Posted by wewhite on April 24, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!

Posted by Lofton4Three on April 24, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Two great days of news on Rocky Top!

Posted by marc_ash on April 24, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Not a surprise at all. I said it yesterday, there was absolutely ZERO chance he went pro this season. This has been known for about a week and a half.

Glad to have you back tyler. Look forward to seeing you dominate the SEC this season.

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 24, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

overated what you gonna do now

Posted by MOOREVOLS on April 24, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Top ten ranking and a good shot at the Final Four. Yes!!!

Posted by volguy40 on April 24, 2008 at 10:25 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by amyslins on April 24, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

moorevols....DO NOT jump to conclusions already. i remember last year how great we thought we were going to be. and, we did do good, but we couldn't make it past the sweet 16 still. and last year was based on reliable players who have already played at the college level. let's not jump to the final four yet. all i would say is let's work out butts off and prove that we belong this year!

Posted by MOOREVOLS on April 24, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

amyslins -- I'm just saying we have a "good shot" at the Final Four. That's all. I know our guard play will have to be better for us to get get there. I think we will be ranked in the top 10 pre-season though. Maybe top 5. Maybe. I'm just glad we get to talk about this and actually have a good chance of it happening.

Posted by overatedvols on April 24, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So, NBA didn't want him.

Posted by dburgin0114 on April 24, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Prudent business decision

Posted by Ashley on April 24, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great news! Hopefully this will help us get past flower girl status.

13O days till Football Time In Tennessee!!!!!

Posted by bigbluevol on April 24, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe oveRated, but they also might not want CDR (his stock is slipping) and I'm sure they won't want those clowns Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier and Dorsey (who's got no place left to go).

Posted by Maryvillemancan on April 24, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

amyslins....."we did good"? a #1 ranking for the first time in school history, 31 wins, and making the sweet 16..unless you forget this is UT and that is an awesome year. You're right, we need to make some changes! Bruce cannot win the big games lets run him out of town and get someone who can help us have a "great season" instead of last years mediocre season. Terrible!

Posted by rockytop on April 24, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No overated, they want you..... to clean their toilets. You probably would go 2nd round in that draft. Your just pissed cause Tyler's going to help us beat your boys again this year.

Posted by hollywood44 on April 24, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Now if we could only find a fifth year of eligibility for J Smith. (sigh)

Posted by tuckepk on April 24, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

volguy40--just so you know, I suggested removal of your post because it is obscene. This is not the place to dump your garbage. As a UT grad and long-time Vols fan, I believe that Billy Donovan runs a clean program and that he and UF have been good for the SEC and UT. Yes, UF has some low class posters on this site (see overated, et al), but so does UT. Don't judge an organization by its low class hangers on. Glad Tyler is staying and hope it works out well for him and the Vols.

Posted by shocker0042 on April 24, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Overated... how many times are you going to say your leaving before actually doing so. I think ive read 4 or 5 posts of yours saying you were leaving... Please dont let the door hit you in the a** on the way out.

Posted by shocker0042 on April 24, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Overated... how many times are you going to say your leaving before actually doing so. I think ive read 4 or 5 posts of yours saying you were leaving... Please dont let the door hit you in the a** on the way out.

Posted by VolStuckInOrlando on April 24, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Awesome news...even if we dont make the Final Four, it will be an exciting and explosive team. I will enjoy watchin this tandem run roughshod over the SEC and Tiger High.

Hey overated, maybe you could get drafted to be the dolt who runs grease through Caliparis hair. You and your team make me giggle...cant wait to blow the kittens doors off at TBA this season.

Posted by TooLegit2Quit on April 24, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, next year is just looking better and better!!

Posted by 2000man on April 24, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This team can go back-to-back SEC Champs if it can find someone to knock down outside shots.

Posted by McMinnVol on April 24, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Two day of great news. For the first time in my 30 years of being a Vol fan, I am more excited and optimistic about the future of the basketball team than the football team. Go Vols!

Posted by General_Fritter on April 24, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by General_Fritter on April 24, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Heh Memphis - Oh the NBA wanted him just in the lower half of the 1st round so he's waiting a year to make even more money. Sucks for you!

Posted by johnlg00 on April 24, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh, happy day! With many of the other national powers being depleted by graduations and early departures, we should be at least a pre-season Top-10. If the influx of new talent, especially Hopson and West, and the return of our single greatest star doesn't get everybody working out with a will this off-season, I don't know what will. If Ramar develops a shot, Chism develops another low-post move or two, Crews develops ANY consistent way to score, and JP makes a full recovery--and none of these requires any giant leap of faith--we will be LOADED next year. I can hardly wait!

Posted by TK on April 24, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Welcome back Tyler! With the number of returning post players. I hope UT uses Tyler more on the outside to showcase his skills.

Posted by volguy40 on April 24, 2008 at 11:02 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Mr_Bandman on April 24, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Can someone get Bruce to sit down with Eric Berry....

