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Tennessee basketball: LSU’s loss to Florida helps Vols in Championship Game

By Billy Williford

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 15: Jalen Husdon #3 of the Florida Gators celebrates in the game against the LSU Tigers during the Quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 15: Jalen Husdon #3 of the Florida Gators celebrates in the game against the LSU Tigers during the Quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee basketball starts their run at an SEC Tournament Championship on Friday night. LSU’s loss to Florida helps Vols in potential Championship Game.

Maybe this is a bit premature, but the Championship Game just got a little easier for the Tennessee basketball team, if they are able to make a run. The No.8 Florida Gators took down the No.1 LSU Tigers in a late-game thriller.

LSU was without their head coach Will Wade after being suspended because of cheating allegations brought to life by the FBI. With all the distractions it was hard to predict how the Tigers were going to play.

However, even with Wade, I’m not sure LSU would have been able to stop Gators’ freshman guard Andrew Nembhard.

With only a second left in the game, the freshman hit the biggest shots of his young career. After rallying from a 13 point deficit in the second half the Gators had one final possession, and it was Nembhard calling game on a three-point jumper to win 76-73.

What made the shot more impressive was LSU’s Naz Reid nailed back-to-back jumpers from long range.

Nembhard led the Gators with 20 points on 7-for-14 from the floor, including 3-or-7 from the three-point line. He also dished out six assists with four rebounds.

So, what does this mean for Tennessee?

Obviously, there is a lot of basketball left to play, but the Gators cleared a path for an easier Championship Game for Tennessee.

Could Tennessee have beaten LSU?

Absolutely.

In fact, without Anthony Jordan calling the game and it not being in Baton Rouge, I would have guessed Tennessee would have been the favorite.

But, there is no denying that the Tigers are a very talented bunch and can cause havoc for any team. So, having them out of the way bodes well for the Vols’ chances.

The other three teams that could make the Championship Game from that pod are Florida, South Carolina, and Auburn.

Tennessee controlled the four games against the Gators and Gamecocks during the season. Now, it’s tournament play so anything can happen, but you have to like the Vols chances matched up against either team.

The Championship Game could be a rematch between Tennessee and Auburn, which just happened a few days ago. The Tigers did win in the regular season, but that was a road game for the Vols and didn’t play their game. They took a total of 28 three-point shots to just 33 from inside the arc.

Next. 5 reasons Vols should win the SEC Tournament. dark

Speculation is apart of sports, but you have to think Tennessee’s chances to win an SEC Tournament for the first time since 1979 just got a little bit better.

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