Thanks, Vols.
Those words would have been difficult if not impossible for the Memphis Tigers to utter last February.
In the immediate aftermath of Tennessee's 66-62 upset victory at the FedExForum last Feb. 23, the most profound thing No. 1-ranked, previously unbeaten Memphis was feeling wasn't gratitude. It was hurt. From a gut shot.
But the Tigers gathered themselves nicely. They came within a few bitter seconds of winning an NCAA tournament championship. They were seemingly at the pinnacle before letting Kansas slip away with a 75-68 overtime victory.
With the Tigers (15-3) preparing to face the Vols (12-5) on Saturday in Thompson-Boling Arena, coach John Calipari can reflect on what impact UT's victory had in Memphis' run to a near-miss at the national championship.
"As far as how we play, we took off,'' Calipari said Thursday. "That game took us to another level after that.
"It was a good game for us in that regard, and I'm hoping this game is the same.''
This game is at 3:30 p.m. (TV: WVLT). It's unlikely to match the grand stage of last season. Neither team is on anyone's Final Four radar at the moment.
A year ago, it was No. 1 (Memphis) vs. No. 2 (Tennessee). Memphis was unbeaten until the Vols turned the trick. The Tigers didn't lose again until Kansas.
Calipari said the loss to UT was instructive in a number of ways.
"We weren't getting enough ball movement,'' he said. "We weren't getting to the second or third drive. There was way too much one-on-one.''
He hopes this year's game will be instructive, but in victory rather than defeat.
Like the Vols, the Tigers are retooling.
The three starters they lost from last year are all in the NBA.
Point guard Derrick Rose was the No. 1 pick in the draft after one season in college. He's flourishing as a rookie with the Chicago Bulls.
Chris Douglas-Roberts is a role player in New Jersey. Joey Dorsey is on Houston's roster.
This year, Memphis has another potential lottery pick, freshman Tyreke Evans, playing the point. That wasn't Calipari's initial vision.
"I didn't want my best scorer to be at point guard,'' he said. "I went through three point guards and finally said, 'That's it. Tyreke, take the ball.'
"My team was much better because he could take on stuff like Derrick did a year ago, in a different way.
"He's lightened the load for Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier so they could play better. Now, all of a sudden, we're more comfortable as a team.''
Thriller in Columbia: If you missed Zam Frederick's last-second run-out basket that gave South Carolina a 70-69 win over Florida on Wednesday night, take a look on YouTube.com.
"I've seen a lot of games but I don't think I've ever seen one end like that,'' South Carolina coach Darrin Horn said Thursday.
Tennessee is a likely beneficiary. The Gators are 3-1 (same as UT) instead of 4-0 in the SEC East race.
South Carolina almost pulled off another amazing comeback at Tennessee last Saturday. UT held on 82-79 after surrendering most of a 19-point lead.
"I knew that when we beat South Carolina at home we had accomplished something fairly significant,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl said Thursday.
"Having a team that basically returned almost everyone from a year ago you could almost anticipate South Carolina was going to be very competitive.
"With Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee all playing pretty well, it's going to make for a really competitive race.''
Felton's Trip: Coach Dennis Felton took advantage of Georgia's bye to attend the inauguration of President Obama on Tuesday.
"It was really, really cold but really, really special,'' Felton said. "To be there with my two young sons, to be there at that moment with them, it's just a struggle to find words to describe it.''
Four Pack Tickets: UT has announced the Texas Roadhouse Basketball Four Pack for both Vol and Lady Vol fans. For $60, fans get four Texas Roadhouse entrees and four reserved tickets.
Men's games included in the package are LSU, Georgia and Mississippi State. Women's games included are Ole Miss, Georgia, Duke, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.
Call 865-656-1200 to purchase.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 97
bfrank78 writes:
Not at all fond of pearl.
VOLMAN40 writes:
mempuss fan
sayhitomaggie writes:
And hopefully the Vols learned a lesson from Kentucky that will carry them through the rest of the season...
txvolsfan writes:
Cal is a jerk!!!
ctownvol writes:
My point exactly. Great post UTfan.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
BlakeyWakey writes:
Funny how you make fun of Cal for not fouling in the national championship when the vols didnt make it past the sweet 16
BlakeyWakey writes:
Funny how you make fun of Cal for not fouling in the naational championship game when the vols didnt make it past the sweet 16
ctownvol writes:
By all means brother. If I'm late then please do what ya gotta do. You make me proud.
MemphisVol writes:
we're up five games on Memphis State. Let's make it six!
