Tennessee basketball’s top 10 shots in history

7. Dane Bradshaw steal and layup

2006 at Florida

Yes, we have another performance by Dane Bradshaw on here. This was from the previous season, Bruce Pearl’s first as Tennessee basketball’s head coach. Earlier in the year, the Vols had shocked the Florida Gators when they were No. 2 thanks to Chris Lofton stealing a pass and finding Dane Bradshaw for a layup.

The Vols were 19-4, ranked No. 10 and had won eight of nine. Florida was 22-4 and ranked No. 12. Bradshaw was playing with an injured wrist that should have required surgery. Late in the game, with the score tied at 72, UT lost a key possession. Florida could in-bound it and hold for the last shot with 19 seconds left.

On the road, Pearl decided to go for the steal and called a press. Bradshaw intercepted Corey Brewer’s in-bounds pass, spun to the basket and laid it up. All of a sudden, Florida’s chance for a game-winner became a go-ahead score for the Vols.

By the way, Bradshaw hit the shot with his injured wrist, just like he would do later that year with his hurt shoulder. Simply put, the guy was tough. Anyway, after that, Florida couldn’t score, and the Vols secured the win, and a season-sweep of the eventual national champions, with two free throws. The victory also clinched them the SEC East. And it was all due to Bradshaw’s play.

It’s not a game-winner, and the shot isn’t even that difficult. But it was part of an amazing sequence that once again put Bradshaw’s toughness on display, and the shot as part of that sequence allows it to make the list. This is the only exception to our rule because of that.