Posted by amyslins on April 24, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

maryvillemancan....yes we did good. i do not consider being number one for three days great. and then we go into the sec tournament and lose and take a close game against butler. do not forget not showing up for louisville in the sweet 16. i am a die-hard fan like the rest on this. but, now that we are a good team, i want to see greatness. we have had our taste of good, i want to taste great and want to go to the final four. but, like last year, we are already jumping to conclusions on here. there are too many questions going into this year that we need to establish first before we crown the vols sec champs and as well going to the final four

Posted by ImAllVol on April 24, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why did they have a press conference for this? It was clear that Tyler is not a top 15 NBA pick....sorry but that is a fact. This only makes Tennessee look like the NIT Appearance banner we have hanging at TBA.....trying to make something out of nothing.

Posted by marc_ash on April 24, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bflynn2,

If that makes you feel better young man, you keep on believing that. What you think doesn't matter either way.

Posted by tuckepk on April 24, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

volguy40--try to find your post from 10:25 AM. Looks like somebody else agreed--
From govolsextra:
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned.

Posted by marc_ash on April 24, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bflynn,

Maybe you should talk to your old college roommates wife again...maybe she could inform you about Vols basketball.

Posted by volboy81 on April 24, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

things look good in Big Orange Country!

Posted by volguy40 on April 24, 2008 at 11:22 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by volguy40 on April 24, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TUCK...and me being a lifelong...diehard VOLS fan....to strip my post cuz i said something derogatory bout FLORIDA????/ Is that not part of the Tennessee message board?..the right of passage?..to hate and despise Fla...Memphis...Bama..and who else we want...you are a lil holier than thou arent ya...?anyway..sorry if I offended any Vol fans for saying I didnt care for Fla....lmao...wowwwwwwww

Posted by dwolfcreek on April 24, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

making giles co. proud .

Posted by auttat on April 24, 2008 at 11:41 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by ImAllVol on April 24, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

auttat. Shut up yourself. I will say whatever I want.

Posted by jamescc76 on April 24, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You're my boy, Blue!

Posted by volguy40 on April 24, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

auttat....I hear ya ......guess i got some peoples mangina panties in a wad....im sure you will have that post deleted as well....just thought it was a known fact to hate the gators and tide.....

Posted by utvolz on April 24, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Smart decision Tyler. It's great to have you back for another great year of UT Basketball!

Frank in Memphis

Posted by overatedvols on April 24, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You offended me also Volguy40. I like Florida. Please stop with the derogatory comments. If you can't somehthing nice then......

Posted by volguy40 on April 24, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

overated.....then go to the gator boards...lol.....

Posted by VolStuckInOrlando on April 24, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)

Volguy, Im with you.

Who cares about respect and dignity when it comes to our rivals? Ask them and they will tell you how much respect they have for us. Zero. So save the podium thumping and preaching for your kids. I reserve the right to be a hater, especially when Im surrounded by a sea of blue and orange in Otown.

Volguy, I can feel your hatred. And I love it.

Posted by UTfan4life on April 24, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great news, Go Vols an excellent team we will have.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 24, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Poor little auttat is getting his posts removed! LOL!!!!!

Posted by volguy40 on April 24, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks Orlando...I just find it funny that on my Tennessee Vols site...I get thumped for hating Florida....just amazing to me....Go Vols.....PERIOD...and if the non vol fans dont like it....just toggle on outta here....thanks for stopping by...but ya gotta go

Posted by maples on April 24, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great news knowing Tyler is coming back. I predict at least 25 wins and at list another trip to the Sweet 16. For those of us who have suffered through the many years of disappointing basketball seasons, three Sweet 16 in a row will be huge. Anything beyond that will be a wonderful surprize. GO VOLS!!!

Posted by Ashley on April 24, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Never fear, the forum da is here.

Posted by KingsportVol on April 24, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great news for Vol fans!Bad new for SEC opponents.There is alot of hell raising going on in here today.Must be national moonshine Thursday.My company didn't get the memo.Go Big Orange.Welcome back Tyler.

Posted by rockytopron on April 24, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great news to hear. I'm looking forward to tip off yet again!

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 24, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

overatedvols: Didn't we beat Memphis State on your home court? I also thought I saw you guys lose to Kansas in the championship game, right? Sooo where do you have bragging rights?? That you guys finished second and we finished in the top 10? Who really cares, 2nd is just the 1st loser!!

I can't wait to see you be non-existent on these message boards the day after we play you guys in Knoxville next season. You do realize you're going to get drilled right????

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 24, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PS - I'm really looking forward to football season too, how about you?? Ooooh that's right, you only have one sport at Memphis and THAT team just gets beat by a football school in Knoxville.

Yeah, way to go buddy!

Posted by overatedvols on April 24, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yemmustdarb, Who is Memphis State? I'm not familiar. I thought you finished tied for 16th place

Posted by LazhilUT on April 24, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Williams, Chism, T. Smith, J.P., Ramar

Bench: Crews, the freshman C, Woolridge, Hopson and the freshman PG...

Holy cow!

Posted by dirtdobber1 on April 24, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BINGO!

Posted by auttat on April 24, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder who has the distinction of removing posts from this site? Is it a full-time gig?

Workin, when you get banned, who notifies you?

