The loss of four key players helped Tennessee come together as a team. Now No. 1 Kansas is looking to do the same after failing to survive the second of two close games.
Scotty Hopson had 17 points and No. 16 Tennessee, with a lineup thinned by suspensions, dismissals and injuries, handed Kansas its first loss of the season, 76-68 last night in Knoxville, Tenn.
“It’s pretty amazing what chemistry can do when guys put their minds to something and know their backs are up against the wall a little bit and they rally, and they don’t quit and they believe in themselves,” Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said.
Kansas’ loss leaves No. 2 Texas and No. 3 Kentucky as the only unbeatens in Division I.
The Jayhawks’ Tyshawn Taylor stole the ball and dished it to Brady Morningstar, who hit a 3-pointer with 1:14 left to cut Tennessee’s lead to 71-68. Skylar McBee, one of three walk-ons who saw playing time for Tennessee, answered with his own 3 as the shot clock expired.
Sherron Collins, who bailed the Jayhawks (14-1) out of a near loss to Cornell on Wednesday with a career-high 33 points, couldn’t help this time, missing three shots before time expired. Collins led Kansas with 22 points.
It was the Vols’ first game after Pearl dismissed Tyler Smith on Friday, a week after the senior was arrested on misdemeanor gun and drug charges. Tennessee was also playing without Cameron Tatum, Melvin Goins and Brian Williams, who were arrested Jan. 1 with Smith.
Syracuse 82, S. Florida 65
In Syracuse, Wes Johnson had 19 points and 13 rebounds, his seventh double-double of the season, and No. 7 Syracuse rolled. Syracuse (15-1, 2-1 Big East) used a 16-4 first-half spurt to take control and outscored the Bulls 17-8 over the first 6:09 of the second half to send South Florida (10-5, 0-3) to its 34th Big East road loss in 36 games since joining the conference.
N. Carolina 78, Va. Tech 64
In Chapel Hill, N.C., Ed Davis had 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots, and No. 9 North Carolina (12-4, 1-0 ACC) overcame a big game from Malcolm Delaney to bounce back from a surprising overtime loss at the College of Charleston. Delaney returned from an ankle injury to score 20 of his 26 points in the first half for the Hokies (12-2, 0-1).
Maryland 77, Florida St. 68
In College Park, Md., Greivis Vasquez scored 22 points, Eric Hayes had 17, and Maryland (10-4, 1-0 ACC) held off No. 18 Florida State to snap the Seminoles’ seven-game winning streak.
Temple 68, R. Island 64 (OT)
In Kingston, R.I., Juan Fernandez scored 18 points, including a big 3-pointer in overtime, and No. 21 Temple held off Rhode Island, snapping the Rams’ eight-game winning streak. Fernandez gave the Owls (13-3, 2-0 Atlantic-10) a 65-61 lead with a 3 with 28 seconds left in overtime.
Arizona 87, Washington 70
In Tucson, Ariz., Jamelle Horne scored a career-high 22 points to lead Arizona over No. 24 Washington (10-5, 1-3 Pac-10), the Huskies’ worst loss of the season. Horne hit a career-high five 3-pointers for the Wildcats (8-8, 2-2).
Fairfield 88, Manhattan 85
In Bridgeport, Anthony Johnson scored a career-high 27 points and Fairfield outscored Manhattan 8-5 in the final minute for a victory. The Jaspers (7-9, 2-4 MAAC), who led by 14 in the first half, lost for the fourth time in five games. Rico Pickett scored 29 points.
Maine 66, Bing. 61 (OT)
In Binghamton, Terrance Mitchell scored 22 points, leading Maine to an overtime victory over Binghamton for the Black Bears’ first America East win of the season. Moussa Camara led the Bearcats (6-11, 1-1 America East) with 18 points.
