Posted by HotlantaVol on February 11, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Drink lots of water. If you get dehydrated, you're more likely to have difficulty swallowing which could make you choke.

Posted by FatherVol on February 11, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's hope the same thing doesn't happen when we lst "jumped to Number4." Go Vols!

Posted by TurboFan on February 11, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Getting better with experience there FatherVol.

#3 Kansas plays Texas tonight. Could be interesting to see the result there.

Posted by pdhuff on February 11, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Arkie will be tuff. They expect to win. Hogcall.com. 17-5 team. Go Vols.

Posted by KingsportVol on February 11, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Slaughter the Hogs!!!FREE TD

Posted by JAJUAN on February 11, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

great article on arkansas entitled "Hog Wild" over at thebruceisloose.com

Arkansas is about to run into a wall

Posted by bigorangedude on February 11, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great job Vols, you deserve the ranking! Can't wait until we beat Memphis and become # 1

Posted by 1974Vol on February 11, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Got to like the Vols in TBA against everyone this side of the Celtics. Ladies have a big test tonight! Go Vols.

Posted by Volssux on February 11, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Keep it up UT. This will make it very sweet when the Tigers beat you!!!!

Posted by Volssux on February 11, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Keep it up UT. This will make it very sweet when the Tigers beat you!!!!

Posted by Volchaz on February 11, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks like ESPN wants to set up a potential #1 versus #2 showdown, coming up vs Memphis. Where was their love a few weeks ago? Lol. GV!

Posted by hdhurst on February 11, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As many have said before, the only ranking that matters is the one at the end of the season.

It's nice, though, to get a little respect as the highest ranked 2-loss team.

The problem I have is why we are still being projected as a 2-seed for the big dance. I imagine it's because they have lumped us in the SE region with Memphis. Oh well, no big deal, as true champions will take down anyone in their path.

GO VOLS...let's get the scoring back in the 80's.

Posted by volsfan327 on February 11, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It IS about time we get, even just alittle r-e-s-p-e-c-t!!! Yes! I am looking forward to March...let it shine boys, let it shine! Go Vols

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on February 11, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lady Vols #1, Vols #4!

Life is Good!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by EastTNVol on February 11, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Right now, Joe Lunardi, bracketologist for ESPN, has the Vols a #1 seed out West. But like many of you, let's wait and see where the Vols finish. Win against Memphis, take care of SEC business and the tourney and the Vols will be where they deserve to be. Go Vols!!!

Posted by pms151 on February 11, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Where are all you guys that blasted us after the LSU game? Looks like the voters saw whole game.

Posted by TommyJack on February 11, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PMS: good point. I was amazed at the negative comments following the win.

Posted by pms151 on February 11, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, I saw Arkie play on GamePlan against Ole Miss and they don't look to a have an effective perimeter D. Have you seen them play? Don't get to see them play much here on the Texas Coast.

Posted by Volssux on February 11, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good Luck trying to beat Memphis in Memphis!!!!

It will NOT happen!!

But good luck on the rest of your games. Try not to pull an Ole Miss!!

Posted by pms151 on February 11, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Check your stats Volssu ( can't type the last letter would be immoral). Call Billy Donavan if you must.

Posted by MOOREVOLS on February 11, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tennessee has beaten Memphis in Memphis many times and there's a very good chance it'll happen again. Not saying it definitely will, but there's at least at 50-50 chance. We'll worry about that one in 12 days. One game at a time. Beat Arkansas!!!

Posted by bshone on February 11, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Abnormally Optimistic Prediction:

Kansas loses tonight at Texas (makes TN's loss to Texas look better and helps move TN up in rankings).

Gary Williams somehow manages to sweat more than Bruce Pearl did in Gainesville and Maryland continues its improving play and upsets Duke at Cameron Indoor on Wednesday night (helps move TN up in rankings).

All of this just in time for a #2 Tennessee at #1 Memphis matchup (ESPN loves this and advertises the heck out of it; a fan that appears to be a Memphis fan dressed in blue attends College Gameday and hits the half-court shot to win lots of $$$, but pulls off his blue shirt and underneath is wearing TN ORANGE; Jay Bilas begins hyperventilating).

Tennessee upsets Memphis 102-52. Chris Lofton scores a career high 42 points (14/15 3PT).

Back to reality... I hope the Vols can beat Arkansas on Wednesday to continue their home-game winning streak. One game at a time and we'll be comfortable in March! As long as Memphis stays undefeated up until the UT game, the Vols have nothing to lose when they visit the Tigers!

