Posted by gobigorange on March 2, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

way to go vols

Posted by Plasticman on March 2, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's always great to beat KY. They have alot of talent, probably more than TN and they executed their game plan to perfection, holding the ball until 5-7 seconds left on every offensive possession. Like BP said after the game, KY did not recruit any of UT's players and most of their players were HS All-Americans. Bradley is a great player and Stevenson always plays good against us. The VOls need more from Howell, Crews, and Prince if they are going to make a run in the NCAA. Ramar SMith needs to practice his FT's or he is going to cost us a close game at the end as well. Need 1 more win to clinch SEC Championship .

Posted by ncvol17 on March 2, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lofton needs to shake it off and lead us with 20+ points per game. Finish strong. We don't need another one and done in the SEC tournament.

That said, great job holding on and beating the hated Cats..I hate those guys from UK year in and year out.

Posted by AlpharettaVol on March 2, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If someone watched the game on CBS knowing nothing about the two teams, he would have thought that Tennessee was the team with double-digit losses and that Kentucky was the team ranked #1 in the nation. Bill Raftery is embarrassing with his Kentucky bias. Wonder what our guys have to do to finally get some respect.

Posted by pupvol on March 2, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

seems like everybody has figured out how to slow the game down against us.we have to get back to our tempo to make abetter run in the tourney. and start to peak ANYTIME!

Posted by pdhuff on March 2, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, its a win and that's what counts. No style points but CBG did what he had to do to have a chance.Way to hang, Vols.

Now, go and beat the Gators.

Posted by pdhuff on March 2, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, its a win and that's what counts. No style points but CBG did what he had to do to have a chance.Way to hang, Vols.

Now, go and beat the Gators.

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 2, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Recently, we've turned into more of a half-court offensive and defensive team. Our fast break points are way down and our press gets broken with ease. At the beginning of the season, everyone said that our half-court game was our weakness. Therefore, we have recently been playing to our own weaknesses. It's time to start running up and down, with less "play calling" and more using our skill and athletic advantage over other teams. The only team I can see us slowing it down against was Memphis, and that is only because they have the same weaknesses that we do.

GO VANDY VS MSU!!!

Posted by mparker on March 2, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Now, some of you birghter folks will realize that the FT's in this contest where almost even:
19 for UK and 22 for UT.

UT does not have that same homecourt advantage that the Cats do.

I still need to watch the game, just saw parts, but FAR different from Vandy. Refs let them play to the extreme.

UK has done a nice job or bouncing back from their start. I still say a lot of UK's bad early play was due to the players pouting about Tubby.

Good luck UK, and c'mon, UT, let's get this thing completed.

Posted by lnbadger320 on March 2, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

it was scary to see how KY slacked off everyone except lofting and jujuan. no one can hit a 12-15 foot jumper. as for defense after 15 mins of the 2nd half, we should have known they weren't going to shoot until the last 10 seconds. we need to find a mid range jumper or all the teams we play against are going to slack off everyone except for jujuan and lofton. great win, i just hope BP can adjust.

Posted by TommyJack on March 2, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I love this team, but they're gonna have to ratchet it up if they intend to stay around long in the 2 A's.

Posted by redneckerson on March 2, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

geez, alpharetta, quit whining. You're on the other article whining that KNS doesn't post a story soon enough and then you're on here whining about the announcing. The folks I watched with talked about how positive the announcing was. Just quit whining!

Posted by dopedawg on March 2, 2008 at 5:17 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by tigervol9802 on March 2, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought that Billy G had a great plan to beat us. He's quickly showing he's a very good X's and O's coach. And it doesn't hurt when they were just on and hit shots that didn't make sense going in.

Posted by chkrbrd on March 2, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's amazing that in less than three years, we think of Kentucky as our worst loss, when it used to be our best win. Think about it. Of our three losses, the one to Kentucky is the worst, rankings wize. We would have been their best win, while see them as nothing more than a mild annoyance on our way to better things. That's gotta bug the bluegrass bozos to death.

Posted by grvol on March 2, 2008 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Almost becoming predictable. Get the big lead, put in Howell, squander the lead, fight like heck with Howell on the bench to pull it out at the end. We'll take it.

Posted by pupvol on March 2, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah chkrbrd little disapointed we didn"t lay a good whipping on the cats,so times they are achangin!

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 2, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

red, me and you can finally agree on something---Alpharetta was whining on the other thread that he couldnt post his whine about "biased" annoucing fast enough on the game thread. Only Koolaiders so paranoid and looking for a tinge of anything would find any bias in these announcers--------these guys are great in calling games and Rafferty is among the best----So this whine Alpharetta is total BS----want to whine about the officials now and give that a try. Some people just always have to have something to cry about--enough already----exciting game/good win.

Posted by hosslarry on March 2, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, another close one. I thought that the vols got outcoached in this one and they seemed to play tenative and "not to lose" rather than "to win". Others have noted that the vols have difficulty in a slow down game and I agree with that analysis. There is still difficulty in finishing around the basket and if it were not for Tyler Smith's contributions today, the vols would probably have been on the losing end. The Washington Post has been publishing a weekly "seeding the field" each week and has the vols as the #1 seed in the East region, North Carolina #1 in the Midwest, Memphis #1 in the South and UCLA as #1 in the West. The Post also has Texas as #2, Louisville as #3 along with Connecticut, Purdue, Michigan State, Gonzaga and Arkansas in the East.

