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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Tennessee’s turbulent men’s basketball season came crashing to an end Friday afternoon.
Eighth-seeded Michigan eliminated the No. 9-seeded Vols 75-45 in a second round game in the West Region of the NCAA tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena.
The margin of defeat was the largest of UT coach Bruce Pearl’s six seasons with the Vols.
Pearl’s future with the program is uncertain after UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said in a radio interview that aired on Wednesday that he wasn’t sure if Pearl would return next season.
Hamilton called Pearl to apologize for his remarks on Wednesday, and later that night told Pearl and his coaching staff that his remarks had been “misconstrued” by the media, according to three sources who asked to remain anonymous because of an ongoing evaluation of the program.
Junior Cameron Tatum said the players did their best not to be distracted by Hamilton’s comments.
“To some degree we felt we had to press; it’s human nature to want to win for your head coach,’’ said Tatum, who scored five points on 2-of-9 shooting. “But we don’t want to use that for an excuse.
“They just got hot, and we couldn’t throw it in the ocean.’’
The Wolverines (21-13) built on a 33-29 halftime lead, opening the second half on a 19-2 run to go up 52-31 at the 13:46 mark on a Jordan Morgan dunk.
The Vols (19-15) appeared helpless to counter, turning the ball over 18 times in the game and missing open shots throughout.
“We unraveled,’’ Pearl said. “This game was not indicative of our season in the sense that even when we were struggling down the stretch, we were right there in virtually every game.
“Our two worst losses of the year were here in this building at Charlotte ...”
Eerily, UT’s 15-of-43 (34.9 percent) shooting performance against Michigan tied its worst effort of the season in the 49-48 loss to Charlotte on Dec. 17.
The Vols controlled the action in Friday’s game for much of the first half, taking their largest lead at 23-17 at the 7:14 mark when Scotty Hopson split a pair of free throws.
The converted free throw represented Hopson’s final scoring shot in the game, as he finished with a season-low four points on 1-of-5 shooting.
Tobias Harris picked up the scoring slack early, but all of his team-high 19 points came in the first half on 6-of-6 shooting.
Michigan adjusted to the freshman power forward in the second half, and Harris went 0-for-5 over the final 20 minutes.
“In the first half I was getting the ball in my positions and making plays from there,’’ said Harris, who also led the Vols with five rebounds and 36 minutes played. “The second half they started to double down in the post. I tried to do what I could and kick it out and try to get other guys shots and plays.
“It was more of them on their offensive end making plays and really breaking us down which caused us to force shots on our offensive end and create turnovers.’’
UT senior center Brian Williams, who made his first start since the Vols’ SEC opener on Jan. 8 at Arkansas, said the team panicked after the Wolverines’ opening salvo in the second half.
“They made a run to start the second half, and we tried to get it back as fast as possible by doing things we don’t normally do, like taking a lot of threes,’’ said Williams, who scored two points and didn’t get a rebound in his 16 minutes.
“This is disappointing and embarrassing, not only for ourselves, but for the university, our families and every fan we’ve got all over the country.’’
Michigan coach John Beilein left most of his starters in until the final moments, as an Evan Smotrycz 3-pointer with 1:48 left put the Wolverines up 75-42 — the largest deficit of Pearl’s UT tenure.
Zack Novak was the top scorer among the five Michigan players who scored in double figures with 14 points.
Michigan out-rebounded the Vols 36-26 and out-scored them in the paint 46-22.
“It’s been an exhausting, unfortunate season,’’ said UT senior Steven Pearl, who had three of the team’s six offensive rebounds but failed to score in the 10 minutes he played. “My dad wants to retire as Tennessee’s head coach, that won’t change, and I hope he does. He deserves to be back.’’
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Comments » 481
99gator writes:
damn
Katphan29 writes:
Wow.......that was brutal. Bruce will get through this. Fire Hamilton, but keep Bruce!!!
TNORANGEDOGDAD writes:
What's next?
bigfan writes:
Something has to change, can anyone make a jump-shot on this team? Quitters
thevoice writes:
RIP Bruce and Hammy.
RngldVol writes:
Get rid of both!
Colliervol writes:
A pitiful effort. They had absolutely ZERO fight. With the exception of Tobias (the only one to show up today), none were ready to go. They have shown stretches of playing very poorly at times but nothing like this and it has to be attributed to the uproar around Bruce. No other way to look at it. When they got down, they simply quit. If Michigan did this to them, can you imagine what Duke would have done? Really glad we don't have to witness that. Nothing worse than having the Dookies clean your clock.
Personally, I'm glad it's over and we can move forward.
born2ride writes:
Fire Bruce Pearl Right Now!
Pearl is a liar and cheater and will soon have us on probation. He should have already been fired.
