I'm truly down over this! I mean things went so well for my Vols the 1st half. I knew OSU would come back but I honestly didn't expect for them to come all the way back for the win. The perimeter players for OSU(Lewis,Conley,Harris,Lighty) really played well the 2nd half. Oden wasn't a factor which I was scared before the game. Tennessee doesn't have anyone with the size to stop him but foul problems kept Oden out of the game.
One thing I can't understand is how Tennessee handled a couple games towards the end of the season & tournament. Against LSU in the SEC tournament with only a few seconds remaining they chose to let Ramar Smith take the ball & decide on the last shot for the game. Lofton just stood at the wing/3-point line not moving. Of course, Tennessee lost that game. In last nights game, Ramar Smith again grabs the rebound & doesn't even look for Lofton & decides the game. I'm not trying to say Ramar Smith can't make a game-winning play but in these type situations you need the ball in your best players hands. Now, granted last night Ramar didn't probably have enough time to do much but drive the court but Tennessee DID have another timeout left to call & try to get a play called for Lofton.
I love Pearl & his coaching style but in late game situations you need to get the ball in Lofton's hands period. I don't care if he takes a 30-foot fadeaway at the buzzer he has made shots like this all year long. I guess I'm just swimming in my sour milk bowl but over this but I'm just soooooooo disappointed in how things went. OSU is definitely a championship contending team but my VOLS blew this one all to pieces. This chance may never come along again in Knoxville. I mean my Vols were beating a championship team by 20points so this tells how capable this team really was. Bradshaw is the only player leaving so next year COULD be a better chance even though Bradshaw is the heart & soul of this team. I hate to see him leaving. For a PG to play a PF position for 3 years & do the things that he did was truly remarkable. He has the heart of a true champion & to see them lose like this has to devastate him. Thanks!

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