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 the championship of the Southeastern Conference Tournament.
Big deal? The last time Tennessee took the title was 1979.
So, exactly how much does this next game matter?
“This time of year, every game is a playoff game,” said Rick Barnes. “Every game is a championship game. And you have to be ready. And you want to be playing your best … you want to keep building that momentum, but you realize you’re going to be in a dog fight or fist fight or rock fight every time.”
The Vols have already set the tone. Their defense squeezed out a 69-62 win over Kentucky. Kennedy Chandler recovered from an ankle injury to score 19. Zakai Zeigler hit five of six clutch free throws. Santiago Vescovi outhustled much bigger friends and foes for the decisive rebound.
“Again, every play is a huge play,” said Barnes. “I thought the play of the game, to be honest with you, was Santi’s rebound at the end. That was a big-time play.”
The eighth-seeded Aggies have developed into a serious challenge. They eliminated Florida, Auburn and Arkansas to reach the main event.
The Wildcats were plenty tough enough. They actually won the second half but couldn’t overcome what happened in the first. Tennessee’s defense was smothering. UK scored a season-low 22 points in 20 minutes of hand-to-hand combat. The Vols had 33.
As in game 2 of this three-game series, fouls against Oscar Tshiebwe were significant.
Kentucky intensified the inside attack after the rest stop and eventually reduced a 51-37 deficit to three. The adjustment may have been smart strategy or desperation. The Wildcats ended up with two of 20 three-point attempts.
Tshiebwe played enough to be a pain. He got his usual double-double, 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Chandler was outstanding. He hit eight of 16. He scored four straight after the Wildcats closed to within six. Josiah-Jordan James, star against Mississippi State, was less brilliant – three of eight with four turnovers.
Zeigler scored 11. Vescovi did not shoot well (two of eight) but had four rebounds. Brandon Huntley Hatfield had one of his better games (four of seven shooting, strong defense, six rebounds).
Barnes said: “Brandon is getting better each time out.”
There was some post-game emotion. Barnes and associate head coach Mike Schwartz embraced.
“I thought our guys had prepared so hard, and I kept thinking we have to get this done for them and our coaching staff. I have the best coaching staff in the country, and they work so hard.”
Barnes said it feels like he has known Schwartz his entire life.
“He walked on our team at Texas. He was my very first graduate assistant. He works so hard.”
Barnes said he had called Schwartz late after the Mississippi State game and asked what he was doing.
“He said, ‘Coach, I just ordered a pot of coffee. If you need me, I’ll be up for the next three years. That’s what went through my mind when the Kentucky game was over.”
More emotion: Ex-Vol Bert Bertelkamp, analyst on Vol Network broadcasts, has a vested interest in the championship game. He played in the 1979 title game.
So did Reggie Johnson, Howard Wood, Gary Carter, Steve Ray, Johnny Darden and Chuck Threeths.
Marvin West welcomes reader comments or questions. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com