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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Big, burly, long and athletic, Louisville cast a daunting appearance in Bobcats Arena on Wednesday.
The Cardinals coach, Rick Pitino, sports a 7-0 record in NCAA tournament Sweet 16 games and a 13-game win streak over Tennessee.
It's easy to understand how tonight's 9:57 East Region game (TV: WVLT) against the third-seeded Cardinals (26-8) could be intimidating for the second-seeded Vols (31-4).
The UT players, however, showed no signs of trepidation.
Instead, playing a traditional power and wearing the underdog cap for only the second time this season has added a sort of electricity to the UT locker room not seen since the days leading up to the Vols' win over then-No. 1 Memphis just over a month ago.
"This is just what we need right now," UT senior JaJuan Smith said. "It just brings so much energy. We know we can lock up anybody on defense, and this is the time to show it."
Vols' coach Bruce Pearl couldn't agree more.
"I don't think we've played our best game yet . . . for this Tennessee team to advance, we're going to have to," Pearl said. "The stakes are even higher (than the Memphis game); that was an opportunity to be ranked No. 1, this is an opportunity to finish No. 1."
It's also an opportunity for the Vols to make history as the first UT men's basketball team to advance to the Elite 8.
"This is what we've all dreamed about since we were little kids," Smith said. "We're going to try to make the most of it."
Even if that means staring down the vaunted Louisville players and their hall of fame coach.
"We're not scared of anybody," UT sophomore J.P. Prince said. "I know Coach Pearl isn't scared of anybody. We've played the toughest schedule in the country and we've seen every style."
So bring on the vaunted Louisville press, Prince said, even if he is only making his second start at point guard.
"I'll be able to handle the pressure fine," Prince said. "I'd rather be pressed than to have to deal with a half-court defense, because against the press, I can see over the defenders to make the long passes. I have the whole court to work with and some of the best shooters in the country on my side."
Vols sophomore center Wayne Chism, who's matching up against 6-foot-11 David Padgett, a first team All-Big East selection and Louisville's senior captain, said he's not about to get big-timed by anyone.
"Even though I'm from a small town, I'm not going to let someone come in and bogart (back down) me," Chism said. "Coach told us they are tough, but they got to show the toughness on the court. I want to see it. I'm ready to play hard."
Pearl said it's pivotal Chism does just that.
"He (Padgett) is sort of the glue out there to a lot of what they do offensively, and then he gives them a great physical presence," Pearl said. "Wayne Chism is very underrated, and he could outplay Padgett. He needs to outplay Padgett for us to have a chance to win."
UT freshman Brian Williams said he's itching for minutes against the talented Cardinals when Chism needs a rest.
"Coach (Pearl) said Louisville wins every game by out-toughing their opponents," Williams, 6-10, 260, said. "But in New York, where I'm from, they feed on the weak. I've seen (intimidation) every day of my life."
Even Vols' senior All-American Chris Lofton has cause to feel a special challenge.
Lofton admitted Wednesday that, at one time, he regretted not committing to Louisville when he had a chance as a sophomore in high school and held it against the Cardinals that they pulled their scholarship offer.
"When we played (Louisville) my freshman year, it meant a lot for trying to get back at them for not recruiting me so hard," Lofton said. "But it's all over now; it's four years later and we're trying to go to the Elite Eight."
Sophomore Duke Crews rolled his eyes when asked if there was an intimidation factor.
"You don't even need to ask me that, because you know what I'm going to say," Crews said. "We're not intimidated by anybody.
"Look, this season is about making history, and we haven't done that yet. We want to be the first team at the University of Tennessee to make it to the Elite Eight, and it doesn't matter to us who we're playing."
More Lofton: Lofton, who suffered an injured left foot in the Vols' win over Butler on Sunday, went through the Vols' 50-minute public practice session at Bobcats Arena without showing any favoritism to the foot.
"I could have played (Tuesday), coach just wanted me to rest," said Lofton, who was in a protective walking-boot and received electronic-stimulus treatment during Tuesday's practice. "I don't remember what happened to it. I just remember coming in at halftime and it hurting."
No Run: Pearl said the Vols plan to pick and choose when they play uptempo with Louisville.
"I don't want a track meet because I think we've got no chance to win a track meet," said Pearl, who also declined a 40-minute uptempo game against Memphis. "But I think we're going to run some, and then when there are times we need to be patient, we will be patient."
