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Vols try to avoid root-out by Hogs

'We've got to protect our homecourt'

By Mike Griffith (Contact)
Originally published 10:46 p.m., February 12, 2008
Updated 10:46 p.m., February 12, 2008

It has been said that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Flash back to Feb. 25, 2006, at Thompson-Boling Arena: Tennessee first-year coach Bruce Pearl has led his team to 13 consecutive home wins and a top-10 ranking when Arkansas comes to town.

Tonight, the No. 4-ranked Vols (21-2, 8-1 SEC) are riding a 28-game home-court win streak as they prepare for an 8 o'clock tip (TV: FSN, WVLT) with the Razorbacks (17-5, 6-2).

Flash back to 2006: UT builds a 14-point lead with 8 1/2 minutes left only to squander it and go down to a 73-69 defeat, the first of three losses over the next four games.

And today?

"We don't think about the streak, we just know we've got to protect our homecourt,'' UT senior Chris Lofton said. "That game two years ago, it just slipped away and then we started to fade. We can't let that happen again.''

Fellow senior Jordan Howell agreed.

"We're a different team,'' Howell said. "Two years ago, we didn't have the depth we have now.

"But that Arkansas game, man, I remember us leading the whole game, and then at the end we just collapsed,'' he said. "It was so distraught in the locker room. It was like, 'How did we just lose that game?' It was the worst feeling.''

Today's Razorbacks, winners of four in a row, have the distinction of representing the only SEC team Pearl has not beaten in Thompson-Boling Arena over his three years as coach at Tennessee.

"Our seniors and Coach Pearl have a nasty taste in our mouths,'' senior JaJuan Smith said. "We don't want to leave here after our senior year saying there was a team we couldn't beat in our gym.

"We're going to take a lot of pride in this one.''

Smith said he's "90 percent" back in his recovery from flu-like symptoms that led to him playing sparingly at LSU on Saturday with a 100-plus-degree temperature.

At least, Smith said he's well enough to make amends for his role in the Vols' collapse against Arkansas in 2006.

"Now, don't be putting that whole loss on me,'' Smith said with a laugh. "But I do remember taking a 3-pointer that I shouldn't have late in that game, and I missed a free throw.''

Howell said tonight's game is about more than just revenge.

"We know the last time we were ranked this high (No. 3, Jan. 21) we went out right away and lost to Kentucky,'' Howell said. "So what we've been talking about among ourselves is that this time, we have to go out and prove we belong ranked this high.''

Jordan's Slump: Howell can pinpoint when his recent shooting woes began.

"It was that game at Alabama, and I had a lot of friends and family there and got too geeked up,'' said Howell, an Auburn, Ala., native who's 4-of-20 from the floor over the past four games and 3-of-17 behind the 3-point arc. "I was trying to do too much. Then I came back and tried to break out of it, and I've caught myself pressing.

"I just need to let the game come to me.''

Howell also was ill last week and missed two practices.

Vols On Lady Vols: Lofton didn't want to hear any talk of controversy from the UT women's game Tuesday night.

"We won the game, and that's all that matters,'' Lofton said. "I don't want to hear about any clock. We won.''

Pearl said he has a new catch phrase for his players as they work to improve their free-throw shooting.

"I'm just going to say, 'Nicky' '' Pearl said, referring to Lady Vol Nicky Anosike making two free throws with two-tenths of a second remaining to lift the No. 1 Lady Vols to victory. "Did you see her hit those clutch free throws? That was impressive.''

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       41 Comments

Posted by bshell12 on February 12, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Go Vols!!!! Protect Your house!!!

Posted by FWBVol on February 13, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Come on Mike, last week it was LSU was one of the teams UT hadn't beaten on the road since Pearl arrived, which was all of one game as they alternate home and away by year with teams from the west.

This is the same thing all over again. UT has played Arkansas in TBA one time, and that was two years ago, Bruce Pearl's first year.

Posted by VOLS85 on February 13, 2008 at 12:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What bar will Kentucky be watching UT at in the NCAA tournament in March? Solid 41 point loss and lowest point total in one half in the shot clock era UK...

where's airforceone when you need him?!?!

