“We Know it’s Go Time” as Vols Prepare to Defend SEC Title+

Tennessee won the SEC tournament last season for the first time in 43 years.
Now they have a chance to win back-to-back league crowns for the first time in school history, as the SEC tournament tips off this week in Nashville.

It’s grind time in Tennessee.
Vols have to do the impossible basketball grind.
Win four games in four days to claim the SEC tournament title.
Said head coach Rick Barnes:”Our plans are to go to Nashville and hopefully stay for four days. Again make sure we keep our legs and all that getting ready for the first game because every game is a championship game.”
Said guard Santiago Vescovi:”This time we have to play one more game than we did last year. I think it’s going to help us get into more rhythm going into the tournament.”
Said Barnes:”You know we played three days down in Atlantis earlier in the year, but the key is if we go into the first game as fresh as we can.”
Fresh on Coach Barnes mind.
His team’s defensive effort against Auburn last weekend.
Said Barnes:”I will tell you from a defensive standpoint. Not one guy played well defensively.”
In the words of Taylor Swift.
Shake it off.
Said Barnes:”Whatever the mindset was at Auburn, let’s not do that one again you know. Let’s not do that one again. So whatever you guys eat individually, let’s not do that one again.”
Aye Aye Captain.
Can’t afford lapses in the SEC tournament.
Said Barnes:”It’s time for everybody where we can’t be talking about inconsistencies. Not understanding the role or whatever. It’s time that everybody does exactly what this team needs them to do to move on.”
Said Vescovi:”We’re at a point that we know it’s go time now. You either learn from the mistakes that you did or you’re going to get kicked out of the tournament.”

Tennessee plays Thursday at 3:30 pm at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. They’ll face the winner of Ole Miss and South Carolina.