Video proof that Tennessee Vols got screwed out of a chance to win Texas game just before time expired
The Tennessee Vols suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Texas Longhorns on Saturday night in Austin. Both teams struggled offensively as the Longhorns eventually escaped with a 52-51 win (Texas shot over 50 percent from the field, they just didn't score very often). With 6.2 seconds left in the game, the Vols had a shot […]
The Tennessee Vols suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Texas Longhorns on Saturday night in Austin.
Both teams struggled offensively as the Longhorns eventually escaped with a 52-51 win (Texas shot over 50 percent from the field, they just didn't score very often).
With 6.2 seconds left in the game, the Vols had a shot at the win.
Rick Barnes designed a play that had guard Zakai Zeigler taking the ball nearly the length of the court and kicking it out to an open shooter on the wing. Tennessee got an open look, but Josiah-Jordan James could get the shot to fall (James was 3-of-6 from three-point range before taking that shot).
There's some debate over whether or not Barnes should've designed something going to the rim. Or perhaps James should've made one extra pass and hit an open Santiago Vescovi in the corner.
All fair questions. But none of those questions should've mattered. That's because Vols forward Olivier Nkamhoua was blatantly fouled with 0.8 seconds left in the game.
That's essentially a tackle. At the very least, that should've been called a foul, resulting in two free throws for Nkamhoua (he's a 70 percent free throw shooter).
There's an argument to be made that it could've been called a flagrant foul. Either way, the Vols should've had a chance to tie or win the game. I don't know how that call gets missed. There's no excuse for it.
Tennessee could've played a lot better on Saturday night. The offense didn't show up until there were about five minutes left in the game.
But in the end, the Volunteers got screwed once again. That's a call that has to be made.
Featured image via Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
