Basket Vols couldn’t hit end of gym

Marvin Westwestwords

Keep in mind that Tennessee’s revised shooting strategy is Rick Barnes’ idea.
Months ago, the coach told this team to fire away when open. Where the shooters were when they let …

Basketball Vols? Maybe yes, maybe no

Marvin Westwestwords

Basketball talk is almost finished. It is now time to do something.
Tennessee outlook? Maybe yes, maybe no.
The strange combination of very good recruiting and Rick Barnes’ tournament history has created …

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 …

Sing-a-long: We are the champions

Marvin Westwestwords

What a day, unforgettable celebration, net-cutting time, “We are the champions” as a sing-a-long.
Tennessee knocked out Texas A&M, 65-50, for the Southeastern Conference tournament championship. Happiness prevailed. The Volunteers hugged …

Vols playing for piece of history

Marvin Westwestwords

Big game in Tampa on Sunday. First prize is a piece of history.
This Tennessee basketball team is one more victory from guaranteed fame. The Vols face giant-killer Texas A&M for …

Rim looked big to JJJ, Vols romp

Marvin Westwestwords

Rick Barnes has learned a lot of tournament lessons the hard way.
The coach is believable when he warns his Volunteers that letdowns at the wrong time can turn into “You …

Vols win with barrage of threes

Marvin Westwestwords

Arkansas was almost as good in the second half as was Tennessee in the first.
The Volunteers hit nine of 12 three-point shots, built a 24-point lead and looked like run-away …

Tennessee takes win at Georgia, 75-68

Marvin Westwestwords

Both teams must have missed the memos.
Tennessee, a half-game out of first place in Southeastern Conference standings, was favored by 17 over Georgia. Rick Barnes, after the victory over Auburn, …