Three losses in four games

Near the end of January, a few minutes after Tennessee topped Texas, 82-71, interim coach Rodney Terry of the Longhorns said the Volunteers have the ingredients of a Final Four team.

Because Terry is smart, a 27-year veteran of college basketball, and his team is exceeding expectations, he has received a large raise. Because he spoke favorably of the Vols, his opinion was valued, taken seriously, even applauded.

Rick Barnes accepted the projection guardedly.

“We’ve got a chance to be as good as we want to be. I think that it’s up to one thing. Are we tough enough to embrace the daily grind? Not worry about the NCAA tournament, not worry about going to the Final Four.

“We can build a team that can be successful that time of year. It starts with truly embracing the grind every single day. It’s tough. Can you knock out all of the noise around you?

“It’s not about being emotional and jacked up. It’s about taking care of business. We go to Florida next week. It’s hard. It’s only going to get harder because in February, teams get better. That’s why we have to get better.”

I do believe Barnes knows of what he speaks. In his eight years at Tennessee, February has been his most difficult month. His teams have won a few more than half those games.

“February” started early this year. The Gators stunned the Vols. Tennessee defeated Auburn but neither team looked good. Vanderbilt upset the Vols with a last-gasp three-pointer off a smartly designed play.

Santiago Vescovi contributed. He missed a free throw to leave the opportunity door open. To help against what looked like an inside crisis, Santi ran away from the outside shooter he was supposed to defend, Tyrin Lawrence, stationed in a corner, wide open.

Bottom!

Officials verified that he just did get it off in time.

Saturday evening in a home game, full house, Missouri hit 14 threes in 26 attempts. The Tigers built a 17-point lead. Tyreke Key powered a dramatic comeback. Tennessee gained a six-point advantage, then found a new way to lose.

Vescovi, one of the marksmen Barnes wants at the foul line in tight spots, missed another clutch free throw. Tobe Awaka was next whistled for stepping into the lane too soon. Missouri gained possession with 4.1 seconds remaining, the Vols up by two.

DeAndre Gholston, a migratory bird (Kent State, Tallahassee Community College, Milwaukee and Missouri) flew past midcourt and launched a bomb. Again, officials found that he beat the buzzer.

I think Vescovi wept. Oh how he wants to win.

I know teammates and Barnes sympathized. They remembered the many good things Santiago has done, times he has fought through pain.

“We wouldn’t be here (19-6 on the season and 8-4 in SEC play) without him,” said Barnes. “We hurt for him.”

Three losses in four games is the difference in championship contention and “oh my.”

You can choose the possible explanation:

• Bad luck. Both long shots went in.
• Exhaustion. Vescovi plays very hard and leads the team in minutes played.
• Lack of focus. Inconsistency by Olivier Nkamhoua, for example, and bad-idea backcourt fouls by Ziggy.
• February coaching. Vanderbilt, Missouri remarkable improvement, Tennessee not so much.
• Rodney Terry is a propagandist.

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