The UT men's game against Memphis on Feb. 23 brought us more than just an all-too-brief perch at No. 1. It also was a ratings powerhouse for ESPN.
The game's final rating was a 3.77, translating to 5.2 million viewers.
See the full post on Tele-Buddy's Tinsletown Tales.
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Comments » 29
cjraney writes:
"The most viewed regular season college game in ESPN history." Nice work Vol Nation. Go Vols, Beat Kentucky!
BAFLETCHER writes:
Here's an article from the Indianapolis Star regarding the Hoosiers' coaching search. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll...
Volchaz writes:
That's a bunch of people. Its one of those games where I could ask you 30 years from now, where you were, and you'd remember where you watched the game, and with whom. I was at a sports bar with 6 other UT fans, and about 100 Memphis fans. Very interesting.
mtnvol writes:
fletch, everyone will be after CBP, so get used to seeing his name...a lot! And why not? Big success at a "football school" in only three years.
I look at it this way: where else could he make a mint ($) AND create a program? I know, I know, the Vol faithful will argue that we have a rich tradition in BB. Really? Compared to Indiana, ky, Kansas, UCLA and UNC? Why go to Indiana for the been-there, done-that fans when he could stay at UT, build a program that rivals the above schools for the long haul, AND be loved by the very passionate Vol Nation?!
UT gave him a D1 chance that I don't think he'll forget at the drop of a wallet (like other coach-whores). But just to be safe, Pay the Man!!!!
jimr07 writes:
I had read on a blog somewhere last week that Indianas first choice was Bruce Pearl. Hope we can keep him.
Volchaz writes:
Fletch: I can't see Bruce leaving while he gets to coach the #1 team in the land, plus his son's team. Did you see that TV peice on Tyler Smith? Pearl was very emotional and he really cares for his players, you can tell. I'm thinking IU's best days are long gone.
EDis4UT writes:
jim,
I heard that too. Do you blame them? I don't think Bruce is going anywhere. I did hear on the ESPN game Tuesday somebody said that Stallings would make a perfect fit for IU. I totally agree with that.
KNS, you're a little late releasing this story. It was all over the sports world news Monday.
EDis4UT writes:
Calamari can bit*h and moan like a little girl all he wants. I guarantee you, ESPN our some other major network will televise this game -home and home for years to come after this ratings bonanza. Regardless of their win/loss record.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I hear you, chkrbrd. That Memphis game got us before a lot of what I would call, "What IS a Vol, anyway?" fans. That is, people who tuned in not because it was Memphis versus UT--"They play MEN'S bball, too?"--but because it was #1 v. #2. Some then may have said, "Wow, those orange unis really pop in HD...geez, these guys play HARD...Ain't that Pearl guy a hoot to watch?" We couldn't buy pub like that; we would have killed for it in any past era, though we usually wouldn't have deserved it.
And, yes, Vol fans, we will have to expect CBP to top everybody's "dream coach" list from now on. We can probably keep him for less than TOP dollar, but we have to make sure he feels the love.
EDis4UT writes:
john,
If CBP doesn't feel the love here - he will never feel it. LOL
CoverOrange writes:
Things to consider:
If CBP were to leave, after this season would be ideal because next year would be a rebuilding year and his stock wouldn't be as high (that is assuming UT makes the FF this year).
If CBP were to leave and his son to transfer, Steven would have only two eligible years left to play. (I assume those transfer rules apply to non-scholarship players and I assume NCAA doesn't give hardship in this case).
If CBP were to leave, he probably would want to go to wherever his ex-wife took his two youngest kids. Don't know where, maybe even in Knoxville still.
If IU is bent on Pearl and not Stallings, you'll know it after Vandy gets booted from the NCAA and Stallings is still there.
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
http://www.kentucky.com/254/story/333....
Patrick Patterson will not be playing on Sunday! Sucks for him but not for us!
DeeBee writes:
Wrong dude,if Fulmer deserves one,Pearl deserves two and a half!
MOOREVOLS writes:
I'm glad I was able to be at the Memphis game. It was probably the best basketball game I've ever attended, because of the implications associated with the game. Even though we were #1 for only a short period of time I'm glad I was able to be at the game that put us there for the first time in UT history. It was a great game and deserved the ratings it received.
DeeBee writes:
Too bad about Patterson, best freshman in this league. We were going to beat them by at least 20, now its going to be 30+. Maybe we can practice free throws at end of game. Even Howell might score this game......maybe
EDis4UT writes:
It does not matter to me if Patterson played or not, we SHOULD win this game @ TBA hands down. We'll see...
