Tennessee finds groove in second half, knocks off Mississippi State

After seeing No. 1 seed Auburn fall in the early afternoon window, No. 2 seed Tennessee did not mess around to kick off the evening window of the SEC Tournament.

The Vols (24-7, 14-4) rode an excellent second half performance at Amalie Arena to turn a close game into a blowout victory. The No. 3 defense in college basketball per KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency put the clamps on Mississippi State in the final 20 minutes, and the offense found a nice rhythm.

The Vols went for 1.27 points per possession after the halftime break with Josiah Jordan-James leading the way with 16 points and four makes from three-point range in the 72-59 win. Elsewhere, Tennessee had four other players reach double-digit scoring but the defense was the real story.

Tennessee held the Bulldogs to just 22 points in the second half as Ben Howland’s club made just six field goals after the break. Mississippi State will end a disappointing season at 18-15 (8-10) and will sit at home in Starkville for the SEC Tournament. Expect rumors to circulate about Howland’s job status as the Bulldogs could elect to go in a different direction after just one NCAA Tournament in seven seasons.

The Vols did get lucky and survived an injury. After losing diaper dandy point guard Kennedy Chander in what appeared to be an ankle injury, the talented scored returned to the floor and chipped in 11 points and six assists in 27 minutes.

On Saturday, Tennessee will wear their home jerseys at Amalie Arena as the Vols will face the winner of Vanderbilt/Kentucky in the second game on semifinal Saturday. Rick Barnes’ program will be playing on the weekend at the SEC Tournament for the fourth time in a row.