NASHVILLE - Don't bring your No. 1 ranking to Memorial Gym. Vanderbilt isn't impressed.
Well, it's not that Commodores aren't impressed. It's more accurate to say they aren't intimidated.
"Anytime an opponent is the number-one-ranked team in the country, its always an honor to play against them," said senior Shan Foster, who fired in 32 points to fuel Vandy's 72-69 victory over No. 1 Tennessee on Tuesday night.
For the second consecutive season - and fourth time in a row dating to 1987 - the Commodores knocked off a No. 1-ranked team in Memorial.
Last year it was the defending national champion Florida Gators. This time, a newly anointed No. 1, Tennessee.
"People go their whole careers and don't get the opportunity to play the number-one team in the country," said Foster. "The guys here have got to do it twice and I think that added a little fuel to the fire."
Prior to Florida last year, the Commodores also unseated Kentucky in 1992-93 and North Carolina in 1987-88.
"This game was more important to us than Florida last year," Foster said. "Because we felt like we really got punked in Knoxville."
His reference was to UT's 80-60 victory Jan. 17.
"The first game," said Foster, "was indicative of how we were playing at the time.
"Today was more indicative of how we're playing now, more to our potential."
Foster was 1-of-11 from 3-point range in Knoxville. He got his 32 points Tuesday on only 13 shots and was 6-of-9 beyond the arc.
"My hat goes off to those guys (Tennessee)," he said. "It definitely wasn't easy."
Coach Kevin Stallings' hat goes off to Foster.
"Thirty-two points on 13 shots, that's phenomenal against their defense," Stallings said. "They're the best defensive team in the league."
Tuesday's victory gave the Commodores a double dose of rivalry sweetness.
They not only virtually assured that UT's stay atop the national rankings will end with the next poll but they also tightened up the SEC East race.
The Commodores also extended their SEC winning streak to seven games, a best under Stallings.
"This was kind of a weird game," said Stallings. "It certainly lacked rhythm because of all the fouls.
"It wasn't a game of particularly good shooting, but it was hard-fought and that's what you expect when these two teams play each other."
Stallings thanked a pro-Vandy crowd of 14,325 for rising to the occasion when the No. 1 team happened to be the one a couple of hours east on I-40.
"It was a big game for us and it was a big game for them," he said.
"Gosh, Bruce's orange coat even designated it a big game."
UT coach Bruce Pearl's orange blazer - which he reserves for Vandy and Kentucky - couldn't help the Vols shoot any better than 32.8 percent or force more than eight Vanderbilt turnovers.
"I thought most of their shots were contested," Stallings said. "They shoot 33 percent, some of that had to be our defense."
Foul problems kept the respective big men, UT's Wayne Chism and Vandy's A.J. Ogilvy, from getting much of a duel going.
Chism finished with four points and four rebounds. In the first game, his numbers were 18 and 18.
"If I can calculate that," said Stallings, "the difference is 14 points and 14 rebounds."
2K: UT's Chris Lofton became the sixth Vol to pass the 2,000-point mark for his career. His 25 points left him at 2,004.
Dale Ellis is fifth on the scoring chart with 2,065 points from 1979 to 1983.
Lofton is the first member of the 2,000 club since Allan Houston in 1993.
UT's new $45 million football…
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Comments » 67
BETTYE247 writes:
WHAT HAPPENED?!!! DID THEY GO INTO THIS GAME THINKING THAT JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE NO. 1 THAT THEY COULDN'T BE BEATEN?!!! I WATCHED EVERY MINUTE OF THE GAME AND I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED! I THINK THEY GOT TOO COCKY AND DIDN'T THINK THEY COULD OR WOULD LOSE!!!
anthony writes:
Vanderbilt has always had a better basketball team than football. It was their pride and joy. So don't be too hurt b y them beating anybody. They were actually lucky to win this one. We had them on the ropes in the second half and just let them get away.
milllite writes:
UT was victim to memorial Magic and a tired physical condition. Vandy (hate to admit) is probably harder to beat at home then KY. Tennessee may have won if they had another day to rest from the memphis track meet. Props to Vandy, I thought they would win and I am all vol. vandy caught UT at the perfect time
oldorange writes:
UT was definitely tired. The were not rested from the Memphis game.
vol4good#206163 writes:
Well, I am still proud of these VOLS! Lets beat the hell out of KY!
shipperman#280095 writes:
HA HA HA #1 for 2 days....I knew it, gatornation was correct
east10cgirl writes:
I'm very proud of those guys. They were exhausted from the Memphis game. I don't know what the AD was thinking setting this schedule!!!! Hey we're not out! We can still be SEC Champs and National Champs.