Posted by Tenn_Dawg on April 24, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The UT BB team is going to be scary good next year.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 24, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't get banned. LOL!!!!!

Posted by indianacurly on April 24, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

overated -
here's a mild critique of your most recent post, you da half-wit. strictly according to the tourney results, 1 team finished 65th, 32 finished tied for 33rd place, 16 tied for 17th, 8 for 9th, 4 that tied for 5th, 2 for 3rd, etc. we would be among the 8. i know it may be a tall order for you, but try to form an intelligent, coherent thought before posting ... would you prefer tiger high?

Posted by UTfan4life on April 24, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Smith/Hopson what a 1-2 punch. Not to mention we still go Prince/Chism/RSmith is starting 5.
VOLS ALL THE WAY FINAL 4 HERE WE COME!!

Posted by D1AStarters on April 24, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vols will be Ballin' outa' control!

Posted by VOLS85 on April 24, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hahahaha, Memphis State only lost their starting five, but good luck next year...

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 24, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Overated-

Here you go buddy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU_3gL...

Get used to it!

Posted by itsme53792 on April 24, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Indiana works very hard to justify #8 while demeaning #2...while simultaneously demanding an intelligent, coherent thought? But wait, the uthugs didn't finish "8". They were unceremoniously hammered by Louisville in the Sweet 16...which (especially when measured by the hammer marks) puts the uthugs at 16th best. Only a lower tier education from a lower tier school could so openly display such logic-challenged schoolyard tripe. What makes you "curl" is that your uthugs have only rarely made the Sweet 16, "choked" against OH ST last year, and got your orangebutts kicked out by the U of Louisville (another elite program). Meanwhile, all your little sisters posting here are begging to advance beyond the 16. Rich. Jealousy, one of the 7 deadly sins.

Posted by itsme53792 on April 24, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way, you should be happy that Tyler is returning. Maybe he'll make the 1st round next year as three Memphis players will this year. You see, it's commonplace at elite programs. Memphis fans didn't cry when Rodney Carney and Shawne Williams went 14th and 15th in the 1st round, and Darrius Washington (another McD's All AM) went pro 2 years ago. We just reloaded and went to 2 more elite 8's and the Title Game. You have one 5-star recruit. Congrats. Memphis will have FIVE...to add to Anderson, Dozier (if they don't go pro), and Taggert...along with Mack, Kemp, and Robinson (all top 50's). Kemp is happy; he went to the title game with an elite program. Cry for Brownsvillevolgirl...or Agentina.

Posted by bigbluevol on April 24, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well itsme, I hate to tell you, but the final polls had us in the top 10. You can say what you want, but we finished in the top 10. We're all looking forward to 3 straight over our little brothers with a complex from the west. Now take overated and get off our site.

Posted by BasketballJones on April 24, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Uh, according to Rivals.com, Tennessee will have four 5-star recruits on its 2008-2009 basketball roster. (Tyler Smith was vastly underrated coming out of high school). Using the same formula for Memphis, Tyreke Evans is the only 5-star recruit on your upcoming roster. Ouch.

Posted by indianacurly on April 24, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bobbyrd (53792)-
you don't even seem to be able to read. learn the basics of the language before you try to engage in a debate or argument. i didn't say #8. i wrote 8 teams technically tied for 9th. it's really basic counting theory if you care to open your 6th grade math book ... uthug? seriously? our basketballers? that's extent of your cleverness and you want to talk about a lower tier education? you and overated must be blood relatives.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 24, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry itsmemoron, Ramar Smith, Duke Crews, and JP Prince were 5 star players out of high school. Hospon makes 4.

Anderson and Dozier if they don't go pro? Probably will be undrafted just like your boy Washington was, who coincidentally choked against Louisville missing 2 of 3 free throws vs. Louisville with the automatic NCAA tourney bid on the line in 2005. I mean our whole team can say they are going pro, but if you don't get drafted it really doesn't mean much.

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 24, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why do some of us continue to respond to the bait that Overated spews in his posts? It just inflates his all ready distorted image of his Self Esteem.

It is truly a pity that all he seems to have is Memphis Basketball. Tiger High is a one dimensional school, it has a mens BBall team, nothing else, including an education.

So lets give him a break, it isn't his fault that a four year degree at Memphis is called a GED by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges.

Posted by BADGES0413 on April 24, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, I see where Carney, Williams and Washington all avgeraged almost 5 points a game in the NBA. Now that is what I call talent. It really gets to the Memphis folks that a team with no talent like UT can beat them 6 out of 8 times since 1996. Biggest choke in NCAA history is a tag all kitten fans can be proud of. They wear it well.

Posted by BADGES0413 on April 24, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, I see where Carney, Williams and Washington all avgeraged almost 5 points a game in the NBA. Now that is what I call talent. It really gets to the Memphis folks that a team with no talent like UT can beat them 6 out of 8 times since 1996. Biggest choke in NCAA history is a tag all kitten fans can be proud of. They wear it well.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 24, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jerry Green owned Memphis just like Pearl does currently.

