Florida victory could be a 'bye-bye' game for Tennessee

You couldn’t grasp the full impact of Tennessee’s 62-57 victory over Florida unless you checked the SEC standings. And Wednesday’s win at Thompson-Boling Arena might be even more significant when the SEC tournament tips off.

The Vols, who have three conference games remaining, tightened their grip on second place while distancing themselves from both Florida and Alabama, which lost to league-leading Auburn on the same night. That left the Gators and Tide in a six-way tie for third place.

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“It’s an incredibly difficult league,” Florida coach Mike White said. “It’s got tremendous depth.

“The lower half of this league is full of a bunch of good teams as well. I think St. Louis (site of the SEC tournament) will be wide open.”

With a two-game lead over the next six teams, the Vols are in good position for a double bye in the conference tournament. You know what that means in a conference as competitive as this one: fewer games equal fewer chances to lose.

There was nothing pretty about UT’s victory over the Gators. It was more about effort than aesthetics.

And while neither team lacked effort, Tennessee played smarter, especially at crucial times.

Flashy Florida point guard Chris Chiozza provided a great example in the last minute. With the Gators trailing by only three points, he drove hard into the teeth of Tennessee’s defense but forced a wild shot that bounced high off the glass. That followed a high-percentage baseline shot from UT’s Grant Williams, who had a game-high 23 points.

Williams’ scoring reflected his determination to establish favorable position as well as Tennessee’s devotion to an inside-oriented game plan. Conversely, Florida kept firing away from 3-point range against a defense focused on protecting the perimeter.

“They’re one of the best defensive teams in the country,” White said after his Gators had missed 18 of 24 3-point tries. “Considering the defense, I was really pleased with (Florida’s offensive) execution in the second half.”

Although the Gators' 3-point accuracy improved down the stretch, it couldn’t make up for the game’s first four minutes when UT took a 6-0 lead, thanks mainly to Florida’s ineptitude. The Gators committed three turnovers, missed a layup and shot an air-ball on a 3-point attempt.

But there are lessons to be learned that could be applied at tournament time.

The SEC has become so competitive that teams will be penalized heavily for not treasuring every possession. Tennessee was more attune to than Florida. Its offense rarely strayed from inside or the baseline down the stretch.

The plan brought out the best in Williams.

“He is so strong and so disciplined with his ability to post with ultimate physicality the entire game he’s on the floor,” White said. “I thought he wore us down.”

The SEC tournament will be a greater test of stamina for all involved.

“It’s a league where every team that goes to St. Louis truly feels it could win the tournament,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said. “It’s that balanced.”

And because of that balance, byes could matter more than ever.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.