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Adams: Vols just ran out of comebacks this time

By John Adams (Contact)
Originally published 01:26 a.m., February 27, 2008
Updated 01:26 a.m., February 27, 2008

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NASHVILLE - A Tennessee basketball program that has been climbing for three consecutive years couldn't hold its ground Tuesday night at Memorial Gym.

The No. 1-ranked Vols needed two comebacks against Vanderbilt. They only made one.

The Vols wiped out a 14-point, first-half Vanderbilt lead. But the comeback appeared to take its toll when the 18th-ranked Commodores regained the lead and the momentum in a 72-69 victory over the Vols, who had ascended to the top of college basketball a day earlier.

The game started similarly to UT's upset of No. 1-ranked Memphis on Saturday night at the FedEx Forum. Like Memphis, the Commodores opened with a blaze of 3-pointers.

And, just as it did against Memphis, UT withstood the barrage of baskets, bided its time and played its way into the lead. In fact, early in the second half, there was reason to anticipate that the Vols would pull away from the Commodores, as they did in an 80-60 victory last month at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Vanderbilt's star center, A.J. Ogilvy, picked up his fourth foul with 16:05 to play. Midway through the second half, Vanderbilt starting guard Jermaine Beal was assessed his fourth foul.

Not only were the Commodores in serious foul trouble, but UT shooting star Chris Lofton had a hot hand, and Tyler Smith was on his way to a career-high 17 rebounds.

"I thought we put ourselves in position on the road where we could gut one out again," UT coach Bruce Pearl said.

This time, the Vols couldn't close the deal - for a variety of reasons.

First of all, UT never could force a faster tempo. Also, point guards Ramar Smith and Jordan Howell both struggled against the Commodores.

"We've got to getter better point guard play," Pearl concluded.

The slower tempo had nothing to do with UT's point guards, however. Officials called 53 fouls, and the constant whistle blowing clearly disrupted the offensive rhythm of the top two scoring teams in the SEC.

UT might have capitalized on Ogilvy's foul trouble if not for foul problems of its own. UT's Wayne Chism picked up three first-half fouls and played only 23 minutes. He finished with four points and four rebounds. In the first UT-Vanderbilt meeting, Chism had a career-high 18 rebounds and just as many points.

"He and Ogilvy wound up canceling each other out," Pearl said.

Neither Lofton, who had 25 points, nor anyone else could cancel out Vanderbilt's Shan Foster, who was 1-for-11 from the field in Knoxville. He made nine of 13 field-goal tries, including six of nine 3-pointers, while scoring 32 points Tuesday night.

"He's a great player and a great shooter," Pearl said.

UT didn't have the shooters to match. The Vols made only 32.8 percent of their field-goal attempts.

Pearl gave Vanderbilt's defense plenty of credit for UT's shooting woes. When someone suggested the Vols might have been leg-weary after Saturday's game at Memphis, Pearl wasn't about to use that as an excuse.

"We were fine," Pearl said. "We were absolutely fine."

UT's defeat won't show up in the national rankings until the top-25 polls are announced next Monday. But the loss will have an immediate impact on the SEC standings.

UT leads the conference with an 11-2 record, followed by Kentucky, which is 9-3. The Wildcats, who have the tiebreaker advantage based on their earlier victory over UT, will play host to Ole Miss tonight.

Then comes Sunday afternoon's crucial game at Thompson-Boling Arena, where the Vols can prove they're still No. 1 in the SEC.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.

102 Comments

Posted by anthony on February 27, 2008 at 2:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

which vols are we talking about, the football vols or the basketball vols? winning is not everything, John, except to losers like yourself.

Posted by rodneyadms on February 27, 2008 at 2:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dad gummit! this stinks..

Posted by BobNeyland on February 27, 2008 at 2:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pearl should be fired!

Right, john?

Where's your Saban article?
Where's your response to Fulmer/ Hamilton?

