2018-2019 Florida vs. #1 Tennessee

sold out Thompson Boling Arena on the campus of the University of Tennessee their number one ranked volunteers welcome the Florida Gators to ESPN Saturday showcase presented by 5-hour energy from Knoxville Tennessee this is the SEC on ESPN the Tennessee Volunteers of the number one ranked team in the country it's been 77 days since they suffered their last loss welcome courtside Tom Hart alongside John Sutton best seats in the house for perhaps the best game of the day for Tennessee Sonny they've got maybe the best trio in all of college basketball yet time if you separated these three guys they'd be great individually on any team but when you put them together you got Williams Scofield bone they've got strength they've got power speed skill intelligence and most of all maybe this year they've got a lot of swag big numbers bones been outstanding at the lead guard position all month long the Tennessee team that would love to run going against the Florida team that wants to slow the pace in this one the Gators opponents 350 second in the country in possession lane so how do you slow down jordan bone not easy leading the SEC and assists per game and a Gators team that is sitting on the NCAA tournament bubble what a boost they would get if they could come here and hit hands Tennessee their first loss since Thanksgiving weekend two outstanding defensive teams the difference is Tennessee a great rebounding team when they get the ball they push especially this boatbuilding watch boat with his speed see if Tennessee are see Florida pitch slowed him down while on a junior from Nashville runs the point immediately turns the corner good ball movement on the offensive possession for it Clarence usually means a touch in the paint before it gets back out for any shot Williams gets it inside Kyle Alexander picks up his own miss and then they get a foul on young cats a Johnson the freshman part of a trio of first-year players on the floor for Florida the Gators not as big and is not as physical as his Tennessee team they must rebound the ball if they push again their spot up three-point shooters they rely on the three-ball they must make shots especially early try to get this home crowd out what a what an arena wouldn't attendance they're gonna switch and put Johnson I grant Williams it's get they get some a little bit of length at 65 and a double on Admiral Schofield Williams with the kick here's Lamont a Turner and Williams gets down and dirty to find it possession arrow belongs to Florida so it'll be interesting to see how Florida matches up with Tennessee sighs on this side on the other side the Gators want to spread them out and knock down as many threes as they can Gators basically have five guys outside that four guys around the three-point line they'll have Hayes around the free-throw line and all of a sudden what they'll shoot threes they'll penetrate they play Tennessee outstanding about the gun they did not finish that game the last six minutes grant Williams dominate without a field goal over the last six minutes kayvon Allen's been in a shooting slump we're going to need him tonight inside tennessee one of this best shot blocking teams in the auto college basketball then Johnson can't finish at the rim Vols third in the country nearly six blocks of games and no Schofield Schofield went through a mild shooting slump a few games but has done shooting better the Gators will try to find easy buckets early if they can they are a team that struggles some nights shooting the basketball they did last time lost it all burn for the first time in 20 years turn the ball over and didn't shoot very well recipe for disaster here's jamarius Hayes senior Florida at the free-throw line and 63% on the season Florida is last in field goal percentage on the offensive end as a team shooting 42% in the first matchup in their loss by 11 to Tennessee they only shot 35% so those numbers won't beat a number one ranked team especially in this building Florida's got to get off to a good start must make shots especially when you get to the free-throw line Beyonce Johnson has one foul he'll get a visit from Mike White and a seat on the bench early replaced by Dante passing one or two from the line for Hayes [Applause] want you to match up and then they just drop back slow the game down a little bit rarely do they trap out of it only Holy Cross has their opponents play slower in college best closers Tennessee has started this game old for for freshman point guard Andrew and Mr Lim part has had a terrific freshman season that will get tip they say it didn't florida staff and disbelief I don't know if memoir is gonna miss wide and short to the left if it doesn't it's it either lost control or it was tipped early and then he finished the shot yep hard hit a couple of key threes in Florida's near upset a Kentucky a week ago Bassett on Williams keep an eye on it legs is difficult early done from the bank you stir the ball the shot clock five golden short Tennessee old for five to start this game [Applause] that's it all alone first field goal of the game for either side Florida loves this pace and think about grant Williams has not been involved yet I know it's early and Williams will play a different as much as different spots on the court [Applause] and heart skips no alloxan shooted and he strokes one in measure the freshmen may be the key for this ball game is not only NIM hard handling the basketball handling the pressure on the road but lock making shots outstanding shooter has had five games over five games a reason it made more than five threes [Applause] another foul on a big that's not say Bassets first keys always when you're playing to score the ball but Schofield is a guy that goes off confidence if he makes one he can get on a little rolled em hard always good with the ball and as we mentioned Locke is a guy that can shoot it he made seven threes in the game we had Tom but they beat AF that's 27 points amazing second half of Florida they shot 71% from deep in the second colleagues and another free-throw comment a senior a reluctant basketball player his sister Kayla who started Syracuse and his dad kind of dragged him out the floor he's turned into a fantastic player and he'll take a seat replaced by John fuller soon Fulkerson mister activity they'll be his body will be on the floor it's a lot of tips big win for LSU moments ago they knocked off Auburn at home by five the sec looking strong at the top kentucky went on the road in Starkville today LSU they're 9 and 1 their only loss was almost 14-point cut back then 11x Missouri couple weeks ago Florida mixes first three they've made two Neroni we'll keep an eye if bone when he's garden impart can he use his quickness to bother the freshmen just a bit on an offensive end mr swings it back they just and short on his play attempt and that his strength bouncing a great rebounder at ok shooters block goes for two lord has made three in a row now perfect florida pace still [Applause] dumps it to haze in the bounce pass bounces right out of bounds Florida with the one-point lead on the road against number one Tennessee ESPN's exclusive presentation of college basketball is presented by our energy shots get back to 100% and in part by Zales the diamond store well it's one of the greatest rivalries in college basketball Florida has never beaten a number1 team in the regular season they did knock off number one Ohio State with Greg Oden for a national title on a two wins against the top team in the country in their school history in Tennessee riding a school record 17 game win streak it better the record of the team from 1915 to 17 had a 15 game win streak but Barnes on the right tied for the longest win streak of his distinguished career trying to get to the Final Four for the second time as a head coach he took Texas there back in the day led by a TJ Ford that squad to Texas in his sophomore season