Looks like the fair-weather football fans switching over to basketball...
mdvolmom writes:
let's see what gatornation says when we hit the swamp! TN is still #1 in the polls and yes, they were tired and yes, that's no excuse and yes, that level of play is what they face in the tourney, but they're still #1. GO VOLS!
shipperman#280095 writes:
Yeah, but as of Monday see where they are ranked. I love TN sports, and I think Bruce Pearl is the greatest, much better overall than Fulmer. I just feel like the # 1 ranking went to their head. Vandy has played and was tired too. Quit making excuses
east10cgirl writes:
Excuse me shipperman.....Can you play a high intensity game on Saturday night, get back to Knoxville early Sunday morning (like 2:00 a.m.), rest maybe?, turn around on Tuesday to play another high intensity game? I would hazzard a guess and say NO..(Hey I know I can't. Even in my younger days playing basketball I don't think I could.)Sure they are young and train for this but this was a grueling schedule. Look at the KY game. They played Vandy here on Thursday, played Ohio State on Saturday then KY on Tuesday.
I'm not making exuses for them. It's just facts!
Wilhelm16 writes:
What was with the no call when smith grabbed the loose ball and called timeout then the vandy guy tried to do his best ray lewis impression on him and nearly took his head off. definite flagarant foul. way to be on top of things ref.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Uh, I don't play so the answer is no. However, you are number 2 you play and defeat number 1 get a couple days rest and then lose to number 18. Sad indeed
mdvolmom writes:
No one made an excuse, just stating facts and sometimes we don't like those facts but they are what they are. And they, The Vols, are still number one and Vandy is still number, what?? Vandy is good, no question and they came with the same level of intensity that we approached Memphis. I'd like to see how many teams could turnaround and only lose by 3 after a game like Memphis. Nuff said, still number one and will win SEC!
Volssux writes:
Congrats to the best team in Tennessee
The Vanderbilt Commodores.
Congrats UT for being 1 and done!!!!
Volssux writes:
I can't wait for the complaining when the polls come out next week and UT is below Memphis.
IdahoVol writes:
Our three loses have all been to ranked teams, all on the road. Of the remaining games, if we had to lose one I would rather lose to a ranked Vandy team at Memorial than to either unranked Kentucky or Florida.
bigbluevol writes:
shipperman, UT played 3 games in 7 days. One of those days (Saturday) was a very long one for them. Sunday they only shot free throws and watched tape and did not lift, as they usually do. Monday they travelled to Nashville. Last night they were tired and it showed. Vandy didn't travel before their last game or this one. As tired as UT was, they still managed to make it a close game playing in an atmosphere where virtually no one wanted to see them win. This game had trouble written all over it weeks ago and it came to fruition. They will get some time to rest and will hopefully close out strong. Finally, playing on the road and playing at home in college basketball are very different. Vandy is a good team and plays like a great team at home. I hope that we get to play them in the SEC tournament because we will beat them handily on a neutral floor.
thebrainofj writes:
Anyone that thinks Tennessee is #1 for 2 days is mistaken. The polls don't even come out again until next week. By then it is completely plausible that UCLA, UNC, and Duke could drop games. It's also plausible that Kentucky and Vanderbilt could end the week with one or more defeats. The odds suggest that UT probably won't retain the #1 spot, but they will have been #1 for a week. How about that Gators? Does anyone know the last time that the #1 team going into the tournament actually won it?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
BETTYE247, they didn't get too cocky. They faced a good Vandy team on their home court in THEIR game of the year. They have beaten the last FOUR #1-ranked teams that played there. When a team is ranked #1 it gets everyone's best shot. Our failure to convert on shots inside was a combination of inspired--and extremely physical--defense and our fatigue. Vandy played hard and they won. We didn't lose because we were cocky.
shipperman, you claim to be a Vol fan, yet you say, "HA, HA" over our loss and agree with a moron like gatornation? You seem not to understand the meaning of the word "fan".
volssux, "Vandy the best team in the state"? We beat Memphis, MTSU, Chattanooga, and Vandy by 20 at our place while losing by three at theirs? That makes them best in the state? You are as bad at math as you are at logic!
bigbluevol writes:
Volssux, you suck. Stay on your own board. Memphis plays in a weak conference and everyone knows that UT was their only remaining test after the Gonzaga game. Enjoy that big, fat 1 on the loss column and always remember that it came from us. Enjoy being a fan of Tiger High.
bigbluevol writes:
gatornation, at least vandy was ranked when they beat us. You were number one last year and they beat you by about 13. We didn't play great, Foster had the game of his life, and we lost by 3. We'll see you in Gainesville. Tell Calethas to put some more gel in his hair and by Werner a wig. He looks like an idiot.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
gatornation, the difference between the NCAAs and the Vols' losses to Kentucky and Vandy is that in the tournament, both teams will have the same schedule. In the case of Vandy and UK, both played their previous game at home while we had road games with late arrivals back in Knoxville. We play with such intensity that recovery time is a significant consideration, but at least our tourney opponents will not have EXTRA rest on us. Besides, at least until we get to the later rounds, we will not play better teams than Memphis and Vandy back to back.
