Purdue wins Paradise Jam Tournament 73-72
When they put tournaments like this together, often times the fields are stacked with two really good teams, and you hope neither slips up en route to the finals. The Paradise Jam got their wish when #6 Purdue and #9 Tennessee made it to tonight's championship game unscathed, and then the first top ten matchup of the young college basketball season delivered, and then some.
In a game that neither team led by more than six points, Purdue survived despite missing three out of their final four free throws, escaping when we got fizzle instead of CHI$$LE!. Wayne Chism's three pointer with five seconds left was way off, and the ensuing scrap for the rebound essentially ran out the rest of the clock, with Purdue controlling as the clock struck zero.
The story of the game seemed destined to be the officiating, not because it was poor but because it was overbearing: 48 fouls in 40 minutes of play, evenly divided with each team picking up 12 in both halves. While Purdue struggled late to finish 19 of 26 at the line (73.1%), a huge bright spot for the Vols came at the line, where notoriously bad Tennessee went 23 of 28, 82.1%.
The lead story there and everywhere is, again, Wayne Chism: the senior went 7-7 at the line, 8-13 from the floor to finish with 24 points. Just as big was a sensational block he made just a few possessions earlier to keep Tennessee in the game, as the Vols almost rallied from down six in the final two minutes. Despite his missed three with five seconds left - and the debate will continue about whether he should've taken it or went to the hole - Chism played a great, great ballgame.
On the other end of the spectrum, we'd like to welcome back to the floor the questions about Scotty Hopson's consistency. After averaging 22 per game in his first three, Hopson has gone 5 of 20 in the last 48 hours, missing from almost everywhere and turning the ball over too much. The competition level for Tennessee goes back down (home against College of Charleston Friday night, followed by ETSU, MTSU in Nashville, and Wyoming before traveling to LA to face USC on December 19), and Hopson needs to find his stroke again and maintain it. It was encouraging to see Tennessee go toe-to-toe with the #6 team in the country when Hopson played so poorly...we'd just all rather see him play well instead, and then we can start winning more of these.
In the end, this was an incredible game that felt like March in November. Hats off to Purdue for getting it done, and hopefully both of the teams we saw on the floor tonight are as good as we think they are - E'Twaun Moore and Robbie Hummel certainly looked like major players. For the Vols, it's the first teaching moment in a loss this season...but there was a lot to like as well. The Vols know they can play with some of the nation's best...now it's time to get better, so next time we're on the right side of the final outcome.
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Tennessee Volunteers vs. Purdue Boilermakers: open game thread
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November 23, 2009
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4-0 (0-0)
9th (AP) 11th (USA Today) |
3-0 (0-0)
6th (AP) 6th (USA Today) |
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Jackson the Mule says . . .
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. . . I ain't afraid of no cowcatcher. Hahahahhahaha!
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Leave your pre-, in-, and post-game thoughts below.
Go Vols! Hulk smash Boilermakers!
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Paradise Jam Finals Preview: #7 Purdue vs. #10 Tennessee
The marquee matchup everybody wanted will take place tonight in the Paradise Jam Tournament finals, as Purdue and Tennessee square off in the first top ten showdown of the college basketball season. The Vols were untested by East Carolina in their first game in the Virgin Islands, but pushed throughout by DePaul in a defensive battle won by UT 57-53. Purdue has struggled in the first half of both of their Paradise Jam games, but pulled away in the second half each time: they lead South Dakota state by two at the break in the opener before winning by eleven, and led St. Joseph's by only one before outscoring them 54-30 in the second half.
The Boilermakers went 27-10 last year, winning the Big Ten Tournament and advancing to the Sweet 16. They returned six players with starting experience, but lost guard Lewis Jackson to a foot injury. Like all good teams, Purdue can hurt you from inside and outside. The Vols will face one of their most difficult tests of the season in terms of post defense, going against 6'8" Robbie Hummel (13 points, 6 boards per) and leading scorer 6'10" JaJuan Johnson (15 points, 7 boards per). Hummel is also capable of stepping out and hitting the three. Guard E'Twaun Moore dropped 22 on South Dakota State and is the team's second leading scorer.