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on February 11, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Judging from the grammar embedded in the phonetics of your name, I'm guessing you're a Memphis State fan. That would also explain your acute case of Little Brother Syndrome. the only other place I see it this bad is at aTm.

You should be proud of your team. Instead, you feel the need to come here and bash the accomplishments of another team in order to make you feel good about yourself and/or your team.

Pathetic.

Posted by Kwitcherbellyachin on February 11, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From the Times Free-Press this afternoon:

"Vols coach Bruce Pearl said this afternoon that the flu-like sickness is still circulating in Tennessee’s locker room.

Junior forward Ryan Childress stayed in Knoxville for UT’s Feb. 2 trip to Mississippi State, and senior guards Jordan Howell and JaJuan Smith were limited at LSU. Smith’s only field goal was the game-winner off a steal in the final seconds.

Pearl did not say specifically which players were still under the weather."

I hope they recover before Wednesday evening (or I at least hope Jujuan, CL, and Tyler are 100%).

Posted by Volssux on February 11, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigOrangeJeff- Figures you would play the Grammar Police on me but when I tried to get Volsux I was told it was taken so I wanted to get something close. As you point to the Little Brother Syndrome you are correct and its great to smack the big brother around every once in awhile!! As for pride, I am proud of the year we are having, I am also glad to see UT having a good year so ESPN can focus on something other than the UNC/Duke fight. I would like nothing better than to play UT one more time this year!!!

Posted by tnbanker_govols on February 11, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pms.....I think all the bashers are on the football recruiting board. Seems to be the only place they feel at home right now.

Posted by DennisVols on February 11, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/st...

Posted by Volssux on February 11, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pms151-

Sorry, whats immoral about Volssux? The truth can't be immoral. :)

bshone- Better hope its close because the blowout will go the Tigers way!!

I want a 99-97 game, exciting til the end so ESPN will continue to push this game.

Posted by Volssux on February 11, 2008 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DennisVols- Thanks for pointing out that Memphis is #1 for the 4th week in a row!!

Posted by DennisVols on February 11, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I want Memphis to hold that spot until they face the Vols.
Knocking off #1 is always better than any other ranked team.

Posted by Volssux on February 11, 2008 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DennisVols- Nice dream to have

We will see, but I feel its another notch in the Tigers 07/08 belt.

Posted by weisgarber2003 on February 11, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Looks like ESPN wants to set up a potential #1 versus #2 showdown, coming up vs Memphis. Where was their love a few weeks ago? Lol. GV!"

Love? Not a consideration at all. Ratings? A big consideration, the biggest consideration of all.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on February 12, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pms, wakeup and get out of the clouds ---the LSU game had nothing to do with us rising 3 spots---don't u think that 3 teams above us losing might just have had something to do with it??????

rankings at present mean nothing, we got high last time and lost to Kentucky a day later---rankings pretourney are all that matter

Posted by pdhuff on February 12, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The rareified air of top 5 B Ball does not allow for any "Kentucky-type" efforts.

Get healthy, Vols, no excuses, we need a pig B-B-Cue. And, then, only then, think about helping keep the status of Ga B Ball where it needs to stay.

Great job BP and Vols, keep it up. Try for once, if you will, to put someone away with 5 mins to go. Old ticker can't take it.

Posted by hueypilot on February 12, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Number one in the country. That's really good for a commuter college.

Posted by 55Vol on February 12, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Volssux.... I remember Memphis State trying to beat UCLA.... failed then and will fail on the 23rd. LOSERS... Vols rule...

Posted by Tenn_Dawg on February 12, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Impressive!! I have watched the Vols play several times this year and they are just that. You guys really have a gem in BP. The game with Memphis and Kentucky should be great.....epecially Memphis. I'm hoping UT kicks the crapola out of Calipari and his Tigers. Does Pearl have a brother or some other family member that would be interested in coaching in Athens? UGA basketball is the pits. It must be nice to have something entertaining to bridge the gaps in between the bowl game, recruiting and spring practice.

Posted by Volssux on February 12, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

55_Vol
Wow you remember that we lost in the Finals to UCLA. When was the last time UT was in the Final Four or the Championship Game??

NEVER!!!

Posted by Volssux on February 12, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hueypilot

#4 thats good for a r-neck school!!

Posted by VOLstuckINky on February 12, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ya'll leave Volssux alone. He lives in Memphis and appears to like it. That's punishment enough.

Posted by jimr07 on February 12, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Volssux--good luck to tiger high.

