Few men's basketball programs this side of Florida have enjoyed themselves more the past couple of years than Tennessee.
Even so, the Vols' historic to-do list is still longer than the been-there-done-that list.
The next, and therefore most pressing, item on the agenda is an outright SEC regular-season basketball title.
"It's all going to come down to Sunday,'' coach Bruce Peal said Thursday. "Sunday's the game.''
Sunday is Kentucky. Noon. Thompson-Boling Arena. The Vols can't clinch a regular-season title on Sunday but they can take a giant step toward doing so.
Tennessee is in the driver's seat, though not as comfortably as prior to a 72-69 loss at Vanderbilt on Tuesday. At 11-2, the Vols are one game ahead of Kentucky and Mississippi State at 10-3 with three games to play.
"With three games left, a lot of shake-up can happen yet,'' Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury said.
That's why Sunday is so big. If the Vols win, Kentucky can't pass them in the standings over the final two games. A Mississippi State loss at Florida on Saturday would further tighten UT's lead.
Winning the regular-season title doesn't tangibly earn you a thing in the postseason phenomenon known as March Madness. But it's still a cherished prize.
Sharing a title is nothing to sneeze at, but winning one outright is better to Tennessee's thinking.
The Vols were part of a four-way tie in 2000. They haven't stuck their nose in front of the pack at the finish line since 1967.
"I don't want to share,'' said Pearl. "Do you want to share your toys? I don't want to share my toys.
"No way. We want to win it outright.''
In the 16 years since the conference expanded to 12 teams and adopted a 16-game schedule, only twice has the title been shared.
In 2001, Kentucky and Florida tied at 12-4. In 2000, four teams, including the Vols, finished 12-4.
The other 14 races produced an outright winner. Speaking to the league's balance, nine teams can claim a title in that span - all but UT, Georgia and Ole Miss.
"That would mean a lot to us,'' said senior Chris Lofton. "It hasn't happened in 41 years.
"We're all about trying to make history.''
Only four of the 14 outright regular-season winners also won the SEC tournament - another blank spot on UT's resume in the expansion era.
Six of them garnered a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and five more a No. 2 seed.
Five of them went on to win the NCAA tournament. None lost in the first round of the tournament.
For now, however, all that matters is the next game, which is draped in irony.
UT began the season, uncharacteristically, in championship mode. This looked like the rare year when Kentucky would not be a factor.
Despite early losses to Gardner-Webb and San Diego and a 1-2 SEC start, the Wildcats have ground their way forward to perch just over Tennessee's shoulder.
"I knew,'' said Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie, "that if we got good health our team was going to improve greatly. But you never know how that equates to wins and losses.''
Now there are only three potential wins or losses left in the equation.
"We're not going to get - nor should we ask for - help from anybody,'' said Pearl. "We've just got to take care of our business.''
Keep the to-do list handy.
Student Aid: Pearl hopes the early tip-off won't defuse UT's home advantage.
"I almost want to send an e-mail out to all our students asking them to not go out Saturday night,'' Pearl said.
"To treat this just like our players. Go to bed early. I'd even give 'em a pregame meal the night before if they'd do that.
"Get here early and make this environment difficult. It was difficult at Rupp. Kentucky has won on the road and they are still Kentucky.''
HBO Visits: HBO's "Real Sports" show will feature UT's men in its March edition. A crew was on campus Thursday doing interviews.
Last Word: Gillispie on Tennessee's games with Memphis and Vanderbilt: "Man alive, they've had two unbelievable games. I don't know if I've ever seen a team play harder for 80 minutes.''
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 60
coach75 writes:
we get this game and we can shut up vandy because they will be too far behind us and they have a road game at arkansas on saturday in which they will lose because they can't play on the road.
EDis4UT writes:
I'll second Coach Pearl's motion, "I don't want to share, Do you want to share your toys? I don't want to share my toys. No way. We want to win it outright."
RIGHT ON COACH!
