Posted by TennesseeTominTexas on March 30, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hamilton knows that he will be able to keep BP because his job depends on it.

Posted by DadwasaVol on March 30, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sign him up and pay him for it. Do not let this guy get away to Indiana or anywhere else.

Posted by dfreeman on March 30, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

AMEN TENNESSEE TOM!!!

Posted by dopedawg on March 30, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pay the man..

Posted by wewhite on March 30, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If necessary, I'm sure UT's lawyers could find some loophole in Fulmer's contract where they could siphon some funds off to pay Bruce any salary he wanted. He's the best thing to happen to TN b-ball since the Ernie & Bernie show.

And Indiana? Sure, fabled NCAA teams a-plenty, but taking the helm there right now would be like buying house that you knew had once been a meth lab.

Posted by tennisvol on March 30, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Indiana has already gone after the coach from Washington State. From what I read in the paper, Pearl was not on their list.

Posted by vol52 on March 30, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Keeping Pearl is critical. As his talent level goes up so will his post season success. Reviving Tennessee's BB tradition has been welcomed and his up tempo game should provide some excellent recruits. I agree with Tennessee Tom that mikey's job does depend on it. GO VOLS!

Posted by oldorange on March 30, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Each of us want to keep someone who has accomplished so much in a short period of time. Most of us reason that keeping a person is solely about $$$$$$. Maybe it is for some, but not for everyone. There will be a time a coach is going to leave simply because he wants to go somewhere else for a plethera of reasons. When/if this happens we must be able to have a replacement plan to do so quickly. I hope Hamilton realizes this and has a first cut replacement plan for all coaches at UT.

Posted by VolCane7979 on March 30, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just because Indiana might not be targeting BP first doesn't mean the man shouldn't get paid. First of all, he deserves it. Also, who's to say another big job might not open up down the road? Thus, let's lock him up.

Outstanding point, TNTom. I think Hamilton's a$$ is out the door if we let Pearl get away without giving every effort possible to keep him.

Posted by kceltic on March 30, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

nafslov:the only men's BB coach we've ever had?People that remember Ray Mears might argue that point.

Posted by THE_VOL on March 30, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good God people - RELAX! BP isn't going anywhere. First of all there aren't any GREAT jobs out there for him. Indiana ain't callin' and isn't that great a job anymore anyway. So, where else is he gonna go? Kent St???? Right! Cal? Fat chance! He's gonna get a decent raise to about $1.5 - $1.6 mil plus another year or two added and some higher bonus money and that's gonna be the end of it. You bandwagon jumpers didn't give a damn about him or this program 3 years ago so just STFU about it now!

Posted by davidray31 on March 30, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One good thing,if Bruce doesn't stay we might actually be able to get a ticket next year.

Posted by jzt on March 30, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It will be interesting to see who's extension and raise will be addressed first Fulmer or Pearl. Fulmer is now the seventh highest paid coach in the SEC. If I was Pearl I would let Fulmer go first. Pearl deserves to be close to Gillespie and Donovan. At first Pearl and Summitts contract were always in comparison. To get Pearl in the ballpark would take a raise that would be close to Fulmers current pay. We will have to see.

Posted by Plasticman on March 30, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hamilton needs to lock him up now. We don't need alot of speculation the next 30 days as we are trying to sign recruits (especially Hopson).

Posted by waterskier3 on March 30, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

give him the money.. but i think they will make fulmer and pearl close in pay and once summitt wins again this year will get another big raise...

Posted by bob.bigorange on March 30, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good Lord - sign an extension, give the man a huge raise and make it IMPOSSIBLE for him to even THINK of leaving. We love u Bruce........best thing to happen to UT basketball since Coach Mears.

Posted by Merv on March 30, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pay the man. ... He's a great representative for UT. He runs an honest program, he wins games, and he's popular with students and fans. ... Pay the man.

Posted by jimr07 on March 30, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Key word to me was "anticipates."

Posted by TurboFan on March 30, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

CBP doesn't do the ego thing. "Anticipates" is his way of appearing humble. Note the "if Tennessee will have me" that follows.

Word here is that Indiana is looking at Xavier's Sean Miller.