Posted by 98reax on March 2, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Look here folks. Volunteers got the W. Cats got the L. That's what counts. After we've chalked up a W over Billy D and his baby gators, today's narrow escape will be forgotten. We'll be hanging an SEC banner in the rafters, O yea. Don't worry. Be happy.

Posted by pdhuff on March 2, 2008 at 5:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, good win, but I'm glad this wasn't Kansas or Dook. Hators up next.

Doldrums making a comeback.

Posted by Hunter on March 2, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great story.....that was up on ESPN two hours before it made it here.....

Good win, but certainly not the team that ran Florida out of the gym and took care of Arkansas, Auburn, etc. We need to step up or we're in trouble this month.

Posted by RJ_Vol on March 2, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Go Big Orange! A win over Kentucky is a good win anytime, though Kentucky played very inspired ball. My main concern is this Indiana rumor planted conveniently(before a rivalry game) by KNS...republishing an Indiana print media article. I think BP needs to "put to rest" any ride that those think he's going to take on the coaching carousel. I'm glad we have a coach that is to be considered among the best, but I think the rumor is going to hurt the team in the long run.

Posted by GerryOP on March 2, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good win! A great season and going to get greater!

Posted by pdhuff on March 2, 2008 at 6:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOP - you need to be making speeches to the Kiwanis Club. Inspired me.

Beat the Gators.

Posted by wvuvolfan on March 2, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i don't see where howell is hurting us. he can play better, as he has shown, but we are still not as consistant as we need to be on the half court offense. jordan is doing alright. GO VOLS!

Posted by james on March 2, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Today we built a big lead then completely stopped playing defense. KY, at one point, scored 6 or 7 times down, most with ease. Effort today was suspect. First game this year that I have said that. We don't always play well but we give effort. Today was not up to our normal standard.

We also had the wrong shooters taking three's. Tabb (two shots), Ramar and Howell missed three's that help fuel KY's run.
Near the end, Ramar gets a big rebound and had Julan on the left side. He dribbles to the right so he can get fouled. Ramar, you shot 50% or so, why not pass to a 70% plus shooter? Win the game, don't try to be the hero.

I still don't think BP understands how much we fans want to beat UK. These are the biggest games, not Alabama, Florida, Memphis High or Vandy. KY are the games of the year.

Good luck at Florida. Today's effort will not win there, I'm afraid. GO VOLS.

Posted by powellvoter on March 2, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation,
Maybe, if they can get over losing to Mississippi St. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Posted by perryp1 on March 2, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

After all is said and done, a win is a win. So let's take it. Now need a win at Florida and a win over South Carolina next Sunday.

GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by bmaples on March 2, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Gillispie is an amazing game-plan coach. They lose their star freshman (and trust me, he is a star) and they still come within a missed 3 of pulling it out.

Glad we got the W. CBP and the team had better put in about a gazillion hours practice on how to beat a slow-down game plan, because that's all they're going to see from here on out.

Posted by powellvoter on March 2, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation,
Oh yeah, that was at Gainsville. Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 2, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

james, with all due respect we beat Kentucky so what is it that BP doesnt understand????? We want to beat everyone and so does he and by doing so we'd beat Kentucky. Certainly you are not suggesting that because we badly want to beat Kentucky that there is no excuse to losing to them??????? don't u think they want to beat us just as bad----I think most of us would be safisfied with a split. Where did you get this 70% which of course is not accurate?

Posted by bmaples on March 2, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One more thing -- Teams that win championships often have a close game along the way against a lesser opponent. If the Vols win the regular season championship, this will be that game.

It's still a W. State's got to play Vandy and LSU (who's hot right now), we've got to play Florida and South Carolina. If we win either of those, we win the regular season. That's an amazing thing in its own right.

So wipe your brow, Vols, watch the film and learn from it, and let's win these last two so you can hang a banner next year.

Then let's win three more and get another banner. After that, who knows? Enjoy the ride!

GO VOLS!

Posted by coach75 on March 2, 2008 at 8:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

for us to get better and advance in either tourney, the other guards besides lofton and jujuan are going to have to shoot better. what has happened to howell? he usually shoots the 3 ball good. if ramar and t smith develop their mid-range shot then we will be unstoppable.

Posted by SFOrange on March 2, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

great win. at this stage we should be playing at a higher level. is this the same team that had us pumped last saturday night? with a 20-5 first half lead UT took 5 sloppy shots...could have cruised from there if they'd been focused.

Posted by james on March 2, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yabadabadoo1026- Read what I said- 70% plus is what Julan shoots at the free throw line. That's accurate. If Ramar knows anything about basketball, and I assume he does, he knows they are going to foul. He could have passed it to Jalan on the left to be fouled but he goes right so he can get fouled. That's o.k. if you are a good shooter but that is not o.k. if you shoot 50% or so.

Posted by powellvoter on March 2, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

grizcheese1,
You must be gatornation's brother. Maybe his sister!

Posted by jzt on March 2, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to go Vols, Tyler Smith took over again in crunch time.

Posted by Pullingguard on March 2, 2008 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good Game for viewers watching on TV... UT has surely given three great performances on recent TV and surely have received some good exposure from all this.. KY played better than I thought they would, and UT probably played worse than one would have figured.. But good game.