Keep them loose Bruce!
james#216392 writes:
Guys you have to get up and beat KY. "BIGS" don't let that freshman show you up again. Take it to him and finish. He and the "skinny one" blocked and changed your shots all night long.
Howell, get your shot together or quit shooting. You were a big part of the puzzle early on. Now you're just a puzzle. We still love you but hold off on that shot.
Guys, make some early free throws. It seems late, when you consontrate, you do alright. It is the early game ones that kill us. Those missed one and one's at Vandy were the difference. Don't get into a free throw contest because KY is tops in the league. Win this one for the Vol having to live in KY. Go VOLS
TurboFan writes:
If Howell doesn't take shots then it is basically 4 on 5. Instead, Josh, take a few steps in for a 12 foot jumper.
murrayvol writes:
Unfortunately we've only got one guy that can make that shot WD40 and that's Tyler.
rabidvolfan writes:
I'm just so proud of our basketball program. I get emotional thinking about it. I was there in 93 when we lost to Western Carolina with about 2,000 other fans watching. I can't believe we are in this situation. I can't believe how much the national media love us. I always thought that UT was hated for no reason by the national media. I have learned that is not the case. You just have to earn respect. Bruce is the first person other than Delmonico and Summit to do that. And of course those 2 sports aren't real popular. Baskeball is though, and we are where we want to be as an athletic program for the first time since the Neyland days.
02champs#209256 writes:
Ignore Gillispie..Go Vols...!!!!!!!!!!
VolPowers writes:
Fans...EARN THIS. This is the scene from Private Ryan where many of our teams have fallen on the sword for us, or just plain sucked. But now it's time to just plain earn this. Anyone winning this regular season championship owns the proper home games. And we will....EARN THIS. Come on into our house Kentucky on Sunday. We'll be waiting...
shipperman#280095 writes:
KENTUCKY BY 6
VolJunkie writes:
I did not see the Vandy/KY game ... anyone know what Vandy did to win by 41? No "officiating" or "goofy gym configuration" comments please. Just curious because I see an interesting mix of "no worries" and true angst in a lot of the posts about this game. IMHO, teams should be just as nervous about having to play in TBA as TN fans are about playing in Memorial and Rupp. Besides the support that comes from playing on your own court, there's a lot to be said about sleeping in your own bed on game day.
That said, UT wins by a comfortable margin on Sunday.
GO #1 VOLS!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Scary game. We can't stink it up twice to KY.
Nail that thang. Vols. Bring order back to the SEC.
CatScratchFever writes:
Private Fritter. Yeah, go ahead and take Kentucky lightly. Why even bother showing up to play the game right?
I'm not saying that Kentucky is going to win...I hope they do, but road games in the SEC are tough. I do not think however it will be a cakewalk for tennessee and they will not win by 20 or 30 points.
You may not be taking this game seriously but I bet you Pearl is.
Regardless of the outcome, it should be fun to watch.
Go CATS!!!
CatScratchFever writes:
G O B I G B L U E!
G O B I G B L U E!
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G O B I G B L U E!
G O B I G B L U E!
G O B I G B L U E!
steve#413367 writes:
Sunday is everything. Beating Kentucky is a must-do. Otherwise, you're still looking at Florida on the road and an SEC tourney in which a first-round loss could jettison Vols from a potential #1 seed ... to 3,4. We don't want to risk a 3 by the way ... 3s lose to 14s every year. Vols need momentum going into tourney time. The fact that we might have already peaked is troubling, but that notion can be dispelled with a thrashing of KY this weekend. Nice to be less than 100 feet from your players if you're Pearl. Think he's fond of Memorial Gym?
bigbluevol writes:
rabid, Delmonico never earned respect. Get off the Delmonico worship train or go root for FSU. Shipperman, nice positive outlook on the game. Find something else to do Sunday from 12-2 if you're so assured of a negative outcome for UT.
