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Strange: State of basketball a love affair
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The best cluster of college basketball isn't on Tobacco Road or in the bluegrass these days. Get a load of our fair state.
The state of Tennessee has three grand regions and you'll find a red-hot men's basketball team in every one of them.
Out west, Memphis is undefeated, ranked No. 2 in both the polls and the RPI. The Tigers are projected as a No. 1 NCAA tournament seed in the most recent edition of ESPN.com's Bracketology.
In Middle Tennessee, Vanderbilt saw a 15-0 start spoiled at Kentucky last Saturday. The Commodores are ranked No. 16 in The Associated Press poll, No. 12 in the RPI and projected as a No. 5 seed.
The team here in East Tennessee needs no introduction. The Vols are No. 6 in the AP poll, No. 3 in the RPI and projected as a No. 2 seed in the tournament.
Not bad for a football state.
"It's not because we all are stocked with in-state talent,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl said Tuesday. "I think it has to do with how much people in the state of Tennessee love basketball.''
Only the Vols will have a chance to claim state supremacy. That would require sweeping Vanderbilt - beginning with the Commodores' visit to Thompson-Boling Arena on Thursday - and then winning at Memphis on Feb. 23, a tall order. Vandy and Memphis don't play each other.
There are, in fact, Vandy and Memphis fans in East Tennessee but not in numbers comparable to UT's support across Middle and West Tennessee. The broad support for the Vols, however, may have more to do with the school's long-time success in football and women's basketball.
"All three have tremendous fan bases, home-court advantages, things like that,'' Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stalings said. "Tennessee is the different one in football because 100,000 come to every game and it's hard to duplicate that.''
Basketball has been Vanderbilt's marquee sport for decades. Memphis has always been a hoops town. But don't sell UT's basketball tradition short, Pearl insists:
"We've got history and tradition with Coach (Ray) Mears and Don DeVoe, and all during that Pat Summitt had the greatest dynasty in college athletics.
"So I think this has existed, but now all three at the same time? I don't know why.''
This isn't a stunning surprise. UT and Vandy played their way to the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 last year, each losing by one point to a team that reached the Final Four. Memphis lasted to the Elite Eight.
There's more. Slightly under the radar, Chattanooga is tearing up the Southern League (7-0 in league play) and Austin Peay is atop the Ohio Valley Conference standings (7-1).
Beat Up: Either Auburn or LSU will break through for its first conference win tonight in a battle of two depleted rosters in Baton Rouge.
Auburn coach Jeff Lebo hopes Quan Prowell and Rasheed Barrett can overcome injuries suffered Saturday and play tonight. If not, Auburn would have only five scholarship players in uniform.
"We've made adjustments and cut back,'' Lebo said. "But you can't simulate anything in practice so the first time they see any kind of size, speed and athleticism is in game situations.''
Board King: Arkansas guard Patrick Beverly is only 6-foot-1. But twice this year he's collected 16 rebounds in a game. He did it last Sunday against Alabama despite suffering a dislocated jaw during the game.
"A lot of times, if you really think about it,'' said Alabama coach Mark Gottfried, "your big kids are down there having a mud-wrestling match with the other team's big kids. A lot of times a guard can get to the ball quicker. That's what he's doing.''
Gators Growing Up: Florida's visit to Ole Miss is the league's best match tonight.
The young Gators are 2-0 with a road win at Alabama, despite losing their top six players off the two-time national-championship team.
"What they've got that makes them different,'' said Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy, "is of the nine they play, seven of 'em can really shoot the ball.
"Billy (Donovan) has done a great job of changing his system to fit the type players he has, which is different from what he had last year.''
Numbers: South Carolina coach Dave Odom defended point guard Devan Downey's stat line in an 80-56 loss to UT (24 points, only one assist). Odom said Downey made several passes that would have been assists if teammates hit the shot. ... Mississippi State blocked 16 shots in a win over Georgia on Saturday with Jarvis Varnado getting 10 of them. Prior to Kentucky's visit Tuesday night, the Bulldogs had held three consecutive opponents under 28 percent field-goal shooting.
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by Hunter on January 16, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Vols have a VERY tall order this week, and not just due to the fact that they are playing Vandy and last year's runner-up, Ohio State. OSU played tonight and has 3 full days to get ready for Tennessee, whereas Tennessee plays Vandy Thursday night and has to turn right around and play again on Saturday - only one day of prep.
However, a buddy and I talked today about this and decided that this is a better prep for March Madness than anything else we'll have this year - two good teams on one day's rest. If Tennessee wins them both, I consider them not only a contender, but a favorite for the Final Four and some serious hardware.
