MEMPHIS - The last time Tennessee played in FedEx Forum it faced an undefeated No. 1-ranked team that was riding a nation-long 47-game homecourt win streak.
The Vols scored arguably the biggest regular-season win in program history, 66-62, on Feb. 23, 2008, ascending to the No. 1 ranking for their first time ever.
That was then.
In the now of it, 14th-ranked Tennessee revisits Memphis looking to regain its bearings after a shaky December that included the worst beating - a 22-point loss to Southern Cal - of Bruce Pearl's five-year coaching tenure at UT.
The Vols (9-2) and Tigers (9-2) will tip off before a sold-out crowd today (TV: ESPN2, 4 p.m.).
Memphis is not ranked, but the Tigers are riding a 23-game homecourt win streak that dates back more than a year (Dec. 20, 2008) when Syracuse won 72-65.
As always, there are storylines within the bounds of the rivalry, as former Bolivar Central High School teammates Wayne Chism and Willie Kemp face off against one another for likely the final time.
And then there's the head-to-head matchup of Elliot Williams and Scotty Hopson - two coveted former McDonald's All-Americans with recruiting overlap.
Williams was the focus of the Vols' 2008 recruiting class before signing with Duke. Williams transferred to Memphis following last season to be with his ailing mother, receiving a hardship waiver to gain immediate eligibility.
Hopson, originally committed to Mississippi State, changed over to UT once Williams was out of the Vols' picture.
"It's a game the players will enjoy, because everyone knows everyone from high school or AAU ball,'' Pearl said. "And it will be a very hostile environment because of that love-hate relationship Memphis has with Tennessee (athletics). But it has also been a good, competitive series.''
Missing from the rivalry is former Memphis coach John Calipari, now at Kentucky.
Today's game figures to be tight like last season when the Tigers pulled out a 54-52 win over the Vols in Thompson-Boling Arena.
"Memphis' greatest offensive strengths have proven to be our greatest weaknesses defensively,'' Pearl said. "We've been working on our ball-screen defense and dribble-penetration defense, and we'll be tested.''
Pearl said the keys to the game are obvious; it's not so much a matter of drawing up the Xs and the Os as much as it will be executing.
"Our point guards have to keep their point guards from penetrating, our two guards and three guards have to keep their twos and threes from penetrating,'' he said. "If they can't, we give help and rotate.
"Against Southern Cal, that (help defense and rotating) led to spoon-feeds (assists in the paint) and offensive rebounds.''
Not that it's much consolation, but the Trojans have proved much better since Mike Gerrity took over at point guard before the UT game, winning six straight including victories over Saint Mary's and UNLV.
"That's behind us, and we have to focus on what is in front of us,'' Pearl said. "Offensively, our guys need to make the tough twos around the basket, and our guys need to extend their defense and make people pay (with accurate perimeter shooting).''
Pearl put the Vols through difficult workouts leading up to Wednesday night's walk-through at FedEx Forum with hopes of regaining the focus that led UT to play No. 4-ranked Purdue within 73-72 last month.
"You can see our shooting percentages have been down,'' Pearl said. "So we've had some very physical practices, and I think we've practiced well.
"This is a key game for both teams in the sense that both of us are looking for marquee wins and that security to get into the NCAA tournament.''
Goins A Go: Pearl said guard Melvin Goins is getting over a "tweaked" ankle suffered in Monday's practice.
"I think Melvin will be fine,'' Pearl said.
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Comments » 53
Bogytrain writes:
Wow, that's deep man. Is that just your opinion or are you planning to back that up with some evidence?
newtonrail writes:
I wish Bruce had signed your program, and then you might stop this drivel. Everyone I've known in Hamblen County had more sense than you.
rclarkfork#639958 writes:
He talks about embarrassing, every time he speaks he embarrasses himself and yet he can't stop. It's every single basketball article. It has become hilarious how he continues to show his lack of basketball knowledge. You would think someone who loved him would stop him...LOL
rclarkfork#639958 writes:
This will be a very good test for the Vols. Memphis is well coached and gets after it on the defensive end. We are going to have to move the ball well and work for good shots. A good test on the road.
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Memphis, shmemphis. Still Tigger High.
