Posted by 55Vol on March 21, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A win is a win. Next game will require more energy and effort. Thanks Vols. Keep pressing on!

Posted by volboy81 on March 21, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

that was closer than a 15 point game. I hope Chris was saving his scoring for Sunday!!!

Posted by spam247buster on March 21, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good enough. I wonder if THE_VOL was right about the "coach's decision", or if it was a case of good ball-handling (Howell) vs. poor ball-handling (Smith).

Posted by LazhilUT on March 21, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm officially disapointed.
Our guys lost their poise and heart after the regular season.
First the lack of heart in the SEC and now they barely beat a nobody in the NCAAs...c'mon CBP, don't become Fulmer!!!

Posted by KENVOL on March 21, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That was too close. Chris better get his shot going or Butler(if they win) will kick us. GOOOOO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by VOLinGA on March 21, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That was pitiful. We're lucky to still be playing.

Posted by TommyJack on March 21, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Glad for the win, but something ain't right on our team. Can't figure'em out.

Posted by bowerst on March 21, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LazhilUT: please regale us with your many coaching exploits. Then remind yourself where this program was three years ago. When teams make it to the Dance, nerves get jangled and everybody wants it just as badly as everybody else.

While you're ripping, do you have any advice from your lofty perch for Duke's lowly Coach K? After all, they needed a buzzer-beater to escape a nobody 15-seed in their game. (I think he's won about 800 games and quite a few national titles, but I bet you know more than he does).

Posted by VolJunkie on March 21, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A win is a win ... I just don't understand the rebounding margin. T. Smith and Chism were huge today, the block by Tyler towards the end of the game when AU was still close was really big.

Next game will be an even bigger challenge ... Go VOLS!!!

Posted by spam247buster on March 21, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Survive and advance. I'll take it, without any disappointment at all. (We looked a heck of a lot better than Duke did last night, btw.)

Posted by volsfan92 on March 21, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

great win GO VOLS

Posted by SFOrange on March 21, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lets be honest---for whatever reason, we'll be gone in Round 2.

Posted by volsfan92 on March 21, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

good game JaJuan!!

Posted by volsfan92 on March 21, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tyler awesome

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 21, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Butler will not get cold.

Posted by auttat on March 21, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow!! LazhilUT, that is just ridiculous to already start in on that crap.

Posted by volsfan92 on March 21, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

#5 was there at the critical moments per usual, win number 30!

Posted by Ironcity on March 21, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The fact of the matter is this team is not as good as its record would indicate. Its a tribute to the players and the coaches that they were able to win 30 games against great competition with the talent we have. Now that I got that out of the way I was disappointed in the seniors and the lack of composure on offense and the lack of basic fundamentals on rebounding today. This really looks like a team that is tired or unfocused. I hope its the latter because that can be fixed. Once again nothing out of the point. If we are going to play Prince at PG, we might as well post him up against a guy he has a ft advantage on. Last, thank goodness for Tyler, he was all world out there when really everyone else was either off or playing sloppy. Lets hope we get it going. I know we cannot win if we play like that against Butler however I do believe that the first game jitters are gone and this team will rise to the occasion like it has all year.

Posted by volsfan92 on March 21, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

#5 was there at the critical moments per usual, win number 30!

Posted by bowerst on March 21, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SFOrange, at least nobody can accuse you of jumping on the bandwagon. You know guys, sometimes a team gets past a shaky game and explodes on a hot streak. Tennessee is a streaky team. Maybe we will turn it around. Maybe we won't. But if Butler wins their game, remember they are a top 10 team. How that makes them a 7-seed I don't have a clue.

Posted by houvol on March 21, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whew! Not let's settle down and start playing some ball. GO Vols!

Posted by drum56 on March 21, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A WINS A WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by VolJunkie on March 21, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bowerst -

Totally agree, how does a 10/11 ranked team pull a #7 seed? Good news is that they spanked UT in last year's pre-season NIT, should be no letdown or looking past them.

Go VOLS!!!

Posted by slambob2 on March 21, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It was good to win the game. But we'll be done in the next round if Chris doesn't start to contribute on one end of the floor or another. He was truly terrible on both ends of the floor. At the same time, Tyler Smith showed what talent plus basketball smarts equals. He was awesome. No one else on that floor was an NBA candidate, but he's ready today. I hope he comes back next year.

I think Don Devoe could bring some defensive coaching to this team. Short of that, we'll be a good, not great basketball team.

But good enough to find a way to win, so there's no room for disappointment. And now we can stop worrying about where we were seeded and start playing like we're capable. Which we did in the final 5 minutes of this one.

slambob

Posted by houvol on March 21, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I meant Now let's seetle down and start playing some ball. My bad on the typo.

Posted by Kwitcherbellyachin on March 21, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We will be fine.

Posted by VolJunkie on March 21, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bossvol -

"be a man ..." - that's great!

Posted by slambob2 on March 21, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Butler's seeding is more of a mystery than UT's. They are a terrific basketball team. Go South Alabama.

slambob

Posted by brokebackvol on March 21, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Heavens, don't be so pessimistic! GO VOLS!
"Survive and advance!"

