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Pearl likes color of orange at Georgia Dome
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ATLANTA — The Georgia Dome turned a surprising shade of orange when Tennessee opened the SEC men’s basketball tournament play Friday afternoon in the Georgia Dome.
Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl’s message: Get used to it.
“If you think it was good (Friday), it’s going to be unbelievable (today),” Pearl said after the Vols pulled out a last-second 89-87 victory over South Carolina in the second round of the tournament.
“I’ll tell you what: I want to ask state troopers in the state of Tennessee to please stay off Interstate 75 South. But I want to alert our fans that once they cross the border (into Georgia), heads up. I’m not responsible when we get on the other side of the border.
“Our fans are going to come down the road in huge numbers.”
The No. 4-ranked Vols will continue tournament play against Arkansas this afternoon in the semifinals. South Carolina coach Dave Odom agrees with Pearl that the Vols will have plenty of support.
“The UT orange pulled a (Kentucky) blue,” Odom said. “They were in eyesight of everybody.
“They bought tickets and got in there. … I thought we would have a little more support, but I underestimated the wallets of the Tennessee people. They went out and bought tickets, much like Wildcats (fans) usually do.”
Downey Was Up: Although South Carolina All-SEC point guard Devan Downey missed his last shot — with the game on the line — UT players also will remember all the shots and plays he made.
“He’s a great player,” UT guard JaJuan Smith said. “You’ve got to take your hat off to him.
“Once he gets going, he’s probably the best point guard in the conference. He came out and showed it.”
Downey, who transferred to South Carolina from the University of Cincinnati, had 26 points, five assists and five steals while playing the full 40 minutes.
Valuable Backups: Brian Williams and Josh Tabb made the most of their playing time against the Gamecocks.
Williams was 4-for-4 from the field and had nine points and three rebounds in 13 minutes. Tabb had three assists and a steal in four minutes.
“Coach (Bruce Pearl) tells us to stay ready, that everybody’s going to get their chance to be productive,” Williams said. “I came in and did what I had to do.”
ShaZam: Fortunately for UT, South Carolina guard Zam Fredrick didn’t have a second half to match his first.
He made only two of 11 shots and scored six points in the second half after totaling 18 points in the first half.
Floored: Wayne Chism and Tyler Smith were on the floor when teammate Chris Lofton hit his game-winning jump shot.
“I went down; Tyler went down, too,” Chism said. “It gave Chris enough room to get the shot off.”
Chism and Smith were setting screens for Lofton when they got tangled up with South Carolina defenders and fell down.
Tip-ins: Shortly before tipoff, the Vols posed for pictures with the trophy they received for winning the SEC regular-season championship. … UT great Bernard King was honored as an SEC legend at halftime. … UT point guards Ramar Smith and Jordan Howell combined for five points (all by Smith) and nine assists, compared to four turnovers.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by 1974Vol on March 14, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wanted to play LSU and this was why! How could you truly be fired up about playing a team you just beat by 33? Anyway, I think you'll see a much more inspired team tomorrow against the Hogs.
Posted by voltime on March 14, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The whole Orange Nation is coming down for the Butt whippin of the the razorbacks, get ready and get use to it. BP is the man
Posted by CatScratchFever on March 14, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There is now a HUGE Blue Mist in the Dome. CatLanta is now officially open.
Posted by BigVolinCarolina on March 14, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AirForceOne, you've come to the wrong place to cheer on your kitty kats.
That blue mist is gonna evaporate real soon.
Posted by CatScratchFever on March 14, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well after they clean up the pumpkin vomit from the place, we can get on with winning this thing.
See Blue...Go CATS!!!
Posted by txvolsfan on March 14, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't want to discuss the mildcats because they will NOT win another game!!!! So we will never see them again unless we buy tickets to the NIT!!! Enjoy cat fans because Patterson is NBA bound, the injury has him scared and he is going to get paid!!!
