On a day that saw Bruce Pearl make first return to Knoxville since taking over as the head coach for the Auburn Tigers, it was Tennessee’s Armani Moore that stole the show as the Vols outlasted the Tigers 71-63 in front of an announced crowd of 18,439 in Thompson Boling Arena.
Moore would finish the afternoon with 19 points and 13 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season, while also collecting two steals, an assist and two blocks – one of which was an emphatic rejection of Auburn big-man Cinmeon Bowers (seen below).
The crowd didn’t need much motivation to get rowdy on Saturday considering Pearl’s return, but Moore gave fans plenty of reasons to get out of their seats. Here’s a look at some of his finer moments from this afternoon’s game:
Thunderous tip-dunk off of a Robert Hubbs miss:
Armani Moore brings the thunder. https://t.co/AcXeClHdOf
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 31, 2015
Wisely frustrating Auburn’s Trayvon Reed, which ultimately led to a Reed technical foul:
Auburn doesn't understand how to line up for free throws… Earn a technical because of it. https://t.co/uph3morNDw
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 31, 2015
Great work in the post during a fast break:
The early work by Armani Moore to fight for position leads to an easy bucket. https://t.co/oP2thzaRVy
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 31, 2015
Finishes the shot after drawing an elbow to the face from Trayvon Reed, which resulted in Reed’s ejection:
Armani Moore catches an elbow to the jaw, draws the foul and sinks the floater. https://t.co/KnmHKfdN6E
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 31, 2015
The aforementioned swat of Cinmeon Bowers:
Armani Moore with a PUNCH! https://t.co/O2sqhYBv6y
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) January 31, 2015