Posted by anthony on February 27, 2008 at 2:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There are a whole lot of division 1 teams which would love to have our record over the last 15 years. A whole lot of people have invested in Fulmer's dimise even if it hurts our team. These people are lone wolves, John Adams is the leader of these lone wolves. It is time to rise up against them . Their opinions in the sake of fair play is no longer needed. Just like the people who have risked everything for us to lose in Iraq so there tempers may be assuaged.

Posted by UTvols12342000 on February 27, 2008 at 2:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

please leave the state john

Posted by TennMom on February 27, 2008 at 2:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well Anthony, I was under the impression that this was a basketball story, so pardon me if I'm a bit puzzled by your talk of Fulmer and Iraq. I do agree with you on one thing, it is time to "rise up." I recommend you try it. Rise up to the challenge to keep "on topic." Rise up to the challenge of Spell Check, or better yet, just learn how to spell.

I'm just here to say "way to go, Commodores!" What a game!!

Posted by BobNeyland on February 27, 2008 at 3:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wr23, you have way to high opinion of Mike Freeman (the author of the article you posted). You should read about how he was caught lying on his resume.... claiming to have graduated from college.

About as credible as john adams.

Posted by bmaples on February 27, 2008 at 4:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Man, I do get tired of the football talk during basketball season.

Tough loss. Vandy played okay, but Foster was on fire. Control him and we win by 10.

Now we need to win out to win the regular season outright. First men's banner in a while, so let's get it done. And from someone who lives in The Ville and will have to hear about it the rest of the year: BEAT the CATS!

Posted by nightprowler on February 27, 2008 at 4:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It seem to me that the NCAA should step up and change the name from SEC to SECC "SOUTH EASTERN CORRECTIONAL CONFERENCE.

Posted by golfnutntn on February 27, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

once again john, your ineptness as a writer is shown. there is no tie breaker for the reg season championship. that's why it is so important to win it outright. if you tie you are simply co champs, like we have been many times before. you are such a dumb a$$

Posted by 55Vol on February 27, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

what's real....wr23........not. John Adams is irrelevant......and he must be your daddy. Who cares what CBS says..they also support Osama Bin Laden.

Posted by Duke on February 27, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Man, what a prize bunch of journalists we have here!! I guess Pulitzer's are pending for all of you critics of John. I've read, then re-read, his columns and I find them very well written, and factual; both basketball and the Fulmer bit. BTW, Fulmer is a bit thin skinned, IMHO. Adams didn't call into question, as I see it, Philly's character. But, sometimes, Phil, the truth does sting a mite. Back to bassetball!!! My life!! Someone 'splain this coaching box position deal at Vandy????? If the home team can set up these retrictive conditions, which obviously they can, let's put the Vandy coach in the parking lot with a walky-talky next game. I know, a bit of over reaction. Refs were pitiful, for both teams. Until Bruce got into it with the ref, in the first half, the calls were all going against the Big Orange. After that, I noticed a bit more balance in the calls. Wonder what Bruce said to the ref???? Maybe we don't need to know. Let's win out...beat the Cats, get a high seed, win the NCAA. Hey, ya gotta believe!!!!!!

Posted by Cherokee on February 27, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This article doesn't have the first thing to do with Fulmer. Give it a rest.

Posted by gillblog on February 27, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Growing concern for the the Vols in NCAA tournament; they aren't showing reliable performance at point guard and we all know the old but irrefutable axiom, guard play wins championships.

Posted by MemphisVolFan on February 27, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Give Vandy credit for holding on. The Vols fought back throughout the game, despite poor shooting.

Neither team played particularly well, but it was competitive and the Vols availed themselves well. Being No. 1 for now is OK, being No. 1 at the end is what's most important.

Posted by estillspgsvol on February 27, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It only matters that you are number 1 at the end of March Madness, now number 1 can get you a sweet seed in the tournament, but bottom line is that you have win the number 1 ranking in basketball.