one of six coaches get multiple schools so number one Frankie so Tennessee just a one four six start from the floor how does the one-to-two zone bother the volunteers well hasn't bothered it just slows you down right if you walk the pace now I'll be curious to see if Tennessee ever attacks the one due to throw over the top and attack the back line up they right now they've just advanced it then they bring it back out dribble out another whistle on Florida that defensively if you if you double-team you can't give Williams space get shoe to shoe and don't let him step between you it's the second of the freshman from Norfolk they can't save Johnson and Johnson have to go right back to the bench replaced by DeAndre Ballard and they will miss Johnson's physicality he's 40 wounded vertical jump he leads his team in defensive rebound he's tough he's strong loves to compete he'll sit most of his hat might bite has his goal said I'm making the NCAA tournament this year but if you look forward they've got a bright bright future bound with the drive against Tennessee and jr. Jordan Bowden how good is them hard as the guard position he gets switched off and he's garden grant Williams he denies Williams the ball that they clear out and he stays in there for the contact I'd have been moving a bit but he got the call of no heels were definitely outside the restricted area what is Tennessee trying to accomplish with their pressure forefoot you know what is again it's token pressure off the clock they're a terrific half-court defensive team they switch well they communicate well obviously they're physical they reboot 60 turnovers killed Florida last time out against Auburn they turned it over 17 times and with their tempo it's even worse than you might think that was 28% of their possessions surprising though about it's a steal and really delivers it or dribbles it over the track getting off that breaker they possibly could the various Hayes commits a foul on a three-point attempt so that'll put Jordan bound at the free-throw line for three found a junior from right here in Knoxville Carter High School out by straw Plains and coming up next it's our Saturday primetime matchup with Zion Williamson and RJ Berry number to Duke and Charlottesville to take on 3rd ranked Virginia in a sonic blockbuster Blue Devils won their first matchup 72 - 72 pin has won Virginia is 4 you can always watch it on the ESPN app from anywhere this Saturday primetime is presented by H&R block okay whoever wins that game do you think they move to number one Tennessee stay with what if they win I can't imagine you'd give one up checking Tennessee in front for the first time that depends if you're the kind of voter who reacts to that week's actor if you look at the overall resume the two versus of three we'll see [Applause] c'mon whatever has got a nice board all the volunteers aggressive on the boat [Applause] Jack Black in the single digits basilar throat with three Florida shoots a ton of freeze Florida's had to deal with the depletion of size on the roster and when she still went down the torn ACLs few weeks ago they had his wife even before helping the outside [Applause] what makes Williams up top big debate difficult angle people Dallin wants it left it was halfway home Turner pushes good hands by Alexander easily even though he lost it kept it employee kept possession for Tennessee to seniors Scofield and Alan's check in to the next dead ball fountain from the corner he has been double figures seven of his eight SEC games is played just under 16 points football game in Sec play Tennessee's made their last four [Music] outstanding HIDA loan from bank to bank and Alexander stepped in Williams put it right on the money their defense now has picked up they've been able to push the basketball and Bowden going for The Sixth Man of the Year coming off that bench is instant energy and he could score it off the bounce he can score deep he could take you to the rim Tennessee leads the nation with 20 assists a game top 10 scoring team six in the country 86 points per game the freshman em hard getting a taste of road life here in Knoxville close-up look at that mark couldn't finish at the rim got a little off-balance gotta make it I know difficult but you got to make and then jaylen Johnson goes into the back that's his first what's changed a bit for them Hart is the defense by Levante Turner who's turned it up a bit but more pressure forced the offense out a little further for the Florida Gators then Hart's gonna have to use some speed to push the tempo against and even though you bring it back out change of pace can dictate how you run offense and Mike white will change it up I haven't you seen your come on Allen right and that's tough both very good on the ball and don't as a scorer just always the point guy lost boxed open hesitated Florida ice cold all of a sudden with a scoring drought of three and a half minutes for the Gators offensive foul and it'll give it back to Florida LaMotte sake Turner out of control second turnover for Tennessee the bounce too far when there's traffic usually if you go an extra bounce you're probably going to find a pump somewhere and you hope you don't get the whistle call against you Florida's missed its last four attempts Schofield on locked see if they can find an opening to lock to get a shot off against Tennessee does a lot of switching so the left wing here is quick shot tough shot difficult now for dismiss five in a row the wrestling inside and Noah lock picks up his first foul Tennessee's got hot Florida's cooled down number one up by half-dozen apex of this rivalry back in 2006 Thompson Boling Arena was packed it was now the news pearl was a militant his thing Dane Bradshaw the beloved Kris locked in at Tennessee knocked up number two Florida got better the next season Pat Summitt was at midcourt she's saying Ronny top she decorated Dickie Vitalis head takes in the house the place was nuts again and Chris Lofton was doing his thing again that on stores in 2110 time Tennessee knocked off the fifth ranked team in the country Florida teams would win a pair of national titles and it doesn't seem to matter if it's in rivalry game is right rankings didn't matter to rivalry game there's a lot of love with the players walk on the floor you feel it you feel it from that that's the whole week in any rivalry game you feel it when you're a student-athlete you feel it the entire week before that game you feel it for professors you perform students on campus practice the coaching staff remind you what that game is all about but Lee Tennessee will get the taste of another one next Saturday in Lexington against Kentucky game day is returning to Rupp Arena it would be the second time there that's only the second time in game days history they returned to the same site within the same year and the Wildcats are kind of making their mark on this they have been very good now standing again today there was on the road at Mississippi State Silesian scores between Tennessee and Kentucky remember the volunteers swept kentucky last season [Applause] well the interesting thing about Tennessee they have such a swag to them they do not worry about the five-star freshman's but Kentucky will light up say they don't consider that a big deal you know it's a non-issue we should surprised and the volunteers have doubled up the Gators early Florida hasn't scored at four and a half minutes Gators needed answered cave on Allen has to be the guy there it is Allen's first bucket and it had him down low in the corner he had two guys setting the pick to free him up lack of communication by Tennessee you don't want Alan to get started here's Bowden again like the call really getting extended minutes for Florida the backwards today there's grant Williams chasing down a rebound swing it to ball in it about one of the lob in the depth instead of curls and them hard finds it Lorna gets a stop can they