Posted by yemmusdarb on January 16, 2008 at 12:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hunter: Your consideration is ridiculous. Beating Vandy and a very inexperienced Ohio State team BOTH at home does not justify locking us up for the Final Four. If we stay healthy, I see us losing in the Elite 8 unless Chism steps up down low and stops shooting backboard-busting 3's and Lofton catches fire at the end of the season. I just don't see 2 home W's against 1 ranked team who just got showed up by a 7-8 KY team and a 12-5 Ohio State team shows any vision of our future in March.
Posted by Hunter on January 16, 2008 at 2:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This team obviously has the talent to go deep. The big question is resolve and heart. Gutting out two wins back-to-back here would be a strong statement. I'm not "locking it up" - just stating that this is a crucial stretch toward proving our legitimacy as a real contender.
Posted by kdt0725 on January 16, 2008 at 4:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice to hear John Calipari saying nice things about our team tonight on College Gamenight. "Look at Tennessee, they're the most talented team to come into our arena all season." If I'm not mistaken, that includes Georgetown.
If anything, Bruce has instilled resolve and hard work into our program like we've never seen ever before. The fact that were even being talked about STILL amazes me. Not to mention, Bruce looks absolutely identical to my dad...no joke. I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!
Posted by pdhuff on January 16, 2008 at 4:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just beat Vandy.
Posted by King53 on January 16, 2008 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who would have thunk it? Tennessee...the basketball capital of the nation!
Posted by elsinoresam on January 16, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The first part of this article has some serious resemblance to another article I read somewhere else. Strange.
Posted by jonathan012 on January 16, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Our vols have played really good at times this year, but they've also played not so good at times... does anybody believe that we may have TOO much talent???
Posted by pdhuff on January 16, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tdtn - How's the kool-aide supply holding out? Mine got rather low after the Bama game. But since we got the KKreme bill paid and the little sweaters with the T on them came in, I guess we're set for B Ball.
Also watch for the late surge (sorely needed) in recruiting. AJC Top Southern 100 list one- Douglas. Different from other years. We're up to 41st.
Well, let's beat Vandy and then worry about OSU.
Posted by Basketball_Jones on January 16, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a good article and this was actually mentioned on ESPN last week.
I think this Rose kid will give us fits. Its going to be hard to put someone on him, I don't think Howell can guard him but Ramar might. This Memphis team is very good, I think we beat Vandy but not Memphis. I truely feel we can run the table in the SEC. Its a down year, besides Ole Miss and Vandy there's not much else.
By the way, I'm in Knoxville Thursday and Friday for a conference, I am looking for 2 tix to the game. Anyone know of where I can get some? email me at heels_fan_23@yahoo.com
Posted by alfrizzle097 on January 16, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not convinced on Vandy. Foster and Ogilvy look to be all they have. They have 0 quality wins and only managed 73 points in a double overtime game versus Kentucky. We should be able to out athlete them at 4 positions. And if Wayne Chism can hold Greg Oden and Glenn Davis in check, he can handle a freshman who struggled against his only opponent with quality size.
Posted by Hunter on January 16, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TDTN - I agree with you on Memphis, UNC, and Kansas (though Kansas will collapse this March, just like every March....). After taking a sip of my Kool-Aid, I really think we have a scheme and coaching advantage (how often could we say that in October?) over all 3, which evens the playing field some. We at least have a legit chance to be a contender in basketball, and that is something this lifelong Vol fan is having a hard time adjusting to. Thank you, Bruce Pearl (and Hamilton for a great hire)!
Posted by ellisonfamily on January 16, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Strange stated Memphis, Vandy, and UT as the main programs to note the great basketball state. Seems Pat Summit and the lady Vols were mentioned by Bruce Pearl in a quote, but not mentioned as a main focus in the article. Come on Mike...the Lady Vols are fantastic EVERY YEAR. Whether any of the other men's teams are great or not, the Lady Vols are great. Add that to Memphis, Vandy, and UT men. Wow...N.C. has NOTHING on us.
Posted by TurboFan on January 16, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ellison, the N.C. women and the Duke women are pretty good in addition to the respective men's teams. Not sure Memphis even has a women's BB team.
Posted by johnlg00 on January 16, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jimmy Dykes and Brad Nessler, two ESPN announcers who appreciate the SEC, seem to think the Vols are right there with the best in the nation right now. In fact, Dykes said that in his opinion UT was one of four teams in the country with the "It" factor that could win the championship. The others, IIRC, were UNC, Memphis, and UCLA. He defined the "It" factor as the absolute conviction on the part of the team that it would win every time it hit the floor. That is CBP's biggest contribution to the program--no playing not to lose for him! He will be on "Jim Rome is Burning" this (Wed.) afternoon at 4:30 on ESPN.
