Episode 144: Schofield pushes Vols past No. 1 Gonzaga

GoVols247's Wes Rucker (from Fort Rucker Studio) and Grant Ramey (from Denver International Airport) conversed as if in the same room thanks to the miracle of Al Gore’s Internets, and there was plenty to discuss after Tennessee’s come-from-behind, 76-73 win over top-ranked Gonzaga in the Jerry Colangelo Classic at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix. A performance for the ages from senior wing Admiral Schofield propelled Tennessee back from the brink against the Zags. With junior guard Lamonte Turner (the reigning SEC Sixth Man of the Year) still sidelined with a shoulder issue and star junior forward Grant Williams (the reigning SEC Player of the Year) sidelined for the final 2 minutes, 30 seconds after fouling out, the Vols needed something special from Schofield. And that’s exactly what they got. Schofield scored Tennessee’s final 11 points, including eight huge points after Williams was forced to the bench. Schofield’s fifth 3-pointer of the game gave Tennessee a 73-71 lead with 1:20 left, and he responded to Gonzaga tying the score by promptly putting the Vols back in front — this time for good — on his sixth 3-pointer of the game. His NBA-range dagger with 23.1 seconds left proved to be the difference. There’s plenty of discuss from Sunday’s game, and this episode covers just about all of it. First we speak with Vols head coach Rick Barnes, and then we break down the game with one of the reporters covering it in person.