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LAHAINA, Hawaii — One of the strongest players in Tennessee men’s basketball history put the team on his broad shoulders Tuesday afternoon.
Junior power forward Jeronne Maymon, 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds, scored a career-high 32 points and pulled down an EA Sports Maui Invitational-record 20 rebounds in an epic double-overtime thriller against No. 8 Memphis.
The Tigers prevailed 99-97 when Maymon’s final shot attempt, a 15-foot turnaround, fell short at the buzzer before a sellout crowd of 2,400 at Lahaina Civic Center.
The Vols (2-2) finish the tournament at 2:30 p.m. today (TV: ESPNU) against Division II Chaminade (2-2), which lost 88-61 to Georgetown on Tuesday.
Maymon’s heroic performance — he’s the first UT player with 30 points, and 20 rebounds since Steve Hamer had 31 and 21 against Alabama in the 1996 SEC tournament — is sure to make him more of a focal point.
But to hear Maymon tell it, Tuesday’s performance was just a matter of following directions.
“I was out there trying to stop my man, play help defense, rebound or score and help my team,’’ said Maymon, who with bench presses of close to 400 pounds and squats near 500 tops UT strength coach Troy Wills’ charts. “We’re going to accept our roles and go in whatever direction Coach (Cuonzo) Martin take us.
“My body is built for that type of physical play, so I’m not going to shy away from it.’’
Maymon and his teammates didn’t flinch against Memphis (2-1), even after falling behind by as many as 16 points.
With the Tigers up 55-45 at halftime, Martin told his team there was plenty of time.
“We talk about walking them down, one possession at a time, and that’s what we did to send the game to overtime,’’ said Martin, whose team will get a rematch in Memphis on Jan. 4. “Jeronne was tremendous, attacking off the dribble, very aggressive, and most importantly making his free throws.’’
Maymon was 16-of-17 from the free-throw line, but his biggest make came on a drive with 5.2 seconds that capped the comeback and sent the game into the first overtime tied at 83.
“Even when we were down, I didn’t think we were going to lose,’’ said UT point guard Trae Golden, who scored 14 points on 3-of-19 shooting and had seven assists. “Jeronne was the best player on the floor today, by far.’’
Maymon was a two-time Wisconsin high school Player of the Year before signing with Marquette and transferring to UT in December of 2009. But many, including Memphis coach Josh Pastner, didn’t know how to pronounce his name.
“I’m really bad with names, so, I mean, the kid No. 34 (Maymon) is just a stud,’’ Pastner said after his team won the first overtime affair in the teams’ 23-game history. “He played really well. That’s a top-25 team.’’
The Tigers, led by brothers Will Barton (25 points) and Antonio Barton (21 points), and Adonis Thomas (19 points), proved worthy of their top-10 status. Memphis recovered after UT took its largest lead of the game, 87-83, in the first overtime on a Maymon put-back.
In a contest filled with whistles (53 fouls), collisions and contested calls, it was only fitting one overtime wasn’t enough to separate the rivals.
The Vols had two inbounds opportunities in the final 3.1 seconds of the second and decisive overtime.
On the first, freshman Josh Richardson attempted to pass the ball to Golden under the basket with 3.1 seconds left. The ball squirted out and Memphis’ Wesley Witherspoon scooped it up and ran toward his team bench in celebration.
Lost amid the crowd noise was a whistle; the officials called a travel before going to replay to reset the clock.
With 0.8 seconds left, UT’s Cameron Tatum looked to pass the ball in to Golden before triggering to Maymon, who spun and released a shot that fell short.
It wasn’t the storybook ending the Vols sought, but at the very least UT proved its mettle after Memphis had pulled away with a 16-0 first-half run.
Seven lead changes and seven ties in the opening minutes gave way to the Memphis splurge, which started innocently enough when Will Barton split a pair of free throws at the 11:01 mark to put the Tigers up 25-24.
The Lahaina Civic Center transformed into FedEx Forum West for the next 3 ½ minutes. The Tigers’ fans grew louder by the second, delivering confidence and energy to their players.
Memphis hit five of its next seven shots, including three 3-pointers, while UT missed six consecutive shots.
Antonio Barton capped the run with a 3-pointer that gave Memphis a 40-24 lead at the 7:38 mark.
UT didn’t pull even again until Maymon’s game-tying drive at the end of regulation.
“Sometimes, it’s not going to go in our favor, but I’m pretty sure down the road we’re going to win some big games because of how hard we work,’’ Maymon said. “We all grew up today.’’
Mike Griffith covers Tennessee men’s basketball. Follow him at http://twitter.com/MikeGriffith32
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Comments » 176
bosscat writes:
Is there anyone out there that would like to re-evaluate CCM and the Tennessee basketball TEAM? Don't be shy--it's o.k. Lots of folks are doing it.
acknowledgment writes:
At least we now have a PG that knows how to single-handedly lose a game for his teammates.
