Nevermind the margin, aided by four garbage threes in the last 35 seconds. Tennessee came into Gainesville and dominated #7 Florida. Again.
Florida hadn't lost at home all year. Over. Tennessee hadn't won on the road all year. Over. Tennessee hadn't scored 75 points since heavy competition began with the second Memphis game. Over. Players not named Renaldo Woolridge were 5 of 37 from the three point line in their last three road games. Over.
And for a season that many were forced to believe would end, at best, with settling for a third-tier postseason tournament we'd never heard of and putting an emphasis on the future? Tonight that's over too. Tennessee goes to 13-12, gets back even at 5-5 in the SEC, and could be in a four way tie for fifth place in the SEC by the end of the night, just a game out of third.
There were lots of ways to finish above .500 and hope the NIT called your name. But none would've helped Tennessee's RPI more than what they did tonight. Now the Vols need only a split in their final six regular season games to get above .500...and right now, a split might feel like a disappointment.
But more on where the Vols go from here in a moment. First, let's talk about how Tennessee imposed their will on the Gators for the second time this season.
The games really were remarkably similar. Tennessee had a banged up Jarnell Stokes this time, who had four points, two rebounds, and two steals in eleven minutes. The Gators were without Mike Rosario and lost Will Yeguete early in the contest, but let's not de-emphasize this win just because Florida was without their sixth and seventh leading scorers.
Both times, Tennessee broke away midway through the first half with key inside play and selective, clutch three point shooting. Both times, the Vols went ice cold midway through the second half. But both times, the Vol defense made sure the Gators did nothing about it.
Today, Tennessee made one shot from the 12:29 mark to the 6:00 mark. Jeronne Maymon added a pair of free throws, but the Vols scored just four points in six and a half minutes. But during that same span, Florida made just one shot. The Gators went 0 for 5 with a pair of turnovers and a pair of missed front ends on 1-and-1s. And Tennessee's lead was never truly in jeopardy. The Vols led 65-51 with 2:25 to play before the game got stretched out with garbage threes and free throws.
Florida shot 41.7% from the floor and 11 of 30 (36.7%) from the arc. But Tennessee's defense still made a difference in forcing 15 turnovers and keeping Florida far away from the offensive glass - the Gators had just five offensive rebounds on 28 missed shots, and three of those came in the final minute.
That, of course, was mostly the work of Jeronne Maymon, who turned in a 15-11 performance despite shooting just 5 of 14 from the field. Jordan McRae, who was big in the first half, added six rebounds and a dozen points. In the Knoxville game, Cameron Tatum had nine but Skylar McBee didn't attempt a shot. Today, Tatum didn't attempt a shot but McBee had a baker's dozen. The Stache was 4 of 7 from the arc and 1 for 1 in taunting the Gator student section.
Balance was again the name of the game: in Knoxville, six Vols had at least seven points. Today, six Vols had at least six points, including the one who may be most responsible for the outcome: Trae Golden, with 17 points and 7 huge assists. The Vols didn't just beat Florida with tough defense, they played a very high IQ brand of basketball on the offensive end, breaking the press and finding the open man with the extra pass more often than not, with Golden leading the way.
But again: everybody contributed, and the Vols continue to be at their best when that's the case. We get nothing from Tatum and almost nothing from Stokes...and we dominate.
Bruce Pearl came in and changed the Florida rivalry with flat out domination: the Vols won eight of the first nine meetings with Pearl and Donovan on the sidelines, including 3-1 against Florida's dual National Champions. But at the end of Pearl's run, Donovan got it back with four straight wins. Tennessee was still right there last year against an Elite Eight Gator squad, losing the two regular season games on the final possession. But this year under Cuonzo Martin, Tennessee has simply done exactly what they wanted to do to what everyone believes is a very good Gator team. Twice. Neither of these games was close, neither of them a fluke.
Tennessee is dominating Florida in basketball, again.
Mandatory Reality Check in the Epilogue
Because some of you will say, "Hey, what about the NCAA Tournament?"
So here's a good swift kick to that question: had the Vols won the overtime games against Memphis and Georgia and not lost the Austin Peay debacle, Tennessee would be 16-9 (6-4) right now, and yeah, we'd be talking tournament. To say nothing of close losses to Pittsburgh, Mississippi State, and Kentucky. While the margin doesn't always matter, every game does count in this thing.
But at 13-12, the question now isn't the NCAA Tournament. I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm simply saying it's easier to win three or four games in New Orleans than to complete the sort of run it would take to earn an at-large bid at this point. So please, let's not talk about Tennessee's NCAA resume right now. Let's talk about Arkansas.