Posted by dfreeman on April 24, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Memphis Tigers fans still don't get that every year they have had superior talent (and coaching), and yet before Bruce got here had a 6-10 0verall record against us! Now with us having Bruce they are 7-12 against us, and still think they are a better team! You Memphis fans may not see another win against Bruce and the Vols EVER again!! But feel free to come back here and look stupid posting your stupidity!! Oh and when your players wear their wife beaters they can actually say that they've done it!! UTHUGS?? Not even close!! Wasn't Tyreke Evans involved in a drive by shooting?

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_r...

Now call our players thugs!!

Posted by BADGES0413 on April 24, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

High school basketball superstar Tyreke Evans drove a sport utility vehicle away from the scene after a passenger allegedly shot and killed a man last month, according to a Chester Township police affidavit that was released last week.
Evans, who lives in the city of Chester, has not been charged with any crime yet.

Now who can argue with that talent, getaway driver looks very good on a resume.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 24, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Man, I'm so glad I'm not a Memphis Tiger!!!

Posted by WD40plusVol on April 24, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope Tyler can develop an outside shot. Right now, of players that have been in a game, our best 3 point shooter plays under the basket.

Posted by volguy40 on April 24, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HEY WD40.....if Scotty Hopson was answering your post...he would say..."dont worry....ill take it from here"...hes gonna be a phenomenal shooter....have no fear...GO VOLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 24, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

volguy, from what I have seen and read Hopson's biggest negative is he doesn't shoot the three ball well.

Posted by volguy40 on April 24, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Opposite of what ive seen...of course its a compilation vid....but he has the shot capablilities...and def the range..i think with CBP teaching....man...the skies the limit with this kid....I watched him on youtube draining all kinda threes...(now he couldve missed 40 before) but the stuff i saw....looked promising

Posted by volguy40 on April 24, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

But then again....Im an optimist.....lol

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 24, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

3 point line is moving back anyway, so we are going to be relying less on the 3 ball next year anyway. Some combo of TSmiff, JP, Woolridge, Tatum, and Hopson will be alley-ooping to each other pretty much every play next year. Holla Big Ballahs!!!!

Posted by cjraney on April 24, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

volguy-
Don't you know there's no place for optimism on govols.com?

Seriously though, Cameron Tatum looked pretty dang good before getting redshirted last year. He and Hopkins are both bigger guards than Lofton and JuJuan were and are surely faster than Lofton. Looking forward to it.

Posted by volguy40 on April 24, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hear ya cjraney....but I try not to let em get me down...lol....gotta stay positive.....if we have no control...might as well support our boys and girls huh?..lol....oh well ...just my OPTIMISTIC opinion....GO VOLS........

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 24, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with cjraney. Tatum is like a taller Jujuan Smith, which are some big shoes to fill. He can do it though. Here is Tatum's output in the 1st 8 games last year:

Calif (PA): 15 minutes - 15 pts, 4 rebs, 1 Blk, 2 steals, 1 TO

LMU: 16 minutes - 12 pts, 2 rebs, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 TO

Temple: 9 minutes - 2 pts, 4 rebs, 1 assist, 2 TOs

Prairie View: 11 minutes - 2 pts, 1 assist, 2 steals,

MTSU: 20 minutes - 9 pts, 2 rebs, 1 assist, 4 steals, 3 TOs

WVU: 7 minutes - 1 blk, 1 TO

Texas: 8 minutes - 6 pts, 1 reb

NC A&T: 6 minutes - 9 pts, 3 reb, 1 blk, 1 TO

Posted by General_Fritter on April 24, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll have what Kingsport's drinking. Say hello to the goat and skanky blonde for me there Kingsport. You crack me up. We've got to have you visit our tailgates next year.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 24, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Hopson was 2-3 from behind the arc in the Jordan game. I don't know how he shot the 3 overall in his high school career, but he looks like he's got a pretty good stroke. I don't know much about Tatum at all, but how did he redshirt last year ans still get playing time in 8 games? Do you have to play in conference to have it count against your eligibilty?

Also, I didn't know wthe 3pt line was moving back this year. Is that for sure?

Posted by wade_littleton on April 24, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Glad to see that Tyler Smith will remain a Vol for at least the next season. Another year of college basketball will benefit him as he prepares to enter the next level. Who knows, he may decide that he likes the college life so much that he'll stay his entire career. His father trusting coach Pearl with his son makes a big difference. Coach Pearl will not knowingly steer an athlete in the wrong direction. The article on Tyler Smith and coach Pearl from ESPN was outstanding. It showed real class when not only Coach Pearl, but the entire UT basketball team came to Tyler father's funeral. Basketball at UT is now like what the women's basketball team has always been at UT -- a family.

Posted by pdhuff on April 24, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Roiling over BBall in the doldrums.

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on April 24, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

YAWN, oh wait this is a basketball article.