Posted by 88volgrad on March 21, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Butler is so overrated, I don't expect them to get past S. Alabama. Butler played exactly one tournament team all season (Drake) and lost that one, while S. Alabama went 4-1 against tournament teams (including 2 wins against W. Kentucky), their one loss being by 3 points AT Vandy. I expect that we will be playing them on Sunday, and I will not be suprised if we lose that game.

Posted by KnoxVol_in_TX on March 21, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A win may be a win, but my gosh...that was ugly. I agree with one of the ealier posters..this was sloppy, uninspired play.

I dont know what it is. we just dont look like the team we were a month or so ago. I am pretty disappointed in how we handled ourselves out there. It just looked like we did not care at all.

Posted by GerryOP on March 21, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sheridan had us at 19 1/2 and we won by 15. A 15 point margin is not merely holding on for the win. OK, guys, you got the first game out of the way now get ready for the next one on Sunday.

An inspired #15 who is not afraid of anyone is always a crap shoot. The dice were thrown and we won. Now move on.

Posted by slambob2 on March 21, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jujuan hit an enormous three after American cut it to a one-point game with five minutes to go. And Chism hit a couple of nasty threes. Coach BP called one play to Chism out of a timeout.

slambob

Posted by tripper on March 21, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Point guard play will be the downfall of this team. I liked JP at point. Jordan's done and Ramar can't play "D". A win is win, but I'm nervous about Sunday.

Posted by utchris2003 on March 21, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Agree with Kwitcher.

The only thing that matters now is that you survive and advance. So many of these games are about matchups. The style of play that American had has been a horn in our side on more than one occasion this year. The good news is that we usually follow up a poor shooting game with a good one.

Posted by foreverorange on March 21, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

that's what this team will always look like if lofton is cold. Lets just hope he warms up. GO VOLS!

Posted by bowerst on March 21, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I will take an ugly win over a pretty loss 8 days a week.

So that's why Butler is a 7 seed? I thought maybe they had a low RPI, and a poor strength of schedule, but were they ranked so high in the polls based on what they did the last couple years?

Posted by EastTNVol on March 21, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Chris Lofton has got it all wrong. I don't want Tennessee to play like it's their last game. Dang it, I want all of the Vols to play like their looking to the next game. Play with confidence, speed, and determination. What happened to OUR ability to set the tempo of a game. Why can we not make others play our game and not theirs. It's time to step it up, 30 wins is great, but I think that all of us expected something special from this team. Vols look yourselves in the mirror tonight and ask are we pretenders or are we contenders. Time to decide.

Posted by KingsportVol on March 21, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Alot of unhappy Vol fans after a win.Pretty or not we get to watch the Big Orange battle again on Sunday.Butler is the real deal.We can't just show up for this one.Looking forward to kicking some bulldog ass.Go Big Orange!!!

Posted by LargeOrange on March 21, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One good thing is that if the rest of the country was like Atlanta, both Directv and Disk Network showed the Gonzaga v Davidson game and didn't show us only up by 1 with 5 mins to go. I had to leave the restaurant we went to to see the game and drive home to watch the last 15 minutes on NCAA March Madness on demand on my PC. I about blew out a vein and almost got a speeding ticket trying to get home to get the game on the PC. Not that it matters now, but a lot of the country is only going to see the final score, which was not indicative of the closeness of the game. But as I have learned this year, a win is a win in basketball (too bad that apparently doesn't count in FB), but we had better step it up for Sunday. Chism looked good the last 15 mins as did JP. GO VOLS!

Posted by VolJunkie on March 21, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tyler had 6 assists and 1 turnover today, he can penetrate, can hit the 3, and has a great basketball IQ ... call me crazy, put him on the point. But what the hell do I know, CBP is the man, just fun to think about.

Go VOLS!!!

What a finish in the W. KY game ...

Posted by mdvol31 on March 21, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

survive and advance is the cliche but it's true. forced more than 20 TO's but must take care of the ball.i know ramar sat out the first half because of CD but what the hell really happened?hope south alabama takes care of butler and maybe louisville goes down.

Posted by GoVol on March 21, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Looked like TN was trying to play its last game, but somehow manage to trip up and win. Where is the TN team that played Memphis? That's the team we want to see and the team we need in the tournament. If the old team doesn't arrive soon, we've just won our last game of the year!

Posted by lastlap on March 21, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think we're in trouble. We laid it all on the line against Memphis and haven't been the same since in my opinion. I don't know if we're tired or not but we sure are getting out hustled every game now. I hope we don't think we're better than we are. All we do is cry we got screwed. Get over it and play. Prove you're as good as you think you are. No wonder the media hates TN. We've cried ever since Peyton. Just win baby that will take care of everything. Stop the whining.

Posted by utchris2003 on March 21, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The kid for American played out of his mind. Most of his threes were higly contested and well defended.