That's who comes to town Wednesday night in what becomes an incredibly important game. Not only are the Vols playing to improve their NIT chances, they're playing to climb the SEC ladder...and the Razorbacks, who also cannot win on the road, are their most direct competition in both races. It's also a nice little showdown for Cuonzo Martin and Mike Anderson in a battle of first year coaches.
Today, the goal is not this tournament or that tournament. It's get better. That goes through Arkansas on Wednesday night, at home where the Vols play very well with what should now be a really good crowd.
Tennessee is on a roll. I'm interested to see how far this roll can take us. But in this thing, you're only as good as your latest win. Tonight, the Vols are very good, and we should all enjoy this. Come Wednesday, let's keep it rolling.
Go Vols.
0 recs | 110 comments
Great win. We have some momentum and have a chance to close out on a nice run
only two likely tournament teams left on the schedule. But seriously, after what happened last time we did this (after the UConn win):
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
So, what %age do we have to go to March Madness?
I’m thinking 25%. Too low? Too high? I really feel
-bobothevol - February 11, 2012
we have to beat Arkansas
that’s what we have to do. beat Arkansas. so let’s beat Arkansas. please, we can talk about beating Arkansas. When we focus on beating Arkansas, we’ll have a better chance to beat Arkansas. Beating Arkansas will help in these discussions.
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
/kidnapped by Will
Chris Pendley - February 11, 2012
/is glad someone got the joke.
bobothevol - February 11, 2012
5%
Our RPI is still going to suck, we were #134 coming into today… and you simply don’t get invited as an at large when your RPI is outside of ~60.
Realistically, we’d probably have to win out through the semis/finals of the SEC Tournament to even get on the bubble.
Caban - February 11, 2012
right now
we have three top 30 wins and four 100+ losses. and three of those four losses were before a major midseason personnel change. My position on the matter is “beat Arkansas.” If we do that, my position will be “beat Alabama.” If we do both, we can talk seriously.
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
/Will'd
…just winz, baby.
chuckiepoo - February 12, 2012
How about win the SEC Tournament?
is that still an automatic bid?
coach799 - February 11, 2012
yep
although that tends to require beating Kentucky
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
what about going deep
but losing to Kentucky in the Semi’s or Finals? That’s gotta be worse something, I think
falconnuke - February 11, 2012
A better NIT seed, likely
kidbourbon - February 11, 2012 via mobile
Not if somebody else takes care of it
coach799 - February 11, 2012
not sure who's going to do that
but either way, it’ll take a 4-day stretch of play the likes of which we’ve never seen in my lifetime
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
In action tonight:
LSU currently up 27-15 late first half on the depleted Alabama team (ESPN2)
Auburn up 21-18 late first half at Ole Miss
Kentucky at Vanderbilt at 9 ET on ESPN
If LSU holds serve and Kentucky keeps winning, Tennessee will be tied with Arkansas at 5-5 (and Ole Miss if they win tonight). UK would be 11-0 and the assumed champion, Florida 7-3 alone in second. But Vandy and MSU would be just 6-4, meaning UT would be just a game out of third. And Tennessee gets to play Arkansas, Alabama, and Ole Miss in the next three games to create their own opportunity, plus has a much easier finish than Vandy. A first round bye is a real outcome for this team, and if they could get to third, they wouldn’t have to worry about UK until the finals.
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
third would be astounding
likely requires a 6-0 finish though. if we sweep this week (keep pedal down vs Arkansas, gut out a win in Tuscaloosa), I’ll let myself hope
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
If I understand seeding right, either 3 or 6 is good, right?
Avoiding 4 or 5?
David Hooper - February 11, 2012
yes
top priority: win all the games we can
2nd priority: avoid 8th or 9th (potential second round with Kentucky)
3rd priority: avoid 4th or 5th (potential semi-final with Kentucky)
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
4 would be a first round bye, but you're in Kentucky's half of the bracket
so given the choice between 5 and 6, I’d take 6.
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
And 4 over 6, given that it likely means an additional regular season win (or maybe even two)?
David Hooper - February 11, 2012
Yeah
Just can’t ignore the first round bye – easier to win three games than four, and you’re almost certainly going to have to beat Kentucky eventually either way
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
Bama did lose 67-58 (43 points in the second half though)
Ole Miss will hold off Auburn. Bama, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Tennessee all 5-5.
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
four-way tie for 5th behind UK, UF, Vandy, and MSU?
with LSU breathing down our necks and Aubie, UGA, and USC way back?
