Tennessee basketball likely squanders NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed with Mississippi State loss
NASHVILLE − Tennessee basketball opened the postseason by playing its worst game of the season Friday and that's the way it'll go into the NCAA Tournament.
The Vols couldn't shoot, couldn't stop Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament, and couldn't keep themselves in the chase for the final No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
It was one-and-done for the top-seeded Vols (24-8). They bowed out miserably 73-56 against the No. 9-seeded Bulldogs (21-12) in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals at Bridgestone Arena. UT's 56 points marked a season low.
Tennessee will learn its NCAA Tournament fate Sunday (6 p.m. ET, CBS), but is expected to land as a No. 2 seed by bracketologists' projections. It'll enter on a two-game losing streak, its first losing streak since November.
Dalton Knecht, the SEC player of the year, had 14 points for the Vols. Zakai Zeigler had a team-high 20 points against the Bulldogs, the only SEC team the Vols did not beat this season.
Tennessee's first half was futile at best
Tennessee's lowest-scoring half this season was a 22-point showing against MSU in Starkville. It was worse Friday. The Vols had 19 first-half points. They shot 2-for-18 on 3-pointers and 20.6% from the field.
UT had turnovers problems to tie into the scoring problems. It turned over the ball on four straight possessions early and had five in a 2:57 span between two media timeouts. The Vols capped the first half with a Knecht turnover at centercourt that led to a Mississippi State dunk to double up the Vols 38-19 at halftime.
Mississippi State had its way at the rim
The Bulldogs took only five first-half 3-pointers, abusing Tennessee inside with ease instead. MSU had 28 points in the paint in the first half, shooting 12-for-15 at the rim.
That barrage included multiple three-point plays, a pair of loud dunks, and all-too-easy offense.
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Tennessee struggled shooting 3-pointer until a late flurry
Jahmai Mashack launched an open 3-pointer in the first half. It clanked of the backboard, missing way too long.
Tennessee was hopeless shooting 3-pointers against MSU early − and it shot a ton of them. The Vols made three of their first 23 attempts.
Zeigler was 0-for-6 in the first half and missed his first seven attempts before getting going in the second half with four makes. He hit back-to-back 3-pointers to pull UT within 12 with 5:03 to play.
Up next
Tennessee opens the NCAA Tournament either Thursday or Friday. It will learn its seeding, opponent and location for the opening game on Selection Sunday.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee basketball loses to Mississippi State and No. 1 seed hopes
