NASHVILLE − Tennessee basketball opened the postseason by enjoying its worst sport of the season Friday and that is the way in which it’s going to go into the NCAA Event.
The Vols could not shoot, could not cease Mississippi State within the SEC Event, and could not maintain themselves within the chase for the ultimate No. 1 seed within the NCAA Event.
It was one-and-done for the top-seeded Vols (24-8). They bowed out miserably 73-56 in opposition to the No. 9-seeded Bulldogs (21-12) within the SEC Event quarterfinals at Bridgestone Area. UT’s 56 factors marked a season low.
Tennessee will be taught its NCAA Event destiny Sunday (6 p.m. ET, CBS), however is predicted to land as a No. 2 seed by bracketologists’ projections. It will enter on a two-game dropping streak, its first dropping streak since November.
Dalton Knecht, the SEC participant of the 12 months, had 14 factors for the Vols. Zakai Zeigler had a team-high 20 factors in opposition to the Bulldogs, the one SEC group the Vols didn’t beat this season.
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Tennessee’s first half was futile at finest
Tennessee’s lowest-scoring half this season was a 22-point exhibiting in opposition to MSU in Starkville. It was worse Friday. The Vols had 19 first-half factors. They shot 2-for-18 on 3-pointers and 20.6% from the sphere.
UT had turnovers issues to tie into the scoring issues. It turned over the ball on 4 straight possessions early and had 5 in a 2:57 span between two media timeouts. The Vols capped the primary half with a Knecht turnover at centercourt that led to a Mississippi State dunk to double up the Vols 38-19 at halftime.
Mississippi State had its method on the rim
The Bulldogs took solely 5 first-half 3-pointers, abusing Tennessee inside with ease as a substitute. MSU had 28 factors within the paint within the first half, capturing 12-for-15 on the rim.
That barrage included a number of three-point performs, a pair of loud dunks, and all-too-easy offense.
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Tennessee struggled capturing 3-pointer till a late flurry
Jahmai Mashack launched an open 3-pointer within the first half. It clanked of the backboard, lacking method too lengthy.
Tennessee was hopeless capturing 3-pointers in opposition to MSU early − and it shot a ton of them. The Vols made three of their first 23 makes an attempt.
Zeigler was 0-for-6 within the first half and missed his first seven makes an attempt earlier than getting going within the second half with 4 makes. He hit back-to-back 3-pointers to drag UT inside 12 with 5:03 to play.
Up subsequent
Tennessee opens the NCAA Event both Thursday or Friday. It would be taught its seeding, opponent and site for the opening sport on Choice Sunday.
Mike Wilson covers College of Tennessee athletics. Electronic mail him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and comply with him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. In case you take pleasure in Mike’s protection, contemplate a digital subscription that can permit you entry to all of it.