GO VOLS
STICK A PIG
txvolsfan
Posted by txvolsfan on March 14, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't want to discuss the mildcats because they will NOT win another game!!!! So we will never see them again unless we buy tickets to the NIT!!! Enjoy cat fans because Patterson is NBA bound, the injury has him scared and he is going to get paid!!!
GO VOLS
STICK A PIG
txvolsfan
Posted by CatScratchFever on March 14, 2008 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Patterson has already stated emphatically that HE IS STAYING. Get use to it....P-SQUARE will be BACK!!
CATS ROLL all the way through Sunday.
Posted by anthony on March 14, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
are you watching tim brando with the hurricane watch at the georgia dome??
Posted by ncvol17 on March 14, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's roast a Hog and have a pig picking...let others run over a Cat and leave it by the side of the road...
Posted by CatScratchFever on March 14, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That rumbling going on in the Georgia Dome is the Big Blue Train coming into the station.
The Blue Nation Has ARRIVED!!! CATLANTA is about to be covered in the BIG BLUE MIST!
SEE BLUE...GO CATS!!!!
Look Out Georgia....The Hurricane Cats Are In The House!!!
Posted by anthony on March 14, 2008 at 9:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hi, mr. kentucky fan, do you feel unappreciated? that you have to post here? or do you feel persecuted? We had an article from a kns reporter on the paranoid ut fans. Maybe you ought to look and read it, and maybe take it to hart too.
Posted by CatScratchFever on March 14, 2008 at 10:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The paranoia tennessee is experiencing is realizing that they are overrated and overhyped. How do you let one of the worst teams in the SEC take you to the wire? A team that you beat by 30 last week.
You should be scared, because you are going to have serious trouble with Arkansas tomorrow. If and that is a BIG "IF" you manage to get by the Razorbacks, then you will be facing us....NO wonder you are getting scared.
The Blue Train is going to Rumble all over CatLanta.
Posted by rbatten9 on March 14, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow a tornado hit the Dome while the Miss St-Ala game is being played!!!
Posted by LargeOrange on March 14, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is actually a tornado not a hurricane and we did apparently have one blow through downtown at 9:30. The Dome has some damage in the roof and upper wall structure. I can tell you I live about 30 miles north of the Dome and it is wild outside right now.
Posted by KingsportVol on March 14, 2008 at 10:08 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by rbatten9 on March 14, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That's what i said LargeOrange.
Posted by jawbreaker on March 14, 2008 at 10:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was going to comment on the fact that Brian Williams is very quick to get rid of the ball, both in shooting and after snaring a rebound...makes his shot harder to block and his passes harder to intercept; instead, I am compelled to point out to AF1 that a team that has won 30 ballgames is neither overhyped nor overrated!
Posted by Titan on March 14, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AFOne: doesn't your school have a site where you can go spew your mindless drivel?
Posted by zjcvols on March 14, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not too worried, b/c this was lacadazeical game anyway. SC was playing Odom's last game, so not surprised. Their guards went off, and the four day rest messed us up. UT struggles when they have long days off. Arkansas can't handle UT guards shooting and ty smith eats them up. Tennessee 78-67. Btw AF1, P-Squared, what are you talking a/b, P-squared??? Come up with a better nickname, please?
Posted by LargeOrange on March 14, 2008 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rbatten9 - if you notice you and I posted at the exact same time, I was referring to anthony 9:50 p.m. are you watching tim brando with the hurricane watch at the georgia dome?" and also AirFarce1 talking about his Blue Hurricane comment.
Posted by teedub on March 14, 2008 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AirForce1: How do you let one of the worst teams in the SEC take you to the wire?
Teedub: How do you lose to Vanderbilt by 41?
Posted by murrayvol on March 14, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AirFarce: With any luck Cat Fancy will wind up their nights work (not adjusting for OT) in time for a bracing breakfast (Kibbles & Bits) and a shootaround before gametime. Good luck with that schedule.
Posted by LargeOrange on March 14, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bad news for AirFarce1, looks like KY will have to play twice tomorrow, if they are lucky enough to get past Georgia. They just canceled tonights 2nd game.