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 30, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Guys look, Pearl is a ham, a prima dona, and a drama queen. Saying he "anticicpates" is pure posturing. Not necessarily for $ now, but for competitive offers down the road. Keep in mind the only thing he has won is the regular season. He needs another season or two like this and show some recruiting savy as well, before any of the bigs come calling.

Posted by johnlg00 on March 30, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jimr07, I think CBP uses that word in the sense of, "I anticipate that the sun will rise in the morning." It always HAS risen in the morning, so there is every reason to ANTICIPATE that it will again, but it hasn't happened yet, so who knows...? I agree with THE_VOL's opinion that, especially since IU doesn't SEEM to be after him right now, there really aren't THAT many marquee jobs out there right now. In any case, we need to do all we can to make sure he has no reason to leave. After all, the sun might NOT come up some day....(;-P)!

Posted by johnlg00 on March 30, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nafslov, I just don't get your irrational hatred of Coach Mears. It is true that the Ernie and Bernie teams slightly underachieved in the NCAAs, but most of Mears' other teams did much better than expected with far less talent. Besides, he did the same things for the program that everyone rightly praises CBP for, i.e., created excitement and support for a program that had had little of those for a long time before he came. UT had NO national recognition before Mears. CBP gets the press he does now for RETURNING UT to the level where Mears left it. However, he has yet to SURPASS that level, unless you count one week at #1 as "surpassing". I'm glad we have--and hope we keep--CBP but he, at least, does not share your opinion of Coach Mears! Just ask him.

Posted by stroker on March 30, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CBP is great for the Vols BB. But no need to give away tne store yet. Donovan and Gillespe have a longer track record. If CP keeps winning, which we all expect then keep increasing and maintain an equatable salary.

Posted by iggypop on March 30, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hurl the Pearl. Let this ego centered micro manager go. He can be heard in Gatlinburg during the games constantly SCREAMING, SCREAMING, SCREAMING at his players.

Posted by doctorvol on March 30, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iggypop-says it all, doesn't it?

Posted by invisiblekid on March 30, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not sure where all the hype around Indiana got stirred up, they aren't interested and I don't know why Pearl would go there anyway given the Illinois situation from years ago. Pearl might want to get back into the Big 10 to prove those folk wrong, but personally, I would rather stay down here where he is obviously appreciated and soon to be well-compensated.

Posted by invisiblekid on March 30, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, appreciated by everyone except iggypop, apparently he still has some hearing left after all those years of churning out music.

Posted by Northernvolfan on March 30, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pearl makes money for UT. He has done alot for the Basketball program. Since UT has such a terrible Football program ..UT's basketball program could save the school! I think you should get rid of Fulmer and pay more money to Pearl.

Posted by jimr07 on March 30, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nsfslov--the only thing i regret is not marking down the first post of yours i read. that way i would know exactly when i met the biggest a$$ hole in the world. you beat up on mears almost every time you write. i agree that he did give tennessee a basketball presence it had never had. he was the first full time basketball coach we had. he did a great job with little or not talent. take your venom somewhere else.

Posted by jimr07 on March 30, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

invisblwkid--the reason all the interest in pearl and indiana is because a writer for the indianapolis news said, "the first phone call i would make would be to Bruce Pearl."

Posted by bluetick on March 30, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We all know it's not ALL about the money. It's easy to fall in love with K-Town, the Orange, the atmosphere and tradition at Tennessee. I really think Bruce loves being at Tennessee and building his own thing there, and he knows Hamilton and UT are going to show their appreciation with some more dinero. I'd like to see him make a home there like Pat has and make it a respectful BBall school on the mens side too. How many days is that again? Oh yea, 153. Gosh! Go Vols!

Posted by kceltic on March 30, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nafslov-Never said Pearl isn't a good coach,just pointing out that Mears was too.And before you crown Bruce as the only REAL coach,maybe we should get past the sweet 16 first.You might have also noticed that Pearl thinks highly of Mears by the Vandy and Kentucky games when he wears the orange blazer.

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 30, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I want to keep Bruce Pearl at UT, but at some point there has to be a cutoff for what winning is worth. I mean, at the rate it's going, college coaches (football/basketball) will be making 10 million a year. That is outrageous.

