The Official #17 Tennessee vs. #3 Auburn Game Thread, 4:00 PM ET, ESPN

[The Dog]

I think Auburn lays an egg in The Big Dance. Not because they don't have game, but because their guards are selfish and suck

 

[Delmar]

It sure was nice to finally beat a Bruce Pearl Auburn team. My wife and I attended that last losing effort at TBA. Our team showed a lot of fight and grit today to get this win. Sure do like to see SV on the free throw line late when the game is in the balance.

I like Barnes’ move lately to have SV, KC, ZZ, JJJ and Fulkerson out there to close games. All decent free throw shooters and JJJ, ZZ and SV are really strong in the clutch. KC might be the least reliable on FT’s and that’s just odd. He has to work on that to be a PG at the next level.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Bruce better than Barnes any day.

Sweating and stacking up show cause from the NCAA are neither one losses I can't live without.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Anybody else taken off guard that Kessler was not a more significant factor in the outcome? If not for some of our missed chances at rebounds and post block looseballs that gave them several bunnies, it would not have been this close.

Jabari got his average but the frontline line held Kessler in check. Great job today. Bring it next weekend TBA! The crowd played a huge role today. That place was throbbing!

 

[kayman1]

It's the gefilte...

It's all the bs and lies trying to get out!!!!

 

[i2amavol]

Yep & since UK lost & if we beat Arky Next Sat we would get the tie breaker and 1st seed. Seems unlikely Auburn losing at MSU is a long shot but they did have to luck in to win at Missouri.

Their two freshmen are unreal, but they are still freshmen. There's still a decent chance. We just need to do our part.

 

[Dr H Lecter]

!!!

View attachment 436103

Man that is a huge rebounding advantage for us! That’s plain hustle!

 

[chuckiepoo]

I like Barnes’ move lately to have SV, KC, ZZ, JJJ and Fulkerson out there to close games. All decent free throw shooters and JJJ, ZZ and SV are really strong in the clutch. KC might be the least reliable on FT’s and that’s just odd. He has to work on that to be a PG at the next level.

Kid doesn't hold his gaze on the front of the rim before releasing his shot. Someone needs to center that boy's shot mechanics and get him calibrated.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

You know, he may have made a boneheaded decision that got him fired while he was here, but that doesn't mean he didn't absolutely love being here. For all of the bile spit out by some of you now, something tells me you loved him while he was here. He gave this team a fire and drive that had not existed for a long time before he got here.

I still love Pearl. What I mean is I want to beat him and I want him to hate coming to Knoxville, to play the Vols.
Slow down Pride.
GBO!!

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

No question about playing close to the edge. Not much gray area. Folks either love him or loathe him. Sort of like Calipari. But also no question he is a great tactician and his teams never quit as evidenced by the last minute today. When they got down 11 with a couple of minutes to go, they just kept coming. Was glad to see us withstand it. That will be good for this team in the Dance.

Such a waste, character and integrity are free for the taking. I loved our Bruce years, last time I had season tickets, but glad I don't have to justify pulling for a coach with his issues. We had two.... Tyndal was a piece of work too. I sleep pretty well every night with Barnes in that seat.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

 

[Delmar]

Auburns guards seem to be overrated imo, too out of control. Everytime they would shoot I was happy. Every time Smith touched the ball I wanted to grit my teeth. Luckily he went way too many possessions without touching the ball tonight. Go Vols!

Great observation. I kept wondering why Smith wasn’t getting touches. If I had been them he would see the ball every time down court. Glad they ignored him at times. And the TV guys said more than once that the one weakness Auburn has is that their guards don’t shoot well and especially 3’s. That could cost them in the Dance if they run into a hot team.

 

[BowlBrother85]

Bruce better than Barnes any day.

"any day ?"

Well, why not TODAY ?

 

[I4Vols]

Jabari got his average but the frontline line held Kessler in check. Great job today. Bring it next weekend TBA! The crowd played a huge role today. That place was throbbing!

Yup, holding Kessler in check was amazing. Frankly, all our bigs played tough. Even Uros early. Bigs haven't been our strength but on D they played lights out. So too the guards and wings.

Want to finish as "big" as possible this year, but JA and BHH growth and play late this season is huge

 

[chuckiepoo]

"any day ?"

Well, why not TODAY ?

Today was sufficient. 1-0, baby!

 

[Volfan1000]

Two huge keys to this win was owning the backboards and holding Kessler down to eight points and making the Auburn guards a non factor.

Great to finally get the six game losing streak to Auburn ended.

 

[jp1]

I like Barnes’ move lately to have SV, KC, ZZ, JJJ and Fulkerson out there to close games. All decent free throw shooters and JJJ, ZZ and SV are really strong in the clutch. KC might be the least reliable on FT’s and that’s just odd. He has to work on that to be a PG at the next level.

I think he rushes his FT's too much. Almost like he isn't focused on them at times. As a great PG, he needs to tighten that up (I fully expect him to), especially in close games. Gotta have the ball in his hands. It is one thing that Zakai does very well right now.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

According to KenPom this team is a 17 point favorite against UGA. A 7 point favorite against Arky

 

[Volfan1000]

According to KenPom this team is a 17 point favorite against UGA. A 7 point favorite against Arky

Georgia has basically mailed in this season and their players just seem to be going through the motions.

 

[JCP201]

Pearl was a sweater, but I felt he had gotten some treatment for that because he was doing better. He seemed a bit stressed out. I love this win. Don't stomp on our logo.

 

[JCP201]

According to KenPom this team is a 17 point favorite against UGA. A 7 point favorite against Arky

All teams play better against ranked opponents though-- Georgia almost beat Auburn. I take nothing for granted. Arky chargers are playing well, with refs help.

 

[vegasvolfan]

#17 Tennessee Volunteers: 20-7 (11-4 SEC)

vs.

#3 Auburn Tigers: 25-3 (13-2 SEC)

GAME 28 | TENNESSEE vs. AUBURN - Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022 | 4:05 p.m. ET | Thompson-Boling Arena (21,678)


Line: UT -3
O/U: 140

TV: ESPN / Watch
Radio: Vol Network / Listen
Satellite Radio: Sirius: 81 / XM: 81 / Internet: ---
Online: WatchESPN App


Auburn Game Notes

I was so wrong about these Vols

 

[smokeymon]

He needs to quit shooting flat footed. He needs to use his toes and get some momentum towards the rim.

And bend his knees...ugh

 

[Smokey123]

Take care of Arky and Uga and we basically lock up a #3 seed in the big dance with a chance to move up to a #2 seed. Feels good

 

[Butch s]

They stomp our logo, we stomp they ass