Posted by rbatten9 on February 13, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice to see the trashtalker's team get blownout. UK's starting to show what UT did the first year under Pearl and that was because we had no depth and got gassed at the end. It hit right about this time.

Posted by newtonrail on February 13, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. FWBVol, I guess you don't think Mr. Griffith is making a silk purse out of a sows ear.

Posted by Hunter on February 13, 2008 at 1:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

rbatten9, then how do you explain the Cats starting 7-9? Were they winded coming out of the exhibition season????? I LOVE watching Kentucky struggle, especially against the Commode-Dores.

Posted by volguy615 on February 13, 2008 at 5:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

when was the last time you heard a KY fan ask when does football start?

Posted by KingsportVol on February 13, 2008 at 6:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Slaughter the Hogs!!!

Posted by schymtz on February 13, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Time to build some separation in the standings. UT did fade towards the end of BP's first SEC tour. And after the LSU experience a resurgence would be welcomed. As for Vandy, great win! The Vols still have a visit there. That ain't today. The Hogs are in town. Whip 'em! No fade. Go Vols!

Posted by marc_ash on February 13, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hiresanders, Airforceone, UKfan...WHERE ARE YOU?!?!

Go hide somewhere and come back IF UK gets another win. 11 points in the first half? Really? hahaha.

See you in Knoxville!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?g...

Posted by jweaver3 on February 13, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

marc-ash, UK had their ars's handed to them last night!!!! What a joke, I can't wait for the revenge in K-town.
GO VOLS
LET'S BEAT THE PIGS
TXVOLSFAN

Posted by pdhuff on February 13, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Man up with LSU, this will be tuff.

Kentucky fans know exactly how I felt after watching the implosions vs Fla and Bama.

Probably ol' AF One,s laid up for maintenance.

Posted by TurboFan on February 13, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I still think Kentucky will get at least 10 wins in the SEC and they could come to TBA on a four game winning streak.

Posted by marc_ash on February 13, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WD40, that will be extremely hard for UK to do but it is possible. 3 of those 4 games are in Lexington, and we all know how the Cats play at home. However, a scrappy LSU team on the road is no easy feat for a struggling team (just ask the Vols...minus the struggling part of course).

GA has played a lot of schools close, but seem to be a 1 man show in Gaines. I can see a UK win in that contest at home. Ark and Ole Miss are formidable opponents. Both present some good match up's for the Cats.

My prediction for the Cats is probably 3-1 over the next 4....and then a reality check on Ole Rocky Top. Hard to figure this team out, but they will surely be ticked in their next game.

Posted by Chainsaw on February 13, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's hog slaughtering time in TommyB! Fans need to get loud! Drop 30 on them, Chris! Go Vols!

On the subject of Peabody delivering a complete and total humiliation of KY: hahahahahahaha, oh man, that was fun to watch.

I guess AirFarceNone won't be around this morning to remind us how the storied KY program is the gold standard of SEC basketball.

Posted by coach75 on February 13, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

smith does not have to make amends for anything. if it was not for his defense we would have lost to lsu.

Posted by Archrockvol on February 13, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gotta hit free throws and lay-ups tonite.GO VOLS

Posted by THE_VOL on February 13, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

coach75 - watch the tape again. JuJuan made 1 play - great as it was - against LSU. JP PRINCE saved that game for us with about 4 defensive plays in the last minute or so.

Tonight is easy - control Beverly and Weems and the Vols win going away. NEXT!!!!

Also believe MD has a great shot at whipping the Dookies this week which could set up a 1 vs 2 showdown in that cesspool known as MemPiss!

Posted by bsvolfan on February 13, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

*************************

VOTE FOR LOFTON EVERYDAY

*************************

http://www.seniorclassaward.com/votel...

Posted by orangebass on February 13, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Vols seem to be peaking at the right time...expect a blowout tonight and nothing like the game last saturday...big orange by 20 !!

Posted by SeanJean on February 13, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The first couple of paragraphs are very cumbersome and difficult to read. Ugh.

Posted by iowavol on February 13, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The game two years ago was all about our team running out of gas. We were unstoppable until that 8 minute mark and then, someone flipped a switch and we couldn't run from one end to the other. Depth will be the difference.

PDHuff, good call, but that was Saturday. Tonight we play the hogs and need to atone for Saturday's poor performance.