Do you really think Duke increases Coach K's salary every single season by adjusting his contract? No. Everyone knows he is not leaving Duke no matter what money you throw at him.

I say colleges should make the "buy out clause" as much as the TOTAL worth of the entire contract left. So, instead of a lowly $500 k, to buy out Bruce Pearl from UT it would cost 1.3 million per year left on his contract plus the $500 k loyalty bonus. And the same goes for all other schools, because it's getting ridiculous with this "who's going to pay me the most money" attitude and nothing else matters.

I just hope Coach Pearl truly wants to be at UT and will realize we've put the program in his hands. Hopefully he won't leave for a few extra bucks.

Posted by givehim6 on March 30, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think all true VOLS want Pearl to stay, he is the best thing to happen sence Gay Mears. I hope Pearl not only want's to be coach but a program creator! Hopefuly in the future when people say UT bball, two names come to mind, Summet & Pearl.

Posted by T0MMYJACK on March 30, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Does coach Pearl ever "anticipate" something other than his team imploding at the end of the season and progressing beyond the sweet sixteen?

Posted by jckrell on March 30, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Guys not to rub things in but... that's how you do it. That's how you beat Texas at their place and that's how you get to the FINAL 4. When the tournament starts conferences don't matter. It's all about who has the best team. We knew we had the best team all season. To me UCLA will be a tougher game than North Carolina. UCLA has been to the final 4 three straight years and this is their best team. Congrats. on your win that blemished our record but you caught us in a slump. It was a good time to catch us. If you played us now when it's really game time.. do or die, do you think you could beat us now? You had a great season no doubt. We look forward to next years game with you and who knows maybe we can have 2 teams in the final 4. Looks like Pearl will stay so things should be ok there.

Posted by bluetick on March 30, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think that was the problem jckrell... The Vols busted a nut if I may say, on the Memphis game and winning the SEC, then lost some steam. Who knows what would happen in a rematch, but personally I have Memphis winning it all this year. And thanks for leaving a comment with class and not being a dill weed on our boards. Good luck!

Posted by mikecheck1 on March 30, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HEY VAWLS keep your head up at least you beat Memphis.. Oh my bad that doesnt mean anything to you!! Oh BTW, thats how you beat TEXAS!! HOW BOUT THEM FINAL 4 TIGERS!! Once again you prove that you re NATIONAL PRETENDERS!!! PEARL IS GONE!!

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on March 30, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT has deep pockets when it comes to Pearl and Summitt. I would not be surprised to see them both over $2 million after this season.

*By the way Hamilton has said that the Football Program generates 83 to 87 cents of every dollar generated by UT Sports programs.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 30, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To all of all of the Memphis people that come over here and flame: You guys have a great team and still have a shot at winning the NCAA. But just think about one thing, if the Vols hadn't taken you down (at your house, no less) you would be 38-0 right now and all the hype would be about Memphis having a chance to have the best record in HISTORY, the only perfect 40-0 season ever! The first time since they first nailed up a peach basket to a pole, PERFECT. But 39-1 just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it? Consider being forever being remembered like the Miami Dolphins instead of another "almost" like the NE Pats. If it just wasn't for that one loss to lowly UT. If you win two more, you will be NCAA champs, but there is one of those every year, you had the chance to be immortal, 40 and 0, if not for the Vols. I guess that doesn't matter. Yeah right.

Posted by mikecheck1 on March 30, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LargeOrange you're reaching.. WHo Cares!!!In fact, you can have that game, we want the NATIONAL TITLE because we are NATIONAL CONTENDERS!! Get pass the SWEET 16 and then talk!! GET OVER IT!!! YOU ARE NATIONAL PRETENDERS!!! GO TIGERS GO,ALL THE WAY TO SAN ANTONIO!!!

Posted by jimr07 on March 30, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mikecheck1--you tiger high people are worse winners than you are losers. my favorite team is whoever is playing memphis

Posted by rockytop on March 30, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I ran into Pearl's two daughters in Charlotte just before the game. They were with several cousins and friends. All clad in orange. I even got my picture taken with them. In fact, "Dad" called right before we were going to take the picture. He was asked to hold on for a second while we took the picture. I asked if he is staying and they assured me he was. They love living in K-Town. So don't worry. Pearl will be back. Of course we need to give him a fat raise to show him the love.