Posted by bshone on April 24, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Possible starting lineup (certainly not necessarily what it will be in November):

R. Smith (D. West)
S. Hopson (C. Tatum)
JP Prince (R. Woolridge)
T. Smith (D. Crews)
W. Chism (B. Williams)

Or coach Pearl could go big:

R. Smith (D. West)
S. Hopson (C. Tatum)
T. Smith (JP Prince)
W. Chism (D. Crews)
B. Williams (P. Jurick)

There are so many good players on this team. The fact that we got Woolridge, Jurick, West, Hopson, AND now Tatum off his redshirt year, this class is loaded.

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 24, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bob byrd why should anyone cry for me?your logic is confusing much like your conversation.if anything i should cry for you.i don't know who agentina is but i think i know what you meant. either way you tigirls will not be as good as you expect.why hasn't calichoker signed his new contract yet?when is tyreka going to sign his letter of intent?definitley not before calichoker does.what about those two recruits that can't pass high school,have they got their grades up?will they even be tigirls?what about ebanks and witherspoon i hear they may go to other prospective schools.oh well,do you need a box of tissues..........sob sob.go back to that dead CA site where only you gatekeeper dorks(all 6 or 8 of you)are talking hoping that bb season would start tommorow. no if anyones crying it's you and the rest of the tigirls.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 24, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know if anyone posted this on another thread yet, but I know a lot of ya'll that didn't get to see the Jordan game were looking for the video of the Hopson dunk. Here's a link:

http://loserswithsocks.com/

What I like most is that he completes the 3pt play by making the free throw. Ya'll Memphis fans should take notes.

Posted by volroadwarrior on April 24, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fire Pearl. He couldn't win the SEC tourney or get past the Sweet 16 again and he said he "worked like heck". Fire Fulmer, too. He has some responsibility for losing to Louisville because of his belly full of fritters. Fire Summitt because she will never exceed what she did this year. Fire 'em all and we can start over again.

Posted by justbware on April 24, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To pass up millions and come back for another Sweet Sixteen?!! Wow, good luck TS!

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 24, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bware are you being sarcastic?

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 24, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oh you're a TIGIRL.

Posted by justbware on April 24, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, let's look at recent history brownvol! ut@k is 6-6 in postseason tournament play over the past three seasons. Why am I supposed to believe they'll do anything different without their 3-pt saviors Lofton and Smith? All I've heard living here for the past two seasons is how great the vols are, but when the games mean something, they fall flat. Show me something!!

Posted by BasketballJones on April 24, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Johnny Free Throws needs to keep Robert "Smack My B***h Up" Dozier and Mr. Drive-By away from the Plush Club this summer.

Posted by KingsportVol on April 24, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General I'm there man.

Posted by jdcdjc on April 24, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks Tyler. I enjoyed watching you play this past year and am looking forward to more of the same. Go Vols!!

Posted by bricker865 on April 24, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yeah jealousy is a sin, as you totally reinforce that with constantly visiting our site. Always good to meet someone with a vested interest in our program.

Posted by egwillo on April 24, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hallelujah!!! IT'S GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL!!!

Posted by Colliervol on April 24, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Geez, some folks have no reading comprehension. (Must be a product of the Memphis City School system.) Itsme, how many times do I have to remind you that $80 million athletic programs don't get jealous of anybody. We can afford to do what we want, when we want. (And if we can't afford it, Hamilton will raise ticket prices.) Simple as that. We play in the toughest sports conference in the country and compete nationally in more sports than I care to list. Outside of men's b-ball, what can you talk about?

Jealous of a one trick pony like Memphis? Please. Bring something better than that when you come in here.

Posted by Colliervol on April 24, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As far as Tyler staying, I think he made a good decision. Next year's draft won't be as deep and he'll make more money in the long run (barring injury). Glad to have him back.

Posted by jovi on April 24, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!

Posted by mparker on April 25, 2008 at 12:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yep, figure to see Tyler slash, shoot jumpers, shoot 3's....he is already a good ball-handler.

ON a side note: you know, I don't expect Chris to have much of a chance at the NBA. I sure hope he becomes a coach. I know he is quiet, but I think he really knows the game.

Chris' junior year was one of the greatest fun times I can remember in being fan.

Posted by Colliervol on April 25, 2008 at 12:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker, you're probably right about Chris. Unless he could get picked up by a team sort of in a Steve Kerr type role where he could stand outside and shoot 3's when the team star gets doubled up. But he'd be a huge defensive liability. Not quick enough to guard NBA point guards and not big enough or quick enough to guard a shooting guard. The NBA is just an entirely different game than in college as the size, speed and athleticism is astounding.

Posted by T0MMYJACK on April 25, 2008 at 5:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

itsme53792...

... have to agree with you on one point: UT's b-ball team was no better than 16th at season's end, They had a great run during the season, especially continuing the dominance UT has shown over Memphis in ALL sports when they beat tiger high in Memphis last February. But the Vols imploded toward the end of the season. That goes to coaching.

But, let's not forget that in the history of the 2 schools playing each other in the two BIG sports, football and basketball, that the Vols enjoy a combined 32-8 W/L record. At their very, very best, the tigers have broken even at home in basketball having won 5 and lost 5. In Knoxville, your basketball team has been bested to the tune of 6-2. And UT enjoys a 1-0 record versus the tigers on neutral courts.

