Obvioiusly, Tennessee didn't play well enough defensively to win. But it's a game of inches. If Grant doesn't hit that ball with 7 seconds left Vols win.
Would have loved to have seen Tennessee make the run out left handed lay up 4 minutes into the game because if they had Schofield doesn't get his second foul which clearly changed the complexion of the game.
Back to the defensive end, because of Loyola's spread offense and ability to penetrate, Tennessee's help defense was in the paint and that opened up some three point shots. Rebounding effort wasn't good enough. Missed box out on the free throw line led to two more points which was key. Same thing happened against Kentucky. Every possession in these kind of games count. Had you told me Bone put up the numbers he did, I would have said Vols won handily. But, they didn't get enough paint touches and didn't attack the rim enough. Just didn't play well.
Bottom line, Tennessee nearly stole a game where they didn't play well enough to win. But they didn't steal it and a really fun season ends in a disappointing way. You don't want your season to end in a game you didn't play well. If you play well and get beat then you get beat. But getting beat in the tournament when you play poorly is really disappointing.
Would have loved to have seen Tennessee make the run out left handed lay up 4 minutes into the game because if they had Schofield doesn't get his second foul which clearly changed the complexion of the game.
Back to the defensive end, because of Loyola's spread offense and ability to penetrate, Tennessee's help defense was in the paint and that opened up some three point shots. Rebounding effort wasn't good enough. Missed box out on the free throw line led to two more points which was key. Same thing happened against Kentucky. Every possession in these kind of games count. Had you told me Bone put up the numbers he did, I would have said Vols won handily. But, they didn't get enough paint touches and didn't attack the rim enough. Just didn't play well.
Bottom line, Tennessee nearly stole a game where they didn't play well enough to win. But they didn't steal it and a really fun season ends in a disappointing way. You don't want your season to end in a game you didn't play well. If you play well and get beat then you get beat. But getting beat in the tournament when you play poorly is really disappointing.
