The Tennessee basketball team is ranked No.1 for the second time in program history. Can they dismantle history repeating itself when they take on Vanderbilt Wednesday night?
The night was February 23, 2008; the tip was set at 9:00 pm and a packed FedEx Forum was ready for one of the biggest games in Tennessee basketball program history. The undefeated No.1 Memphis Tigers were hosting the No.2 Tennessee Volunteers. It was more than a game, it was everything for the two programs and fanbases.
The game had recruiting implications since Memphis is a gold mine when it comes to college talent. And, the winner was going to have bragging rights about not only being the best in the state but the best team in the nation.
Before the game, Bruce Pearl said, “We’re 40 minutes away from being No. 1,” and Pearl was right. With their backs up against the wall and best player, Chris Lofton not having his best game, just 2-of-11 from the field, the Vols prevailed with a four-point win.
For the first time in program history, the Tennessee Volunteers were ranked No.1 in the nation. It was a great night for Volnation and the college game in general. The two teams didn’t disappoint in what was easily the best game of the year. However, a letdown was looming, and it came in the very next game against the Vanderbilt Commodores.
The Vols took the court ranked No.1 for the first time against the Commodores in a sold-out Memorial Gymnasium. Still, to this day, I wonder how Tennessee didn’t get up for the game. It wasn’t like Vanderbilt was a cupcake, they were ranked in the top-15 and had a first-team All-SEC player in Shan Foster.
But, Tennessee got off to a slow start and found themselves in a 23-9 hole halfway through the first half. They rallied back and cut the deficit to just three points at halftime.
However, the second half was more of Shan Foster and his spectacular play.
With around five minutes left in the game, Tennessee was down five points when Foster hit a corner three with Tyler Smith draped all over him. It was a shot Chris Lofton was supposed to hit to put the game out of reach, not Foster. That put Vandy up by eight points, and the rest was history.
Let’s pause for a moment and recap. Tennessee (24-2) went into Memphis and took down the top-ranked Tigers. The Vols then received the No.1 ranking for the first time in program history. They traveled to Nashville the very next game and lost in a three-point heartbreaker thanks to 32 points from Shan Foster. Oh, and Tennessee was riding a nine-game winning streak.
Sounds a tad bit similar, right?
Fast forward to this season; the Vols just received the No.1 ranking on Monday for the second time in program history. They are 16-1 on the season with the only loss coming against Kansas in the Championship Game of the NIT Season Tip-Off. Tennessee is currently holding a 12-game winning streak and appears to be the best team in the country despite a national outcry of them being overrated.
It’s incredible how similar the two situations are. Tennessee heads into Nashville to play their first game ranked No.1 in over a decade against, yes, of course, Vanderbilt. Can they be on the other side of history or will they fall to a Vanderbilt team that is winless in conference play?
The only thing we can point to is both programs are built differently. The Vols have experience and players that have proved they can handle pressure. These same players are still fighting to prove doubters wrong despite being ranked No.1.
And, Vanderbilt doesn’t have a Shan Foster that can go off for 32 points on 6-of-9 from the three-point line. In fact, their “Shan Foster,” Darius Garland is out for the season due to a meniscus injury in his left knee.
Tennessee has taken its fair share of shots from opposing teams. Even though Vanderbilt isn’t having the year most predicted they would, I suspect the Vols will be in a battle all game long on Wednesday night. I think Tennessee wins the game but wouldn’t it be so “Tennessee” to lose?