McRae torched Georgia for 35 points.
Photo by Reed Carringer

The Vols saw their six-game win streak come to an end despite a career-high 35 points from Jordan McRae. Georgia controlled the game after trailing 7-0 early, and the Vols didn’t look like the same team that beat Florida earlier in the week. Bulldog guards got to the hoop with ease all afternoon, and Tennessee lacked intensity on both sides of the floor. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who scored 24 against the Vols earlier this season, led the Bulldogs in scoring with 25 points. Guard Charles Mann added 18 points, with 12 coming from the charity stripe. The Bulldogs outscored Tennessee by eight at the free throw line and outrebounded the Vols by four.

Jordan McRae’s performance was almost enough to lift the Vols to victory. He made 10 of his 15 attempts, and was 8-11 from beyond the arc. His 35 points were the most scored by a Vol since Chris Lofton scored 35 against Texas in 2006. McRae is averaging a remarkable 29.8 points his last four outings. Trae Golden had a horrendous day and finished the game with just four points on 1-10 shooting. No matter who else plays well, the Vols aren’t a good team without an effective Golden, and he’ll have to play much better for the Vols to continue their tournament push. Kenny Hall scored 10 points, and was the only Vol in double-figures other than McRae. Jarnell Stokes added eight points and 10 rebounds, but struggled against the Georgia double team for most of the game.

The loss certainly hurt Tennessee’s NCAA tournament stock, but the Vols are still on the NCAA bubble. Tennessee’s RPI stands at 57th, and with wins over Auburn and Missouri to finish the year, UT will enter the SEC Tournament needing one or two wins to make an NCAA bid likely.