I think both you and I know that you DEFINITELY don't want to discuss UT's 20-1 TOTAL DOMINANCE over Memphis State in football, so I won't bring up that unpleasant subject again, except to say that I learned a lot about Memphis and it's university by being in the stands at the Liberty Bowl on November 9, 1996, the one occasion when tiger high bested UT in football, and having to endure seeing the tiger players leave the field, then return to curse at us UT fans as we were filing out of our seats. Pure Memphis class, but precisely what one would expect of a city that looks to likes of the likes of the Fords and Herringtons for leadership.

But I do find it amusing that in your post of 2:23PM on April 24th you insinuate that indianacurly has an inferior education, but yet you apparently weren't able to read his post yourself. He didn't claim a #8 ranking, he wrote that UT was among the 8 teams tied at #9. Perhaps you should return to elementary school and remediate your reading skills.

As to education and the relative quality of the two schools discussed here, it's interesting to note that according to the 2008 USN&WR college rankings, UTK is ranked among the top 50% of national universities and is considered to be "more selective" in terms of the quality of students it will admit. Sadly, tiger high ranks well below UTK, and lands in the bottom 25% of all national universities.

Just a few points to ponder.

Posted by PennVol on April 25, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tyler is staying - Looks like Scotty Hopson may already be making a difference.

Posted by Ironcity on April 25, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Welcome back for another year Tyler. Glad your staying. I was one of the people who felt there was no chance of a return from Tyler. My belief was that Tyler clearly was one of the best 15 players coming out. I still believe he would have been but I am glad he chose to stay. Get better and move yourself into the top ten.

Posted by mparker on April 25, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

colliervol:
that's what makes college basketball so appealing, it's still a sport where the average kid can do pretty well. college football used to be that way, but now it's full of huge, fast guys.

As for the pros?? forget it. I think the nfl is the worst. Even the receivers are monster-men. I don't think nowadays you'll see a John Hadl, Bart Starr, or maybe even an Archie Manning out there. You have to be JUST SO in all the strength tests and agility, etc.

Posted by itsme53792 on April 25, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tommyjack: You're perfectly on key. UT is one of the nation's top programs period. Funding, facilities, conference affiliation, history/tradition, and national standing all place UT in the forefront of college sports. Acknowledging the obvious is the first step on logic development. With all these things going for UT, why then the almost universal insecurity, detracting, and hate for The University of Memphis that is so prevalent in Vol-land? I have no problem noting UT's football dominance..and congratulate the success. As to standing, UT, however, has had far more athletes arrested, disciplined, etc (see Fulmer's "behave" report) than Memphis. Memphis has high standing (100% of program accreditation, highest law school bar pass rate by a long distance in TN, several programs in the top 20) and is rising. All TN universities are underfunded; the UT MED school is woefully underfunded as is UTK and Memphis. Despite the highest bar pass rate, the Memphis Law School was lower ranked because of facilities...which will change next fall when it moves into a $250 MM facility. Acknowledging the obvious doesn't add or detract from the fact that the Memphis basketball program is elite level...as is your football program. You've really made strides bball as we're working to achieve in football. With FDX leading the way along with an ambitious fundraising campaign soon to begin, Memphis will continue its rising status. It won't hold you back or add to yours to detract, nor would it do so for Memphis partisans. TN is better off when both (in fact, all) TN universities achieve higher levels.

Posted by cjraney on April 25, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

itsme53792-
APOLOGIES IN ADVANCE FOR THE LONG POST.
You make some very valid points. You are obviously a rational person, unlike your compatriate, overrated.

However, I do object to one statement: "almost universal insecurity, detracting,and hate for the U of M."

Frankly, its completely untrue. The backlash you've seen is a product of the fact that Vol fans have experienced many generations of success at the highest level, in multiple sports, in the strongest athletic conference in existence. Vol fans expect excellence because they are accustomed to excellence. The glaring exception here is men's basketball, but I think we're on the right track.

OTOH, the U of M's flagship program is men's BB. And while there have been some great UM/MSU teams [3 Final Four visits] in the past, one could hardly say Memphis BB has always been synonymous with excellence. The remaining athletic programs are not as strong, and UM doesn’t have a strong conference affiliation. Recently, when UM BB has really had a resurgence [the last 3-4 yrs], many UM fans have acted as if UM is king of the hill and always has been.

UM loves to direct its boasts towards UT. The reason is obvious: the best and brightest athletes and scholars have traditionally left Memphis to attend college elsewhere. This has [understandably] created an inferiority complex. You may argue this point, but if you are being honest with yourself you know it is true.
I'm sorry for the long post and I'll get to the point: It is annoying as hell to listen to UM fans talk like they always have been and always will be the big dogs in this state. It is simply not true.

I am all Vol, but I have pulled for UM through the years and wished them the best, outside of clashes with UT. So when I tell you I have had it with all the U of M bullsh*t lately, please know that it is not b/c of some pre-existing bias, hatred, insecurity, jealousy, etc. So I am telling you that most UT people never had a soft spot for UM like myself and if I have reached my limit, most other Vols are way past theirs.

