Tennessee Men's Basketball
OXFORD, Miss. — Tennessee refused to settle for the same old, same old at Ole Miss.
The Vols hit eight consecutive shots in the second half to pull away for a 74-57 men’s basketball victory over the Rebels before a crowd of 8,807 at Tad Smith Coliseum on Saturday.
“I told the team it was non-negotiable; we’ve got to get this win,’’ said UT associate head coach Tony Jones, filling in while coach Bruce Pearl served the sixth game of his eight-game SEC suspension. “We had to have the will to win.’’
Tennessee senior center Brian Williams led the way with 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots.
“I saw the tape of (Pearl’s) first game here and they pounded us, and my sophomore year they played tougher than us, too,’’ Williams said, referring to the Vols’ 81-65 and 83-69 defeats in their past two trips to Oxford. “We knew we had to stick to the plan and play tough team defense.’’
Scotty Hopson scored 16 points and Cameron Tatum came through with all 13 of his points in the second half for the Vols (14-7, 4-2 SEC).
Chris Warren scored a team-high 16 points for Ole Miss (13-8, 1-5), but the All-SEC guard struggled through a 6-of-21 shooting performance that included just one assist and three turnovers.
The game was tied 32-32 at the end of a physical first half, with the Rebels getting half of their points from the foul line (16-for-19 shooting).
Ole Miss was hanging on to a 42-41 lead when Tatum ignited the Vols with a 3-pointer at the 13:55 mark that put UT up 44-42.
Warren answered with a 3-pointer to give the Rebels a 45-44 advantage, but it was the last lead Ole Miss would see.
The Vols stayed hot, hitting their next seven shots from the field. By the time the shooting steak ended, with Melvin Goins draining a 3-pointer at the 6:55 mark, the Vols had built a 63-49 lead.
Tatum credited Steven Pearl with an assist that enabled him to break a nightmarish scoring drought in SEC road games.
Prior to his layup at the 15:45 mark of the second half, Tatum was 0-for-11 shooting through 59 minutes of play in league road games.
“Gotta thank Steven for that pass to get me a layup,’’ said Tatum, whose following shot was the trey that sparked the decisive run. “The guys told me to be ready to knock down shots in the second half.
“That run we had felt great, but our defense was serving as the springboard.’’
The Rebels turned the ball over 16 times and made just 16 of 60 shots for a season-low 26.7 shooting percentage.
“That’s unbelievable to hold an SEC team to that shooting percentage in their gym — that’s Tennessee basketball,’’ Jones said. “To play balls to the wall with maximum effort, build a wall and help each other on defense.’’
At times the Vols utilized a 1-2-2 zone, which they refer to as their “15” defense, to keep Warren and the Rebels off balance.
Jones explained that UT’s point guard was at the top of the zone pressed out on Warren, with the two defenders in the middle ready to step out at Warren when necessary.
“You’ve essentially got two guys waiting on him,’’ Jones said. “We saw Georgia run some zone and Florida was effective with it, too.’’
Williams, whose 18 points tied his season high, said stopping Warren was key.
“We knew he would pull (shoot),’’ Williams said. “You get 6-of-21 from your star player, I don’t think any team could win.’’
UT, a half-game out of first place in the SEC East Division, returns to action at 9 p.m. Thursday at Auburn (8-13, 1-6).
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 118
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Nice win on the road, BasketVols. Safe travels back to K-town, rest up and let's win the next one.
houvol#438636 writes:
Williams had a very good game. Good overall team win. Go Big Orange!
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
As Bigvol said, a nice win. That 2nd half was really a great team effort. IMO, Tatum also played a heck of a game. They worried me a little in the 1st half when with a chance to go up by 10, Scotty had 2 straight turnovers and all of a sudden we were tied.
Some may say, "oh, it was just Ole Miss." However a road win was big, and it was the first time we'd won there in a long time. Those turnovers, 3 second violation, intentional fouls etc, are all in the past now. What was great was how the Vols completely took the crowd out of it.
voloffaith writes:
That would be the conventional thinking til.....oops Auburn beat South Careliner today in Sc. Like they say anyday anyone can be most anyone.......that's why they play them I guess.
GerryOP writes:
Good job basketVols. Great 2nd half. Brian Williams and Steven Pearl held this team together today.