I like how the announcer said that he watched the Ark game and that Lofton choked by missing two front ends of one and one....Guess he and Ramar look alike now.

Posted by thesavageorange on March 21, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to listen to all day games on the radio,so I can't see 1st hand how good or bad we looked. Have we played a real solid game(other than SC in K'ville)since we played Memphis?Not complaining,just wondering.Seems that every game since Memphis has been a stomach turner, especially against teams we are much better than.

Posted by milriv1 on March 21, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dare I say it? It's time for Pearl to ask Don Devoe to coach half court defence. There's nobody better at it. DCinNC

Posted by grvol on March 21, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wat's it gonna take to get this team interested?

Posted by jh43 on March 21, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At least we will be rested for the next game.

Posted by bowerst on March 21, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree we haven't looked great since Memphis. And if you remember, that's happened every year Pearl has been here. We seem to hit a wall near the end of the season and don't have fresh legs. Think maybe the schedule is too rough with all the ESPN games on odd nights?

Posted by EastTNVol on March 21, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

lastlap I agree, man. If you think your getting disrespected by everyone, then go out and prove them wrong. You think you deserved a #1 seed, go out and play like a number one seed. I don't think this team is tired but there is something missing now that wasn't there before the Memphis game. Glad I ain't the Head Coach Has anyone heard any of CP comments after the game???

Posted by threehundredbowler on March 21, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You guys just don,t get it.This is not a final four team.I would like to be wrong but I really do not see them makeing it out of the round of 16 at best.BTW Rachel(crvol,volcr,foolmore,}Pearl is NOT a God.

Posted by KingsportVol on March 21, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What bossvol said.

Posted by snowvol on March 21, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Completely agree with thesavageorange...it seems like the Memphis game was where we peaked. The second half of South Carolina in Knoxville was the Vols at their dominating, suffocating best.

Today, darn glad we won but for a long time this had the look and feel of the 2-15 match-up with Winthrop two years ago.

I'm concerned with what happens to these guys in the postseason. Bruce is a great coach and this is a talented team but we've yet to really turn it on in a postseason game from start to finish. Here's hoping the dominant Vols from most of the season show up against Butler/South Alabama.

Posted by EastTNVol on March 21, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think anyone is whining. But let's face it, Tennessee was head shoulders better than American, and inspired or not, there is no way that team outrebounds us the way they did. What happens when we start facing some real atheletic teams??? Like maybe Sunday

Posted by VolCane7979 on March 21, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll take the win. It was close for too long, but they have a game under their belts now. LazhilUT, did you make those comments seriously or as a joke? I hope it was the latter. Go Vols.

Posted by thesavageorange on March 21, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Found this late in the game unfortunately, but for those of us who can't catch all the games on the tube, you can watch them on..........

http://www.ncaasports.com/mmod

Just hit launch player and pick a game.It is totally free.I am currently watchig Butler & S Al, and it looks like it's going to go wire to wire.Both are capable of beating us they play like they did today.

Posted by bowerst on March 21, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nobody's a God -- well, except God. One game does not make a tournament. If we had totally shut this team down and won by 50, that would not have scored one basket for us against the next opponent.

We aren't playing great, but we won and we are still in it. We just need to get hot again.

Also, you find out who the real fans are and which are the fair-weather kind, don't you?

Posted by Roach4vols on March 21, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Survive and Advance...if Lofton hits shots we win by 30.

Posted by lewhs93 on March 21, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

After reading a few of these posts I rechecked the score, because I was sure we had lost.Iwill take a 15 point margin any day.BP said he thought they got tired due to our pressure.Go VOLS.

Posted by PennVol on March 21, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think this team is cracking under the self induced pressure of "making history" and making the Final Four. They need to just go out and play hard and have fun. If we play hard on both ends, the rest will take care of itself.

Posted by mparker on March 21, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hey you doom and gloomers, you are, with all due respect, idiots.

We are playing methodical teams who make it a half-court game. Hate to tell you, but the talent on UT insn't all that much superior to every onter team we play. We have a bunch of good players, and not really great one.

We may or may not advance, but if we do it will be because we win more of the games like this one than we lose.

My advice: quit looking for blowouts, or perfect games. That isn't UT. Take a look at this link, and read the recaps:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/t...

To sum up, you may want to ease up off the boy's backs a bit, they are doing what they do.

If I sound a little pissed, I am, because many of you don't appreciate just how tough this team is.

Posted by mparker on March 21, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To the real ball fans out there:

there's been some great ball today, really tight close games. It gives you an aprreciation for just how balanced the game is today.

The Drake-WKU game will be a classic, I think.

Posted by Bristol on March 21, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jajuan, good game. Keep it up. What happened to all the rebounding? That's what cost us the game against Arkansas. We need to REBOUND!!!!!You guys used to be excellent at that. Let's Go Big Orange. No time to slow down now.

Posted by tigervol9802 on March 21, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker -

Sorry if a few of us take issues when the players continually stand around on defense and when the ball hits the backboard.

Posted by C123456 on March 21, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great post, mparker!