turn it into points they'll look into the corner of car Road he's only made three threes all season limited minutes he does play every game he's in that spot they've got a lot of guards got a lot of young guards here's their veteran Alan Alan looks tired he's having a hard time shaking bold the quickest in the game now gentlemen that Admiral Scofield whip rips it down [Applause] oftentimes I wish bone would use his speed more often not that they have to score but if he used his speed and got it right on top the defense would be amazed how many openings they come with a flex on the floor so Tom what happens because of the lack of size and the injuries that Florida has had you get mismatches and when guys get back defensively they gotta just find bodies and it's no match for a fourth inside defensively against Schofield Bassett charged with the foul picks up his second and Schofield back to the line please a as Stokes enters a little bit of size coming it yeah his brother Jarnell played here Isaiah redshirt freshman into dealing with knee issues here Scofield some alive [Applause] see if Hudson to get this Gator to the spark off the bench is that a disappointing season Waylon Mexicans are leading score last year 15 and a half points the three in blue can't find his game offensively he's been sporadic obviously block lost his confidence yeah year ago you thought he'd give you 15 20 every night look what surely defense a bit but that was always fine I think a year ago he shoots the ball as soon as it gets to him I think well or he takes it off the bounce of school he's just a natural scorer but if you don't have confidence he doesn't get to the free-throw line as much as he did a year ago now he used to be able to attack so he's got it tonight miss if he can find a few buckets hitting with the free money yeah you just obviously for him you just hope he could find a way to get we're already February then yeah Jordan bone out of control down the lane picks up his first Stokes able to draw the charge let's Tennessee kid out of Memphis 6-8 to 70 listed maybe carrying a few extra pounds and Mike white has said if you can't make the time during practice I'm gonna have a hard time playing you it needs bodies now needs big bodies yes Stokes could help them I mean he's got good hands good feet rebound Florida just two of nine from deep [Applause] Tennessee team is relentless on the defensive it aggressive on the ball again they communicate so words and the shots up they've got three or four white jerseys attack of every shot clock is at three o'clock [Music] well I'd say Turner was in his pockets Rick Barnes knows he's had a team that by knows he's had it has a team that buys into the defensive end he still gets on him he challenges him but he he knows that he's got guys that that by him want to do what's right and when they lock it in they are difficult team to score Gators I asked him earlier this season I said how are you guys so good on the defensive end he said what we work at his old school strategy and they do work at it Florida's fantastic defensively they happen all year Kent pom hasn't as the 10th best defensive team in efficiency and all atomic bastard a nice look Brett Williams finally Corral's [Music] and Hayes takes it down you know what's interesting about that play as grant William rolls it's a tough pass to catch it it bounced off his hit but he gets it right I mean he's got such great hands he might not have caught it initially but he still gathers that ball and it makes it easy for a guard outside when you throw a ball to grant Williams you know he's gonna get is probably not gonna be a turnover he most likely will finish the clutch as he's only shooting 38% from the floor early on that they'll be shooting free throws the rest of the way sitting in the bonus that's the first one came on Allen and the 8th team foul on the Gators you know Williams his numbers are crazy 58% from the field 84% from the free-throw line he will step out he's about thirty percent from the three-pointer now they'd like him to take one or two attempts a game just to stretch the defense so they don't sit back on it he doesn't miss many from the free-throw line of course at 23 of 23 on the road against Vandy couple weeks ago second most in NCAA history it's an incredible stat really it is well it's just the idea that you can get to the line that off then per 40 minutes play yet all 7.75 and the more you get there even though you think it's confidence sometimes your attention span is it is good volunteers on a 15-2 3:1 Lorna's drought here in Tennessee fans not happy that Stokes from Memphis Tennessee is in a florida uniform [Applause] Oh Carly left behind Stokes fine - two guys [Music] extended minutes - this one's been clearly played as much as in Florida it's a nine-point lead for the number one ranked volunteers Yin's exclusive presentation of college basketball is brought to you by KFC you can get any two chicken littles for three dollars his fourth season as Florida's head coach trying to get the Gators back to the NCAA tournament and another trip last year and they're a team that's sitting right there on the bubble and I've got opportunities right now Joey brackets has them among the last four buys Minnesota lost big today some big names right there that's a big name and athletes go for you know the great thing about the SEC conference now time we talked about all year is the strength that the league has it doesn't hurt Florida if they news now then and there are terrific winnable games in this league could pass I was looking at Florida schedule today and one thing that might hurt them as of now Hudson fouled on the three Scofield knew it is that they don't have a single quad one wind right yes right they've got a ton of those games and still to come within these this league after today they still have five more opportunities for quad one wins before they even get to Nashville in the SEC Tournament yeah the opportunities will be there again when you're in a league like this one now can you take advantage of them can you get one on the road very difficult in this sleek and you protect home court advantage you take teams like Kentucky Tennessee LSU now playing at a high level they just got done playing at Auburn as you see set a conference record with eight teams in the NCAA tournament last year 10 out of the 14 made it to the postseason Jalen Hudson's got another free throw coming because you know we talked about his lack of confidence on the floor and Mike white would say I don't know of anybody who cares more than Jalen Hudson soon I go three for three from the line maybe that raises your confidence a little you hope so he's in the mid 50s of the free-throw last year he went to the foul line nearly 5 attempts a game this year too because you don't have the confidence to get there so you hope you make some you go Kay let's get back to the rhythm and probably because he cares so much that's why he stays in a slump so long they didn't care played freewheeling it would bottles let it go yep Jordan bones first bucket Tennessee up a double figures again we've got Virginia Duke still to come right after we finish here there's Hudson inside and speaking of the ACC a thriller today in Chapel Hill North Carolina survived overtime against Jim Larranaga is Miami team Kobe white 33 points had seven threes and ever he is great he goes lights from Miami fortunately he was great they could have had a cold loss by any post up one up [Applause] Hudson [Applause] Carolus hold for two from deep only three makes for three all season [Applause] that's in Tennessee on the offensive end they rarely just pound the ball one guy at a time dribble and high pick-and-roll they moved the ball usually goes inside outside they make a defense move to defend which is much harder than just standing and watching as a defensive team when a team just runs a high screen and roll John Durr at Ballard with his