee's Tyler Smith leaves the floor with teammate Wayne Chism after missing a shot for three points with one second remaining against Oklahoma State during the first round of the NCAA tournament in Dayton, OH on Friday. UT lost the game 77-75 ending their post season play.
Tennessee Men's Basketball
DAYTON, OHIO — Tough season, tough draw, tough ending.
Tennessee’s Tyler Smith missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer, ending the Vols’ season with a 77-75 loss to Oklahoma State in the first round of the NCAA tournament in the East Regional at University of Dayton Arena on Friday afternoon.
“This season could have been a little better, but it could have been a lot worse,’’ said UT coach Bruce Pearl, whose ninth-seeded team finishes 21-13. “It took this team a while to come together.’’
The eighth-seeded Cowboys (23-11) had a head start in that regard with senior point guard Byron Eaton leading a determined group eager to make the most of their first NCAA tournament appearance.
“After we lost our last game last season, we started working on getting to the NCAA tournament,’’ Eaton said. “We didn’t wait for the summer.’’
Eaton, plagued with three first-half fouls Friday, waited until the final minutes to take over in Dayton.
He scored 10 of his 20 points over the final 7½ minutes including the game-winning drive with 7.2 seconds to play.
Smith, who scored a game-high 21 points — 10 in the final 8 ½ minutes — put the Vols ahead on his three-point play with 24 seconds remaining.
UT was bottled up in the paint throughout the game, but Smith muscled a shot over Terrel Harris and capped a perfect afternoon at the free throw line with his 10th make to give the Vols a 75-74 advantage.
First-year Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford called timeout to set up the final play. The Cowboys beat the Vols with ball screens numerous times, so the pick-and-roll was a likely option.
Eaton brought the ball up and dribbled toward a screen on the wing. UT’s Josh Tabb caught just enough of the screen to be slowed before Eaton reversed direction with a quick burst to the basket.
“Marshall (Moses) had set a screen; all night I been hitting Marshall on the (pick and) roll,’’ said Eaton, who had seven assists. “One of us was going to get an open shot. They just left the middle open.’’
Smith arrived a half-step late in help defense, and the 5-foot-11 Eaton capped his drive with a bank off the glass while drawing contact. Eaton hit the ensuing free throw with 7.2 seconds left.
Smith brought the ball down for the Vols. The first option was for him to come off a screen with a mismatch and drive. The Cowboys walled that off, forcing Smith to settle for a 3-point attempt from the wing at the buzzer.
“It’s a shot Tyler makes all the time at the end of practices,’’ Pearl said. “I just wanted to put the ball in his hands. I didn’t want anyone else taking that shot.’’
The shot bounded off the rim, and with it, the Vols attempt to bounce back from their last-second SEC tournament title game loss last Sunday went flat.
Chism doubled over in tears while Smith pulled his jersey over his head to hide his emotions. Other Vols filed off the court slowly, staring blankly into the crowd.
Pearl, himself on the verge of showing emotions in the postgame, said he was relatively pleased with UT’s offense.
“Seventy-five points is plenty of points to win,’’ Pearl said. “We turned it over in the post. I would fault our offense in that sense. We didn’t get very good conversions at the five (post).
“Wayne had one 2-point basket and Brian (Williams) had one. Emmanuel Negedu, who played six minutes, had two 2-point baskets.’’
The Cowboys, like many UT opponents, packed their defense into the paint, challenging the Vols to take 3-point shots.
Pearl said he could live with Tennessee’s 11-of-33 (.333) shooting performance beyond the 3-point arc (Oklahoma State shot 33 percent, too).
The Vols hit a respectable 16 of 21 (.762) from the free throw line.
But Moses’ strong interior play (16 points on 8-of-10 shooting, game-high 11 rebounds) and the Vols’ inability to defend the ball screen were too much to overcome.
“Both from a strategy standpoint from the coaches and execution standpoint from players, we did a lousy job,’’ Pearl said. “We never covered ball screens well all season long, and we struggled today.’’
The Vols played the first half without Tabb, who was suspended for a violation of team rules. Pearl declined to elaborate on the reason for the suspension, but Tabb’s absence didn’t help.
The Cowboys closed the first half on a 13-2 run to take a 38-34 lead into intermission..
UT didn’t get the lead back until Chism hit a 3-pointer with 11:33 remaining to give the Vols a 54-51 lead.
There were 12 ties or lead changes from that point on in the intense battle.
“We played against a really good team,’’ Pearl said. “We were right there. We were that close.’’
Dan Proctor draws Tennessee Football…
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 575
bsc819 writes:
we are terrible....
TideGolf348yds writes:
one and done. who was the vol poster who said look out for the vols?
KENVOL writes:
God, we need just 1 player who is a shooter. Someone to give the ball to and say we need two go get it.
