Gritty Vols lose at Auburn on last shot--west

#1
JohnWardForever

JohnWardForever

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#1
westwords
Maybe all that matters is Auburn 53, Tennessee 51 but there was a lot more to it.
This was a Saturday late night heavyweight fight, a defensive slugfest, not at all artistic, more of a dramatic heart-and-soul struggle. If there is such a thing as an OK loss, this was one for the Volunteers. They actually gained credibility.
Gritty Vols lose at Auburn on last shot

Two Vols leap high off the floor at Auburn on January 25, 2025. Forward Cade Phillips #12, who is dunking the ball, and Zakai Zeigler #5, who perhaps is going for a better view. (Photo By Andrew Ferguson/ Tennessee Athletic
 
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#2
#2
I have to say, I didn’t think this game would be close with us playing on the road. I thought our guys fought their guts out to the very end. We can whine and say this or that about our team, but CRB teams play hard and don’t ever quit. We better enjoy Zeigler while we can because that guy is a warrior. He just fights night in and night out. It wasn’t pretty and wish we would have pulled the upset out, but still proud of those guys. Go Vols.
 
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#3
#3
This type of game is needed for March Prep.
SEC top to bottom is the tuffest Conference. Predicting as many as 13 could make the dance. hirt
W or L these will have payback if they learn and continue to work on it!
Speaking of learning, Cousin Brucey should have learned T Shirts dont work for him!!
 
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#4
#4
This was a dam- war!! Down the stretch a little too much Broome and home court and maybe the refs getting caught up in the excitement a little. As usual we had a ref really impact the outcome with the non call on Broome in front of Barnes at mid court. I just don't understand how this keeps happening to us. However, overall I think the ref's did a fairly good job. I hate to see either team lose a war like this. Just hate us losing a little more!
 
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#5
#5
savannahfan said:
This was a dam- war!! Down the stretch a little too much Broome and home court and maybe the refs getting caught up in the excitement a little. As usual we had a ref really impact the outcome with the non call on Broome in front of Barnes at mid court. I just don't understand how this keeps happening to us. However, overall I think the ref's did a fairly good job. I hate to see either team lose a war like this. Just hate us losing a little more!
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You have a player pushed body blocked
almost to floor .....Ref calls travel....
CRB throws water bottle says alot
About officials working game Go Vols!!!!
 
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#8
#8
“I love this team. I am so proud of our guys,” said Barnes. “I thought they fought all night long. We battled a great basketball team and a team that is extremely well coached – and I didn’t think the crowd affected us.
“I told our guys, you know what, we can get so much better. That’s what I learned tonight.” Mr. West, you are absolutely right. I think this Tennessee team grew up last night, I was expecting Auburn (based on The Vols' road performances) to handle the Vols. Dang they came so close to shocking the CBB World!
 
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#9
#9
JohnWardForever said:
“I love this team. I am so proud of our guys,” said Barnes. “I thought they fought all night long. We battled a great basketball team and a team that is extremely well coached – and I didn’t think the crowd affected us.
“I told our guys, you know what, we can get so much better. That’s what I learned tonight.” Mr. West, you are absolutely right. I think this Tennessee team grew up last night, I was expecting Auburn (based on The Vols' road performances) to handle the Vols. Dang they came so close to shocking the CBB World!
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I wouldn’t say shocking the CBB world. This is Auburn and Tennessee were talking about who have combined both won ZERO NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
 
#10
#10
I agree that the tough, close losses, are helpful to have endured come tournament time.

I thought the plan coming out of the timeout and the shot slection, with that much time, reflected panic. A lack of awareness. But others may disagree.
 
#11
#11
Z kept us in the ball game. It was his game to win so I thought the play was a good one. We had four other players coming to the rim for a potential put back but none were in a position to get the bounce that went directly to J Broom
 
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#12
#12
lawgator1 said:
I agree that the tough, close losses, are helpful to have endured come tournament time.

I thought the plan coming out of the timeout and the shot slection, with that much time, reflected panic. A lack of awareness. But others may disagree.
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Disagree here. I believe that the plan was to get a shot up early in the possession. I don't think Auburn was expecting an early shot. Additionally, with the smaller Zeigler shooting it, waiting late in the clock diminishes his chances of successfully getting the shot off, let alone making the shot. Another fact that supports the assertion that Tennessee planned an early shot was that Tennessee had three players immediately crashing the boards when Zeigler shot the ball.
 
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#13
#13
jacksonvol24 said:
I have to say, I didn’t think this game would be close with us playing on the road. I thought our guys fought their guts out to the very end. We can whine and say this or that about our team, but CRB teams play hard and don’t ever quit. We better enjoy Zeigler while we can because that guy is a warrior. He just fights night in and night out. It wasn’t pretty and wish we would have pulled the upset out, but still proud of those guys. Go Vols.
Click to expand...
I agree about Z. He’s going to be the biggest loss since Bernard King.
 
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#15
#15
JohnWardForever said:
“I love this team. I am so proud of our guys,” said Barnes. “I thought they fought all night long. We battled a great basketball team and a team that is extremely well coached – and I didn’t think the crowd affected us.
“I told our guys, you know what, we can get so much better. That’s what I learned tonight.” Mr. West, you are absolutely right. I think this Tennessee team grew up last night, I was expecting Auburn (based on The Vols' road performances) to handle the Vols. Dang they came so close to shocking the CBB World!
Click to expand...

Barnes is 100% correct. The silver lining is sometimes in a loss you learn something about yourself. If we play this physical next week we should have no issues taking care of Kentucky and getting revenge against Florida.
 
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#18
#18
EasternVol said:
You wouldn't. Many more would.
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No one thinks that a team that spent more time at #1 than anyone thus far this season, winning on the road vs their successor at 1 is a major shock or upset. We’re not the best team in the country, the team we played is, but that doesn’t diminish the fact we spent 5-6 weeks at the top spot. The world is likely saying, looks like Tennessee from a month ago is back.
 
#19
#19
TheFlash1971 said:
I wouldn’t say shocking the CBB world. This is Auburn and Tennessee were talking about who have combined both won ZERO NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.
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300 and something Division 1 teams have zero national championships. So I’m not sure what you mean here. It might not have shocked the bball world but your reason would not be the reason.
 
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#20
#20
AthensVol2007 said:
No one thinks that a team that spent more time at #1 than anyone thus far this season, winning on the road vs their successor at 1 is a major shock or upset. We’re not the best team in the country, the team we played is, but that doesn’t diminish the fact we spent 5-6 weeks at the top spot. The world is likely saying, looks like Tennessee from a month ago is back.
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Auburn was 6.5 point favorites. They were the unanimous number one, and many had written us of after the Florida game. It wouldn't have been a huge shock but it would have been a shock.
 
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#22
#22
esarmstrong said:
Disagree here. I believe that the plan was to get a shot up early in the possession. I don't think Auburn was not expecting an early shot. Additionally, with the smaller Zeigler shooting it, waiting late in the clock diminishes his chances of successfully getting the shot off, let alone making the shot. Another fact that supports the assertion that Tennessee planned an early shot was that Tennessee had three players immediately crashing the boards when Zeigler shot the ball.
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That’s basically what Rick said post game as well. He wanted the ball in Z’s hand and let him make a decision. I’d take that shot all night. He was clearly open and rebounders were in place. Just didn’t bounce our way!
 
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