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Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl gives instructions during a timeout against Butler during Sunday's game in Birmingham, Ala.
Tennessee Men's Basketball
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It's showtime!
Tennessee and Louisville fans following the NCAA tournament can look forward to a double-dose of entertainment this week.
The coaching matchup between ringleaders Bruce Pearl and Rick Pitino could prove to be just as compelling as Thursday's Sweet 16 game between the East Region's second-seeded Vols (31-4) and third-seeded Cardinals (26-8).
Pearl won't be bare-chested or wearing an orange sports coat when the teams tip off at 10 p.m. (TV: WVLT) in Charlotte, N.C., nor will Pitino sport the white suit he wore during the first half of his team's Valentine's Day game this season.
But in Pitino and Pearl, college basketball fans can find two of the most animated, passionate coaches in the business. The pair has 38 years of collegiate head coaching experience between them, 914 wins, two national titles and two national runner-up finishes, albeit, Pearl's were at Division II Southern Indiana while Pitino's were at Kentucky.
These coaches don't just win, they do it with flair, from their side-court dress and post-game comments, to the electrifying uptempo style their teams have ridden to wild success.
"What I've liked about what (Pearl) has done, not only is he winning, but he's made it fun for the fans, fun for the program and fun for the players,'' Pitino said. "It's about building an enthusiasm for the program and he's done that. The players like playing that style; there's a lot of energy around the Tennessee program.''
Likewise at Louisville, where by taking the Cardinals to the Final Four in 2005, Pitino became the first coach in history to take three different schools to the Final Four (Providence and Kentucky being the other two).
"I remember when I was at (Wisconsin-Milwaukee) we went to Louisville and played in their (Jim Thorpe) classic,'' Pearl said. "We were down 22 to Virginia Tech and won that game ... then I remember getting it handed to us by Louisville (90-75, Dec. 7, 2001) the next night.
"So I've gone up against coach Pitino, and it was a complete mismatch the last time.''
Pearl's respect for Pitino, however, goes back considerably further, back to the days he was serving as a student assistant to Dr. Tom Davis at Boston College while Pitino was at his first head coaching job at Boston University.
"I grew up admiring him literally,'' Pearl said. "He was there in Boston at a time when Tom Davis was coaching Boston College and Jim Calhoun was coaching Northeastern,'' Pearl said. "They watched each other, and they competed against each other, and they annoyed each other. But they all developed a system of uptempo basketball and pressure defense.
"They carried the torch that John Wooden and Jack Ramsey had established with pressure defense, and they took it to other levels.''
Pitino said that while there are similarities between his style and Pearl's, there are also differences.
"We're the same in the outcome we want, but different in how we execute,'' Pitino said. "We (both) want to force turnovers, we want to create deflections, we want to get easy baskets and, offensively, we want to share the basketball.
"But it's a different system.''
As for the similarities in their side-court antics and animation, Pearl said he doesn't think neither he nor Pitino has a game plan.
"I don't know coach Pitino that well, but I guarantee you what you see is what you get,'' Pearl said, "he's a coach that's passionate, he's animated, he's intense. … If it looks like it's a show, so be it.
"You can't try to be something else. I'm not gonna try to be calm, cool and collected; that's just not who I am.''
The guy with the shirt off at the Lady Vols game last year is who he is, and unlike some other coaches, Pitino was a fan of Pearl's antic.
"I liked it a lot - especially when someone doesn't have the greatest body in the world, it shows he doesn't take himself to serious,'' Pitino said. "I thought it was great and added fun to the game. I love things like that, because this is about fun. He's great for college basketball.''
As for Pitino's all-white Valentine's Day attire, Pitino replied, "at least I kept my clothes on.''
Pearl chuckled at the Pitino's playful ribbing.
"He out-coached me the last time, he always out-dresses me, out-dresses everybody,'' Pearl said. "I'm trying to learn. I'm good, he's the best.''
Lofton In Walking Boot: Pearl said senior guard Chris Lofton was in a protective walking boot Monday. The injury occurred during Sunday's overtime victory against Butler in Birmingham, Ala.
