Taking one Tiger at a time

Vols determined to keep focus on Auburn with Memphis just ahead

  • By Mike Griffith
  • Posted February 18, 2008 at 11:31 p.m., updated February 18, 2008 at 11:31 p.m.

Vols Ramar Smith, Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith cheer on their teammates during a game against Arkansas Monticello this season. The Vols reached the best national ranking in school history Monday, No. 2.

Photo by Saul Young

Vols Ramar Smith, Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith cheer on their teammates during a game against Arkansas Monticello this season. The Vols reached the best national ranking in school history Monday, No. 2.

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Tennessee Men's Basketball

Memphis Tigers

Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl doesn’t want the Vols to look too far into the future in their quest to make history.

UT, which ascended to its highest ranking at No. 2 on Monday, could have a chance to take another step up when it plays at No. 1-ranked Memphis (25-0) Saturday night.

By the end of the week, most every sports fan will have gotten a preview of what’s arguably the biggest men’s college basketball game in the state of Tennessee’s history thanks to ESPN’s heavy-duty promotion of the 9 p.m. feature match up.

But first things first, the Vols (23-2, 10-1 SEC) must play Auburn (13-10, 3-7) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson-Boling Arena in a non-televised game.

“The Auburn Tigers are the most important Tigers on our schedule this week,” Pearl said. “That game is all about doing something we haven’t done in 41 years.”

Tennessee, which has won 29 consecutive home games, is in position to win its first outright SEC regular season championship since 1967.

“When we get past that game,” Pearl said, “the game against Memphis will have other implications.”

Recruiting, NCAA tournament seedings and national perception are chief among them.

Pearl, however, does not want a tight, big-game atmosphere to settle in among his players or practices, which have remained open to media and fans.

“We’re not overreacting; is the media overreacting?” Pearl asked rhetorically. “We’ll treat this like a regular week. Our focus is on Auburn. We’re not going to tell the media how to do their jobs; we’re not going to shy away from the one-versus-two questions.”

ABC and ESPN were in Knoxville last week taping UT practices and interviews in preparation for Saturday night’s ESPN game at Memphis. Auburn, meanwhile, has a CBS-televised showdown with rival Alabama at 2 p.m. Sunday.

UT All-American Chris Lofton was honest enough to admit to having thoughts about the games with both teams of Tigers.

“The Memphis game will be in the back of our heads, but we know Auburn is capable of beating us,” Lofton said. “It’s been a long time since we won the SEC outright. That’s history right there. Auburn’s in our way, and we know they’ll bring their best here.”

Auburn’s best was good enough to beat the Vols 83-80 last year at Auburn.

“It’s easy to be focused on Auburn once Coach hands you the scouting report,” sophomore Duke Crews said. “You see what you’ve got to do to be ready, and if you mess up, Coach is going to get on you. He’s drilling us on Auburn.

“Look, we’re coming here the same time every day for practice, joking around like we always do, then practicing hard and going off to study. We’re programmed.”

Fellow sophomore Wayne Chism said he’s not feeling added pressure.

“I need to be a factor in every game every night, anyway,” Chism said. “I know people will see this as pressure, like, ‘Oh, snap, Tennessee is No. 2 now, what’s gonna happen?’ But it’s not that big a deal because we’re focused on winning championships.”

Sophomore transfer J.P. Prince, a Memphis native whose father once served as an assistant with the Tigers, put the Saturday night game in perspective.

“Rankings are for the fans and the media,” Prince said. “Even if both teams (Memphis and Tennessee) were unranked, it would be the same because there’s state pride.”

Auburn Tickets: The Vols have yet to sell out their game with Auburn, which threatens to end a streak of seven consecutive sellouts at Thompson-Boling Arena dating to a Nov. 30 game with Louisiana-Lafayette that drew 19,401.

Memphis Tickets: As of late Monday night, there were nine seats priced under $200 — all in the upper deck — available for the Memphis game online. Club-level seats were going for as much as $2,000 a seat, with the most expensive tickets, next to the UT bench, listed at $10,000 per seat.

© 2008 govolsxtra.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Comments » 33

milldw02#366865 writes:

does anyone else ever see an article like this and start laughing out loud with astonishment? i mean really, four years ago we were the SEC bottom dwellers. some guy from Wisconsin-Milwaukee takes the job and talks a big talk about building a program here. we're happy that he's at least enthusiastic. and now, just three year's later, we have to make sure we don't get ahead of ourselves and start thinking about the very realistic chance of being #1 in the country this time next week! who'd a thunk it? thanks Mike and Bruce! GO VOLS!!!

utchris writes:

Make it rain this week chris, make it rain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOH4sp...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsa0js...

hdhurst writes:

Sure would be nice to beat Memphis State (had to say that)...

