Bruce Pearl warned his team that a big red freight train was coming down the tracks and into Knoxville.
Tennessee either didn’t believe its men’s basketball coach or simply was powerless to stop Georgia out of the gates.
The Bulldogs scored a 69-63 win after leading by as many as 15 points in the first half and withstanding the Vols’ second-half rally Saturday afternoon.
“You can’t spot a good team that kind of a lead in a game of this magnitude,’’ Pearl said. “We didn’t show up until (after) the first 10 minutes of the game.
“I have a problem with . . . not realizing you’re in a fight until you’ve already got the crap kicked out of you.’’
The loss moves Tennessee (16-11, 6-6 SEC) one spot closer to the NCAA tournament’s proverbial “bubble,” while Georgia (18-8, 7-5) took another step toward earning an at-large bid.
The loss overshadowed a career-high 32 points from junior Scotty Hopson.
“I’d trade those 32 points for a win, any day of the week,’’ said Hopson, who after starting 0-for-5 shooting hit 10 shots in a row en route to a 12-of-19 performance. “It’s devastating. This is one that slipped away, and it was a lack of focus.
“I looked up at the scoreboard, and it was 22-7, and I was like, ‘We got to go.’ ’’
So Hopson went, slicing through a mob of black jerseys to the rim for a three-point play at the 9:03 mark that ended a 71⁄2-minute scoring drought and a 17-0 Georgia run.
The Vols, who also got 18 points and eight rebounds from freshman Tobias Harris, had cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 33-25 by halftime.
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Tennessee opened the second half by hitting nine of its first 12 shots, finding itself with a 45-43 lead on a Melvin Goins’ dunk that got the crowd of 20,462 squarely behind the team.
It was business as usual against Georgia in Knoxville, as the Bulldogs had not won in Thompson-Boling Arena since 2001 prior to Saturday.
But these Bulldogs are proving to be a different breed than their predecessors, and they had plenty of bite left in them having already assured themselves of their first winning road record since 2002.
Jeremy Price, Georgia’s 6-foot-8, 270-pound center, was at the teeth of the attack, scoring a team-high 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the floor and 4-of-4 from the foul line.
Price, who played only nine minutes in UT’s last-second 59-57 win in Athens on Jan. 18, was a difficult matchup throughout the 29 minutes he played Saturday.
“We were supposed to be on top of him,’’ Pearl said, referring to the Vols’ inability to front the post. “Tobias, Brian (Williams), John (Fields), Kenny (Hall) and (Steven) Pearl didn’t do a good enough job getting on top.
Georgia reclaimed the lead on a pair of Price free throws at the 7:32 mark that made it 49-48.
The Bulldogs’ lead was up to 63-57 with a minute left when fans started heading to the exits, unaware the Vols had a rally left in reserve.
On two occasions — following a Hopson dunk and a Harris bucket inside — UT cut Georgia’s lead to two points in the final 40 seconds.
But a defensive stop proved elusive, and Dustin Ware hit four straight free throws down the stretch to keep the Vols more than one possession behind.
Price got loose for a break-away dunk with 12.6 seconds left to slam down the final points.
Tennessee returns to action at 9 p.m. Tuesday at Vanderbilt. The Commodores are 14-1 at home this season, and the Vols have lost three of their past four in Memorial Gym.
“I told the team (after Saturday’s game), ‘If you’ve got more, it’s time,’ ’’ Pearl said. “If this is it, we’re gonna have a hard time beating teams on our schedule.
“Vandy is better than Georgia, tougher than Georgia and more physical than Georgia . . . and just as angry as Georgia was about losing a game to us.’’
A game that started with one warning ended with another.
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Comments » 210
vol4good#206163 writes:
Most Dissapointing Team Ever at TN! Really ticked right now!
TopTenn writes:
Scotty has reached his peak. Goins is tough to watch.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Fail....
Not driving the lane...jacking up 3's....porous defense....Harris and Hopson only two to show up today.. This was make or break time for the Vols, and unfortunately, they broke.
It's been a nice run, but I don't see how this team makes the tournament now. (and, yes, I mean the NCAA)
Volumnus writes:
It is disappointing to watch this group play. The lack of flow and team play and lack of effort is disheartening given their potential. They should not have lost this game.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
Hopson/Harris 50 points; rest of roster 13 on 6-24 FG and 0-0 FT.
How funny, already seing losers blaming Hopson. LOL I'm a Tennessee fan, but I hope like hell he goes pro.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
BTW, hats off to the Dawgs, they certainly brought it today. Hard to ignore a team that's 7-2 on the road.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
Cam Tatum is a BUST...PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
agohn writes:
I'll be happy for NIT. This team of individuals will get bounced in the first round of the NCAA. Thanks to Scotty and Tobias. Also, whatever happened to "controlled chaos"? I hope our defense goes back to the fullcourt sometime soon.
tulelakevol writes:
Bring back Tony Jones!!
chiputfan writes:
Put a fork in it.....Were DONE.