Posted by invisiblekid on March 30, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Largeorange, I wouldn't sweat the Memphis folk too much. They're just ticked off that, despite having a great team and making the Final Four, they're still the second most talked about team in the state. They're also still trying to figure out how the Vols keep beating them, even with a Final Four team full of 4 and 5 star players with the NBA in their future. Beating them while we are sending guys like Bradshaw to Holland to play and worrying about whether Lofton can make it in the NBA. What is probably gnawing at the back of their minds most though is what happens if Pearl lands a few more of these 4-5 star guys or a McDonald's All American or two.

Posted by dvols on March 30, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

go tigers fellow vols! don't hate. bp made us money? didn't know we needed it. 105,000 makes plenty.

bp best chance to get to be a respected coach is to go to indiana, unless he just likes milking us for a few seats and his family likes it in kvegas.

oh sorry he got a divorce.

something is going on, on the hill boys! wake up!

why we got to show this media pimp love???
he got paid!

Posted by Plasticman on March 30, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I like how all the Mempiss fans come on here AFTER they win. That's real courage. You act like you all are in the Final 4 every year. Give me a break. Your weak schedule enables you to cruise through your regular season and be well rested come tourney time. Vols were spent at the end of the season due to the difficult schedule they played (#1 RPI and #2 SOS). You could tell after the Memphis game we were never the same.

Posted by dvols on March 30, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well plasticman, get to the show and play. no excuses we did not! coach benched howell and childress that helped get us there. bp folded in the limelight!

i like the new excitement but the nation still does not recognize us. duh. we got to win when it counts. or it dont really count.

im a vol fan first but am from memphis so go tigers. even though i dislike cali, but memphis and carolina looks pretty fun to watch, dont forget memphis is in tennessee!

but we do own them!

Posted by dvols on March 30, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

is 16 as far as we can get?????????????/

ever in 100 years???????????????

Posted by Tennisajoke on March 30, 2008 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MEMPHIS TO THE FINAL FOUR REDNECK!

Posted by dvols on March 30, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

no joke, we stomped that but in the forum!!! beat us then talk!

but im with ya, we gonna get final four nets on ebay! sweet. look out plush club!

Posted by Tennisajoke on March 30, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MAKE AN ELITE 8 CHUMPS....FINAL FOUR BOUND!!!!!

Posted by dvols on March 30, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

u r right tennis boy.

but u still cant beat us! ha!

Posted by dvols on March 30, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

and remember probation that memphis will be on next year!

good luck!

Posted by TurboFan on March 30, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually, I'm kinda of pulling for Memphis. That would be three consecutive years Tennessee beat the eventual champion. Hey, take accolades where you can get them.

Posted by dvols on March 30, 2008 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nothing wrong with memphis! men against the boys.... good for them! to h with the nations hatred of our teams. tired of nc, kansas, and ucls. lets mess (f) them up!!!!!!!!

Posted by Plasticman on March 30, 2008 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dvols, agree we need to perfoem better come tourney time. I have full confidence Pearl will get us there (Final 4) before long. BTW, what the hell did Childress do this season to help us win??? I agree about Howell, should have danced with the one's that got us there (Howell and Smith)

Posted by pdhuff on March 30, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congrats to the MU Tigers. I admit I had picked Texas to sideline them but have to give credit where credit is due.

Rubber is really about to meet the road now.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 30, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

invisiblekid - No problem, I don't sweat the Tiger high boys at all. I just think it is funny how thier team is still playing and they are on our site posting trash. If I really gave a rats a, I would go to their site and post the comment I made at 6:29, oh that's right, I have never posted on anyone else's board and I don't intend on starting over basketball. I just thought about how it must feel to have had the chance to make history and really be remembered, if only they hadn't been beaten my thier Big Brother. Has to suck.

Posted by bricker865 on March 30, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

They (Memphis) haven't won it yet. They still have UCLA to get by and either Kansas or NC in the final, if they make it that far. If they don't I doubt we'll see these sore losers in here anytime soon. By the way you won't see me on the Mempiss boards either, win or lose. I have better ways to spend my time.

