Ole Miss was bigger, stronger, deeper, and for most of Saturday’s men’s basketball game, certainly looked better than Tennessee.
But coach Bruce Pearl said he had the best player on the floor in Wayne Chism, and then yet another UT walk-on stepped up in the form of unheralded Josh Bone.
The Thompson-Boling Arena crowd of 20,714 did their part in No. 9 Tennessee’s gritty comeback, too, cheering on the short-handed Vols (14-2, 2-0 SEC) as they rallied for a 71-69 overtime victory over the No. 21 Rebels (13-4, 1-2).
“Without the crowd, we don’t win that game,’’ said UT senior J.P. Prince, whose free throw with 6.8 seconds left used every bit of the rim before falling through to ice the game. “We were tired, and everything has just been a grind.’’
Chism said he was “tired, and put that in all-caps’’ after posting his second consecutive double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds, including a 10-of-10 performance at the free-throw line.
“We can’t complain about the physicalness, because we knew it was coming,’’ said Chism, who logged a career-high 41 minutes. “I felt the crowd believed in me, and it’s good to have the crowd behind me when I’m shooting.’’
There was a time in Chism’s career when many UT fans groaned each time the 6-foot-9 post/forward launched 3-pointers.
But Saturday, Chism drilled back-to-back 3-pointers in the midst of a 15-2 run that Bone capped with a 3-pointer to give the Vols a 55-54 edge with 5:18 left.
It was the first time UT had been ahead, but the lead changed hands twice more before Ole Miss had the last shot at averting overtime with the score 59-59.
The Rebels put the ball in the hands of their All-SEC point guard and leading scorer, Chris Warren.
Bone, a transfer from Southern Illinois, was waiting for Warren, ready to throw up another defensive road block with the game on the line.
Warren, 5-of-18 shooting, was forced to settle for an off-balance jumper that clanked off just before the buzzer.
Bodies banged, players crashed to the floor and a ball laced with sweat had slipped through hands over the final minutes.
“The ball was slippery from all that sweat that was out there,’’ said Prince, who scored 14 points and had eight rebounds and eight assists in a career-high 38 minutes. “Ole Miss is a team we’ve had trouble with because they are so physical, so strong; a weight-room team.’’
The game was tied 61-61 with 1:34 left in overtime when Bone hit a 3-pointer to put UT up 64-61.
The Rebels answered with Terrico White’s 3-pointer and ensuing free throw after Prince was whistled for a foul at the 1:12 mark.
The Vols, who trailed by as many as 12 in the first half, were behind once again.
And again, it was Chism stepping up, this time from the free-throw line, draining six consecutive free throws over the final 49.7 seconds.
On the other end, UT had switched into a seldom-used zone defense that proved effective.
“Interestingly enough, zone defense was a factor, as we struggled against it,’’ said Pearl, whose team was 6-of-23 shooting beyond the arc. “Then we played zone against them five or six times, and I don’t think they scored on it.
“We saw zone disrupted Ole Miss (in an 80-75 loss) against Mississippi State, and it disrupted them again today.’’
The Vols were up 70-65 after a pair of Chism free throws with 12.8 seconds left when White drove for two of his 17 points to bring the Rebels back within 70-67 with 7.3 seconds left.
That’s when Prince was fouled on the inbounds pass, missing his first free throw before sinking the clincher.
“We’ve expended a great deal of energy the last three games in seven days,’’ Pearl said. “This homestand was about our program and our fans. These guys are battling; I don’t know how good we can be, but I’m proud of them.’’
Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy, 2-2 against Pearl, gave credit where it was due.
“They just had a senior step up in Chism, a guy I’m sure has taken the reins of this team, and he made big plays,’’ Kennedy said. “We led this conference in fewest turnovers . . . the strength of our team is in the backcourt, and today we turned it over 21 times.
“This is still Tennessee basketball; they just cannot extend it for 94 feet based upon the lack of numbers.’’
That will change before the next game Tuesday night at Alabama (TV: ESPN, 7 p.m.).
Pearl announced before Saturday’s game that Melvin Goins and Cameron Tatum have been reinstated. The pair has been suspended four games for their role in the New Year’s Day traffic stop the resulted in Tyler Smith’s dismissal and Brian Williams’ continued suspension.
