Alabama guard Mark Sears suffered an ankle injury, but coach Nate Oats expressed intent to play him if close to 100%. Tennessee dominated the game, leading 50-37 at halftime and ultimately winning 91-71. Dalton Knecht scored 25 points for Tennessee. Nate Oats acknowledged Tennessee's defensive prowess, while Jahmai Mashack expressed excitement about shutting down the top-ranked offense.
Here is everything Nate Oats said after Alabama's 91-71 loss to No. 6 Tennessee on the road Saturday. "That was as dominating a performance somebody has put on us in a long time around here." 🔗: https://t.co/HWsApaM7IO https://t.co/rNmw93jDcW
#Vols' Jahmai Mashack on team's defensive performance against Alabama: Honestly it felt normal to me. But any time you play the team ranked No. 1 nationally in offense, you should be excited to try shutting them down. I get excited.
Tennessee played Dixieland Delight after beating Alabama 91-71. @BarstoolTenn @BarstoolAlabama https://t.co/gxPC56eLpg
Bama coach Nate Oats on Tennessee: That's the best job by far anybody's done on us defensively.
Alabama's 6-game winning streak snapped with a loss at Tennessee 🔗: https://t.co/869yBNVCfB https://t.co/RxGcEK7FYQ
FINAL IN KNOXVILLE: No. 6 Tennessee 91, Alabama 71. #Vols go wire to wire with ease, building 27-point lead and coasting down the stretch against a very talented opponent that didn't want to play defense. Which means an automatic loss in this building.
#Vols 73, Bama 52, 8:35/2ndH. Dalton Knecht up to 25 points.
Alabama's a very good team despite a complete lack of desire to play defense. If the Tide decide to guard people, they'll be great. Tennessee would prefer today not be the day that happens.
#Vols 65, Bama 47, 11:45/2ndH. Another Jahmai Mashack steal leads to another transition slam from Dalton Knecht, who's up to 21 points. Bama to the FT line for two after this media timeout on the floor.
#Vols 55, Bama 41, 15:53/1stH. Jonas Aidoo back on the floor and doing Jonas Aidoo things. Couple of buckets and a couple of violent rejections on the other end. Tennessee ball after this media timeout on the floor.
Half: Tennessee 50, Alabama 37 Join the discussion on @BOL_On3: https://t.co/Pr49H2kwj3 https://t.co/27JyNKGAvI
HALFTIME IN KNOXVILLE: No. 6 Tennessee 50, Alabama 37 Dalton Knecht with 17, Jordan Gainey with 13 and Jonas Aidoo with 10 for the #Vols, who survived much of that half despite Aidoo missing 11 minutes with foul trouble.
Bama goes on a quick 6-0 spurt, Tennessee calls timeout. #Vols 47, Tide 37, 1:21/1stH.
Man, even the Bama basketball team is struggling sans Saban! Tennessee 45, Alabama 31 late in 1st half.
This is the kind of game Bama wants to play. Tennessee's just playing it better so far. #Vols can play offense now (most of the time). Changes things quite a bit.
#Vols 45, Bama 31, 3:19/1stH. Dalton Knecht just did that thing where he tries to dunk on an entire time. He was fouled and will be at the line after this media timeout on the floor.
#Vols 30, Bama 20, 7:49/1stH. Tennessee's Jordan Gainey to the line for two after this media timeout on the floor.
#Vols 21, Bama 13, 11:26/1stH. Tennessee's defense giving the Tide problems early. Six turnovers and counting for the visitors, but they're still playing fast because that's what they do. Vols ball after this media timeout on the floor.
#Vols doubling up Bama early. But very early. Tennessee 14, Tide 7, 14:19/1stH.
Fast, physical game so far. #Vols 10, Bama 7, 15:46/1stH. Tennessee ball after this media timeout on the floor.
Alabama coach Nate Oats on Tennessee: "They’re one of the few teams in the country that are really good on offense and defense."
Mark Sears tweaked his ankle vs. Mizzou. Nate Oats gave an update on the #Alabama guard ahead of tomorrow's clash with Tennessee. "He's the leading scorer in the SEC, so we're going to play him if he's anywhere close to 100 percent." 🔗: https://t.co/PXmaNaTsPh https://t.co/rMrOJmdNpP