#14 MERCER 63 #11 TENNESSEE 83...Too much RICHARDSON & STOKES from ROCKY Top as they take the SLIPPERS off and show no MERCY setting the BEAR Trap...CAMPUS HARDWOOD with Coach MARTIN singing Rocky Top Tennessee w/SMOKEY #GoVOLS #UTKnoxville #RockyTop #SEC

The Tennessee Volunteers made quick work of the Mercer Bears as there will be no marching to the Sweet 16 for the Atlantic Sun Conference latest "One Shining Moment" Phenom. The Vols just had way too much athleticism and coached very well under Coach Counzo Martin's System.

The Vols led 42-27 at the break behind five Money balls and that vaunted Tennessee Pressure. The Bears even playing with their best player and Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year Langston Hall (15 pts 6 asst) had no shot. The Bear never got closer than a twelve point deficit as the Vols shoot  nearly 50% from the field and almost 90% from the stripe. The Bears were - 22 on the glass and that gave Tennessee all kinds of 2nd chance points as the Vols grabbed some 18 offensive Oranges.

UT was led by Guard Josh Richardson's 26 points and Front Line Star Jarnell Stokes 17 points, eighteen boards, and five helpers. Guard Antonio Barnett added 18 including 12 of that 18 from the Arc. Mercer was led by the aforementioned Hall's 15 and guard Ike Nwamu adding a dozen. Tennessee moves onto the Sweet 16 where they will play #2 Michigan in Indy in the Midwest Region.

360 Degrees...Tennessee Lead Man Cuonzo Martin played HS Basketball with current ESPN College Basketball Analyst and 1987 Mc Donald's All-American LaPhonso Ellis at East St. Louis Lincoln HS Fame. They won two straight Straight Championships as Ellis went onto to pay for Notre Dame and Martin for Gene Keady and the Boilermakers. Martin was a two-time All-Stater in Illinois and a Top 50 National Recruit.