Posted by mparker on March 21, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks like a helluva tough game in roudn 2 for us, no matter which team.

Wonder what CBP will do it it's butler?? can't press them...will he play zone and force the 3??

Posted by VolJunkie on March 21, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker -

Agree about the Drake-WKU game ... what a finish, both regulation and the OT.

Butler looking pretty good with a 17 point lead at the half.

No worries ... Go VOLS!!!

Posted by TommyJack on March 21, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mparker: from one idiot to another, I think this team is just plain tired.

Posted by dopedawg on March 21, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good job guys!!! Keep the faith you idiots!!! Get rid of the doom and gloom, the "you know we wont win the next one" attitude!!! Be proud of the team and what they have done!!

Posted by mparker on March 21, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol:
you take issue when you KNOW the team plays right around the level of its competition.

They've done the same all season. Give 'em some credit for doing what it takes to win. Yes, they've blown some against the likes of Vandy and Ark, but, dammit, they get a LOT out of the talnet they have.

Posted by mparker on March 21, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tommyjack,
could be, it's been a long season. Still, I expect they'll play right around where their competition is.

With Chris being an 'aveage' player this year, we just don't really have a killer guard. We have to hope Chris or Jajuan are having a good game.

All in all, we have a chance, and that's about all you can hope for with this level of talent.

Posted by VolFan32 on March 21, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks like they are still pouting about being a 2 seed in the East. They need to stop pouting and play basketball.

Posted by TommyJack on March 21, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MP: You're probably right. Lots of teams are tired by now, but it sure seems to tell on this team. Maybe they will gut it out. Here's hoping.

Posted by tigervol9802 on March 21, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, and that mentality will eventually come back to bite you if not careful. I don't think that playing hard and being aggressive at all times is too much to ask for is it?

What's made this team so fun to watch for three years is the against the world mentality they've had. I don't see it anymore out of most of them. Instead I see complacency. If your starting point guard doing something to get suspended a half before the first round of the NCAA Tournament doesn't raise a slight warning sign that something is not quite right, then you my friend are the idiot.

I have no doubt they can beat Louisville or UNC, but right now I am quite concerned they cannot beat, as it looks, Butler to get that chance.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 21, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, Why are we tired? We haven't played a game since Saturday, that is 6 days of rest, if they are tired today they will be exhausted against, it looks like Butler on Sunday. They have to put it on the line, CBP had better get these guys heads right before Sunday or we will be reading posts on here from folks making excuses why these players let one of the greatest coach in Tennessee history down.

Posted by chrisw2967 on March 21, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Im glad we won so dont get me wrong , but when you get out played and hustled by a team like American then there are issues. we played with no heart and was not focused , players standing around on def. waiting for someone else to make a stop or get a rebound .
Im not getting off of any bandwagon but I watched that game and yes we won by 15 but that game was in doubt until the last 3 min.
if they play Sunday like they did today then they will be on their way home cause play like that wont get you past the 2nd round.
they need to get back to playing Tenn basketball the way we know they can play.

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 21, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone watching Butler? Damn it Bobby!

Posted by bowerst on March 21, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation, please go away. Back to your nation if you can get them to re-admit you.

Tennessee has 30 wins. Not bad for a bunch of no-account, lazy, untalented, tired former walk-ons and overlooked basketball players -- if you ask me.

This is my team, win or lose.

Posted by bkgunter on March 21, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT is looking more and more like a club that may have peaked early. Alot of 1st and 2nd round games look and feel like this one, though. They have shown a tendency to play to the level of the competition---maybe they'll be alright. Definitely hard to figure.

Posted by RocketVol on March 21, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation - thanks for watching. You can buy season tickets if you like.

Posted by TommyJack on March 21, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Large0: Just trying to speculate on what's missing. Anyone that thinks this team is as sharp, focused, and crisp as earlier in year is delusional.

Posted by DennisVols on March 21, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is the NCAA and there are always upsets. Just gald this was not one of them.
American played a great game and deserves credit for how close the game was kept until the end.
UT has NO Pushover games in this tourment nor does anyone else. Duke almost gone, Drake and Zaga both got bit today.
You have to play every game as if it was the championship game.
Go Vols!!!!

Posted by redneckerson on March 21, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker, with all due respect, you're really not giving due respect when you call someone an idiot.

Posted by bustervols on March 21, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One down, one to go, one down , one to go.......

Posted by imwithphilly on March 21, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As Jim Valvano once said, "survive and advance." I agree.

Posted by utchris2003 on March 21, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think that we are that tired. We looked more energetic in the second half. We were able to rotate a lot of players in which should save the legs a little bit. As I mentioned earlier, American hit some tough shots and were probably a little better than we may have thought. Good job by American of "gang" rebounding and draining the shot clock before shooting threes. That is a good example of American watching tape. I cant remember what team did that to us earlier, but it was a similar game.

With our depth, along with playing a schedule that had us play with quick turnarounds multiple times this year, and the fact that our style of play will be hard to prepare for on one days notice, I think that we will be alright. We will half a tough games from here on out no doubt about it, but everyone just needs to stay behind the team and support them no matter what.

