FINAL: Vandy 67 @Tennessee 56

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/834374258872688641

Sitting at 15-12 (7-7 SEC) heading into Wednesday's home game against Vanderbilt, the Vols need to finish the season strong to solidify a shaky resume.

"These next four games determines lot for all of us," coach Rick Barnes said.

With tough tilts against Vandy (RPI No. 49) and at South Carolina (RPI No. 30) this week, Tennessee has a chance to earn two more Top-50 wins [unless they knock Vandy out of the TOp 50.]

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/GoVolsXtra/status/834741853056540673

In what amounted to an in-state postseason bubble battle at Thompson-Boling Arena, the Vols picked a horrible time to have a horrible game.

Beginning with a designed play on which Vanderbilt scored on the opening tip, curiously lethargic Tennessee was in a hole from which it could never dig out. A 67-56 loss to the Commodores was troubling on several levels.

"We didn't compete in the first half,'' said coach Rick Barnes. "You've got to give Vanderbilt credit because they understand what this time of year is about, obviously, and we don't. You don't perform like that in a situation like we're in right now.''

While the Vols were not competing, the Commodores roared to an 18-4 lead. When Tennessee did ramp up the energy in the second half, it wasn't good enough. The Vols got within a point twice but never led.

"You'd think with it being a rivalry game, that guys would have energy,'' UT sophomore Admiral Schofield said, "but I don't know particularly what it was.

"This game is not on the coaches. It's not on Rick Barnes. It's on Tennessee basketball. We didn't come out with any fire today.''

Matthew Fisher-Davis‏@_MFD5 11h11 hours ago

Gotta love playing in Knoxville lol