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Comments » 128
chazz25 writes:
gritty team...didnt play their best but still gutted a victory out against a good team
NTNSTY writes:
Grats Vols - good hussle win.
stayingorange writes:
Big, gritty win without playing their best - or much of Maze.
TommyJack writes:
Yeah, Bruce can't coach, remember?
pomp_and_circumstance writes:
Some things about this Vols team is fixed like heavenly planets in orbit. They will spot every opponants 18 points in missed foul shots; they will average making 3 perimeter shots out of each 25 attempts; J.P. Prince will turn the ball over 8 times at the very least. Yet they win, and I don't understand exactly how they do it.
MiserableFloridaVol writes:
Now we're talking about a game for Chism. He looked great today along with Bone in OT! Go Vols!!! Another top 25 win.
utfan15govols writes:
Why did Maze spend most of the 2nd half on the bench?
TopTenn writes:
Another great team effort. this team kept composure when down 12.
Fryinpansvols writes:
The commentators mentioned that Pearl was sticking with Josh Bone because of his play. Maze wasn't too productive and was shooting cold. GBO!
huntined#565710 writes:
GREAT win and they scare me to death..I love Pearl's hustle but I don't think he could score if he was the only one on the floor. I think Maze was just worn out..Had to play 2 games in less then 48 hrs. But they won and as ole Herm says that is why we play the game.
BigBadVol writes:
Great win when it looked like most of the game Miss. would win it. I wondering the same thing about Maze. What gives?
huntined#565710 writes:
I think they said he was TIRED..
GerryOP writes:
By scoring more points.
Fryinpansvols writes:
One word to describe our team for todays game. Resilient! Good win in a game we didn't play our best and you could tell fatigue was taking its toll. Keep playing with Heart and Hustle and you will go far Vols. GBO!
utfan15govols writes:
Bone, not bad for a walk on:). I got a feeling that he is Witch Doctor's favorite player, why? Bone never lies!
Fryinpansvols writes:
Heart and Hustle, my friend! GBO!
dmcintosh writes:
Great win, but J.P. is a free-throw missing, turnover machine! How does a guard have 6 of 13 total turnovers?
And we've got to stop digging holes for ourselves early in games.
Ironcity writes:
Prince amazes me in that he is the only player that I know that can make 5 fantastic plays and 5 total bone head plays every single game. I find him hard to watch but I do appreciate his talent.
There was no way we should have won that game but somehow we did. Great job guys!
schymtz writes:
Clever. Never lies, but played tall tall defense today.
Fryinpansvols writes:
He might not be a good free throw shooter or the best passer, but he plays good defense, hustles and handles the ball well. He is a key ingredient for our basketball team. GBO!
Madkels writes:
I swear that last night this game was listed as a 7pm game on utsports.com. Was the time changed at some point this week?
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
JUST WIN, BABY!!! ANOTHER SEC WIN!!! WOOHOO!!
As for Maze, he looked like he may have been ill or he could have been worn out because he played nearly two full games within 48 hours....OR maybe he was being disciplined for something...JUST GUESSING. Bone did a fantastic job in his place and Chism was a beast!! Scotty had an off game but still did some good things and Prince had his usual free throw woes(he did make a couple of crucial ones at the end) but played great defense, as he has the last few games...Kenny Hall got cheesed on his last foul,but was still a force inside..McBee and Pearl hustled and did their part. Woolridge was underneath the basket a lot more where he should be because he was involved in a couple of blocks if I'm not mistaken.
KEEP IT UP!! GBO!!!
huntined#565710 writes:
In my view I think this was Chism's best game this year. He hit those big 3's that got us back in the game and free throw shooting.
Chris4Vols22 writes:
I was wondering that the whole time. But Bone made a big shot and a big defensive play.
SCIENCETCHR writes:
While he wasn't a one-man "wrecking machine." if Wayne Chism doesn't win the S.E.C. player of the week, nobody should.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Not sure how we won that game..Thank God Wayne can make free throws.Have no clue why Bone was out there with the game on the line. He was 3for8 with 0 assists.He handles the ball okay but never attempted a drive to the basket or made a pass that led to a point scored.
tino2009 writes:
Lane Kiffin song remix.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojQm0v...
All_Vol writes:
Not excusing his TOs but hes not a guard
Chris4Vols22 writes:
But Bone hit a crucial 3 pointer and made a great defensive play late in the game. But yeah, I wish I knew why Bobby wasn't in.
