The second-seeded Tennessee Volunteers were outhustled most of the game and needed a late run to put away 15th-seeded American 72-57 in the first round of the East Regional Friday.

JaJuan Smith led the Vols with 19 points.  Wayne Chism had 16 points, and Tyler Smith added 14 points.

The Eagles tied the game at 40 on a Garrison Carr 3-pointer with 11 minutes left, but the Vols regained the momentum with a 10-0 run following a timeout.

Tennessee led just 53-51 with 5:45 left, but American ran out of gas as the Vols limited them to just one field goal the rest of the way.

The Vols made 4-of-6 3-pointers in the final 11 minutes of game.

American outrebounded the Vols by seven, and grabbed 16 offensive boards while Tennessee managed four. Tennessee, however, forced the Eagles into 21 turnovers.

Garrison Carr led the Eagles with 24 points and six 3-pointers in the program's first NCAA Tournament game.

Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl coached his 500th game as a head coach, earning win 393.  Pearl ranks third in winning percentage among active Division 1 coaches.

The win also gives Tennessee its first ever 30-win season. 

My Take

Survive and advance. It's an old and overused cliché, but that's because it's so true.

The most important thing for Tennessee is that they won.

But let me make this very clear, Tennessee did not look good today. 

Lofton, 1-7 from the field, was clearly off, but theres no reason to think he won't find his stroke.

Unfortunately for Pearl and the Vols, the rest of their biggest problems aren't likely to go away so easily. 

The Vols did manage to keep their opponent from scoring 80 or 90 points, but American was inept handling the ball, something I don't expect from Butler or even South Alabama.

Tennessee also gave up 16 offensive rebounds, and was outrebounded by the smaller Eagles 37-25.

That comes down to effort, hustle and desire.

Pearl's teams have been so successful not because of talent, but because they play with an unparalleled intensity, like a constant chip is on their shoulder.

Now that the Vols have beaten Memphis and won the SEC's regular season, that chip is gone.

Or, perhaps they just peaked too soon. 

Either way, I'd like to think Pearl will find a way to reach this team, but if the Arkansas loss and South Carolina near-loss didn't wake them up, I don't know what will. 

The Vols also need to get more out of the point guard position. It's become a more glaring weakness in March.

Jordan Howell has made just three 3-pointers in his last 33 attempts, and for whatever reason, Pearl held out Ramar Smith in the first half of today's game.

Howell needs to forget his last 33 shots, and the rest of the Vols should just forget the regular season.

Otherwise, they'll make March unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.