The rumors of Tennessee’s basketball demise may have been exaggerated.
The Big Orange began the season atop the college basketball rankings for five straight weeks before a road loss to Florida, and on Wednesday night they reminded the Hoop Hounds that life on the road in the SEC is tough for everyone, handing Mike White’s team a 74-56 loss in Knoxville.
The #6 Vols used a 19-3 run to start the second half to cruise to their sixteenth win of the season, dropping the Red and Black to 14-3, 2-2 in the SEC.
With teams ranked #1 and #3 in the SEC in field goal defense, it was reasonable to expect that both teams have to work for every point. And early on that was the case. Georgia went into the halftime locker room with a 26-25 lead after holding the Vols to just 9 of 33 (27%) shooting in the first half.
But as is often the case against an elite team, the second half was when the dam broke. The Volunteers shot 57% in the second half after shooting only 27% in the first to put the Bulldogs behind 45-28 before they steadied the ship. By then it was too late.
Georgia also struggled on the offensive glass, where the ‘Dawgs had been executing well. Tennessee dominated on the offensive boards 18-11. A lack of intensity on the offensive glass just
The ‘Dawgs also allowed the Vols to pilfer 19 turnovers, more than the 13 allowed in their win over Oklahoma or the 15 the Red and Black gave up to Kentucky in their win over the Wildcats. You just can’t beat a solid offensive team like the Vols if you give them extra possessions, and the Hoop Hounds did just that on this evening.
Asa Newell led Bulldog scorers with 13 points, followed by Silas Demary Jr. with 12. As a positive the Bulldogs held the SEC’s leading scorer Chaz Lanier to a season-low 5. But the Vols did what elite teams do, finding a hot hand elsewhere in the lineup. Tennessee got 19 from Jordan Gainey, who was one of four Tennessee players to finish in double digits.
It doesn’t get any easier for Mike White and the boys. On Saturday, Georgia entertains current #1 Auburn before hitting the road again next week to play Arkansas. The Plainsmen have struggled mightily in recent trips to Stegeman, and if the Hoop Hounds could steal a win in this one it would be huge for their resume and confidence.
Go ‘Dawgs!!!