Posted by splinterdand on March 30, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pearl is on the verge of breaking new ground at UT. He WILL be bringing in McDonald's All-Americans and unlike Calipari at Memphis he will win a national championship with them. Mark it down, Scotty Hopson is coming.

Posted by dfreeman on March 30, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pearl won't go to Indiana! The Xavier coaches buyout was too much for Indiana! With that being said can you imagine Pearls buyout? He's safe from that job anyway! Go Vols!! I do think it's funny that all the Memphis Tiger fans are on a UT fan site talking smack! Are you kidding me? Your team is in the final four playing another team and you feel the need to be here? You Memphis guys are really pathetic!! Go bother your next opponent! You couldn't beat us and haven't for the last two years!! We own you chumps!!

Posted by LargeOrange on March 30, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Bruce Pearl leaves Tennessee to take another coaching job, before the end of the 2012 season he will have to pay Tennessee a $1,000,000.00 buyout.

Posted by cwisenhower on March 30, 2008 at 11:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If our Athletic Department lets Pearl leave, the entire school should be shut down. Pay him, give him a raise, increase his incentives for staying, and then pay him some more.

Now that all of Peterson's players are gone, I'm excited to see what he can do with his own recruits.

Posted by mikecheck1 on March 31, 2008 at 12:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey VAWL fans .. Get over it!!! The only Final Four you ll see is on TV!! Listen do you hear that? Spring Football is coming!!! Go Tigers Go, All the Way to San Antonio!!!

Posted by billadcock on March 31, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mikecheck1....we beat your a#! and that is good enough for me!!!!!

Posted by mikecheck1 on March 31, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah billadock,typical VAWL Fan answer.. You may have beaten us.. but I gladly lose to you "National Prentenders" and go to the FINAL FOUR. You guys can't win when it counts!!!Get past the sweet 16,first!! Even Davidson is more a powerhouse than the might VAWLS!!
You better pray the Pearl doesnt leave!!! GO TIGERS GO!!!

Posted by 87UTVOL on March 31, 2008 at 3:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Take heart fellow Vols fans, we have something Memphis State doesn't...a real University. Memphis State has a good basketball team, but what else? No campus life, no on-campus athletic facilities, no other sports which compete on a national level and fans who really have no idea what big-time college athletics is all about. Plus, in its one sport, basketball, Memphis State plays in a conference which produces no other NCAA teams. They have to go play in front of a few thousand in places like Huntington, WV, Tulsa, OK and Hattiesburg, MS. Do Memphis State fans actually show up to see games against these teams, which would be some of the worst teams on Tennessee's pre-season schedule, much less conference schedule?

Compare all this to Tennessee, which competes on a national level in multiple sports, offers a complete college experience for it's student-athletes, competes in a conference which has some of the most storied teams in college athletics (the list is long in all sports, basktball included) and Tennessee has some of the finest on-campus facilities for all major sports, including one of the best football stadiums (ESPN says the best place to watch college football in America) and an on-campus basketball arena which compares to the NBA arenas, including the one Memphis State borrows for it's supposedly so-important basketball team.

In basketball, Tennessee not only will go play national teams like Texas, Gonzaga, Xavier, West Virginia and Ohio State (all these teams were on our schedule this year and most were road games), Tennessee's conference schedule also requires getting up most every night because you have to play the likes of Kentucky in Rupp Arena, Florida in the O-Dome and Vanderbilt in Memorial Gym, just to mention a few. Tennessee has to compete against outstanding teams, night after night.

Memphis State may win some basketball games. But, Tennessee beat them this year and holds a winning record overall. Other than a competitive basketball team, Memphis State has nothing else to offer. Calipari didn't want to play the Vols. He knew he had more to lose. While other Tennessee coaches have beaten Memphis State, with Coach Bruce Pearl, the style he plays and the relationship he has with his players, Coach Cal and Memphis State knows they will continue to be the step-child to the west, clamoring for attention at one time per year. With Pearl, Memphis State will struggle to hold on to it's claim as a 'national power'.

It's great to be a Tennessee Vol...It's great to be a Tennessee Vol!