TurboFan writes:
Murray, how do you know, no one ever tries from 12 feet.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
VolJunkie, from what I saw of it, UK just couldn't execute offensively against Vandy. UK was a step behind all night, while Vandy was on an all-time roll. It was also a major revenge game for Vandy; UK beat them in overtime at Rupp for their first loss of the season, IIRC. TBA does give us a big boost; we have won about 30 straight there. I think it was Sporting News which listed TBA last fall as among the nation's toughest places to play. I think the guys take care of business against the 'Cats on Sunday, though it may be close early.
bowerst#242774 writes:
The thing about Kentucky is they have a good coach and they are playing his kind of defense. I think we can blow them out of the gym, but we need our fans to do it. So slip out of church early, tell the students to skip the last few rounds Sat. night and Go Vols!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
bigbluevol, Delmonico had plenty of respect for a number of years--record attendance, regular challenger for the SEC title, CWS appearances, etc. It was four or so straight years of failing even to qualify for the SEC tournament that doomed him, plus some internal dissension on the team. It was sad to see the team rise to near the top under his leadership and then to fall just as precipitously.
VolJunkie writes:
Thanks john, I appreciate the insight on what happened.
Totally agree that TBA is a big advantage, even with a noon start time. I have noticed a lot of posts this year have been critical of fan enthusiasm at TBA ... I have not missed a home game this year and even with the students stuck in the end zone and corners, the place can absolutely rock. Even up in the cheap seats (it's what I can afford) the noise can be deafening.
Just click your orange heels three times and say "There's no place like home, there's no place like home."
GO #1 VOLS!!
SFOrange writes:
UT 83 UK 73
HotlantaVol writes:
Don't underestimate UK. They get on these streaks during which they can beat anybody on the planet. If we bring our Vandy game with us, we lose. No doubt.
CatScratchFever writes:
SFOrange. I'm thinking an 8 to 10 point game with the score in the 60's and maybe a low 70 for the winner. If in the final 6 or 7 minutes it is still close, then I think it will be decided at the free throw line, thus an 8-10pt margin.
GO CATS!!
waterskier3#226480 writes:
is it on tv???? i haven't noticed in any of the articles on which channel... i'm in texas so which station means if i'm watching it on the internet or not :):) with an early start i'm not sure...
londonvol writes:
Vols 76 Widcats 71
CatScratchFever writes:
waterskier3. I think it is a CBS game in High Def.
brownsvillevol writes:
we win no matter by how many just because its too important
HotlantaVol writes:
I hope you guys are right, but Tennessee needs to put Vandy behind them and play like they truly capable of playing. Live up to your potential, guys!!
brownsvillevol writes:
afo i know you love kentucky but with our next rec class we will be the dominant sec team you guys better not let us get two kentucky sons(scotty hopson) or you will be doomed for ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ggriggs939#223122 writes:
Tennessee hasn't had a home field or home court advantage in at least 25 years, so there is no need to expect one now. We will likely never have one as long as we are in the sec. Our teams always fare better with zebras from other conferences, regardless of where we play.
EDis4UT writes:
waterskier,
CBS (national coverage) @ 11:00 CT
Be there or be square!
volboy81#211803 writes:
Go Vols! Lets shut those baby blue boys up!!!!
VOLS85 writes:
I think the vols have been living up to and exceeding their potential the whole season...they had a let down on tuesday...you could see they had heart but no legs. Vanderbilt had to play a joke team on saturday, and we had to play the biggest game of our lives. Credit to vandy, but they caught us in the right place at the right time. If we have legs we win by 10. On another note, kentucky better pray they don't lose by 40 like they did to Vandy, because this team is PISSED
va_vol16 writes:
air force get on a uk site and leave us alone nobody wants to talk to you
AlpharettaVol writes:
AirForceZero -- Don't mind you posting on this site, but you just show your immaturity when you use 25 lines to say just three words. We got the point a long time ago.
Orangeblood13 writes:
Sunday is to important for us and you bet your arse we will be ready. Get ready for a good ole Tennessee butt whoopin!
Vols in convincing fashion
redneckerson writes:
ESPN is saying that Patrick patterson is out for the rest of the season. Yough luck for the Mildcats but should work in favor of the Big Orange.
