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INDIANAPOLIS — Darlinstone Dubar wasn’t the first option, but he made sure he was the best option.
The Tennessee basketball guard set a screen, then slipped toward Jordan Gainey for a clear inbound pass. He planted his feet and popped a 3-pointer, canning the shot and cutting loose. The normally stoic senior threw a big fist pump toward the Tennessee bench in celebration.
“It is March Madness,” Dubar said. “I just had to make a moment for myself. I hit the 3 and had to show some emotions. I screamed. I was excited and happy I hit the shot. I know my family is proud of me.”
Dubar has had fine moments in games this season. None compared to Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Dubar had two of the plays his teammates and coaches raved about after the No. 2 seed Vols advanced to the Elite Eight with a 78-65 win against No. 3 seed Kentucky.
“DStone, there is nobody like him in the country,” forward Cade Phillips said. “He comes in and feels like he is a starter.”
Darlinstone Dubar made an early 3-pointer against Kentucky in Sweet 16
Rod Clark knew his favorite play from Friday’s win. It was Dubar’s 3-pointer and the fist pump.
“I just think that was the most emotion we have seen from him all year,” the Vols assistant coach said. “That shows what our mindset was and how much we wanted to win that basketball game.”
Dubar had been in the game for 15 seconds when he cleared space to shoot off an inbound play. He put the Vols (30-7) ahead 17-7 at the 12:12 mark of the first half. They held a double-digit lead for the majority of the game.
The 6-foot-6 guard tipped in a Gainey layup later in the first half.
“Hooper,” forward Igor Milicic Jr. said of Dubar. “DStone is a dog. We all know he is a dog. Whenever he steps on the court, we want to see that dog.”
How Darlinstone Dubar made a highlight-reel block
Justin Gainey was immensely proud of Tennessee’s defensive…
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Publish date : 2025-03-29 09:05:00
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