Posted by ellisonfamily on January 16, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WD40 you are definitely right about the women's teams. My main point is that, if you are going to discuss the healthy status of Tennessee college basketball, you must bring the UT women in as one of the main parts of the conversation. Strange didn't mention the UT women, and only BP's quote about Pat Summit, brought them into the conversation. It may seem a little nitpicky, but Pat Summit has done as much for UT basketball as any other single person in the school's history.
Posted by ewhite on January 16, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If anyone knows where I could get a couple of tickets to the UT/Ohio State game, e-mail me at ewhite@trevecca.edu. I am in Nashville. Go Vols!
Posted by ssukonic on January 16, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anybody know when the next test is for Duke Crews? I thought it was supposed to be sometime this week. I wonder what they're doing with him as far as conditioning? I wonder if he's cleared to do any of that?
Posted by pdhuff on January 16, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Beat Vandy.
Posted by jevolball7 on January 16, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who does tarheel mean when he says "us" and "we"? The tests on Duke are today or tomorrow,I think. Oh,where can one find this "kool aid"? Does Pilot have it or liquor stores? Might be home brew! I would love to partake of this wonderous liquid. Knowing Pearl and Rome,that should be a laugh a minute!!!!
Posted by TurboFan on January 16, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wish Pearl wouldn't give Rome credibility. He's a pompous jerk.
Posted by jevolball7 on January 16, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone know what the local ESPN station is?? Is it Basilio's station?? Please tell by 4:30!
Posted by SmokeDog72 on January 16, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We will not make the final four until we rebound better and stop standing around when we have to play half-court offense. Those two areas need a lot of attention.
But, I do think we have got the tools to make those areas much better.
Posted by jevolball7 on January 16, 2008 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The interview with Pearl was tv not radio. But it was typical Bruce,what a jewel we have!!!
Posted by Colliervol on January 16, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My hope with Memphis is that by Feb. 23rd, they will be fat, bloated and over-confident from a steady dose of Rice, Marshall and Central Floridas. Aside from Memphis, the lowest RPI in Conference America is Tulane at #98. Many of the others are between 150 and 250.
Outside of a game with Gonzaga, they will not have played a meaningful game or decent team since Arizona before Christmas. (And Arizona was missing two starters including their stud point guard.) They did maul Georgetown but I'm not sure about them either. Check out this Murderer's Row between now and the Vols' visit:
Tonight at Rice
01/19/08 vs. Southern Miss
01/23/08 at Tulsa
01/26/08 vs. Gonzaga
01/30/08 at Houston
02/02/08 vs. UTEP
02/06/08 vs. SMU
02/09/08 vs. UCF
02/13/08 vs. Houston
02/16/08 at UAB
02/20/08 at Tulane
I give Calipari a lot of credit. He's got this thing figured out as to how to get Memphis a 1 or 2 seed every year. Schedule a few decent teams to bump up his RPI to start, go undefeated in Conference America and, voila, high seed every year. And he really doesn't have to do a whole lot to get it other than go on every TV show and tell folks that they are the second coming of UCLA. Genius. What a salesman.
Posted by icecream on January 17, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets win the state championship and things will only get better.
Posted by icecream on January 17, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bruce is the best thing that ever happened to UT.
Posted by icecream on January 17, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If we had someone to make the football team play with as much heart & pride, we would be the Patriots of college football. PERIOD!
Posted by icecream on January 17, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've coached high school varsity Football and B-ball & im convinced that it's not so much what you know, or even how much talent you have,as it is getting kids to believe they can do more and run through a wall for you. Neither Football or Basketball are Rocket Science. Alot of people in Neyland stadium can pick up on schemes. It's a game of emotion and pride. Look at our basketball roster and you'll see a bunch of home grown boys & a kid from Kentucky who wants to prove his home state wrong. GO VOLS!
Posted by icecream on January 17, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i.e. Why did we get so much out of Dane? He knew what it meant to wear the Orange, and he'll be just as effective someday when he's our head coach. That's why im not worried about recruiting in football. Look at all the in state boys were getting. It means more to a kid from Fulton high, or bearden than it does somebody from Oregon or California.
Posted by icecream on January 17, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
P.S. Al wilson wasnt highly recruited but he litteraly put his life on the line for the Orange every Saturday.
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