Coming off a dangerously close overtime game against UGA, Vandy maintained momentum and tore through a razorback team that in recent years has had the 'Dores number in Fayetteville. Arkansas had won 5 of the least 6 meetings, but that would stop today.
Interestingly, Stallings made a slight alteration to the starting lineup, opting for Johnny J over Tinsley. Vandy started the game hot going on a 10-4 run, and they never looked back. Despite a phenomenal performance by Arkansas forward Marshawn Powell who led the piggies with 27 points, the Dores maintained at least a ten point differential for almost the entire contest.
Jeff Taylor was a force, leading the time with 18 points, 5 boards, and 2 assists. He went 6-10 from the field, and was a perfect 6-6 from the stripe. Once again demonstrating an uncanny ability to get to the hole, he threw down a beautiful reverse slam off an assist from Tinsley. In that mold, Vandy's ball movement was drastically improved. Passes were quick and accurate, and the players showed vision not seen since the win over Tennessee at Memorial.
AJ added 14 and was essential in getting the Razorbacks in early foul trouble. Stallings clearly intended to send a message to Tinsley who has struggled in recent weeks, and coming off the bench Brad answered. He had 13 points, 8 from free throws, and also tied for a game high 6 boards.
Having been limited in playing time much of the season, Darshawn made the most of his 20 minutes today by breaking into double digits with 11 points, going a solid 5-7 from the field. Johnny-boy had 13, and went 3-5 from behind the arc. Surprisingly, coming off a 28-point performance against Georgia, Dolla had a quiet game; unable to find a rhythm he only made 3 of his 11 shots.
Overall the ‘Dores showed flexibility, adjusting nicely in the second half to Powell, and running the zone well. Stallings said after the game, “we seemed very in-sync, very together, and very purposeful.” Pointedly, Vandy did what they had to do. Stallings was happy to get the Arkansas “monkey off [his] back,” and maintain position for a bye in the upcoming SEC tournament.
A day after the big sleazy, John Calipari, called an SEC Championship meaningless, the Vols knocked off his Wildcats in Knoxville. Miraculously, that loss keeps the Dores hopes alive for that “meaningless” distinction. They now stand one back of the conference leaders. Kentucky still has to play at Georgia against a very strong Bulldog squad, and then host a Florida Gator team that will be out to prove something to the NCAA Tournament committee. Regardless, for our championship dreams to become reality the ‘Dores must take care of business at Florida and then at home against South Carolina.
Memorialjim wants to throw BIG UPS to The Duffman, Meriwether, and Jordan Smart for getting time today, and to Aaron Knoll for hitting his free throws late in the game.
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