Posted by voltime on March 2, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Beating KY never, never, nerver, nerver gets old, no matter what the score is, Big Win, especially on National TV with CBS, Looking forward to pounding the gators in their own backyard Wed night, Go Vols!!!!!

Posted by girdle1998 on March 2, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually UT has lost one running game(Texas), 1 slowdown game(UK) and in the Crackerjack box at Vandy where only they can shoot. We have won slowdown games at Memphis, against WVU(and I think that game took our legs against Texas the next night), at Xavier, Gonzaga and today. The great thing about this team is they can win running or slowing it down. The teams that slow it down stay closer, but this team has the guts to pull them out. They are the best I have ever seen in ORANGE. If Ramar and Howell can find their game, watch out, because we will be peaking!

Tyler Smith is the best player in the paint that we have had since Dale Ellis. He took over in the Ole Miss game and the Memphis game at the end, scoring the final two Tennessee baskets in each game. What a man!!

Posted by volsfan92 on March 2, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great to see Tyler getting props here. I thought he played a great game today. I think this team plays together more than we give them credit for, the first 5 minutes of the game was incredible to watch. Duke Crews, great game. Great ball pressure way out front by Chris L and Jordan. Smothering double teams. The effort was there IMHO

Posted by VOLS85 on March 2, 2008 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation - stop being a retard, being a fan does not make you smarter than us. Your assumptions are bad, and your facts are wrong. Go back to your bubble team and ask them how getting stomped by 22 felt. #1 SEED, TOP 5 TEAM.

Posted by volsfan92 on March 2, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lofton is really great to watch, total team player, zero individual ego, all about winning. He plays incredible game-changing defense. Interesting to compare his performance today with Tyreese Rice from BC yesterday (45 points in a loss to NC), Rice a gifted shooter/playmaker, took over the game, didn't play as much D as our Chris L and unlike Chris just wasn't there at the critical moments. I will never forget the steal and pass from the floor to J.P. in the Memphis game. What a season!

Posted by bmaples on March 2, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Note to all Vols fans -- remember the old quote when reading some of these posts:
<blockquote>Don't get in a mud-wresting match with a pig. You get all dirty, and the pig likes it.</blockquote>
We are two games from the end of the regular season, and this year's Vols have lost only 3 games. They've won going away, they've won close, they've won on the road, and they've won <b>31 straight at home!</b>

Enjoy the ride, folks. Approach all of life, including sports, with gratitude and grace. Cheer them on -- you've got some young men only a few years removed from high school playing their hearts out on a very big stage. I've been a Vols fan for 40 years, and I'm so excited for them and for CBP. Go Vols! Win 2 and get the (first) banner!

Posted by VOLS85 on March 2, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah retard

Posted by EDis4UT on March 2, 2008 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay, this is the way it works in scheduling TV games in the SEC. ALL games are picked by CBS, ESPN channels, JP FSN(Fox) and other little networks BEFORE the season starts, unlike in football. UT has been on CBS two times so far, Ohio St. and UK. UK has been on CBS more than UT. Thus, their announcers will be more familiar with UK. CBS is contracted to show this game even if UK had a 10-16 record.

It's all about ratings for the suits in New York. The announcers are going to play up this game because it's UK. People watching the game on the west coast - drinking their coffee at 9am doesn't care what UK record is, they just know it's UK playing a ranked rival team. Hopefully, one day we will have that draw power. It doesn't happen overnight, but we're on the right track!

The CBS announcers did a good job in both CBS games. Not ESPN quality - but good.

Besides, I'll take all the over-the-air national coverage as much as possible. I don't care how they call it. They don't know us that well, it's just human to screw up names.

Posted by volsfan92 on March 2, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Passion, poise and purpose all there in the stills from the game on this site, lots of intensity from bith UT and the Cats. If you haven't checked out the stills go look

Posted by volsfan92 on March 2, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

both

Posted by splinterdand on March 2, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The SEC went 7-2 in bowl games counting the BCS game. Gatornation's mighty Gators lost to Michigan which lost to Appy State. How's that for impressive. The basketball team has no quality wins this year and won't get one Wednesday. After facing Memphis, Vandy, and UK in successive games, playing UF will be like playing Karns Middle School.

Posted by tnlady on March 2, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation......sorry, I am a TN lady so I shouldn't post what I would like to say. The rest of the gents on here are doing just fine!!!!

Posted by tennisvol on March 2, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just another big loss for the Wildcats with all those high school all-Americans. Great job by Pearl and the Vols getting the most of what they have in talent. Look at all the loses the Wildcats had at the beginning of the year with all that talent.

Posted by EDis4UT on March 2, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh come on tnlady! Say it! Say it! LOL!!

Posted by mparker on March 2, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yet another tough rivalry game coming up. Our shooting is suffering right now. We are still playing hard and toughing it out.

You do start to wonder about how far we can go in the NCAA's. As with any team, a lot will depend on the bracket.

I actually thought we had a good chacne last year of making it to the finals. A break against OSU, and we are playing Memphis. After that, Georgetown. We were a hot team, and even the against OSU it took Conley Jr drwing something like 3,134 fous to send us home.

