When you think of the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteer basketball team, you

normally don’t think of the AC/DC song “Back in Black” nor the country song

“Let’s go to Vegas”. However, those were the themes on Wednesday night as

the Vols celebrated senior night at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The Vols (23-5, 11-4 SEC) sent seniors C.J. Black and Vegas Davis out in

style with a sluggish win over the Arkansas Razorbacks 73-66.

“It’s a great feeling,” Black said of the win. “It’s different from when I

first got here. We would have probably lost or something, but this time,

it’s a great feeling to go out in style. That’s what we wanted.”

Black and Davis started their career as a Volunteer on a losing team that

celebrated any victory, and there were few. By the end of their stay at

Tennessee, the both were able to be a part of Tennessee history as the Vols

have compiled three consecutive 20-win seasons, including this year’s

school record of 23 wins.

“I think C.J. is playing his best basketball. He’s been just the complete

player,” Green said. “Vegas is the humble kid that comes to play everyday.

He’s just a pleasure to be around. Anybody in this arena would feel

comfortable with Vegas sitting in their living room.”

Before the game Wednesday, the two seniors were honored with a ceremony at

half court with Green. Black and Davis, escorted by their family members,

each received a framed jersey as the crowd watched a video of the players’

careers.

“It was really emotional for me but I just held it in,” Davis said. “I was

nervous because my mom was here. This was her second time here and her

first time watching me play a game in Tennessee. I was really happy to see

that.”

Oh yeah, there was a game too.

Black, a native of Chattanooga, netted seven points while grabbing 10

boards and four blocks in his final home game as a Vol. Black ranks first

on the UT all-time blocked shot list and has 1,199 career points as a

Vol.

Each of Black’s baskets were very timely as his first two shots were on

target to bring the Vols down from an early 3-2 deficit and give them a 6-3

lead.

With :40.8 left in the first half, Black hit a free throw to tie the game

at 27. Midway through the second half he nailed two foul shots for a 51-49

Tennessee advantage.

“It really hit me that this was my last time here,” Black said. “This is it

and I really enjoyed it.”

Davis, the first UT player from Arizona, saw limited action but managed to

round up one point on a free throw with :33.4 to play. Although Davis did

not get to start nor play a lot, he was very satisfied with his career as a

Vol.

“I wasn’t disappointed,” Davis said of not starting his last home game.

“It’s a team game and you’ve got to be patient.”

Black and Davis have showed true sportsmanship and class while at

Tennessee. Knoxville will miss them both.