12/28/69 6 - W, 72-51 4-Oklahoma City
12/29/88 19 - W, 76-74 Knoxville
11/25/89 - 24 L, 72-91 40-Memphis
3/14/90 - - W, 73-71 2-Memphis
11/27/90 - - L, 72-74 Knoxville
12/14/91 - - W, 65-64 Memphis
12/6/92 - 8 W, 70-59 Knoxville
12/2/93 - - L, 64-83 Memphis
12/17/94 - - L, 46-50 Knoxville
12/16/95 - 6 L, 55-57 Memphis
12/15/96 - - W, 57-47 Knoxville
12/20/97 - - W, 68-66 Memphis
12/2/98 - - W, 68-67 Knoxville
12/18/99 13 - W, 74-69 Memphis
12/5/00 6 - W, 86-76 Knoxville
12/15/01 - - L, 69-71 Memphis
1/18/06 - 4 L, 79-88 Memphis
12/6/06 - 16 W, 76-58 Knoxville
2/23/08 2 1 W, 66-62 Memphis
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
what's funny is that Cal keeps losing to the coach of a team that can't get past the Sweet 16. I must have missed in Calidouche's first 3 years at Memphis when he got to the Sweet 16.
overatedvols writes:
Seems vol fans aren't posting much lately. I guess it's understandable to be worried. Guess you are in hiding this year praying that the vols will be able to pull it off so you can come out of hiding and talk trash for another year.
Still, thanks for helping us reach the national championship game last year. Vols won the battle. We won the war. I still can't figure out what happened to the vols after that game. I don't think they've been the same since.
bhjohnso#207063 writes:
i hate memphis.
bcbobcat82 writes:
I'm glad I am a fan of a team that actually plays in a legit conference. It must be really boring playing glorified high school teams in conf usa. Its great to be a Tennessee Vol instead of a stinking Memphis State Tiger. Get ready for another BOOTY WHIPPIN Saturday lil tigers!!!
oasis3#214380 writes:
I believe Kansas won the war. Memphis was just another casualty.
bcbobcat82 writes:
Calipari is Satan
Down_The_Field writes:
john...you misspelled mempus
eduardo writes:
tigger high nuff said
cjraney writes:
Get 'em Doc.
ctownvol writes:
Now that peanut butter is deadly am I supposed to lay off the Reese's cups?
Slystone writes:
rim shot heard after that joke?
bhjohnso#207063 writes:
memphis is sort of an unofficial district of columbia, God knows Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas don't want it.
VolJunkie writes:
interesting math ...
VolJunkie writes:
Well said ...
ETNTigerFan writes:
Lot's of venom here for what you refer to as just a lowly high school team. Here's to a good game! Go Tigers!
bkgunter writes:
OverStatedFlaws:
You lost both games. There was no war for you to win.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Ouch!
Will kinda miss overrated if the Vols pull this one off.
volwalk writes:
Agree! the venom usaully comes from fans that have their own insecurities. This is a great rivalry and most would agree with that statement---you can't have a great rivalry without two great basketball programs. Historically speaking, Memphis is definately ahead of us---especially with their recent success in the NCAA Tourney (last 3 years). We have had some success as well--especially for our standards--3 straight trips to the Tourney a couple of 16s and a SEC Championship---these are accomplishments that we as Vol fans are not use too and are very proud of. I'm sure in time that we will make deeper runs in the tourney and Memphis will eventually win a National Championship...until then, here's to a great game!
GO VOLS!!
auggievol writes:
Days like tomorrow make it tough to live on the beach in Saint Augustine. I'd rather be in TBA.
Is it true Coach Pearl will be handing out Reeses Peanut Butter Cups to the first 750 Memphis Fans? Make sure BFrank gets 5.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
there's a lot of people who want to undermine our way of life . especially in this country, and they want to do it in the name of righteousness. And for us! Calipeariiii, also wants to undermine us, and beat us, and in that way he is going to do us no favors, though he says we did him one last year. Will this win benefit us or him the most? According to that we should win, they have nothing to lose. But do they have a better team? Someone changing something that's not broke, just to fix it is called what? Too bad there's so many hurting people around that one not so authentic black man can make them cry just by being our president, but it's happened, hasn't it. Life is just like basketball, it's laid out there for you, and if you follow the blueprint things will work out. Of course Love always suffers, but there's power in the cross. But there's no evil in basketball, it's just a game. ()another game). In real life there is evil, and a real devil, but calipariiii is not one. Go Vols , beat the "evil" one.
shoalcreekvol writes:
Glorified? I guess I missed the "glorified high school" part since the CUSA so-called arenas are the same size as high school gyms. I go to a lot of high school games and I just don't see the difference...
shoalcreekvol writes:
That's as funny as it is true! Hilarious!
VolJunkie writes:
Glad Memphis learned a lesson last year, class will continue tomorrow, 3:30p, Thompson-Boling Arena. Coach Cal should take better notes this year.
sayhitomaggie writes:
Yeah because MAYBE then he can pass the final exam that everyone thought he'd pass with flying colors. Haha.
bfrank78 writes:
Nice post. Couldn't have said it better myself.
