The Tennessee Volunteers (15-1, 4-0 SEC) beat the Arkansas Razorbacks 106-87 in Thompson-Boling Arena last night. It was the first time they hit the 100-point mark against an SEC opponent since 2008, and it was the most points they’ve scored on an SEC opponent since
The game was close for a mere five minutes, the point at which Jordan Bowden – who is hell-bent on stealing the Sixth Man of the Year Award from defending SMOTY and teammate Lamonte Turner – came into the game. Bowden wasted no time in stuffing the stat sheet and finished the game nearly perfect: 6-7 from the field, 5-6 from the arc, and 2-2 from the free throw line for 19 points. He even smiled at one point.
Not to be outdone, Turner put up a team-high 21 points on a similarly near-perfect night. He went 6-8 from the field, 3-4 from three, and 6-6 from the stripe. So, iron sharpens iron, huh? Who knew?
Meanwhile, the defense held Daniel Gafford to 10 points and turned the Hogs’ assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.32 heading into the game into a flat .84.
All of that said, Rick Barnes still wasn’t happy. Because the Hogs outscored his guys 53-51 in the second half. Oh also, because Lamonte Turner made a bad pass.
In all, the bench had to score 31 points in the first half. Notorious slackers Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield had only 18 and 17 points, respectively, and although Williams was 14-14 from the free throw line, he let some sweat drip on the floor, which is totally unacceptable. Someone could slip and poke an eye out, Mr. Williams.
Schofield scored the first 14 points of the second half. Ball hog.
Kyle Alexander had 12 points, but really, he should have had like 20 rebounds and 40 points in putbacks because he’s tall and used to play volleyball.
As a team, the Vols missed four of their 39 free throw attempts and should be sent immediately to that torturous stair-climber Daymeon Fishback loves so much.
Tennessee won this game, but they better get their act together or it’s going to be a long season.
Up next, Alabama at Thompson-Boling on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET. ESPN2.
This team plays offense like a Jerry Green squad and defense like Cuonzo. That 2000 team hit 100+ four times and 90+ (free cinnamon rolls!) three more times.
This team needs to stop sweating on the floor.
Sweatbands. Just what this team needs.
Sweatbands are definitely the missing ingredient. Just ask Ron Slay and Wayne Chism. Now, where did I put Rick Barnes’ cell number?
I love that Barnes isn’t satisfied. I feel this team really plays to please not just themselves and each other, but CRB as well. I felt like watching the last 5 or 6 minutes of that game that the Vols got sloppy and took their foot off the gas because the game was in hand. I knew Barnes was not going to be happy or complimentary of that game because of that. He is the kind of coach that gets, expects and demands the best effort form his players for a full 40 minutes. And that’s awesome!!
Just to be clear — I love that, too, even though I’m also having fun with it.
Sure I understood the fun intended in the article. Don’t take my comment as critical at all. I just love how Barnes holds this team to such a high standard. We need that on the football team and women’s BB team as well. I think we have it in football. As far as the women’s, well……
It’s really an artform, and Barnes is exceptional at it. The balance he has with his players — being extremely critical of them while at the same time making sure that they know he loves them anyway — is something to behold. Love the person, forgive the faults, but still always strive for perfection.
A fun read Joel. In all seriousness… our guys have a tougher schedule down the stretch. I believe Barnes will keep them focused. Go Vols!!
Thank you, sir. Yeah, Barnes won’t work as hard to have to find something wrong on the backend, I’m thinking.
I get what Barnes is saying. We did play very sloppy the last 10 minutes and we let them score a boatload of points. Fortunately they didn’t have and answer for our offense. Play like that against better teams and you lose the lead and then the game. Having said that, this year just feels different. Before this year I always watched games and followed the season waiting for the other shoe to drop. We’d blow leads or run into teams that just beat us. I never felt comfortable with a lead until the buzzer sounded. This year I’m still… Read more »
Barnes thinks we wasted a whole half of “getting better every day’. He hates bad basketball and complacency. He doesn’t want it to infect this team because he knows it can be really special. As I’ve said elsewhere, the national audience compares overall record, eye test and stat analytics to see who’s #1. A second half like that doesn’t help our defensive efficiency ranking (22) when people look at KenPom to compare us against UVA (2) and Michigan (3). We are up there on the offensive side (2), which shouldn’t surprise anyone. Barnes doesn’t give a rip about KenPom. But… Read more »