Vols stifle UK, one action from first Final 4 journey

INDIANAPOLIS– In its guys’s basketball history, the University of Tennessee has actually played in 27 NCAA competitions and has reached the Sugary food 16 10 times.But from Bernard King to Chris Lofton, from Dale Ellis to Grant Williams, and from Ernie Grunfeld to Allan Houston, the Volunteers have never handled to harness all that star power and reach the Last Four.For the 2nd straight year, Tennessee reached the Elite 8 and is on the doorstep of the program’s first Last Four. The No. 2 Vols dispatched No. 3 Kentucky on Friday in a drama-free 78-65 success at Lucas Oil Arena in which the Wildcats never cut the cause single-digits in the 2nd half.Editor’s Picks 1 Related Tennessee has the most Sweet 16 looks without getting to a Last Four in college basketball history, and

those 27 NCAA competition appearances without reaching the final weekend rank 4th behind just BYU(32 ), Missouri (30)and Xavier, per ESPN Research study. “It would indicate whatever,”senior star Zakai Zeigler said of reaching the Last 4.” It would imply whatever for the players, it ‘d mean everything to the coaches, and it’ll be everything for Vol Nation. Our program has actually been desiring among these for a long, long period of time, and I feel like we got a pretty good possibility at it.”Tennessee feels good about its opportunity in the wake of one of the program’s most total games this season. After losing to Kentucky two times in

the routine season, Tennessee stifled the Wildcats by permitting them to make simply six 3-pointers for the game.Zeigler blazed a trail with 18 points and 10 assists, Chaz Lanier added 17 points, and Jordan Gainey came off the bench to score 16. Zakai Zeigler (5)commemorates after the Vols beat Kentucky on Friday to reach the

Elite 8 of the NCAA competition for the 2nd successive year. Tennessee needs one more win to reach the program’s first Final Four.”It would indicate whatever, “he said. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Tennessee played its trademark hard-edged defense, prevented offensive lulls and got an extensive team performance that consisted of 11 rebounds and eight points from bouncy center Felix Okpara.It puts Tennessee on the precipice of history, and the stakes are clear for the players.”It would indicate the world,”senior Jahmai Mashack

told ESPN.”I concerned this program not for my accolades. I came in to do it for this fan base.

They are worthy of nothing more however getting to the Final Four, advancing to the national championship and coming out with a win, which’s what I wished to have the ability to provide to them.”Mashack included that the team is encouraged to make history for coach Rick Barnes, who remains in his 10th season at Tennessee. Barnes has led Tennessee to 2

of the program’s 3 Elite Eight appearances. He led Texas to the 2003 Last Four but hasn’t returned since.Barnes has one of the most wins (836)of any active coach without a nationwide title. Perpetuity, only Bob Huggins has actually won more games(935)without getting a national title.Tennessee hired Barnes after a strong run at Texas lost

momentum and the school fired him in 2015. Ever since, he has helped turn Tennessee into an SEC juggernaut and has the Vols on the cusp of history.” It would be obviously an excellent

achievement because that’s what everybody’s searching for, fighting for,”Barnes informed ESPN when asked about the Final 4.”And I’m simply happy with these guys. We’ve striven, and it’s not like we’ve got a bunch of household names, I think. … Certainly, I ‘d like to see it take place.”