AlpharettaVol writes:
These 2 games make me much more optimistic about this season. We played 2 top 10 teams very tough. Martin is the real deal. He maintained his cool through both overtimes today. He was obviously the man in charge and knew just what he wanted to do.
thevoice writes:
My gosh, Mamon is an ANIMAL!!! Bright future.
Ironcity writes:
Maymon is a beast.Wish he was two inches taller. Golden is learning the hard way on getting to the rim and passing when he is doubled.
This team needs to believe and learn how to win. Will be a fun year. Some non calls that hurt UT in the OT especially when Maymon had a break away.
drum56 writes:
I believe we have upgraded in coaching ability! GBO!!!
TopTenn writes:
We played the #6 and the #8 teams with great effort. Another pg and a big and we are top 25. CCM has been outstanding so far this season.
cdamna1 writes:
I am behind Coach Martin 110%. Great hire. Good Coach. Good Man. He was a winner under Keady (sp?).....he will be a winner at UT. Give it time and Go Vols>
writer#358485 writes:
What dropoff? This team competes well with the big boys and will only get better--watch out SEC! We got ourselves a coach! Maybe the naysayers will all drown in the tears of their misery--we can hope! Go Vols!
bcdvol#234255 writes:
And you must be the loser that has to dog on a player when his teammates won't.
writer#358485 writes:
What we have under Coach Martin is a "team". With Pearl we had an assemblage of spare parts.
Ironcity writes:
One thing UT can work on are the in bound plays Pearl was a master at that and we needed one with 3 seconds left.
Katphan29 writes:
Uh yea.....count this UK fan as one. Wow.
volfaninutah writes:
Have been pleasantly surprised the past two games. We are gonna be OK. Pearl came to us from small schools. This is how little guys make names for themselves. You don't become a big name coach overnight. Even though we lost, it has been some good exposure for our team against the some of the best. The future does indeed look good for the Vols.
ChattaVol1 writes:
If we had our 2 guys who left early to make $$, but are not making any $$, we might be a Final 4 Type Team.. But, other teams lost em too..
mocsandvolsfan writes:
I just hope this team keeps their spirits up and keeps playing hard. They had 2 great games against top teams and looked like they could have won with a few breaks and a few better decisions. Maymon has been a nice surprise. In fact all our bigs have played well. Miller looks to be a nice find as well as Big M(I hate remembering how to spell his name).
Our guard play has been great on defense and a little inconsistent on offense but hey it's early!!
bcdvol#234255 writes:
And real fans give you facts to make an intelligent post. That hasn't happened yet either.
Orange_Pants_Buy_One_Get_One_Free writes:
Another moral victory I see.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Uhhh Mancanjoula?
AllVol52 writes:
Maymon is really a beast. If we can get consistent play from him and Golden (who has struggled a bit as of late) we will surprise a lot of teams in the SEC this year. Go Vols!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Makenjuola.
Big M would be fine but we now have 3 Big Ms!!
CincyOhVol writes:
Coach Martin is the real deal. This is a top 25 team and the best is yet to come for them this year!
writer#358485 writes:
Like I posted on another story, Katphan is a class act. Good to hear from you again.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Didn't you watch the game? We lost! Oh you were for Memphis? They won. UT had no victory. We DID have a good team on the floor unlike what people have been saying.
VolunteerLifer writes:
Well now, what have we here? A Volunteer team that has been called chopped liver by most of the press, even in Knoxville. And yet they have played two top ten teams in ways that showed they belong with them. And the team shows a lot of room for improvement. Before long, it may be our strength.
It's easy to get down on Golden today, but remember he is early in his sophomore season, and has improved tremendously since his freshman campaign. From what I saw of Washpun today, we're going to be in good hands at the point. Maymon is a star in the making. Hall is improving. Miller and Mayanjuola (did I get that name right?) are contributing. The inside game isn't as bad as the experts have said.
We lost these two games because of perimeter defense and poor perimeter shooting. Tatum is a known quantity, and has hit his ceiling. But Golden and McRae have not, and there is a lot of upside there. And ya gotta like what ya see from Richardson.
As much as CCM's recruiting class has been maligned, they are showing themselves as contributors and good role players.
Looks like we have ourselves a basketball team and a basketball coach. 11th in the SEC? Really?
bcdvol#234255 writes:
Yoga lessons paid off for you. Most of us struggle to touch our toes, and you can get your head all the way to your posterior.
Snapshot writes:
I hope Coach Martin makes T. Golden watch this game tape until he is sick of it. His out of control play at times really hurt at some critical points in the game. You have to like the teams hard play and hustle. Come SEC time I think they will be a team no one will look forward to playing.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Yeh but Memphis has some very quick players. Of course that's a good reason to go to some trick plays to get it in. But Pearl was more tricky at keeping the other team from getting it in really.
