SECGG

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Exactly the same. I was texting Groves all morning about bringing my youngest, and finally decided not to go at the last minute.

I’m glad, because I would have wound up in jail.

 

We were dead.

Physically and emotionally. And we didn’t capitalize on Auburn being cold early.

 

I can't buy the physically dead part. Auburn has more reason to be exhausted with a stretch of 4 games in 4 days.

 

No offense, but they looked dead. Don't know exactly why, how, etc... but they were indeed of the deadish nature. Buying it or not, they looked pretty damn dead.

 

I don't know. The legs weren't there early, mouths open and hands on knees. Auburn did play an extra game, but yesterday vs UF in an earlier game and nowhere near the physical battle we had, and they have a deeper bench which came into play.

 

Auburn wanted it more.
Tennessee forgot that there was another game after Kentucky.
Their players outplayed Tennessee’s in every facet of the game.
Pearl coached circles around Barnes.

It’s no more complicated or mysterious than that.

 

Indeed, I think they thought they had earned it last night. They didn't. The championship wasn't last night.

 

The second part was more of it than anything. They were ice cold to start the game and all we could do is what weve always done when we play UF in football. Turnover after turnover.

I think we went through a stretch in the first half where 6 out of 8 times down the floor we didnt even have a shot attempt.

 

17 turnovers to 7

 

I buy the emotional part the most. Not sure that happens with any team not named Kentucky.

 

That was a final four level bout against UK. That shit wears you down mentally more than physically.

Mentally tired people get physically tired quicker. Not making excuses. But we were spent.

 

This a very rational explanation for how today went down.

Auburn was the benefactor of timing both times we played them this year.

 

It sucks but true. Ms St prior has nba size too, then to Ky yesterday.
Auburn just a bad matchup for this team, but they were toast early.

 

Now that I am back home, a few thoughts.

1. When this team thinks it won't get calls inside, they struggle. Auburn played great defense, but we didn't help ourselves at all. Admiral not getting the call on a shot up 15-11 completely messed the entire team up. We quit trying to go inside, and Grant played timid from 12 minutes in first half until 8 minute mark of second half.

2. Not much you can do when a three point shooting team gets hot. Maybe defend the corner shot better, but that's it.

3. Pearl has Barnes' number. It's as simple as that. This happens.

4. I'll agree with NYY, this team was spent.

5. Card Jr, Lyls, and myself sat next to three Auburn fans that seemed like decent people. I was kind of shocked.

6. Bridgestone has good arena food.

7. Anthem was a good as you can get. A+ performance.

8. Junior got to cross an item off his 9 year old bucket list as he got to see the Bat Tower up close today. That was probably the high point for us.

 

I'm trying to break down the being spent emotionally because of a final four type game the day before. What happens when UT starts playing better teams than Auburn on short rest? Numerous times in a row?

 

Doesn't get any shorter than "next day."

 

I fully believe that sometimes circumstances set you up to just not have “it” on a particular day, doesn’t matter how much the players want it, how much the coaches motivate or how much the fans cheer. It just happens sometimes.

 

6 games in 17 days. That supposed to change in the NCAAT?

 

And Auburn did the same thing 4 days in a row.

 

UT gonna have the same amount of rest as the other teams going forward. Today broke my confidence that they can grind through a tournament.