Posted by dfreeman on March 2, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation - We'll go farther than that gator team of yours! If your team makes the round of 64!! You would be the stupid one posting trash after his team dropped one at home by 9 to an unranked team!!

Posted by King30 on March 2, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You all may say I'm crazy, but Jordan and Ramar NEED to take a couple of threes each game. Defenses are packing it in against us and only extending when Jajuan or Chris get the ball.
When we were our most effective, Jordan, Wayne, and Ryan Childress could be counted on for a few threes per game between them. Now, with Jordan struggling and Chill not getting any minutes, were alot easier to defend in the half-court.
Despite what most of you seem to think, it's important that Wayne takes that 3-ball occasionally to extend the defense. Don't you think CBP would have shut him down a month ago otherwise?
And, it's important that Jordan, Ramar, or Josh jack it up once in awhile. In fact, I think Jordan should take two or three a game. We need someone other than Jajuan and Chris to spread the defense out, and the only way Jordan's gonna get that shot back is to keep shooting.
Let CBP coach 'em up and let's stop criticizing these young men. This is the best UT team we've ever had. Period.
We've won more than our share of "slow-down" games this year, and there's no reason to think we won't in the tourney.
RAMAR SHALL LEAD US!!!
i love these guys :)
RTYAB!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by EDis4UT on March 2, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was glad to see Tabb get some quality playing time. His shot will come the more that he plays. Even his shot selection to me is better than Howell's. Even though they're not falling YET. Also, I can't say enough how well he plays on defence.

Posted by Plasticman on March 2, 2008 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

King30, I totally agree with you. If someone besdies Lofton or J. Smith does not become a threat from the outside, teams will continue to play defense like KY di, they were 5 feet off of any player besides Lofton and JuJuan. Howell and Ramar need to hit some 3's. Maybe Childress needs to get some PT. He helped us considerably in the NCAA's last season.

Posted by TNPilgrim on March 2, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Although the FL athletes may themselves be good kids, it's a shame they have to be associated with the most obnoxious fan base in the country. Heaven knows, Big Orange Country has its share of clowns but FL seems to bring out a combination of arrogance and ignorance that's without peer in college sports. We should all give credit to the FL athletes and coaches for their accomplishments, for they are well deserved. However, this poltroon that calls himself "gatornation" and imposes himself into a TN website typifies the hyenas from FL that the rest of the SEC has to tolerate on a regular basis. Why anyone would travel to Gainsville to see a college athletic event is questionable, considering the rude abuse directed at the visitors. However, Bruce and the boys are coming there Wed night, and there's nothing the hyenas can do about it. TN will win and move on, and the yapping will continue in Gainsville.

Posted by Ironcity on March 2, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great win however it looks like a lot of players are pressing. To many missed shots from 2 ft. Right now I think we have become easy to defend. When some of our guys other then Tyler start taking and hitting the 10ft to 15ft shots, I think you will see this team catch its stride again. Also Howell can't play any worse then he is right now. Hopefully the porus defense of the Gators will allow him to get some wide open looks so he can snap out of this slump. Howell hasn't scored since the game before Jordan Howell night!

Posted by redneckerson on March 2, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oh yeh, the lomg awaited poltroon blast ... way to go pilgrim

Posted by King30 on March 2, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TNPilgrim, I second that wholeheartedly. Gainesville has, by far, the rudest and most intolerable fanbase in the entire SEC. In fact, no other school is even a close second.
And they call US rednecks and hillbillies...

Posted by Titan on March 2, 2008 at 10:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gator - Uh minor detail here (which you probably can't grasp), but one and done means you play one game and lose. See, if we win the first round game, then you can't call it one and done. Too difficult for you to understand? Were you born yet earlier this year when we beat the Gainesville lads by 16?

Posted by kaman on March 2, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why does the gatornation rage? Its simple...it stings like hell to be where they are. Nothing hurts quite like falling so far so fast from the top. Yes, they WERE National Champs for two consecutive years. That must really burn your insides when you see them playing so mediocre this year. You want the final insult? This Tennessee program is on the move upward year-on-year since Bruce Pearl arrived. Florida? They're going the other direction. Take your sulking elsewhere GN.

Posted by KingsportVol on March 2, 2008 at 10:36 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by VOLS85 on March 2, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i take it as a complement when lesser teams fans come and rag on us about WINNING...they make their school's fans look a lot less intelligent, and make us more proud of where we are. 26-3 (Florida has 8 losses, kentucky has 11...) doesn't cause too much reason to complain, unless you're not us. GO VOLS, keep bringing these stupid opponent's fans on here, it's more and more a sign of respect.

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 2, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No thanks to our fans.

Our homecourt advantage is worthless. The students get some slack today because of the noon tipoff. Also, they are crammed at one end of the court, so you can't expect their noise to fill an entire stadium. However, watching the audience in the first half made me want to turn the channel. Everyone's sitting there as if it's on opera or a play. All you mid-40s and 50s people need to either make noise or stay home and watch the game on your TV.

I really don't see how we've managed to win 30+ straight at home. Our fans have absolutely nothing to do with it. It's more like a neutral site.

With the newly renovated arena, we have one of the nicest venues in America. Yet I still find myself wishing we had the homecourt advantage of teams like: Duke, UK, Vandy, Memphis, and North Carolina.

Nice win today team. It gave us another neutral site victory for the season.

