EAST REGIONAL : Free throws help Vols nip Bulldogs
Posted on Monday, March 24, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Tennessee Volunteers scrapped, pounded and grabbed.
They also survived. No coincidence in that.
The second-seeded Vols mostly ditched the glamorous three-pointer and got physical in Sunday’s second-round game, moving on with a 76-71 overtime victory over Butler.
Tennessee (31-4 ) got a little assist from Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt, who called her men’s counterpart a few hours before the game.
“She said, ‘Just tell those guys to rebound the basketball,’” Bruce Pearl said of his colleague, whose seven national titles make her something of an expert.
JaJuan Smith hit four consecutive free throws in the final 13. 6 seconds of overtime and the Vols barely won a game they at times threatened to turn into an East Regional rout.
The first second-round game in NCAA Tournament history to feature two 30-victory teams definitely lived up to the distinction.
The Vols, who struggled at times against American in the first round, will play Louisvilleon Thursday in Charlotte, N. C.
Tennessee scored 38 points in the paint, had five players with multiple fouls by halftime and made only two three-pointers in the final 40 minutes against the Bulldogs (30-4 ).
“Fatigue was a factor for them at some point, because of the way we guarded them,” Pearl said. “We really played great defense tonight and did what we needed to do on the boards.” The approach paid off at the end.
The Vols scored six consecutive points inside after the Bulldogs took their first lead in the final two minutes of overtime, including guard Ramar Smith’s basket with 27 seconds left to make it 72-68.
Butler still wouldn’t go away. Pete Campbell followed a missed shot to make it 72-70 with 16 seconds left. JaJaun Smith then made both free throws.
Julian Betko rebounded a missed three-pointer by A. J. Graves and was fouled with 4. 9 seconds left for Butler. He made 1 of 2 from the line, and JaJuan Smith grabbed the rebound before icing the game with free throws at the other end.
The Bulldogs, who got a low seed considering their No. 11 national ranking, didn’t have their minds changed. Coach Brad Stevens remains convinced his team is “Final Four-caliber,” and his players agree.
“Why wouldn’t we ? We play our style of basketball,” said Mike Green, who had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists before fouling out late in overtime. “It’s been very effective.” So has Tennessee’s more fastand-loose style.
JaJuan Smith sported the motivating message “No. 1 seed” on his sneakers for a second consecutive game for a Vols team that felt it was worthy. Tennessee survived the tournament’s opening weekend for the second consecutive year and avoided another No. 2-seed flop. The Vols had fallen in the second round as a No. 2 seed in 2006, the only other time they were seeded as high.
Wayne Chism led foulplagued Tennessee with 16 points, while Tyler Smith added 15 and eight rebounds and JaJuan Smith had 11. LOUISVILLE 78, OKLAHOMA 48 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Earl Clark scored 14 points and Louisville handed Oklahoma its most-lopsided loss in the NCAA Tournament, building a 44-22 halftime lead and coasting from there.
Louisville matched its biggest rout in the NCAA Tournament, having trounced Kansas State by 30 in 1968. Starting five players born outside Kentucky, the third-seeded Cardinals (26-8 ) reached the round of 16 for the first time since 2005. They will take on Tennessee, which beat Butler 76-71 in overtime, on Thursday night in Charlotte, N. C.
David Godbold hit four three-pointers and finished with 15 points for sixth-seeded Oklahoma (23-12 ). Star freshman Blake Griffin was held without a shot for 12 minutes and had eight points.
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