FINAL: Tennessee Upsets Alabama, Revatilizes Hope

Toughness and accountability ultimately determine the resolve of any competitive sports team. If you have competitive makeup, things generally work out for your squad.

Tennessee proved that they have those things on Wednesday night. Everyone in college basketball favored Alabama in the top-ten affair; the Volunteers lost three of its previous four entering play, with all those losses coming against unranked teams.

It felt like Tennessee's ceiling was on the line. Everyone knows they are a tournament team with enough talent to win a few rounds, but their victory over Alabama proves they have what it takes to go where no Tennessee squad has before. Guard Zakai Zeigler was the catalyst for them all night; he played smart basketball, assuming more of an offensive role after being primarily a creator in transition this season.

Tennessee also saw some production from its frontcourt, which has been relatively stout all season. The game wasn't pretty by any standard, but Tennessee thrives in those environments. The forty minutes don't have to be filled with offensive eruptions, but it must be filled with team basketball.

The win didn't come without adversity. Alabama wasn't intimidated and held its own in the final minutes; freshman forward Brandon Miller was excellent all night, getting to his spots and making the right basketball play. However, their efforts weren't enough, and now Tennessee has a marquee win to point to when evaluating which teams can win a title.

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