When you have two legitimate Top 20 teams testing each other, it’s never inevitable.
Tennessee
Tennessee’s bats finally cool off in Tennessee’s loss to Alabama
After putting up 35 runs over their last three games, Tennessee was only able to muster three runs on seven hits in tonight’s 6-3 loss to 14-ranked Alabama. In addition to a slow offensive start, Tennessee was hampered by multiple mistakes in the field and on the base paths. I admit I’m more superstitious than most, but it’s tough not to think that there wasn’t a dark omen on this game when there wasn’t a working stream on the ESPN app for the first 15 minutes of play. Regardless, the game was still played, and eventually viewable.
The game started with Tennessee’s first two batters getting on base, including a leadoff double from Christian Moore.
But the Volunteers were unable to capitalize and ultimately left the bases loaded to end the first inning.
For the Crimson Tide, they were also able to get two runners on to start the game, but unlike Tennessee, they were able to take advantage of the opportunity and took a 1-0 lead on an Ian Petrutz ground out to second base. Scoring early would prove to be a theme for Alabama.
After Tennessee went down in order in the top of the second inning, Alabama’s Bryce Eblin smashed a two-out triple off the 360 sign in right center field, driving in freshman Justin Lebron. To make matters worse, in an attempt to throw out Eblin, Christian Moore’s throw to third bounced out of play and allowed Eblin to score on what we like to call a “little league” inside the park home run, making it a 3-0 ballgame.
Alabama added to their lead with another three runs in the bottom of the third inning, thanks in large part to a two-run single from Justin Lebron.
The Volunteers were finally able to get on the board in the top of the fourth inning with a Robin Villeneuve solo shot to left-center field. Villeneuve’s fourth home run of the year.
After a rough start to the game, Beam was able to settle down and retire the side, keeping the score at 6-1.
We didn’t see much offense for either team until the top of the 7th inning when Christian Moore blasted a 425-foot solo shot to left field, making the score 6-2.
In a slow night offensively, Christian Moore was a lone bright spot, going 4-5 with a couple of extra base hits, including his 7th home run of the year.
For Drew Beam, he ended his night retiring the last 13 batters he faced. His final stat line was 8 innings pitched, 8 hits, 6 runs (all earned), 6 strikeouts, and 2 walks on 101 pitches.
Tennessee will look to take the series tomorrow afternoon at 2:00pm ET. If you weren’t able to catch tonight’s game, you can find the full box score here.
Tennessee
Seedy K’s GameCap: Tennessee
But this U of L task in Knoxville against tall favorite Tennessee sure seemed close to that heading in.
Well coached top level foe at its sold out home.
One whose strength — inside scoring and rebounding — made it a bad matchup for the Cards, whose lack of inside depth and strength has been an Achilles heel from the get go.
That the Vols were hungry and angry coming off three straight Ls made a U of L victory seem an almost impossible task.
Then we learned that back issue of Mikel Brown’s is a problem.
Cards were toast before tip.
It was all evident by halftime — actually well before then.
It just takes a peek at a couple statistics.
Tennessee led by only 7, thanks to some tough Cardinal D. And UT’s woeful FT shooting.
That inside game issue: Volunteers 28 points in the paint. Cardinals 10.
That’s right, Tennessee had more points in the paint at the break than Louisville had points total.
That lack of point guard issue: U of L had 9 FGs at intermission. Tennessee had that many assists on 15 buckets.
Louisville’s strength is depth. At least usually.
During the first 20 Tuesday, the Cards had zero points off the pine. Vols 22. (For the game, the disparity was 34-3. Khani Rooths hit a FT. Wild Man Zougris a garbage time slam.)
Another opening stanza reality that might have you feeling the need to clean your glasses.
Only three guys scored. Adrian Wooley with 12, Ryan Conwell with 11, and Sananda Fru with 4.
Louisville’s second half performance is not worth the bandwidth, my time to write about, nor your time to read.
The final, in a lopsided disappointing loss: 83-62.
There is no sugar frosting this. Against teams with major size and inside presence, Louisville has and will continue to struggle.
When your most talented player doesn’t suit up, it makes it more impossible to overcome.
Tennessee
A look at new laws proposed in Tennessee
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Tennessee
North Forney’s Legend Bey reportedly requests letter of release from Tennessee
The Dallas-area’s most up-and-down recruiting saga from the Class of 2026 has its latest twist.
North Forney four-star athlete Legend Bey has requested his letter of release from Tennessee, according to reporting from Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman.
“They are waiting for Tennessee to confirm this,” Spiegelman said of the request Sunday on The Inside Scoop podcast. “This could come as early as today, tomorrow. This is in the works.”
Bey signed with Tennessee on early national signing day, flipping from his November 10 commitment to Ohio State on early national signing day. He had originally committed to the Volunteers in June. However, reports emerged soon after his signing that Bey wanted to sign with the Buckeyes but landed at Tennessee because of pressure from his family.
Related
The possibility that Bey might seek a release was first reported Dec. 4, with reports suggesting that Tennessee would grant the request given the tumultuous recruiting process.
If the release is granted, Bey may have to wait to turn 18 years old before he can sign for Ohio State without parental approval.
Find more high school sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
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