By Jimmy Hyams
Tennessee gave fans plenty to cheer about Saturday afternoon.
Then the Vols gave fans plenty to be concerned about.
No. 13 Tennessee led by 24 points in the first half against 14th-ranked Arkansas, thanks to blistering shooting from 3-point range.
UT led by 19 with eight minutes to play but then went into a tailspin due to turnovers, poor shot selection, lack of rebounding and losing focus.
Next thing you know, Arkansas had closed to gap to three points with two minutes left.
“We knew they would make a run,’’ UT coach Rick Barnes said.
The Vols made 5 of 8 free throws in the final 1:42 to finally put away the Hogs 75-72 in a microcosm of UT’s up-and-down season.
Tennessee has consistently won at home (16-0) but they’ve been inconsistent in doing so.
The Vols blew all but two points of a 24-point lead against Arkansas.
They trailed Auburn by 11, led by 11, then held on for another close win Feb. 26 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Within the same game, you see the good, the bad, the ugly for the Vols.
Yet, Tennessee (23-7, 14-4) finds itself as the No. 2 seed heading into the SEC Tournament this week. UT plays Friday night at 6 pm in Tampa, Fla.
The Vols are projected by bracketologist Joe Lunardi to be a N. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. One win in the SEC tournament could ensure a three seed.
But can you trust UT to win its first SEC tourney game?
Can you trust the Vols to make a run in the NCAA Tournament?
Can you even trust them to beat a much lower seed?
Tennessee ranks among the nation’s top three in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.com ratings.
But they rank in the 50s in adjusted offensive efficiency.
The streak shooting and lack of a consistent inside scorer has led to numerous droughts that have proven costly – or near costly – in several games.
Tennessee’s second-half collapse against Arkansas wasn’t simply a matter of missed shots. In fact, UT outshot Arkansas in the last 20 minutes, making 41% from the field to the Hogs 38% and converting 3 of 6 on 3s to the Hogs 6 of 19.
The second-half difference was due to UT turnovers and Arkansas rebounding. The Hogs outscored UT 15-2 off turnovers in the second half, had a 24-14 rebound margin and outscored UT on fast break points 16-0.
That’s how Arkansas won the second half 45-28.
After the game, Barnes thanked the crowd for being “the best basketball fans in the country.’’
Then he led a chorus of “It’s great to be a Tennessee Vol.’’
That joy would not have existed had Arkansas completed the comeback, with an assist from UT.
It’s wonderful to build a 24-point lead over a quality opponent. And, yes, it can be hard to hold huge leads. But to be an elite team, a team that can make a run in the SEC Tournament or NCAA Tournament, you can’t have mounting turnovers, poor decisions, balky free-throw shooting and the inability to score around the rim.
Once again, UT shot poorly on two-point attempts: 11 of 32. They were 14 of 45 on 2s against Auburn. And in five of seven defeats this year, they have shot an average of 41% on their 2s.
In SEC play, UT is third in 3-point shooting at 34.5% but last in two-point shooting at 45.5%.
That’s a reflection of a lack of inside scoring and the inability of driving guards to consistently finish at the rim.
What was Barnes’ take on Arkansas’ second-half rally?
“Turnovers,’’ Barnes said. “Turnovers got us back on our heels. … But we’ll learn from it.’’
Barnes also wanted to credit the opponent.
“Arkansas is an outstanding team,’’ Barnes said. “A great road team, too. They can beat anybody on any given night.’’
BARNES GETS 750
The victory was the 750th of Barnes’ storied career.
“That just means I’m old,’’ Barnes said. “I’ve had a lot of great players and a lot of great (assistant) coaches.’’
TALE OF TWO VOLS
Walk-on Brock Jancek, son of former UT defensive coordinator John Jancek, went through senior day but said he plans to transfer to another school so he can get playing time.
Victor Bailey, Jr., who began his college career five years ago at Oregon, did not go through senior day. He has another year of eligibility due to Covid.
Barnes said it was Bailey’s decision not to go through senior day. Barnes also said he would love for Bailey to stay at UT but that he does have the option to transfer.
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