Glass Cleaners: Tennessee Vacuums Up the Cyclones in Chicago
CHICAGO — If you’re an Iowa State fan, Friday night felt like trying to win a rebounding battle against a group of industrial-strength shop vacs. In a 76-62 Sweet 16 smackdown at the United Center, Tennessee didn't just advance to its third straight Elite Eight; they practically claimed ownership of the backboards.
The Vols outrebounded the Cyclones 43-22. To put that in perspective, Tennessee nearly had as many offensive rebounds (16) as Iowa State had total rebounds. It’s hard to run a "cyclone" when the other team keeps stealing all the air.
The Great Second-Half Explosion
At halftime, it was a 34-33 nail-biter that had Rick Barnes looking like he was calculating the physics of a stress headache. But the second half was a different story. The Vols exploded with a 42-29 scoring differential, punctuated by Jaylen Carey (11 points, 10 boards) flexing on the crowd after a tip-in and-one. At 6-foot-8 and 267 pounds, Carey flexing is less of a celebration and more of a structural integrity test for the United Center.
Freshman sensation Nate Ament led the charge with 18 points, while Felix Okpara added a double-double of his own. Meanwhile, Iowa State—missing the injured Joshua Jefferson—found the free-throw line about as welcoming as a cactus. The Cyclones went a dismal 10-for-20 from the stripe in the second half, proving that even "free" points come with a heavy tax in the Sweet 16.
No-Nonsense, All Results
Rick Barnes, the man who runs a "no-nonsense program," is now one win away from taking Tennessee to its first Final Four in program history.
“We tell everyone it’s going to be tough,” Barnes said, presumably while wearing a look that suggests he hasn't smiled since the Clinton administration.
The Vols have already taken down Miami (Ohio), Virginia, and now the #2 seed Cyclones. They are officially the bracket-busters who refuse to go home.
By the Numbers:
3: Consecutive Elite Eight appearances for the Vols. At this point, they should probably just start forwarding their mail to the regional finals.
+21: The rebounding margin. Tennessee treated the glass like it was a family heirloom they were protecting from a clumsy toddler.
2.15 PM Sunday: When the Vols face #1 Michigan and the Yaxel Lendeborg "Revenge Tour."
Next Up: It’s the Midwest Region final. Tennessee is hunting for its first-ever Final Four berth, but they have to go through a Michigan team that currently looks like it was built in a lab to ruin people's weekends. If the Vols keep rebounding like this, though, Michigan might need to bring some actual wolverines to help out on the boards.