Posted by PaulTheVol on March 21, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What's the matter Gatornantion, you fat pig clown? Nothing worth reading on the Florida Roadkill errr...Gator blog so you have to come to a blog where at least there is some action? Go eat some more doughnuts you fat pig.

Posted by utchris2003 on March 21, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Have fun in the NIT

Posted by imwithphilly on March 21, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good luck playing for 66th place in the nation in the NIT tourney. IDIOT

Posted by chrisw2967 on March 21, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation NIT= Not an Interesting Tournament
win or lose we are here and thos Gators are not and it makes you sick.
just go back to the gatesucks web site and read more about why Donovan doesnt think his players are good this year and doesnt see them being any better next year.

Posted by VolJunkie on March 21, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Easter is a time of hope and new life, the Vols will come out focused and energized to beat Butler on Sunday.

No worries ... Go VOLS!!!

Posted by lastlap on March 21, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bossvol351 I never mentioned how much we won by. What has made everyone love this team was their hustle. Hell most of the games they've won this year have been close. Not hustling or rebounding is what is going to cost this team. Not to mention free throws. Thank you for whining over my post.

Posted by lastlap on March 21, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bossvol351 I never mentioned how much we won by. What has made everyone love this team was their hustle. Hell most of the games they've won this year have been close. Not hustling or rebounding is what is going to cost this team. Not to mention free throws. Thank you for whining over my post.

Posted by nnease15 on March 21, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think UT lost it's heart/poise. Without poise they would have folded when American kept battling back. I do think, however, that Tenn needs to hit the glass a lot better and Lofton must make open shots in order for us to beat Butler on Sunday. That and quit making dumbass turnovers.

Posted by smokymtman on March 21, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JaJuan shouldn't be writing "No. 1 seed" on his shoes...those orange and white sneekers are going to be black and blue ones if the Vols continue playing as they are...they haven't shown any sign of deserving a No. 1 seed since they beat Memphis. They escaped one today and my hat's off to them...but they are not taking this tournament seriously...at least not by the way they are playing.

Posted by VolJunkie on March 21, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At least CP can see what Butler does to the press. CP has not played much zone this year, any thoughts on what UT may do on defense this Sunday?

Go VOLS!!!

Posted by utchris2003 on March 21, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ESPN.com has BP's post game interview. He mentioned that we shot 71 percent from the Charity Stripe.

Posted by hmhawk on March 21, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Had me going for first 4 or 5 minutes.As largeorange said basically it was nerve wracking game.Large O-go to fridge and get that mason jar of ET's finest.It will help.Two swigs,no more no less.Left before the end to take the bike out but it was colder out there at 70mph than UT at the start.Hate I missed the end but will watch complete game Sunday.GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by hmhawk on March 21, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UCONN down by 7

Posted by VolJunkie on March 21, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

utchris -

Thanks for the heads up on the interview. It did not seem like UT shot 71% from the line but when I checked:

Turnovers: UT-14 / AU-21
FT: UT-71% / AU-50%
FG: UT-48.9% / AU-36.2%
Reb/Off: UT-25/4 / AU-37/16
Assists: UT-13 / AU-9
Steals: UT-12 / AU-5

So we got outrebounded, had too many turnovers and win by 15. Do that 5 more times and let me know what day the parade is.

Go VOLS!!!

Posted by raynochonspeed on March 21, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Butler will win.

I love the Vols, but they haven't played well in weeks.

Butler is talented, disciplined, underseeded, and peaking.

Posted by dburgin0114 on March 21, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We won!! Alot of people are home (not in the NCAA tourney), let's play one more and win. Go Vols, let's win one more time, I love it.

Posted by RocketVol on March 21, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gatornation, I am sorry your season is already over. Glad you found someone to watch.

Posted by hmhawk on March 21, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dburgin=AMEN.

Posted by kimzy1961 on March 21, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey VOL fans!
How about helping a BIG ORANGE BROTHER out!
Click or copy and paste the link below and vote for awVols1985, the TENNESSEE representative on CBSsportsline's Member Mayhem contest! Let's keep UT in the essay tournament too!
Thanks for your interest and participation!

http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/message....

GO VOLS ! ! !

Posted by rpoll1095 on March 21, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gatornation........I missed the game Florida was in.....how'd they do? OOOOOOhhhhhhhhh, that' right, their home watching TV this year. That's OK.....just sit and read your history book of last year. By the way....that's a has been approach.

Posted by trl_x on March 21, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Survive and advance. But to be outhustled and outrebounded when you're supposedly trying to prove you should have been a # 1 seed...Oh well.

I have to be honest. I don't feel good about playing Butler. Not the way we've played lately and the way Butler played today.

TrailerNation: Where are the Gators again? Oh that's right. In the NIT!

<Ridicule>

Posted by GerryOP on March 21, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good post VolJunkie, I totally agree. Nothin' wrong with a 15 point victory. Survived AU? BS! We won going away.

