Tennessee hosted Cuonzo Martin as a visitor for the first time since he played in a NCAA Tournament game for Purdue in the mid-nineties late Tuesday night.
This time, Martin brought his middling Missouri Tigers squad to Thompson Boling Arena (TBA) for its second matchup of the season against the Vols.
On January 8th, Tennessee (21-1, 9-0 SEC) beat the Tigers 87-63 in Columbia atop 20 points from Carter High graduate Jordan Bowden and former volleyball player Kyle Alexander’s career-best 17 rebounds. The latter swatted an unfortunate shot attempt that caromed to the former for an emphatic dunk one minute before the half. The Tigers (11-10, 2-7) never recovered and UT went on to win its second SEC game of the season.
The second matchup of the season didn’t result in the same stature of margin, but the Vols found a way to distance itself down the stretch, just like it has all season long in conference play. As the final buzzer rang, the scoreboard read 72-60 in favor of Tennessee.
Senior Admiral Schofield hit a jumper to start the game during Martin’s return.
It would be a theme that would last for much of the first half. Schofield swished his second three with under nine minutes to go. This bucket was the catalyst for an 11-0 run which saw Mizzou shoot just 1 of 15 from the field. The stretch lasted over six minutes, but after the drought, Tiger guards Javon Pickett and Jordan Geist kept The Tigers in the game as the half drew to a close. Picket scored ten in the first half while Geist added six. Geist is the kind of player you love if he’s on your roster but can’t stand if he’s on the other bench. The Vols were in a dogfight at the break, up 37-31. Missouri was ready to play.
Tennessee’s most underappreciated player and burgeoning leader Jordan Bone opened the scoring in the second half with a pull up jumper a minute in.
After a Missouri answer, UT went on another 11-0 run to make it 50-35. It was Cuonzo ball, Tennessee was just better. Missouri made a few runs during the second half, but Lamonte Turner blew the game open with a three to make it 67-52 with just over four to go.
Schofield ended up 3 of 5 from three and tied Grant Williams for the team lead in scoring with 13. Bone added 11 points, seven assists and four boards, while Bowden pitched in 12 points and six rebounds.
It was a team effort with no true standout performance but one that saw Tennessee’s defense improve.
Tennessee hosts Florida this Saturday at TBA at 4:00PM while Missouri will take on Texas A&M the same day.
Something to watch moving forward: Tennessee gets the ball in bounds and up court after a made basket quicker than anyone. It’s efficient, sure, but even moreso, it’s a mental weapon. Post play arrogance does UT’s opponents no favors. Tennessee doesn’t seem to care if the other team makes a big play. It’s the true definition of the “Next Play” mentality. This could be the difference in a game or two as March and April approach.
