VOLS SURVIVE BUTLER IN OT TO ADVANCE TO SAWEEET 16 -- WOOO!

by David Hooper on Mar 23, 2008 5:21 PM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Basketball

Woot!
Photo credit: Clav

Well, that was a little closer than we would like, but a sweet 16 team has no reason to complain, right?

In a second round that's been a little, um unkind to #2-seeds, UT can be proud to move on. Butler was seriously jobbed by being named a #7-seed by the committee; they shoould have been a #4- or #5- seed, more likely. They played very hard, and very nearly pulled it off. A very serious Kudos to them for a fantastic game. (If any Butler fans happen to read this, know that you have our full respect.)

Itinerary: Since Joel was fortunate enough to be live at that heart-attack, his comments and observations will come later. It's Easter Sunday, so I'm going to be low-contact from here on out. Feel free to leave any thoughts on the game here.

Open Game Thread

Also, leave any comments for the rest of Sunday's action here. Celebrate!Update [2008-3-23 17:23:21 by hooper]: Update added to try to fix formatting issue. Even RTT needs to catch its breath!

Update [2008-3-23 18:0:27 by Joel]: Parked the car just to upload these pictures before heading back north. WOOOOooooooo!!!1!!111!

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Comments

Where has Lofton been?

I'm hoping that he's just saving himself for a big game against the 'ville. I'm being optimistic.

by kidbourbon on Mar 23, 2008 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

I don't know if it explains everything,

but recently, every team seems to be dedicating one guy to cover Lofton at all costs. It certainly limits his shots.

by David Hooper on Mar 23, 2008 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I too wonder

I know that he's been getting a lot of focus from the other teams but we have GOT to find ways to get him in scoring positions, do a better job with the screens, etc...

I'm just waiting for him to turn it on and for Jordan Howell to make a miraculous exit from Slumptown during one of the next few games. It'd be fun to watch if it happens vs. NC, that is if we get there (which I'm sure we will!!).

In any event, we better start shooting better than we did in that second half and playing some dang defense. Butler just kept driving inside. Not good my friends. Not good.

Proud member of the Bruce Pearl man crush club. HULK SMASH!!!

by XRayVol on Mar 23, 2008 6:18 PM EDT reply actions

By the way,

the Prince experiment seemed to work out pretty well. There were some coordination issues and he made a couple of bad decisions that led to turnovers, but they were able to maintain a pretty high tempo throughout the game and Butler did not have defensive success against the starting 5.

Now that they earned a week to practice with Prince at point, they should - should - be much better next weekend. They'll need it with Louisville lining up against them. My goodness, this bracket is turning into murderer's row. American, Butler, Louisville, and likely UNC will turn out to be a huge accomplishment if UT can reach the F4.

by David Hooper on Mar 23, 2008 8:13 PM EDT reply actions