Tennessee basketball’s loss to Houston on Sunday brought back some tough memories—not the good kind. Trailing by as much as 22 points in the first half, it was hard not to recall past blowouts, like the infamous 61-point loss to Kentucky in 1993 under coach Wade Houston. The Vols’ dismal 15-point first half also reminded me of the forgettable games from the mid-1990s under Kevin O’Neill, when Tennessee’s offense often struggled to reach 40 points.
In a 69-50 defeat to the Cougars in the Elite Eight at Lucas Oil Stadium, Tennessee’s hopes of reaching the Final Four seemed farther away than ever. Built on defense and toughness, the Vols were outplayed on both fronts by Houston, who dominated the game far beyond their modest role as favorites.
Even though Tennessee (30-8) had looked strong in their first three tournament games, there was no indication they could turn in a performance as bad as the one they delivered against Houston (34-4). At their worst in the first half, when two players collided and knocked each other down, I tried to hold on to hope, remembering how they had bounced back from tough situations before, like beating Auburn, Florida, and Kentucky after regular-season losses.
A brief spark came early in the second half, as coach Rick Barnes adjusted his strategy, pressing the defense to speed up the game. Guard Jordan Gainey, known for his clutch moments, scored eight straight points, and Tennessee’s deficit shrank to 14, offering a glimmer of hope.
But despite the Vols’ efforts—improving their rebounding, shooting better, and tightening up defense—the Cougars didn’t lose their composure. Houston’s lead never dipped below double digits. Even when the Cougars cooled off offensively, they managed to hold on, with Emanuel Sharp hitting three straight 3-pointers and L.J. Cryer adding a couple more to seal the victory.
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