Posted by marc_ash on February 12, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know what, Tennessee has nothing to lose going in to Memphis. Absolutely NOTHING. The tiger cubs have a lot to lose dropping a game to the Vols at home. If they lose that game, they cannot recapture their #1 ranking because they don't play squat the rest of the way out.

If UT loses, they can still make a good push. Either way, should be a good game regardless. Beat Arkansas and lets do this.

Go Vols.

Posted by bshone on February 12, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash you're exactly right. as long as the vols take care of business with Arkansas, Georgia, and Auburn, i like the feeling of going into memphis with absolutely nothing to lose. a hard-fought game would be a positive outcome. of course a win would be amazing. i'm confident that coach bruce pearl will get his boys ready and they should go cause havic and make it a game...

plus, what great tape it will be to analyze in case we were to run into memphis in late march/early april...

Posted by Volssux on February 12, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VOLstuckINky

:)

Lets make things worse....

I turned down a free ride to UT to goto Memphis. Sorry, the orange overalls just were too much to take.

Posted by Volssux on February 12, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash-
I agree to a point. If UT wants a #1 seed then you need to beat Memphis. The #1 in the polls is just an ego boost while being #1 or 2 in the tourney is what you want. Except for the pride with going undefeated, I would feel better it Memphis did lose a game in order to get angry going into March.

Posted by Colliervol on February 12, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rhetorical question. Why does UT play Memphis in any sport? Nothing to gain in football for sure and very little in basketball other than a little exposure every other year in the Memphis area. (And, if BP wants that, he could schedule a game in the Desoto Center and get it. I'd be willing to bet that Ole Miss might be willing to play the Vols there every now and then.)

One thing's for sure. It ain't affecting our $80 million athletic budget one way or the other. From a personal standpoint, I live in Shelby County and I could care less. It's the only topic where I've ever agreed with Coach Firm and Fair (aka Cal).

Posted by Volssux on February 12, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Colliervol

You don't think UT owes it to the fans on the West side of the state? And as far as your Desoto Civic Center comment, Why would UT want to give money to Mississippi in order to play in that dump?

Your comment about living in Shelby County and not caring if they play in Memphis is strange, you would rather play NWES School for the Blind instead of getting to see UT without having to goto Knoxville at least once every couple of years?

Posted by bshone on February 12, 2008 at 9:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Colliervol, I agree that there's not much to gain in playing Memphis in football other than what others have mentioned... However, there's going to be a ton to gain playing Memphis this year in basketball since they're ranked #1. From the perspective of BP and the Vols, you want to gain experience against top talent before the tournament. In some ways I'm actually glad we're playing Memphis at Memphis since a home loss to them would look worse than an away loss and an away win would look better! Being a Maryland basketball fan all my life, I've gotten to see the benefits of playing the #1 team on a consistent basis (almost every year Duke or UNC is ranked #1 at some point during the season) - no wonder Gary Williams has the most wins against the #1 team in the country (among active coaches)! You've got to want these chances to win them! GO VOLS!

Posted by Volssux on February 13, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So not playing another university in your state in order to play some school of the blind is better? I know that schools have to buy home games and I do not think needed to play every year but come on. So playing Louisiana-Lafayette,Marshall, and Southern Miss is better than throwing your fans in West TN a bone every few years? And in basketball the game does help your RPI and playing this game in Memphis will help you almost as much as it helps Memphis in getting ready for the NCAA's. Granted the SEC is tough but it will help to face a team that you don't play several times.

Posted by bleed_orange on February 13, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would love to see Memphis and UT play twice a year (home & away). It would be great for recruiting. It would be 2 must see games. It would not be bad to see TN & Memphis play in a neutral site like in Nashville. I hope it is a great game with the BIG ORANGE winning 130-129 in 5 over times. I also hope TN and Memphis are not in the same bracket. So, they wouldn't play again unless they both made it to the final 4. UAB and Tulane will not be easy road wins for Memphis, but they should win them. Memphis should be 26-0 and hopefully TN will be 24-2. What would be even better would be if Kansas and Duke lose before they play and TN moves up to #2 and Memphis is #1. #1 vs #2 from the same state - now that's more like it. GO VOLS!