"Chris tweaked his ankle in the first half," Pearl said. "He will be evaluated the next couple of days, but we anticipate he will play Thursday."
Notebook: The Vols lifted weights and watched film Monday but did not practice. UT will return to the practice court today before leaving for Charlotte at 6 p.m. ... There will be a send-off gathering in the Pratt Practice Pavilion parking lot prior to the team's departure, and fans are invited to attend.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 177
VolCane7979 writes:
Barring a high ankle sprain, C-Lo's gotta go against Lewis-ville. Take 'em down guys.
kdaff51 writes:
Time to break out the Orange Blazer there Bruce!
jasvol writes:
kdaff51: I think the Orange blazer only comes out when we get to the Final Four. I'm with you though, he needs to do a Kris-Kross or something. How about Orange Shirt with a white jacket and tie... not sure about the pant color.
I got it, he needs a small checkerboard jacket (small print obviously). Heck, who am I to give color combo's, I'm color blind and I'm showing it with my selections.
orangeblood writes:
the louisville message boards are buzzing fellas. I have always been under the impression that if ANY team tries to run with us they get beat. Louisville fans thinks the same for their squad. I won't change my thought for louisville. I believe we are better, stronger, faster, and more talented. Come on chris! Stick it to the OTHER team that denied you!
utchris writes:
Could be a high octane game. First Team to a hundred wins
utchris writes:
Wow, check this out. Looks like a mirror matchup
http://www.sportsline.com/collegebask...
bluetick writes:
Colonel Bruce said today on TV that he only likes to break out the orange blazer for the Kentucky game, and he would for sure wear his orange blazer if Coach Pitino wore the all white again. Then he said...being that he only wore it for the Kentucky game and this isn't Kentucky, who else would want Tennessee to beat Louisville besides Tennessee ? Kentucky. We'll see if he has it on or not. He said it might be about time he put it on.
Razzle writes:
Looks like Louisville is an early 2.5 points favorite. How many times have we been the dog this year?
martinvolfan writes:
come on vols as CBP would say, "stick it up their noses!"
stevefrommemphis writes:
Attention: VOL FANS HEADED TO CHARLOTTE WITHOUT TICKETS... Last week when I attended the Saturday session of the ACC Tournament, the Charlotte Arena scanned the bar code, but did not tear, tickets. Fans told me that on Friday night after the first game, fans leaving the first game were reselling or giving away already scanned tickets on the street for the second Friday night game. Those tickets were not honored, because they had already been scanned. Since Tennessee is playing the second game Thursday night, the same situation may surface for UT fans. Be careful!
anthony writes:
Dear Stevefrom memphis, i'd love to be there, but must win the lottery Wednesday night to do it. Thanks and hope to see you in Charlotte. If you want to beat Louisville don't make fun of anybody, and put pressure on the big red! They have to lace 'em up just like we do.
alfrizzle097 writes:
Pitino is the guy that I grew up liking at Kentucky. His style of basketball is what made me hate Buzz Peterson (that and losing).
When we hired Pearl, Pitino was the first guy that came to mind to compare him with. I dunno, Pitino may have the coaching edge on this one. Pearl has done a great job, but no coach in the SEC except Pearl even holds a candle to Pitino.
GreerVol22 writes:
I dont care if you wear a wonder bra Bruce and pumps, just win!
kceltic#232917 writes:
I'll take any win we can get in this game,but would love to really take Pitino down.I haven't forgot all the blowouts he gave us while at Ky.Especially that SEC tournament game when we lost by 60.Also,as you probably guessed by my username,I like the Celtics and he almost ruined them,so "sic 'em" vols and get a little payback.
murrayvol writes:
kceltic: You should be enjoying the NBA season for the first time in a very long time.
Madkels writes:
This game will be similar to the game in Memphis. This will be one we will remember for a long time. Vols win by two!
ThurmondEppy writes:
StevefromMemphis- Did anybody stand up in front of you at the game??
kceltic#232917 writes:
Murrayvol:It is good to be a Celtic fan again,but my first love are the Vols.Really dislike Pitino and would love to pour it on Thursday night.Go Vols!!