Posted by mike on March 31, 2008 at 3:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

plasticman... there is no need for name calling you idiot. It's Memphis that is in the final four. Show some class.

dvols... funny how Memphis wins the games that matter. but then again Memphis just keeps on winning. Texas was a joke.

largeorange... UT is not Memphis's big brother or any other relative. "tiger high" that's cute did you make that up?

splinterdand.... go to rivals.com and take a look at who you have and who Memphis has. Memphis is about to sign the #5 player (McDonald All-American) Tyreke Evans and the #13 player. We have already outrecruited Pearl in what has already signed/commited and it is about to get a lot worse for you. How many 5 star players has Bruice Pearl ever signed?

dfreeman... If you owned us, shouldn't your team still be playing? A lower seeded team killed you. Bet you had Texas to beat Memphis in your bracket.

Boys, I live in Knoxville and have read your crap all season. You beat us, so what? Memphis will set an all time NCAA record of wins in one season when UCLA goes down. For the record, we were 8-1 vs. NCAA tournament teams going in and added 3 more victums the last two weeks. Say what you want about Conf-USA, where are the mighty SEC teams now? 6 in 6 out.

Want to get past the sweet sixteen? Go hire yourself a coach that has been there before and pay him more than Calipari is making. If Pearl leaves, it would be a blessing in the long run.

Don't take Memphis's success too hard vol fans. The rose is in full bloom in Memphis

TIGRFAN in knoxville

Posted by mike on March 31, 2008 at 3:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

87utvol... It is the University of Memphis, not Memphis State. Memphis played the toughest non-conf schedule in the country this year. We beat USC, UConn, Georgetown, Arizona, Gonzaga, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, Siena (which put Vandy out). You hardly have anything to crow about fool.

About Calipari not wanting to play UT. Calipari has asked that the game be played annually in Nashville. Hamilton is a chickens**t and insists on home and home. Truth is if the SEC doesn't want us in their boat, we don't want them fishing off our pier. We don't have one thing to gain by playing an SEC team. Calipari would rather go to New York and play somebody with national appeal, like we did 3 times this year.

Losing to UT is the best thing that could have happen to us at that time. I almost can't believe I am saying that! Since then, we have been a focused killing machine. UT hasn't played a strong game since. That's coaching my friend.

TIGRFAN in knoxville

Posted by Oldhickory on March 31, 2008 at 6:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pay Pearl and Pat $3 million/year and take it out of Fulmer's salary.

Posted by dfreeman on March 31, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mike - 12-7 all-time against Memphis! Won the last two games. This years win was on your home court! Pearl owns Calipari and yes Tennessee owns Memphis!! You're team is in the Final Four and you're here on our board? For somebodys team to be superior to ours you sure are spending a ton of time to try your case!!

Posted by Plasticman on March 31, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike, Mempiss plays such a soft conference shcedule, they SHOULD be playing some decent non-conf. games. I guess Calipari and the Mempiss fans don't want to play UT since it doesn't have "national appeal"?? It was only the most watched College BB game of the year you fool. UT is 31-8 against Memphis St. in Basketball and Football!!! Vols Rule against our stepsisters to the west!!!

Posted by 87UTVOL on March 31, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I know Memphis changed it's name...to hopefully change it's image. If you only knew how much I know about Memphis and that school. It will always be Memphis State to me. How many degrees do you hold Mike? Any from Memphis?

Crow? How about No. 1 RPI from January to the end of season. How about playing and beating, what 4 or 5 of the Sweet 16, including Memphis, all on the road? How many non-cons did Memphis play on the road?

I see you have nothing to say about being a real University, complete with campus life, campus sports and tough traditional rivals. It figures. Cruising down Central Avenue in East Memphis doesn't match Cumberland Avenue in Knoxville, University Avenue in Gainesville or Tuscaloosa or downtown Athens, GA on gameday. Memphis and Calipari know if they lose their grip in basketball, they lose much more. There's nothing else. That's why Cal wants to play in Nashville. Losing at home and in Knoxville stinks.

Posted by w4tey on March 31, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Someone with more money than me should take out a full page ad in the KNS and congratulate the BasketVols for a great season. It should also make it clear how much we love and want to keep CBP.

