No. 10 Tennessee upsets No. 1 Alabama, 68-59
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Zakai Zeigler and Santiago Vescovi each scored 15 points and No. 10 Tennessee took down newly minted No. 1 Alabama 68-59 on Wednesday night.
Playing its first game as the topranked team since the 2002-03 season, the Crimson Tide (22-4, 12-1 SEC) led just once in the early going and committed 19 turnovers.
Unlike football, when Tennessee fans stormed their home field after beating No. 3 Alabama 52-49 in October, this sellout crowd stayed in the seats when it was over.
“Rocky Top” loudly blared as the Volunteers (20-6, 9-5) ended a twogame skid.
Alabama became the last Power 5 men’s team to lose a conference game this season.
The Tide reached No. 1 in the latest poll by The Associated Press on Monday, but its only lead in this game came at 12-11.
Jonas Aidoo had 12 points and 11 rebounds for Tennessee.
Brandon Miller led Alabama with 15 points, Jaden Bradley added 14 and Nimari Burnett had 11.
Plavsic connected on a threepoint play to give Tennessee a 5647 lead with just over five minutes left in the game.
Vescovi tossed a lob that Olivier Nkamhoua caught in mid-air and followed with a slam to put Tennessee ahead 19-15 with 7:42 to play in the first half. It was tied at 29 at the break.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Alabama: Alabama is 14-13 against Top 25 teams during Nate Oats’ five years as coach.
Tennessee: A pair of buzzer-beating losses only cost the Vols four places in this week’s poll. … Tennessee has won six of its last seven games against Top 10 teams. … Earlier this season, the Vols lost at No. 9 Arizona.
BIG PICTURE
Alabama: Big man Charles Bediako has been hobbled with a “minor knee injury” he sustained in Saturday’s win over Auburn. He was able to play in the game. … Heading into the game, Brandon Miller is the only Division I player to score 470 points, grab 200 rebounds and make 75 3-pointers.
Tennessee: Two starters — Josiah-Jordan James (ankle) and Julian Phillips (hip flexor) — have been struggling with injuries and missed the game.