For six games, Missouri did a lot of things right. Then for the first 14 minutes against Tennessee, the best version of the Tigers showed up. Ball movement was crisp. The defense made the Volunteers take tough shots. And they rebounded with gusto. The underdog took the ring against the favorite and landed a surprise combination which left the No. 3 team in the country weak-kneed.
But this wasn’t going to be the story of Rocky triumphing over Apollo, or even Creed against whatever foes he’s facing in those movies, like Drago Jr. or something. Instead, the favorite eventually gathered itself methodically dismantled their opponent, with the Vols landing a knockout blow early in the second half.