Survive and Advancing, UT Back to Sweet 16
BIRMINGHAM - Survive and advance.
That's the name of the game this time of year, and that's just what Tennessee did.
Tennessee got a layup in overtime from Ramar Smith with just 27 seconds left, and Jujuan Smith made all four of his free throws in the final seconds to ice the game and give Tennessee a 76-71 win Sunday in Birmingham.
Tennessee will meet the winner of the Louisville-Oklahoma game in the Sweet 16 in Charlotte, N.C.
"I'm very pleased to survive and advance," UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "I thought the way we rebounded early set the tone. We sent a message that we were going to represent the SEC and be physical."
Tennessee led the entire way, but Butler remained right with the Vols.
Willie Veasley tied the game with 35 seconds left in regulation off a putback on a missed layup. J.P. Prince had a chance to give UT the lead, but he traveled with 4 seconds left. Prince, however, stripped MIke Green of the ball to prevent a game-winning shot from ever being released.
Both teams had to deal with foul trouble throughout the game's entirety. Mike Green and Matt Howard fouled out of the game in overtime for Butler. A.J. Graves had to play with four fouls for the entire overtime period.
Wayne Chism, Tyler Smith and Ramar Smith all played with four fouls for Tennessee.
UT was 4-of-9 from deep in the first half, but connected on just 1-of-10 the rest of the way. Chism had 16 to lead Tennessee, while Tyler Smith had 15.
Graves had 21 for Butler, while Green had 15. Butler ends it season at 30-4, while Tennessee picked up its 31st win of the season.
It was the first time two 30-win teams have met this early in the tournament.
"It's unfair, and unfortunate to who lost this game," Pearl said. "This is usually a regional final type of game. This is the best Butler team I've seen, and how many times have they been in the 5-12 game. I just don't understand it."
