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Tennessee Men's Basketball
ATLANTA — Tennessee slipped into the uncomfortable position of wait-and-see mode after being eliminated from the SEC men’s basketball tournament on Friday night.
Florida (25-6) dealt the Vols (19-14) a knockout blow in the second round at the Georgia Dome, scoring an 85-74 victory in its third win of this season against UT.
Tennessee, with an RPI of 31 entering the contest, has been projected by most prognosticators to make the NCAA tournament for what would be a school-record sixth straight season.
UT has been penciled in as an NCAA at-large selection that could receive anywhere from a No. 6 to No. 10 seed come Sunday night, when the NCAA brackets are released.
Still, there’s a reason it’s called March Madness, and the Vols’ seven losses in their past 11 games won’t impress the tournament selection committee.
“I still feel we are a team worthy of the (NCAA) tournament based on our strength of schedule (No. 2), our RPI, and our wins over top 50 (eight) and top 100 (12) RPI teams,’’ UT coach Bruce Pearl said. “I think our ball team can be dangerous . . . we’ve demonstrated we can beat anybody on our schedule.
“Today, we just couldn’t beat the best team in our league.’’
The 12th-ranked Gators received the SEC regular-season championship trophy from league commissioner Mike Slive prior to tipoff.
Kenny Boynton’s 22 points paced five Florida players who scored in double figures, and the Gators shot a blazing 58.7 percent from the field.
UT freshman Tobias Harris led the Vols with 25 points, and Scotty Hopson scored 19 for SEC East No. 5 seed UT, which played East No. 1 seed Florida in the SEC tournament for the first time since 1989.
The Gators got it done with a 56-point second half that saw them make 14 of 17 shots (82.4 percent).
Florida opened the second half on a 7-2 run, erasing a five-point halftime deficit, and took the lead for good when Vernon Macklin (15 points) hit a hook shot at the 11:47 mark to make it 52-50.
Macklin’s hook — Florida’s eighth basket in its first 10 second-half attempts — sparked a 7-0 run that included a technical foul on Pearl. Macklin closed the run with a basket in transition that made it 57-50 with 10 minutes remaining.
“It was a bad technical, a very bad technical, and it really hurt our team,’’ Pearl said. “I felt that Steven Pearl had driven, and I thought he got fouled, and I said I thought he got fouled.’’
Pearl instructed his son to seek out the official and show him his visibly swollen hand during the timeout after the technical.
UT center Brian Williams, who had a game-high 12 rebounds in 27 minutes in his second game back from a Feb. 26 back injury, said the foul discrepancy at the start of the second half was pivotal.
“They got to the foul line whenever they very well pleased,’’ Williams said. “That 9-2 foul advantage at the start of the (second) half was key. It made us tentative and Florida took advantage.’’
The Gators connected on 24 of 33 free-throw attempts in the second half, and the Vols didn’t get closer than five points in the final 10 minutes.
Hopson scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half, but his scoring was mitigated by seven turnovers.
“I was just rushing it at times when I knew the play was there for me,’’ Hopson said. “Sometimes it was forced, sometimes it wasn’t.’’
Tennessee ended the final 8½ minutes of the first half on an 18-2 scoring blitz to take a 34-29 lead into halftime.
Harris had the hot hand early, scoring 18 of his career-high-tying 25 points in the first half on 8-of-10 shooting, including a 3-pointer that closed the scoring before intermission.
While Florida advances to play the winner of Friday night’s late game between Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, the Vols will nervously await Sunday night’s NCAA tournament selection show.
“My ears are wide open like everyone else’s,’’ said UT senior Josh Bone, who made his third start of the season after replacing Cameron Tatum in the starting lineup. “It’s just a matter of us getting in. No one in this locker room is scared to play a No. 1 or a No. 2 seed.’’
Williams, a senior, said he expects the Vols to get a lower seed than projected.
“Everyone in this program knows we’re not going to get the kind of seed we want, because we haven’t gotten good seeds when we have had great seasons,’’ Williams said. “Just getting in the tournament will be a blessing, and everyone will be grateful for that.’’
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Comments » 224
99gator writes:
good luck in the big dance
seadaddy writes:
Bring on the trolls...1-2-3-
1st up attention seeker..Charlie Sheen
toldyouthatspsuckedfor3years writes:
My favorite part of the game is when Bruce gets a T because his son turns the ball over. Wondered if he ever thought maybe that is my fault for having him in there. That turnover and T sums up the year.
dmcintosh writes:
1. Scotty acts like he doesn't even care. Seven turnovers for him. Really?
2. What part of "Don't drive the lane!" does Melvin Goins not understand?
3. How many fastbreak layups can a team miss in a season?
One_in_West_Knox writes:
Scotty Hopson WAS playing for the VOLS and NOT for the OPPONENT, WAS he??
