It’s been a tough week for Tennessee. The Vols were four games behind Alabama in the SEC race after consecutive high-profile losses to Vanderbilt and Missouri. But the injured Wolves had no intention of missing out on the season. Tennessee forced 19 passes to stun the lead Alabama 68-59.
This is Alabama’s first loss to the Securities and Exchange Commission this season. Jonas Aidoo scored 12 points and 11 rebounds. Zakai Zeigler and Santiago Vescovi scored 15 points each. Vescovi grabbed eight rebounds; Ziegler provided eight assists.
“I’m so proud of the effort our guys put in defensively,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said. “The most underrated team in college basketball. Great teamwork. I have to give them credit. They stayed in touch. Just really proud of my efforts. We played hard in the other two games, they didn’t go our way. Tonight? did.”
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Here are the main media reactions to Tennessee’s huge win and what could be in store for the Vols.
Tennessee’s top two defensive wingers (Josiah-Jordan James and Julian Phillips) were out with injuries. But the desperate Wolves responded with one of their patented defensive techniques.
Alabama threw just 35.4% from the field. 19 rpm were absolute killers. Alabama defenseman Javon Quinerley flipped him six times. Tennessee pressure protection made Alabama miserable all night. Even regular entry passes were very difficult. Vescovi and Jahmay Mashak each had three interceptions. Zeigler brushed two himself. Tennessee held onto Alabama to a season-high 59 points. For the first time in a whole year, Alabama did not score at least 66 points.
“Resilience” and “culture” are just buzzwords, but Tennessee showed their true resilience against an Alabama team that was absolutely badass. Alabama made just eight two-point field goals all day. A simple rim inspection is simply not possible against Tennessee’s elite rim protection.
Aidoo was a big part of that. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound sophomore made three blocks and landed a ton of other rim shots. He definitely picked the right time for his first collegiate double-double. Aidoo has established itself as Tennessee’s top gun at number five.
The Tennessee offense was not a super set. The Bulls hit just 6 of 23 3-pointers, and nine missed free throws won’t please Barnes and the rest of the Tennessee coaching staff. But Tennessee beat Alabama in an offensive glass with 13 key second-chance opportunities.
Tennessee improved to 20-6 overall and 9-4 in SEC play. A win over Alabama will do much to silence those who doubt Tennessee’s rise in March. Alabama was not ready for the physical form of the Wolves. Good luck preparing for it on a short break from the NCAA Tournament.
The upcoming stretch of Tennessee is anything but an easy walk. Trips to Kentucky and Texas A&M are no joke. But the Oxen are about to recover at the right time.
“Today is February,” Barnes said. “It’s not getting easier, we just need to get better.”
Source: 247sports.com