first personal foul free throws coming this week Sydney Saturday primetime games a clash between two the association's best and most exciting players Russell Westbrook leaves OKC against James Harden in the Rockets the 30-plus points streak stands at 28 games our coverage tips with NBA countdown at 8 Eastern 5 Pacific on ABC and you can always watch both on the ESPN app from anywhere NBA Saturday primetime is presented by HyperX gaming James Harden with the new move this year the step step step step why he's putting up numbers yeah is hard to watch I mean it's impressive the numbers we haven't seen before bill Admiral Schofield just got a scolding a little too physical on the free-throw line [Applause] Scofield the Gator after they focus in with the block cuts in the house [Music] and Florida's cold shooting continues is one for the last seven goner he does have jets when he turns him on he told me last week he said I like to toy with the defender if I go hundred percent the whole time maybe they'll Blackwell fifty seventy five eighty is it using money to he has the gears I just saw what I've watched it last couple years I've watched that when he gets it off the rim if he went real early not for himself but for teammates a fighter hoping but when he has the ball and he turns it on like right here the burst now you've got your defender not only leaning he just blew right by him he's got great lower body control and a terrific mid rate mid-range game he makes a lot of shots around the painted area about ten feet out it's that great break stunning get see does he told me the other day I asked him when did you first realize you were fast he said well I was playing football about eight to nine years old both made a terrific pass off his speed and he might have turned an ankle looks like he's okay but watch this speed here he comes this is and he goes by the initial defender someone on the back side has to pick him up turn his left foot there and he made the pass good finish by Williams came on Allen got beat down the floor turned into his second personal foul and out grant Williams with the and-one and bone trying to walk it off in the backcourt just like when did you realize you were fast well when everybody was always behind me they were always behind me there's the turn right there but look at the pressure he went by three blue jerseys he's got to trying to guard him teammates are gonna be wide open head athletic trainer Chattanooga I'll take a look at it bone replaced in the lineup viola mutts a Turner they got Bowden off the bench to Avon Allen strokes one from deep in second three you've seen Allen have huge games in his career in a gator uniforms what was he terrific against Ole Miss and that win at home where you thought they were done down three he makes the shot to get overtime she's only make from deep for a lead in that game he had the great save or the sideline say Turner no Allen with the board came on Allen had 35 in the sweet 16 against Wisconsin a couple years ago note Florida to the lead ain't finished a loss to South Carolina is Frank Martin took his team to final for Hudson and he's able to draw the foul on Alexander number one looks like number 121 and one Tennessee cruising at home against Florida Duke's got two of them RJ berry Diane Williamson four schools have multiple players the late season would be top 20 including Jordan Caroline with Nevada they get a big one tonight and they've kind of fallen off the radar but Caroline had 40 points as well boards against Colorado State midweek 44 career double doubles towel guy and a honoree down 300 have their work cut out for them tonight tight Jerome expected to play but Virginia that first matchup with Duke which is 3 for 17 from three they make a few more and I know you've seen him in person you really like that backcourt of guy in Jerome yeah I do they play well together you can't they've got to shoot the ball well right the way they play they've got to shoot the ball well they've got a rebound they've got to defend early against Duke they've got to make Duke guard them in possessions and make you always want young defenders whether all the freshman you want them to defend in a possession make them think move and the way Virginia doesn't on their host court I think they'll have a terrific day Tennessee has made each of its last five field goal attempts Florida finally able to set up their one to two again Hudson plain inspired today for Florida they've been a hold on nem Hart in the post that's where Florida is right now they've got their point guard trying to play post defense on em Hart is six five that's not a great matchup for him well again when you get switched off and he's been in there a couple times won against grant Williams did a good job then drew the charge this time against Wilkerson as a lead guard you just get beat up down there and so the smart thing that Tennessee does with their veteran players they find the mismatch my ass Rick Barnes when you're not playing well what is the first sign that you're looking they said yeah you just shot selection yeah put it for patient then we get touches in the paint and it moves around he said that I trust my guys you're pretty level-headed at the shadow temper gonna get a fantastic shooting team second in the country in field goal percentage his first field going talk about Tennessee's shot selections 15 times this season the volunteers that shot 50% from the floor or better that's incredible 15 at a 22 games yeah I impressive three twos old that last time down Hudson rolls one home play well Hudson's haven't had a good solid first half good to see you don't have to get Florida fan to appreciate that only the second time tonight that Tennessee has given up Gill balls on back-to-back possessions Williams dangerous from there do a lot of things with it it's interesting Mike White has tried a lot of things so he's got Ballard as a bigger player garden Turner and he has put limb heart on Williams it with the tops the defender couldn't finish tennessee third in the country in blocks and they bother you inside Williams went down and Hays hopping over them and they get a foul on that rebound a couple minutes ago Jordan bone went down with a turned ankle he returns for Tennessee that's a good sign that is he went back behind the curtain stretch it out a little bit I've always wondered what's back there because that's when you go get your ankle fixed Fulkerson committed his second personal foul and that'll put keep arias Hayes at the free-throw line the wizard is always behind pays along with Al Horford joke Camila through ancient system of the black leaders and Florida history [Applause] coming up at the half show the highlights from Chapel Hill the Tar Heels hold on had to get a late bucket to do so you reveal the top 16 teams today full discussion with that stats and highlights from number one Tennessee right here against Florida and get you set for Duke and Virginia part two the Gators are under 10 down nine down with 1:40 to go so you think hang in there keep it get another bucket or two Derek Walker juniors some size for Tennessee in the game right now good another Tennessee foul grant Williams he agrees with the official that time got him on a hook the first sound the reigning SEC Player of the Year has a really good chance to go back-to-back will be the first to do it in this league since Corliss Williamson in the mid-90s for those great Arkansas hands you know you said that name when we were working a couple weeks ago the Tennessee game and it we and those are similar players the on point yeah Williams is a smart play the official measure calling sir aren't you the agreed with whether you agree with it or not it puts you on the good side of the official for the next time back it doesn't always agree with his coach come on Allen bar three put the henshin release grant and Rick Barnes will often go nose-to-nose and have heated