For the first time all year, Tennessee got a home game against an unranked SEC team. The Vols were set to be off for a week after this game, so a much-needed break was definitely welcome. UT’s players clearly began their break before tipoff, though, instead of after the game.
Tennessee, ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll and No. 4 in the Coaches Poll, overcame a 16-point deficit and one of the laziest first halves of basketball since the Jerry Green era to beat the Vanderbilt Commodores and avoid a season-sweep against their in-state rivals. They overcame a 75-64 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats from Tuesday in the process.
Vandy jumped out to a 44-31 halftime lead thanks to Rick Barnes’ team forgetting how to play defense. While Vandy did shoot a good percentage from three, particularly in the first half in which they went 6-of-12, Tennessee contested fewer outside shots than it had all year.
The ‘Dores also won every loose ball and gained a huge edge on the boards. Simply put, the hustle plays put Mark Byington’s team in control. An 8-0 run put them up 30-17 at one point, and they eventually went up 38-22. Even the crowd was lethargic and didn’t seem to want to help the Vols get back in the game during that half.
UT regrouped in the second half and realized it had to actually play if it was going to win the game, and the Vols cut it to three with a 12-2 run with just over 12 minutes to go in the game. Eventually, Zakai Zeigler tied things up with a three, and Chaz Lanier put UT up 57-55 with a layup.
In what was then a back and forth game, Jahmai Mashack hit a key three late to put Tennessee up 74-70 with just under two and a half minutes to go. Tennessee then got a stop, and Jordan Gainey hit a bucket to put them in firm control. Jason Edwards, who had 24 points on the day, kept it close with two threes.
Zeigler and Lanier, however, kept the Vols in control by hitting their free throws and Zeigler hitting an easy layup. Both had over 20 points, with Zeigler scoring 22 and going 3-of-4 from three while dishing out eight assists. Lanier had 21 points and was 2-of-5 from three. Igor Milicic Jr. helped with 10 points.
Jordan Gainey and Mashack each had nine points. As a team, Tennessee shot a good percentage from outside, going 9-of-21. Vandy went 12-of-28. Again, the only thing that kept them in the game was the Vols’ lack of effort in the first half, which cost them defensively in a severe way.
With the win, the Vols improve to 21-5 and 8-5 in the SEC. Their next matchup will be next Saturday on the road against the Texas A&M Aggies, who are No. 8 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the Coaches Poll. Vandy falls to 17-8 and 5-7 in the SEC and will next visit the Kentucky Wildcats on Wednesday.