CatScratchFever writes:
brownsvillevol. From what I have read elsewhere...Gillispie has not personally contacted Hopson. This also according to his mom.
Hopson has shown to give up on plays, to pout and to not give 100% effort. For Kentucky to really go after him, I think they will have to be convinced that he has matured some. Gillispie simply will not put up with an attitude that is not committed to the team first. If that is the case with Hopson, then you can have him.
1974Vol writes:
Vols will score over 90. I don't know what Cats get but mid sixties sounds about right. I'm sticking with my previous post - Vols 92 Cats 67.
CatScratchFever writes:
Just released from the Lexington Herald Leader.
Patrick Patterson will be sidelined for the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his ankle.
I guess there goes any chance of Kentucky beating Tennessee this weekend. Too many points and rebounds he takes with him.
MOOREVOLS writes:
You can be that if Hopson comes to Tennessee he won't give up on plays. Pearl won't let him get away with it. Pearl will teach him how to play 40 minutes, all out.
VolJunkie writes:
Too bad about Patterson he is an excellent player. While I agree with the General's post on the other board that I would like to beat them without any excuses, frankly my dears, I don't give a damn. This is a big game, and I am sorry that Patterson is hurt, but ...
GO #1 VOLS!
GoVol writes:
Coach Pearl - hope you had the team focusing on Free Throws this week in practice. If not, the game will be closer than we want.
VolJunkie writes:
Interesting comment from Rob Lewis on UT's press (apologies for the long post); no surprise that the lack of turnovers coincides with reduced scoring:
Pressing Matters
If you think that the Vols aren't pressing as much as they have in Pearl's first couple of years, you're correct. That's by design, but not necessarily Pearl's preference to be sure.
"The press hasn't been as effective this year. We've just not been a great pressing team and Vanderbilt did a good job of limiting their turnovers from the first game we played," Pearl said on the topic of pressure. "Most teams do (better) when they play at home. It's harder to turn them over in their own building.
"This team is not one of my better pressing teams though. If it was better we'd use it more."
The Vols season averages in forcing turnovers are still impressive, 19.0 per game, but that number has dropped significantly since conference play started. Prior to SEC play, Tennessee was forcing just shy of 22 turnovers per game, since the end of non-conference though (and including the Memphis game) that number has dropped to 16.2 per game.
Some of that is to be expected, against better competition and coaches that are familiar with your system. Even so, with so much of their success predicated on forcing tempo, the Vols are obviously at their best when creating havoc defensively.
Memphis turned the ball over just 11 times last week, Vandy only eight. Not coincidentally Tennessee was held under 70 points in consecutive games for the only time all season.
EDis4UT writes:
Junkie:
As for as the pressing goes, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Pearl & Co. had 20 of 21 games before the Vandy loss. I say press early & often!
EDis4UT writes:
...had WON 20 out of 21... Sorry.
VolJunkie writes:
Ed, I agree, I had just not heard CBP say that he wishes he could press even more than he does. Lots of posts the past few weeks have been critical of the press b/c it has led to some easy baskets on the other end. IMHO, the press has kick started UT's offense on more than one occasion, the Florida game comes to mind.
Thanks ... GO #1 VOLS!
EDis4UT writes:
"IMHO, the press has kick started UT's offense on more than one occasion, the Florida game comes to mind."
Exactly!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
EDis4UT, it was 20 out of 22 before the Vandy loss--Texas and UK. VolJunkie makes some good points. Florida turned it over a lot against us because they are a young team overall--freshman point guard--and we were playing at home. Veteran teams--or those with freshman prodigies like Rose--don't have that much trouble with our press, which is the same one we have used for three years now. I had hoped we would add a wrinkle or two this year, but I guess this team just doesn't have the aptitude for effective full-court pressure against good competition.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Sorry, EDis4UT, I may either have miscounted or I didn't understand what span of games you were talking about. Anyway, we have now lost three games in which the press was at best marginally effective, and have won several others without much help from it.
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