Posted by weisgarber2003 on March 21, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

".c'mon CBP, don't become Fulmer!!!"

Please, please don't insult BP. Comparing him to Phillsbury or even mentioning him in the same breath is a gigantic insult. Unfortunately, UT seems to be out of gas and they are going to pay for it, unless they snap out of the doldrums.

Posted by givim6 on March 21, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

88volgradsaid: "Butler is so overrated, I don't expect them to get past S. Alabama. WRONG!

You obviously don't know your teams. You made yourself look like a dunce.

The NCAA's are played because wins and loses are not predictable. Ask Duke about Belmont

Posted by hmhawk on March 21, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UConn just went to OT

Posted by thesavageorange on March 21, 2008 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Survive and advance is what you have to do.However, I don't think CBP is patting the guys on the back saying good job guys you survived.I'm sure he's happy they survived, but not about the way they did it.

Just b/c you voice concern doesn't mean you're anti-Vol or a naysayer.Besides, if we agreed on everything, what fun would that be.

Posted by tennisvol on March 21, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We will have to play much better against Butler. Free throws continue to be a problem and the press does not seem to be as effective as it was at one time. Does anyone remember how long it has been since Howell scored a three?

Posted by abnermc on March 21, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation, how does 0 & done sound?

Posted by hmhawk on March 21, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UConn is out!

Posted by rabidvol1998 on March 21, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tennisvol - we shot 71% from the line. Had at least 3 steals and 1 timeout off the press.

Does anyone remember how long it has been since we would be disapointed becuase the men's basketball team didn't make the Elite 8.

Sit back and enjoy the ride. This team is the same team that won the SEC and now 30 games. American no longer matters, its a new season.

Posted by VolJunkie on March 21, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

thesavageorange - totally agree that we can voice concern and "agree to disagree". It would just be nice to do it without terms of endearment such as "idiot", "douchebag", etc. We are all Vols fans, we can save the other stuff for FL/KY/UM fans that see fit to visit and defame our team. Sort of like the brothers who fight like hell, but God help the outsider that gets involved. Just my opinion, I could be wrong. BTW, cool handle.

Go VOLS!!!

Posted by lastlap on March 21, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bossvol351 Sun is shinning here also. I love the Vols as much as you I'm sure. It just don't seem they have the same fire as they did before Memphis. I could careless about the score as I was very impressed with AU as a team. The #1 seed on the shoes and the jockeying for seeding, was my problem along with all of the other stuff through out the years. I guess that's just part of it. I'd rather just see them play hard and let their game speak for itself. Agree to disagree I guess. I'll agree on one thing however. GO VOLS!!!!!

Posted by Colliervol on March 21, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"A little sloppy" is an understatement. Jim Valvano once said "survive and advance" and that does apply to this tournament. But, having said that, if the Vols don't play better than what they showed today (especially that pitiful display of boxing out and rebounding), they will be done as of Sunday night.

Seems we've been playing up and down to our competition lately. Here's hoping they're up Sunday because Butler can play.

Posted by SFOrange on March 21, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So, whats "wrong" with UT?

After a 33pt win over SC to end the regular season--5 days later UT needed a last second shot to beat the same team, then looses to a inferior Arkansas the next night...and now a struggle with American.

Unless there's a 360 on Saturday--Vols will get smoked on Sunday.

Posted by General_Watermelon on March 21, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Simple case of peaking too early. This is team is done against Butler. At no time in this game, nor during the SEC Tourney, or any game since Memphis has this team looked good enough to play with Butler. It's over folks.

Posted by thesavageorange on March 21, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolJunkie ,Very good post!And not just b/c you agreed w/ me.lol

You can kind of tell somethings a little amiss by listening to BP.(doesn't have his normal ,upbeat,funny swagger)Somebody other than JS or CL has to start hitting from the arc.The last month teams have face guarded CL and chased him all over the place.

One thing I know is,I wouldn't want anyone but BP leading these young men into battle.GO VOLS!!!

Posted by thesavageorange on March 21, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Easy Fritter easy.It isn't football season just yet.

Posted by General_Watermelon on March 21, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Out rebounded by American U and they have a small lineup. Its called lack of effort and flat out getting out hustled. They won't last long playing this way.

Posted by hmhawk on March 21, 2008 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey general where ya been all day?

Posted by perryp1 on March 21, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, a win is a win. But the Vols need to get back in sync and quit making silly mistakes. Missed foul shots and silly passes and lobs can get you beat. Let's get going for Sunday.

Go Vols!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by VolJunkie on March 21, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UConn out, Duke sneaks past Belmont, does it get any easier for UCLA? There's a conspiracy afoot!

