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Georgia power could be problem

Vols must handle inside game to keep streak alive

By Mike Griffith (Contact)
Originally published 08:49 p.m., January 25, 2008
Updated 08:49 p.m., January 25, 2008

Forget the loss at Kentucky.

Television commentary for the Lady Vols? Yesterday’s news.

“I’ve got Georgia on my mind,” Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said following Friday’s practice. “The last four games with Georgia have been barn burners, and this is the best Georgia team I’ve seen since I’ve been here.

“They’ve demonstrated they are a good team.”

The No. 3-ranked Vols will find out how good when the teams meet at 7 tonight (TV: FSN) before a sellout crowd in Thompson-Boling Arena.

Tennessee (16-2, 3-1 SEC) looks to extend its home-court win streak to 27 games, which would rank as the fifth best of its kind in the nation and the third longest in school history.

The Bulldogs (11-5, 2-1) have won two consecutive SEC games — too decisively for Pearl’s comfort.

“Those games were never close,” Pearl said, referring to Georgia’s 82-69 win over Arkansas and 61-54 triumph over Alabama. “They just weren’t challenged.”

Senior guard Sundiata Gaines is where it starts for Georgia. The stocky 6-foot-1 guard from Jamaica, N.Y., has been one of the toughest matchups in the SEC throughout his career.

“He’s always been one of my favorite guards,” Pearl said. “He’s a Bulldog in every sense of the word.”

So much so that UT center Wayne Chism — at 6-9 — mentioned him when asked about the match-up.

“We’ll have to do a lot to keep Gaines out of the paint,” Chism said. “And, they have two 6-10 guys and a 6-8 guy.”

Gaines leads the Bulldogs this year with 5.9 rebounds per game. He led the team in minutes, starts, rebounds, assists and steals last season.

“I remember meeting him in 12-and-under AAU ball,” UT All-American guard Chris Lofton said. “I could tell he was going to be great then.”

More than one of the Vols has vowed to show the home crowd “the real Tennessee’’ after Tuesday night’s 72-66 loss in Lexington.

UT sophomore transfer Tyler Smith took the loss particularly hard after being held to a season-low five points.

“I’ve just been thinking about everything I could have done differently that would have helped us win,” Smith said. “You can’t have a great game every time out, and I know that, but all I can do now is come back to practice and work even harder.

“Man, we just have to show people that last game is not what Tennessee basketball is all about.”

Fellow sophomore Duke Crews will have Smith’s back at the power forward position.

Pearl said he anticipates Crews will play “about 10 minutes’’ tonight, with Ryan Childress also seeing time at the position.

“I would anticipate a very warm reception for Duke when he takes the court,” Pearl said. “It’s going to be a very emotional moment for all of us.”

Crews hasn’t played in a game since Dec. 4 at Chattanooga. He was sidelined on Dec. 14 when a routine echocardiogram spurred further evaluation into the health of his heart. More tests and consultation with numerous national experts allowed Crews to be cleared after approximately a month of no activity.

“I feel good, and I’m anxious to get out there,” said Crews, who has been through two full UT practices. “Just knowing I’m finally going to be back out there and play, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Ear To The Ground: ESPN’s Pat Forde reported after the Kentucky loss that guard Ramel Bradley said the Wildcats felt disrespected and thus motivated by Tennessee because some Vols had worn ear rings in their pre-game warm-up and interacted with the fans.

The UT players, who under Pearl have made it a point to make fan-friendliness and sportsmanship a priority, were disturbed to be portrayed in what could be construed as a negative light.

“It wasn’t any different than any other warm-up session we had,” Smith said. “The fans we were acknowledging we were from Tennessee, and we wanted them to know we appreciated them making the trip.”

