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Add it up: No. 1 job for No. 2 is Auburn

Sounds like a broken record for Vols, except for Howell's song

By Mike Griffith (Contact)
Originally published 09:29 p.m., February 19, 2008
Updated 09:29 p.m., February 19, 2008

"Let's get it on.''

That's the prevailing sentiment of the Tennessee men's basketball team and the song senior Jordan Howell will be shown singing on the scoreboard screens prior to tonight's game introductions.

The second-ranked Vols (23-2, 10-1 SEC) have won 29 consecutive home games at Thompson-Boling Arena entering the 7:30 tip against Auburn.

The Vols can take another step toward winning their first outright conference title since 1967 with a win over the Tigers (13-10, 3-7).

While many UT fans can't help but look ahead to Saturday night's game with other Tigers - the No. 1-ranked variety from Memphis - Howell said the Vols are focused on tonight's game.

"We've got some unfinished business to take care of,'' said Howell, an Auburn, Ala., native. "My brother played there and was a graduate assistant there last year, so that's family bragging rights.

"But it's big for our team, too. When we left there last year, everyone was upset about what happened.''

The Vols exited the court incensed at the way their 83-80 loss to the Tigers ended before a cat-calling crowd at Beard Eaves Memorial Coliseum.

Auburn clearly wasn't intimidated by UT then - All-American Chris Lofton's named was misspelled on the scorecard ("Loftin'') - and the Tigers most likely aren't scared now, having beat the Vols at their own up-and-down style of game last season.

The Tigers celebrated the win over UT by rolling Toomer's Corner, a tradition usually reserved for football victories.

UT coach Bruce Pearl left Auburn as angry as anyone, having been assessed a technical foul he didn't feel was warranted with 21 seconds left, enabling the Tigers to increase their lead to five points and effectively seal the result.

"We were very upset,'' Pearl said. "It was a tough loss, our third in a row, and our season was in the balance. It was a very difficult locker room.''

Tennessee led by 14 points with 9:43 remaining when Auburn went on an 18-0 run.

Lofton missed five consecutive shots during that stretch, and Duke Crews and Wayne Chism were outplayed and outscored in the foul lane by their Tiger frontline counterparts (28-11 points, 17-15 rebounds) despite not giving up a height advantage.

"I remember when the clock hit zeroes they had more points than us, and we were not happy,'' Crews said. "It's not like it's gonna be a feud with us and Auburn, or anything like that.

"But there's something to wanting revenge.''

Pearl said there's also something about the need to play well to get a win against the Tigers.

"Here's some perspective,'' Pearl said. "Last year, Florida had five NBA players, and the separation between Florida and the bottom of the league was significant.

"The difference between the top teams and the bottom of the SEC is not that great. Look at Georgia (three-point losers to UT Saturday), and LSU, the last-place team in the West, gave us all we wanted and beat Florida.''

Pearl said the Vols haven't been playing their best of late.

"We had one of our most interesting film sessions (Monday morning),'' he said. "Our players know our last six opponents have shot 47-percent against us.

"Auburn is a nightmare match up. It's a very physical and aggressive team.''

Lofton said the Vols need to play well just to prove something to themselves, if no one else.

"We have a long ways to go,'' Lofton said. "Our half-court offense isn't great, we're not pressuring the ball and we're not running the fast break like we used to.

"We're not ready to accept the high ranking. … Don't get me wrong, we love it. But I don't think we're right there yet.''

Come Saturday, the Vols will be right there on the FedEx Forum floor taking on the undefeated and No. 1-ranked Memphis Tigers.

But first things first … Auburn's Tigers.

Let's get it on, and get on with it.

Memphis Series: Memphis coach John Calipari said the people who want to keep the Memphis-UT series on a home-on-home basis are being selfish.

Pearl's response?

"I'm sure their fans in Memphis, as far as their season tickets, this is a game they look forward to,'' Pearl said. "Selfishly, I do want the fans in Knoxville to see that game.

"We play in Nashville already, we play Vanderbilt there every year and we've played other games in the Gaylord (Sommet) Center.''

Pearl pointed out it doesn't matter what anyone's opinions are on where the game is played because there is a contract signed to play eight more games on a home-and-home basis.

Tickets Left: Just a few hundred tickets remain for tonight's game with Auburn, but the game, which will not be televised, is expected to be sold out by tip-off, according to UT officials. The Vols have sold out seven consecutive games.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       57 Comments

Posted by schymtz on February 19, 2008 at 10:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just do it! Beat Auburn! Go Vols!

