2013 SEC Tournament: Tennessee Falls To Alabama 58-48
By Zach Ragan
Mar 15, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Jordan McRae (52) drives the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide guard Retin Obasohan (32) during the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Volunteers, a team firmly on the bubble, fell to the Alabama Crimson Tide 58-48 on Friday in the 2013 SEC Tournament.
The Crimson Tide suffocated the Vols with backcourt pressure, forcing Tennessee into bad offensive possesions. Tennessee shot only 32.1% from the field and hit only 5 of their 23 three-point attempts.
Guard Jordan McRae, who had been on fire lately, had a particularly rough day. McRae was 3-of-13 from the field, scoring nine points.
Trae Golden also had a disappointing performance, scoring only two points on 1-of-7 shooting.
Levi Randolph led Alabama in scoring with 15 points.
Tennessee will now have to play the waiting game. The loss dropped the Vols to 20-12, while Alabama improved to 21-11. The Vols are now considered by ESPN as one of the first four teams out. They were replaced by Middle Tennessee State as one of the last four in the tournament.
It’ll be a long 48 hours until Tennessee knows their fate. The Vols, once considered a long shot to even make the tournament, have put together a resume that’s good enough to get them into the dance.
Unfortunately for the Vols a lot of other teams have as well.
Virginia likely fell out of the tournament with their loss to NC State today.
Maryland has a 21-11 record and takes on the Duke Blue Devils Tonight. The Terps would likely need to win against Duke and then again on Saturday to have a legitimate chance to make the tournament.
Minnesota loss in the opening round of the Big 10 tournament, but he Gophers have a strong RPI and a 20-12 record. They can’t be counted out just yet.
Tennessee will now be relinquished to the role of spectator as they await their fate on Sunday evening.