Monday, March 4, 2013

Six steps forward and one giant step back.

ATHENS, Ga. - Trae Golden proved his worth to the Tennessee men's basketball team on Saturday as the junior went 1-for-10 from the field and didn't score until 39 minutes and 30 seconds into the game.
Every player was invited to the contest with Georgia at Stedman Coliseum, but only the Bulldogs and Jordan McRae showed up in the 78-68 loss. McRae scored 35 points, but didn't get much help as the Vols fell to 17-11, 9-7 in the SEC.
The NCAA tourney talk has been silenced at the moment. The Vols play at Auburn on Wednesday and home against Missouri for Senior Day on Saturday. The tip will be at 4 p.m. EST and fans are encouraged to get there early for Troy Wills Day. The first 1000 fans receive a bottle of tanning lotion.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Lady Vols Win.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Lady Vols won another SEC championship Thursday night by beating No. 11 Texas A&M in Thompson-Boling Arena.
MY TAKE - That got me thinking. I feel like fans are always storming the floor after a big win in men's college basketball, but I have never seen it in the women's game. Maybe it's because I don't watch women's basketball that much. But I'd love to see women's college basketball fans storm the court one day. That's all I have today. I'm sorry.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Florida Gets a McBeatdown

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The rankings may have Florida ranked eighth, but on Tuesday night in the Tommy Bowl it was Tennessee playing with the top 10 swagger.
Jordan McRae led the way for the Volunteers (17-10, 9-6 SEC) with 27 points and seven rebounds as the Big Orange snuck into NCAA tournament consideration with a 64-58 win.
The victory marks Tennessee's sixth in a row after last losing on Feb. 6 to Georgia.
Sophomore Jarnell Stokes was a beast down low for Tennessee with eight points and 14 boards.  The Vols exploited Florida's lack of depth by rotating fresh bodies throughout the second half. All Billy Donovan's club could do was grab its shorts as time ticked off the clock and Tennessee protected its lead in the final minutes.
Coach Cuonzo Martin has his team peaking at the right time as the Vols have three games remaining in the regular season ( @UGA Mar. 2, @Auburn Mar. 6, vs. Mizzou Mar. 9).
DEFENSE RESTS: McRae lit up the Gators, but it was really the defense that won that game for Tennessee. Martin made it a point in the scouting report to switch on screens and not give them anything deep. Florida was held to 28-percent (5-of-18) from the 3-point line, which is where they make their living (they hit 10 a game). Eric Murphy, a 6-foot-10 forward with range, was held to just 3-of-10 shooting and seven points.
HOME IS WHERE THE WIN IS: Spring break must be right around the corner because the student section at Thompson-Boling Arena was rocking. The 19,567 in attendance were loud from start to finish. After suffering some questionable losses in Knoxville (Ole Miss, Memphis and Georgia), the Vols seem to really be embracing the home floor. Even Betty White's head made an appearance.