University of Tennessee Athletics
Lofton Only Worries About Wins and Losses
February 05, 2008 | Men's Basketball
By Melissa Anderson
At the end of his Tennessee career, senior Chris Lofton wants the fans to remember one thing about his teams.
How they played.
???I want people to remember that the teams I was on played hard every game,??? Lofton said. ???We may not win every game, but we always left it out on the floor.???
Looking back at his career, it would be hard for any to question how hard his teams have played.
Through 21 games this season the Vols own a 19-2 record and are ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press poll. Over the last three seasons, the Volunteers have compiled a 64-21 record, earned an SEC East title in 2006 along with two trips to the NCAA tournament, last year advancing to the Sweet 16.
And Lofton has done his share in helping the Vols make these achievements possible. Some of his individual accomplishments include being named consensus second team All-America after his sophomore and junior years, being named the SEC Player of the Year in 2006 and first team All-SEC twice in his career.
He broke the SEC record for 3-pointers in a career, previously held by Arkansas??? Pat Bradley, when he sank five against Kentucky to give him 367. But breaking the record was not all it could have been for him as the Vols lost, 72-66.
???It was a great, a great accomplishment for me,??? Lofton said. ???But you know, we lost, so that ruined it. It was a great honor but then again it was not a great game.???
For Lofton, all the individual accomplishments don???t add up to anything if the team is not winning. The accomplishments that mean the most to him are the SEC East championship in 2006 and playing in the NCAA tournament. And he hopes that this season will not disappoint, either.
During Lofton???s career, it has been in SEC play when he and the rest of his teammates seem to step it up. One team they have had particular success against is the Florida Gators. The Vols are 3-1 against the two-time defending national champions over the last two seasons.
???It is an honor to have had such success against them,??? he said.
Lofton understands the importance of playing well in the SEC.
???Conference play is really different,??? Lofton said. ???Every night you have to bring it or teams will beat you by 20. And in the conference you are playing for a championship and you have to bring it every night.???
For Lofton and the rest of his team, having a packed Thompson-Boling Arena helps them to get up for those big games.
???It definitely gives a boost playing in front of the home crowd,??? Lofton said. ???When you play in front of your home crowd and you have your home crowd with you, it???s like that extra sixth man that keeps you going.???