discussions I asked Rick as it is grant ever right when you have these discussions he said no never has been never will be kayvon Allen when he's right Florida is really good yeah Allen can really catch it and shoot it in a hurry if you don't get to it we can knock it in and he can be streaky good 92 Florida wine Allen for three again you good with that shot at the Florida yeah it's a heat check because it's him because he has just made one first because it was him yeah yeah they've taken a couple others I probably wouldn't agree with here's Scofield in Florida finds another Tennessee struggling on offense all of us a pretty good wait in the half only down six get a bucket solid for the Gator [Applause] Allen into the paint with one of the clock missed opportunity but still Florida makes it interesting it's a two-possession game at the house 3630 number one Tennessee with the lead let's get you dar game big Grove Greece Seth and Jay from John Paul Jones all right guys big orange with the lead at halftime Kentucky trying to stay right on their heels showcase presented by 5-hour energy from a sold-out thompson-boling arena this is the SEC on ESPN first half looked like a Tennessee run away the volunteers led by as many as 16 but Florida into the half on an 11-2 full run to get back into it and welcome you back courtside Tom Hart alongside John Sun pool great run for the Gators started defensively it did you know they have seven offensive rebounds they made some stops they got offensive rebounds and Jalen Hudson there's nine points nine points that he's not been given in the first half anywhere soft sudden Florida makes a run gets back in this game at halftime it will see if they can keep it going second that let's take a look at this genius moment brought to you by drive time in Tennessee leading and assists playing great team basketball you know what would you try to guard Tennessee it doesn't matter who you think you can stop cuz there's Williams or Scofield there's bone wide open for his buckets tip in from bow cut the weak side and in Alexander a wide variety of guys that could beat you from a wide variety places on the court so they are a tough matchup but there's a reason why they're number one of the country's Allen and Hudson have combined for 18 of Florida's 30 points at the break kayvon Allen only missed one three in the first half three for four for a Florida team that put up 15 in the first 20 minutes and Tennesseans who would imagine having success in the pain water shine zone to start the second half and nobody gets to the rebound except for Jordan ball second chance bucket for Tennessee killer get a missed shot for Florida you got to get the rebound Tom remember about the 1516 minute mark for the first half Tennessee up the temple on the defensive end they got after dem heart they were more aggressive that kind of ended towards the end of the half we'll see if they do that second half Florida has only beaten number one twice all-time in their school history both of those victories came in the postseason the most recent being oh seven against Greg Oden yes a Johnson Wow trying to end Tennessee's school record 17 game win streak quiet first half with two fouls he sat out loose the first set aggressive freshman attacking style great rebounder and he played three minutes because of that foul trouble Joe got a step on grant Williams offensive board second second chance bucket for Tennessee does have Lord has got a very talented freshman class you saw gets a chance in the high-rise or a moment ago Locke is the Sharpshooter of this class and nem heart is the six six point guard they've got all pieces and then guard the floor generative SCORM first half but he do that for sis that's his job run the show Jackson on the glass got it again backed up with it he can't say Johnson has back-to-back buckets Rick Barnes cannot be happy at the number of opportunities this Gator team has been able to get second-chance points Williams posting up on the point guard mr really interesting matchup to the man threes Turner's light looks that blocks away shot clock violation Florida joined it with defense again I'd like to match up at times in them part because of his quickness on Williams and when they got it down low here's the pass he's got to help out and here comes Hayes with the block and the fans respond to the replay up above maybe living a body a little bit maybe touch touches go away and rivalry game I'll be more than a touch Robins Grayson the Brian M heart slices in for his first bucket I like it in the first half Florida trailed at one point by 16 water rock and Alexander up close [Applause] nice cut but em hard here comes bone [Applause] Turner with a crossover good hands out to Jordan bone again and touch set of bounds by Alexander you know dem heart in that lead guard position at 6'5 can do a lot of things you usually surveys the floor but watch this beginner you're six five you can finish around the room they can be aggressive and watch this point guard pass wow that's terrific Jordan bones said that Rick Barnes challenged them early in the season by saying to him directly you don't know who you're playing with and Jordan looked at me so he talked about I know Jordan I know grant I know I know no no he is you don't know who's on the floor with you you don't know how to put them into the positions that you need to as a point guard until you figure that out you won't realize your potential but he has been terrific last three ballgames with he's South Carolina we saw him sick 19 points nine assists paint em game 18 and 10 assists I'm not against Missouri 11 and 7 assists so he's getting a great understanding of who his teammates are where they are where they need the ball on the court and we we talk to him after the South Carolina game he glanced at the stat sheet and his first words were I can't turn it over three times yeah yeah well Rick Barnes will tell you he's probably been as tough on Jordan bone as any players been because he wanted he thought he had the potential to be a terrific guy out front deke Simpkins might have something say about this but yes from here [Music] they turn into a foul as Kavon Allen who committed it costly from Florida that is Alan's third and Alexander holding on to his hip this is a Tennessee team that's already missing a key for a key part eve pons suffered a gruesome injury in practice this week when he caught an elbow to the temple to put a dent in his skull his sentence undergone surgery to fix it he's out at least a couple of weeks [Applause] terrific pass and this is a you know good defensive play Allen didn't mean to hurt but he defended the rim Alexander comes the card on that hip tailbone maybe senior from Milton Ontario that Joseph played basketball Niagara back in the early 80s mentioned his sister who's in the WNBA and playing overseas for the Adelaide Lightning in Australia he's grabbed as soon as he goes back down the floor is Alexander well we'll see how he does on the defensive end and a Florida travel by chance a Johnson Florida's made a game of it Tennessee leads by six [Music] ESPN's exclusive presentation of college basketball is brought to you by Tulse [Music] be on the line to share it with North Carolina and number three Virginia's only last two conference games in the last two years includes a tournament here's what to watch for tonight with the Meuse I always think guy has to make shots because he's so terrific at it but tonight even more important when you're playing against Duke and Jerome is a great traffic cop but he put it together I think they're like synchronized swimmers we've done games and you've watched him they know where each other are their movements are terrific they can play well again they'll continue on and maybe win another basis of champa to use Jerome's been bothered by a sore back didn't play last timeout for Virginia I mentioned earlier they did not have a good shooting night