Posted by LargeOrange on March 21, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hmhawk at 5:06 p.m. "As largeorange said basically it was nerve wracking game.Large O-go to fridge and get that mason jar of ET's finest."
Hawk, I hope you had a good ride, we finished ok and won, but have to step it up to get by Butler on Sunday. I appreciate the suggestion about the ET Jar, but that is hard to come by in Atlanta, LOL, have to settle for some smooth JD and Coke Zero while I watch the first half that I missed earlier, on the PC on March Madness on demand. I am at halftime now, and we don't look too good, glad I know we wore them down and finished on top. Man up BBVols and CBP get their heads screwed on right, because it is not going to get any easier on Sunday and beyond. GO VOLS!

Posted by hmhawk on March 21, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Largeorange.Ride was short,just still too chilly.But you will never hear a 10ec boy complain about Jack if no home brew available.Let's keep our fingers crossed and say our prayers for Sunday.Go Big Orange!!!!!!!

Posted by romevol on March 21, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's not even discuss the coaching. It was as good as it has been all season. The bottom line is that towards the end of the season, Lofton and others have not contributed as much. The good news is that this is a team sport and there are others who have shown up to take up some slack. However, I agree with others in saying that intensity will have to be much higher if they expect to go much further.

Posted by General_Watermelon on March 21, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

thesavageorange - I'm pumped about football because we have Fulmer as the leader of our young men.

I'm not down on Pearl. I love the big guy. I'm just disappointed with the poor play. We just peaked too early.

Posted by dopedawg on March 21, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Things to think about:
**our guys are probably tired
**we just came from off time, seems like we are slow to start after being off
**have we ever been good at rebounding? not really
**we still wore down American to win, and a win is a win. Dont have to worry about polls anymore.
Take em' one at a time. I have faith. GO VOLS!!

Posted by firefulmer on March 21, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The Vols are still worried about their #2 seeding and got manhandled by a smaller American team. Butler is not concerned about their seeding. Butler is much, much, much better than American. Butler will come to play and beat the Vols.

Posted by THE_VOL on March 21, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All right all you bandwagon jumping, front running morons - WHY ALL THE SURPRISE AND DISCONTENT WITH WHAT YOU SAW TODAY????? I've only been telling you ALL WEEK that this team was having serious issues. And actually it wasn't all that bad - I mean it was a 15 point WIN wasn't it????? Yeah we got outhustled and out rebounded but AU made a number of pretty tough shots to stay around awhile too. WOULD YOU RATHER BE UCONN????? ANYBODY that knows ANYTHING about this team, knows it has a real tendency to play to the competition so coupled with a few headcases going around we got what we got today. Not a big deal.

As for the "coaching decision" - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Okay, if that's what they wanna call it so be it. I guess technically one could say it IS a "coaching decision" since the coach actually makes the decision on suspensions so we'll play along. It's probably the right thing to call it anyway since that way tends to protect the players a bit by not putting the gory details in the street for people that don't need to know. Anyway, that's behind us for now I guess but...

for all you Howell haters - and that's been a growing list - you may not have him to kick around much the rest of the way. Sounds to me like he'll be VERY LUCKY to get any minutes the rest of the way after what occured today.

Anyway, gonna go catch some of the evening action in case we actually get to play one these teams later on. REMEMBER VOL FANS IT'S TIME TO GET OFF YOUR ASS AND ON YOUR FEET AND PRAY TO GOD WE DON"T GET BEAT!!! Oh, and I really don't care if you politically correct bible beatin wannabe's like my cheer or not!! GO VOLS!!!!

Posted by nivatne on March 21, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is the NCAA tourney. We got American's best effort. That Carr kid was throwing up 3's from Mobile and hitting them. In the Big Dance, it's not how you win, but that you won. Period. End of story. No one will care that Duke almost lost to Belmont if they end up winning it all (and I pry to God they don't, but using this as an example). Think UConn wishes they could have won ugly? How a/b Drake? Oh, and as I am writing this, the mighty 'Dores of Vandy are getting handled by Sienna by 15. In the tourney, all that matters is that you win, and that's all anyone should care a/b.

Posted by THE_VOL on March 21, 2008 at 7:52 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by creepykev on March 21, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who gave the team valiums before the game?

Posted by nivatne on March 21, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey gatornation, the national champs won't be 2 and done b/c YALL DIDN'T MAKE THE TOURNEY YOU DILLWEED!!! Have fun in the NIT...I know that really has to have recruits flocking to yall's campus.

Posted by volfan4evr on March 21, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That was pretty ugly ...but not many teams in the tourney that relies so much on threes ..can overcome such a bad shooting game,after the other team hits so many threes and out rebounds them so much ...hustle and heart can go a long way ..and we have more of that than anyone...Go vols keep hustling

Posted by murrayvol on March 21, 2008 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For anyone who doesn't think the SEC was down this year, let's review:

Kentucky: Gone
Georgia: Gone
Vandy: Going
Miss St.: Going
Arky: Yet to be determined
The Vols: We'll know on Sunday but right
now we ain't lookin' so good.

Let's find that game boys!

Posted by LargeOrange on March 21, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vandy down by 10 in the second half!

Posted by eduardo on March 21, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We need a heavy dose of toughness before Sunday against Butler! Better dig deep because we are going to need it! Don't like this matchup at all! Better get your mind right guys!

