Tennessee Vols End Commodores Season In SEC Tourney
The Tennessee Vols put an end to the Vanderbilt Commodores basketball season in Nashville in the second round of the SEC Tournament with a 67-61 win. Tennessee ended the game on an incredible and improbable 20-2 run. Up until that point, it was all black and gold. It is possible for Vandy to receive an NIT as they have 19 wins on the season, but a weak out of conference schedule padded that number.
The Vols started slow and got into foul trouble early. Forwards Armani Moore and Derek Reese were whistled early and often picking up three personal fouls in the first half. Moore sat out a good portion of the first half. Vanderbilt’s size was problematic for the Vols as Damian Jones dominated inside.
Tennessee didn’t play bad, but just looked awkward offensively in the first half. All SEC selection Josh Richardson had 7 at half and the streaky Devon Baulkman led the way with 10. Robert Hubbs III hit a huge shot as the half ended. Hubbs hit a three point jumper from deep in the corner to pull the Vols within 6 at 38-32. Going in six down instead of nine gave the Vols a lift.
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The Vols started extremely slow however in the second half. Vanderbilt scored the first 6 points to stretch their lead to 12. It looked as if it was going to be a blowout. Tennessee was not making the shots they were taking, and were also turning the ball over. Vanderbilt looked as if they would move on to face Arkansas in the third round. Tennessee made a run here and there to cut the lead to six, but Vandy would answer and stretch it out to double digits.
Josh Richardson kept Tennessee in the game scoring about any way you possibly can. Richardson became aggressive going to the rim, and his fellow Vols took notice. With 7:00 left Tennessee was down again by 12. Richardson vocally challenged his teammates and told them they were not going to lose this game. Richardson backed his words up as he went to work offensively and defensively.
The run came with Tennessee down 59-47. Robert Hubbs III got the Vols in gear when he hit a three pointer to pull them within 9 at the 6:21 mark. The Vols then turned it on. Tennessee turned up the defensive pressure and moved in and out of the zone into some strange looking defense that I don’t even know what you call it. It clearly bothered Vanderbilt who could not buy a shot and became unsure of themselves down the stretch.
On the offensive end Tennessee started draining there shots and taking the ball to the basket. Hubbs in particular was money down the stretch and did not settle for just jump shots. The jumpers he did take…he hit. This is a good sign of things to come for Robert. He will have to take over for Richardson next season as Richardson graduates.
Vanderbilt did not score until the 3:06 mark when guard Riley LaChance hit a layup. That gave Vandy a 61-59 lead at that point. It was the last points Vanderbilt would score. Josh Richardson tied the game on a jumper and then Hubbs hit one from behind the arc to give Tennessee its’ first lead since midway of the the first half at 64-61. The Vols closed out scoring at the free throw line. The final was 67-61.
Richardson ended with 22 and was named player of the game. Hubbs added 16 with his best effort of the season. Hubbs was a barnacle on the Commodores anchor this season as it was him that hit the floater as time expired to send the game at Vanderbilt into overtime. The Vols won that game at Vanderbilt. A few weeks later the Commodores returned the favor and beat Tennessee on the Vols home court. So did everyone else though.
Devon Baulkman added 12 big points and Kevin Punter had 9. Armani Moore was held scoreless again tonight. That is his second game in a row not scoring a point. I have no idea what is going on there. The Vols will need a big game from him against Arkansas. Tennessee’s best game of the season was at home against Arkansas. Tennessee flat out beat the talented Razorbacks playing their style of up tempo basketball. It will take that effort and more to advance out of the third round.
Make no mistake that this was a big game for Donnie Tyndall, the team, and Tennessee Vol fans everywhere. Tennessee took 2-3 games from Vandy this season. That is always a good thing.