Posted by Hunter on February 19, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Calipari would be fine with playing in Knoxville and Nashville. He doesn't want us coming into FedEx Forum and showing the world that big brother UT can whoop little brother Memphis in their own backyard!

Posted by cdldoc on February 19, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cal Apairee seems really afraid to see UT in Memphis? I hope there is a lot of orange at the game for local high school players to see. If Pearle get strong in Memphis area recruiting it could end Cal Apairee's tenure.

GO Vols

Posted by coach75 on February 19, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

calipari dogged pearl and our players on espn 1st take today. he is so insecure because he knows what he is going to get. of course i would expect that on that show with skip bayless(vandy grad) always downing anything involving ut because of jealousy. they made a mistake at wspn by letting woody paige leave that show.

Posted by agentorange on February 19, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

who cares that ut has 2 top 3 bball teams. john adams thinks we should fire fulmer. that's the big story according to kns. adams didn't think we should fire pearl when his guys got caught with crack/cocaine. no one on the fb team did that. if i worked for the kns, i would be ashamed and then i would be semi-worried about the yang that's coming for that ying.

Posted by volman5 on February 20, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

coach75-

I missed 1st Take today...what did Cal say about our coach and team?

GO VOLS!!

Posted by dowdpat on February 20, 2008 at 12:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey agentorange save that stuff for a football thread.

Posted by marc_ash on February 20, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

volman5, He didn't say much. The main thing that stuck out to me was when he talked about Tulane (Memphis' opponent tonight). He said something about how they beat LSU and (I think) Florida or Kentucky...can't remember. Anyway, his point was how Tulane beat 2 teams that challenged the Vols. It wasn't really a shot, but you could tell Calamari was inching a little dig at the Vols.

Should be a good game tonight. Hope the Vols make it happen.

Posted by LazhilUT on February 20, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice attitude, good focus.
One game at a time.

Posted by pdhuff on February 20, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lordy, mean that "one game at a time" hype. Don't stumble here, Vols while looking ahead.

Steamroll the Tigers. Take advantage of the big edge in home floor.

Posted by shopsports on February 20, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WAR TURKEYS....SUCK....1977

Posted by kingb007 on February 20, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No shots taken at Pearl or the Vols.
CALAPARI was just demonstrating how underrated CUSA is. Tulane is 3-0 against the SEC (including a 15 point win against Auburn). Just stating how we can't overlook anyone in our supposedly very weak conference. By the way Tulane isn't even a top 5 CUSA team.

Posted by johnlg00 on February 20, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hope Jordan gets his shooting eye back tonight. It seems to me that recently he has been shooting with a much flatter arc than he was when he was hitting. Hope someone on the team or staff has pointed that out to him.
agentorange, who on the team was caught with crack? All I have heard about was that pot was found in Duke Crews' room, that may or may not have been his. Besides, CBP has dismissed important players who have been caught with drugs, that is, actually tested positive more than once--remember Wingate and Patterson?

Posted by johnlg00 on February 20, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OK, agentorange, I see that you actually said you wondered why Adams didn't say Pearl should be fired. In the first place, it doesn't matter what Adams says about ANY UT coach needing to be fired. In the second place, as I said above, CBP has acted decisively when his players have gotten out of line, which hasn't happened much.

Posted by Jamey1210 on February 20, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am watching ESPN more than ever just to see what they are saying about my vols. Can you imagine if they were talking about you? I hope they are atleast going to sleep at night. This has to be one of the hardest challenges for the team yet. This is big, very big. Hopefully Pearl has put a TV ban on them this week and they are sleeping at the gym so he can keep a close eye on them. GO Vols!!!!!!!

Posted by govols57 on February 20, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Calipari is a joke, Memphis plays in a weak conference and should have been beat by powerhouse UAB. Calipari won't play any good teams away from Memphis, they are very athletic but have not played in any big games

Posted by Chainsaw on February 20, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The senior leadership appear to have their heads on straight for this game. Come 7:30 tonight, they're taking control of their house and sending Auburn home with a loss.

Go Vols!

Posted by fundamentals83 on February 20, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hate playing Memphis this late in the year. We are in the hunt for the SEC and have to take a detour to play Memphis. We could easily overlook Auburn tonight, and win or lose against Memphis, we will likely be flat against Vandy next tuesday.

Posted by marc_ash on February 20, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think playing Memphis now is a good thing. I don't think this game can hurt us in any way. Memphis is a beast at home, and the NCAA committee knows this. If the Vols win on Sat, then it will be seen as a major accomplishment for the Vols despite their high ranking. If they lose away, won't be too big of a shocker. If anything, the Vols slip to maybe 4 with a loss...maybe 5 worse case.