Posted by bricker865 on March 21, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation...good luck in the NIT. Let us know how it goes.

Posted by Plasticman on March 21, 2008 at 10:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's called March Madness for a reason. You can get beat in any game, regardless of your seed. Just ask UConn, Vandy, Drake and almost Duke. Survive and advance is the name of the game. With all that said, we will need to play MUCH better to defeat a Top 10 Butler team Sunday. They should be a 4 or 5 seed instead of a 7. You know they are licking their chops! GO VOLS.

Posted by redneckerson on March 21, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ok, thevol, let me see if I've got this right - you're on the need-to-know list and CBP isn't ('cause he doesn't seem to know what you're talking about)???

Posted by rbatten9 on March 21, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I predict Florida will go 6-6 next year.

Posted by mparker on March 21, 2008 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SEC went 3-3...

all in all, not so bad. Vandy laid an egg, but they really got hammered. Felt bad for UGA, they might have won with a bit of better luck.

Posted by anthony on March 22, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We are just warming up, just how bad do you boys want to beat Butler?? What's it worth to you. Let's do it!

Posted by overatedvols on March 22, 2008 at 1:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pathetic showing today and you guys still think you should have been a 1 seed. You have not looked very good for many games now. Everybody and I do mean everybody almost beats you. You lost to Ark. and should have lost to S.Carolina and not to mention the Vandy loss and you think No. 1? Kansas beat a super tough Texas team. They should be 1, not you. SEC teams dropping like flies and you made fun of the C-USA. This tourney shows the real teams from the pretenders. 50% of all sec teams already gone and 2 of 3 or even 3 of 3 gone by weekends end. Tenn. has been exposed as a pretender..an overachiever. Teams that beat you lately have been beaten in game one. Even Gonzaga is out. How many teams that you beat in your regular season still survive in the tournament.. Memphis, West Virgina..what two? This team was never great. You were beating up on weak SEC teams. Your win against Mem. is the only bragging accmoplishment you had this year and I can tell you memphis beat themselves. They didn't show up. They had been heading for a loss for 3 weeks. We coudl see it was going to happen cause they were getting worse and worse. It finally did but we recovered nicely. You basically beat a 1 man team that night.Rose.. and we still almost beat you. No matter.. That's your only accomplishment. You will probably lose a disappointing and embarrasing lose to Butler...non bcs..conf-usa type team. IF you manage to win .. you'll go out against Louisville in the final 16.. which is typing your best for your basketball progam. You talked big after the Memphis game..but.. never backed it up. Ha.. Smith puts 1 seed on his socks..and almost loses to a 15 seed.

Posted by overatedvols on March 22, 2008 at 1:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anybody see Pitt. They looked very impressive. Some say they will win it all. Wow..Texas.. just killed their team (including the vols earlier in the season). UCLA.wow.. slaughtered their team.
Guess what.. these are the teams in Memphis's path. They will all lose. Watch how good they are. Watch what happens when they play Memphis.
Memphis = 2008 NCAA Champs.

Posted by General_Watermelon on March 22, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No way will Memphis get past Pitt and Texas. I'll be laughing at you when you go down.

As for the Vols, I will admit Butler will win. Tennessee was playing extremely good ball in Jan and especially Feb. They peaked and have not been the same since. Guard play is killing them and you cannot win in the NCAA without great guard play.

Posted by redneckerson on March 22, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GeneralFritter, all I ask is that you come back and admit you were wrong when CBP hits the right buttons and the Big Orange puts together an impressive performance against the butlers.

Posted by johnlg00 on March 22, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, Candybilt really showed up big for the SEC, didn't they? How many did the SEC Player of the Year get? Way to go, Miss. St. and Arky! Butler looked scary good--better hope they don't hit the threes against us like they did against S. Ala. Thank goodness for NCAA MMOD. Don't know why the Vols aren't playing better, but if they don't show up big Sunday Butler will kill us--they look WAY better than a #7 seed to me. BTW, some on this board say they don't understand why we can't play the up-tempo game we like in the tournament. It is a basic axiom of basketball that a team with good ball-handling can nearly ALWAYS slow down a faster team unless there is HUGE disparity in overall talent. In the NCAA tourney, MOST teams have at least pretty good ball-handling or they wouldn't be there. History shows that most of the teams who advance far in the tourney tend to be the most methodical and efficient in the half-court offense and sound in half-court defense, with good rebounding and free-throw shooting. It is precisely the fact that we are not consistently that good in those categories that has made me grateful for the team's success while harboring grave doubts about our ability to advance far in the NCAAs. The Vols are going to have to dig deep in terms of effort and play a WHOLE lot smarter, or they and we are going to be very disappointed Sunday night. Get it together, guys! Bring the fire on Sunday! GO VOLS!!!

Posted by VOLSRGRT on March 22, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have just one word for the team.....REBOUND!REBOUND!REBOUND!REBOUND!REBOUND!REBOUND!REBOUND!

Posted by samjrr on March 22, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Go Vols! Beat Butler!