TheFuj writes:
Just horrible. This team is hard to watch. As usual free throws did not help at 60%. Hopson played great. Hopson/Harris combined for 50 of the 63 points I think. The rest could not score in an empty gym. Goins 2 pts, with missing a few easy lay ups. Had a dunk, but got a technical of which GA made both free throws. Tatum/Goins/Williams combined did make make double figures (7 pts)
Williams is a good passer, but why would he pass up a 2 foot dunk with around 20 seconds to pass the ball for a turnover.
Football team ended with a losing record.
Basketball team heading that way, but right now has definitely UNDERACHEIVED.
Baseball team--well, we will see.
Hamiliton you sure have the programs heading in the right direction.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
We're very much "on the bubble". Fact is that, since mid-December, UT has given the NCAA Selection Committee more reasons AGAINST being invited than reasons FOR being invited. The NCAA Tourney is, and mostly always has been, evaluated by "What have you done recently/lately?" This doesn't bode well for us. Hope I'm wrong.
Never been a fan of Pearl's offensive philosophy and today's stats reaffirm that. You simply can't win games without a regular inside presence. There's no way that legit "big men" will come to UT because, under his system, they're just not going to be given chances to score unless it's rebounding for missed 3-pointers. I doubt that Pearl will overhaul his offensive philosophy to change this since he's built his career on the one he's currently using.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
shot 25% in the first half...UGA over 50. Not sure what the % was at the end of the game, but their shooting flat out stinks!
texasvol73 writes:
Hello NIT...GOODBYE NCAA Tournament. Wow - poor execution, and I am so sick of watching missed FT's and poor shot selection...standing around watching each other on offense. Pearl needs to hire an offensive minded assistant who can come in and teach these guys how to move without the basketball b/c they are CLUELESS!! Against the zone GA was running, NO ONE would flash to the middle of the paint or to the foul line - they stood and watched someone go one on one... When is the Orange and White game again???
Rocky_Top_Mama writes:
Great game played by Georgia this afternoon. Let's all give them credit where credit is due...they wanted this one a little bit more!
I will be the first to say that I have been rough on Scotty Hopson, but he has kept us in the games the past few games. Thank you Scotty for showing up when nobody else did.
Melvin Goins a leader...NOT! He cost us another one...Tn finally gets the lead on a dunk by him albeit and he gets a technical for hanging on the rim. But the thing that really cost the game was going inside not once, but twice, and shooting stupid out of control shots against GA's big men. When is he going to learn that he can't do that?
Cam Tatum...for God's sake put him on the bench...he's worthless on the floor!
This team is done!!!!!
TopTenn writes:
Where is Cam Tatum?
tulelakevol writes:
Ugh! Ugly loss today, another crappy Saturday.
huntined#565710 writes:
When you go 17-0 scoring in a run you usually lose and only two players doing the scoring will not get it done. This is OUR TEAM they are not good but they are ours!!! Got to win at home in the SEC if you are going to be in the running. Also give GA. credit they wanted it more.
chiputfan writes:
Put a fork in the bubble.......BUSTED!
texasvol73 writes:
Agree totally but the problem is not that we don't have guys who can shoot it - we DO! The problem is horrible offense - we stand around watching the ball. Just about all of our shots are contested. NO movement off the ball AT ALL...our ball screens and screens off the ball are fundamentally terrible IF there are any being attempted at all! Add all of that up - that leads to pooooor shot selection and low shot percentage.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
Yeah, I think you are on to something. I had an arguement with a dude the other day about Miss. State. It's obvious that Vandy, UK, and UGA could beat us. But I don't like the way we match up with Miss St. This is an ABSOLUTE embarassment. This will also hurt our Ga recruiting IMO. UGA's coach can coach, also hearing rumors about Ga Tech bringing in Tubby Smith. Ga has been Bruce's biggest pipeline at this point. Good post.
TheFuj writes:
One last thing. We look so good in transition. I think it is because they just act or react and do not think. Never seen a worse team with the clock or shot clock winding down. Pearl, you have the players. Pick everyone up full court with pressure and up the tempo.
TheInsidePitch writes:
Bottom line is, this team just does not know HOW to win.
Lazybones writes:
Lyin' Bruce has lost his Mojo. It's past time for Big Jim Haslam to cut him loose and bring in someone who will restore honor and integrity to the program. Goodbye, Lyin' Bruce.
RoadTrip writes:
Bruce's boys ain't got it this year. Too many mental mistakes despite Hopson and Harris. They play hard for 20-25 minutes and then take breathers and stand around. Of course I always love when they get a run going and take the lead; then Bruce starts subbing and down they go.