Posted by VolCane7979 on March 31, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mike -

Why should we show class? Your memphis idiots aren't showing much class on this board. Again, it's obvious you Tigers have some kind of complex, needing to point out your team's success in the tournament to counteract losing to your bitter rival... again... in a sport you are typically supposed to be better at. When you play in an actual conference, it's tougher to win them all. Should we join the sunbelt and go 38-0? Maybe we should think about it.

Posted by invisiblekid on March 31, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Want to get past the sweet sixteen? Go hire yourself a coach that has been there before and pay him more than Calipari is making. If Pearl leaves, it would be a blessing in the long run."

Mike, the Vols could try to hire another coach to put them over the hump of the Sweet 16 or we could just wait a couple of more years like you guys did with Calipari. Let's review his first 5 seasons at Memphis:

2001 NIT 3rd place
2002 NIT champs
2003 NCAA 1st round
2004 NCAA 2nd round
2005 NIT semis

Posted by invisiblekid on March 31, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LargeOrange, I agree completely with your philosophy of not posting on opposing teams websites. Seems pointless but that's just me I guess. Goes to show how insecure some folk are, they get to the Final Four and the first thing some of them want to do is jump on here and run their mouth. I also find the irony in these guys slamming us for not making it past the Sweet 16 but ignoring the fact that it took their vaunted program 5 years to do the same thing under their head coach who already had a Final Four under his belt.

Posted by bleed_orange on March 31, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Next year we play Memphis at home and Kansas at Kansas. I would also like to see a home/away series with louisville, North Carolina, and/or UCLA some time in the near future. Oh, and I left out Duke. We start playing some of these teams and start beating a few of these teams-then we can start to get these 4 and 5 star McDonald's High School All-American's. Then we will start making it to the Final 4 and winning the National Championship. However, Bruce did a great job this year and we had an awesome year. In-fact it was TN best year ever in history with 31 wins. So what, he got out coached by Rick Pinto. Rick is an awesome coach and has been coaching for alot more years than Bruce. I hope Bruce was taking some notes from the game. I'm sure he was. I'm just so glad Rick is not Coaching at KY any more. The future looks very bright. JP, Ramar, Duke,Wayne, Brian,Josh,Ryan, Steven,and hopefully Tyler comming back. We have some very good Freshman comming in. Hopefully, we will have a gret point Guard and a very good Shooting Guard comming in. GO VOLS!

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on March 31, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How pathetic are these Mempiss fans?? LMAO!!!

Posted by Basketball_Jones on March 31, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dan Ptrick just interviewed Pearl on his radio show and Pearl said he was coming back. He said he feels Tennessee is a program that is just as good as Indiana so why would he want to leave

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

Mum-fuss STATE...ya are what ya are. Now go wallow around on Mud Island a while, then post on your own boards. Isn't it amazing how some folks don't know HOW to lose, nor HOW to win? There's an element of class in both, but Mum-fuss STATE fans are incapable of such. We'd say that as Tennessee Vols that we "own you"...but we're tying like heck to lease you to Arkansas. No takers, thus far.

Posted by mikecheck1 on March 31, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BREAKING NEWS: VOLS ADVANCE TO THE ELITE EIGHT! OOPS! I MEAN LADY VAWLS!!! GO TIGERS GO!!

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 31, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ucla99-mempiss71

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 31, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ucla99-mempiss71

Posted by robvols on March 31, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TIGERS FAN POSTING HERE:

Your boys are playing "scared" basketball.

The performance displayed against two established teams shows two things:

1. They don't feel comfortable in playing in close ballgames. So the solution is to blow the team out in the beginning and make them make bad shots

2. They can't make the free throws when under pressure. Great example the UT game. They only make the shots when they are leading big.

Those guys are afraid of teams adjusting to their style of play because they know if that happens a loss is not out of the question.

You guys better be lucky they got out of the second round because Miss State adjusted to the defense.

UCLA should take care of you guys. At least your boys are not as worse than Kansas who aced their region; those guys were not even tested unlike Carolina and UCLA. A 10 seed was the only threat because they eliminated two legit threats? What a total joke!