Volnavychief writes:
We lost....play the schedule, and move on. All you A-holes keep running your mouth. Just remember when tournament time comes you won't have your "Home Crowd" to fall back on. We took care of the tigers on their floor. We lost by 3 in the middle part of the state (beat them by 20 in K-town). We may lose to FL in gainesville but it won't be by 20 as they did in K-town. I like our chances against anyone on a neutral floor. Hey we were king for a day. We will win the SEC Tournament and I think we are a final four team. We will need to bring the "A" game every night, but I think they can get it done.
kcabutti writes:
mparker earlier in the posts utahvolsfan56 questions the easy schedule of UT and the lack of playing many top 25 teams. As I recall your comment was you smoke to much peyote. Maybe you should smoke peyote. #1 gets beat by #18. What a Dandy upset, #1 no more.
98reax writes:
Why does Vandy have special exemptions in the design of their court? Are there not standard regulations on design? I heard Memorial was the only one of its kind. And did they root out the orange last night, because I saw only specks. The weather may have been a factor. We just were a very cold shooting team last night. Tired legs will do that. Vandy played well. I really like That Foster kid. Too bad about the loss, BUT, the best is yet to come.
98reax writes:
Why does Vandy have special exemptions in the design of their court? Are there not standard regulations on design? I heard Memorial was the only one of its kind. And did they root out the orange last night, because I saw only specks. The weather may have been a factor. We just were a very cold shooting team last night. Tired legs will do that. Vandy played well. I really like That Foster kid. Too bad about the loss, BUT, the best is yet to come.
Volssux writes:
bigbluevol- If that is the only 1 on us and we win it all I will be glad to take that loss and you can be happy that you hung a loss on the NATIONAL CHAMPS!!! And yes I am a fan of Tiger High, it beats being a fan of the Big Orange Redneck nation.
lyons1960#229889 writes:
Hey don't get to excited. In the first place Memphis being number one was a mirage. Memphis would be lucky to be in the upper tier in the ACC. And Peral is a showman and this will show him for what he is...So don't worry as football and women's basketball are still tops in rocky top country. Perals rocky top flop as the national press is calling it was clearly on the horizon...hmm
Volssux writes:
lyons1960?
Memphis would be lucky to be in the upper tier in the ACC.
Thanks for the love, Memphis would of course be in the Top Tier of any conference in the country this year. Would they have only 1 loss? of course not but it would be less than 4 losses because they are a great team. They are 2 of a handfull of teams with a better than average shot at it all.
Volssux writes:
This from Fox Sports says it all,
"Rocky flop: No. 1 Tennessee upset"
dukenamete writes:
Are you guys crazy? Tennessee is a great basketball team! They are better than Vanderbilt! Unfortunately Shane Foster was All Universe against us and we had no answer, because of several factors. one being the court layout, two being the fatigue factor,three being that Chris Lofton really didnt get that many great open looks at the basket, and four being the officials (come on that was one of the worst officiated games I've ever seen). Yeah Chris Lofton had a high score, but no one else stepped up as well to fill the shoes we needed too. And not to mention that Vanderbilt made all the free throws that Memphis missed. It was a bad game from the get go, but don't misinterpret what happened, UT is still a better basketball team than Vanderbilt,especially when they're not playing at Vandy! And lets not forget this is basketball not football where in basketball there is an NCAA tournament that decides the number 1 team at the end not your over all record as in football deciding whether you get to play for the national championship and if voters like you.
volchiq writes:
Well, as my brother-in-law said, no matter what, we will be #1 in the country until next Monday. And think that it is pretty safe to say that this isn't going to be the last time that we are #1 in the polls.