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Comments » 319
utfpmd writes:
I'm stoked! Go Vols!!!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
In the head game that's so important prepping for this game, I like our chances. This will be an extraordinary coaching chess match. I like our chances there too.
If the players do what their coach asks of them, we will win this game.
iowavol writes:
This is a great team attitude. Can't wait for the game tomorrow night. And the best part, Adams article doesn't have a single comment. Love it, love this team. Adams sucks.
volchamp writes:
I love the attitudes of our guys.
I love that they keep saying that they are not intimidated by a very good Louisville team. This will be a better game than Memphis (which I think will be beat by MSU)
Cant wait for this one fellas
GO VOLS
rabidvol1998 writes:
TV folks gotta love this. Should be the best Sw16 game.
Play defense, rebound and we're right in it. Have an above average shooting night, Louisville won't know what hit'em.
Go Vols.
SFOrange writes:
Popular wisdoms say's streaking Louisville over struggling Vols.
Play the game: UT 82 Louisville 76
rabidvol1998 writes:
Just for fun, here's how one of our former coaches defines integrity;
O'Neill said. "To me, if you have a commitment and things work out then you should definitely honor them. I don't think it will be a problem at all."
So, if "things work out" you keep your commitment, otherwise you go to Northwestern.
orangeblood writes:
whew, im thinking of skipping all my classes tomorrow in preparation...woo hoo!!!
trl_x writes:
I think the Vols have a lot of intangibles in this game. Underdog, the Lofton angle, manhood check…
Tennessee hasn’t been playing well so I think we’re due. I actually feel better about this game than I did Butler.
Of course, we won that game…
VolJunkie writes:
This is the kind of focus and intesity we have been waiting to see from this team. A win against UL and this program continues to make history; this team seems intent on doing just that.
I posted this yesterday ... Thursday night UT will be hitting on all cylinders and run UL out of the gym. UT wins by double digits, does not matter who they play next on the way to San Antonio.
Go VOLS!!!
VolJunkie writes:
orangeblood -
me too ... and I graduated in 1979! ;)
Go VOLS!!!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/laq'
Vol fnas!~!!!!:
STFU and PAY ATTENTION!!!
Look at the link above, and see how UL has played. Look at to whom they have lost.
Now, look at the last 2 games, Boise State and Oklahoma: both are TRASH!!!!
Get it?? The Cards are a PAPER TEAM so far in this tournament.
Look I believe in respecting your opponent. What I don't like is everyone and his brother saying UT is a lost frigging sheep going to play the big bad wolf. Hell, look at this article "big, burly, long, athletic".
BullshLt?? How about talking about how Wayne kicked Dorsey and Doziers butts, are played man up against the Miss State bigs?? Or, maybe a lnot about the defensive job UT just did on a very good Butler team?? Butler would slaughter Oklahoma and Boise State put together.
Your job, and mine as fans, is to know and understand thas, and be postive. Maybe it doesn't matter, but I think any Vol fan who knows or runs into a Vol player should say this, but with the appropriate quiet tone:
"hey, know what?? you guys match up great with the Cards, I think you are going to kick their butts!"
LargeOrange writes:
I can't wait and I like our chances more than I did against Butler. I have already told my boss I am off on Friday and plan to enjoy celebrating a history making victory on Thursday night/Friday early morning. Go BBVols! History is in your grasp and you will remember tomorrow for the rest of your lives!
LargeOrange writes:
mparker - Shhhh don't tell Vegas, I like the +3 points, LOL. trl_x - sorry I kind of duplicated your post, I didn't see it before I posted, but obviously I agree about Butler. Go BBVOLS!
UTByrd writes:
Is it me or is it taking forever for Thursday night to get here. Tomorrow is going to be one of those days when I can't keep my mind on anything. I think I'll come down with anal glaucoma---I just can't see my a$$ going to work tomorrow.
Go Vols!!!!!
Vol_from_birth writes:
well according to my computer, its officially GAME DAY.
GO VOLS
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
"....wearing the underdog cap for only the second time this season has added a sort of electricity to the UT locker room not seen since the days leading up to the Vols' win over then-No. 1 Memphis just over a month ago."
I have to admit I wasn't feeling very confident in our chances this game.....
until the above quote. Now I'm pumped up.
chefjorge writes:
I don't even want to know what that is UTByrd. Please do us all a favor and do not share its symptoms.
GO VOLS!
