ForumsTennessee clawed its way back from a 15-point first-half deficit, but was unable to hold on, as Georgia defeated Tennessee by a score of 69-63 at Thompson Boling Arena on Saturday afternoon.
“Our effort wasn’t superior,” Bruce Pearl said. “It wasn’t lacking, but it wasn’t superior.”
“The last thirty minutes of the game, I thought we had as good an effort or better than their opponent. But the first ten minutes are awfully hard to explain.”
Scotty Hopson scored a career-high 32 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Bulldogs, who made free throws down the stretch to put the game away.
“You can’t give a good team like Georgia a big lead like 22-7,” Hopson said. “It’s obviously tough to get back from that.”
“I take the blame myself. Me as a leader, I didn’t start off the game well.”
“Coaches said, as I go, the team goes. My job is out there to put points on the board and make plays offensively and defensively. I just try to put myself in a position to do as much as I can.”
Despite the struggles, Hopson still believes in his team.
“Just know, there is still some good that can come out of this basketball team.”
Tobias Harris added 18, but no other Vol scored more than three points.
“Tobias and Scotty were both aggressive offensively, and the rest of the team was tentative,” Pearl noted.
“We get 19 baskets from Tobias and Scotty and only six baskets from the rest of the team.”
The win, which gives Georgia (18-8, 7-5 SEC) a one game advantage over Tennessee in the SEC’s eastern division, was the Bulldogs’ first in Knoxville since 2001.
Jeremy Price led Georgia with 20 points on 8-of-9 shooting.
The loss, which is Tennessee’s fourth in its last five games, is a blow to the team’s NCAA Tournament hopes. With just four games remaining in the regular season, the Vols (16-11, 6-6 SEC) still have work to do to earn a spot in the field of 68.
“I’m up to the fight. I’m up for it and I think these guys are up for it, too,” Pearl said.
“I think we’ve lost to Georgia twice prior to this. So, this is not something we are going to get used to or plan on getting used to.”
Tennessee next plays the Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville on Tuesday night.
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So. the reason why CBP doesn’t bring back the pressing form of play is what? He has a star studded bench, and his bench can’t score easily, why not change it up and let his bench come in and press to wear down the other side/ change up the pace? Coach Anderson at UAB (a few years ago) did alot with athletic but not so great shooters with an up tempo pace. Then bring back in the starters to change the pace again with the 1/2 court offense. CBP has the best athletes and certainly better than the Dane Bradshaw days (& I really liked watching Dane play). So why has he abandoned his signature style of play when he has arguable the most athletic bench ever at UT???
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