Victor Bailey Jr. – Syndication Server

Dick Vitale was convinced that Tennessee made a game-tying shot that was actually an airball

To be fair, it looked like it dropped!

Before you see this video, this is an airball. I promise you, this is an airball.

Yes, it hits the bottom of the net. And it definitely looks like a made jump shot from an angle. But it’s an airball.

If you were listening to Dick Vitale call the Tennessee vs. Alabama game, though, you would never have been able to tell from his reaction. After Victor Bailey Jr. shoots this ball, it falls so short that it scrapes the bottom of the net.

But Vitale is going nuts in the booth as if Tennessee just made the biggest shot of the game. But to be fair, it honestly looked like Bailey made it!

pic.twitter.com/TPjXdAHy0U

— Viral Sports (@NotScTop10plays) March 13, 2021

After Alabama grabs the rebound, all you hear is Vitale going crazy over everything else.

“You don’t let him shoot the three! You don’t let him shoot the three!”

Just hilarious. What a moment. Sports as optical illusions are the absolute best. Victor Bailey Jr. welcome to the Trevor Ariza Hall of Fame.

[mm-video type=video id=01f0bx9g45jvzykv3z playlist_id=01f09p3bf720d8rg02 player_id=01evcfkb10bw5a3nky image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f0bx9g45jvzykv3z/01f0bx9g45jvzykv3z-de505d307450486fd53c0f3ae038ad26.jpg]

Victor Bailey Jr. propels Vols to victory against South Carolina

Recapping UT’s victory over Gamecocks Wednesday.

A home game against South Carolina proved to be what the Tennessee basketball team needed.

The No. 19 Volunteers received a career-high 29 points from guard Victor Bailey Jr.

The Vols totaled 26 assists on 32 made field goals to claim a 93-73 Southeastern Conference victory over the Gamecocks at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Bailey Jr., a transfer from Oregon, knocked down seven 3-point attempts, propelling the Vols past South Carolina (5-10, 3-8 SEC), which has been decimated by injuries while having multiple stoppages due to COVID-19 protocols.

Feb 17, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes huddles with his players during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Bailey Jr. also received help from a supporting cast as Tennessee (15-5, 7-5) had three other players post double figures in the scoring column.

John Fulkerson chipped in with 19 points. He also had six rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. Jaden Springer had 16 points and Yves Pons had 10. Pons was the Vols’ leading rebounder with nine.

Springer and Santiago Vescovi each recorded six assists for Tennessee.

Victor Bailey Jr. discusses upcoming basketball season

Victor Bailey Jr. discusses upcoming basketball season.

KNOXVILLE — Redshirt junior guard Victor Bailey Jr. transferred to Tennessee following the 2018-19 season.

He transferred to Tennessee from Oregon and sat out last season at UT. Bailey Jr. appeared in 37 contests with eight starts at Oregon during the 2018-19 season, averaging 7.4 points per game.

Jan 17, 2019; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Brandon Williams (2) defends Oregon Ducks guard Victor Bailey Jr. (10) during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Bailey Jr. met with media Friday on a Zoom call to discuss the upcoming season. Below is a transcript provided by the University of Tennessee.

On feeling more comfortable running the point:
“That year sitting out for me was good, it was a struggle because it’s hard to watch my teammates play. I was able to sit down and watch tape and watch film of (Jordan) Bone and get to see Santi and those guys run the point and do it everyday in practice. It helped a lot.”

On if the point will be his primary position:
“I think it’s still a combo, I can still do both. Whatever coach asks me to do at this point I can do it, which I feel comfortable being able to say.”

On the factors that led him to Tennessee:
“To me it was the culture, the first day I got here and seeing how our guys were working every day, seeing how invested the coaches were in the players and the process. Sitting down with (Garrett Medenwald) and seeing how meticulous and serious he was in guys getting better. I was sold the first day I got here.”

Pages: 12345678