Gigavol writes:
Pitino is a liar and a cheater.
Tennessee fans that root for Vol football and Kentucky basketball are the worst, especially the "we" guys.
VolJunkie writes:
GreerVol22 -
I could have gone all day without that mental image! ;)
Go VOLS!!!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Here's the deal:
everyone is thinking run and gun. okay, yes, there will be that when available. HOWEVER, it comes down to who can run the best half-court sets.
We've been in a lot of grind-it-down games lately, so the men know how to play that style pretty well. With UL packing the zone, we won't be able to shoot 3's all day (unless we are on one helluva streak, which has not happened lately).
I'm really looking for another tough game, one that will be decided by ref's calls and no-calls.
beachvol1 writes:
This one could be in the 90's when all said and done...hopefully in the Vols favor..got to defend better and cut down on turnovers to win this one...
VolBall writes:
The key stat that will dictate the outcome of this game is REBOUNDS. We have to really get after it on the boards. Louisville is long and athletic and thrives on put back baskets. Look for Williams to play a bunch although he has struggled somewhat against quick post players this year.
The attack employed in the win against Memphis is exactly the formula for success against Louisville. Lets go Vols! Go get 'em!
By the way, I do believe Prince will start again at point. Louisville likes to press, so Prince will really be tested at point. But, Prince brings size that we need badly in the backcourt to challenge the three ball.
volusherG writes:
Coach Bruce Pearl stated that he would only wear the Orange Blazer against Vandy and Kentucky in Honor of Coach Ray Mears!
If he had taken Tennessee that far I believe that Coach Mears would have wore it again only in the National Championship game!
To honor the man who gave us "BIG ORANGE COUNTRY",
only wear it then Bruce!
GO VOLS ! ! !
VolJunkie writes:
chkrbrd -
IMHO, JP gets the start. The team was off to a great start against Butler, he has the athleticism in a "run and gun" game. He may not be the best point guard but he contributes way too much, especially defense and rebounding, to not get playing time. Ramar will also get time at the point, I think the fact that he was "fresh" in the Butler OT made a lot of difference.
Ashley -
Doesn't matter. Vols fans know and appreciate how successful this season already is. 31 wins ... wow! The way you gain respect, just keep winning.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Go VOLS!!!
VolBall writes:
"Respect" is overrated. Tennessee has been off the radar so long in men's basketball so true respect will only come with time. Bruce has everyone's attention and has his peers in SEC grimacing. The season we have had is tremendous. 31 wins and counting. We cherish the underdog role, we feed off it. I don't want respect until we take the championship.
volusherG writes:
Well said VolBall ! ! !
GO VOLS ! ! !
10eceeVol4ever writes:
Respect will come our way if we earn it. Respect ain't never won a game for anybody. Vol's just go out and beat whoever you have to play and everything else will fall into place.
GreeneVol writes:
Quote from VolBall: The key stat that will dictate the outcome of this game is REBOUNDS.
That is a real good point. How can Vol fans expect to out-rebound Louisville when both American and Butler had the edge on the glass against us? Though we won both games, we won't fair as well against more talented competition going forward.
PHIL writes:
NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THIS GAME, PEARL HAS DONE WHAT NO OTHER ONE COULD DO.....MAKE ME WANT TO WATCH A BASKETBALL GAME! WE BETTER PAY HIM!!! IF WE DONT NO ONE SHOULD BLAME HIM IF HE LEAVES.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Thanks for the link, utchris. Wow, you could cover both of these teams with a dime, statistically. IMHO, it will come down to which team executes better in the last few minutes. I would be astonished if either team runs away with it early. If anyone does, I hope, oddly enough, that it is Louisville. We tend to get stagnant with leads, but we stay relentless and focused when playing from behind. This could be the most intense, fast-paced, entertaining game of the entire tourney so far! BTW, Louisville's pressure notwithstanding, I think JP could be even better in this game than he was in the Butler game. An up-tempo game with lots of open-court situations and lots of possessions not only fits his speed and athleticism better than does a more deliberate pace, it doesn't require him to think so much as to react and makes each possession less critical if he does make a mistake. That said, I would prefer to see Ramar in there in the last few minutes if, as I expect, the game is still close. GO VOLS!!! PLUCK THE BIRDS!!! ON TO SAN ANTONIO!!!