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Not too surprising considering how our season has gone. Though I hate to lose, I'd rather us lose now than tomorrow or Sunday--that way we save our legs and have more time to recover.
It'll be interesting to see where we end up. Any other year and we don't get into the NCAA Tourney with the record we have, but this season has been odd for many teams.
I hope we make a respectable showing in the Big Dance.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Vols and early post season exits go together like spring and hay fever. You can always count on it.
seadaddy writes:
To bad the gator trolls don't have as much class as the UF basketball players
TopTenn writes:
Good effort Vols. GBO! Harris was player of the game.
toldyouthatspsuckedfor3years writes:
I bet that Tobias is thinking what the phooey was I thinking when I come here. I would leave if I was him. Have a career high game and I don't get to play as many minutes as three of Florida's players.
bigdisbig writes:
Pearl loses 3 times to Eddie Munster. Wonder who is the best coach? Maybe he will invite Billy to a BBQ at his house next week?
Sorry people....I am no troll but a Vol fan who is frustrated as heck at this under ahieving team. Maybe they were tired or maybe just not good enough to beat Florida. Whatever it is I for one will just be glad when this season is over and this NCAA phooey is done.
halloffamebowler writes:
Hopson=8 turn overs.No point guard.No 3 point shooters.One and done in the Big Show.Don't deserve to be there anyway.Pearl stupid coaching once again.Need to bring in more Buzz recruits.Pearl record after the great start is now 11 and 15.Dang,what a sorry team this turned out to be.
One_in_West_Knox writes:
4. How many layups (in general) can a team miss in a season??
toldyouthatspsuckedfor3years writes:
Possible opponents for Vols: George Mason, Illinois, Georgetown, and Missouri.
zigvol writes:
We haven't made anything yet.
halloffamebowler writes:
Correction.Hopson only 7 turn overs.
Rocky_Top_Mama writes:
Let's all just hope that the selection committee takes a long hard look at this team and realizes that TN don't deserve to be in the NCAA tournament.
james#216392 writes:
How many free throws did they shot? 35? We couldn't play defense without a wistle. I am convinced Slive has told refs not to call fouls on other teams. They were in the bonus with near 13 minutes to go. In the first KY game, we out scored them by 3 from the field and got beat by 12. That is 15 more free throws than we got. I believe in the NCAA the calls will be made and some of you may be surprised at the result.
SEC1 writes:
let me guess? you can't wait until football season. then we'll show them gators in the swamp in sep? right? tyler (justin bieber)bray will show them.
midnite__VOL writes:
pitiful
VOLDoll writes:
Thank goodness we are one game closer to the end of the Pearl era! Thank you lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
james#216392 writes:
If you don't like the Vols, then don't watch. They belong in the dance. Fans like you we can do without. Been a fan for 45 years and wear my orange whether we win or lose.
zigvol writes:
Correction again 14 losses.
seadaddy writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
lomas98 writes:
AFter the Auburn game this year I mentioned we have to be the worst team in the country at 3 on 1 breaks when we blew 2 of them during that blowout win. Someone told me to lighten up and enjoy the win. Well, we never improved on it since that game. That certainly isn't the reason we lost tonight, but thought it was funny you mentioned it as a problem. It has been ALL year. Scotty's body language has been poor since he was a freshman. After picking up his 2nd straight charge he sits slumped over on the bench and head down. He was starting to feel it late in the game and he had a little pep.
Volborn writes:
yes...they did suck as usual..And I know u are being facetious, but when Goins drove in the lane, drew contact with no call, Florida rebounds and outlets for a fast break and get the phantom call on McBee for a three point play. That set the tone. And Pearl gets teed up in a one point game when S. Pearl got hammered....and Brian Williams nearly loses an eye last night...no call. It's pretty obvious that Slive's punishment for Pearl was more than 8 games...wink wink.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
zigvol, you are right.
Personally, I don't believe we deserve to get into the Big Dance, but nearly every "expert" or "bracketologist" believes UT is in. I find it hard to believe that a 19-14 team is worthy of spot without winning the conference championship.
That being said, based on our overall performance this season, we'll likely waste our opportunity in the first round.
midnite__VOL writes:
amen sister can I get an hallelujah
DoolanderVol (Inactive) writes:
Do you have any proof that Pearl is getting fired at the end of the season? If you don't please quit posting on here that the end of the Pearl era is coming.
tomkats3242 writes:
Most over rated player in NCAA basketball. Scotty Hopson. Most over rated team in NCAA, UT Vols. Who is at fault, MIKE HAMILTON. Actions needed, FIRE hamilton and bruce. Sorry Bruce, but since your divorce and remarriage you are nothing.
seadaddy writes:
UglyVolDoll,or is that you Lindsay? Seeking Attention...again?
