This one hurts badly. Vanderbilt already had bragging rights in football, and now they have won the season series in basketball 2-1. The most frustrating part for Tennessee is the fact that this team could've won this game. It's like most of their losses this year, the Vols are right in it until their mistakes just pile up. It wasn't Rick Barnes' best game coaching either; it starts at the top. Tennessee never adjusted to Duke Miles, absolutely torching them.
Tennessee once again dominated the rebounding margin, but I know Nate Ament and J.P. Estrella will be kicking themselves at some of the missed second chances that resulted from rebounds. The Vols only scored 24 second-chance points despite 23 offensive boards. This has something that's bitten the Vols all year long, as they do a phenomenal job grabbing offensive rebounds but can't put them back in for points.
Tennessee just couldn't stop the Vanderbilt duo of guards as well. Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles completely outplayed Nate Ament and Ja'Kobi Gillespie, as the Vandy pair combined for 49 points to only 33 from the Vols stars.
Questionable coaching decisions from Rick Barnes
I don’t understand why Ethan Burg was given 18 minutes off the bench tonight. That’s 15 more than he played yesterday against Auburn, and I just don’t get it. He had four fouls and was not generating anything for the Vols. This wasn't the time for Barnes to try out a new lineup.
Not to mention, Barnes took out Ament for a defensive substitution while down three in a critical moment, and the Vols immediately gave up an alley-oop. It makes you wonder if Nate Ament’s length might have been useful there.
I've been a big defender of Rick Barnes because of the resume he's built, but this one falls on him and his staff. Yes, the players play, and if the Vols make a few more layups, they likely win, but the adjustments and weird lineup decisions did no favors for Tennessee, and now Vols fans have to listen to all the talk from Vandy fans all offseason.
Tennessee will now look ahead to Selection Sunday where they will likely be a No. 6 seed.