Posted by asleep on March 2, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I say this was a great week for us before the NCAA's. Three teams slowed us down and except for some untimely missed shots and Foster out of his mind (at Vandy), we would have won all three games. You could never have convinced me at the beginning of the season that we could win at Memphis and against Kentucky scoring in the 60's. We have outrebounded our last 10 or so opponents and have kept their scoring below average. Hand it to BP - it hasn't been pretty but he has bigger fish to fry. Playing INTO our weaknesses tends to make them less so, meaning that come tournament time, somebody is going to have to pick their poison because we are learning to win at any tempo. Go Vols!!!

Posted by EDis4UT on March 2, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yemm:

I can't say anything much about TBA. I haven't attended to many games there. When I did, we just had horrible teams. So I really don't have a dog in this fight. I have been to many games at Neyland and sitting around the old money fans - they are very reserved.

I can't really make a judgement on crowd noise from watching it on TV. From a Neyland standpoint I can see what your saying. Hey! Bruce & Co. have won 30 games in a row. I would think the fans should get some of that credit. IMO, saying TBA is like playing on a neutral site is a little harsh, but I can see it can also be frustrating. That place is so big.

Posted by Volfan1 on March 2, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TNPilgrim,
"poltroon"....I like that!
What a fitting description of the swamp trash.

Posted by Volfan1 on March 2, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ESPN gave us some nice props on Sports Center tonight. CBP was boosting his team to remain #1 after this win today.
And in support of the Vols, the ESPN announcer was emphatic about wondering who made out this schedule....at Memphis, at Vandy, & then Kentucky. (he didn't even mention at Florida next). That is quite a gauntlet. Don't know ANY other team going through that mine field. If nothing else, we should get the #1 overall seed by winning out.

Posted by VOLS85 on March 2, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yemm - you're beating a dead horse here. There's constant wine and cheesers in all of college basketball. When the play isn't motivating it's hard to force the 22,000 around you to stand up and scream. We didn't shoot well, we gave up frustrating baskets, and that is not motivating. The reason we have a home court advantage is because we are at home, in front of a crowd that gets loud when the game's on the line. You have no perspective on the crowd when you're sitting at home. Florida, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, etc were loud games, and we won them because our team was playing motivated up tempo ball. When you have Kentucky taking 34 seconds to shoot, and they make the basket, it's tough.

Similar venues like carolina, UK, and syracuse all have the same complaints. The older people won't get up and yell the whole game, it's not possible. The kids are trying but we're only 2300 in a crowd of 22000.

Don't get me wrong, i'd love to have a louder arena, but for some games it's just not realistic, unless you want to come buy some tickets, sit in the stands, and show the rest of us how it's done.

Posted by billadcock on March 2, 2008 at 11:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gatornation is intimidated by the Vols or he wouldn't be spending so much time on this site.

Go Vols, beat the baby gators.

Posted by coach75 on March 3, 2008 at 12:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

guys, guys,
leave gayturd nation alone. he is on here because they kicked him off the gator site for having to much intelligence. i don,t care who you are that,s funny right there.

Posted by rodneyadms on March 3, 2008 at 12:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation...I assume when we beat you on Wednesday you won't have the balls to come back to this site and face the vol fans...prediction: Tennesse beats Florida and you will be nowhere to be found...you'll hide like the cockroach you are.

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 3, 2008 at 1 a.m. (Suggest removal)

VOLS85: That's kind of hard for me to do. I'm on military orders outside the area and can't make it to the games. I used to be there, and I had the same perspective at the games as I do watching it on TV. The same old farts fill 80% of the arena (same thing happens at Neyland).

I'm not speaking on terms of one game, like today. Did you watch the game at Vandy? The entire arena was deafening for pretty much the entire game. Same for at UK and at Memphis... and have you ever seen Duke play, oh I don't know, Wake Forest at home? They could be up by 20 points and the students are still jumping and constantly making noise.

I'm calling out our student section 20% and the rest of the attendees 80% with my complaints. The only defense I can see for why the crowd was so dull today was that it was a noon tipoff and it's hard to be hyped up that early.

Why do you think Bruce Pearl had to make a video plea to the students/fans to be loud for the UK game? I guarantee Coach K doesn't have to pull a stunt like that. Isn't that where we want our program headed? Duke-esque? Well, you can't expect milk out of a cow if you sit there and stare at it's teet.

CALLING OUT ALL VOL FANS: BE LOUD AT GAMES OR STAY HOME AND WATCH IT ON TV!

Posted by bgalford121 on March 3, 2008 at 1:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gatornation, i have never before witnessed such childish bantering. how old are you? i refuse to believe you are older than 12. if so, i feel really sorry for you. oh, and by the way, in those two glorious national championship seasons, ut beat uf 3 out of 4 times.

Posted by weisgarber2003 on March 3, 2008 at 2:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by gatornation on March 2, 2008 at 8:40 p.m.

"Take it from someone who's team went all the way past 2 years so I know what I'm talking about."

Actually gaytor you don't know much of anything. And Florida has to be the only two time N.C. that still isn't thought of or respected as a bb power. But, the gaytors have a good coach who cannot make up his mind what he wants to do when he grows up.

Posted by calivol on March 3, 2008 at 5:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by gatornation on March 2, 2008 at 8:40 p.m:

"Tennessee ???? did they ever make it past round 2????"

