Unexpected Ending: Tennessee rallies in OT

by Griffin H.

I went to bed at halftime thinking the game was over, and when I woke up my dad said to me “Sometimes things happen that you aren’t expecting.” Tennessee did not lead at all until overtime, but that’s when it matters. They overcame a 15-point deficit (11 at halftime) to send the game to overtime tied at 60 apiece. The Vols came out and dominated the extra period and crammed a 74-69 victory down LSU’s throat.

Jarnell Stokes came up big for the Vols when they needed it, scoring 18 points and pulling down 7 boards, leading the team in both categories. Trae Golden played 41 minutes out of 45 in the game, and scored 14 including critical free-throws down the stretch. Jerrone Maymon continued his SEC dominance with 14 points after sitting most of the first half with 2 fouls.

“Playoff Scenario”: The SEC basketball equivalent of a playoff scenario for Tennessee is as follows: Tennessee win vs Vanderbilt AND Florida loss to Kentucky = 2 seed, Tennessee win AND Florida win = 3 seed, Tennessee loss = 5 seed.

Postseason Honors: I think that Cuonzo Martin should get serious consideration for SEC Coach Of The Year because he took a team that was picked to finish 11th out of 12 in the SEC and he turned that around. Also, I think Maymon should make All-SEC First Team, Golden should make the All-SEC Second Team, and I think Stokes can make the All-SEC Freshman Team.

Watch the Vols play host to Vanderbilt (Saturday, 4pm, ESPN2) before a packed house at Thompson-Boling Arena on Senior Day, hoping for a first-round bye.

Factoid of the Day: Tennessee hasn’t won the SEC Tournament since 1979

Griffin can be reached at teens4tn@gmail.com, or leave a comment. Follow @teens4tn on twitter or subscribe in the sidebar! ->