Vols move into Elite Eight for first time
By Bud L. Ellis
It’s not a strange sight to see Tennessee playing deep into the NCAA Tournament … the women’s tournament, that is.
The UT men advancing this deep into March Madness? That’s a first. Tennessee earned its first trip to the Elite Eight Friday night, J.P. Prince blocking a shot at the buzzer as the Vols stopped Ohio State 76-73 in the Midwest Regional semifinals in St. Louis.
The Vols (28-8) will face Michigan State on Sunday in the regional final. On the line: a trip to Indianapolis and next weekend’s Final Four.
Brian Williams tipped in a missed shot with 32 seconds left to give the Volts the lead for keeps. Prince, checking Ohio State’s talented Evan Turner, blocked a Turner 3-point attempt at the finish to seal the victory.
Wayne Chism scored a team-high 22 points and added 11 rebounds for Tennessee. Williams pulled down 12 rebounds. The Vols, who nearly were bounced in the first round by San Diego State, hung tough in a game where neither team led by more than seven points.
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Friday, March 26, 2010 at 9:54 pm by bud
Tags: Brian Williams, Evan Turner, J.P. Prince, Michigan State, NCAA Tournament, Ohio State, San Diego State, Tennessee Volunteers, Wayne Chism