Regroup and get ready for Kentucky. GO VOLS!!!!
shipperman#280095 writes:
Volssux and gatornation: Have you ever seen such a group of crybabies? We lost to #18 that is bad. tennesee will be no higher than #5 now and they will NOT win the SEC tourney
Tennisajoke writes:
Just because Tennessee beat Memphis does not in any way make them "better than Memphis." As Bruce Pearl said, he is not sure they are the best team in the country (cause he knows they aren't), we are just 40 minutes away from being number 1. Well, now the country saw why he said that. Because clearly they are not the best team in the country and it showed Tuesday night. Memphis got out-rebounded by 16, shot an even worse free throw percentage than they usually do (47%), and didn't hit one three after the 12:00 minute mark in the first half and WERE STILL WINNING WITH 30 SECONDS LEFT. Tennessee will have to run off 4 straight games to make a final four and its obvious they are not consistent enough to beat good teams on little rest (like the NCAA tournament). Tennessee was #1 for 29 hours and they will soon be forgotten as a number 1 seed. Learn how to be the best....I'm glad all the smith's get to feel like a bunch of idiot's now for talking about how they are the best team in the nation..
jckrell writes:
Little Billy: Mommy why did Vanderbilt beat the Vols??
Mommy: Because Vanderbilt is a better team Billy.
Little Billy: I don't understand mommy. The vols were number 1 aren't they suppossed to be the best.
Mommy: Well Billy, being number 1 doesn't always mean you are the best, just as we have seen here with the Vols. They were number 1 but certainly not the best.
Little Billy: Ok, thanks mom.
jbdfwtx writes:
Hey UT, just because you beat a number one team does not make you a number one team. You have to maintain the number one ranking....MEMPHIS IS STILL BETTER!
Oh by the way, Memphis will take the number one position again....THANK YOU VOLS!
boneroni writes:
Great game last night. UT definitely didn't have their legs, particularly in the second half. Chism getting into foul trouble and T. Smith having the flu didn't help. I'm proud as heck of my 'Dores and you've gotta love that Memorial Magic...spooky place. UT won't lose the rest of the season. Beat UK. Go 'Dores!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
#1 rankings at this time of the year mean nothing in the larger scheme. Memphis had its time there, UNC had a spell there, we got our sniff of it. There may well be two more different #1's before the end of the season. All that matters in any given game is not who is ranked where going in but who is better that night--anything else is just opinion. We were better than Memphis Saturday night; Vandy was better than we were Tuesday night. I think most Vol fans are still stunned that their MEN'S BBALL TEAM even got a minute at #1, but it may not be the LAST time. And no, Tennisajoke, this last two-game spell is NOT like the NCAA's. Those games are played at neutral courts between teams that have the same amount of rest. Even those who play close enough to home to sleep in their own beds have no real advantage in time off, and rarely have rabid home crowds to spur them on. We will see if the Vols really have enough to win it all this year, but at least the playing field will be more level than it was at either Memphis or Vandy and no one would have any advantage in rest.
bigbluevol writes:
Volssux, you are a baffoon. Memphis isn't a better team than UT. They weren't last year, they aren't this year. Calipari is a joke. He's pathetically insecure and knows Pearl is a better coach, a better man, and more entertaining. Enjoy CDR, the most overrated player in the country (besides Joey Dorsey, the great disappearing act), and Derek Rose (your only great player). Both CDR and Rose will be gone next year and you'll get your a$$ handed to you in K-town. We've won 6 out of the last 8 and in 2 in a row over you. How does that make you feel? The only team you play hands it you, year in and year out. That 1 in the loss column won't be your only one, but it will be memorable because once again you lost to big brother and you'll never get out of the Big Orange shadow. Go get into more fights with UAB and shut your mouth. You won't be national champs, so enjoy that Conference USA banner. It's real special.
bigbluevol writes:
and shipperman, if you are so embarrassed, go root for another team (although I'm sure you already do). I guess you think Kansas is a great team even though they lost to OK State, K State and Texas? Upsets happen in college basketball. Vandy is a decent team. Tennessee didn't play their best and that will get you beat on the road. As for Tennisajoke, I hope you don't think that UT played their best game against Tiger High, either. Lofton and J Smith combined for 16 points. They played harder than your team and they played smarter, but they didn't play to their full potential, either.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
gatornation, if you can remember any farther back than what you had for supper last night, you may recall that the exact same thing happened to your Swamp Lizards two years ago! You got to #1 for the first time EVER on Monday and lost AT VANDY the very next game you played! I would have loved to hear your female doging and moaning then. That was also the same year you lost to us TWICE. Also, one more time, we have beaten you FOUR out of the last FIVE times we played you. To their credit, the team put that behind them and went on to win their first NCAA championship. This season isn't over yet by a long shot and we may well do the same thing. I can't believe I've once again wasted my time rebutting a complete idiot!
jckrell writes:
Little Billy: Mommy why is daddy throwing all his Tenn. stuff in that fire he started in the back yard. Mommy he's also saying nasty words.