Yawn Yawn Yawn
NickDanger-ThirdEye writes:
i don't care whether next year is better or worse. just stop the agony of this slow-motion train wreck for the last 12 weeks. Good-bye Goins, Williams, Harris, and Hopson.
Aussievol writes:
Hey Vols, I know none of you are Math majors but if the other team scores every time they have the ball, you will probably lose.
56 pts in the second half?
Were we playing 4 on 5?
lomas98 writes:
Inside defense tonight was going to be a challenge with that front line. I said last night Hall is just a foul waiting to happen. He had 4 in 10 minutes last night and it seemed he got whistled for one as soon as he steps on the floor. Fields is terrible. He is another player we have that wouldn't play on other SEC teams. I thought Maymon would get some minutes this game due to FL's front line becuase he has a big frame to bang with those guys.
nepperso#220348 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Good game to your gators...
I feel like I'm married to this team. Love them one minute, want to strangle them the next. Who the hell knows who's going to show up in the dance....It'll be interesting to see.
Volborn writes:
I would say Pearl got T'd because he heard the distinctive sound of a flesh slap. I doubt that sound was made when McBee was called for the foul on the layup for a UF 3 pt. play. I wish these effing refs made 4 times the money than they do now, and then had to sit at a podium and explain how a player gets his eye nearly gouged out on a layup and no foul is called.
arkyvol writes:
i dunno. i commented to my wife during the game that having hopson in was like playing four on six.
One_in_West_Knox writes:
Even if the Vols were seeded 1000th (I know, some may be thinking "THAT high??") and were playing the #1 seeded, undefeated, best team in the country (could be George Mason, Illinois, Georgetown, or Missouri) and taking into account parity and expected upsets, the Vols should PLAY...TO...WIN, or is a national title not the main goal for this team in any season??
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Oh, sorry, thought you were talking about a paternity test or something.
Hoops43 writes:
It sure seemed like 8. LOL is it just me or does it look like Scottie is dribbling with boxing gloves on?????
SmokeyDayAfternoon writes:
Actually, I can't wait for September when we get to play Florida and John (2010 Pre-season Heisman Winner) Brantley in the Swamp. Although, I'll be enjoying the game with Florida fans who aren't arrogant pieces of trash like the trolls on here. You people give all fans a bad name.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
I hope Steven does close out his career on a high note in the Big Dance.
Pullingguard writes:
Ranting, Raving, Personal Foul on Coach, and Vols have probably notched themselves a spot in the NIT tournament.,..Where do they really belong. Is this team worthy of a big dance
invitation.. doubt it!!!!!!!!!!
SEC1 writes:
Anyone notice how classless the Vols band was when Billy D. was giving his post game victory interview with ESPN? Then the imbred TN band struck up Rocky Top in order to sabatage his interview. Looks like the Vols are good at celebrating their 3rd lose. I've never seen anyone who just lose to a superior team play Rocky Top so loud
Rocky_Top_Mama writes:
For your information, I also wear my orange win or lose, but when you have a team that loses 10 of their last 19 games, that team doesn't deserve to go to the "dance". I would say that for any team, not just the one that I cheer for.
lomas98 writes:
This team is too inconsistent to win a couple of games in a row. We were winning games early in the year becuase Tatum was hitting some threes and contributing as the 3rd scorer. We don't have that now. Williams can contribute but most of his come off offensive boards. I liked the decision to start Bone, but lets face it he isn't going to get 15 points a game. Until that 3rd scorer can step, and it is pretty late now, we may win one in the NCAA. I would still rather lose in the first round of the NCAA instead of playing in the NIT. I do predict that when Kenny Hall begins to start next year, he may set the record for fouling out of games. He may not get 15 minutes a game unless he improves a bunch on the defensive end.
rdrgtr writes:
If not the vols then who? Everybody needs to look around the nation and see how bad the rest of the country is. With a #2 sos and a rpi in the 30's the vols are a dead lock...book it.
I am sure The Big Least will have 10 teams in with 8 of them being gone before the sweet 16. I have learned over the last few years that The Big Least is really over-rated. The vols beat 2 of their best teams rather handally so what does that tell you? If Tobias and Hopson can get on the same page this team could really be good. How in the world can you beat a team that shoots 82% in the 2nd half? Not many teams in the country could have beat the gators tonight. we played about as well as we could have played with the exception of S. Hopson.
eduardo writes:
No we were playing 5 on 8. Eight straight possessions midway thru 2nd half where a foul was called on TN.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
They're in. No question about it.
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