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NCAA Tournament: Ranking all 5 games Tennessee Vols played as a 2-seed

By Caleb Calhoun

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 27: Chris Lofton #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers walks off the court after losing to the Louisville Cardinals during the 2008 NCAA Men's East Regional Semifinal at Bobcats Arena on March 27, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Cardinals defeated the Volunteers 77-60. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 27: Chris Lofton #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers walks off the court after losing to the Louisville Cardinals during the 2008 NCAA Men's East Regional Semifinal at Bobcats Arena on March 27, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Cardinals defeated the Volunteers 77-60. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images /

3. 2008 Round of 64

(2) Tennessee beats (15) American

Final Score: 72-57

We’re finally to the wins the Vols have enjoyed as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But the first one we’re going to cover is a bit of a dull one. Remember, the 2008 Big Dance was a concern for Rocky Top from the start because of their bracket.

Still, they got to open the tournament against American, a team that was nowhere near their level. As a result, they were able to sleepwalk their way to an opening round victory, and that’s exactly what they did here.

It hurt them early as the Eagles actually had a lead after about the first 10 minutes. They largely stayed in the game as well, and at one point within the six-minute mark it was a one-point game. So this was definitely a tough outing

However, the Vols then took enough control and outscored the 19-6 in the final five minutes of the game to hold on for a 72-57 victory. The scoring was spread out as well, as Ramar Smith, Wayne Chism, JaJuan Smith, Tyler Smith, J.P. Prince and Chris Lofton all stepped up. But there was no denying that the sting of losing the SEC Tournament looked fresh, and it was an ugly win.

Still, a win was a win, and they were able to advance to the second round, no matter how ugly it looked. It also exposed an issue, though, that led to the loss against the Louisville Cardinals two games later, and that was the lack of point guard play.

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