Vols escape Aztecs, will need more to advance

The Vols have found their niche in college basketball this season as the clumsiest thieves around.

Despite being the only team in the country this season to knock off two teams that were at one point ranked No. 1, the sixth-seeded Vols were one of the popular upset picks of the first round. Many thought they would fall in their matchup against 11th-seeded San Diego State.

Tennessee escaped with a 62-59 win Thursday against the Aztecs, but only after breaking a decorative vase, having the watch dog gnaw on their legs and setting off the alarms.

But hey, they got away, and you can't really complain about that. For the sake of argument, though, let's do just that.

UT received a sixth-seed for the NCAA Tournament, which many felt was too low for a team that won 25 games. As if that wasn't a big enough slap in the face, CBS analyst Seth Davis immediately picked the Aztecs to upset the Vols, which seemed to influence many brackets around the nation.

Along with the bitter taste of last year's first-round exit from the NCAA tournament and last week's 29-point thrashing at the hands of Kentucky, one would think Tennessee would put everything they had into looting this year's event for everything it was worth.

Thursday night, however, saw a team that, once again, had an inexplicable lack of drive and motivation.

Within minutes it was clear that SDSU was not a team to be scared of. The Vols had definitely knocked off bigger foes. But UT just couldn't, or maybe wouldn't, runaway with a game that could have been theirs with much less nailbiting.

Credit where credit is due, Tennessee did some things well. The Vols shot 47 percent from beyond the arc and only committed 10 turnovers. Those are numbers belonging to great teams.

As tends to be a trademark with the Vols though, the box score did not describe everything. There were a lot of air balls, they didn't have a scathing defens, and no Vol had an overall commanding presence that the tournament tends to demand from winning teams.

Yes, a win's a win, and the name of the game in postseason play is 'survive and advance.' Especially for these Vols, who perennially struggle in postseason play. But you can't convince me they played like a team that truly deserves a Sweet 16 spot.

With 14th-seeded Ohio's upset of third-seeded Georgetown, it appears that Tennessee's road to their third Sweet 16 in four years has become much easier, although, Ohio should not be underestimated in the slightest. The Bobcats shot over 50 percent from 3-point range and had two players combine for 55 points Thursday.

There are three scenarios that can occur Saturday afternoon:

1. The Vols lose: They come out slow and are blindsided by Ohio's ability. The Vols can't escape the hole they dig for themselves, giving a disappointing end to the careers of three seniors who have been heavy contributors.

2. The Vols win: They play with an unconvincing matter, not their very best effort, but just well enough to get by.

3. The Vols dominate: They play competitive and tough basketball from the get-go, handling a team that they are better than, giving them plenty of momentum and confidence heading into the Sweet 16 and beyond.

Obviously, as a UT fan hope for Option three. I'm not expecting this team to make some crazy run for a National title, but I expect to see heart. I expect to see pride. I expect their best effort.

Because as we've seen this season, when the sincere effort is there, this team can accomplish very special things.

(Read the original article at TNJN.com)