As we arrive at the two-minute warning for 2024, University of Tennessee sports fans should be reflecting on what a terrific year it has been for almost all things Vol.
A second straight SEC all-sports trophy is in the house. So everyone’s Christmas stocking is pretty full, right?
Yes, but in the holiday spirit, I’m feeling generous.
I’m handing out do-overs.
Coach Johnny Majors used to say, “if ifs and buts were candy and nuts, what a fine Christmas we’d have.’’
While 2024 was a banner year for most UT sports, there’s always an “if” or a “but” that could have made it even better. Hence, do-overs.
Tennessee football made the first 12-team playoff with a 10-2 regular season. But wouldn’t a home playoff game have been nice?
So let’s go back to Arkansas. After scoring zero points in the first half, the Vols came out firing in the third quarter, compiling consecutive touchdown drives for a 14-3 lead over the Razorbacks.
But then the offense gagged, producing nothing on its final five possessions. Arkansas rallied for a 19-14 win that has sullied UT’s credentials ever since. Time for a do-over. Find one more touchdown in those final five possessions.
Men’s basketball wrapped up a regular-season SEC title before launching into the NCAA bracket as a No. 2 seed. There, the Vols dispatched Saint Peter’s, Texas and Creighton to reach the Elite Eight for the second time in program history.
The Vols’ first Final Four was just 40 minutes away.
Speaking of 40, that’s how many points Purdue’s giant Zach Edey scored in a 72-66 Boilermaker victory that denied UT the promised land. And that was exactly 40 more points than Vol post Jonas Aidoo scored.
Time for a do-over. Granted Edey was a freak opponent, an All-America problem for every team that faced Purdue. But couldn’t there be some defensive strategy to hold him to, say, 28 or 30 points?
Or, some say, maybe the officials need a do-over on that one.
As for Lady Vols basketball, there had been a tendency for horrific quarters to pop up in games throughout the season. That’s what happened in a second-round NCAA tourney game against N.C. State.
An exciting first quarter saw the Wolfpack on top 24-23. So far, so good. But oh, my, that second quarter. N.C. State outscored Tennessee 25-8 and led 49-31 at the half.
The Lady Vols battled back but the hole was too deep, resulting in a 79-72 loss that bounced them from the tournament and bounced coach Kellie Harper from her job.
A do-over of that second quarter might have saved the day. Would it have also saved Harper’s job?
Tennessee softball, winners of the SEC regular season and tournament, had the stage set for a return to the Women’s College World Series, hosting a best-of-three Super Regional against Alabama.
How about a do-over for the top of the first inning in decisive game three? Payton Gottshall struck out the first two batters. Then a single and two batters hit by pitches loaded the bases. For a grand-slam home run.
Alabama rode its 4-0 lead to a 4-1 win and a trip to Oklahoma City.
Finally, there’s Vol baseball. A national championship spares us any need of a do-over.
Well, word is the apple pie at the victory dinner was just OK. Maybe chocolate fudge cheesecake would have been better.
Merry Christmas to all.
Mike Strange is a former writer for the News Sentinel. He currently writes a weekly sports column for Shopper News.
