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Tennessee basketball: Remembering Vols five previous SEC/Big 12 Challenge games

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 26: Wesley Harris #21 of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers, Derek Culver #1 of the West Virginia Mountaineers, and Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers work for position before a play during the second half of their game at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 26, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 83-66.(Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 26: Wesley Harris #21 of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers, Derek Culver #1 of the West Virginia Mountaineers, and Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers work for position before a play during the second half of their game at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 26, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 83-66.(Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Tommy Gilligan/Getty Images
Photo by Tommy Gilligan/Getty Images /

5. Dec. 6, 2014

Kansas State Wildcats at Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee wins 65-64

This was one of the most thrilling wins in the challenge. It dates back to Donnie Tyndall’s one year as head coach of the program, and at this time, there was still excitement about the future. He was clearly building something, recruits were committing and the depth of his NCAA issues had not been fully revealed yet.

In a rebuilding season, Tennessee basketball was 2-3. They had returned home from the Orlando Classic losing to the Marquette Golden Eagles and Kansas Jayhawks, and they also opened things up by losing to the VCU Rams. Like UT, the Kansas State Wildcats were also struggling in Bruce Weber’s third season, and they were 4-3.

When the two faced off, the Vols provided a preview of what they could have been under Tyndall. They largely controlled the game and were up 60-50 with a minute left. However, Kansas State would mount a furious comeback and make it a three-point game thanks to a couple of turnovers. UT held on with free throws from Josh Richardson and Kevin Punter.

Up 65-64 after allowing a late three, they ran out the clock with two seconds left to hold on for a win. Richardson led the way with 17 points, and this was seemingly a solid signature win for Tyndall early in his tenure on Rocky Top. Obviously, things did not last, as the Vols went 16-16 the rest of the way and Tyndall ended up being fired.

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