LargeOrange writes:
UTByrd - my advise, go to work tomorrow, the game is not until late Thursday night, come down with your ailment on Friday instead, we will be celebrating our first Elite 8, till late after the game. At least, that is my plan. :-) GO BIG ORANGE!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Check out this very solid analysis of tonight's contest from a Louisville hoops site...have to say I agree with a lot of it.
http://www.cardchronicle.com/story/20...
ballewville6 writes:
good post mparker ,i think being under dogs is going to make the vols play that much harder,we have played big phyical teams most of the year,as long as we hit some threes and tyler smith has his game that got him 3 string all american by rivals,between duke,wayne,brian and if neeeded we have 5 fouls to waste from childress,and jujuan and chris shooting the ball and jp and ramar going to hoop or dishing it out for threes.this is a hugh game for us not only to get to final eight ,but it will mean alot as far as recruiting,scotty hopson will likely go to school at what ever team takes this game and i dont know but at mcdonalds highschool all american game they said that tyreke evens was interested in tennessee,ii dont know if its true but if so and we win and get hopson and evens that would be a coup.evens looked great during the mhsaa game ,and hopson played well to.
hdhurst writes:
How can you not love the attitude the players show in this article. I just hope they can back up their talk (and energy), especially when it comes to playing the underdog role.
It will be curious to see if CBS will rotate the broadcasting of the game with some rodeo final or something irrelevant to the elite eight games, whether it's a close game or not.
GO VOLS...time to make history..one half at a time. Don't let up. Team player, no hotdogging, just get it done against your matchups.
volssam writes:
I just hope that if we push a lead to 10 points or more, esp. in the 2nd half, we don't lose it as we tend to do....I will absolutely take a win any way we can get it, but by George, please let us win by double digits so I don't have to lose about 4 months off my lifespan....GO VOLS!!!
dopedawg writes:
Hey guys:
No more fancy stuff, just play great ball. The fancy NBA phooey makes us loose. We believe in you!!!! I know you can beat LU. Get er' done!!!!
OldNumber7 writes:
Would have been nice to keep this attitude to ourselves - but now it's locker-room fodder for the Cards.
DSaVol writes:
Good morning from the Queen City folks! I hope our players slept better than I did!! All the "confident" talk is nice for some to hear I guess but personally I'd prefer to see the quiet confidence. My take is this game is real simple - the team that wins will be the one that gets up in the others jock and plays some real defense. I got a feeling this could be the ugliest game of the weekend albeit an exciting one. I expect the Cards will try to get in the lane early and often so "building the wall" as we did at Memphis is critical. The Cards don't shoot it well so we have to deny the easy ones inside. Pitino will go right at Tyler and Wayne and try to get em on the bench. He wants to force Duke, BW and even Chill into major minutes. Our guards have to defend and keep slashers away from the bigs to avoid foul trouble and to force mistakes when they have no where to go. I also don't expect to see much zone from them. They're not going to take much chance with our shooters getting open looks. JP MUST handle the ball well and make good decisions - 6 turnovers from him again will get us beat. As for Chris and JaJuan - well, watch some old western movies today and if we're goin' down just make sure you go out with guns ablazin'!!! PREDICTION: VOLS vs WAZZU ON SATURDAY!!!!!!
VolJunkie writes:
LargeOrange -
Good advice, Friday is going to be the tougher day after a long Thursday night celebration!
mparker -
nice post, I generally enjoy and agree with what you have to say. But dude ... STFU? Why the anger my friend? Not everyone is posting negative, just like the outside trolls who like to post on this site you just have to ignore them. Stay positive, they will get the message.
I know how excited I am about tonight and it's great to read how many of you feel the same way. I can only imagine the electricity that is going through the team. I am convinced that tonight will be UT's best game of the season, it won't be close, UT by double digits.
Go VOLS!!!
Madkels writes:
Man I am stoked already, and it's only 8:30a.m.! This game will mirror the Memphis game in many ways. I love the attitude these guys have. Being the dog pulls these guys together and brings them to the next level. Lofton will go off big in this game and we play on Saturday!!! Go VOLS!
jweaver3#395614 writes:
Let's play some BALL, I'm ready for tonite, going to be a long unproductive work day.
GO VOLS, SEE YOU HERE IN SA!!!!
