We do not win that game without…

[Kicker82]

Without James contributions they likely lose this game

 

[luthervol]

1st round. The team that had the highest 3-point % won 26 of the 32 games.

Great defense and clutch free throws carried us.

 

[LucidZ]

But we got a game from Awaka we don't get every night. He essentially carried us scoring In the first half. And he picked up the slack where Aidoo couldn't finish at the rim.

I guess I just wouldn't really pick a player of the game. It was a team win. Aidoo had more points than Awaka, so not entirely true. Plus 3 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal. Then the clutch freethrows when the pressure was on. He looked really nervous about it, I don't blame him.

 

[Cartervol]

That's the type of game the Vols have lost 2 or 3 times this year. I was thinking the worst for sure..

 

[OrangeInKy]

You dang straight

 

[Capt Straight]

I feel like beer and anxiety meds were put on this earth for Tennessee sports

This^^

 

[johnfnkelly]

Tobe Awaka. He was fierce.

Honorable mention to JJJ with 9, clutch points when we needed them.

If he hadn’t committed so many stupid fouls then he would have put this game away for us a long time ago. They couldn’t stop him underneath.

 

[luthervol]

I feel like beer and anxiety meds were put on this earth for Tennessee sports

I had 3 beers in the last 5 minutes.

 

[ColinS]

Without James contributions they likely lose this game

I was thinking this morning that we wouldn't win if he didn't play good. I think that would have been the case.

 

[Vols till I fall]

That was one ugly game and scary. So glad our men pulled that win out. Shooting 3 for 25 in a ncaa game is normally the kiss of death.

survive and advance baby, gritty win

 

[Vols till I fall]

I had 3 beers in the last 5 minutes.

I'm drinking burnett's vodka straight up with water rn

 

[Rocky Top T]

Awaka is a man. Aidoo is soft

 

[volsack7]

But we got a game from Awaka we don't get every night. He essentially carried us scoring In the first half. And he picked up the slack where Aidoo couldn't finish at the rim.

Yes this was my point, not saying no one else was responsible for the win. Definitely a team win and thank goodness! Go Vols!

 

[Vol4gzus]

In the words of Coach Summit," defense and rebounds win championships. " Win 4 more and voila! One game at a time...GO VOLS!

 

[cncchris33]

We don’t win without ZZ.

Period.

His defense was absolutely fantastic. But that might have been the worst offensive game he's played since the first South Carolina matchup. He was extremely reckless and was freewheeling way too much outside the framework of the offense. Tried to force way too many passes. Too many bad shots that weren't there. He really seemed to be pressing because not much was working offensively for anyone.

 

[Vol4gzus]

Awaka is a man. Aidoo is soft

Mean-spirited...so no Aidoo and we lose tonight. Looked like a man hitting those free throws or did you forget those? Mommy he's calling names again...

 

[Vols till I fall]

I thunk James played a little harder today after that heartbreaking shot he missed against Texas 2 seasons ago to give Barnes his first win over Texas.

Glad to see Barnes beat those bastards

 

[hound dog hillbil]

AWAKA was a great boost,different players had great plays,gonna have to get my nerve pills refilled.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I don’t think that Awaka can go more than 15 minutes without fouling out. So the best scenario is that he’ll be very productive in his 12-15 minutes on the court.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

We don’t win without ZZ.

Period.

This. How many steals did he have? We didn’t capitalize on the turnovers, but he was in command every drive. Something weird with the rim. Shots weren’t falling for either team.

 

[VolTull]

Coach Rick Barnes

 

[Eastknox865]

OK we got our terrible shooting game out of the way. Now go get the chip. And oh ZZ ball pressure gave us so many extra possessions he gets my vote

 

[kptvol1452]

Tobe Awaka. He was fierce.

Honorable mention to JJJ with 9, clutch points when we needed them.

You're right played physical Texas had nobody to guard him JJJ had solid game

 

[kiddiedoc]

Defense, defense, and rebounds

Super ugly win that we don't get in prior seasons.

We need that shooting stank to wash away if we want to go any further.

 

[cncchris33]

This. How many steals did he have? We didn’t capitalize on the turnovers, but he was in command every drive. Something weird with the rim. Shots weren’t falling for either team.

We torched these same rims 48 hours ago, though. Very strange. Maybe a top-3 offensive performance and a bottom-3 offensive performance in 2 days time in the same gym.