The Official #2 Tennessee @ Florida Game Thread, 7:00 PM ET, ESPN2

[RockyTop140]

Its 3, but continue

Exactly. People pretend like we haven’t done this in most ncaa tournaments we’ve been in. It’s one thing to lose to a good team. We’ve lost to Loyola Chicago, Oregon state, and a meddling Michigan team. It’s not like this is a rare thing. You can almost see whats coming in march

 

[GBO18]

Don't be overly dramatic, folks. Perfectly fine to be upset with the loss, but let's quit with the exaggerated doom and gloom. We get Alabama, Auburn, and Arkansas at home. We're set up for some more big-time wins that will propel this team forward.

Football mindset.

 

[Vol4life2]

We played terrible for sure but if you don’t think officiating can swing momentum especially in a game like basketball you’re kidding yourself.

It didn’t tonite. The lizards played better.

 

[JMSqb11]

I will say, this is exactly why Olivier gets crap a lot of the time. Will have a break out game and then fades away. 11 and 9 tonight is formidable but he needs to put a few games together in a row

 

[JCP201]

Im not either, I’d rather be a frustratingly good team like we are than start over. I was talking as volunteers period but I’d dare to say basketball leads on that front.

It's frustrating but as you say-- I'd rather be a top 2 team and mess it up, then be Florida -- get lucky and win and hope for a bubble.

 

[Sam I Am]

I blame Pruitt!

 

[BreatheUT]

But they’re 13 points better than…..

The NIT is calling your name.

 

[ttocswob]

Shoot, Miss, and don’t rebound. Guaranteed loss on the road

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

This is what separates contenders from pretenders.

Alabama must be quite the pretender too after what happened to them in Norman. Come on. Essentially everyone but Purdue has had games where they didn’t show up this season. Alabama, Kansas, Houston, Arizona. Go down the line and basically every top team has had a couple of clunkers along the way.

I get the frustration. No one hates losing to those losers from Gainesville more than I do, but saying this one game at the beginning of February separates contenders from pretenders is just silly.

 

[Putbacks]

Neither Kentucky nor Florida are “terrible” teams. Kentucky was picked 1st preseason and Florida 6th. Both are talented, athletic teams. Stop trying to conjure up excuses to criticize Coach Barnes. Each team is finding itself with each game. By Florida’s reaction, it knows that it stole one and might have found itself…

 

[Freak]

Awaka needs more minutes. Not sure why he hardly played tonight.

I think he had a couple quick fouls, left and never came back.

 

[vol94]

Santi was covered like a blanket, key to disrupting us always.
JJJ, just nothing on O.

Facts - agree 100%. I wish I didn’t care about TN sports as much as I do. I was concerned about this game but thought we’d win and then struggle down the road with A&M, Auburn and possibly Arkansas or Vandy. I still think we drop two more. We must hope that tonight was an anomaly and Barnes will figure it out by March.

 

[charleyhorse]

Santi was covered like a blanket, key to disrupting us always.
JJJ, just nothing on O.

Agree. Santa is the driver. He needs to drive and shoot from three throws line. Not always 3. Lately he doesn’t drive lane either

 

[orangemadam]

Just checked it out.... Florida was called for 1 foul over the last 10:40 of the game... RIGHT..... No integrity issues there.....

That's because we did not play aggressive defense in this game. We lose when we don't play aggressively. There was very little emotion showing
in ZZ, JJJ, or Vescovi tonight. ON played his usual all offense, no defense game. Key was horrible. The other 3 post players were glued to the floor.

We are a 3 or 4 seed at best. Would much rather be #1 offense than #1 Defense. Much more exciting.

 

[Freak]

Its 3, but continue

Try not to sound so excited. We don't want everyone here knowing you're an admitted troll. It might ruin your effectiveness.

 

[Volnbeers]

I reckon the upside is that there isn’t a clear #1 team this year so really any one could win. We have a historic defense so that prolly helps come tourney time, but little margin for error with the offense.

 

[vol94]

Awaka needs more minutes. Not sure why he hardly played tonight.

I think Barnes is going with experience rt now. I agree that he needs to see the floor more.

 

[volfan__18]

I will say, this is exactly why Olivier gets crap a lot of the time. Will have a break out game and then fades away. 11 and 9 tonight is formidable but he needs to put a few games together in a row

11 and 9 is super solid. he isn’t gonna score 20 a night.

 

[BreatheUT]

Gators can have that last dunk...their program sucks. Their team isn't going anywhere. The lost only stings because their team is sooooo terrible

Agreed. There have been several Florida teams the last few years that had teams that could beat you or an outstanding player that scared you. This wasn't one of them.

This was like the hare losing the race to the turtle.

 

[JPL]

This is what separates contenders from pretenders.

Tonight proved we are a pretender. No business losing this one. Looking at a 4 seed in the tourney and 2nd round exit unless we see a below average team with length in the 1st round then we might go out then.

 

[BIG SEXY]

We're a top 5 team, man. You aren't going to win them all, unfortunately. It's like you guys expect to win every single game or you're going to melt down in a fit of rage. I'm pissed about tonight too, but it happens to everybody. I think tonight was a bit of a letdown game after a home win over a top 10 team. We looked a bit gassed... a lot of short shots and sloppy defense.

This x 100

 

[Voltopia]

All I know is that this is the sort of performance that'll send a team out early in the NCAA tournament. Maybe Tennessee was tired, maybe Florida was more desperate or motivated, whatever, but every team in the tournament is tired and motivated, and to get to the Final Four, you have to overcome those situations. I hope Tennessee is ready come March, I really do. They're a great bunch to watch.

 

[AthensVol2007]

Did CRB ever use a TO in the 17-2 run, or whatever it was that broke it open? I don’t remember one until after Santi’s FT’s or the ZZ bounce around 3. His stubbornness on refusing to cool runs/stop momentum/reset the game is maddening.

 

[charleyhorse]

I think he had a couple quick fouls, left and never came back.

Again referees dictated even play ing time. 5 tn players with at least 3 fouls. No fl player with more than

 

[Freak]

Until proven otherwise and these guys put it together on both ends of the court against good competition and some adversity, plan on an appearance, Round 1 or 2 exit.

Maybe that’s what we should be happy with, but I’m not. The pieces are there, but we can’t get over the hump, put on some clown shoes and trip over our own feet.

I'm not sure you can name 32 or 16 teams who pass your criteria.