Pearl said he didn’t see anything “over the top,” and didn’t see anything that was “any disrespect to our opponent.” At the same time, Pearl said he respects Forde’s opinion, and that the Vols will try to avoid wearing jewelry or having iPods on during pre-game warmups.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       51 Comments

Posted by james on January 25, 2008 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ipods and jewelry (or other distracting things)weren't something I would even think about but times have changed. I liked to think about the game with no distractions. Today Players have grown up with technology. If it helps them relax and sets the pace, no problem. Take care of business against GA. Go Vols

Posted by yemmusdarb on January 25, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

what?? ipods are disrespectful???? wow, what a bunch of whiners. professional athletes warm up with ipods all the time, it's something that sets you at ease or gets you pumped up. in no way, shape, or form is listening to your music and zoning out "disrespectful". before this season started, I wanted to beat Ohio State worse than any other opponent. now, i can't wait for UK to go to TBA. i seriously hope someone plays DURING the game with an ipod on somehow and we beat them by 40 points.

oh, and I heard something hilarious today regarding Mr. Whiner -- Ramel Bradley:

"Even Sam Cassell thinks Ramel Bradley is ugly."

Posted by TurboFan on January 25, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ramel Bradley would have found anything to say they were dissed to motivate his team. "shoelaces were tied to the left instead of the right", "they wore warm-ups during warm-ups", "they said I look like Eddie Murphy". Bushleague of Pat Forde to report that.

Posted by SavageVol08 on January 25, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i agree i thought it was tasteless of Forde to write that.....seeing Crews back will be fun!

Posted by CatScratchFever on January 25, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Speaking of UGLY...How about those ridiculous stripe warm-ups that tennessee wears? On top of that, what is up with wearing headbands so high on their heads that they look like a zit about to pop? Those have to be the stupidest things I have ever seen.

If the vols are trying to make a fashion statement, they have succeeded in looking like a bunch of retards on the court....a disgrace to the game of basketball.

Posted by pupvol on January 25, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

if you win the game you can wear anything you want to,if not...........

Posted by 2000man on January 26, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Who cares what they players wear during warmups. It's a warm up for freakin' sakes.

The stripe pants go back a long way. You obviously don't know what the hell you're talking about.

Posted by mj54 on January 26, 2008 at 12:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ahh..AirForceOne reminding us how classless UK fans are.

Exactly the reason the rest of the nation hates them. Except for Florida because UF has no reason to hate KY since they own them in all sports.

UK is classless, arrogant, and had to cheat to win all of their titles. The SEC team with the most NCAA violations...The KY Wildcats. But at least they don't wear earrings during warm-ups.

Posted by surlyguy on January 26, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

like the way our players talk. They are gonna be fine.

Posted by ctownvol on January 26, 2008 at 1:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Airforce- your stupidity has reached an all new level. How can anybody be that void of brains? If you want to see a disgrace...look in the mirror you idiot. You should be the poster child for planned parenthood. Your mother/sister should've drowned you in the creek upon birth.

Posted by newtonrail on January 26, 2008 at 1:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In case you are serious Air Force, the striped warm up were started a few game back to honor Ray Mears. The only weird head band in on Chism, and unfortunately I have to agree with you.

Posted by VOLS85 on January 26, 2008 at 1:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

airforceone, it speaks to your character when you are the only person from another team that feels compelled to rip on another team's blog. It speaks to how legitimate Tennessee has become as a basketball program and only does us justice by having you comment on how your kentucky 8-9 wildcats beat us when you were facing your worst start in 80 years. Congrats on your 6 point win, but the truth is that you will be in the NIT at best at the end of the year, and we will beat you in Knoxville, hands down...and we own you in football...how does it feel to be second best in the two biggest sports? It burns I know, but you'll justify it by saying that you beat us in Lexington...by golly I think we won't lose sleep over it because we'll be a 1 or 2 seed...you'll be on your couch reminiscing on that pointless win against UT.

GO VOLS

moral victories are great, but quality victories count.

see VANDERBILT, GONZAGA, XAVIER, OLE MISS, KENTUCKY(in knoxville...act like you can win in our house...27 straight)...etc etc

Posted by martinvolfan on January 26, 2008 at 5:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I was at the Rupp courtside for warm-up. The only Ipod I saw was in Tyler Smith's ears. The players looked like they did before any roundball game. What's the big deal? Stop your whining UK.

Posted by marc_ash on January 26, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Won't even be a game. Vols are not happy having to listen to all of the garbage about how they shouldn't have lost to GA. I would not want to be a Bulldog today.

Oh, and by the way...if there is anyone that lives in Chattanooga, I have 2 tickets for the game tonight and I cannot go. email me at marc_ash@hotmail.com if anyone is interested.

