How Rick Barnes keeps Tennessee players on edge for big games
Tennessee plays Alabama on March 1 with a potential NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed on the line.
Alabama made a mistake late, and Tennessee basketball capitalized.
With the top-10 matchup tied at 76 with under four seconds left, the Vols held the Crimson Tide to a five-second violation on Alabama’s inbounds play on what could have been a go-ahead score for Alabama. Instead, it opened the door for one final Tennessee possession before a potential overtime period.
And, as it turns out, overtime wasn’t needed.
Jahmai Mashack called game, taking the ball from across court before heaving a deep 3-pointer for the 79-76 win as time expired. Mashack was essential down the stretch, also tying the game at 76 after nailing a pair of free throws with 30 seconds left.
The Vols were led by guard Chaz Lanier, who scored 18 points and pulled Tennessee within two points on a tough and-one layup with 30 seconds left, although he missed the free throw. An Alabama foul on the ensuing play led to Mashack’s pair of free throw makes.
Alabama guard Mark Sears led all scorers with 24 points, shooting 7 of 16 from the field and 4 of 9 from 3-point range.
The win marks Tennessee’s fourth in a row, as the Vols handed the Crimson Tide their third of their last five games. Alabama’s loss also opens the door for Florida to potentially move to a tie for second in the SEC standings, should the Gators defeat Texas A&M on Saturday night.
