Wiedmer: UT was better prepared to defend No. 1 ranking at Vandy this time around

Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield celebrates after a score against Vanderbilt in overtime Wednesday night in Nashville. Schofield struggled in the game, scoring just six points on 2-for-9 shooting — including 0-for-6 from 3-point range — but the Vols found a way to win 88-83 in overtime, largely because of Grant Williams' 43-point performance. Tennessee guard Admiral Schofield celebrates after a score against Vanderbilt in overtime Wednesday night in Nashville. Schofield struggled in the game, scoring just six points on 2-for-9 shooting — including 0-for-6 from 3-point range — but the Vols found a way to win 88-83 in overtime, largely because of Grant Williams' 43-point performance.

By Mark Wiedmer January 24, 2019 5 min read

Mark Wiedmer

NASHVILLE – These are the moments from which No. 1 seeds are made.

These are the moments from which national championship seasons are made.

If ever the newly top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers were all but certain to lose, it was Wednesday night inside Vanderbilt’s magical – or maniacal, depending on whom you’re rooting for – Memorial Gymnasium.

Despite owning at least two-thirds of the sold-out crowd of 14,316, despite facing a Commodores crew that entered this one with an 0-5 record in Southeastern Conference play, the Big Orange trailed 76-70 with less than 90 seconds to go in regulation.

The “overrated” chants from the few but proud Vandy fans were set to begin any second. After all, these are the games Vanderbilt almost never loses on its home floor. It milks the clock. Goes to the foul line. Makes the free throws. Walks away with the win. Almost every time.