Posted by james on January 26, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When you win (as UK did) you can say what you want. We have to take it from now until we play them again. That is the price of losing against a team you should beat by 20. We will get our revenge.
One thing, Bradley may or may not be ugly but he won the game with free throws which gives him the position to throw mud. If we win the game, his mouth is shut. Again, the price of losing.
Right now let's forget UK, and win the rest of the games. We can get fired up again when the time is right. We will beat them badly next time. Beat GA. Go Vols.

Posted by Tenn_Dawg on January 26, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm just hoping the Dawgs can keep it close. UT has too much depth and Georgia has very little. Crowd, Duke's return, that pressure defense, quality depth and Pearl's coaching too much for the Dawgs to handle. UT has a very nice team. Get a true center and they will be unstoppable. UT BIG in this one!!!

Posted by grvol on January 26, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Get rid of the bling and Ipods. Don't pull a Jerry Green era again. Nip it in the butt now.

Posted by grvol on January 26, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Who's this Airforcewus jerk? Is KY still so backwoods that they don't have their own blog site for this jerk to get on? Stay off other team's blogs. What a loser.

Posted by rnorwood on January 26, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Very good post by james. I live in Kentucky, and therefore, have to listen to this crap daily now. However, they were as surprise as myself when KY won the game. I would suspect "airforceone" was surprised also. KY is currently living in their "basketball past". I heard a KY radio announcer proclaiming that Tennessee basketball was "new money" as compared to the "old money" of KY basketball. Maybe so, but if I were a KY fan (and God forbid), I would want to win a basketball game on the road before I got too cocky. My daughter graduated from UK, but geez, I despise UK athletics!

Posted by CatScratchFever on January 26, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am merely trying to point out that I think tennessee's warm-up apparel and headbands are...well, funny looking. Come on, even some of you diehard vol fans would have to agree with that.

By the way...GO DAWGS!!!

Posted by ctownvol on January 26, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

airfarce- Can you not even spell one of the easiest words in the english language? My 3 year old knows how to properly spell the word dog. The more you type, the more we understand why you had to ride the short bus. You say UT looks like retards? I see what they mean by takes one to know one. I'll pray the lord helps you find a brain.

Posted by CatScratchFever on January 26, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

cttownvol. Well, if you knew anything about SEC sports, then you would know that the University of Georgia's cheer is "Go Dawgs" not "dogs".

Don't get so upset...this is all just having fun.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on January 26, 2008 at 10:52 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by CatScratchFever on January 26, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dirtdobber1....Oh you are just mad because your team will ALWAYS sit behind Kentucky in basketball. Even Pearl recognizes Kentucky as the best program in the SEC.

As for Colonel Sanders...a great American who brought us all that wonderful blend of herbs and spices that make chicken so great.

Dont hate the player "d"...hate the game.

Posted by ctownvol on January 26, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I know ALL about uga. I live in the atlanta metro area. I hear/see it all day everyday. And you're absolutely right. It is all for fun. Just yanking your chain back. That's all.

Posted by CatScratchFever on January 26, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

cttownvol. You are a classy gentleman. How do you like living in Atlanta? Is the Varsity Drive-In still there? I use to go there some as a kid when visiting relatives in ATL. They had the longest counter I had ever seen....and probably ever will see! Great hotdogs and fries too.

Have a great day.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on January 26, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

AirTerdOne- no...Im still mad about Joe B. Hall sending in a scrub early in the first half of a UT/Ky game in the mid 70's and intentionally starting a fight to get Johnny Darden kicked out of the game. Class act. I dont forget!!!!!!

As for Colonel Sanders...I use to eat that crap years ago, but when I turned 8 realized that fried chix was not healthy. However, that gravy sure made those instant mashed potatoe tast good.

Not sure why they refuse to fully cook the chix anymore?

Posted by dirtdobber1 on January 26, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Airforce- you may want to have a family member get William Shatner on the line...all those hot dogs, fries and fried chix...DUDE????????????????

Posted by CatScratchFever on January 26, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dirt. I think it is because the chicken is pumped so full of roids they sort of just cook themselves.

Posted by ctownvol on January 26, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks man. Oh yeah. The Varsity is still there. I have always lived here, so it's all I know. I love it. Next time you're down get you a chili steak an order of onion rings and the best part... a frosted orange. You have a good one too. Now I am off to some crafts wearhouse with the wife. You guys wish me luck!

