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Tennessee's Brian Williams, left, and Melvin Goins smile after defeating San Diego State 62-59 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. during Round 1 of the NCAA Basketball Championship Thursday, Mar. 18, 2010.
Men's Bracket
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — You might have thought Tennessee had gained control of its first-round NCAA tournament game near the end of the first half Thursday night. If so, you hadn’t been paying attention.
The Dunkin’ Donuts Center was no place for a favorite. That was obvious long before the sixth-seeded Vols outlasted 11th-seeded San Diego State 62-59.
First, Robert Morris almost upended second-seeded Villanova. Next, 10th-seeded St. Mary’s upset Richmond.
That upset and near upset was just a warm-up for the main event. Ohio University made 13 of 23 field-goal attempts to knock off third-seeded Georgetown.
UT bucked the trend in the first half against the Aztecs. It strangled the life out of their offense over the last five minutes in taking a 34-26 halftime lead.
But the struggle was just beginning for the Vols. And they won with touch as well as toughness.
Both qualities were evident in the final minutes. And the prelude to Melvin Goins’ game-winning 3-pointer was almost as significant as the shot itself.
When UT’s J.P. Prince missed a second free-throw attempt, half the players on the floor went airborne. It’s just what you would have expected from two teams who pride themselves on rebounding and inside scoring.
The ball bounced from one hand to the other before UT’s Wayne Chism finally gained control. Goins took it from there, nailing his fourth 3-pointer in five attempts to give the Vols a three-point lead.
The favorite prevailed. But the star was an underdog.
Goins entered the game having made only two of his last 14 field-goal attempts. Not only did he make the game-winner, he hit crucial outside shots when the Vols gained the upperhand late in the first half.
Outside shots were at a premium in this match-up. Each team made only 38.5 percent of its shots.
The difference was from behind the 3-point line and at the foul line, where UT has too often struggled. Not this time. The Vols were 8-for-17 on 3s and 14-for-18 at the foul line.
During one crucial stretch in the last five minutes, the Vols made six consecutive free throws. The accuracy was vital against an opponent that could match UT’s strengths, rebounding and half-court defense.
In fact, the teams were so similar, the match-up often had the appearance of an intrasquad game. UT’s next challenge will be altogether different.
Ohio University, which will play UT on Saturday afternoon, is all about guard play, as Georgetown had the misfortune of finding out Thursday night.
Guards D.J. Cooper and Armon Bassett combined for 55 points and made 10 of 18 3-pointers in the Bobcats’ 97-83 victory over the Hoyas. They didn’t just beat Georgetown on 3s. They also drove to the basket against the bigger Hoyas, particularly in the last seven minutes when Georgetown threatened to make a comeback.
Whenever the Hoyas began to gather momentum, Cooper or Bassett would strike from near or far.
Fortunately for UT, Goins picked up where they left off.
John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
© 2010, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 12
bspurlingcac#225603 writes:
one win...now go get another!!!
Jamestown17 writes:
Melvin stepped up tonight! WHO WILL STEP UP SATURDAY? It is always somebody random with this team. I couldn't be happier though. At least we got through the first one. The problem with Melvin stepping up is WHO will step up next? Nobody wanted to against Kentucky. Who is our next Melvin Goins. If we have a little consistancy the sky is the limit for these guys.
If not we are looking at a double digit loss to Ohio. Their football team gave us a Hell of a lot of trouble Vol fans so don't think their basketball team won't do the same.
bryanvolsfan writes:
Ohio has great guard play which sorta plays into Tenn favor, we need to come out fast and punch them in the mouth early! Wayne and Scotty need to step up BIG
CockeCountyNative writes:
Steven Pearl continues to provide rock solid minutes with heady play. Come on Wayne and Scotty-PICK IT UP !
midnite__VOL writes:
Goins had a little extra motivation playing against a lot of players he knows. He played well against them and now have bragging rights this summer back in San Diego..
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Good point guard play is absolutely a must in tourney play and Maze and Goins were the difference in the game..Goins came of the bench and pretty much won the game..Maze handled the ball great in the press..A CBS analyst said Maze couldn't lead the vols any where but he has proven that wrong!!
Plasticman writes:
Let's not leave Prince out of the equation. Without him, we would have been down by double digits at the half. Chism needs to step it up. He looked totally uninterested for about the first 35 minutes. Hopson showed his ability on one excellent drive to the basket last night. We need more of that.
Brillovol writes:
I was very impressed with the PG ball handling ability, but I was disappointed that other ball handlers weren't nearby to help out with the press. Chism's a fine ball handler for a big guy, but when scrappy guards are going after the ball, he's a fish out of water.
Gotta agree with Plasticman too. Prince was the catalyst in the first half. He only scored 8 in the first, but he was the energy of the team. I'm sure gonna miss him next year.
That brings me to another thought, why does it seem like we have 4 guys on offense sometimes? We get in a lull offensively and I just don't see guys fighting for the open look. It has happened too many times this year that we don't have any offensive intensity. That alone is why this team is inconsistent.
Okay, I'm off my high hoarse now. Go get Ohio, Bruce!
richvol writes:
Tennessee played well enough to win but I sure would like to see us put 40 minutes together that showed the effort and intensity of the Kansas game we won.
For the life of me I can't figure out why we foul when we do...late in the shot clock,at the top of the circle 30 feet from the basket,etc. We need Wayne to bring it on the offensive end,and I don't mean three pointers,the rest of the tourney. Williams is a good rebounder but he can't hit a layup if his life depended on it. We need Wayne UNDER the basket on offense. We settled for too many quick jumpshots last night and in spite of making a few we typically don't shoot very well from outside. Work it into Wayne.
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
I am so happy to get out of there with a win last night. Their posts absolutely dominated Williams and Little Pearl...those 2 looked awful..heck Williams air balled a 1-foot layup..Thanks to JP and Wayne bringing the Defense...Scotty please step up...Goins and Maze keep playing like they played...JP keep on playing smart like you did last night and we can do some damage!
Good to get that first one...now pretend those jersey's tomorrow read "Georgetown" so that you will be extra motivated and get that re-match with Ohio State!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Good question! I'd be happy to send him a few if I thought it would help(;-P)!
volntx writes:
Now that's funny, I don't care who you are.
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