So what you've experienced is the product of extreme annoyance. Annoyance b/c UT has done it at the highest level for many years in many sports [since 1891 in football] and the big dog only tolerates the little yapping runt for so long before being compelled to remind the runt who is boss.

Just so we're clear, U of M is the runt, UT is the boss, and I hope this broadens your understanding a bit. We're glad you're happy about your BB team, but don't ever forget that
UT OWNS THE STATE OF TENNESSEE.

Posted by Lofton4Three on April 25, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cjraney-

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Posted by OwensboroVol on April 25, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A good kid making a very mature decision. He will look back 10 years from now and know what a great decision it was.

Posted by overatedvols on April 26, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just a quick note to calm all the fears and concerns about coach Calapari resigning with the Tigers. The contract has been signed thru the 2012-2013 season. In addition one of the nations top highschool prospects Wesley Witherspoon is in town this weekend getting his tour of Memphis. On a local news interview he said that all his friend Tyreke Evans talks about is Memphis..Memphis while trying to talk his friend, Witherspoon into joining him at Memphis. Witherspoon will announce Thurs. He would join Evans and Angel Garcia and Matt Simpkins who have already signed. The Tigers will need some new players considering all 5 starters will be in the NBA draft. Yes, we were fielding an NBA team last season. Dozier and Anderson will only leave if they are first round choices and hopefully they will be back. In addition 2 assistant coaches have left to become head coaches at other school. Calipari does say that if he can get the remaining players he is after, to sign, he feels we can compete for a national championship again next year. Isn't this great! I wanted to post is over here because I know Vol fans will want to join in and root for the states greatest basketball team. We made history last year. Let's make some more next year. We're not only doing it for the city of Memphis but the entire state of Tenn. Feel free to join in our happiness and support the greatest team in these parts. We can all share in this.

Posted by Razzle on April 26, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let me be the first to congratulate the Volunteers for knocking off an NBA team on the road this past season. Just think what greatness lies ahead for the men in Orange.

Posted by itsme53792 on April 27, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Greetings CJ..with bemusement for your "rational" posting. As to best and brightest, the U of M law school's 1st bar pass rate exceeds the UT counterpart by 20 percentage points; 100 per cent of U of M programs are accredited..and that is NOT the case in Knoxville; Memphis has the largest # of Centers and Chairs of Excellence in TN public institutions; there are many other such examples, so you should do some work on your own website as to qualifications and profiles...to increase your "rational" arguments. As to athletes, we lose football athletes but so does UT from the days of Spurrier forward. DeAngleo Williams set another trending in place for football. As to basketball, the best with very few exceptions always have, always will stay in Memphis. Can't blame Eliot Williams for going to Duke as the academic cachet makes a large difference in starting salaries over Memphis and UT. The salary expectation for Memphis and UT are the same...with the law exception. Look at your website once again, and research which institution requires the higher ACT score. UT owns you, your views of yourselves...but no more. The polling data, the pay scale for coaches, and the # of stars for basketball recruit ratings place your ownership of TN in foreclosure. The difference is simply this: You're trying to become the TN school, and Memphis is becoming a NATIONAL university, and an international research center (FDX/China/etc). The really major difference? Your successes don't denigrate or deflate our views of ourselves. You people cannot acknowledge anyone else's success, and--predictably--you are incredibly deflated by Memphis success. THAT is insecurity. Enough of this.

Posted by davidray31 on April 27, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Couple of days late but Thanks Tyler! I think you made a good decision.

Posted by itsme53792 on April 27, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh all you little volgirls, go read John Adams' April 26 column wherein he makes the following points: (1) As to national standing, Rick Bozich at the Louisville CJ asked top sports journalists to rank the top 10 programs (another way of saying "elite")..and their consensus listings included MEMPHIS but not ut; (2) Adams complimented (as I have done) ut's rising but also accurately labeled ut's recent standing as "a pedestrian progam"; (3) that "pedestrian" ranking was largely because Hopson was the FIRST MC'Ds ALL AMERICAN SINCE 1998; (4) and, MORE MC'Ds AAs "transfer from Duke than sign with ut". But congrats utfans, your "stock is on the rise". But it isn't where Memphis either is, or has been. FACTS; they are stubborn things.

Posted by volwalk on April 27, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know what they say about opinions...Who cares what the so called experts say. The only truth about this is yes UT is on the rise in the college basketball world and you talk to the so called experts a couple of years from now and I guarantee you that we will be among the elite. And we will have beaten memphis 4 times in a row (ouch!)
Thank you Tyler, great decision....another year or two with Bruce and you will be a lottery pick! We look forward to watching your dazzling moves for at least another year. THANK YOU!

Posted by justbware on April 27, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Once again volwalk, a ut fan twists the facts. The vols have won the last two vs. Memphis and yes, they've taken it to them, but like I have always said, when it comes down to winning in the postseason, Memphis is the real winner and ut stays home. Wins and loses in the past three seasons: Memphis 20-3, utk 6-6. FACT!!!