GO TIGERS!!!!
overatedvols writes:
This is all a bit sad to me. I've been over here a year now and it will probably be over after tommorrow. It's always been evident that Memphis is superior to the vols (very overrated losers) program. Your only bragging rights where that you were 2-1 against us. It wasn't much but at least it gave you some kind of argument. When the Tigers win tommorrow you won't even have that anymore. What good is it to say ..hey..we are 2-2 against the Tigers in the last 4 years. Your arguments will no longer be meaningful. You'll be trying to talk trash against one of the nations elite programs that has 2 elite 8's and a championship game under it's belt in recent years. A team that could quite possibly have the top recruiting class in the country coming in and some have said it could be the best class in 10 years in college basketball. The vols.. they can say.. well.. we beat you last season??? It just doesn't have any meaning. I'm afraid it will no longer be fun to come over and mess with you people. It's about like winning the super bowl every year and then going to teams that can't even make the playoffs and making fun of them. It's just no fun.
So, in a way I almost want the vols to pull off the miracle Sat. Still, in looking at their play this season I just don't see a way. That look in the second half on the faces of the vol players saying.. we can't beat these guys..they are better than us...has become all too common this year. I'm afraid we'll be seeing that face a lot tommorrow.
Oh well, Memphis is the elite city of the area and we might as well stay the elite basketball program also. I think you guys should just give up on fixing the basketball program and focus your attention on fixing the football program. Everybody knows you're just a football school anyway (or used to be).
Still, as obnoxious as the vol fans are, it's going to be a bit sad following the vol loss tommorrow. I'll have to find a new hobby. I just don't think i'll have the heart to make fun of you anymore.
Volunatic writes:
He did disappear for a few days after the Vols beat Memphis, but then he returned to gloat about Vandy winning the following Tuesday.
Volunatic writes:
On an unrelated note, Cal's steakhouse is terrible. It was kind of stupid to try to open a supposedly "upscale" steakhouse a few blocks away from Folk's Folly, anyway.
Volunatic writes:
"Four Pack Tickets: UT has announced the Texas Roadhouse Basketball Four Pack for both Vol and Lady Vol fans. For $60, fans get four Texas Roadhouse entrees and four reserved tickets. Men's games included in the package are LSU, Georgia and Mississippi State. Women's games included are Ole Miss, Georgia, Duke, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt."
Ummm, why are there only three games in the Men's "Four Pack" and five games in the Women's "Four Pack"?
overatedvols writes:
Haven't been to Cal's steakhouse but as long as he keeps giving us the kind of basketball teams he has been giving us he can have bad food in the restaraunt.
volmattna writes:
We will dominate this team! As usual, lets have the Tommy Bowl rocking and rolling!!! GO VOLS!!!!
AFTiger writes:
Then Pearl is his pimp.
AFTiger writes:
Cal doesn't own or having any profit-bearing interest in the restaurant.
overatedvols writes:
Correct he doesn't make a cent off of the restaraunt. I believe all profits go to the Univ. of Memphis athletic dept. What a guy. Wonder if Bruce is doing anything similiar?
THE_VOL writes:
Unless you're Kansas, you're all in the same pile - RUNNERS-UP!!! The ONLY thing that matters is winning it all...everything else is just worthless talk.
HotlantaVol writes:
Hi Maggie!!
THE_VOL writes:
No Bruce doesn't do anything like that. Instead he takes $250,000 out of his pocket to establish a scholarship fund. Gee, has Cheater Cal done that? You see at a REAL University like TN, the athletic dept. is self-sufficient and doesn't need to take charity from it's own coaches.
Now, a couple of other questions:
1. How many national titles has Mempiss State won??? (hint: until you do you finish a LOSER like everybody else.)
2. Is Mempiss State bringing that murderer into our house tomorrow? (please know that on Rocky Top we shoot back!)
3. After you get your azz kicked AGAIN tomorrow - will all you Mempiss Cesspoolians leave our site forever? Please?????!!!!
overatedvols writes:
Hey that's pretty good brownie.
Where you been. I've been dogging your vols pretty good this week.
Also you didn't tell me ivaroni was going to be history.
THE_VOL writes:
The food doesn't have to be any good...it's just a front to raise bail money for his players anyway.
WE__ARE_MEMPHIS writes:
uuuh, actually that’s not true. Convenient since you can’t make it out of the first two rounds but BS none the less. Let’s face it, you’re a regional team. You brag about mythical state titles and wins against fellow sec teams that nobody follows. But, then again, if you have never been to a final four (I have been lucky enough to watch my team in person there twice) I can see that it’s easier to say everyone is a loser but the Champ. I think Austin Pea and MTSU say the same thing. All I know is, since we suck soooo bad and we are a glorified high school, you better win or whats that make you!
Go Tigers
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