The big picture conversation here will be John Fulkerson: first, his health as we assume he’s in concussion protocol. Second, what that will mean for the Vols against Alabama tomorrow and next week in the NCAA Tournament. The Vols got some good minutes from Uros Plavsic to help on Colin Castleton even before Fulkerson went down today; someone, whether Plavsic, Olivier Nkamhoua, or E.J. Anosike seems likely to have to give Tennessee something against at least the Tide tomorrow.
The Vols were up nine at halftime, and nine with 17 minutes to play when Fulkerson went down. They did a good job handling that moment, immediately pushing it to 13 off the flagrant two foul, and getting it to 17 two minutes later off a Santiago Vescovi three. Florida cut it to eight for one possession at 11:00, and otherwise trailed by double digits the rest of the way. Credit Tennessee for handling everything well before, during, and after Fulky went down.
This game was a great example of Tennessee’s defense making such a huge difference, even when the other team is making shots. Florida hit 10-of-24 (41.7%) from three, 16-of-18 at the line, and Tre Mann scored 30 points. But it never really mattered, because the Vols forced 16 turnovers, moving to 15-1 when they force 14+ on the year. And Tennessee blocked eleven shots, a school record nine of which belonged to Yves Pons, who tied the SEC Tournament record. If he blocks just three shots tomorrow, he’ll move into the top five for a single SEC Tournament.
Meanwhile, the Vols hit nine threes of their own on a surprising 25 attempts, cleaned it up some at the free throw line (13-of-18), and most importantly, they got it from everywhere. Uros got a deuce in his short stint. Fulkerson had eight before he left. Vescovi with 14, the freshmen with 13 each, 11 from Pons, 10 from Josiah, 7 from Bailey. I mean, look at these lines:
- Pons: 11 points, 8 rebounds, 9 blocks
- Vescovi: 14 points, 5 assists
- Keon: 13 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists
- Springer: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals
- Josiah: 10 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists
That’s three guys who flirted with a double-double, and Pons almost had the big man triple-double.
A historical note we’ll keep making: after running to the tournament finals with Allan Houston in 1991, the Vols never even made it to Saturday from 1992-2007. Now the Vols will play in the semifinals for the seventh time in the last 13 years, still in pursuit of their first SEC Tournament title since 1979.
It’s only Bama next. After their performance today, it feels like an opportunity game more than anything, and one the Vols will likely have to chase without their senior leader. You can never be sure with the selection committee, but I feel like the Vols have played their way into the “no worse than a five seed,” conversation. It can only go up from here.
And more than anything, Tennessee found a new rhythm in beating the Gators back-to-back, breaking out of their late-season rut and playing some of their best basketball today, even when Florida was shooting it so well. We’ll see how far that can take them, plus or minus Fulkerson, tomorrow and beyond.
Go Vols.