Razor784 writes:
Excellent 2nd half effort on both ends of the floor, Steven Pearl gets bashed on here a lot but he played a great game today
Titan writes:
That's probably what South Carolina thought today.
johnlg00 writes:
I would have thought so too until I saw the Tigers pillage the Colonial Center this afternoon! USCe must have just looked at that 0-6 Auburn conference mark and figure they didn't have to do more than show up. Not only does Aubie's victory help the Vols in the SEC East, it should also serve to focus the Vols' attention on the Tigers for this week.
GerryOP writes:
Make sure you show up for Pearl's "Welcome Back" party.
johnlg00 writes:
It may be that the reports of the demise of the SEC West were somewhat exaggerated! Not only did MS St take out the Gators today--and pardon me, Gator trolls, while I ROTFLMAO!--but Aubie took the Chickens and Arky is giving Vandy all they want in Memorial Gym! The Vols had better be ready for the Tigers Wednesday, but I think they will be.
manoffewwords writes:
Points in the paint big today and game plan around Bronx worked well. Auburn will NOT be easy, none of the remaining games will be easy.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Williams and Fields!!!!! Tatum is back! Good team effort...and even having a bad game overall, but Harris still looks good!
I did it too!!? I questioned SPearl being in the game! Well I was wrong this time he had a few slip ups first half but so did everybody. Everone played good today. Great 2nd half D.
halloffamebowler writes:
Will Pearl or Jones be credited for the wins and loses while Pearl is suspended?
orangecountyvols writes:
John,
Surely ( and don't call me Shirley ) the Gators didn't lose today did they? Wow, plenty of surprises.
Just like Louisville given up for dead at U Conn down 4 with scant seconds remaining and wham! Mike's Huskies go down 79-78.
Yes, go to Auburn and play like the 2nd half of this game, win, celebrate at Toomer's Corner, and come on home !
rclarkvols#224537 writes:
It makes a difference when Cam steps up
johnlg00 writes:
Dang! When the Vols get a troll-silencing win like today's, nobody ELSE shows up! Here it is a solid hour after the final buzzer and only 20 or so posts? Maybe some Vol fans who expected more of a tussle from the Rebs are still celebrating with their nearest and dearest. So far, this has been quite a day in the ol' SEC. If Arkansas can somehow hold on in the second half against Vandy, my day will be complete!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
I almost accidentally tried to remove your comment...hah!
Yes Tatum had some very timely buckets, but his hustle on defense also was impressive.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Hey I know! Let's just keep re-posting everyone!!!
I used to live in Nashville and actually hate to see Vandy lose 'cept to us and Georgia and UTC...the last of which is not likely. However right now every east loss helps us.
GerryOP writes:
Not so loud John, they'll hear you!
I expect we'll be seeing the "So what", "Big deal", "Yeah but....", etc posts before the evening is over. Maybe the trolls haven't finished taking out the trash and cleaning the bathrooms over at the offices of that newspaper they supposedly work at.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Now Cat!? Is that a threat? Do you have any predictions or premonitions? Or are you just gonna really welcome Pearl?
no1volman writes:
Pearl does get bashed a lot on here all he does is bust his tail the entire time he is on the floor. He knows his role and has been doing it well last 3 SEC games.
no1volman writes:
Did anyone see Brian Williams after the put back in the 2nd half it looked like he was saying I'm a beast on the way back down the court. Today he was a beast.
Jesus1Family2Career3Vols4 writes:
I sure hope you are right. Over here in Columbia, SC the Gamecocks layed an egg today and got spanked here at CLC by Auburn. Vols better be ready to play! Auburn didn't play like a patsy over her today. Will be watching and hoping Vols play great against those War ____Eagles down on the Plains.
How 'bout them Vols?
sidwalkvol writes:
All the "Steven Pearl is the worst Div I player" yada yada yada posters should have seen this game--I also hope they will remember it. The announcers kept talking about all the things he does to help the overall effort. Good for him! And good for us!
VictorKruger writes:
John, it may be that some of the die-hards get their fill of posting on Griffith's live blog. It's civil and virtually troll-free. You ought to give it a try if you have not already.
oskie_score writes:
Congrats Vols!
4-2 in SEC play w/ 2 gms (@ AU & hm vs UA) remaining until CBP returns and keeping it close in the SEC East. Nice!
NorthwestVol writes:
I have not been able to figured out what to think about Williams. Goes from a 300 lb high school kid to someone who, on certain nights, can hold his own against the best in college basketball to other nignts where he's no where to be found. My best guess is he's is maturing a bit late. Perhaps a young man that's still finding himself. When he's on, he's fun to watch.