TommyJack writes:
You let a midget loose in the paint, what do you expect?
MIKETNVOL79 writes:
We always seem to give games away in the last few seconds. Then we have to rely on the stupid last second 3.
Volunatic writes:
Grumble, grumble.
How is Bama doing in the NCAA tournament?
iron_eyez7#227558 writes:
Is it football time yet ?
govols26 writes:
Tyler that better not have been you're last shot as a vol cause that was bad...
kdaff51 writes:
Need a point guard, defense and discipline........
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
OUT COACHED , OUT PLAYED . THEY GOT SOMETHING THEY SHOULD REMEMBER .
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
:07 left to go. You gotta figure he's going to hit the free throw that ties it.
Was that really our best seven second play?
Vol_Jokes writes:
He haw.......
Season over......... done.
One and out. Didn't make it to your national championship (sweet 16) this season.
Threee SEC teams in and 2 never won a game. The sole survivor was LSU who managed to win by 4 over mighty Butler. Last year 6 in and 4 never won a game.
Whew.. i'm sure glad Memphis isn't in that tough SEC conference...we'd just lose and lose. We're in that easy conference. It's a miracle we ever win in the NCAA due to only playing those easy teams. Tigers...advance to the second round. Vols eliminated. What else is new.
Tigers, longest win streak in the country. Two elite 8's and a championship game in recent years. Vols........ nothing.
Always lost the close games and always got beat on national tv. Man I wish we were in the SEC. Those teams are awesome. Oh well, guess we'll just have to stick with being elite and in the CUSA
RJ_Vol writes:
Not gonna trash the team. OSU was a better team - especially from the guard position. Four years straight of making the tourney for UT - unheard of in Big Orange Country. Pitt is going to have their hands full. OSU can shoot the three ball. Thanks to th b-ball Vols for a great year!
TideGolf348yds writes:
they are not embarrasing the sec right now and they still have a winning record over the viles. i would say they are doing pretty good.
dbc5361 writes:
LOL. Headbands lose but they keeps it real!
volmaniac22 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
doctorfingervol writes:
OUT PLAYED!
OUT HUSSLED!
OUT COACHED!
WTF!
tennrich1 writes:
Young lady, you must be MISERABLE!
TommyJack writes:
The game was lost long before the last play. You take a mediocre (at best) shooting team...ask them to live by the 3....An Rx for disaster.
Voluvr writes:
No, Terrible is teams like florida playing in the
Not Invited Tournament
RJ_Vol writes:
I, hereby, officially declare doldrum season...open!
kdaff51 writes:
Agreed......Proud to be a Vol. Its frustrating at times but isnt that the nature of being a sports fan?
tennrich1 writes:
Nah, you did that enough during the season
Voluvr writes:
Okay...time to tee it up and put a toe on it!
IMAVOL2 writes:
no defense on a 4'4" guy (with 4 fouls) driving to the basket !!!!! and no gd plan for an answer with 7 sec to go. some stupid ............."heave" at the end. they were in foul trouble at the 8 min mark and we (pearl) did nothing . well, i feel like "heaving" myself, wasting my sunny afternoon watching this phooey !!!! yes...i'm pissed.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
NashvillePreds writes:
We have to be the least clutch team that I have ever seen play a sport.
TideGolf348yds writes:
We especially embarrased the viles on their home court. swooooooosh!!!
37 footer at the buzzzzzzer!
TIDE WINS!
doctorfingervol writes:
Does anyone else believe that Brian Williams should have not been playing at all? Negedu clearly is more active around the basket and can FINISH! Missed layups and poor perimeter defense cost us the game.
NashvillePreds writes:
It was your mom.
IMAVOL2 writes:
count me as another !!!
utchris writes:
Or as I listened to part of the first half via the sirius sat feed that the commentator called us Kentucky about 5 times
doctorfingervol writes:
I WILL DRINK TO THAT!
A NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINK THOUGH.
VOLinGA writes:
Thanks for putting us out of our misery. This is the most frustrating teams I've ever tried to watch or follow. We give up a lead like a baby passing gas. NOTHING is easy. We make the game look SOOOOO difficult. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID. Up 4, two turnovers. Chance to take lead in last minute, turnover. We have a group on the court making a good run...sub 3 in. Negadu had productive minutes....Williams got shot over all day. And we can not stop penetration...Prince looked like a Matador about 3 times....and how the heck does Eaton get a free pass to the rim in the last 10 seconds. We are STUPID, STUPID, STUPID.
bfbfinsc writes:
You're an idiot, have some respect this is public post
MiserableFloridaVol writes:
Hoped this wouldn't happen, but thought it might. It's time for these diaper dandies to get better over the next few months and show us something. Where was Woolridge this year? Hopson wasn't as prolific as we thought and Negedu was a 7th man. You have to own this thing fella's. Bring on the Master's and then Labor day weekend and college football!!! Go Vols!
leprechaun writes:
Bruce Pearl must have had his mind on the drapes he wants to put in his Gettysvue home, as well as his little honey-babe (or in his words, "the love of my life")!