Bruce - Golden ain't your problem at the point and McBee ain't your answer either. You need Golden there and then give Goins a brain transplant.
the58vol writes:
Thanks Bruce.....
arkyvol writes:
i think the bruce pearl thing put the kibosh on this whole season.
the58vol writes:
Goins head is so fried now it is difficult to make a layup....bad call on the rim hanging... shorter guys need to hang a bit to stabilize before letting go....
Hopson and Harris are gone after this season.
silvertr6 writes:
This was like a pickup game today. Looks like team has no teamwork!
81volguy writes:
What a brilliant comment. You're so articulate! Repeating words, like 'Lyin' Bruce'. It's just an impressive display of intellect and wit.
gglardon50#417841 writes:
I wouldn't save ever............
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
Why don't we press? And at the end of the game when we did press it looked good. Once they had a guy heading out of control, and when he got the ball, we had a perfect trap set only to have Bruce call a TO to bail him out. Goins misses 2 layups. After Hopson gets hacked on his elbow and comes up 3ft short on the 3, Williams grabs the board and commits a TO on a 2 ft pass.
whatever36 writes:
Seems nobody has their head in the game, including CBP. They do not think ahead, but react to the situation at that second. They just like to run and pitch up a shot. When it goes in, you look great, when it doesn't you look ridiculous. Chaos is right, but it certainly is not controlled.
kdub writes:
hopson played great today, should've been taking to hoop like this all yr. harris can't defend anybody but at least scores/rebounds. i agree goins is maddening, glad he's gone after this yr cuz he ain't no true PG. absolutely pathetic play from everybody else today, no way we should lose the games we have especially at home. this team won't make NCAAs cuz will lose to Vandy, KY and probably Miss St. maybe we could be NIT champs twice in a yr but highly doubtful, figure we lose first round to mid major.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Yes, but I think the difference is that EVERYBODY expected Houston's teams to be that bad.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
MikeInTN writes:
How bad will Vanderbilt kick our a**?
Stokes44yrs writes:
This has been certainly a disappointing season so far. I would be ok with a NCAA tournament appearance and maybe a coupla wins...haha. Right now I'm hoping for a great SEC tourney and championship...after all we are undefeated in tourneys this season.
Razor784 writes:
I think everybody knew that team was going to be bad, what's so frustrating about this team is they're loaded with 4-star recruits and at times they play great, but sometimes, like today, they play like a mediocre, underachieving, NIT team
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
LMAO...THIS IS SO TRUE.
Carl_Glover writes:
Don't see how Bruce can survive now, particularly if the NCAA comes down hard. He is working without a contract, right? Odds are he won't be given a new one. He could've only beaten the rap by winning, which he hasn't done. Looks like curtains.
BleedsOrangeinMO writes:
Lazybones; just who would that be??? Really I'm a VOL FAN but I'm tried of this. Who could we get to come to K-town and build a real basketball program?Whether Bruce is guilty or not; this team just has too much baggage to overcome (too many distractions).
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Yes, that was tough to watch! Time to change up something. I like the suggestion above to go press. 40 minutes of heck ala the ole Nolan Richardson days. It seems that our player #'s 7-12 are all about the same anyway, so we might as well use the long bench and just press the heck out of everyone. Definitely a tough group to figure out.
volcycle writes:
Chalk this one up to player development or lack there of. You can see it in their fundamentals. Bruce was a good coach for about three years, but ever since then our players are just sloppy and don't improve (Tyler Smith, Chism, Prince, Hopson,...) Most UT players have their best year, their first year and then struggle in mediocrity for the rest of their college career. With that track record, Tobias needs to jump to the NBA if he has a chance this year. I will hate to see that happen.
TennVol01 writes:
It is not weather you win or lose ... it is how you play the game. And the Vols played really bad with the exception of Hopkins. Play your top seven and bench the rest. Can Pearl not understand that is why we are losing. The teams that beat us do it. Pearl should try it. And send McBee packing or leave him on the bench.
No longer playing for the SEC ... now we are playing for pride.
chiputfan writes:
On to ACT 2...NIT>>>Fork it!
mtnsvol44 writes:
Ga had a 17-0 run, pitiful! A local high school team could have scored at least a couple of points during that time period,lol.
chiputfan writes:
I'm glad we gave GA a 10 point headstart. What kinda mental bull was that. That means we lost by 15....Daggum!!!
brokendownoldvol writes:
Where was Hopson in the first half and the last 10 min of the second half? Kind of like a schooll teacher in Wisconson. Work 9 mo. a yr. 5 hrs. a day for 86000 a yr. and still want more.
VolFaninDC writes:
At least Bruce has his sterling reputation for running an honest program in tact.
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