Posted by StaytheCourse on March 14, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey contrary to popular belief, Gardner Webb is a modern day powerhouse...there no San Diego Community College but there still pretty strong.
Posted by BigVolinCarolina on March 14, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sure Kentucky fans feel pretty comfortable in the Georgia Dome. After all, they know what it's like to have a tornado rip the roof off of their double-wide trailer.
It only makes sense that they'd feel comfy playing ball in a place while a tornado damaged the roof.
Posted by lempga on March 15, 2008 at 12:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Donkey Adams is AirForceOne! Betcha!
Posted by Titan on March 15, 2008 at 12:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AFOne: Q - How do you make your coach look like a genius in the second half of the season? A - By losing to San Diego and Gardner Webb in the first half of the season to set up your "turnaround"! (Of course there is that minor technicality about losing by 41 to Vandy in the second half - guess that was a mulligan and you don't count it?)
Posted by VolJunkie on March 15, 2008 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kingsport ... you being a potty mouth? Does not seem like you! ;)
Posted by cdonsbach on March 15, 2008 at 12:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kentucky sucks and UGA is going to beat them. Even if Kentucky wins, have fun playing 2 games in a single day I hope you don't cramp too bad!
Posted by cphil on March 15, 2008 at 6:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AirForceOne, are Kentucky fans required to wear their teeth if they get to go to the ballgame?
Posted by dallasdog1 on March 15, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What do you do with an elephant with 3 balls?
Walk him, and pitch to the rhino.
Go Vols!
Posted by Bigger_Al on March 15, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John Adams picks his nose at traffic lights.
Posted by camoman270 on March 15, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Airforce one....your tale is in a spin as you spin your tail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by IBleedOrange444 on March 15, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
AF1 -
Just face it dude, the Mildcats are done! Any hope they had of winning this tourney went out the window when "The Big Blue Train" (A.K.A. the tornado) came through and postponed your game to today. Even if it hadn't happened, ya'll would've gotten dealt with by MS St! Must be nice to make the tourney on tradition alone. Here at UT, we've got to win them on the floor to get into the dance. Just remember Gardner Webb, San Deigo, and Memorial Gym. Oh yea, on a side note, Tubby's boys are still alive in their conference tourney. Smart move running him out of town. We'll be thanking you guys for that one for years to come! While I don't know exactly how it feels, it must be very hard on you guys when the team that OWNS YOU IN FOOTBALL comes in and takes basketball away from you too, but try and have some dignity in defeat.
Posted by zjcvols on March 15, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess "Catlanta" doesn't like Kentucky, b/c that thing you called a "hurricane" (a tornado actually), just cost you the SEC Tourney. Do you really think your team is going to win 3 games in in 30 hours? Not even an NBA All-Star Team can do that.
Posted by Homermoosevols on March 15, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AirFart1, you are such a disappointment. Gets off the blog when he realizes his mouth is writing checks his ass can't cash.
Posted by VolCane7979 on March 15, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AF1,
Really, why do you post on here? Your team is 18-12. I keep having to run you off of here with SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD SCOREBOARD.
Your coach looks like Lieutenant Dan. Piss off.
Posted by rbatten9 on March 15, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ole AirForce
"The paranoia tennessee is experiencing is realizing that they are overrated and overhyped. How do you let one of the worst teams in the SEC take you to the wire? A team that you beat by 30 last week."
bahhahahaha YOU LOST TO THE WORST TEAM IN THE SEC BHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH
Posted by VolFan_stuck_in_FL on March 15, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
where's that tard Civil Air Patrol now?
Glad GA took care of the puddy tats.
Go VOLS lets take care of Arkie
Posted by zjcvols on March 15, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess AF1 was out in "Catlanta" enjoying the city and forgot the game on
Posted by jweaver3 on March 15, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Airforceone, that rumbling is the train coming off the track for UK and their season. Mark it down Patterson is scared after the injury and will cash in on the NBA!!!!
I know a lot of people close to him and he is GONE,GONE,GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!
TXVOLSFAN
GO VOLS
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