The Official Tennessee vs. #6 Alabama Game Thread, 1:00 PM ET, ESPN

[Creeker]

So we can get bounced in the first game. The 5-12 is not a good spot for this team.

Depending on what Vols team shows up, no seed is safe. 5 advances past the first round more statistically than a 6. I’ll take as high as seed as we can get.

 

[backdoorcutvol]

I can't remember the last time the Tennessee men won the SEC Tournament.

I think it was 1979 Firestone year they brought it back.

 

[VOLnVANDYland]

I mean it was a great call. He got a stop on their best player who had been dominating vescovi the last couple of possessions. Worked perfectly and just happened to be the one foul call we don’t want. It happens.

Like Gaines was the only option for a stop...?

 

[BreatheUT]

Good kid but needs to go to a smaller program. You have got to have guys that can make a FT.

I am pissed right now.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

The last play should have been an inbounds to Keon with a kick to vescovi for the 3. Bailey should have been standing out of bounds somewhere on the other end of the court.

Yeah. I dont understand that play at all.

 

[ColinS]

You realize he put Gaines in for defense snd it worked, don’t you. He fusing know they would foul Gaines.

Yes, Barnes was trying to avoid the switch that kept putting Vescovi on Herb Jones. It worked. Man's just got to step up and make at least one free throw there.

 

[Delmar]

Shut your mouth. Our guys played their asses off and they had the game stolen from them by the officiating shifting the momentum. We were up by 15 until bama started flopping like fish.

Officials were really bad but our offensive performance in the second half was really to blame. We reverted to guys trying to do too much on their own versus what they did in the first half. And it was just rotten luck with Gaines the one going to the line to take the lead back.

 

[VolforFootball]

The 2 things Tenn needs is a big way is a PG and a big man and we have neither

We’ll have a star-caliber PG next season. And with the Covid transfer rules, we should be able to get an experienced quality big man to transfer in.

 

[bowkane]

refs were bad but come on guys...the turnovers and the inability to score off turnovers is what lost us this game.

Nah bro sorry. 300% on officiating. We shot better, had the same amount of turnovers, and had a 15 point advantage that was ruined by 4 calls canceling out our chance to extend that lead and let Bama back into the game. Don’t give me this blame the team **** when the officials without a doubt made it clear the SEC wants a Cinderella story for Bama this year. Champions in football but look now! Champions in basketball too! Oh wow wee!!!

 

[JohnD13]

Dude that can’t shoot a FT doesn’t deserve to be a D1 player

You're ridiculous dude.

 

[volforlife15]

Like Gaines was the only option for a stop...?

Who else? Plavisc? He was getting abused. Vescovi? Abused. They were hunting the mismatch so we countered and won. It’s that simple

 

[VolGee4]

Like Gaines was the only option for a stop...?

Who? JJJ has 4 fouls. Smart man.

 

[VOLinAL]

Dude that can’t shoot a FT doesn’t deserve to be a D1 player

Shaq is a top 10 all time basketball player and shoots about as well as Stevie Wonder. This statement is false.

 

[VOLnVANDYland]

Stupid

History says otherwise but ok...

 

[VolsSportsFan]

Barnes shouldn't be ashamed for not going at the refs abd at least getting a Tech...James getting his 4th found was bs and all the tricky tack crap at the start of the 2nd lost us the game...Bama was able to go on a run and We were already playing at a disadvantage without Fulky...having to rely on Uros

What?

 

[Chris4Vols22]

Officials were really bad but our offensive performance in the second half was really to blame. We reverted to guys trying to do too much on their own versus what they did in the first half. And it was just rotten luck with Gaines the one going to the line to take the lead back.

This. Well said. I'm splitting hairs here, but it looked to me that Gaines forced the travel. I think it should have been a TO before the foul.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

That is just so tough to stomach. The absolute worst free throw shooter on the team in crunch time....and he isn’t even close on either one! Man, why does being a TN fan have to be so hard?

 

[Delmar]

Exactly

Go Arkansas

Go LSU

Go Miley Cyrus

Go used diaper filled with Indian food

Anyone or anything but Bama

I wouldn’t root for Will Wade if he was playing the Taliban.

 

[1985Vols]

Shaq is a top 10 all time basketball player and shoots about as well as Stevie Wonder. This statement is false.

So you’re comparing Gaines to Shaq?

 

[VolsSportsFan]

This. Well said. I'm splitting hairs here, but it looked to me that Gaines forced the travel. I think it should have been a TO before the foul.

What really sucks is Gaines was fired up after getting the foul called, yet when he stepped to the line it looked like he immediately got stage fright.

 

[C-south]

You must have never played.

Here we go. The internet all star. I could’ve hit at least one with my off hand coming out of the stands.

 

[vavolfan6]

Officials were really bad but our offensive performance in the second half was really to blame. We reverted to guys trying to do too much on their own versus what they did in the first half. And it was just rotten luck with Gaines the one going to the line to take the lead back.

We reverted to benching JJJ because he had 4 found due to stupid refs...playing down JJJ and Fulky to the #1 team in our conference didn't bode well..

 

[VOLnVANDYland]

Who? JJJ has 4 fouls. Smart man.

Hmmm... Keon? It’s a one point game but with <30 seconds.. it’s not likely going to OT roll with JJJ. It’s a hell of a lot smarter than plugging in a dude who is a liability and played what? 10 minutes all year. Counter point please

 

[Lurker]

Nice lineup management huh? Pretty impressive.. let’s put an ice cold player who never plays all year in for the last minute down 1... great call coach

It was an excellent choice to throw a change up. Vescovi was getting eaten alive and Gaines gave us the stop we needed. No foul on Gaines and you are all saying Barnes is a genius. It was quick on quick and Gaines won the play he was put in to win.

 

[I4Vols]

Wasn't this the time to call that play where Ernie G steps to the line to shoot those free throws for Gaines?
Oh, those were fun