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
If Kentucky beats Vanderbilt:
Kentucky 11-0
Florida 7-3
MSU 6-4
Vandy 6-4
Bama 5-5
Ark 5-5
Ole Miss 5-5
Vols 5-5
LSU 4-6
Auburn 3-7
UGA 3-7
Carolina 1-9
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
A retroactive point of praise for Pearl:
that thing where you suspend your best players and then win all these games? In Alabama, not so much: 15 points in the first half at LSU.
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
in fairness
Pearl at least had a couple days to gameplan. but yeah, awesome
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
I've decided we're screwed...
yeah, literally EVERYONE is talking NCAA tournament now. There is no way this doesn’t go to the team’s heads. Expect us to come out flat vs. Arkansas, and if we’re lucky we might be able to come back in the 2h.
Caban - February 11, 2012
I came to the same conclusion about an hour ago
see: Georgia
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
What is the 2012 expectations for the football team, Alex?
It’s somewhat related (since I suspect the people saying it are similar).
Chris Pendley - February 11, 2012
er, what are?
Chris Pendley - February 11, 2012
NASHEEENAUL CHAMPEENSHIP OR BRUST!
Caban - February 11, 2012
the debate is whether 8-4 will save Dooley's job
everyone knows 7-5 won’t
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
Yeah, but I'm seeing movement from people thinking 8-4 to 9-3 to 10-2, etc.
That’s more of what I meant. If I thought ahead, I’d have put up polls each month on what people expect Tennessee’s record to be.
Chris Pendley - February 11, 2012
I kinda figure...
We’re either going to be right there ~10 wins, or we’re going to completely implode. Don’t figure just being mediocre is likely, if we start losing it could turn into 2008 in a hurry.
Caban - February 11, 2012
Yeah, and I don't want to derail this any more than is likely as soon as someone else wanders in.
More that the general perception is we want something good to happen real bad, so much so that we get ahead of ourselves. Beating Florida twice just tells us where they need to mail their property taxes, not whether or not this team is making the tourney.
Chris Pendley - February 11, 2012
The Will Shelton School of Upcoming Season Predictions. ;-)
David Hooper - February 11, 2012
The spring semester always includes a heavy dose of tempered realism
But we offer nothing but theory in the summer
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
TEN WINS - Are people insane? Did anyone watch the Kentucky game???
memphispete - February 12, 2012
Most recent RPI ratings have the Vols up to 107
http://www.rpiforecast.com/live-rpi.html
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
That's a jump of 28 spots from this morning
give or take one or two based on the outcome of tonight’s games. If you’re trying to figure out how high we could go, which is still mostly impossible, know that we’ll be jumping less than 28 spots with any other win – the Gators were 14 in RPI this morning, next closest remaining foes are Vandy and Bama at 27 and 28.
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
Had one been in Vegas...
…and given the fine employee at the betting counter of the sportsbook 100 dollars with instructions to place said money on the Vols on the moneyline, one could have walked back to the counter roughly two hours later and the fine employee would have returned the initial 100 dollars you gave to her and then given you an additional 675 dollars.
That’s just a really long and annoying way of saying the moneyline for the Vols was +675.
Adjust that for juice and we were over 7-1 dogs. Big win.
kidbourbon - February 11, 2012 via mobile
We were #97 in Pomeroy
Last time we beat Florida we jumped from 124 to 111. I would expect a similar jump here.
kidbourbon - February 11, 2012 via mobile
Now 81 on Pomeroy
Btw, have y’all seen BPI, the new ESPN ranking system. It was developed by Dean Oliver, so it’s legit.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7561413/bpi-college-basketball-power-index-explained
kidbourbon - February 12, 2012 via mobile
interesting
and they have us at 84, which right now is probably fairly reasonable
Incipient_Senescence - February 12, 2012
Looking ahead a year at an unlikely time
Our situation next year looks much better after the developments we’ve seen this season. This team should be picked in the top of the SEC preseason and perhaps the top 4. McRae with some maturity and J Rich with some confidence and experience should trump Tatum and the loss of Cam and Wooley won’t be tough to overcome. If Washpun can develop and McBee continue to build confidence with an automatic three threat backed up by McRae and Golden we could look like:
Golden > R Smith
McBee = Lofton
McRae = J Smith
Maymon = T Smith
Stokes > Chism
Hall = Prince
Yemi = B Williams
Richardson > Tabb
Washpun > J Howell
Or something like it. – and that was our Elite Eight Team
aurabass - February 11, 2012
naw, you're getting your years all mixed up. and probably evals too
Golden (assuming lots of development) = B Maze
McBee <<<<<< Hopson
McRae < Prince
Stokes > Chism (I love Weezy, but Stokes’ ceiling is through the roof)
Maymon >>>>> Williams
reserves
Washpun <<<<< Goins
Richardson = Tatum
Hall >>>>>>>>> ’10 Hall
Yemi vs lil’ Pearl?