in their game at Cameron Indoor in the first matchup about say Turner's at home he's been quiet he can heat up in a hurry last year's SEC Sixth Man of the Year that's his first bucket of the night laughs Alice Turner the board at a fight fort [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Alexander the foul he put Hayes on his backside third on Kyle Alexander Whittier Garden lamonta Turner you've got to stay away from getting picked off and understand where you going if you go underneath he'll stay outside and deliver it in a hurry Johnson the freshman forgot the scouting report [Applause] Villa Jalen Hudson bring the ball up now [Applause] Hudson into the paint 9 in the first half nothing yet the second if the feeling this is a key possession for Florida to get a start but all the Turner would like to smash up against Hayes now they can switch back to they can get a guard back on it when I thought he'd keep the ball in his hand they didn't switch off it ends up being a foul on Jane and Hudson trying to slow down Admiral Scofield you know we talked about paste Tom about how Florida likes it here one you're on the road this crowd has been quiet because of the pace of this game early Midway the first half yes Tennessee got on a run and made a lot of points its shots but really for Florida this has been terrific quiet crowd Schofield Williams everybody kept quiet shot clock at five LaMontagne that's two in a row then if you're Florida somebody better get chest to chest with him he's got a little bit of a bounce now on the defensive it meanwhile Florida with a three and a half minute scoring drought lamonta Turner getting to the crowd into it on Rocky Top lots of weapons in the volunteers and one of the guys we were waiting for Lamont a Turner hit one and this is difficult not for him Rick Barnes face Siri building scenario when he came into Rocky Top and he rebuilt it originally with freshmen that experience has paid off in a big way a big time 668 games together for six guys they're versatile they can win in any style they're great and the reason is they're good on the defensive end they can push it but they're ready for a challenge last year disappointed in the NC double-a tournament with their loss and 0 final four appearances but this group of guys they focus on it they talk about it and they have made their mark and left their mark in a few places this year and they've been very good this could be the best team in school history Tennessee has never been to a Final Four they have the longest win streak and over a century of Tennessee basketball and they've got the kind of players because they're great because they're great guys but the fanbase has rallied around theirs can't they Johnson no for example they introduced Josh Dobbs at halftime yeah it was a great quarterback that was beloved here and I have a feeling that especially if this team finishes as they could the grant Williams is going to be revered in the same way the Josh Dobbs is yeah no doubt well as well thought of obviously in the community and not only the community of Knoxville but the campus community when you talk about Schofield and Williams when you come to Knoxville and you visit this campus yeah I mean they're part of the campus they're true student athletes same thing Dobbs was when he yes sir well one of the best student athletes Hudson commits his second Josh Dobbs now in the NFL with the Steelers but I thought you could it put it well this afternoon we're talking about it Tennessee is kind of a throwback team right a team from maybe back to the mid 80s because these guys have stuck around because never veteran squad yeah if you go back to the great teams in the eighties they're the guys the juniors or seniors right nobody once in a while a guy would go early to the dress but it was the rare guy so you had teams whether it was UNLV teams any of those teams have gathered juniors and seniors same thing with this Tennessee squad it's been well-documented they weren't 5-star recruits etc etc but what they've done is they've got sets it together they know how each other thinks they know I feel the plays they've had a lot of close games they've not been great every time out but when you watch them as close as we get to watch them Tom the confidence they exude when you go to shoot around when you go to practice when you watch them play it's fun it's a treat to watch you mentioned in recruits Florida's got some great recruits coming in next season this conference is load of the tributes but how about this this is be looking at Tennessee coming back or going into this season Jordan bone Jordan Valley Kyle Alexander Alexander weren't even ranked by ESPN at the quad and Admiral Schofield was the number 56 player in the country when he signed that says something the way we've seen it all along you've got to do it on the court right is it about the numbers when you get to a college setting no but if it's football whatever sports were put there Williams gave serious consideration for variety of reasons the playing in the Ivy League think of how many guys and we've seen thousands of them over the years of broadcasting once they get to college not only you find the guy they changed their body types yes right you find the ones that want to work and be great you find some have already peaked maybe in high school level don't want the workload if you go to play for Coach like Rick Barnes here at Tennessee or Mike white they're gonna push you to a different level for your talent came on Allen has to take a seat he just committed his fourth personal foul Florida will be in zone defensively who can they turn to an office to get buckets down a dozen Hudson's got to be even even though he's strung a little bit Oh [Applause] weak side back screen good love easy finish that'll stay with Florida Tennessee's got some zone busters in their offensive scheme this may be the most effective bound runs baseline leaves from the block and the flush for number one Tennessee [Music] by Kevin thanks meanwhile SportsCenter tonight after Washington Arizona State John Anderson and Kenny main will be by the week at butter Rockets with James Harden's thirty point streak on the line bus say Billis is takeaways from number two Dukan third ranked Virginia as well as post fight reactions in the UFC 234 in Australia SportsCenter midnight eastern nine Pacific on ESPN and the ESPN app so that is add to the pac-12 game tonight it's a pac-12 flavor in the building throughout this week and including tonight former UCLA head coach Steve Alford has been watching Rick Barnes and his team practiced the last few days what's he trying to learn you know what he's just taking a look at different programs how they run how they do things and he's a good friend Rick Barnes got to talk to Steve today you take a history all-american high school player committee Indiana early all-american Indiana the national champ Olympian NBA player has had a terrific coaching career and I think it will continue schools will open up with others good wait for the right opportunity to get back into coach set the n-c-double-a free-throw record a record that was held by his dad who plays a small college basketball there's one of his motivated me to our free throw contest it might last a few days yeah it takes a while because to finish they've introduced a challenge here's my super PAC 12 is a really interesting story this season will they get one and if it's not Washington with a peck filter but Washington it's an interesting league obviously is that powerful Washington is good when they're good I've seen USC can be good sometimes Arizona State can be but on the other hand they've all been bad yeah many nights I was looking at Washington's particulars today they have two quality q1 wins they belong it's Arizona who today comes in at number 70 in Oregon who checks in at 71 both of those nice denial by nem heart here's Hudson now bad pass by it's cold and