Tennessee takes out SEC rival Kentucky, gets chance for long-awaited Final Four breakthrough

First, the winners will remain here.

Is it Tennessee’s time finally? They never enjoy the last four, but so many heart breaks they get. And now knocking on the elite eight doors after overturning via Kentucky, 78-65.

This is the first season of Khaz Laniera with VOLS. But after he gained 17 points on Friday, he sat in the dressing room and said he understood it. “I certainly feel the hunger. Since I entered the campus, I knew it was what was at stake, I have been getting four to the finals. I just feel the taste in my mouth, as everyone is hungry there.”

The pain of the past sounds around this program, with memories of the March nightmares. 72-66 Crusher, which Purdue in Eight Eight last spring, which turned into a remarkable epic with boilermakers ‘Zach Edey scored 40 and volunteers’ Dalton Knecht became 37. 62-55 Sweet 16 loss on the Florida of the Atlantic. Loss of overtime to Purdue in 2019 Sweet 16 when Vols led with two seconds remaining in regulation. One-time loss a year ago for Loyola Chicago in the last five seconds, 73-71 Michigan defeat in 2014, which included a controversial charging call in the last seconds, 70-69 east to the Michigan state in 2010 in a free throw with two seconds. Further and further.

➡ Watch the main points from No. 2 Tennessee’s victory over No. 3 Kentucky

Senior Jahmai Mashack spent his career in Knoxville, long enough to understand the breakthrough that would mean another victory. “It would be a world. It would be all I fought for, praying, hoping for this fan base.”

Friday was quite encouraging; Solid pounding of the Kentucky team who defeated the Vols twice during the season. The lead was up to 19-A final result included a gap in Tennessee 19-5 in the second chance and collar on the outer game of Kentucky. Wildcats had 12 baskets behind the arch in each of their regular season. They had six Friday evening.

“This time they won’t win it from the three -point line,” Lanier said.

“The mentality we had had not pulled the leg out of the gas.” Said Mashack. “We didn’t just want to win a little, we wanted to control, especially defensively.”

So it’s time now, finally? Did the Volts send this message on Friday evening?

“I feel we did,” Mashack said. “If someone else does not, we have to do it again in elite eight. We are a school of proven. We did it in all sports.”

Kamenec Vols sitting near the Tennessee bench would agree. Peyton Manning.

Now the team goes home.

Dear Big Blue Nation,

Do not blame Indians.

It is true that this city in the NCAA tournament turned into a triangle Bermuda Kentucky.

It is here that Rick Pitino ride on the second consecutive national championship came across the Arizona Miles Simon, who could make jump shots that night in introduction. He went for 30 points, Wildcats dropped overtime in the 1997 title game and Pitino came out of the door to Boston Celtics.

It was in 2015 that the Kentucky mission was clear: 40-0 or bust. Wildcats went in Final Four against Wisconsin.

In 2022 they had a nice, seemingly manageable game with the first round against Saint Peter. Do we have to go further?

Not to mention that the Duke, Constant Kentucky Nemesis on various lists of all time, won three of his national championships in this city. And Louisville won his first.

What else could go wrong?

Friday night could go wrong.

It was the first all-sec game of the heavy Sec tournament, so the tense and tight surface looked reasonable. Kentucky, with its 17 last four trips. Tennessee, with 17 less than that. Kentucky, with two wins this season against Tennessee. Kentucky with the sixth state-of-the-art offense in the country, a team that won one game this season 106-100 and lost another 102-97.

Not so many events on the scoreboard this night. Wildcats led only 32 seconds and finished 20 points below their diameter. Finally, another long way back to Lexington Down Interstate 74.

Yet it was an exciting first season for the new coach Mark Pope, who had to rebuild his entire list. And the boys they brought have grown to love the way, especially Grad students who were talented last season to respect.

For example, mare Brea.

“I think the University of Kentucky is in big hands. Just to see what he did this year, his first year. And not only that, but it’s just life change to our group.”

“I don’t know who is in charge of jerseys and everything, but they will go through some problem to get.”

And Andrew Carr.

“If you are on a transmission portal and are looking for a place to go, go to Kentucky. I’ll tell you too much. Go to Kentucky.”

But their run ended here, in a well -known place for bad news Wildcats.

Pope said something on Thursday about playing in Indianapolis. “Here I met my wife and we started our life. It’s a really special city for me.”

Maybe he won’t want to play other games like coach Kentucky.

But Tennessee will play one more Sunday and can end the long vigil of the state.