Posted by bshone on February 13, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bleed_orange, I agree with most of what you said but are you serious about an out of conference two game set within the same year?! That's completely off the wall. MAYBE they should play in Nashville, but TN already plays one game each year in Nashville and to be honest I don't think that such a big annual rivalry game like TN/Memphis should be played in Vanderbilt's home city. I know there are plenty of Vols fans there, but as a student I highly value the home court advantage every other year. I don't want to depend on the Vanderbilt fans to go root for Memphis every year if the game is in Nashville. Plus, I think the NCAA is getting a bit out of control with all these neutral site games. I mean, half the time when you look at a team's schedule it's difficult to determine if the game was at a neutral site or if it was a legitimate home/away game. For instance, on ESPN.com it says our first lost was @Texas. I'm sure the committee will know we played this game on a neutral court, but often times a win on a neutral court isn't as valuable as a win on an away court. Bottom line, I think TN plays plenty of neutral site games already and I wouldn't want to take away another home & away series just to suit the needs of the middle-Tennessee residents. Lets not also forget that there are small economic impacts of hosting these games every other year in our home city of Knoxville.

Posted by Volssux on February 13, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lets see a Tennessee Tourney with Memphis, Vandy, UT, and Middle TN. Play it in Nashville and let UT and Vandy play then Memphis and Middle TN play. Then you would have Memphis vs UT most years.

Posted by bleed_orange on February 13, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bshone I agree with your post. However, I just wanted the Memphis fans to know that we are not afraid of playing them when ever and where ever they want. I know you never see a home & away series with some one outside ones own conference. But it was just a crazy idea. Did the Lady Vols play U Conn a couple of years in a home and away series or did they just rotate the games every year? GO BIG ORANGE! BEAT THE HOGS TONIGHT! GO VOLS!

Posted by Colliervol on February 13, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, I don't think any team that's 11 and 7 in the series record would be afraid to play the other team. Looks like we've done pretty well against them to me. Regarding playing the Tigers, well, it's Weds afternoon and I still don't care if we play them or not. Yep, right now, they're attractive from an RPI standpoint but that's about it. BP has already proven he can get TV games against good opponents. He can always find somebody else. But, hey, Bruce seems to want to play them and he's the boss. Just not on a neutral court. And trust me, that ain't going to happen. If Cal tries to force that one, the basketball series and the football games will end. And, again, fine with me.

Posted by Volssux on February 13, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From what I hear Kansas or Duke(or both) may be on the table so I would trade them for UT anyway.

Posted by Volssux on February 13, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Also Colliervol what was UT basketball like before Bruce Pearl? What will it be like when he leaves?

Posted by bshone on February 14, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Also Colliervol what was UT basketball like before Bruce Pearl? What will it be like when he leaves?"

Man, you're really reaching for something to post on the message boards now... Trying to be a "Debbie Downer", huh? I'll bet most Vol fans think that the recent success with Bruce Pearl makes it even sweeter when you compare it to the teams of the past. Don't act like just because Memphis has had a relatively more successful basketball program in the past that it really matters to Vols fans right now. You never know, the Vols still might win a national championship before your Tigers do. And what's it say about your coaching staff when they have had such good teams in the past but haven't been able to win a national title? I'll take Bruce Pearl and his ability to exceed expectations over Calipari and his ability to flop in the tournament any day!

Doesn't UT already have a home and away scheduled with Kansas starting next year?

Posted by Volssux on February 14, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bshone

Only one thing to say,

NO CHANCE!!!!

Posted by bshone on February 15, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No chance? As in NONE at all? We'll see. It might not be "likely", but there is certainly a "chance". Especially when you consider the fact that NEITHER team (Memphis or Tennessee) has won a championship. What makes you so certain that Memphis will win one first? Just because your program has had better success in the tournament does not mean that Tennessee can't win a championship before you. Is that realistic? Again, it's not "likely", but there's a "chance"!

Posted by Volssux on February 15, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Your right there is always a chance, but remember this...

Memphis has lost 1 game since 12/20/06 and has won 47 straight at home (last home loss was 1/06 to Texas).

But that said I want Duke to lose so UT moves up so its 1 vs 2.

Posted by bshone on February 16, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Memphis has a better chance to get to the championship game this year than they previously have because they finally went out and played a brutal out of conference schedule before they hit CUSA. Still, come tournament time you can throw school history out the window.

Both UT and Memphis had close games today, but I think it says a lot for both teams to be successful winning close games on the road. Especially UT - in the past they would have found ways to lose the LSU and Georgia games.

My pick to win it all is still Kansas. Even in their loss to Texas this week I thought they looked pretty impressive passing the ball. I wouldn't want to play them in the tournament!

Even if Duke doesn't lose tomorrow it will be one of UT's biggest games in school history on Saturday. I hate to say this, but I'm kind of glad that Memphis won tonight so that UT can go in with the "nothing to lose" mentality.

Posted by bshone on February 17, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bring on the #2 @ #1 matchup!