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If you’re one of those who didn’t think Tennessee was officially in the NCAA Tournament (which they were). Now it’s undisputed.
Tennessee (22-12) defeated Iowa 78-65 in overtime on Wednesday night to advance into the round of 64 of the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
“I’m so happy for these guys,” Cuonzo Martin said after the game. “We have been through a lot and they have done tremendous job. I’m proud of them. They fought hard.”
When Tennessee fell behind early, it seemed the national stage in a tournament setting may have been too much for them to handle. Shots weren’t falling and the defense wasn’t the same as we’d seen the last five or six games.
But the Vols buckled down on defense and began to make shots.
“We are a better team in the last eight games we have played,” Martin said. “Guys have stepped up and played games. If we can get stops, shots will fall.”
Jordan McRae led Tennessee with 20 points and Jarnell Stokes muscled in 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Both were key to the victory, but it was Josh Richardson who was the game’s most valuable player.
After getting off to a horrendous start—missing on his first five shots—Richardson finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. He set the tone on both ends of the floor in the second half. He shut down Iowa’s best player and leading scorer, Roy Devyn Marble.
“Marble is a great player. I tried to get him out of his rhythm,” Richardson said.
Marble finished with five points.
Cuonzo Martin understands just how clutch Richardson’s performance was.
“The last 5-6 games, Josh has turned into an elite defender,” Martin said. “Josh accepted the challenge.”
Tennessee trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, but managed to cut the lead to just three by halftime. It wasn’t until Antonio Barton nailed a 3-pointer with 3:05 remaining that Tennessee grabbed its first lead of the game.
“I told our guys we’ve been through everything this season, keep your composure down the stretch,” Martin said. “Find ways to win the ball game.”
While they may have been one of the last four at-large teams selected, Tennessee proved it belonged.
The Vols have won six of their last seven games and will face sixth-seeded Massachusetts on Friday afternoon at 2:45 p.m. in Raleigh, NC.