The contrasting styles of both teams may hold the greatest key to victory: the Vols want to run and have struggled in the halfcourt offense ever since Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith left, while Purdue would love to slow the pace and use DePaul's blueprint with their superior talent to grind the Vols down. If Purdue can slow Tennessee down, will the Vols be able to score in their halfcourt offense? And how will Tennessee defend against Purdue inside?
The Vols will need Scotty Hopson to play well - a good performance against a top ten team will ease everyone's mind about his 2 for 11 display yesterday, but if Hopson struggles again, we'll have to throw that inconsistent label back on him for now. If Cameron Tatum heats up from outside again, even better. We know we'll get the usual from Tyler Smith and Wayne Chism, but will it be more than Purdue gets from Hummel and Johnson?
This will be a great test for the Vols against what should turn out to be the type of team we'll have to beat in March to reach our ultimate goals. Tennessee hasn't won a tournament of any kind in nine years...can this group break the trend and make a huge statement that this team is good enough to achieve its goals and reach new heights this season? 8:30 PM EST, Fox College Sports (simulcast on Fox Sports Net).
For more on Purdue, check out Hammer & Rails.
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Wes Brown named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week
The love continues.
about 17 hours ago
Will
3 comments
0 recs
Around the SB Nation: Georgia fans look toward a "massive rebuilding job"
- A Sea of Blue basks in Kentucky's vengeful ruining of Georgia's Senior Day, while Dawg Sports bemoans the "massive rebuilding job" ahead for the Bulldogs.
- Track Em Tigers kicks off Iron Bowl week with a historical look at the rivalry.
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Thorpe Award Finalists: Eric Berry, Joe Haden (Florida), Earl Thomas (Texas)
So, I saw this on SportsCenter's bottom line, and apparently no one in the MSM has picked up on it yet, because I can't find it mentioned anywhere other than the Texas fansite Barking Carnival, linked above. So until then, "I saw it on SportsCenter" will have to suffice.
By the way, Earl Thomas will be playing the role of Eric Berry, 2008: Thomas has much better statistics than the other two finalists. Which means Berry is going to win.
about 20 hours ago
Will
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0 recs
Charges dropped against Janzen Jackson
Multiple outlets, including The Knoxville News-Sentinel (thanks to golfballs03 for fanshooting this), are reporting that all charges against UT freshman Janzen Jackson have been dropped in the attempted armed robbery situation from two weeks ago.
From the KNS story:
"The investigation and careful review of all relevant evidence failed to show ... Ms. Montmarquet or Mr. Jackson has prior knowledge that the attempted robbery was going to take place and were unaware something had occurred until after they pulled out of the Pilot store," according to the DA's statement.
"Therefore, there is an insufficient legal basis to continue a prosecution against them.
No word yet from anyone at the University about what this means for Jackson's status either this Saturday at Kentucky or for Tennessee's upcoming bowl game. Jackson has been barred from team activities since the incident and hasn't played since the South Carolina game on Halloween, but with the charges dropped, will Jackson become available for the Vols' heavily depleted defense on Saturday?
As always, we'll update the story as information becomes available...
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Post-game awards: Tennessee Volunteers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores
Best are-we-sure-they're-not-conjoined-twins. Cody and Cory Sullins, who were both named the scholar athlete of the week and were pictured together for the sponsored award. They play next to each other on the line, right? Is anyone certain that this is not the case?
Best word for the seniors. Kiffin telling the seniors, specifically Rico McCoy, on Friday night not to say that they hadn't won any championships for the Volunteers because of their contribution to the foundation upon which championships will be built in the near future.
Best start, offense. Lane's guys, who went 60 yards in 7 plays to put 7 on the board on its first series.
Best start, defense. Monte's guys, who forced Vandy into a three and out on its first series.
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