Vol_Jokes writes:
What if you lose vol boys? Talk about an insult. Tigers have a brand new rookie coach. It's not only his first year as coach at Memphis but his first year as a head coach period. Memphis basically lost it's entire team last summer. Kentucky purchased it. Got the coach and the players. Vols have Bruce Pearl who has been there for years. He has his players that he recruited. So many seniors. Coach with so much more experience. Vols are ranked, Tigers aren't. This should be the vols year in this game. Everything points to it. If you ever had an advantage this would be the year. But, what if you lose? You'd never live it down. How's Pearl gonna explain that away? I'll bet Brucie is so nervous he won't be able to keep his breakfast down this morning.
CapitolC writes:
Early AM post - must be tough to stay awake on neighborhood watch.
If this well-conceived "logic" was sensible or accurate, then it would follow that Memphis will never live down their nationally-televised, top-ranked home loss in '98 when it was their year.
Seems like the standard Memphis poster is 1) short on intellect, and 2) clutches an envy of physical anatomy.
ChatBleu writes:
Well punk, then it will be very embarrassing when Dols get smacked senseless by Tigger High, especially since they only have 7 scholarship players. That changes next year of course when the #1 recruting class with 3 of the top 12 players in the country coming in.
dwa7#337691 writes:
predict:
Vols 78
M cat 73
devault1#205322 writes:
On this date in history ...
December 31, 2009 -- First-year Memphis coach Josh Pastner shaves for the first time AND defeats the University of Tennessee, 71-67, at FedEx Forum.
Go Tigers Go!
kdub writes:
it is the same thing every single game vs decent/good competition--we don't have the necessary guard play to stop penetration or to help us offensively. we r still horrible rebounding too which good end up killing us. i love CBP but he had better get a PG in here to lead this team.
beachvol1 writes:
Going to be a tough one for sure...Vols got to pay up tempo and definitely defense...take it inside with Chism as this seems to be the Tigers achilles heal.. hope this Pearl team doesn't continue to be one step slower than the opposition..
Slystone writes:
On paper the Vols should win based on talent and depth. However the Tigers will give the Vols defensive pressure like they have not seen in awhile. Looking forward to a great game. Pressure though is on the Vols, but Pearl has had 8+ days to prepare his team for this game.
TigerOne writes:
Memphis, still the best basketball team in the state year in and year out. Even after the University of Memphis @ Lexington took our entire program we will win today. Take a look at our recruiting class--We are not going away and Pearl's bunch as usual will not go anywhere. Remember-100+ years and no NCAA run beyond the sweet 16, LMAO.
Brentwoodvol writes:
That's funny!!!!! but i doubt anybody loves him!!!!
Down_The_Field writes:
Go Big Orange!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Spin it however you want..Pastner comes in and lands the #1 recruiting class in his first year; I'll take a wild guess and say that means he can also coach..I don't care who they put on the floor; Memphis at home is no gimme..Just get the win and get out of town.
RockyTop1998 writes:
UT's Record VS Tiger High the last 9 games is 6-3. I thought Memphis was a Top-notch basketball school? I guess they will now start saying they are a Lacross school.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
your right; Memphis fans are totally arrogant and we'll have to listen that BS all year..This is a must win because memphis has recruited a monster class and won't be down for long.
tennrich1 writes:
Now if you really knew anything about recruiting you would know those same DOLS are right behind you in the ranking for recruiting....and with a scholarship to give we just might pass you with a high point guard signee....lets just stay tuned there boys......could get interesting....
Orangeblood13 writes:
In the immortal words of Napolean Dynamite...
"IDIOT!"
Ftbten writes:
This is not a Rivalry game, Kentucky, Vandy, Alabama, those are rivalry games not a Conference USA School, that goes to "Two" final fours only to have to vacate them because they cheated....
Ftbten writes:
remember you had to vacate two final fours because you cheated...........
ChatBleu writes:
Actually I do know and no the Vols aren't right behind Memphis, Ohio St. and UNC are. UT is 4th but there is a huge drop off from one to four. The Vols have one 5 star recruit and 2 others, one ranked 42nd and the other at 55. Memphis has 8 coming in. In addition to the ones below, 7'0" red-shirt Garica will be coming in. This guy won a three point shooting contest at a camp and is a high 4 star player. Elliot Williams is just a sophomore so Memphis will have FOUR 5 star players next year.