Pearl brought excitement to UT basketball but he has now embarrassed and disgraced the University of Tennessee. A 30 point loss in the tournament is unsatifactory. I hope the NCAA bans Pearl for life. He is a crying loser like Kelvin Sampson.
Hamilton needs to go next and he should take his mediocre football coach with him. Kiffin & Dooley both were bad hires by Hamilton. Dooley has had one winning season in his career. He was 4-7 at LA Tech. Why did Hamilton hire a coach not ready for the SEC? We should get a new AD and bring in his new coaches.
It is time to clean house and bring in some people who can win without breaking the rules and making UT look bad.
smokeyvol1 writes:
Mike Hamilton has a FB page. Just do a search and you can send him a real nice message!
The_Mayor writes:
I didn't hurt this bad in Baton Rouge in October. I feel awful for the players who are the victims of self-serving, reckless, greedy adults.
Vol for life.
DrewM2010 writes:
Most untalented team I've seen in a while. Harris and hopson well hopson sometimes and that was it. Who knows what the future brings
AHOUSE writes:
They played mad and out of control except for Harris. This was probably a good loss . Now we can clean house and Hamilton is first!!~
w4tey#282182 writes:
First time I've ever been embarrassed to say I'm a Vols fan. Fire Hamilton !
bigfan writes:
I've lost confidence in Bruce Pearl. Let's not forget that Mike Hamilton did hire this man. I'm not sure who to blame but something has to change with the talent level. Can anyone truely shoot the ball from outside consistently
tnexplorer writes:
Said it before UT did not belong in the tourney. They were just cannon fodder for whoevever they played.
VOLFAN78 writes:
All I can say is pitiful.
volinky writes:
I never saw THIS coming. I thought we had a decent chance of winning; certainly wouldn't be surprised if we lost. But, the worst loss of the season when down 4 at half???? What went on in the locker room? Something must change - maybe just the cooling off period of the off-season. For what it's worth, I think if Scotty leaves, that helps us in long-run.
TNORANGEDOGDAD writes:
The quitting on this team started on Tuesday with Hamilton.
huntined#565710 writes:
Mich. CAME TO PLAY AND WE DIDN'T!!ENOUGH SAID
budd#207344 writes:
I have supported Mike Hamilton because
1. I do not think Lane Kiffin was a mistake. He did what he said he was going to do and we all loved it as he poked satan and urbie in the eye. You can tell me you didn’t but you are lying. That’s why we burned mattresses and threatened his family.
2. I think Derek Dooley can bring the football program back. He needs to learn time management but he and his group can coach
3. Bruce Pearl brought the BB program to new heights. I will miss him.
4. The jury is still out on Raleigh. He needs to do it this year but he has made progress especially in academics.
5. The facility improvements and the money management have been great.
Cons
1. The lack of control of the coaching staffs.
2. Listening to Dooley and canceling with UNC. The bowl game outcome was the result.
But this interview right before the NCAA game is inexcusable. He has taken the heart out of this team and this is just not right. He needs to resign or be terminated.
RockyToptoNeyland writes:
yea I think bruce really wants the indiana job, well there goes our basketball program for a while
CB4VOLZ writes:
Time to clean house.... I wish Hamilton and Pearl good luck in the future.. as long as it's NOT at UT
Ironcity writes:
Was this enough to get rid of Hamilton? Is their a team in college with less leadership?
Colliervol writes:
I had hoped Bruce could get through this but, given what was said this week and the effort of the team, I think he is toast. The team looked like it knows something.
Hamilton's status depends on the mood of the president and the board. Nobody else.
dv8ing writes:
Absolutely NO leadership from Hamilton, to Pearl, to the senior players. Terrible game. UM didn't make a single free throw and wins by 30! I think Pearl is fired and Hamilton should be as well. Let's get some class back and put Pat Summit in as AD.
VolBy3 writes:
Are you kidding me! Michigan only shot one free-throw? Were we that sedated? Glad I didn't have to witness that.
bigfan writes:
Hamilton did not coach or prepare the team to play today. Bruce Pearl did that!
bigdisbig writes:
Goodbye Pearl, son of Pearl, Tobias, Hopson and any decent recruit we have. Good riddance to Hamilton. We have hit rock bottom with basketball now just like we have in football. Hopefully Dooley will not embarass UT with teams who really don't care. Skyler McBee could not guard my grandmother.
This was another ridiculous loss. This team quit on all of the fans. We can thank Hamilton for this loss as well as the moron Jimmy Hyams for asking the question to set Hamilton up.