BillsBrother writes:
Chris Warren of Ole Miss had 19 points and was lighting the orange up when Coach Pearl pulled Maze and put in Bone. Bone played OUTSTANDING defense and Warren did not score again.
Apparently Bone was doing a better job of helping the Vols (in coach's opinion) because it was reported that Maze was not injured.
All_Vol writes:
Maze's D on Warren was garbage. Played him soft and let him have the arc, and he made us pay over and over until Bone got up on him.
tino2009 writes:
Sorry...try this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojQm0v...
tlc429#392720 writes:
Way to hoop Vols! I can't say it enough how much I love this team now that Tyler is gone. He was the dead weight holding the rest of the team back. I think we play more cohesively as a team now and though it wasn't our prettiest victory, the men stuck with it and refused to lose and break their home winning streak. Awful proud of y'all to rise above everything going on around you and focus on winning games. I'm still glowing from the KS win. GO VOLS!!
chucka writes:
i believe maze must have said something that got him benched. in the second half, there was a stretch of 4 posessions where jp prince took the ball up the court and wouldn't give maze the ball. subsequently we failed to score on all four posessions. after that he came out and never went back in. jp's selfishness, or bad decision making, has to stop. it almost cost us today!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Good teams pull out the tough games, which is called resilient(as another poster put it)!!!
NCVOL09 writes:
I noticed that earlier today but it was only on the audio section on the front page. They had changed the team to Ole Miss but it still said 1/14. The actual schedule has and stayed at 130
oldQB writes:
anyone "watching" the game could see that Bone made a difference with his defense and cluth 3 pointers.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
I wonder who on earth said that???(sarcasm) LOL!!!
HtownVol writes:
Prince made some stupid plays today. Hopson couldnt buy a basket. Steven Pearl has less talent than most 6th graders. And we keep winning.
Bruce Pearl is one of the best coaches in the country. Tennessee needs to sign him to a 10 year contract.
I cant wait to see what he does with the 4 GREAT players coming in next year. Add them to Hopson, Woolridge, Tatum, Hall, Goins and McBee. We will have another top 10 team next year.
I just wish Pearl would recruit consistantly. He signs a few great players every other year. Next year is a top 10 class, then 2011 will likelt be only 1 3 star guy. If Bruce could get 3-4 top 100 players every year he could get a championship.
NCVOL09 writes:
Also, you all should keep the audio on and listen to the Bruce Pearl show about 20-30 mins after the game...Bruce clearly stated that Maze was flat gassed and needed a breather and since Bone was playing great D and not turning the ball over he was confident in keeping him in the game.
Chris4Vols22 writes:
Geez sorry. Some of us go to the game instead of listening to it.
NCVOL09 writes:
As the name implies Im in NY can't go unfortunately, but the Bruce Pearl show takes place on center court about 20 mins after the game...stayed in the arena for most games when I was still in school and listened to his interview. I'm not knocking anybody but you can learn a lot if you wait for the interviews.
vol94 writes:
I wasn't at the game and missed some of first half but told:
1. he didn't play well first half
2. argued with coach/player so benched him
AtticusFinch_WAW writes:
Josh and company played a gutsy game, congrats on the win. Lot of heart to come back and win in OT.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Could not believe this win. Ole Miss has some guards.
No wonder they lead the SEC in scoring.
You rock, Pearl.
vol94 writes:
Sorry for comment #2, guess that was incorrect as Pearl stated Maze was flat and tired.
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
I live out of state and was listening online, but the audio kept cutting out for long periods of time. Soooo frustrating. It missed the entire OT! I don't know why in this day and age it's so hard to keep the audio going. I wanted to catch the Bruce Pearl show, but after regulation time, the feed cut off altogether. (Before that, the time on the feed was running, there just was no sound.) I tried several times and ways and couldn't get it. (Is there anyone with authority listening who can do something to fix this for the next game?)
NCVOL09 writes:
What I did, is once the utsports website drops the feed you can catch the remainder at WIVK.com which is the local radio station that carries it in Knoxville. You really learn all the tricks when you live outside the broadcast areas.
midtown2399 writes:
HEART LUCK FAITH UT GIVE IT TO THEM A W!
Bigger_Al writes:
Thank God for Bruce Pearl and Tennessee hoops.
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