FINAL @Tennessee 75 Ole Miss 66

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/SECCountryVols/status/829274163202383873

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Rick Barnes says it's all about embracing the moment for his Tennessee basketball team, one minute at a time for 40 minutes.

"Our players have to learn it's hard to win, but it's supposed to be hard," Barnes said, asked about how the Vols might bounce back after blowing a 19-point lead and losing at Mississippi State on Saturday.

"The question is, will they embrace that and realize that now you have to play for 40 minutes?"

Rebels are a team that has won its past two games, including an 81-73 victory at Vanderbilt last Saturday.

"Ole Miss is playing as well as anyone in our league right now," Barnes said. "I can assure you Ole Miss is going to come in here expecting to win.

"We have to have that mindset that it will be a real hard-fought game if we expect to win."

The Rebels beat the Vols in the teams' first meeting, 80-69 on Jan. 17 in Oxford.

Vols led that game by 13 points before falling, shooting 0-for-10 from the floor the final 3:36.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/GrantRamey/status/829509501539774464

Andy Kennedy said his team thought they were playing pinball late. Drive in, throw it off the backboard bumper and get a point.

Tennessee outscored Ole Miss 20-6 over the final 6:57.

Tennessee got out-rebounded 46-37. Vols gave up 20 offensive boards. Rick Barnes won't like those numbers.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/829517305260433409

Barnes didn't like the way his team opened up its game against Ole Miss, "tight," the veteran coach said, and "timid."

"February defines where you are and who you are, and who you're going to be."

Tennessee (14-10, 6-5) entered the game No. 37 in the NCAA RPI Ratings, while the Rebels (14-10, 5-6) were No. 59 and looking for a road win to play their way on the bubble.

The crowd of 12,209 came to life down the stretch, sensing the Vols' season was on the line as Ole Miss led throughout the second half until the 2:04 mark until Robert Hubbs lll drove to the rim to put the team ahead.

"I thought our crowd got into the game, and we always tell our team it's important we get the crowd into the game," Barnes said. "But I'll be honest, sometimes the crowd helps you get into the game."