TXVOLSFAN
drum56 writes:
2 words...........It's TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Silent_Fulmer writes:
This is an Orange Blazer game. Mine will be on
volsfan92 writes:
no comments on here about Dickie V's prediction? I have seen Louisville play and I believe that Wayne Chism will back Padgett down. Padgett is a good post player and this will bring out the best in Chism....and we have this other guy...his name is Tyler Smith...umm Dickie V have you seen Tyler play lately? Go VOLS!!
Silent_Fulmer writes:
1 more thing. I know Bruce is the master of subs and we do not have guys foul out. However, This is a game that I would prefer we have guys like Chism, Jujaun, Lofton and T-Smith play more minutes than usual.
There is no tomorrow. GO VOLS!
UTByrd writes:
LargeOrange, the aforementioned malady can last up to a week(if necessary).
Gameday!!! CBP said he doesn't want to get in a track meet with UL. He may have them clog the paint to try to offset Padgett. Like I wrote several weeks ago, half-court, run & gun, big or small, this team can hang with them all.
Looking forward to a great game that will probably be decided by who makes the last shot. Don't know if my heart can handle another one but that won't keep me from watching and cheering on the team.
Go Vols!!!!!
Rick8363 writes:
Surely this game is going to be on one of the ESPN's or CBS!!! WVLT???
VolJunkie writes:
Rick -
All the NCAA tourney games are on CBS.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
voljunkie,
not anger, annoyance. Also, sorry about the sftu, but I'm a bad typer and try to shortcut when I can. SU doesn't mean anything....
anyway, I'm annoyed with some of the tone on this game. No doubt UL is a fine team, Pitino is a fine coach. Thing is, WE are a fine team as well. Sometimes too much fear can bleed over. When we played Mem, most of us knew it would be a hard game but knew we had the players to compete.
On the other hand, we all knew the Vandy game that followed would be a nightmare. We DIDN'T know we'd have the referrees from hell....any way, I think that the men have a dang good chance against UL if they don't overthink themselves and just PLAY. Same with Bruce, don't overdo, it just keep calm and coach.
SCVolsFan writes:
They BETTER show this game in my area. Charlotte
is only a 1.5 hrs. from here. I am getting tired
of having to watch TN from this computer.
GO VOLS!! Show them you can do it.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
http://www.cardchronicle.com/story/20...
This is a pretty fair effort...
My disagreements:
-Brian Williams is better on offense than he is -given credit for being; he struggles to block shots, but no surprise there
-UT is not that much about running at present, though they will run. UT is now more content to run the half-court set and play the tight game
-Chris is looking to set people up, not to shoot
-Jajuan is argubaly our most dangerous offensive player (when he is on)
-The 'meltdown' against OSU had a lot to do with Conley jr getting to the line sometihng like 2 billion times in the second half. Total BS.
-Tyler and wayne have often played against bigger, longer players. The SEC has some VERY athletic teams.
-Outsiders will say the SEC was down, but I'll simply derer to CBP, and agrre that by and large the SEC got BS seeds, including us. An example: Arky; playing UNC, rather thans, say, San Diego. Miss State playing Memphis instead of UCLA, or Xaviar, or WKU, or Mich State...
In summary: The vols have had a TON of experience in tough, tight games. We know we can be beat, we know we have weaknesses. The keys, IMHO:
-GOOD REFS!!!!
-Limit 2nd-chance points by UL
-pound the ball inside
-Wayne's game
-Limit unforced turnover's
-Give UP the FREAKING ball on the BREAK (no offensive fouls, JP)
-Make UL shot form outside the ENTIRE game
-Tyler has got to show up, and not get caught in the garbage plays by the ohter team. Same for Jajuan.
We can certainly win this game.
VolJunkie writes:
mparker -
Thanks for the response, understood. I agree with you on tonight's game, not sure why there is so much angst. This is a great team, I expect they will play great tonight, UT wins by double digits.
Keep the faith ... Go VOLS!!!
