Post-Mortem - American v. Tennessee

On the Malt Shop Logic podcast earlier in the week, Chris and I disagreed on AU’s luck in drawing a 2-15 matchup against Tennessee in the first round. As it turns out, we were both right.

Chris liked it, because Tennessee is a weak free throw shooting team and does not have much of an inside presence. On the day, Tennessee shot 22-31 from the line, and considering how well it shot down the stretch, that was a key to the game, and while Tennessee’s starting forwards combined for 30 points, the Vols always looked uneasy when going inside to them, and had to be reminded, usually during timeouts, by Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl.

I hated the draw, because Tennessee is too athletic a team for AU to get open looks. AU had one field goal in the final 5:23 and none in the final 6:58 of the first half. The team shot 21-58 from the field.

Overall, both of us said everything would have to go right for AU – and everything would have to go wrong for Tennessee – for the Eagles to win. A lot went right for AU, a lot went wrong for Tennessee, but it wasn’t enough.

Positives:

• Garrison Carr: 26 points
• AU outrebounded Tennessee 37-25, and 16-4 on the offensive glass
• Everyone got to play, as Jones emptied his bench in the final minute
• Four juniors started, and AU only loses one senior of consequence

Comments

[Jenn Kepka]

I'll add a positive and a negative to this game:

+ My dad saying, "Boy they looked good out there. Got tired at the end, but they were an impressive-looking team, I was impressed."

- His call waking me up when he wanted to chat during the game. I curse the Eastern Time Zone and its scheduling of this tournament. Curses!!