Tennessee drops home game to South Carolina: Recap and Reaction
The Vols were out of sorts on Tuesday night, and the team was unable to get it together in time to avoid a home loss. The South Carolina Gamecocks controlled the tempo and played exactly how they wanted to all night. The Vols were abysmal from beyond the arc and at the charity stripe. The Gamecocks also outrebounded the Vols, making this an all-around disaster of a game.
Ultimately, the Gamecocks held on for a 63-59 win. In a season in which the Vols have frequently scored 80+ points, it was shocking to see the offense perform so poorly. The team shot just 23.8% from three and just 60.0% on free throws. If there is one positive, it’s that Dalton Knecht again eclipsed 30 points, even on an off night.
Now, the Vols will look to get back on the winning track against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on Saturday. This will be a tough test for the Vols once again, but the team has the potential to beat anybody when they play their game. Ultimately, I wouldn’t be TOO worried about this performance. Every team has a couple of stinkers in conference play and it’s all about how they respond. Also, it may be time to admit that the Gamecocks are a good team. They manhandled the Kentucky Wildcats just a week ago, so it’s not like the Vols lost to a bottom feeder.