Posted by rabidvolfan on February 27, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great article John! Missed ya yesterday. Tough loss to Vandy. I'm still proud of our team. I'm not sure any other team goes to Vandy this year and wins. Congratulations to the Commadores. As Mr. Adams says, we have a chance to get back in control of the SEC with a win Saturday. The most excitng thing about his team, is that I don't think they've played near their best basketball. I think this loss may help Pearl get them going better on offense.

Posted by estillspgsvol on February 27, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WR23 that is not what the nation is saying, it is what one "idiot" writer is saying. This guy has not written anything that has meaning and does not have a "racist" tone to it in "forever".

Posted by Hunter on February 27, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We got into a free throw shooting contest, and unless we are playing Memphis that's bad news for the boys in orange.

By my count, Chism only had two fouls (and an impartial observer would say something similar of Ogilvy). The over-officiating was really poor, not that it was awful in favor of either tea, just awful in general. Beat Kentucky......please......

Posted by pdhuff on February 27, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No excuses, we lost. What was the line anyway?
At least we competed.

Now rest up and beat KY.

Posted by steve on February 27, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TennMom: Hate to disagree, but "what a game" it wasn't. As great basketball games go, I've had more thrills watching paint dry. And how couldn't Vandy win? I mean, we play Memphis, get a No. 1 with a bullseye on the back, play a team 72 hours later that's got nothing to lose ... and still almost pull if off. Sorry, but last night was much ado about absolutely nothing. It only matters come March. I couldn't help but notice the disparity between TN winning at Memphis, and the players calmly leaving the court, and the 'Dores celebrating as if they'd just won the national championship. What did they win? A regular season basketball game? Big deal. The Vols play big games as if they expect to win. Last night, Vandy seemed blown away that they actually could.

Posted by TommyJack on February 27, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To BP's credit, he didn't blame the loss on fatigue. In reality, this team was physically and mentally drained. To make it a close game is to their credit. Vandy is a quality opponent. Maybe we will meet them later in a different yard. Hmmm?

Posted by Volfan1 on February 27, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Didn't read Adams article. Won't. Just a daily reminder that Adams lost all credibility.
Adams = no credibility.

Posted by Pullingguard on February 27, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

John, you have burned all bridges (might be couple of marginal exceptions) to Vol fans supporters...For your marginal view and slanderous column about behavior when other porgrams are as bad or worse... You are a ugly weed in a pot of glowing UT flowers, neither capable of writing an interesting column or one other than heaping negative crap on the University of Tennessee football program..The question must be.. How did you ever get to your present position as sports editor?

Posted by TommyJack on February 27, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

volfan1: So, if it isn't your shared opinion, then you won't read it? Is that what you're saying?

Posted by bhjohnso on February 27, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

this article wasn't about football. i don't want to read a bunch of football comments. i'm tired of it all. i don't want to read about what an idiot john adams is, or what an idiot fulmer is, or whatever, in the comments following an article about UT basketball.

Posted by 55Vol on February 27, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wr23.... your link above...the Sporting News....you use them as a whipping post for Fulmer??? The SN picked Tenn to win the SEC last fall. I still have the magazine. You are dismissed.

Tough loss. We will need a TEAM effort on Saturday. TJ, I agree, the team looked gassed last night excpet for Tyler Smith...I hope he sticks around for next year.

Posted by johnlg00 on February 27, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe UT didn't offer Sportsline's Mike Freeman a scholarship out of high school. He went on and on as if UT players were all out robbing, raping, and pillaging, and sharing all their loot with CPF, when all he could come up with as evidence was (admittedly too much) drinking, yelling, and arm-waving. Wonder if he's an ex-Bama guy who still blames CPF for Bama's cheating.
Props to CBP for not using fatigue as an excuse, but they sure seemed tired to me in the late stages, and, as an ex-athlete myself, I don't see how fatigue could not have been a factor, what with the travel and emotion of the Memphis game. The incessant whistles kept both teams from getting into any kind of offensive flow. People think lots of free-throws mean lots of extra rest during the game, but the hardest thing to do when you are tired is constantly starting and stopping.

Posted by 96VolGrad on February 27, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)