The Official #6 Tennessee @ #1Auburn Game Thread, 8:30 PM ET, ESPN

[hUTch2002]

I will say there were several balls auburn barely saved from going out of bounds that resulted in points. 3 pointer at the end was a prime example.

Yep, they were very lucky with some bounces tonight.

 

[SGMVols]

Maybe this team will improve and hit its stride in March. They aren’t a final four team imo as not enough offense. And we saw last yr that the refs call the game tighter in the dance.

Regroup, get Cade healthy and figure out how to wake up Igor and Chaz. - consistency!

They just missed a last second shot that would’ve beaten #1 in their gym. They are good enough to contend for the FF. Doesn’t mean they will. But metrics are telling us they could.

There isn’t really a clear cut dominant favorite which helps. There’s a gap between Auburn/Duke and the field right now, but it’s not a huge gap and this game proved that

 

[walkenvol]

Their whole team is. Baker-Mazara has never committed a foul in his life. Just ask him.

The ultimate was crying over the Mashack call where he was behind him, wrapped his arms around him and pulled him to the floor - thought it was a jump ball. What an idiot

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Any many complain about everything, nonstop.

Open shots weren't exactly easy to come by all night. He had a good look, just didn't knock it down.

That wasn’t a good look. It was rushed and off balance and not really that open. It was also shot by a guy who had missed every 3 all night and only hits 3s at 31%. He’s a good player and leader, but in no universe is that a good shot.

 

[JCP201]

Sure. Point is, SEC regular season title ain’t happening. The goal should be a number 1 seed. Huge homestead here with Kentucky, Florida, and Missouri

Just hope that flu stays with Gainey and doesn't get spread around.

 

[volfannga]

Of course they need him. He's able to hook, shove, grab, over the back, maul and lower his shoulder at will. But dear God don't look at him for fear of a whistle.

Is he this year's Zach Edey?

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

TN wasn’t going to win in overtime. Gainey had fouled out and nobody else was stepping up. You take your shot and go for the win on a 3-pointer there.

In a defensive struggle you don’t worry about shooting too early and giving Auburn the last possession.

A quick shot greatly increases the odds of a put back. Running down the clock takes away a possible second attempt.

The odds of getting an offensive rebound after a 3 attempt are better than after a 2 attempt.

 

[hUTch2002]

Really didn’t like that final call at the end of the game. Ziegler is not and never has been a guy you design that shot for, least of all at the end of the game. There was plenty of time and we were down 2. Ziegler taking an off balance 3 with time left is never a good shot.

I would want the ball in Ziegler’s hands there but not shooting that shot.

He wasn’t off balance. It was a good look. He just missed.

 

[joevols89]

That wasn’t a good look. It was rushed and off balance and not really that open. It was also shot by a guy who had missed every 3 all night and only hits 3s at 31%. He’s a good player and leader, but in no universe is that a good shot.

It wasn’t the best shot but usually we get terrible prayers for shots in those situations. Ideally Lanier takes it, even if slightly contested.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

A loss never helps your seeding.

Yes, it most certainly can

 

[joevols89]

Yes, it most certainly can

It assuredly doesn’t. What are you talking about?

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

He was open. Yes, you certainly live in misery. I pity you

Well shít, we probably could have gotten Okpara open. That would have been a great shot by your standards.

 

[GBO18]

Igor gotta start making some 3s. That would help us take it to another level if other guys are struggling.

 

[volgr]

Saying they blew it is pretty disrespectful. They fought hard and just didn’t go our way in a very hostile environment. Last play was set up well. Grab on our player not called. #1 team on their court .

There was no setup to the last play. Just a quick off balance 3.

 

[sami]

This is why I’m surprised that so many are cool w/ the guy pulling a quick 3 who hasn’t hit one all game and is shooting just over 30% from 3 for the season and 37% from the floor overall .

End of game situation where every shot is going to be heavily contested, if you can get an open corner 3 with your leader you gladly take it, and the Vols were crashing hard, it just took a bad kick. No brainier, it just didn't go down.

 

[Delmar]

Maybe this team will improve and hit its stride in March. They aren’t a final four team imo as not enough offense. And we saw last yr that the refs call the game tighter in the dance.

Regroup, get Cade healthy and figure out how to wake up Igor and Chaz. - consistency!

I think Chaz and Igor are still getting used to the SEC. It certainly isn’t like the competition at Charlotte and North Florida. Got to man up in this league every night or they’ll take your lunch money.

 

[walkenvol]

He's also our 2nd worst outside shooter on the team and was 0-5 before that miss

Cmon - we only have 3 guys who can make 3’s ZZZ, Lanier, and Gainey. So either Lanier or ZZZ were taking a 3 and Lanier struggles to get himself open. ZZZ seems like a no brainer if your going for the win.

 

[Freak]

That wasn’t a good look. It was rushed and off balance and not really that open. It was also shot by a guy who had missed every 3 all night and only hits 3s at 31%. He’s a good player and leader, but in no universe is that a good shot.

In this game, any shot you got off without being tackled, slapped, or pulled down by your jersey with no call is a pretty good look.

 

[volgr]

He was open. Yes, you certainly live in misery. I pity you

He was 0-5 from 3 and 4-14 from the field before that off balance 3...of course he was open. Auburn couldnt have asked for more idiotic inbounds play.

 

[Hbg]

Well shít, we probably could have gotten Okpara open. That would have been a great shot by your standards.

Based on tonight’s game I think the shot was a good shot. I’d be afraid to know what shot we would have gotten, if any, had ZZ not shot that one.

 

[gainesvol82]

Their whole team is. Baker-Mazara has never committed a foul in his life. Just ask him.

He bear hugged and pulled Mashack down from behind on a rebound and acted flabbergasted that he was actually called for a foul. I really don't like the type of kids that Bruce recruits at Auburn or how his personality influences them. Definitely not a guy who I would trust to develop my son.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Broome ends the game with 1 foul

That tells you all you need to know. Gotta feed the floor the next 3!!!

 

[sami]

Do have to say.. So far (knock on wood)

Haven't had the morons come out and say we're missing the tournament now.

No, it's just the 'drawing final conclusions' crowd - we'll never win with Barnes, we'll never be a 1-seed, Barnes will never get to a Final 4, etc., etc.

How they come to these conclusions off a tough, close road loss to the #1 team in the country is the mystery.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

That wasn’t a good look. It was rushed and off balance and not really that open. It was also shot by a guy who had missed every 3 all night and only hits 3s at 31%. He’s a good player and leader, but in no universe is that a good shot.

He got a pretty good look and it went in and out. They weren't expecting it and it gave us a chance at winning on the road at #1. You "after the fact" guys are hilarious. If we beat them by 2 at home, you would be telling us that we should have beat them worse. Take

 

[508mikey]

There was no setup to the last play. Just a quick off balance 3.

What about Igor with 14 seconds left ?