Rick Barnes is serious to turnovers in the last two possessions easy puckett by the Gator get it back to 10 New Haven back to back turnovers at the point on Washington is at any moment Arizona and Oregon could these games have shot them further in the net which means that Washington would have 0 Q 1 wins it started the year or get another bucket that was 7 Rick Barnes is not happy no a lock from deep Oregon was a top 15 team but they had injuries and in bowl bowls out for the season day too often do they were probably over wrapped it tough go for the pac-12 so maybe there's some open spots out there for other at larges and teams maybe team like Wofford by the way has a net in the top 30 so Conn hasn't seen an at-large team since North Carolina State in 1950 Joe Lunardi right now has Florida in one of eight SEC teams it would be in the tournament tie the record set last year eight also from the ACC Big Ten at big 12 interesting part is SDC as you think okay Tennessee's a number one seed Kentucky's worked their way from a 5 4 3 - yes can they get up to one - I mean they're there right there and so when it comes to bracketology not only are their teams fighting for spots but elite teams fighting for it and geography for example the number one seed out of the ACC will likely be in the Washington DC regional yeah huge advantage to either Duke or Virginia number one seed coming out of the SEC in the Kentucky or Tennessee if it ended now they would be in the Louisville regional which would be a huge advantage for both fanbase massive and if Kansas can make a run back can they be the city this regional so it's a it's a challenge and that's what all the top teams are looking for changes head-on into triple home estate jail ox down to 80 scholarship players today the Gerald Victor talented Stevens aren't the enigmatic gazelle there's some time for personal reasons for Tennessee tough matchup though a lot tried to block him out but scope they're too big too strong in the ball bounced over the head so no bench and then a Florida foul much to the dismay of Dante Bassett his fourth when you're a guard trying to block out of bag you're fine as long as the ball comes off cleanly when it bounces twice now you're trying to hold on for dear life I think Scofield can play to the crowd as well as anybody in the country home or away with the Gator Chomp of Florida pop the Jersey and Memphis wet into the stands after the big win against Gonzaga which was the fifth number-one victory for a Tennessee in their program history [Applause] for for Bassitt kayvon allen also has four and allen has been on the bench for a good chunk of the second half Schofield again quick moves with a baseline somehow saved it I might say Turner double question grant Williams entered a great defense by Hudson fortunate works with a break for the ball Hudson no whistle on the bump it'll be out of bounds and Tennessee basketball Hudson run to the floor and an opportunity but look at the volunteers get back here's the block and the Hudson was out of bounds when he touched the ball you take a look at these Gators when you got block spit Martha Johnson out there that so next couple years they were really good it was a six-point game I picked up a ghost tonight inside Williams finds it [Applause] break out the Poncho's it's a big time go Edith Lord Tennessee went on an eight nothing run Florida cut it to seven Tennessee went on his 6-nothing run they have an answer for everything partner Schofield wouldn't thrown that one down we might just lay their headsets off great just beat the traffic he is an entertainer he's a terrific basketball player leader on this team [Applause] I will say that I still think Rick Barnes and his staff are not happy with how sloppy offensively the ball is being handled by the volunteers too many touches defensively by the Gators though they've not made a lot of students but they're tipping a lot of passes good luck for me hi babies Allen playing with four fouls and Hayes picks up the foul put Williams on the floor and Hayes might be hurt second foul on Hayes the lead is 13 for UT [Music] ESPN's exclusive presentation of college basketball is presented by our energy shots get back to 100% this is Mike Kevin thanks that's big Jerome didn't play in the game against Miami due to a back injury at 14 in the first matchup I remember when we saw Virginia back in December one of the things that impress you is drama guy don't get bothered late in the shot clock they don't get bothered they give they have a feel for each other where they're gonna be so when they put it on the floor and attack they kind of have that second sixth sense that you go CAD know where my teammates gonna be and they find it RJ Barrett sign limps in the talented duo both freshmen andron em hard Florida's point guard played high school ball with Barrett rack up a lot of assists in you play large as Barrett 13 assists in the national championship need the 1 3 1 half court pass to the man this year in savings oh got a 5 hit though knocks down another if you go zone or even if it's a soft man there's certain guys you better find quickly to Tennessee Turner's the first last eight games forty-seven percent from behind the arc Corner three lock and it gets another he loves the corner and those are so tough shots [Applause] Scofield right his face Williams gets deep in a hurry 16 points for grant Williams [Applause] Tom Fulkerson is so good stepping out on that screen role and then get back from there pays off once again grant Williams might have a really good chance of being Player of the Year in this league again take a look at the pass out of the post Johnson for the Gators gets caught watching it picks the wrong guy even though you want to rotate you still got to understand that most the the most open guy normally against his own is the weak side so only they always teach you it on one side out on the other Brent Williams a terrific passer here's to various aids at the free-throw line [Applause] Vaughn and Alexander both returned for Tennessee [Applause] I was going to say they almost took out Scofield and William rarely just feet above the gentle go out and one or the other I was thinking about the trio bone Scofield and Williams kind of like baking a cake right okay sugar I'll go with you butter the flour who would work there's the flour cake Rises with Grant Williams musical about this is a Tennessee team that is relentless [Applause] yet others to worry about tip good tax show the shot fortunate break for Scofield six minutes you trying to figure out how honestly can the Gators change the course of the game make some shots obviously and then and then do something to the defensive end it could take Tennessee because what they do so well is control the pace control what they was running over that's boat out front shot clock winding down an air ball and a shot clock violation [Applause] the Florida deficit is 1512 turn over the game from Mike White squad played in this league assistant coach for a long time under Andy Kennedy don't miss had great success at Louisiana Tech before getting the Florida job following Billy Donovan he understands Ali as you mentioned that'll he's a player but as a coach Elite Eight he's touches teams who through Florida understands his squad this season what they had what they don't have and now the injuries they felt did it suck [Music] [Applause] for the fourth field goal in a row for Tennessee this one the Bob and content while what mountain comes in he is so quick to find avenues and places where he can score in a hurry simple catch and release contact with a four point clock [Applause] largest lead of the game for Tennessee up 19 remember Duke and Virginia to follow Mike white might be watching that one on the way home comes from the college fan Li in terms of administration his brother the ad at UCF his dad is the athletic director at Duke here's Alan so growing up Mike white lived in