The last undefeated team in men’s college basketball, No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers, suffered a crushing defeat to No. 8 Florida Gators on Tuesday night. The game was essentially over by halftime, as Tennessee struggled with its offense, shooting just 21.4% from the field and 13.8% from three-point range. The Vols’ star players, Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler, were held in check by the Gators’ stifling defense.
Tennessee’s coach, Rick Barnes, pointed to the team’s struggles on the interior as the main reason for the loss, saying that Florida had “their way” down low. The Vols are typically a defense-first team, but their offense proved unable to overcome the poor shooting performance from Lanier and Zeigler.
The defeat marked a significant blow to Tennessee’s chances of remaining undefeated, while also establishing Florida as a serious contender in the SEC. The Gators’ improved defense has been a major factor in their success this season, allowing just 64.9 points per game and ranking ninth nationally in defensive efficiency.
With the last undefeated team falling, men’s college basketball is now left to sort out its new landscape. The SEC remains loaded with talent and depth, making it a fascinating storyline to follow over the next few months.
Source: https://www.si.com/college-basketball/florida-upsets-undefeated-tennessee-mens-basketball