However, realizing the special opportunity we have, I hope the team realizes that goal number 1 is to take the SEC regular season and tourney championship. Then, beating Memphis will not be as sweet if we don't go deep (Elite 8 or Final Four) in the NCAA Tourney.

Thoughts anyone?........GO VOLS!!!

volmattna writes:

Thank you bruce!!! This time next week we'll be # 1 GO VOLS!!!!

alfrizzle097 writes:

This time on Thursday we could be wondering what could have been...

Just keeping things in perspective.

caskew#218608 writes:

Found something out today that I thought was really interesting. The last time the Vols were ranked higher than the Lady Vols was January of 1983. The Vols were ranked #8 and the Lady Vols were ranked #12. GO VOLS!!!

asleep#212036 writes:

I agree. I was just thinking tonight how far we've come in such a short time. Didn't even make the NIT in Peterson's last season and Hamilton took a lot of grief when he unceremoniously dumped him. What a crock! He's a nice guy but Pearl is the coach we have been looking for ever since they fired Devoe. To take a lower tier team to a possible number 1 ranking in 2 1/2 years is nothing short of incredible. What a hire. Maybe Hammy could duplicate the process across the campus in Neyland - looks like Fulmer may be losing control of the program, again. Go Vols!!!

Hunter writes:

Folks in Knoxville - please sell out this Auburn game and support our #2 ranked Vols. We need TBA to be rocking to get them hyped for a mid-week game. One (LSU) Tiger down; two(Auburn/Memphis State) to go!

thethommyb writes:

As a memphis boy (who will be glued to the radio wednesday night) living beautiful KnoxVegas for the last 9 years, I gotta ask two questions:

Who needs it more?

Who wants it more?

These two teams, despite NBA draft projections, are fairly evenly matched. Let me hear some astute and accurate observations from the Vol Nation about right now and what's at stake. . .
(SEC, seeding, recruiting, pride)

KHVOLFAN writes:

I am a huge VOLS fan for many years and I have lived in London, Ky. all my life. I go to all the home football games in Knoxville and several basketball games each year. We have a very special team and a great coach in Pearl. Please fans go out and back our VOLS at TBA Wed. night when we host Auburn. Im sorry but I cannot make this game but will be keeping up with it on the radio. Lets take care of each team 1 game at a time and make this a year to remember for the VOL NATION.I also want to show the kitty cat fans that past is past and that we are the team to reckon with now! GO VOLS!

vol52 writes:

BEAT auburn. GO VOLS!

oldorange writes:

When Pearl first came to town. I posted on this board that he was simply the next dancing monkey to lead the basketball Vols. Win, loose or draw from here on out I most certainly eat my words.
GO Vols

King53 writes:

the players are all saying the right things...let's just hope they mean it and are focused on wednesday's game.

bmaples writes:

AuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburn
AuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburn
AuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburn
AuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburn
AuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburn
AuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburn
AuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburnAuburn
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get it?

pdhuff#552644 writes:

bmaples 7:50 a/m - sure hope they get it. We will get everybodys best shot. Auburn more important, SEC wise, than memphis. One at a time!

gillblog writes:

Word here in Memphis (from Tiger fans) is; if the score is close in the last few minutes, let's just hope UT doesn't foul a lot because we will loose if we have go to the free throw line.
This Memphis team is astounding when they are moving with the ball, but horrible when they have to stand still and take unguarded shots. So, Bruce, a word to the wise, FOUL THEM and you will win.

DSaVol writes:

This entire week (and the remainder of the season for that matter) is about nothing more than TRULY EXPECTING TO WIN as opposed to HOPING to win. Stay loose, play hard, play smart and as BP says "FOCUS ON THE PROCESS!" Outcomes will then take care of themselves.

Chainsaw writes:

Win Wednesday. Then, and only then, think about Memphis.

That is all.

Oh, almost forgot:

Go Vols!

VolCane7979 writes:

If I didn't live in South Florida and was in K-town, I would go to every game. Really, each game is a celebration in and of itself. Those of you who can go and don't are cheating yourselves and not giving these hard-working players their due. Sell out the T-Bol Wednesday against Auburn.

zjcvols#543765 writes:

3 years ago, i was a ut fan, but i never cared about men's ball. only lady vols and football. But now my favorite is men's bball. Nobody has done what Pearl has done in the last 10 years. Taking a dormat program and turn it into an almost superpower

brucealmightyfan writes:

I think the fact that Memphis has been having to rally againt CUSA opponents late in the game is a very telling sign. My user name tells you what I think of Coach Pearl. Is there anything he can't do? Bruce Pearl for Heisman. I believe he could take Tebow one on one.

johnlg00#206211 writes:

First of all, I join the others who say that we must concentrate on beating the AUBURN Tigers before we get too het up on beating the MEMPHIS Tigers.
That said, I will take a crack at thethommyb's question. My take is that UT has more to gain and UM more to lose in this one. Three reasons: 1) If UM loses, they lose the #1 ranking--in fact, given their weak conference schedule, they may fall entirely out of the top 10 and not have much chance to climb back--and UT opens the gate a little wider to the fertile recruiting field that is Memphis; 2) If UT wins, they gain the first #1 ranking in men's bball history and UT gains recruiting cred in Memphis; 3) Most people except the most die-hard Vol fans expect UM to win, so, if they do, they will only be doing what they are expected to do. In fact, if UT loses a close game, they would still gain some recruiting leverage in Memphis, and they might only drop a few spots in the rankings, with a tough SEC schedule giving them ample opportunity to climb back to earn a #1 seed.
Therefore, if UM wins by less 10 points, UT is almost as well off as if they won; if UM loses by a single point, the loss will be a disaster for them. GO VOLS!!! Let's skin a brace of cats this week!!!

DSaVol writes:

Hey marc...where were you able to get Final 4 tix if you don't mind sharing the info?

BigMikeUT writes:

If we beat Memphis there is no way they fall out of the top 10...they probably won't leave the top 3. Unforunately for us, if we lose, there is the possibility of us falling back to 5 or 6. I just get the feeling that the pollsters are just waiting for us to give them any reason to dump us back behind UNC, Duke, Kansas, and UCLA. I actually think we need this game more than Memphis does. If Memphis loses, they'll finish the season with 1 loss to a top 5 team. I don't see anybody in CUSA taking them down. They will still be a #1 seed, no questions asked. If we lose, that becomes loss #3 (assuming we don't overlook Auburn), and then we head in to a stretch run that includes games at Vandy, at Florida, and home against a Kentucky team that has already beaten us. We very well may lose one of those games. I think we can count on either Duke or UNC taking each other out of a #1 seed, but I think the tournament committee would love a top line of Memphis, Duke or UNC, UCLA, and Kansas. Looking at this from a goal perspective, this game means more to us since ultimately our regular season goal is to position ourselves to receive a #1 seed. The recruiting angle is another factor in this as Pearl and Calipari have been at each other's throats over the recruiting in Memphis ever since Pearl came to town. This gives Pearl an opportunity to gain some credibility in Memphis, which is huge for our program with regards to recruiting. But I truly believe this game is bigger for UT than it is for Memphis when it comes to this season. That being said, forget Memphis for now and beat Auburn!

volunteers4life writes:

A world-class showdown. I can barely concentrate on work this week in anticipation!

johnlg00#206211 writes:

You make some good points, BigMikeUT. I might have overstated the case in saying that Memphis would drop out of the top-10 with a loss to us, but the skepticism over Memphis' conference schedule is deep and wide. In so many words, I think Memphis would drop below most of the 2-loss teams, since most of those play in tougher conferences. Also, I think a loss AT HOME is more devastating than a road loss. Granted, it will be tough for us to earn a #1 seed with three losses, but I can see all the current 2-loss teams possibly losing at least one more as well. Of course, if we lose to Memphis AND drop another SEC regular-season game, we would do WELL to get a #2 seed. No question a win at Memphis would be huge for us, but a decently-played loss won't kill us.

budd#207344 writes:

Win, Lose, or Draw

Thanks Coach Pearl.
It is GREAT to be a Tennessee VOL

jasvol writes:

Betting Line for UT vs. Memphis -
What's the line on free throw shooting percentage?

Will it be lower than the number of fights (on and off the court)?

Kwitcherbellyachin writes:

Just thinking... wouldn't it be great if somehow, John Ward could call the game on Saturday night? Maybe someone can pay Kesling to sit this one out. What I wouldn't give to hear "Lofton from the corner... BOOOTTTTOOOMMM!"

Oh well, in a perfect world.

Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:

hey, did any of you spring for the $10k seats yet?? I would, but I have to sell off a few kids first. sheeesh.

Yeah, John Ward was tops. I grew up listening to him call games, especially the ernie and bernie years. I also remember a vol game when 'the round mound of rebound' was at Auburn, and a UT player (Reggie JOhnson???) commented on Charles' large rear-end being tough to deal with in the paint!!!

jasvol writes:

The Memphis paper has a Best Joke online blog going on.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/...

rbatten9#231828 writes:

Who in the blankety blank didn't want Buzz fired that was a UT fan? How stupid some people can be...

DSaVol writes:

marc - no I don't live in San Antonio and I already have my tickets for all the regionals TN plays in and the Final Four. Thanks for the info though.

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