Nothing like a last-second three-pointer from near half-court to secure a top 10 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide for Tennessee Basketball fans, right? Even more exciting is the fact that the Vols now have a clear-cut path to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, their first ever.
So why should they be concerned?
Jahmai Mashack hit a long three as time expired to give the Vols, ranked No. 5 in both polls, a 79-76 win over Bama, ranked No. 6 in both polls, Saturday afternoon. UT got the opportunity after forcing a jump-ball when Alabama had the ball and the game was tied at 76 with two and a half seconds to go.
Here’s the problem: Mashack shouldn’t have been needed. Chaz Lanier, who finished the game with 18 points, choked when needed most despite being the Vols’ primary scorer. With UT down 76-72 and 30 seconds to go, he hit a layup and drew a foul. Then, as he has done multiple times this year in clutch situations, he uncharacteristically missed the free throw.
Luckily for Lanier, Mashack drew a loose ball foul going for the offensive rebound, and unlike Lanier, he was clutch enough to hit both free throws. Then he hit the three to finish the game with 11 points to go along with his three steals and six rebounds. The issue is that Lanier, not Mashack, is supposed to be the scorer, so his lack of clutch gene oozed through.
Remember, Lanier missed a game-tying free throw against the Vanderbilt Commodores on the road a month and a half ago, so this lack of clutch gene is nothing new. When it matters most, he seems to disappear, which is why Rick Barnes had to call a game-winning three for Zakai Zeigler, which failed, when UT lost to the Auburn Tigers earlier this year.
As far as this game, at home, Tennessee should have had better control. Beyond Lanier and Mashack, Zeigler did his part to finish with 15 points, and Jordan Gainey came off the bench to score 18 points. However, joining Lanier as an issue, the Vols’ post players disappeared offensively.
Igor Milicic Jr., the most versatile scoring big man in the SEC, took himself out of the game amidst Alabama’s tempo and physicality, taking only two shots and scoring only three points. Felix Okpara had five points and nine rebounds but dealt with foul trouble. Cade Phillips only played six minutes.
Taking all this into account, UT did win the game and inched closer to another milestone. At the same time, this matchup revealed issues with the team that could prove costly when the NCAA Tournament begins in three weeks. As a result, while the moment was epic, the issues outweigh the thrill.
Up next for Tennessee Basketball is a visit to the Ole Miss Rebels Wednesday before they close out the year at home against the South Carolina Gamecocks next Saturday. Alabama will host the No. 3 ranked Florida Gators Wednesday and visit top-ranked Auburn in a rematch next Saturday.