GreerVol22 writes:
Its all new territory for us these days. #1 one day, beaten the next. Pearl is not going anywhere. Why? #1 We gave him the chance and have made him a rich man. #2 He hasn't won anything...yet. #3 He really believes in Coach Pat, and wants to learn from her. #4 He's a camera hog, and we love him for it. #5 Can you imagine raising the SEC banner next year? and the year after? and the year after? Bruce does.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
EDis4UT, that was what I like to call a "metaphor"(;-P). I meant "show the love" in the form of another $1mil/per if necessary.
WD40, in fact the NCAA grants an exception to the eligibility rule in the case of a coach's son almost routinely. There was a case of this somewhere out west just this past season. Wherever CBP goes--perish the thought!--Steve would almost certainly be eligible to play immediately with no lost time.
tenncorncob writes:
Why should Pearl leave Tennessee. He has great situation at UT. He does feel the love of the Vol Nation. He is well payed and will continue to be well payed as he continues to escalate the program. But keep another thing in mind, the new Pratt Pavilion. It is the best on campus practice facility in the nation. No, Pearl will not leave, he has it too good here. This is the right situation for him at the right time in his life.
TommyJack writes:
fletcher: Kevin Stallings makes perfect sense. I would urge Indiana to consider him! :)
murrayvol writes:
For those who took time to read fletcher's link, it appears the author is taking the same level of heat directed at John Adams on this board.
I wish Kevin every success in his pursuit of employment at IU. Go Stallings!
DSaVol writes:
Relax people...Pearl is going absolutely NOWHERE! He'll get another extension with a big raise and all will be fine. IU will have MAJOR trouble hiring another big time coach as long as Rick Greenspan is still there. The guy they should go after is Mike Montgomery but Greenspan doesn't have the guts to get another guy that will stand up to him. This is a lot of to do about nothing but I'm sure all the paranoid Vol fans will get their panties in a wad about it.
and by the way mtnvol...Tennessee is NOT a football school any longer! Arguably hasn't been for about 7 years but damned sure hasn't been the last 3 and it ain't gettin any better any time soon.
Vol_Fan_4_Life_615 writes:
Dont you just love how 3 years ago, our basketball team was a has been, or to some a never was. Some said CBP was not a good hire. Some people said it would be a long hard road if UT was ever gonna be any good at basketball.
Fast forward 3 years, CBP and the Vols (at least till monday) are number 1 in all the land. (CBP will always be the number 1 mens coach in all the land). IU thanks they can just take our coach because they are IU. I say pay CBP 5 million a year with a 10% raise yearly. He is worth 10 times that amount. Name one other coach who can do what he has done? He turned a nothing into a national power, his national power. If he can spend 9 years in Division 2 with the record he had, he will spend atleast that many here.
CBP PLEASE RETIRE HERE, IN ABOUT 25 YEARS FROM NOW.
ORANGEAND2 writes:
well at least the vols got some really good exposure on a good night.it's just too bad we didn't have more of a "break" between memphis & vandy.we will be ready for the "mildcats" sunday.we should pound them!! they have it coming.from inside play to outside,i see a big win sunday!!
murrayvol writes:
Vol_Fan_4_Life: Let's run those #s one more time. "...pay CPB 5 million a year with a 10% raise yearly. He is worth 10 times that amount." That would be let's see.....whoa, $50 mil per yr. Hey, if I'm Pearl, I'm on that team.
And what does the #1 college bb coach currently pull down? That would be Donovan @ $3.5 mil. What are you making VF4L? And how much of that proposed 5 million are you in for?
EDis4UT writes:
john:
I know what angle you were coming from, I was just having in little fun. ;-)
chrisw2967 writes:
Just pay the man and make him happy , I dont see him going to IU especially , they are heading for probation and I dont see Tenn having nothing bare the next 3 years or 5 years , remember he doesnt have any Mcdonalds all americans (yet)so hes taking what he has and making a real basketball team out of so I dont see Tn having any let down years as long as Pearl is here.
cazfree58#268189 writes:
I will always remember where I was during that game and who I was with! I was at the game, up in the rafters with the other UT fans, cheering on the VOLS! And two seats down from me was Steve Hamer - former UT b-ball player. Steve led many cheers for the fans behind us! After the great win as we walked through the concourse with about 300 UT fans chanting "It's Great to BE a Tennessee VOL!!", it was the best atmosphere for UT fans! It was a great acomplishment for the UT team, for Coach Pearl and his coaching staff. I personally can't see Bruce leaving UT and Knoxville any time soon. He'll continue to make history here and I'm sure the university and the donors will figure out a way to keep him.
GO VOLS - beat Kentucky!
Volssux writes:
UT men make ESPN ratings history.
Give me a break, nice title!! Its funny that outside of TN Memphis is the draw to ESPN not UT but no joint credit in this backwoods paper!!!
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