Um try last year, dips--t.

As for your floundering team, you must be very proud of their progress. That was an inspiring double-digit loss at home to an unranked team the other night. Remember all the talk about how "dangerous" this young group was going to be toward the end of the season? Hmmm...how's that working out? Change of plans? Or are your guys just intentionally tanking it so they can meet up with Ohio State in the NIT and battle for 66th place?

Posted by mparker on March 3, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

finally got to watch the game last night.

as with the first UK game, we left a lot of points on the floor. some missed bunnies, some inopportune turnovers.

A good tactic for CBP might have been to have the D back off Bradley until the shtolock was down to 15 seconds. Just a thought.

CBP is smart; he knows some teams will continue to slow it down, so he will work on the team's half-court sets and offensive efficiency. This means more drives for JP and Ramar and more touches for Wayne and Tyler.

Posted by mparker on March 3, 2008 at 6:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW thought Duke Crews played well. He has gotten better offensively.

Big Baby does okay, would like to see him back some guys down and jam it. That kid just MIGHT be a sleeper. Imagine him as a senior playing at about 275 lbs of muscle, He is smart and plays pretty hard.

Posted by Alphafemale on March 3, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I enjoyed Bill Raftery personally. He is one of the most colorful analysts on TV. Kentucky deserved their props yesterday. They played a great game. I am just glad UT came out with the win. Go Vols!!!!!

Posted by schymtz on March 3, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good point, mparker: I think the point the slowdown the Kentucky coach was trying was to exhaust a team that plays intense defense to get turnovers that were not happening in great number against UK's excellent point guard. Reminds me of Ray Mears vs. Adolf Rupp with roles reversed. Ky will speed up as they heal up. Ky has a great fan base with an attitude that believes they are going to win every single game and if another team beats the blue they truly believe the game was "stolen." They also see themselves as the rightful champion every year and that other teams have their "game of the year" only against them, and only in the regular season, not in tournaments they call UK Invitationals. It's great to be back to .500 against the 'cats over the last three years, but the truth is they almost "stole" this one using a Ray Mears type slowdown that used to drive the 'cats bananas. UK has a great tradition, but they are now only one of three and maybe four contenders against UT, UF, and Vandy in the East. Pearl stuck with his game plan and it worked. Champions win the close ones!
I hope UT revives the Volunteer Classic. I look for a #4 or #5 in today's poll. We'll be back in #1 after the UT Invitational called the NCAA! Go Vols!

Posted by foreverorange on March 3, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

didn't the gayturds already get their bubble burst? That must suck.

Posted by steve on March 3, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Win Wednesday, then beat SC, and whatever you do SEC tourney wise, you're likely set up for a 1 seed in NCAA. Lose either of the final two reg season, you may be forced to win SEC in order to go #1. Vols must get these two. Simple as that.

Posted by bowerst on March 3, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's see… we beat Florida 3 out of 4 the last two years. We beat them like a red-headed stepchild this year in Knoxville. We will probably beat them in Gainesville and come March, we will be a 1-seed while Florida plays in the NIT. I personally don't see what the gatoridiot has to laugh about.

Billy G is the best coach Kentucky has had since Rupp. If he and Pearl stay around and JUST SAY NO to the NBA, we are in for some great basketball games in the coming years. Go Vols.

Posted by volboy81 on March 3, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good job Vols! Its always great to beat Kentucky!!!

HEY GAYTORNATION: WINNING ONE GAME AND LOSING IN THE 2ND ROUND ISNT "ONE AND DONE!"
***GET A CLUE!***

Posted by bsvolfan on March 3, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

***************************************************

VOTE FOR LOFTON EVERDAY

***************************************************

http://www.seniorclassaward.com/VOTEL...

***************************************************

Posted by CurtNYC on March 3, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Everybody needs to relax. KY was hiting some REDICULOUS shots with the shot clock hitting zero. We could have helped outselves by not throwing some of those gawd-awful passes when we did turn them over, but still wore them out at the end. BTW - Gatornation, didn't we put 104 up on the gekkos?

Posted by tmartin1 on March 3, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Close game!!!Nice to beat Kentucky. But I can't believe some of our fans are already second guessing CBP. You think he forgot how to coach this week? I think it's just amazing how a couple of games (the loss to Vandy and a close win of UK) can make people turn on the coach. Too many expect perfection. We are lucky our bosses don't expect perfection out of us!!!!

Posted by VOLS85 on March 3, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yumm -

we don't have an arena that's built like a cameron indoor - for one, they are very confined (because it only holds around 9,000 people) and their student section is placed directly on top of the entire sideline. I would like to think that we would have a similar atmosphere if they allowed our students to do that (in similar style to florida as well).

The last time we played a number one team TBA has been an amazing scene, and I was there when we knocked florida in '05. It was an awesome crowd. Vandy usually is not that impressive a crowd, no offense. I've been to a few at Memorial this season and they are 80% old people that sit the entire game as well. Different teams, in different games, at different times draw different atmospheres. We all wish we could emulate duke's student section, but it's just hard to do.

Thank you for your service as well. As having a brother who served in the Army for 6 years, including Iraq and Kosovo, we really appreciate what you guys are doing, and I'll try to get the crowd going a little bit next sunday against South Carolina.

Salute the troops and GO VOLS!