First-year Memphis coach Josh Pastner improved his already-impressive recruiting class when he added top-50 prospects Jelan Kendrick and Tarik Black during the early signing period. The Memphis recruiting class is loaded with seven prospects, five of which are ranked in the top 100 in the country.
First-year coach Josh Pastner secured a significant commitment when elite shooting guard Will Barton turned down a number of other programs to play for the Tigers. Pastner then defended his home turf and secured a commitment from Memphis native Jackson, giving the Tigers the most dynamic backcourt in the 2010 recruiting class. This five-star backcourt is strengthened even further with the addition of Crawford. Another Memphis native, Crawford is a four-star shooting guard known for his marksmanship from behind the arc. Joining Barton, Jackson and Crawford in Memphis will be Will Barton's brother Antonio, who is a solid three-star point guard prospect. Pastner finished off his class during the early signing period with signatures from Kendrick, a versatile and elite perimeter player, and Black, a high-energy rebounder and shot blocker.
vol_4_fan writes:
I would like to see Wayne & Scotty take over the leadership of this team with Wayne staying in the post and Scotty shooting with some confidence. I am not sure that we will be as good as we can with Tyler & JP shooting fall away lay ups. Play smart & with heart! Go Vols.
Smallmike4pres writes:
Thanks for adding to the myth that TN fans are stupid. I bet you hated Casey Clausen to didn't you? Go back to the trailor park & smoke another salem, idiot.
volsdontsuck writes:
So Memphis will forfiet how many games in the next few years for getting these players?
thebadsamaritan writes:
Interesting that the article totally ignored the Tigers' win at TBA last year. But, Tiger fans remember.
I look forward to a great game. I'll be there and then will party on Beale Street later.
Go Tigers!
thebadsamaritan writes:
If we did start playing lacrosse, I'm sure we'd spell it correctly.
VolJunkie writes:
Memphis is always a competitive game. Still a lot of unknowns and intangibles on both sides, IMO UT has much more on the line in this year's match-up.
Surprised to see so many UM posters leave the CA and talk smack here, I would have thought the NCAA investigation and vacated wins would have toned down the rhetoric. I know they have a great recruiting class coming in but everyone will be wondering who really took their SATs?
Go Vols!
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
I truly loathe the University of Memphis Tiger Basketball Team. I really hope that the Vols go into their arena and run the Tigers into the ground. It will be a tougher game than any we've had so far, except for Purdue. USC was just an aberration...
UT - 85
UM - 78
VolJunkie writes:
BTW, it is so nice to be relevant in multiple sports: #14 ranked UT with a 4p tip-off in Memphis followed by a nationally televised bowl game against a solid Va Tech team with a possible top-25 ranking in the offering. It is great to be a TN Vol.
Go Vols!
VolJunkie writes:
The article mentioned UM's 2-point win at TBA last year but sometimes these articles are revised, may not have been there when you originally read it.
Enjoy Beale St., should be very interesting, especially tonight. Instead, most of us will be tuning in to a particular bowl game in Atlanta.
Go Vols!
movol53 writes:
Can should one please explain how a first year head coach is able to pull all of these highly ranked player from other schools?
BreatheUT writes:
If I had to guess by your post, you didn't reach high school.
GBO
vol_4_fan writes:
So true, it is great to be able to cheer year around!!
cooper65#432178 writes:
Funny, but it is Memphis that has had far more basketball success and will continue to have more success in the future. This goes back to the Bob Vanatta days of the 50s and early 60s. Regardless of what has happened in the regular season, come tournament time it is the Tigers who will represent the state proudly.
Vol_Jokes writes:
What happened in 98? I'm trying to remember that far back. Was that one of the years the Tigers made yet another elite 8? Oh you must mean 2008. Well that was number 1 vs number 2 if I remember correctly. This is unranked against top 15.
Seems if Memphis fans weren't posting over here you'd not have any posts. Vol fans must be fair weathered fans. Not doing so good and they disapppear. If you look at the Tigers board you'll see the same number of posts as there has always been. Even when the coach left and took all the players..no change. Over here... different. Good luck with your game's' today. I sure hope you don't lose them both.
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Ah yesssss, we are only 5 hours away from a Memphis High FREE basketball board. Can't wait. Na-na-na-na-hey-hey-hey-GOODBYE.
Beauty part is, after the game our boys get to leave the armpit of Tennessee.
WLafIndianavol writes:
On this date in history ...