Chievous vs Bone?
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
also
because you conflated the years, I ignored you saying “McBee = Lofton,” but please never ever ever say anything like that again.
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
I love the look on Rondo's face in this picture
like this was exactly what he was trying to do all along and it required great intentional precision.
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
yep
only thing I love more about it is that Lofton made that shot
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
This picture is incredible.
Chris Pendley - February 11, 2012
Why this isn't green yet...
I will never know.
TennesseeTyrants - February 12, 2012
What Rondo's really saying is
I surgically implant the tracking transmitters by sticking my foot in their face. This way the mothership knows where all the basketball players are.
(he kinda looks like an alien to me)
falconnuke - February 12, 2012
Huge Alien Head?
Incipient_Senescence - February 12, 2012
and giant bug eyes
I say that as a Celtics fan…
falconnuke - February 12, 2012
forgot you haven't been around here that long
JP Prince had a huge alien head
Incipient_Senescence - February 12, 2012
Thanks for that "huge" link
I remembered that, of course, but rewatching that Chism interview was a great way to start the morning.
Joel Hollingsworth - February 13, 2012
I love the Stache, but he will never be confused with Lofton
memphispete - February 12, 2012
and I promise "ceiling is through the roof" was unintentional
I don’t think appropriately mixed metaphors actually makes sense here, sadly
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
Huge follow slam by Goulbourne on the first possession for Vanderbilt
huge for their confidence attacking UK in the paint
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
Anthony Davis lost a contact lens!
He’s not a machine, he’s a man!
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
Rocky 4
I approve
kidbourbon - February 11, 2012 via mobile
won the cold war
falconnuke - February 11, 2012
Absolutely
Because if you can change….
kidbourbon - February 11, 2012 via mobile
you'll come to realize
SEC is where it’s at
falconnuke - February 11, 2012
ESPN3 is showing technical difficulties.
Even ESPN can’t handle that stupid Vanderbilt court.
Chris Pendley - February 11, 2012
My roommate on this project is a huge UK fan.
Watching the game with him is amusing.
danmarcel - February 11, 2012
it's really a lose-lose
i don’t particularly want to see either team win
falconnuke - February 11, 2012
elaborate
kidbourbon - February 11, 2012 via mobile
The swing from smug assurance to annoyance
As Vanderbilt has closed the gap and taken the lead.
danmarcel - February 11, 2012
You can see why UK would ease off the gas once they got up 13 at halftime
it’s an easy assumption that you’ll just keep rolling over everybody automatically. This should be a good finish.
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
this game is driving me crazy
every time I start cheering against Vandy, I realize that I just cheered for Kentucky, and then I feel dirty
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
agreed
falconnuke - February 11, 2012
It's such a love/hate watching UK this year
Davis is special and sometimes they just make it look so effortless…but then, yeah, you remember you’re admiring Kentucky.
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
I think, maybe
it’s possible to recognize that a player or a team is very, very good, even when they’re rivals. Like Bama football the last few years.
falconnuke - February 11, 2012
It's easier to do with basketball because those guys touch the ball every possession
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
true
and let’s be fair (and i’m not trying to take away from basketball), but it’s only basketball.
falconnuke - February 11, 2012
Real smart, leaving the 50% shooter wide open
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
Calipari jumping on the baseline with Miller as he goes up
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
UK is going to go 16-0
Will Shelton - February 11, 2012
nobody else can beat them
although I’d love to see them go down in the O’Dome. Quality wins.
Incipient_Senescence - February 11, 2012
Thought I'd have a perfect day
Alas…Vandy still sucks at the end of games. And, apparently, first halfs.
VolnVA - February 11, 2012
Something I didn't realize...
Arkansas is 17-0 at home, and 0-8 on the road.
They’ve been averaging double digit losses in road games too… if they come to Knoxville and play as poorly as they have on the road all season, we may just sneak past the letdown game.
Caban - February 11, 2012
I realized that
which is why I was comparing it to Georgia and not. . . okay, so I don’t have an example of a letdown game against a half decent team, but you get the idea. They’re Georgia-bad on the road. Maybe worse, given today. There is no excuse for losing this one. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have a pretty good shot of doing just that. It’s good when inexperienced teams gain confidence. It’s bad when they get big heads. Please give us the former, stay away from the latter
Incipient_Senescence - February 12, 2012
Schizoid Hogs?
memphispete - February 12, 2012
And 4 of 5 points...
in the Gators game summary deal with injuries.