a bunch of different college towns from Orono Maine to New Orleans Louisiana out to Tempe as his dad background job to job here's luck got it from the corner again to and he likes that spot yeah he likes it just almost as much as Mike's mom liked one of their houses so much so when they started moving all across the country she kept the same blueprint they built the same house seven times I guess if you so you'd likely would want to jump if you find something you like stick with it you knew where you were the house you just weren't sure what town you were living didn't know who the neighbors were but you knew where the country was better get up two lakh worth that left Florida Johnson will take a trip to the line after Grant Williams challenged him it's a third on Williams you mentioned the leaping ability of Cathy Johnson a forty one and a half inch vertical if you go back to the combine last year of the 55 prospects in the 2017 NBA combine only three of them had higher vertical sometimes you take a look at his his body at the easiest powerful their strength he'll continue to get better outside shooting is okay but he plays hard he rebounds he defends most teams that rely on three freshmen are going to take their local shirt outside of a Duke or Kentucky that's a different model look at look at these freshmen on the floor for Florida and I can see in the next couple of years what we're gonna what we're gonna be talking about or watching with their just will be impressive and they've got a couple of McDonald's all-americans coming in next year leaves a question for Florida's down the stretch of bone it's a turnaround jumper won't vote loves to curl when he comes off the low screams rarely flattens out he loves to curl for the mid-range Joker so can Florida finish 500 in the league and would that put him in the NCAA tournament right now they are in with a sub 500 record in the conference no whistle on that three the other thing you have to remember tom is is when you talk of last four in and first four out all those I don't mean in a bad way but they're all average team definition yeah they're even they're all gonna take lumps and have losses Joe Lindsay's gonna stop play for a moment Kathy Johnson took a shot to the mouth and they have a loose tooth or two bleeding from the mouth so they'll take him off the floor we've got a timeout on the floor 316 to go here in Knoxville get you set for Virginia Duke next what uh bill is gonna be rockin number two versus number three you heard Kevin Connors mentioned it tied Jerome expected to play five assists a game to go along with 13 points and four and a half boards one three one for Florida doesn't get any easier for Virginia after the Duke game they go to North Carolina but a few days so Carolina survived at home and overtime against Miami today here's Turner hog-tied on his way in Jalen Hudson scoops it in you mentioned Kentucky big win for the catch today PJ Washington their leading scorer in a win in Starkville against Mississippi State you know they had a big lead in that game and allowed Mississippi State not allowed Mississippi State made a run got close Kentucky playing well defensively their outstanding offensive ly quality shots it'll force many badges hurt Harper ears had a big game for all them that they couldn't hold on on the road against the ranked LSU team LSU has some dudes down Tom they're big they're fast they're aggressive the term on twatter says terrific hard to defend can do about anything with a ball because he he bounces it's so low he plays so low the ground so he's an explosion guy and then he's an elite shooter so if you honor his speed he goes he shoots it on top of you if you get close to him he goes by Williams commits the foul that is his fourth by the way Tennessee and LSU will meet up in a couple of weeks in a noon start in Baton Rouge and next week Tennessee goes to Kentucky who would you bat would give Tennessee its first conference loss this year if they say nobody take this no I think it'll be a challenge the length of Kentucky could bother them at Kentucky but what's interesting thing about the volunteers many times Kentucky can walk into a gym and Kentucky the name scare some people it does not bother this Tennessee group McDonald's freshmen coming yes it doesn't bother us they handled it last year they know this Tennessee squad practices in plays like they're the top dog when they walk into place three great defensive teams here's what's coming up Tennessee's got South Carolina in a midweek game then College GameDay will be in Lexington for the matchup on the road will be a top five matchup against Kentucky a rematch with Vandy the Tuesday after remember Vandy took him to overtime a whole lot of breaks in the SEC schedule this year no then you're are susceptible for a team that just gets a hot night make sure to threes and shoot some lights out one thing different is the volunteer team they guard you they don't give you many easy look I thought that was interesting it's not just who you play but when you play them especially in the rankings the net and quality one through q4 for example Tennessee took on Jesus earlier this season in Brooklyn that's their only loss to be used launch that one in overtime and at that point Kansas was number two in the country and they were voted who's okhla as applicants he's still playing for Kansas at that time now they're without as a group a there without Leggero dick yet you get the same credit if you beat Kansas now as if you beat them two months ago yeah it doesn't make a lot of sense that game grant Williams fouled out in the old and - went to overtime where they lost and Bill Self said we will not play a better player than grant Williams the entire team together Tennessee will take advantage of the timeout get some of the starters on the bench Rick Barnes interesting will play mostly he's got a pretty tight rotation he'll play only rotational players even in blowouts and this is borderline blowout and I asked him about it the other day he almost thinks it's insulting to empty your bench against coaching counterparts interested I said well you could get a chance to get some of your guys some minutes he said yeah I won't do that to another coach you know we saw when they were at South Carolina we wondered initially why he was leaving the guys yeah interesting if fans might look at it different I know coaches would appreciate that but fans might look at at the end of a 20-point blowout 15-point blonko really you still got Jordan Bowden on the floor you still got these regulars who starter like Kyle Alexander but that's that's the mind of a guy who's in his 31st season as a head coach well obviously Barnes well-respected throughout the coaching Franks and fanbases and what he has done a Tennessee Tom we arrived just in Knoxville and this town is buzzing about this little one volunteer squad Mac house this afternoon traffic coming in with phenomenal the orange is bright and out and loud impressive performance by the Des Moines strong Tennessee is going to take its win streak to a school record 18 consecutive games will be 10 and oh and SEC play and their week away from going on the road which should be their toughest tests and that includes the win against number one Gonzaga when they take on John Calipari it is number five Wildcats will Gator Chomp even more with a comfortable victory at home against Florida let's get you back to the game day guys we'll get you caught up with all the latest in college basketball action and set the stage for Virginia to part two for John stump of our fantastic corrupt Tom Hart so walk from Raqqa top Tom and John thank you another impressive before

Channel: Vintage Orange

Views: 8,344

Rating: 4.9411764 out of 5

Keywords: Tennessee, Vols, Volunteers, Tennessee Volunteers, Florida, Gators, Florida Gators, SEC, NCAA, Hoops

Id: zii4jzE5Jkk

Length: 81min 39sec (4899 seconds)

Published: Sat Feb 09 2019