Posted by VOLS85 on March 3, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tmartin - I cannot agree with you more. Not every game is going to be 104-82 like it was against Florida...

We can win them close, we can win them big, and I'm damn happy to have coach Pearl walking the sidelines, as he is one of the best in college basketball. Don't question a guy who has won over 75% of his games since he came here, because before that we were stuck with a Buzz that couldn't win half of 'em.

Not every team is going to run the clock for 34 seconds and get bailed out or bomb a huge three at the buzzer...we played their game and still won.

AWESOME

Posted by schymtz on March 3, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tmartin: I hope you don't think I'm trying to second-guess Coach Pearl - just an armchair after-game wondering. Found out Coach had already said much the same thing in hoping the team could get more relaxed. Pearl is the best. I would not have been suprised if UT had dropped Memphis as well as Vandy and would rather have had Vandy, but what an exhausting schedule! Pearl didn't get out-coached in any of these three games and won't get out-coached at Gainsville. What other team in the country could hope for a better than 4-1 record against the last five. Go VOLS! Beat Florida! 'gator giggin' time!

Posted by VOLS85 on March 3, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

lets lay the smack down schymtz! You're right, it has been a terrible schedule the past few weeks. We'll all breathe a sigh after the florida win and an SEC championship!!!

Posted by 98reax on March 3, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think our guys can win it all if they want it. Yea, that's right. They can knock down some freebies, they can finish some jumpers. Everything does not have to be a trey, twos will do and the court will open for Mr. Loften who can get the 3-point play almost every time he drives down low with authority. Making foul shots at a 90+% clip is a game breaker. The Vols can smother a team with D if they set their minds to it. I see no reason for going home without this SEC Tournament Trophy. It's Orange Crunch Time, Baby!

Posted by mparker on March 3, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Second gueessing?? There are three types of fans:
--rah-rah, we win, where is the kool-aid??
--stats, style points, analyze the game to death
--bitch, moan, fuss no matter what

I break it down to a 40-40-20 split. I'm an unabashed analyzer, so, yeah, I'm going to post 'whatif's', as in 'what if we'd backed off' or whatever.

I know the rah-rah types never understand that, but think of it this way: we like CBP as much as you do, but we also like to pick the game to pieces.

We don't many bitcher/moaners, as we are winning, but go to the football posts for that.

Posted by powellvoter on March 3, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation,
You are such a loser, gator, That's a capital L.
Your basketball team is just like your football team, losers. You talk about the past cause it was good for you, but don't have anything to brag about now. It kills you if somebody besides FL. wins. Go find you a hole somewhere. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

Posted by DeeBee on March 3, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kentucky played hard, we look like we are tired or a little flat right now, maybe worn out by the schedule, Florida won't be easy game either, we need to get our feet back under us. J. Howell, 2 for his last 23, one of those a lay up, not helping but did notice he didn't play as much yesterday, which was good move on coach's part

Posted by EDis4UT on March 3, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Has the new polls been released yet?

Posted by mparker on March 3, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

deebee;
just a thought: Vandy and UK played on a 'mission', just as we did against Memphis, or MSU, or Bama. UF and USC will play that same way.

The men are having to play the role of favorites, but that is hard when your school doesn't have the tradition. Know what I mean?? Duke can roll into town in a down year and still start the game with 10 points or more already on the board because they are Duke.

I am really happy with a lot of these close games and close wins. That preps the team more than anything else for postseason play.

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation,

SHHHHHH. You really talking smack? REally? Think you got run out of the gym when you played the Vols this year. Also, what did you do against UT the last 2 years?

Listen, go back to see how many close wins your gators had last season. Just because the gators aren't going to make it into the tourney, doesn't mean you need to cry about it...there is always the NIT, always a fitting place for the defending national champions.

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

james,

What are you referring to when you say UT stopped playing defense. Basketball is about runs, and both UT and UK made good runs against each other.

As for UT not playing D, I totally disagree. Think back to the plays UK made. They got a score on a play both JuJuan and Chism ran into each other. The cats hit 2 3's with hands in their face. Bradley hit a running baseline jumper falling out of bounds. Jasper hit a 3 after a long rebound and 2 UT players were running back to the other end of the floor.

Listen, UT played great D down the stretch. UK had some good shots...some tough shots fall. I don't buy for one second that UT stopped playing D. Check out the replay of UK's scoring the last 5 minutes, you will see they did the contrary.

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

grizcheese1, Funny how you left out what team you follow.

That and 1 squad just happens to be one of the top ranked team in the land with the #1 RPI. Must be rough looking up at the top from where you are from right eh?

Posted by EDis4UT on March 3, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc:

I think the team really turn it on about 4 minutes in the 2nd Half. I thought both teams played great defence. That's was expected from KY. Yes, we have not blown out anybody out lately, but I can see a drastic improvement in our D compared to earlier in the season. aka Texas, Western Kentucky and Ole Miss come to mind.

Posted by DeeBee on March 3, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker
You are right, guess I haven't gotten use to our team being the hunted, instead of the hunter like we use to be. It should help us come tourney time. All I know is, winters go by a lot faster since CBP got in town

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My prediction the rest of the way out:

Vols win in Gainesville this Wed, dropping the 'tors out of the NCAA tourney.