I highly doubt two backups would have made a significant difference in this game… if Florida doesn’t go nuts from 3 over the last couple of minutes we could have easily had a 20 point win.
Caban - February 12, 2012
yep
also they didn’t note that those two guys played in Knoxville when we beat them by double digits. Or that Stokes was recovering from injury and only played 11 minutes.
Incipient_Senescence - February 12, 2012
Mike Griffith...
in today’s KNS liveblog stated that he believes UT is a Sweet Sixteen team next season, and this was before the game.
I’d certainly take it and be thrilled with it.
Caban - February 12, 2012
He wrote lots of single sentence paragraphs all about it I'm sure.
kidbourbon - February 12, 2012 via mobile
Vols are 110 in RPI and 81 in KenPom this morning
Will Shelton - February 12, 2012
Just curious as to why ESPN couldn't find Chaminade's logo...
chuckiepoo - February 12, 2012
Tourney talk is poppycock
Unless UT’s 13th loss is after at least 1 win in SEC tourney. RPI is just too high.
Craig T - February 12, 2012 via mobile
Could be wrong
And hope I am
Craig T - February 12, 2012 via mobile
Plenty of room for improvement. My plan is to just take 'em one at a time and enjoy the ride.
chuckiepoo - February 12, 2012
Yes.....
That’s where I’m at. Tourney = ring down the road and all that. Enjoy the ride the last 6.
Craig T - February 12, 2012 via mobile
*Brass ring
Craig T - February 12, 2012 via mobile
teams that got in off the bubble last year:
Penn State (19-15, RPI #48)
Michigan (20-14, RPI #51)
Michigan State (18-15, RPI #54)
Southern California (19-15, RPI #73)
I’m not sure what our RPI is if we finish out 7-2 (5-1 regular season), but it at least has us in the discussion
Incipient_Senescence - February 12, 2012
that said, I'll believe we can actually finish with that kind of record after we
BEAT ARKANSAS
and Alabama
Incipient_Senescence - February 12, 2012
/Will'd
;- )
chuckiepoo - February 12, 2012
The problem I see is our RPI will take a number of hits as we finish the schedule.
I am not seeing the math³ unless we win the SEC tourney outright.
chuckiepoo - February 12, 2012
our RPI is taking hits as he finish the schedule?
how so? Our remaining opponents (RPI):
Arkansas (68)
Alabama (29)
Ole Miss (53)
South Carolina (174)
LSU (78)
Vandy (28)
I grant that I’m not an RPI expert, but I’d say that going 5-1 or 6-0 against that schedule (unlikely as it is) would be a great way for a team with an RPI in the low 100s to get it into the 50-75 range.
Incipient_Senescence - February 12, 2012
Didn't we decide a couple of times already that the NCAA tourney wasn't going to happen this year?
It is fun to think about it, though. I’m still loving this win.
TennesseeTyrants - February 12, 2012
pretty much this
Incipient_Senescence - February 12, 2012
Has any player since Pearl came here had a better inside game than Maymon?
This question was asked to me, and the only guy that I can think of would be Wheezey, and then it’s close. Discuss.
bobothevol - February 12, 2012
Weezy
that’s the end of the list, but definitely Weezy. Remember the Sweet Sixteen game against Ohio State that got us to the Elite Eight?
Weezy went for 22 points and 11 rebounds in that game. By the end of his senior year, he could flat dominate, and do so against excellent competition.
Maymon has dominated Florida and a few other teams, but he still hasn’t reached Chism level.
Incipient_Senescence - February 12, 2012
Slightly OT: Fun duel today
CJ Watson is good: 22 points, 6 assists
Rajon Rondo is better: 32 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds, Celtics win
Will Shelton - February 12, 2012
Watson would've won if he had Lofton on his team
proof
Incipient_Senescence - February 12, 2012
The only one to stick in the pros? Watson. Wow.
memphispete - February 12, 2012
Lofton just didn't have the athleticism
although I was hoping he could find a place as a three-point specialist.
JuJuan, on the other hand, surprises me a bit. He was a lockdown defender and could shoot the three-ball as well as anyone other than Lofton. I thought he’d find a role
Incipient_Senescence - February 12, 2012
Does anyone else...
think those brand spanking new fancy Nike uniforms worn by Florida were UGLY?
Hey guys, the ’80s called – they want their neon orange shoes back….
sddbaker - February 13, 2012
they were ugly when Kentucky wore them
it’s possible that they were uglier when Florida wore them
Incipient_Senescence - February 13, 2012
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