Tennessee’s 76-68 victory Sunday over previously unbeaten Kansas was huge not only for the program and the university, but for recruiting as well.
Tobias Harris, a 6-8 forward from Long Island ranked No. 1 among power forwards by Rivals, watched the game with his entire family in their Dix Hill, N.Y. home.
“A great win for the program!” Harris, who has signed with Tennessee, wrote by text.
“Just very happy for us to get that win because I knew it was happening all along.”
Harris chose Tennessee over a slew of big-time programs, including Syracuse, Kentucky, Louisville and West Virginia.
The Vols played with just six scholarship players after senior swing Tyler Smith was booted from the team and three other players — Melvin Goins, Cameron Tatum and Brian Williams –were suspended indefinitely.
The four players were arrested New Year’s Day on guns and drug charges after being stopped by Knoxville Police for speeding.
Still, No. 16 Tennessee beat the No. 1 team in the nation to secure a huge emotional and psyhic victory.
With the Kansas loss, No. 2 Texas and No. 3 Kentucky are the only unbeatens in Division I.
Had the Vols somehow been blown out, it might have contributed to the perception that Bruce Pearl’s program was in dire straits after the incident.
Instead, Tennessee secured a major victory that seems, for the time being at least, to have placated its recruits.
“Go Tenn!!” wrote Torrel Harris, Tobias’ dad.
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