#9 Vols Down #18 Badgers, 66-56 in Defensive Battle

Tuesday, November 21

Knoxville

TBA

University of Tennessee

3-0

Wisconsin

0-1

Wisconsin

Tennessee

November 21, 2000 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Tennessee played Wisconsin at its own game and won. The Volunteers slowed down the tempo of the game and outplayed the Badgers in a half-court, defensive battle.

Tony Harris' four three-pointers helped lead Tennessee to a 66-56 victory over Wisconsin. The Vols won their 31st straight non-conference home game, while the Badgers played in their first game since losing to eventual NCAA champion Michigan State in the Final Four.

"We thought if we could get them in a half-court game, we'd have a chance," UW head coach Dick Bennett said. "We did that but it didn't seem to bother them. They're like Michigan State. They'll play any way you want to play them."

Harris scored 17 points of his game high 22 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range in the second half.

"For him to get 22 against us is quite an accomplishment because we're known for shutting down the other team's leading scorer," UW's Andy Kowske said following the game.

Tennessee never trailed in the game, beginning the game with a Harris three-pointer and building the lead to 12-4 with 12 minutes left in the first half. Wisconsin capped a 9-4 run to end the first half when Freddie Owens banked a three-pointer from 55 feet.

Tennessee opened the second half with a 14-4 run to extend its lead to 38-24. The Vols extended their lead to 46-31 with 10:23 left when Harris Walker drilled a deep three-pointer. The Badgers responded by scoring six straight points to cut the deficit to nine.

Mark Vernshaw's jumper in the lane with 2:19 left cut Tennessee's lead to 55-49 but Harris and Vincent Yarbrough iced the game for the Volunteers with two free throws each in the final 23 seconds.

Notes: Tennessee ran its streak of consecutive home wins against non-conference teams to 31...Jerry Green improved to 14-8 against ranked teams at Tennessee including a 10-1 mark at home...The Volunteers took a 2-0 series lead against the Badgers...Tony Harris recorded his 400th career assist, becoming only the fifth Vol to reach that milestone...Wisconsin was ranked 18th by the Associated Press and 20th by ESPN/USA Today...Wisconsin head coach Dick Bennett retired nine days later, just three games into the season.