Kentucky goes into Gainesville the last game of the season and loses to a ticked off UF bursting UK's tourney bubble. However, this win is meaningless for the gators, since they lost to UT earlier in the week.

Tennessee wins on the road at FL and comes home to close out SC. A sexy season with only 1 loss in conference.

UT wins the regular season SEC crown ourright and prepares for the SEC tourney.

As predicted, Vols finish the season with between 3-5 losses setting up a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament after a good show in the SEC tourney (ending with a championship...with me in the front row).

Bruce Pearl is named coach of the year after the Vols make a strong push in March.....again, with me in attendance(no predictions of how far they go however).

Pearl is recruited by a number of coaches including Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky.

Bruce Pearl stays at UT after a Phil Fulmeresque raise, locking him into a Charlie Weiss contract for 10 years.

I have to have reconstructive surgery to fix the permanant grin on my face that came as a result of a championship season for the Vols.

I name my next child Bruuuuuuccce (or Brucina)....stay tuned.

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EDis4UT,

Oh absolutely. The Vols have shown they can let a lead slip and still make plays when needed (with the exception of Vandy).

Tennessee didn't do that last season. Just look at the 2 games against Ohio State and the lead we blew against then in the Dance.

I think the D is coming around. My concern is pg play. Ramar must step his game up and Howell MUST start hitting some stinking shots! He is in the game to pop the "J"...hit the shot Jordan.

FT's are looking much better. I never thought I would be saying this, but UT's FT shooting down the stretch greatly contributed to the win on Sunday.

I like our chances overall on Wed. UK was a squeeze game...and the Vols won a good one after a close loss at Memorial.

Bring on the gators and Go Vols.

Posted by VolJunkie on March 3, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Top 10 ESPN/USA today just posted on ESPN:

1. North Carolina (19) 27-2 763
2. UCLA (6) 26-3 718
3. Memphis (6) 28-1 717
4. Tennessee 26-3 695
5. Duke 25-3 621
6. Kansas 26-3 618
7. Stanford 24-4 572
8. Wisconsin 24-4 535
9. Texas 24-5 533
10. Georgetown 24-4 521

Posted by VolJunkie on March 3, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, I think the team just looks tired. Great win yesterday but more mental mistakes than I have seen in any 3 games combined. UK had a well-executed game plan that we did not adjust to very well. I think UT will be ranked #4 in the AP poll as well, maybe some of the pressure goes away and these guys can relax and play the kind of ball that is bringing UT an historic season. We should all be proud of this program and what these young men are doing.

Go VOLS!!

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From what I remember, #1 ranked teams don't have such a good record winning it all....that being said, #4 might not be so bad after all.

Posted by EDis4UT on March 3, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marc:

Can Tabb play the point if he had to? Ramar head has been in the clouds in the 2nd half of the season. I don't know what's going on with him. Howell is still batting under .200 - I think he is on the verge of CP sending him to a sports psychologist.

Did you notice Josh Tabb got some good minutes and some good looks at the rim? He's shot will eventually start to drop. I just don't know about his ball handling skills. Ramar & Howell, one thing I say about them, they can get the ball down the court. Then you got Tabb that plays his butt off on defence.

As you can tell, I'm high on this kid. Glad to see him get some more playing time vs. UK. Great move by CP!

Don't get started on that Ohio St. game last year - that game still stings my ____!!!!!!!!

Posted by VolJunkie on March 3, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AP Poll:

1. NC
2. Memphis
3. UCLA
4. Tennessee
5. Kansas
6. Duke
7. Stanford
8. Xavier
9. Texas
10. Wisconsin

UT will be just fine. Nice to finally punch the #1 ticket, but now take care of business, win the SEC and target a bigger prize at the big dance. Meanwhile, many of the pretenders that have been talking smack here this past week will have a chance to go the Junior Prom come March.

Go VOLS!!

Posted by calivol on March 3, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

and what exactly are you laughing at? your gators couldn't even get 4 VOTES in the "others receiving votes" category. what has ME rolling on the floor is that non-conference schedule of yours...because it's about to cost you a tourney berth. sorry, but temple as your best non-SEC win is not gonna cut it. enjoy the NIT.

Posted by DeeBee on March 3, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation.
you suck

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

garotnation,

What is FL's rank?

No need for me to laugh on the floor....I'll just give you the head nod and the ever popular <sad>

Posted by yarddog on March 3, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Have to say the if Coach Pearl will go over to Fraternity Row and challenge the frats to come to the games and make noise, he will see the noise meter explode. You would have thought that taps was getting ready to be played at some moments of the KY game. Come on fans, if you are not going to loudly express yourself, please stay home! Too many donors and not enough noise!You are the 6th player!

Posted by TommyJack on March 3, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marc: In that case, pray for a boy.

Posted by murrayvol on March 3, 2008 at 7:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash: You been analyzing too much man. Take a break and read something besides this rag. LOL

Brucina?? She'd better be tougher than a box of rocks.

Posted by pdhuff on March 3, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Beat the Gators.

TJ-An 8 lb bass got to be that size by not rising to the bait, I believe.

Marc Ash- you got any of that stuff left to help a bro out, dude? Brucina, man.

Posted by Titan on March 3, 2008 at 11:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gator - what would you trade for a #4 right now and an upcoming #1 seed in the dance? Don't hurt yourself thinking because you ain't got anything close to what it takes.