Jahmai Mashack sends strong message after Tennessee's win against Kentucky that has fans feeling good about reaching the Final Four
The Tennessee Vols advanced to their second straight Elite Eight thanks to their 78-65 win against the Kentucky Wildcats on Friday night in Indianapolis. Tennessee lost their both of their matchups against Kentucky in the regular season before turning in a dominant performance against the Wildcats in the Sweet 16. The Volunteers led by 15 […]
The Tennessee Vols advanced to their second straight Elite Eight thanks to their 78-65 win against the Kentucky Wildcats on Friday night in Indianapolis.
Tennessee lost their both of their matchups against Kentucky in the regular season before turning in a dominant performance against the Wildcats in the Sweet 16.
The Volunteers led by 15 at the half and they were able to prevent Kentucky from making a significant run in the second half, seemingly answering with a bucket every time the Wildcats started to build some momentum.
Reaching the Elite Eight for a second straight season is a massive accomplishment for Tennessee. But it's not all the Vols are hoping to accomplish in the NCAA Tournament — which is something that Vols guard Jahmai Mashack made clear on Friday after the win against Kentucky.
"It's an amazing feeling," said Mashack after the game. "It's what I've wanted since I came here is to have success on the basketball side. And I've been able to do that. But me and Z (Zakai Zeigler) looked at each other and said this is not what we settled for. We didn't come here just to get to the Elite Eight. We wanted more for this program. We want more for this fan base."
I've said it since the Vols' win against Wofford in the opening round of the tournament — this Tennessee team is playing inspired basketball in March. And that's what makes them an incredibly dangerous opponent right now.
Tennessee needs just one more win to reach the Final Four for the first time in program history. And they need just three more wins to give Rick Barnes his first ever national championship.
Once you get this deep in the tournament, anything can happen. Every team that's left in the mix is talented and motivated.
The Vols, however, feel like they're playing with a little something extra right now. And that might be all they need to finish off what would be the best season in the history of Tennessee basketball.