Posted by dirtdobber1 on January 26, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

airforce- I may go by and get a 2 piece snack pack in your honor for lunch! sorry for banter.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on January 26, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ctownvol- ooh... i thought having to work on Saturday was bad! Pick me up some corn cob holders while you are out.

Posted by CatScratchFever on January 26, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ct...make a deal with her. You get to go to Sears after the craft shopping. Have a good day.

Posted by CatScratchFever on January 26, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dirt...the banter is our respite from the frilly things our wives and girlfriends subject us to. Poor ctownvol is having to go craft shopping on a perfectly good day for watching basketball and the Senior Bowl.

KFC snackers for lunch...sounds good.

Posted by CatScratchFever on January 26, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey ctown...I got this figured out now. You go to the Crafts Warehouse today to buy your Superbowl Sunday next week! Good thinking.

Posted by CrankE on January 26, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I actually work for Georgia Power. Had to smirk at the headline. Hope the boys hammer the dawgs.

JUST LIKE FOOTBALL!!!
JUST LIKE FOOTBALL!!!
JUST LIKE FOOTBALL!!!

Posted by jcvet on January 26, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Surely the players will show up and hustle today. Should be embarrassed.

Posted by bmaples on January 26, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There's no way the Vols should have lost to the Cats -- but they did. There's no way The Ville should have lost to Seton Hall -- but they did. You win 'em on the floor, you lose 'em on the floor ... not on paper.

Vols SHOULD win this one, especially at home. Let's hope they're ready to play, and that Duke gets some points as well. Go Vols -- one game at a time, one win at a time!

Posted by VolCane7979 on January 26, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said. USC shouldn't have lost to Mercer. Kentucky shouldn't have lost to Gardner-Webb or San Diego, Maryland shouldn't have lost to Ohio, and UNC shouldn't have lost to Maryland. I think we all know Tennessee shouldn't have lost to Kentucky. It happens. It's one game. Whoopty freaking doo. I think it's flat out funny how UK was added to the buy or sell to make the NCAA tourney this morning on gameday. At 8-9. Riiiiiiiiiiiight. Go cocks.

Posted by TurboFan on January 26, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Volcane, that was incredibly, unbelieveably, excruciatingly BAD!

AFone, the striped pants kinda remind of the Harlem Globetrotters. It's a show, man.

Posted by mparker on January 26, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW!!!

Look at the free throw differential in UK-USC today. I think UK shot 23 and USC shot 3....

hmmmm, what's going on in Rupp, do ya thinK???

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/boxscor...

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/boxscor...

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/boxscor...

Posted by VolCane7979 on January 26, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I know! It's horrible. I don't care if we lose. Hopefully none of our fans will post anything that awful.

Posted by marc_ash on January 26, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Volcane, I believe that is the most pathetic video I've ever seen. I couldn't even watch the whole thing...I was embarrassed for those guys.

Painful.

Go Vols.

Posted by ORANGEAND2 on January 26, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PEARL JAM TIME!! after loseing to a pretty rotten kenlucky team VOLS will blow by georiga,i can FEEL IT-- getting back where we belong W-_W-_W look for several guard's/foward's to have great "game" 2-night check it/check it! back to athens with tails- not- a wagging!i wouldn't be surprised for lofton to get more than a few 3's-- later vol fans,yea,i guess you could say i'm a bit psychic

Posted by ORANGEAND2 on January 26, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

very well put vols85 fan, very appropriate 4-the so sorry mildcat fan(s)they won't even get to the nit>>>

Posted by VolCane7979 on January 26, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HT - Lofton 20, GA 23. I hope Tenn beats them by 40. 27 straight at the Oyster.

Posted by peerlessvolfan on January 26, 2008 at 8:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm in Michigan so can't watch game on TV but just checked Chris' point total so far--I think he's in the zone. Go Chris! Go Vols!

Posted by CatScratchFever on January 26, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker12. The reason South Carolina did not go to the line is because they never drove the ball into the lane. The majority of their offense came from the perimeter.

Posted by jevolball7 on January 26, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Airforceone; Go brush your tooth and get the hell off our site!

Posted by murrayvol on January 27, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let the record show that Georgia power was no problem.

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