Rookie2 writes:
This team just doesn't have any heart or fight in them. Someone else deserved our spot today.
tvol71 writes:
The game just ended, and Hamilton is now responsible for two of the most embarrassing defeats in UT football (Wyoming) and basketball history through his actions, not to mention hiring one of the worst coaches (LK) ever. If he is not gone soon, there are serious issues at the leadership level.
vut56#231073 writes:
Okay, the patient has stopped breathing. Does Michigan have no mercy rule? Oh, the State of NC has jurisdiction. Now, we watch the vultures attack this road kill.
Under whatever circumstances prevails, for the AD to distract them during preparations for this game will never be excused or understood.
ela32 writes:
Thud
This team proved they belonged in the NIT today, which with a 19-14 record they should have been. RPI is not everything.
It dosen't help that the AD is stupid. He should be replaced before any coach is.
nepperso#220348 writes:
Uh... dang.
VOLHEAD writes:
Regarding the game, as soon as Michigan went to a zone it was over.
govols1234567 writes:
Happy B-day Bruce. Way to go out
ssgdebity writes:
This has been one crappy season. Anyone who watched the game can clearly although they tried at 1st, the team was not in the game. How can a AD say some phooey prior to a huge game. MIKE HAMILTON NO DOUDT HAS TO BE FIRED. As they just said this team gave up and quit. There is absolutely no excuse for this. Again if Pearl goes Hamilton needs to go. And Hamilton needs to keep his mouth shut.
flafan2001 writes:
Wow- The players really rallied around Honest Bruce today.
TommyJack writes:
Thanks for the support, Hammy.
TNPilgrim writes:
The pre-game announcers called it - Hamilton's comments were the primary thoughts in their heads, and when they got even a little bit behind they quit. By shooting off his mouth at the worst possible time, the UT Athletic Director made it impossible for our guys to be mentally ready for the NCAA tournament. Regardless what happens to Pearl, Hamilton should be fired.
skyhawk836 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
bigfan writes:
At this time, UT needs a class guy running a football program, we have that. We, in my opinion beat both LSU and UNC. Dooley will be just fine, recruiting contnues to look good. He's brought a great deal of class to the university. Beat up on somebody else!!
rusty_shackleford writes:
Hammy gets to wear this one. His piss-poor handling of the press this week caused it all.
HtownVol writes:
I was SO shocked that UT players were not playing hard for Bruce!
Dont give a excuse, UM got layup after layup and UT couldnt hit the ocean from the beach.
Harris played a great 20 minutes then he decided he wouldnt do it by himself.
As sad as it is Bruce is gone for sure now. He wont be kept around after coaching the worst team game in this tournament.
UM did not make ONE free throw and still won by 30.. That stat is the most shocking stat I have ever seen! Think about it.
McBee played too much in the first and got beat many times and he offered no threat of scoring.
Hopson just stood around and was out of control when driving.
Tatum has never been deserving of playing time and showed it today.
Goins and Golden are both not good PGs.
And everyone else is just not that good.
With UT starting over it is time to clean house.
Hammy has to go. I know he is smiling for destroying any focus the team had this week.
I only hope that Chris Jones and Kevin Ware stay with UT. We will need them in the worst way.
There is ZERO chance Harris comes back.
Hopson will go because he will not have a better season next year under a new coach.
And BW and Fields leave leaving UT with no real big guys. Hall played OK but he is not great at all./
I think the future is not exciting at all and UT is looking at a major rebuilding job.
I hope we make it through this transition.
Thank you Bruce! you was the best thing UT basketball has ever had and I wish you the best of luck where ever you go!
GO VOLS!
Volnationky writes:
Keep Harris and send the rest of the team packing with Pearl and Ham.
Katphan29 writes:
After what IU went through with Kelvin Sampson, IU will not hire Pearl.
Colliervol writes:
Really disappointed in our so-called "veterans": Hopson, Williams, Tatum and Goins. Not a one showed up to play in the NCAA of all things. No matter what is going on with the coach, they could have at least looked interested.
With the exception of a couple of players, we'll be looking at an entirely new team next year and maybe that's good. Given the effort and results this year, I don't want to see this group anymore. Wish Tobias would stick around but I don't expect it.
NYvolFan writes:
Bye Bruce...have a nice long vacation with NO buyout/severance!
calvolfromkingsport writes:
Looking forward to the cats losing to whoever they play. Always will enjoy it, especially with calamari as coach. How's the citizens band radio going scat cratch?
tvol71 writes:
Hamilton should go, and although I would support giving Pearl ONE more chance, I expect he is gone. I disagree with your comment on Dooley. He was not really Hamilton's choice, but I think given a couple of years to get the program together, he will do well.
thevoice writes:
Uh, we just lost by 30 pal and our coach embarrassed our program on national TV by pulling a no-show (i.e., didn't prepare his players).
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