Posted by overatedvols on April 28, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good info there justbware. Memphis ranked 1 or 2 for 16 weeks last season. Went to the championship game and had been to the final 8 the two years before. Many vol people still want to think we are their little brother..ha ha. Yes, they are delusional. If we are their little brother in basketball then they are ours in football. Makes about as much sense. Just eats at them to know we have the better program. Come on guys just accept it and get over it.

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 28, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wrong again markie you don't have the better program or better coach or better anything.i asked you not to drivel your OPINION and yet you still keep it coming.7 out of 19 is not a better program.

Posted by itsme53792 on April 28, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hey volwalk; the fact that you signed your 1st McD's AA since '98, the fact that the volgirls are more likely to win an NCAA that for the uthugs to sign a McD's, the fact more Mc'Ds transfer from Duke than sign with ut,and the fact that all the major sportswriters and news outlets see Memphis as elite and the uthugs as "pedestrian"...ain't opinion...countryboy, they're facts. And as I remind you, FACTS are stubborn things. They don't go away. Really heartened by YOUR guarantees though.

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 28, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yeah like the fact that our "pedestrian" team has beat your"elite" team 12 of 19.

Posted by itsme53792 on April 28, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

and "choked" always before either (1) getting in the NCAA or (2) never getting to the Elite 8. You may recall you would have had another opportunity to play Memphis at the ELITE level IF you hadn't "choked" away a 28 point lead to OHIO ST. If you ever get that high, we'll be waiting on your little "pedestrian" thugs

Posted by rckydx on April 29, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Talk about choking. Choking=Tigers

Posted by cjraney on April 29, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)

itsme-
1) You may have noticed I didn't address academics in my post. That's b/c this is a sports website. For the record, I have degrees from both schools which is why I have an informed perspective on UM.

2) My post was not focused on UT BB v. UM BB. It was an explanation of why UT fans are so annoyed by UM BB fans. The totality of UT athletics compared to UM athletics reveals that....there's no comparison. You can continue to crow about your BB team and I'll just take solace in the fact that we beat you more than you beat us. Scoreboard.

Posted by VOLS85 on April 29, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I do not think we need memphis to tell us that we are good at choking...considering they pulled off one of the top two choke jobs in college basketball history...(Chris Webber was the other).

12 out of 19, 3 out of last 4...enjoy your stats

Posted by VOLS85 on April 29, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I do not think we need memphis to tell us that we are good at choking...considering they pulled off one of the top two choke jobs in college basketball history...(Chris Webber was the other).

12 out of 19, 3 out of last 4...enjoy your stats

Posted by overatedvols on April 29, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cjraney, while you are busy taking solace, you need to solace in the fact that Memphis is a better basketball program than UT and always has been. That UT basketball has never been past the sweet 16 and thus has not arrived yet and has no significant history. UT was ranked number 1 just once in their history and lost several days after being named number 1. Memphis has been to numerous elite 8's and final 4's and 2 championship games. UT just can't touch it. You can keep repeating yourself about UT beating Memphis but you can just keep on beating us if we can come out of the season with 1 or 2 loses and have the kind of teams we've had in recent years. I'll trade a loss to UT to make it to the championship game any day. I'd rather you guys beat us and then crash and burn afterward any day. You may have won that game but we won the battle. The loss actually did us good and the win seemed to destroy you.

Posted by VolCane7979 on April 29, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good grief, dude... it really eats at you guys that we own you in all other sports and have beaten you 2 straight in BBall. You've been repeating the same stupid crap for over a month.

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 29, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

you can blah blah all you want markie.it is like i said until you win a title you are not elite.they don't call it the elite 8 because only elite teams make it there,they call it the elite 8 because the 8 teams remaining are elite in the tournament not in their history.the fact is, and anyone with some knowledge would agree,that until a team wins a title they and their program are not elite.

Posted by cjraney on April 30, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

overrated-
I think you mean you "lost the battle but won the war." Except you also lost the "war," that being the national title game to Kansas in the biggest college sports chokejob I've ever witnessed.

Also, if your reading comprehension was higher than 6th grade level you would see I wasn't comparing our BB programs. Simply explaining why Memphis fans are so d*mn annoying to us UT fans and yet you can't help yourself from proving my point.

Posted by itsme53792 on May 1, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Brownsfool is at work again...logic and educated use of English will not be threatened. The pathway to "elitedom" has lots of Tiger tracks...with "nary a uthug print" to be found. Elite 8s, Sweet 16's, Final Fours, title competition...and now further evidence in recruiting is abundant. 4 of the 5 Memphis recruits are now signed with Ebanks to come May 9. No logic. No evident education. 3rd Tier history. Directional school coach. That's the uthugs. You just hope you get a chance to "choke"...in the Sweet 16 again. Go Volgirls!!!

Posted by itsme53792 on May 1, 2008 at 6:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way...small oranges, read Witherspoon's comments about why he signed with Memphis. Calipari. You know the guy you morons say can't coach? Wonder why all those "elite" recruits are going to Memphis...rather than, say, ut? It is all about elite status, elite coaching, elite venue, and elite performance. You guys need to stick to NASCAR...where your baseball caps, goatees, F-150s, nasal music and chewing tobacco fit in.