December 31, 2009 -- The Big Orange continues its ownership of Mempuss and beats Tiger High!
Vol_Jokes writes:
Yes but the problem is when they leave it takes at least a week to git back home. Half of em are driving their john deere's down the interstate and the other half are pulling their trailers back to the park they live in...in obnoxiousville.
Vol_Fan_4_Life_615 writes:
First off, all you people that clam to be Vol fans, who have only watched this team the past 5-6 seasons. You should be taught a history lesson. I was 11-12 when I started listening/watching Vols basketball when the team had a SuperStar in Allen Houston playing for a bum coach named Wade Houston. I was with them when they were 4 and what ever it was. I would tune in my radio just hoping the boys would win, an it seemingly never happened. I was there when they missed the free throw and got the tip to beat the Cats for the best win i had ever seen. Until the Memphis game 2 seasons ago. And i was there for the 100 something to 40 loss to them the same season in the SEC Tourny. Then I was there for a bunch of 50-48 win/losses during the Kevin O'neil era. Three longest years of my fanhood. But it did have my favorite player untill Lofton/Jujaun Smith/Dane Bradshaw got on campus, in Steve Hamer. (Hope that's how it's spelled) Then came the thug era of Jerry Green. For such a good recruiter he was just as bad as a coach and leader. Only to get almost the same thing in Buzz. But without Buzz we don't get Chris Lofton so I sorta like Buzz. But going to the NIT sucks.
How many losing seasons have we had with CBP? Zero. How many before he got here since 1990? More than they had winning ones! How many NCAA tourny's did we play in before he got here? 4 all under Jerry Green, but not worth the headaches he caused. How many NIt's for Pearl? Zero. How many NCAA's for Pearl? More than the rest of the coaches the past 20 years!
My point is if the biggest problem we have we can't get everything perfect. It is real bad when your only ranked 14th and playing bad in December! Wow CBP is such a bad coach...lol He got us to the ranking of number 1 less than 2 years ago. Something no one had ever done before here. He has finished ahead of UK every year in the SEC. No team has ever done that. Ever! We have not played on Thursday in any SEC tourny. Made the finals last year for the first time in almost 20 years. So get off CBP because when he is gone you will wish you had him back. Just think we could have Wade Houston as our coach. So be happy with what you got! The real Vols fans are
Kick_it_Ricky writes:
You know, I really hate to admit it, but I think I agree with you. These guys are pretty disappointing.
james#216392 writes:
I think Mize is a decent point guard but needs to play more. All Starters need to play more. Get some cheminstry.
VOLDoll writes:
I have always defended bruce Pearl on here and to all of my friends but I am not as enthusiastic about this program as I was at the beginning of last year. It just seems like Pearl is content on where he has taken this program.
The players look like they could care less to put on the Tennessee uniform.
KENVOL writes:
Tn. is going to get there azz handed to them today. I'm really starting to doubt Pearl. We still suck just like last year.
chrisw2967 writes:
I have to agree , this is streetball at its worst.
GreyhairedVol writes:
I have been watching Tennessee basketball as long as anyone on here and I can tell you that comparing what other coaches have done here and what Pearl has done is ridiculous.
Different times, when Pearl came in he did not have to go up against the juggernaut that Kentucky was in the earlier years. Kids stayed and played four years so the oopportunity was not there for some of our previous coaches.
If Kentucky wanted a kid he went to Kentucky.
They will be back to being the dominant program not only in this conference but in the nation.
With that being said I think Pearl is maybe a step up on our previous coaches but not my much.
His enthusiasm is by far ahead of the previous coaches but his coaching ability is not much better than Wade Houstons.
This team is as poorly coached as any teams I have witnessed wearing the orange. This is the same team we watched last year. And in my opinion that is unacceptable.
If a kid dont want to play hard kick his butt out the door. Set the tone for future teams. It is humiliating watching some of these kids represent Vol Nation.
wildcatbasketball writes:
Wait utilthe other BLUE---Wildcat Blue gets a hold of em...They will need more points they currently have against Memphis...I promise ya!! GO BIG BLUE
wildcatbasketball writes:
I agree...I have never thought Pearl has been a very good X's and 0's coach...I like his enthusiasm and his energy...My wife is a UT alum so I have to live on the edge...if you know what I mean...I do pull for UT when they are not playing the BLUE...But I like our chances this year...anything is better than Gillespie
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