VolJunkie writes:
johnlg00 -
Good post, I have been touting JP as well, especially in a running game. Ramar will be fresh at the end, just like the Butler game.
GreeneVol -
I agree rebounding will be key, not to split hairs, UT outrebounded Butler 43-34.
Go VOLS!!!
VolJunkie writes:
Another example of how classy CBP is, this is in response to the traveling call at the end of the 2nd half of the Butler game:
"Rather than throw Prince under the bus, who was making his first career start at point guard—a position he hasn't played fulltime all year—Pearl put the blame on himself in an effort to calm his team before overtime.
"I told them to bail me out because I didn't close it out the right way offensively. Whether I believed it or not I wanted to give them something to rally around. I didn't want them blaming themselves, I wanted them to put the blame on me and bail me out," Pearl said of his approach after the end of regulation."
That's the kind of coach I want my kids to play for.
Go VOLS!!!
DooleyNoted writes:
Go Vols!!!!!!
tlc429#392720 writes:
Not to look past any foe, but wouldn't it be nice if the championship game was a rematch between us and Memphis? I can almost taste victory. Ladies, put to Purdue tonight. GO BIG ORANGE!!!
THE_VOL writes:
Prediction - this game will not be a high scoring shootout. Both teams in the 70's tops IMO. Too much intensity, physicality and focus on defense from both sides. Louisville has only scored 80+ ten times all year and several of those were in paycheck games. Much like the Memphis game IMO.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
the_vol:
that is my thinking, as well. Chris doesn't have that 'touch' he had last year, and if Jajuan is playing D on someone, he gets tired.
Childress doesn't play, and Howell can't shoot, so we have no real, dedicated 3-pt guy. So, we gotta pound it inside, draw fouls, and play defense.
You know, just thinking about it...Bruce would be well ahead to pick up some sharpshooters. I'm talking about the kids who you know are just there to pop 3's on you. I think Childress gave him some of that, but Howell never really has. The kind of kid I'm thinking of wouldn't be a starter, bh'd be a desingated shooter. Mayve even a couple of them.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I see what you're saying, THE_VOL. Both teams will likely be so tough on defense that the shooting percentages will go in the dumper. I still think the game will be fast-paced, at least until the last few minutes, but it could be a ragged game in which neither team shoots over 40%. In that case, it will be not so much a matter of which team's game plan prevails as a matter of which team functions better in the midst of chaos. I still like our chances. GO VOLS!!! PLUCK THE BIRDS!!! ON TO SAN ANTONIO!!!
thesavageorange writes:
overatedvols, are you there?Hello?Aren't you gonna rub it in about us getting killed by Butler?Hello?
If ,for some reason,BP couldn't coach another game at UT, there are only a few coaches out there that would make me say we are going to be fine.Roy Williams,Mike Krzezewski, and Rick Pitino.After the game I wonder if BP & RP will shake hands, or high five and chest bump.In my "very humble" opinion, these are the 2 best coaches in college basketball.
Prediction:UT 73 UL 69
utchris writes:
Good point The_Vol ... ala the game versus Memphis. Should be a similar match-up to that game.
maparker - chris may not have had quite the touch he had last year, but he has shown it at times this year. Maybe he gets a few early buckets, and catches fire. Or he just continues to do what it is he does and hits the shot that matters most.
Great article posted below. I imagine most Vol fans could relate to at least some part of this story.
http://www.sportsline.com/spin/story/...
oveRRatedvols writes:
here i am ... i never have anything interesting to say ... blah, blah, blah, blah,
more contradictions, blah, blah, blah
i like to wear a dress when i watch the memphis tigers play ... it makes we feel tingly all over
blah, blah, blah
overatedvols writes:
Vols vs Cardinals.
