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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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Tennessee basketball
Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images /

1. Jan. 26, 2019

West Virginia Mountaineers at No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee wins 83-66

Once again, Tennessee basketball drew an imposing contender in the SEC/Big 12 challenge based on the previous year but had the luck of the draw of that contender being in rebuilding mode this year. Such was the case for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

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Coming off a 26-11 season and Sweet 16 season, Bob Huggins’ program was supposed to be in good shape. But they entered this game with a 9-10 record and 1-6 Big 12 record. It was clearly rebuilding mode for them.

On the other hand, UT was the story. At 17-1, they were No. 1 for only the second time in history, and after needing overtime to beat the Vanderbilt Commodores on the road earlier this week, they had history to play for in this game. If the Vols won, they would be No. 1 in the nation in back to back weeks for the first time in school history.

Simply put, there was a lot to play for. After nearly blowing it at Vanderbilt, they did not take West Virginia for granted. Lamonte Turner again led the way, scoring 23 points, and Jordan Bowden dropped 15 off the bench. However, Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield did their things with 19 and 14 points respectively, and Schofield added 10 rebounds for a double-double.

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In the process, Tennessee basketball would dominate 83-66 to make that history. They used it to as part of a 19-game winning streak to remain No. 1 through mid-February. While WVU would stumble to a 15-21 season, the Vols would surpass 30 wins for only the second time in school history, and they made the Sweet 16.

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