Like Pearls call on Clock Gate. Focus on the positive. Nicky wo-manned up and hit two pressure cookers.

Posted by murrayvol on February 13, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WD40: Agree w/your assessment. This was one game when an irresistable force met a moveable object. They won't go away and we won't beat them nearly that bad in Knoxville.

I'm a lot more concerned about Arkansas and how we play tonight than the travails of Cat fanciers.

Posted by marc_ash on February 13, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Should be an open and shut game. Ark is on a good stretch of games, but Tennessee is ready to rebound from the close call at LSU.

Vols will take care of their house tonight. Don't look ahead to Memphis, finish strong and beat the piggies.

Posted by txsvol on February 13, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First line of Griffith's article came from George Santayana's "The Life of Reason," Volume 1, published in 1905. So, the beginning of the article would have more impact in the active rather than the passive voice. Think I learned that in junior high student newspaper writing, Griff. But, you are one of the better writers on the KNS sports staff, anyway. Go Griff! Go Vols!
SAVol

Posted by threehundredbowler on February 13, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Careful how you Guys put Kentucky down.Remember ,Ky.put the hurt on us in their gym.We also have to play the Dores.It could happen to us,especially the way we tend to blow second half leads.It is not easy eating Crow.This is a Tennessee team capable of a final four but is also capable of a first round exit.

Posted by TurboFan on February 13, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marc, can agree on the "hard" but not quite the "extremely". Not sure LSU will have another emotional high to pull out of the bag, but maybe. Ga, Ark, at Rupp should be wins, granted Ark could make it tough on them. Still not sure Ole Miss is a contender and not a pretender, again at home though. SC on the road, easy, Fla at home looking for revenge. 6 possible wins, I'll bet on 5. Get to Saturday in the SEC tourney will give them 19 wins. I'm not an expert but never discount Kentucky.

Posted by Mr_Man52 on February 13, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ya'll have a situation here. Your dirty little bag of tricks has been uncovered and should be public record by no later than Friday. Have a nice day. GO TIGERS!!!!!!!

Posted by pdhuff on February 13, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

threehundredbowler 3:27 - Agree, one game ala LSU will result in back to the dorm.

I couldn't even find ol' airforceone on Forums.Kentucky.Com. I wasn't going to rag him as I try not to call out other posters. Attack the message, not the messenger. The SEC road is a rough place. Hope that holds true for Arkie.

Posted by jdcdjc on February 13, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is going to be a great game. Good to hear the guys taking up for our gals too.
Go Vols

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 13, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's get the same clock operator that the women had the other night. LOL.

Posted by pdhuff on February 13, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iowavol-1:47- I drifted over to the L Vols upcoming game with LSU. Ck out Hogcall.com thread on Tennessee game. Even as a 10 1/2 point dog, they fully expect to kick our a##.

I too often intertwine both Vols B Ball teams. Beat Arkie and LSU. No Ky efforts per vs Vandy, whew.

Posted by Chainsaw on February 13, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Ya'll have a situation here. Your dirty little bag of tricks has been uncovered and should be public record by no later than Friday. Have a nice day. GO TIGERS!!!!!!!"

WTH are you talking about???

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 13, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr_Man52, what one earth are you talking about?
The only situtation I see is we are 21-2, on top of the SEC, and have a 28 home game winning streak. We played our worst game of the year against LSU and we still found a way to win. You play that game 10 more times and the average margin of victory for Tennessee is 20 points. Have a nice day.

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 13, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff - Men and women both have already left several teams in the dust. I expect the trend to continue. Pound the fritter.

Posted by pearlific on February 13, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PLEASE tell me Teddy isn' t officiating tonight!

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on February 13, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Air Force One is a Fraud, lol

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on February 13, 2008 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Prince needs to play at his level, not what he thinks his level is!

Posted by murrayvol on February 13, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

threehundredbowler:
You're right on point 1. This team is capable of a Final 4.

You're wrong on point 2. There's not a 15 or 16 seed in Division 1 that can beat the Vols.

Posted by dnabbefe on February 13, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Does anyone know if the game will be broadcast on the net? I live in Wisconsin and have a hard time catching the games :(

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