Mommy: Billy your daddy is just frustrated. You see his team blew it last night and he's disappointed and humiliated. You see daddy has been going over to the Memphis board talking trash and now this happens. He's just very upset with the vols.
Little Billy: Ok, thanks mommy
bigbluevol writes:
jckrell, I don't know if you're a fan of Memphis or Vandy or if you are just on here because you don't like Tennessee. What I do know is you're not funny. The little Billy thing is a waste of everyone's time. Gatornation, you're delusional. You have lost to Tennessee multiple times in the last 3 years. There's no need to go back 62. As for embarrassing, I'd say your coach leaving, then coming back is just as bad. Nice integrity. Also, sweet grease hair.
bigbluevol writes:
Gatornation, this one's for you from ESPN.com:
• Seventeen schools have held the No. 1 ranking in the 11-season history of the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' poll, and Tennessee became the fourth to lose its first-ever game in that spot. The other three schools are Ohio State (2006-07 at North Carolina), St. Joseph's (2003-04 vs. Xavier) and Florida (2002-03 at Kentucky).
• In ESPN/USA Today Coaches' poll history, the three-day span between No. 1 teams losing (Memphis on Saturday and Tennessee on Tuesday) is tied for the shortest period of time to elapse between top-ranked teams losing. It had happened on two previous occasions, but both of those occurrences were losses by the same top-ranked team. In the 2005-06 season, top-ranked Duke lost at Florida State and then three days later at home to North Carolina. In the 2003-04 season, top-ranked Florida lost at home to Maryland and then three days later at Louisville.
POT CALLING KETTLE BLACK!
TinCupVol writes:
Is it just me or did everybody watching the game last get sooooo sick of seeing the Vandy fans. I got so tired of seeing those little skinny kids with there semi-afros and red hair. We need to send them some food, some class, and some slippers.
dopedawg writes:
I may not be happy when the Vols loose, but I always will be a fan. The men played hard, but still lost in a hard fought game in trecherous territory. To all the Vol fans--keep the faith, and support the Vols. To those that hate the Vols--our team may or may not win the SEC or NCAA's, but who knows, time will tell. You may be surprised.
jckrell writes:
Mommy: Billy what on earth are you doing digging that hole in our backyard.
Little Billy: Mommy, i'm going to bury all my Vol stuff. They mad daddy mad and disappointed the vol nation and I hate them now.
Mommy: Billy don't say that, that's horrible. It's understandable that you would feel this way but try to be nice.
Little Billy: Well, I do hate them mommy. Can I have a new team as my favorite now.
Mommy: Yes Billy you can if you want but i'm sure daddy won't leave them. He's been a fan for a long time and has gone thru some very disappointing and discouraging times.
Little Billy: That's ok mommy. Daddy can have the vols. I think I want to switch to the Memphis Tigers. I like them more and they are better.
Mommy: Why Billy, aren't you a big boy now and so smart. I was hoping you would say that. The Tigers are an excellent team.
Little Billy: Mommy, if daddy won't switch can we leave him and find a new daddy that will support a better team.
Mommy: Yes Billy we can. Pack your things. We are getting out of here.
Mommy and Little Billy lived happily ever after. They moved out of their trailer and moved to Memphis to be close to their new team. Daddy had problems overcoming his anger at the vols and is currently enrolled in an anger managment course.
IdahoVol writes:
Story update - Mommy and Little Billy moved to Memphis and got hooked on crack. Little Billy continues to move up grade by grade; he is now in the 9th grade even though his reading level is at grade 2. (Rumor is, Mommy has a side job with Mayor Willie.) And Mommy is dating several Tiger High players, promising to stay with whichever one can go a week without beating her.
Daddy is looking forward to the pasting the Vols are going to hand the Memphis State tigers IF the tigers make it that far in the tournament.
Moral of the story - Anyone that wants to move to that hell-hole called Memphis should pack up and go. After all, they can spend their time cheering for Tiger High and the Grizzlies - now that should make sports fans across the nation jealous!!!
bigbluevol writes:
jckrell, call Vandy and see if they have any room left on the Inferiority Complex bus. Go beat up on the patsies in C USA and get ready for your pasting next year. Tell little Billy when he's enough of a punk, there'll be a spot on Cal's team for him. Go Vols you insecure Tiger High supporting piece.
airship writes:
our vols need to finish a shot when they are under the goal. seven missed shots under the goal and several free throws. GO VOLS BEAT THE CATS.
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