Win this game and you get respect. There
is no doubt Louisville is good. They are Memphis's former rival and we used to beat up on each other all the time so I know they are for real. You beat them and you have respect. It's been hard to show any respect for a team that came from a weak SEC. Most of the wins were against SEC teams that weren't good. You lost to Vandy and you closed out the regular season almost losing every game you played. You went into the SEC tournament and almost/should have been beat by a horrible team and then you got killed by Ark. Arkansas turns around and gets masacared by NC making you look all the worse.
You go into the big dance with a chip on your should and nearly fall to American and had to go to overtime against Butler. Not two big name schools. You have not won a game decidedly in over a month. Now, you finally face a real team. What will you do? How will you handle a real team. I'm curious. My thinking is a loss by 15 or so. Try to win. Memphis is waiting.
We will be playing Michigan state, a regular in the sweet 16, 8, 4 and even won a championship not long ago. No doubt a good team and all their fans and newspapers say they will win easily. Of course...they won't. They will go home just as all the SEC teams have been doing. After Sunday, no more sec's out of how many.. 5? Tenn. will have managed to beat mightly American and Butler and lose against the first real competetion and finish in the sweet 16. Their norm.
Make sure you watch us in San Antonio.
You're going down in your next game. If you win. I'll actually repect you but have found no reason to yet.
overatedvols writes:
Memphis knocks out SEC team.
CDR of Memphis one of 4 finalist for Naismith award. Other finalist are Beasley - Kansas State,
Love - UCLA, Hansbrough - NC.
Go Tiges!!
thesavageorange writes:
Here is a couple of things Bruce said that keeps me optimistic.
BP:
"We turned the ball over too much. We rushed a little too much. I hope we learn from those turnovers and some mistakes. There's some learning that still needs to take place," Pearl said. "But to be able to do this without JaJuan and Chris putting up huge numbers tonight speaks to what this team is capable of."
BP on Mike & Mike:
"We are stupid enough to give up the lead ,but dangerous enough to get it back.
TnKyFlAlGaScLaAkMi writes:
If we score 80 we will probably win, but I like the 'halfcourt' idea. American is 63rd in slowdown games for tourney teams, Butler is 64th. We are well prepared for that, and Louisville will not be. Plus, Washington State is 65th! So if they upset UNC, we will already have 3 games experience for them, and we will be fresher to run if UNC wins. All good points. And Ramar does do better coming in with fresh legs when the other team is tired. So play JP most of the game, and use Ramar when its crunch time.
thesavageorange writes:
Posted by overatedvols on March 25, 2008 at 12:48 p.m
It's been hard to show any respect for a team that came from a weak SEC.
Uhh,what conference does Memphis play in again?
Most of the wins were against SEC teams that weren't good. You lost to Vandy and you closed out the regular season almost losing every game you played. You went into the SEC tournament and almost/should have been beat by a horrible team and then you got killed by Ark. Arkansas turns around and gets masacared by NC making you look all the worse.
And Tenessee beat Memphis on you're floor ,so that makes the Tigers look terrible!
Sunday, no more sec's out of how many.. 5?
C-USA in the tournament...1.After Sunday ...0
If you win. I'll actually repect you but have found no reason to yet.
I'll give you 2 good reasons!2006-2007 UT 76 UM 58!
2007-2008 UT 66 UM 62!
thesavageorange writes:
your floor not you're.Ohh well, we didn't want you to repect us anyway.lol
thesavageorange writes:
marc_ash ,Izzo will make UM win it from the line.Uhh ohh!
I would love to hear some of the stuff BP says during practice.Uncle Bruce is the best.
VolJunkie writes:
savage -
nice post ... love the M&M quote.
Go VOLS!!!
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
I posted this on another thread, but here is I how I see us beating Louisville from the offensive side...
we handled the zone exceptionally well in the 2nd half at Alabama. We fed Tyler in the middle of the zone and he made decisions. If Alabama collapsed on him, he hit C-Lo and JaJuan for open 3s (which they made consistently) and when the wings stayed at home, Tyler went one on one to the basket. We torched Alabama in the 2nd half with this.
Take this same game plan to Louisville! Make them get out of that zone and then let Ramar, JP and Tyler drive the ball at their bigs and get them in foul trouble.
Look for Ramar to play a lot more point against the press.
Go Vols!!!!
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