Packer: Adversity? Higgins played for Peterson

Not many Tennessee basketball players will tell you that it was a football game that put them over the top in their recruitment by the Vols. But, Jon Higgins says that football played a huge part in his decision to come to Knoxville.

"Let's just say it was a good weekend," Higgins said. "It was the Florida game in 1998. I remember everything about that game. I was in the student section. Everybody rushed the field when Florida missed the field goal in overtime but I couldn't. I was coming off a knee injury and couldn't get out in the middle of all that.

"I was amazed. I'd been to football games at Ohio State and Michigan State, but they didn't compare to that game. It was an incredible atmosphere. I knew that there could be huge excitement for Tennessee basketball after seeing all of that orange at that football game."

Higgins was recruited by Byron Samuels off of former coach Jerry Green's staff.

"Bryon and I developed a very good friendship that we still have today," said Higgins. "He's been a good friend for a long time and I will always consider him a friend."

When Higgins got to Tennessee he saw the court very quickly.

"I played about 35 minutes a game in my freshman season," said Higgins. "I remember playing against North Carolina in the sweet 16 that year. That one still hurts me because we had that game won."

After Higgins sophomore season, Green took his million dollar buyout. It didn't sit well with Higgins.

"I was not happy about it," he said. "I just had a good relationship with Byron and Jerry and I was disappointed to see them go. I just never had the relationship with Buzz (Peterson) and his staff that I had with the previous staff.

"My junior season wasn't my best because I don't think I bought into Buzz's system. Jerry Green's system gave us a lot of freedom. Bruce Pearl's system gives players a lot of freedom. I can't say the same for what Buzz was running. He is a North Carolina guy and they like to preach structure.

"I'm sure everyone you ask about Pearl says the same thing, and I guess I'll do the same. It would have been fun to play for him. Basketball players love freedom. That's what makes the game fun. You watch his teams and they play loose because they're allowed to play the game."

There were some special times for Higgins during his career at UT.

"I guess my favorite moment was winning at Florida my senior year in double overtime," said Higgins. "But, my favorite single moment was the half-court shot to beat Georgia Tech. It was one of those shots that I just knew had a chance to go in the moment it left my hands. I remember when I let it go I thought it looked good. Then, as it kept flying I thought more and more that it really had a shot. I don't think I realized at the time how special a moment that was. Now I look back and realize how cool a shot that was."

Higgins is a sales associate at Rice Buick Pontiac GMC on Kingston Pike. He says that he uses the tools he learned in athletics to keep a positive outlook in this tough economy.

"I'm used to dealing with adversity,'' said Higgins. "I think what athletics taught me is that there's always the next day. Things can only get better so you just have to keep your head up and keep plugging away. I did a lot of media interviews when I was at UT and that has helped me with communication. I've been here three years and love it."

Thursday was Higgins 28th birthday. He's a young man, but in talking with him you might think he's older than that.

"I've thought about playing ball overseas again but as you get older you're not quite as interested in the grind of it," he said. "The day-to-day practice and working out wears on you after a while. I'm not burned out on the game. I play in a lot of leagues around town and am enjoying it. I just don't know that I want to get back in the grind again. I will never say it's over because I'm an athlete. I'm a basketball player and I will be until the day comes that I can't run up and down the court anymore."

Mark Packer hosts the Locker Room, presented by Parkwest Medical Center, on Sunday at 10 p.m. on MyVLT2.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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