I thought we did ok this early in the season with a new team and new point.
bigdisbig writes:
We play Memphis again at home on Jan. 4th. I am certain it will be a different outcome. If the Vols stay healthy and continue to improve I feel they will do much better than expected. Martin has proven he is a good coach. I was concerned at the exhibition games for we looked sluggish but after playing 2 top 20 teams hard I see they are getting better with each game. I feel Duke is overrated though. If the Vols would have hit some easy shots they blew they would have beat Duke.
tennrich1 writes:
DONT MAN DONT....FIGHT IT MAN FIGHT IT...BE MATURE MAN BE MATURE...YOU ALMOST MADE IT WILL RESPONDING..FUNNY
1
pingkr62 writes:
P.T. Barnum once said there is a fool born every minute. You have proven him right! G.B.O.!!!
tennrich1 writes:
Actually we play them in Memphis but we've never had problems in that venue so it shouldnt be a factor....
Colliervol writes:
Iron, it's hard to imagine that he was playing BEHIND Steven Pearl last year, isn't it? Maymon really worked on his game and his stamina this summer and the results are obvious.
Just a great college game. Don't like losing to Memphis in anything but this team exceeded my expectations for sure by playing Duke and Memphis so close. Just goes to show that you don't have to have all 5 stars to compete if the effort is there.
And one thing for sure. If this team is 11th out of 12 teams in the conference this year (according to the writers' poll), it's going to be an interesting year in the SEC.
Ironcity writes:
We have a lot of parts. Giving up 51% from the field worry's me. Not a lot of defense inside. So far they play really hard. I hope this team has that mental make up that it will take for them to get to the next level.
I really like what I am seeing from Yemi and Josh. Those guys can really defend. If i am Stokes I think his game fits perfect in this offense.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Pearl Who?
hikerdude writes:
Are you believing 17-14 and 8-8 yet?
bcdvol#234255 writes:
Early predictions by the media and by a few posters on this site have predicted a horrible season for the Vols. To date W-L results have neither proven or disproven these predictions. but the actual action during the games have given hope to many of us that bleed orange. Today we watched a team play hard, bang the boards and come from behind against a quality team to drive the game to overtime. But of all the things I saw today, the thing that impressed me the most was the timeouts. I watched players pay strict attention to a coach practicing his craft. In years past I've watched guys still in sweats looking around and whispering with each other. Not today, CCM had their devoted attention. If they keep that attitude up, they'll learn something and this team just might exceed expectations.
Colliervol writes:
Obviously the only folks around who will be unhappy that this team is better than previously thought will be the trolls and a few of our glass-half-empty "fans" who are just never happy about anything and think every coach should miraculously come in and win national championships with little talent. (And that goes for basketball AND football.) In either case, no one to be concerned with.
AlpharettaVol writes:
Thanks for the compliment!
westknoxrepub writes:
We're still 0-2 going into Maui, and we got out played in the 2nd overtime. . .and Memphis is not a top 10 team. Enjoy what success we have with Pearl's guys, if Martin doesn't step up his recruiting this is as good as it'll get.
volspaws writes:
Highly inpressed with Coach Martin and the grit, fight, and determination his team is showing.
clvolfan writes:
Great game plan,but please keep #11 out of the circle when the game is on the line.
LibertyVolance writes:
You are spot on, bcd. Nailed that one.
TheFuj writes:
They played hard and it was a good game, but still a loss.
Martin should switched out a few for quick breathers in the OT's. I don't think we made but one shot in the 2nd OT that was not a put back. All our shots were short due to being too tired.
They played hard and did not give up.
clvolfan writes:
And,we might actually geat an occasion call.
westknoxrepub writes:
He's not a BAD coach, but I won't be on the bandwagon until recruiting drastically improves.
pupvol writes:
yeah it's two Mr. basketballs in their states, Maymon twice, that's carrying the load! gotta have talent!
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Sorry, but I seem to recall that Pearl's last second call was always a 3 pt. heave by anybody that had the ball. JMO. I did like Coach Pearl though.
Sir_Spanky writes:
Hope Golden learned from this experience.
lomas98 writes:
Every post you make is about the same thing, lack of recruiting. Can you not try to enjoy the season? Last i heard you cant recruit additional players during the year? I am a little suspect of the players we have coming in next year, but felt the same way about Washpun and Richardson. They have played pretty well so far. All I have seen from you is complaining about recruiting. This coach has been on campus 7 or 8 months and coached in 4 games. At least he is smart enough to play Maymon. Pearl must have known he was a goner all year last year to play his son over this beast.
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