Einstein writes:
What ever happened to Jerome Maymon?
PeeEllthree writes:
It's great that all the DA's that know nothing about hoops have their collective mouths shut tonight. Again, Maymon may be a good kid, but when he started getting minutes, the vols started losing. When he stopped getting minutes, they began winning. It has a lot to do with him not being here in the summer and meshing with his teammates, something I brought up in the summer. Those of you who have played team sports know how an "outsider" can eff with mojo. Those that haven't played team sports b%tch about Pearl playing. Period. Nighty Night.
Volz4life writes:
Pearl gets credited with the wins and loses.. It's up to the school who makes the decision on that, and the school chose to give the wins and loses to Pearl. I personally feel it should go to Tony, but then again, I'm not the AD. I found that out after the Florida loss, because I was wondering about how the record would effect Pearl's own-age of Donovan.
LEXKYVOLS writes:
VOLS win at Auburn and BAMA, Vandy beats UFA, UFA beats UK, VOLS in first place in the SEC with Pearl coming off suspension. Win at UK and who knows!
TopTenn writes:
Beat Auburn. GBO!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Einstein writes:
Pearl gives all out hustle and plays great defense. He knows his role. The bigggest part of his role is to totally annoy the other team to death. he is great at that.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Nice win, Vols! Wish I could've watched, but on duty today. Two big SEC wins back to back. The difference between now and a month ago is the guys are winning the games they should win and by the margin they should win by. Perhaps they've gotten their groove back. And give TJ credit where credit is due, 4-2 so far in relief in the SEC is a pretty remarkable record!
murrayvol writes:
The same way SC did.....in Columbia??
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
....and Vandy and UF lay giant eggs today..makes the day even better!
manoffewwords writes:
I agree with Mark Gottfried in his opinion of Steven Pearl. He has always spoken highly of what he brings to this team. Perhaps the bashing has something to do with his name. Small minds.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
I've not been on here in a while.Just been busy caring for a friend that has been in the hospital..Been watching the games nad keeping up with the season and team news..Something clicked in the 2nd half of the Vandy game and that is called team chemistry..Everyone is playing together as a team and looks solid..Better ball movement, less turnovers, Hopson stepping up, and bench contributions have been the key to their success..Go Vols!!! Beat Aubie!!!
Off topic, but looking forward to NSD..I think we are looking @ a strong finish with a top 12 recruiting class.
Have a great night Vol fans and see you guys on NSD!!
murrayvol writes:
Tread lightly Gerry. Lots of folks here think Steven should be a manager.
Hope they were listening when Mark Gottfried discussed his value to the Vols.
Down_The_Field writes:
VOLS win and peeeebody loses. what a wonderful saturday.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
oooo...So scared! Especially after a 6-point win at home against a team our guys beat in their house.
murrayvol writes:
Not a good fit.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Good to hear from you...your friend is in my prayers...believe me, next to things like that, this board is nothing. I agree, great game today, wish I could've watched.
I am also excited about the recrutiing class, although to hear some people tell it, they shouldn't even bother taking the field if the Vols don't make the top 5 recruiting. Morons.
Titan writes:
That "terrible" loss we had on the road to the Hogs just started feeling a little less terrible after watching the Razorbacks beat the Commies by 11 at creaky and quirky Memorial Gym. Thank you Hogs!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
I think he's finally figuring out how to be aggressive w/o getting all the fouls called on him. It's hard to do, but I've seen games where he starts to play harder, and then he gets charged with some seemingly bogus fouls. That kind of takes the steam out of your engine.
PeeEllthree writes:
Pearottee. It's more prevalant in D1 ball more than ever and games are based on matchups with the competition. That's why you don't freak out over an L and try to take advantage of any mismatch you have. Vandy still has no legit PG, and you can't hide it.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
...which is why I'm not at all worried about the Vols going into Memorial Cave.
Orangeblood13 writes:
It would have been incredible to have selby and craft this year
Those 2 would have been nice to our mix
esarmstrong#231516 writes:
Spoken like a true non Tennessee fan. Jack up the expectations and then show up for a troll-a-thon if Tennessee loses.
MDiv writes:
Can't Stand Saban, the "professional handicapper," explained this morning that the Vols couldn't win this one. Paging CSS: find a new profession!
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