Thankfully the Vols have a great opportunity to finish up the season strong. They have a good stretch of hard games to end the season, and should remain focused.

9pm Saturday...is there any question where the Vol nation will be?

Posted by FatherVol on February 20, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

govols57, Memphis has home and home contacts with all the good teams they played at home this eyar. Some games were played away last year and some will be played next year, but don't underestimate Calipari. Like Pearl, he goes after big name programs to add to his schedule.

Posted by KnoxVol_in_TX on February 20, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Can't stand ESPN. Cant stand em! Cant stand em!

That said, I used to like Calipari and Memphis...but in recent weeks it seems all I hear is he said this and Calipari said that. I dont know what to think anymore.

In any case, I am glad to be a Vol fan and this should be one of the greatest games I have ever seen. Too bad I have to record it because of a wedding. I've gotta come up with a budlight style invention real quick to watch this game during the ceremony and reception.

GO VOLS!

Posted by marc_ash on February 20, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have never been much for conspiracies, however it is really interesting how ESPN chooses to relay information. The Colquitt suspension was pasted to the bottom ticket all day on Monday. I counted probably a minute to a minute and a half between flashes on the bottom of the screen about Colquitt's situation. Periloux suspension didn't receive as much play, but it was flashed often. Probably every 2-4 minutes. Funny how such "big news" seems to make its way to the forefront.

Posted by HotlantaVol on February 20, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pearl: I'll start with the aubbie road-kill stew. Then I'll have the calipari with marinara. Is that kosher, by the way? After all that, I'll need to visit the commode-ore.

Posted by 98reax on February 20, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Cal's a pretty boy. Do not take Auburn for granted. We can win out. We gotta play like every team's a #1... It would be an unbelievable earth-shattering event to hang a championship banner in TBA.

Posted by va_vol16 on February 20, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i agree fundamentals83 i think that memphis game could have an impact on tonights game and if we beat memphis i dont think we will be ready to go aginst vandy on tuesday but who knows i learned a long time ago not to under estimate coach pearl

Posted by KingsportVol on February 20, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anybody know if the game is on TV in East Tenn?

Posted by rockytop on February 20, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just read Pat Forde's article on Memphis as "America's Team"! It really shows the thugs that Memphis has on their team. This is a must read: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/column....

Posted by Razzle on February 20, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What KingsportVol said. Isn't this game on TV?

Posted by QCVol on February 20, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Same question here! Just like the KNS, report on everything else except for the most important sh*t at hand....where's anything related to tonight's game???

Posted by Mr_Man52 on February 20, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

orangutan nation: Quit spewing lies on who said what on ESPN. I saw it. Make sure you show up for your whuppin' on Saturday. The whole nation will see it, and there will be no doubt.

Posted by chrslyp on February 20, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

does anyone know why no one is talking about how that memphis player slapped a UAB student? I've seen the pictures, i would just think if that had been duke or unc, it would have been all over the news..

Posted by icecream on February 20, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IS TONIGHTS GAME ON TV? ANYONE?

Posted by TurboFan on February 20, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is not on TV :(

Posted by TurboFan on February 20, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Really blows. No TV broadcast at all. Not even on the internet. 5 inches of snow on the ground, no where to go and nothing to watch. Guess I'll go watch the lunar eclipse at 8:43. Freeze my bajeezers off at 15 degrees.

Posted by stevefrommemphis on February 20, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Excellent post, fundamentals83. The goal is to win the SEC outright, yet to please the state legislature we have to play that Memphis outfit. If UT loses to either Auburn or Vandy, I'm going to consider this detour a major contributing factor. Tennessee has played Memphis about 40 times in football and basketball over the years, and this is the first time EVER that it has meant as much to Tennessee as it has to Memphis.

Posted by fundamentals83 on February 20, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hate playing Memphis this late in the year. We are in the hunt for the SEC and have to take a detour to play Memphis. We could easily overlook Auburn tonight, and win or lose against Memphis, we will likely be flat against Vandy next tuesday

Posted by LazhilUT on February 20, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gotta love how Memphis fans show up just when they're on a high and if they lose they will be quiet and won't show up again. When they're out of the run in March, they will be quiet again and go back to hope that they can have a 6-5 football season...

Posted by HotlantaVol on February 20, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At least 99gator, airforceone and some of the other regular other-school-visitors have the class to remain somewhat objective and to return to the site after a defeat.

Posted by Ironcity on February 20, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I really believe this game means more to Memphis then it does to UT. UT doesn't have to justify its schedule. UT is not defending an unbeaten record. If Memphis loses they could drop from number one simply because of their schedule. That said, if we win in Memphis we have a virtual lock on a number one seed and would probably get our first number one ranking ever.