QCVol writes:
Stop the worrying, we win this game. I believe alot of our fans are stuck in the old thought of the Vols finding a way to loose, but this is not the TN of old. This coach and team finds a way to win the most important games. We had to play against the refs and the teams in the SEC tourney, but this game is out of the SEC and on a nuetral site. Louisville is good, BUT not as good as we are. Statistics alone, the Cards are due for a bad game. They are not great shooters and though they may have "imtimidating" players, our players are tougher and have been battle tested. So relax and enjoy the game. It may turn out to be close, but we pull this thing away at the end. Lastly, I live in Charlotte, went by the open practice, and someone yelled out, "Bruce, don't go to IU" He replied, "I'm not going anywhere!" Right during the practice!!!! And for those of you coming to Charlotte, do not stray far from the downtown area. Charlotte is a beautiful city and the people are friendly for the most part, but the outskirts can be dangerous if you don't know where you're going...A couple of out-of-towners came in for the ACC tourny and were robbed while asking for directions at 1 in the morning.
phillyvol writes:
"Vols not intimated as they shoot to make history against Louisville"
Um shouldn't it be not "intimidated"?
Go Vols.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
DenmarkVol, thanks for the link to the Cards site. That was an amazingly astute analysis, IMHO.
I like the way the guys are talking. I just hope "not intimidated" doesn't slide over into "overconfident and too casual".
No one should be surprised at Dickie V's disrespect of the Vols. On the Bryant Gumbel show on HBO, there was an old clip of Dickie V. slamming CBP for blowing the whistle on Illinois some years ago. Dickie thinks CBP betrayed the coaching fraternity that he so earnestly wishes he was still part of, and thus he begrudges CBP's success at Tennessee.
FWIW, my points of emphasis for the game: 1) Avoid the "10%" plays on offense and the reckless gambles on defense; 2) STRONG effort on the defensive boards; 3) Make them prove it from outside; pack the middle unless they shoot us out of it; even then, depend on the "Memphis effect"; 4) Run some plays for Chris early; if he gets off early, we will have a good night.
I don't know what the game plan actually is, and I don't say mine is the best, but if we continue our careless turnovers and let them pound us on their offensive board, it will be a long night for us. I still like our chances. GO VOLS!!! PLUCK THE BIRDS!!! THEN FEATHER THE TARHEELS!!! ON TO SAN ANTONIO!!!
peerlessvolfan writes:
I got my game day sweats on and am desperately trying to look busy to make this day go quickly!!!!! (oh, good, I just used up 30 seconds writing this post--30 seconds closer to tip-off!) GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVOLLLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSSSS!
(That just used up 10 more seconds)
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Tennessee will make history tonight and beat Louisville! I can't wait, it should be a great game. However its sounding more and more like Indiana is going to pursue coach Pearl and I believe if they do he may be gone. He once called Indiana his dream job. It may not be about the money, because we could match whatever Indiana offers, but if its his dream job, then he won't stay at UT, he will be a Hoosier. The only thing that might keep him from Indiana would be probation for the Hoosiers.
phillyvol writes:
"The only thing that might keep him from Indiana would be probation for the Hoosiers."
CBP loves UT. He's creating his own legacy here. He can be the Bobby Knight, Rupp, Coach K etc. of Tennessee. Why follow in someone else's footsteps? If I were a couch my dream would be to build a program and take it to new heights and uncharted territory. How is going to schools that have already wons buttloads of national titles a step up? What's left to do?
VolJunkie writes:
For any number of reasons, Bruce is not going anywhere. How about for today, maybe even through April 7, we agree not to talk about this.
"And while Hamilton said he wouldn't try to stop potential entreaties toward his orange-hot hoops coach, he made it clear UT is committed to keeping its basketball coach.
"It's obvious we value him as our head coach and anticipate him being our head coach for some time," he said. "I've made the comment that anybody who wants to try to hire Bruce better get their checkbooks out, because we intend to keep him here."
Go VOLS!!!!
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
phillyvol- I think you meant coach, not couch *LOL* Bruce Pearl has said if Indiana ever called him, not only would he answer the phone, but he would actually talk to them. I hope we never lose him, he is a great coach, the best basketball coach we have ever had. I am bothered though of one article I read calling him a womanizer, does anyone know if this is true?
phillyvol writes:
lol, yeah. But if I were a couch...
johnlg00#206211 writes:
bigorangedude, see QCVol's post above. I am 90-10 sure CBP isn't going anywhere any time soon. IU's impending probation and CBP's baggage with the Big-10/11--see my post above--will keep him here for the foreseeable future, IMHO.
BTW, on the McDonald's All-American broadcast last night, UT was not mentioned as a possible destination for Scotty Hopson, who had a fairly decent game. There was however some talk about him going to Rutgers! He is reportedly still considering Louisville among several others. I could be wrong, but he seems kinda flaky to me, not that there is anything wrong with that(;-P)!
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