Bruce, when the ball is tipped, the optimum word is "FOCUS"
MrBamSeydu writes:
Well! Welcome back next year Tyler!! We all know you aren't ready for the NBA so just bring it right on back again.
The #1 reason we lost most of our games this year: dependency on 3 pt shooting when we don't have a 3 pt shooter. Period.
We could have dominated OSU on the inside but chose to throw up garbage 3-balls all game. You get what you deserve.
ORANGEASIAN writes:
So much for the true Big Orange Fans. So much crying going on, what a life you guys have. All the never ending roasting of the coach and team. Like you could do alot better.
route33 writes:
We let Another one get away!! TERRIBLE! So many chances to win and too many mistakes. Same 'ole story! This one hurts
SeanJean writes:
I stand by that this was a poor coaching job by Pearl all season. This team is loaded with talent and played in the weakest SEC I've ever seen, and underachieved all year. Awful shot selection and offense from day 1 until today. It's like there is a forcefield around the three point line. We have tons of athletes who can get to the foul line, and Tyler is the only one not afraid to head to the basket. Just terrible offensive coaching. Wayne Chism got worse as the season went on. He turned into Reggie Miller at the end of the year, except he can't shoot. Useless. Really disappointed in this team. OSU was the better team, but they shouldn't have been.
RJ_Vol writes:
Maybe, Hopson next year...maybe. Those types of players (small but can take it to the hoop) are rare.
anyonebutfulmer writes:
Proud to say we are one of the best 64 teams in the country!
Wooooooooooooo!
How much are we paying Bruce Pearl again?
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
yup; that was my prediciton on this game, that if was close we'd lose. I'm serious, this is getting to be predictable with Bruce; same scnee against ohio state, same result.
WHY in the world would you not PASS the ball upcourt, and call timeout?? it's simple frickin' physics that the ball can be passed faster then you can run.
I'm sick of this garbage with this team right now. It makes it even worse that I rexpected the result.
Cab0505 writes:
Tyler Smith SUCKS.. He is an Overrated piece of phooey, maybe he will leave and go play in Europe, then we wont have this ball hog gangsta steet ball playing fool losing games for us anymore,
Volman61 writes:
I don't want to read any more antisemitic posts criticizing Coach Pearl. Maybe some of you long for the return of the Jerry Green days.
bobbarbilly writes:
CBS is a network of commercials brought to us by basketball.
Vern Tonguetwist is a sports commentator like a woodchopper is a brain surgeon.
born2ride writes:
We got cheated with a #9 seed. If Pearl played a bunch of cupcakes like Memphis does (instead of playing the toughest schedule in the country) and we got their easy tournament bracket UT would be going to final four this year.
Memphis will choke again like they did last year. Memphis does not deserve to be a #2 because they did not beat anybody good. They can win 100 games in a row and it won't matter cause they are beating Conference USA teams. Memphis will always be the step child to UT.
The Vols have a lot of talent coming back. Tyler Smith & Chism will return and be top players. Hopkins was the best freshman this year and Negedu is a force inside. They will win the SEC and get a #1 seed next year. Don't give up on Peal because he does not have to cheat to win. Pearl has turned around the program. Before Pearl arrived we did not even get to the tournament.
We know Mike Slive shafted the Vols and the SEC with the seeding. The refs made a lot a bad calls today. We should have one the game and had a chance. Pearl has built the Vols into an elite team and there are a lot of high expectations and jealous people who want to see us fail.
LEXKYVOLS writes:
Tyler comes back and Tennessee is a Final Four team next year. All that want to jump off the band wagon - jump now so to save more room for we Tennessee fans who have been with this team since the early years.
Bruce Pearl - Great four years! I can remember the many many years we did not even get to play in the post season.
Did you know?
Tennessee is the only team in the history of the SEC to finish above Kentucky 4 straight years.
Tennessee is one of 16 teams to have made the NCAA tournament the past 4 years.
Tennessee is the only SEC team to have made the NCAA tournament the past 4 years.
Denny
Lexington's Biggest Tennessee Fan
smokeysal22 writes:
Fundamentals, Fundamentals, Fundamentals, that is what lost the game. Smith and Hopson both turned the ball over late (running without the ball is football not basketball) 7 second play was worthless and I think we shot way to many 3's. We do not have Lofton or J Smith anymore. Why could we not pound it down their gullet? Oh, well at least we made the tournament. We will be better next year, Smith and Chism are not quite ready for the NBA but who knows, they could go and we could be better for it. Smith did play a hell of a second half. Chism disappeared!!!What touranment did Bama get invited to, I don't see them on any tourney team roster..........
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