Posted by bshone on February 20, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Poor Jordan... His senior night game isn't even on tv... Figures he would get the shaft there... Although I suppose it makes sense to have Lofton's senior game against Kentucky...

By the way, what do you all think about this "individual senior night" idea? I've never heard of it until this season... I rarely question Coach Bruce Pearl's tactics, but I think I'm a bigger fan of the old school "team" approach to a senior night... Just wait until the current sophomore class has their senior season... Half the home games will be somebody's senior night!

Posted by dirtdobber1 on February 20, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kick em in the da Vols!!!!

Posted by dirtdobber1 on February 20, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BSHONE- from reading your post, I understand why you chose your name...B S Hone. It makes sense. You probably thought Jujuan should have been benched when he attempted the backboard pass to Tyler Smith...!

23-2/ Number 2 in the nation/ Number 1 RPI! Its the highest rank ever for UT Basketball/ Do you really think that spotlighting a senior is that bad of an idea? Would you like to go back to the Buzz and Wade years? I hope not.

Posted by pdhuff on February 20, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vols appear to be a 17 pt pick. Some on al.com see Au with a win. Could happen, hope not.

We need to be firing on all cylinders. Guess I'll follow this one on ESPN's scoreboard.

dirtdobber - you're right, no more Buzz or Houston, pleeeze.

Posted by tractoronthepole on February 20, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The game should be broadcast on utsports.com under multimedia. I have caught a couple of games there when traveling this year, OLE MISS for instance.

Posted by tigervol9802 on February 20, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bshone -

Don't mind the idiot.

I think SC game is going to be the collective senior day as well. I hope they hand out Kleenex when we walk in that day because I may cry.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on February 20, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff- I may take the 17. (of course for amusement only)

Posted by bshone on February 20, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dirtdrobber1 - dang! the last thing i want is buzz peterson's tactics, but i just wanted to know what you thought about the individual senior night, that's all... ya didn't need to bash my "online message board" name, but hey whatever gets your rocks off...

tigervol - i'll bet you're right, the SC game will be the team senior night, which makes sense... heck, if CBP can get each individual senior to play as well as jujuan smith did in his senior night, i won't question his tactics on a message board ever again! 12 noon kentucky game (probably with billy packer) - i could seriously see chris lofton scoring 28 points on a 7/7 3 point shooting day!

regarding jordan howell's senior night... jordan is the man and i wish the game were on tv tonight, but then i'd miss out on him singing "lets get it on"... i guess i'll go to the game...

Posted by pdparker14 on February 20, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Check out the story on Tennessee basketball at
www.philipssoapbox.blogspot.com

Posted by bigorangedude on February 20, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I look forward to being # 1. Sorry Tigers!

Posted by KingsportVol on February 20, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pdparker14 that was pretty cool.Thanks

Posted by dirtdobber1 on February 20, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bshone- my bad. I take it back. sorry.

I might agree with you a little on that one...with the team concept part, but since they are seniors it may be good to give em a little more spotlight for their dedication and effort.

In regard to Memphis game... what about the ole "hack-a-shack"(dorsey) game plan. If things get bad, maybe we could input tanner wild and let him foul Dorsey and get him on the foul line.

Posted by schymtz on February 20, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wish the game was on TV, and I missed John Ward for a long while, but I like Bob and Burt. I was suprised that SEC.org didn't even list the game!I like the attitude reflected in the posts here. I've followed UT football since the late 50's and basketball since the early 60's. This is the best basketball ever at UT! These next six games are,each one in turn, the most important ever played. Go Vols! You will do this. Beat Auburn! And Chris, you are right where you belong!

Posted by DennisVols on February 20, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The warm up game is over. 89-70 Go Vols

Posted by tapeworm on February 20, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Another disturbing trend for the Vols. Great first half - bad second half. Not able to put teams away. Why is this?

Posted by bshone on February 20, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dirtdobber - no sweat. what's weird is i thought i came to an epiphany when i was at the game and i turned to my buddy and said: you know what, we're deeper than memphis so we should just foul the heck out of em IF our gameplan from the start isn't working. i'd love to see dorsey shoot most of his shots from the stripe. you beat me to that point though, nicely done. i agree and think that if things start getting to a point where we aren't able to play our game we could benefit from stopping the clock while simultaneously putting them in a position where they shoot under 60% (or whatever it is). and as you noted, tanner wild doesn't put on an orange jersey for nothin'.

looking very much forward to saturday... go vols!

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