Tennessee guard Jordan McRae (52) moves the ball down court as Florida guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) tries to keep up during their NCAA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Gainesville, Fla.

What started as a big opportunity soon turned into a bigger debacle Saturday in Gainesville, Fla.

The Tennessee men's basketball team went to Florida looking to improve its NCAA tournament resume and instead limped home after flopping in significant fashion.

The sixth-ranked Gators won their 11th straight game this season and 26th consecutive game at the intimidating "O-Dome" by whipping the Volunteers 67-41.

"We'll watch parts that we need to watch and learn from it," Vols coach Cuonzo Martin told the Vol Network after the game. "It's a tough loss. You've got to learn from it. As painful as it is, you've got to watch the film and grow from it.

"As a coach, I understand, and our players, it's a painful loss. As a player, you take pride in playing well and playing hard and competing, and we didn't do that. Those guys outplayed us from start to finish."

For full story, read Sunday's Times Free Press.