Vandy was fried today

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/joerexrode/status/840726883130052608

Vanderbilt has nine guys and most of them played like they were exhausted through most of a 76-62 loss in the SEC semifinals. It was their third game in 45 hours. It looked like it — actually, they looked freshest when scrambling back from a 27-point deficit to make the final score more respectable.

"You could see, they were like a half step slow in terms of making decisions," said Arkansas coach Mike Anderson, whose team scored 29 of the first 35 points of the second half to blow it open. "The shots were short. .... We turned the intensity up (on defense) and you could really see it when we went on that run."

Vanderbilt's reality should not take anything away from Arkansas (25-8), which was terrific with that defense and Vandy-like offensive execution, but Anderson has depth.

This also isn't meant to completely excuse Vanderbilt's performance, because the Commodores (19-15) certainly could have played smarter. It was a 35-31 game at halftime, and they let things get away in part because of poor decisions on the offensive end.

Of course, exhaustion creeps into the brain, too. Luke Kornet — fresh off 44 minutes in Friday's overtime thriller over Florida — simply did not have it Saturday, finishing 1-for-8 from the floor.

Riley LaChance was 2-for-7 with four of Vandy's 15 turnovers. The Commodores had a total of 17 baskets, shooting 30.4 percent.

And so on...

[NuttinItUp]

They looked very tired.

That won't be the case against Kentucky.

[Biggus Piggus]

So that means Arkansas used the correct strategy to put Vanderbilt down.

I remember seeing an Arkansas team win four games in four days to take the SECT. It wasn't predestined that Vanderbilt would lose.

[HF#1]

So that means Arkansas used the correct strategy to put Vanderbilt down.

I remember seeing an Arkansas team win four games in four days to take the SECT. It wasn't predestined that Vanderbilt would lose.

This. Alabama didn't seem tired.

[GuvHog]

This. Alabama didn't seem tired.

They weren't. They forced Calipari to play his starters most of the game. That may benefit the Hogs tomorrow.

[Corkscrew Johnson]

I'm pretty sure we had just played a nail biter that ended 16 hours before tipoff.  But that doesn't count.

[HawgnCorona]

So that means Arkansas used the correct strategy to put Vanderbilt down.

I remember seeing an Arkansas team win four games in four days to take the SECT. It wasn't predestined that Vanderbilt would lose.

True but asking 9 players to play at a high level for 4 days is just brutal...Even a blind man would know what was coming next.

[daBoar]

So that means Arkansas used the correct strategy to put Vanderbilt down.

I remember seeing an Arkansas team win four games in four days to take the SECT. It wasn't predestined that Vanderbilt would lose.

The Hogs played a tough one with Ole Miss; true Vandy had played one more game, but they waltzed over A&M.  The Hogs played tough pressure defense in the first half; especially Barford.......that wore them down.

[hawganatic]

Anybody that watched that game could tell Vanderbilt was spent.  They were short on depth, third game in three days, one going into OT against one of the better teams in the country.

Doesn't take anything away from the way we played today.  Stop being offended over people stating a fact.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

How to avoid being "fried" in the SEC semi finals?
Don't be the 7 seed.

[HawgnCorona]

and dont be shorthanded...

[rtr]

I've never seen so much love for a 15 loss team.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

I've never seen so much love for a 15 loss team.

ain't that the truth.

[WorfHog]

That's some impressive excuse making for Vandy. What was their excuse when he beat them at home on January 24? They should be a lock for the NIT, but are somehow the same seed as us with six less wins.  Not that it matters. Screw Vandy! Go Hogs beat UK!

[niels_boar]

Alabama managed to play three games in three days and nearly upset a #2-seed with nary a friendly face in the crowd.

We went back to the more passive defense that we had employed against them in Nashville that had worked well in the first game.  That game was close because we didn't score efficiently either.  I have no doubt we were the fresher team with one less game on the weekend, but we are fresher than most thanks to the depth that we have used all season.  We settled the BWA account with interest.

[AirForceHog]

Another case of they sucked is why we won. BS!

[poloprince]

I've never seen so much love for a 15 loss team.

They should thank Mike White for this

[apcapri]

Just a reminder we're playing our 3rd game in 40hrs so if we're flat and look tired it's a legit excuse. Seems to be for Vandy anyway. To me the better team won yesterday...no excuses just good play on our part.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/BZSEC/status/840701959648772096

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/DrewChamplin/status/840691929859932161

[welchog]

https://twitter.com/DrewChamplin/status/840691929859932161

Well, they won't get much of a chance because

A.  There aren't but a small few 15 loss teams in the dance.

B.  Those 15 loss teams will get beat by 1-4 seeds.

C.  They are going to the NIT anyway.

[GuvHog]

Just a reminder we're playing our 3rd game in 40hrs so if we're flat and look tired it's a legit excuse. Seems to be for Vandy anyway. To me the better team won yesterday...no excuses just good play on our part.

Kentucky will be playing their 3rd game to so there are no advantages in that area..

[Dirty]

This. Alabama didn't seem tired.

Alabama played at their pace

[FineAsSwine]

Alabama played at their pace

KY was unable to force Bama to play at their pace?

[Atlhogfan1]

Bama's focus on rebounding kept them in it and a manageable pace.  Still score got a little out of their range.   They needed a game in the 60s. 

[Hoggish1]

https://twitter.com/BZSEC/status/840701959648772096

That's what happens after you play the Hogs.  Sorry, but I have to sweet feelings for Vandy.  Breems said screw them and we did!

[gmarv]

Yeah they was fried we fried them up real good.

[jbcarol]

A response:

https://twitter.com/joerexrode/status/840956023896694785

The importance of intangibles in athletics can't be overstated, and that's especially true in the past few weeks with a Vanderbilt team that has exceeded the quality of its parts with togetherness-fueled performance.

But this is still a game in which tall people try to put a ball through a cylinder. Still athlete vs. athlete. Still lungs and legs, not just heart. And the Commodores could not will their way into matching the tangibles in Arkansas' favor Saturday.

They did have the option of sleeping in their own bed.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/CSmithScout/status/840693905628811267

[daBoar]

A response:

https://twitter.com/joerexrode/status/840956023896694785

They did have the option of sleeping in their own bed.

Not many commenting that they live, work and play in Nashville as their norm.  Hard to say that's a neutral court, for Vandy..