Michigan beats Tennessee at its own game  

Marvin Westwestwords

Points to ponder: Good season, SEC tournament title, short stay in the main event.

As is traditional for Rick Barnes teams, Tennessee was toppled too early from the NCAA tournament. Michigan did it this time, 76-68.

Last year, it was Oregon State. Before that, Purdue inflicted the premature pain. Before that, it was Loyola-Chicago and Sister Jean.

The Wolverines were admitted to this tournament despite 14 losses but they are better than typical No. 11 seeds. This knockout was surprising but not shocking. They have an outstanding center and other top talent. They have overcome bumps and disappointments. Their coach was suspended for five games.

That said, Michigan beat Tennessee at its own game. The Vols had superior depth but were the ones who looked tired in the second half. The Vols have excelled on defense. The Wolverines shot 56 percent in the second half. The Vols have sometimes been great at three-point shooting. This time, they hit two of 18.

Michigan made life very difficult for Santiago Vescovi. He was 1-for-5 from long range. That was better than Josiah-Jordan James. He was 0-for-6. Zakai Zeigler was 0-fror-4.

Kennedy Chandler was outstanding for Tennessee – 19 points and nine assists. Hunter Dickinson was better for Michigan – 27 points, 11 rebounds and an influence around the rim. The 7-1 center had one strange stat, more threes than all the Vols combined.

Here’s the part that hurts: Michigan is going where Tennessee intended to go, to San Antonio for the Sweet 16. The Vols are out, left to wonder what might have been.

Losing in the NCAAs is so final. Expectations expire. Dreams are crushed. Players wipe away tears. Coaches fumble for explanations.

Barnes has experience. His record as an NCAA tournament coach is 25-26. He has earned a lot of opportunities. He has had a hall-of-fame career – excluding March Madness. His contract calls for $5.2 million in salary. This season he earned an additional million in bonuses. Just a few days ago, the Vols were voted No. 5 in the final AP poll.

So soon they are among the also-rans. It wasn’t supposed to end this way. This was a very good team. It won 27 games, fourth most in program history. It deserved a better fate.

“This was a special group,” said Barnes. “I am so proud of their accomplishments. I am disappointed for them.”

The future should be solid or better. The Vols know their old-timer, John Fulkerson, is finished. They assume fleet freshman Chandler will move on to the NBA. Vescovi and JJJ are pro possibilities but are probably too smart to take the bait.

Uros Plavsic, nine points, nine rebounds and a warrior on defense against Dickinson, might develop into a tough hombre. Olivier Nkamhous, when he recovers from injury, should pick up where he left off. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Jonas Aidoo are going to be good.

From start to finish, this group has cared – about each other, about Barnes and about winning. It showed.

Chandler was emotional in the post-game handshake line. It could have been his goodbye.

As he came face to face with Michigan coach Juwan Howard, he broke into tears. He pulled his jersey up to cover his face. Howard hugged him. They’ve known each other for several years. Chandler and the coach’s son, Jett, played AAU ball together.

“Kennedy, we know he is an elite player and he is one of the best guards in the country,” Howard said. “We recruited him. Unfortunately, we weren’t that lucky.

“To see the output, the effort, the growth … it was special. I just gave him some words of encouragement. His emotion showed how much he cares. As coaches, you appreciate that.”

Fans everywhere saw the deep feelings.

“It was more in the locker room,” said Barnes. “This group of guys, they’re extremely close. They have really bonded in a way that doesn’t happen anymore.”

Will Chandler stay or go?

Barnes said every player in this new transfer era has that decision.

“You could ask every guy on the team that. Every player has a choice if they want to make one.”

The coach said the young guard has grown tremendously.

“He is just a great kid, a great teammate. He never, ever made it about him. I don’t think he ever walked in acting like a one-and-done player. I don’t think that at all. He came in wanting to win.

“He got so much better and I think that had to do with his teammates. I think Zakai and Santi, the competition they played with every day in practice. He was willing to listen.”

Marvin West welcomes reader comments or questions. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com

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