TENNESSEE
It wasn’t pretty, but the No. 3 Tennessee Volunteers managed to escape with a 71-68 victory over Alabama on Saturday afternoon.
The Vols struggled shooting in the second half, while Alabama G John Petty caught fire, bringing the Crimson Tide back into the game and giving them a late lead.
However, the Vols did what they needed to do, and now coach Rick Barnes has a teaching moment for his veteran squad.
After the game, Barnes was open about needing a challenge like this one. Here’s what he said about Saturday’s narrow win:
On Vols’ second-half struggles:
#Vols coach Rick Barnes on survival win over Bama: I think you have to give Bama a lot of credit for that second half. They played great basketball.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) January 19, 2019
Rick Barnes: They (Alabama) outplayed us in the second half. I thought both teams played really hard and we were fortunate to win.
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 19, 2019
On needing to be challenged after a dominant start to SEC play:
#Vols coach Rick Barnes on not calling timeout during Bama’s early 2ndH run: I told the coaches I wasn’t gonna call a timeout there, because we needed it. We needed that experience. We needed to play through it.
But then it got so bad I finally called a timeout.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) January 19, 2019
Rick Barnes: "I hate to say it, but we needed a game like this."
Said he didn't want to call a timeout early in the second half because he wanted to see how his team would respond.
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 19, 2019
On potentially being No. 1 in the AP Poll:
Rick Barnes on #Vols maybe being ranked No. 1 on Monday morning: I don’t really care or think about it. We’re about to play a lot of tough games if we’re ranked 1, 21, 41 or whatever. We’ve got to play better.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) January 19, 2019
On controversial calls late in the second half:
#Vols coach Rick Barnes: I didn’t like those charge calls on Grant, and I’m sure Avery didn’t like that traveling call on Petty. That’s just how it goes.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) January 19, 2019
On Admiral Schofield still having an impact despite struggles:
Rick Barnes on Admiral Schofield recording a double-double despite his poor shooting night: That's what good players do. They find a way to affect the game.
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 19, 2019
Played their absolute worst game of the season. If Bama hits a fourth of their free throws, we lose. But like all other teams that play UT, they bring their best game. Oh well, a win anyway. GBO!
Championship teams find a way to win even when they play bad. That’s just what they do. Remember Syracuse and Arkansas in 98 football season?
Get ready for this guy’s. They will follow UT from here on out just waiting and hoping we lose to report.
It’s always good to see alabama lose in any sport. Thanks Tennessee.