That was unpleasant.
The Tennessee Volunteers fought and clawed with Michigan for the first six or seven minutes in their Elite Eight clash on Sunday in Chicago. Then, Michigan reminded Tennessee, for the third straight year, that while they may be among the “elite”, they’re not a title contender yet.
With Tennessee up 16-14, Michigan went on a 21-0 run to completely bury the Vols and take any uncertainty out of the result. The Wolverines were almost playing with the Vols by the end of the first half,
which finished with an open three from the top of the key for a 48-26 lead going into the locker room.
I don’t need to rehash the second half, nor really anything else about this game. Don’t have the ticker for it, honestly.
Michigan’s passing was as good as I’ve seen at the college level this season, and maybe ever. Like, it was watching the Harlem Globetrotters against the team they clown. And the Vols were the ones on the receiving end of the embarrassment. I will honestly be shocked if the Wolverines do not win it all this year. From what I’ve watched, they’re better than Duke, Arizona, anybody.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, knowing it’s the last time we’ll watch some Vols in orange and white. Nate Ament will be off to a terrific NBA career. Ja’Kobi Gillespie should also have a potential future in the NBA, as will Felix Okpara.
Just tough, man. The tournament is a cruel animal, and if you’re off your game even for a stretch in just one game, that can be fatal. For Tennessee, it was on Sunday around 2:30 pm.
But, I love what Barnes did with this team this season. With no returning leaders, he got everyone to buy in and got them playing at their best in the tournament. Three straight Elite Eights. I’ll never take that for granted.
But man, it’s just unfortunate that it had to end this way.
