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Men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl talks about the 2008 match-up between Tennessee and Memphis. Watch »
Tennessee Men's Basketball
This being Memphis-Tennessee week, Memphis coach John Calipari said he’d like to start playing the series in Nashville.
This being Memphis-Tennessee week, Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said he’d like to continue playing the game home-and-home.
This being Memphis-Tennessee week, reporters (OK, it was me) goaded each of the coaches into saying something nasty or funny or colorful.
This being Memphis-Tennessee week, the coaches couldn’t resist.
Me: “So, Coach Pearl, why don’t you want to move the game to Nashville?”
Pearl: “I don’t want to deny the fans in Knoxville the opportunity to see one of the greatest coaches who ever has ever coached the game in John Calipari.”
Hahahahahaha.
He’s killing him with kindness this time.
Is this a great rivalry, or what?
And, yes, it is a rivalry, no matter what anyone (read: Calipari) says about the series that resumes Saturday at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.
“You say it’s a rivalry,” said Calipari.
It’s not?
“It’s a game you play,” he said.
But what about the packed house awaiting Memphis?
“Every game we play is like that.”
Really?
“Yeah, if you’d have been at Central Florida ...”
And so it goes. Back and forth. East to West. Memphis-Tennessee has become such a fabulous rivalry, they even debate whether it’s a rivalry.
“Oh, it’s a rivalry,” said Pearl.
“I guess it’s a rivalry,” said Calipari.
Wait. So now the two men seem to agree! Could peace in the Middle East be far behind?
Because this Memphis-Tennessee thing is vicious, ladies and gentlemen, and I say that in the best sense of the word.
Sports needs some viciousness, doesn’t it? All fans need someone to boo.
Once, Memphis fans could boo Bob Huggins. Or Rick Pitino. Or Tom Crean. Or Denny Crum.
Who can work up a good boo for Mike Davis? Or for Doug Wojcik? Or for old friend Tony Barbee?
Memphis fans have no problems booing Pearl. Tennessee fans will boo the heck out of Calipari.
“It’s heated,” said Calipari.
“It’s good for our fans,” said Pearl.
Dang. More agreement. But don’t worry about these two ruining everything by becoming pals.
Not after Pearl came into Memphis last year and said the Vols would “kick Memphis’s (posterior).”
Not after Calipari told reporters that Pearl had called him trying to get tickets for Peyton Manning last year.
Not after the two clashed in the recruitment of Willie Kemp (went to Memphis) and Wayne Chism (went to Tennessee) and Emmanuel Negedu (went to Tennessee) and Leslie McDonald and Elliot Williams (said the heck with both of you and picked North Carolina and Duke).
Oh, and since last year’s game, Pearl told a Tennessee booster club he was surprised to see former Memphis player Chris Douglas-Roberts go pro because it involved a cut in pay.
Calipari called Pearl to object to that one.
Asked to describe their relationship today, Calipari shrugged.
“We coach in the same state,” he said.
Which is the best part of all of this, isn’t it?
They coach in the same state — in our state — and we are all the better for it.
It could be Tic Price vs. Jerry Green, after all. What a snoozer that would be.
Instead, it’s a packed house and national television and a game to stir the blood.
And, yes, for the record, a reporter (OK, me again) went right to Calipari to ask about Pearl’s most recent quote in defense of continuing to play the series as a home-and-home.
“He said that he didn’t want to deny his fans the opportunity to see one of the greatest coaches who ever coached the game,” I said.
Calipari rolled his eyes at this. Then he fired back with style.
“I have to agree with him,” he said.
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Comments » 15
jsm67vol writes:
This is amazing!!!!!!!!!!The biggest game of the year for the vols so far and the football recruiting articles have 3-4 pages of posts. This is a tough one for me. I love the vols and I love the tigers. I attended Memphis State as it was then named and earned degree from UT Memphis. I vow to kill a brew with every lead change in this game. See you guys Monday when I wake up!! GO VOLS!!!!!
revjulian writes:
Our guys better keep their hands off the funny grass growing around the campus and focus on basketball and THEIR future!!!
orangevolunteer writes:
i hear cal is extremely happy the airlines lifted the ban on carry on liquids.now he doesnt have to search ktown for the afro sheen he wears on top of his big melon....GO VOLS
easleychuck writes:
I would like to thing that Calkins doesn't believe that he's adding anything to this rivalry with this, I hope tongue in cheek drival.
The only need for the Vols is the visibility of playing in Memphis.
For the kittycats it gives them a high profile opponent during the their tough league run (yeah right).
If Crying Cal wishes to play in Nashville, play the Dores. The Vols reside in Knoxville, and we welcome the kitties to our home as long as they use their litter box.
Go Vols!
ravensearay writes:
memphis will never cancel this game......Way to much money for a school that doesn't get that kind of paycheck that often.......
CoachNeyland writes:
Go Vols! Beat East Arkansas!!!
AppStVol writes:
Lets go to WAR Bruce! Don't let these THUGS from MEMFRICA Indimtidate lets bring the pain and make, thug-calaparia get some I can't wait until tom to see if our squad has any heart at all. If we do I feel like Hopson and our Horses will show up. I want this win more than anything!! Get some John gel head!!
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Appy, methinks you may be up a little early for a Saturday morning. I read your post three times, and still can't quite make sense of it. Little early to be hitting the hooch, isn't it?
And don't you think the "MEMFRICA" garbage is a bit uncalled for?
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
dvols writes:
there are definately two sides to this state, im all for the vols but youens need to take a look at memphis' recruiting over the next two years, they are looking real strong!
Hunter writes:
Pearl can't believe CDR went to the NBA and took a pay cut - CLASSIC!!! Why did we not hear about that on this site? Oh, I think we already know the answer: ESPN hadn't broken the story yet...
Go Vols - beat everybody, especially Mempiss.
blitzshoot writes:
I get some ribs if the UT wins. GO VOLS!
MattDillon writes:
LMAO. By the way boys theres a new sheriff in town
destintiger writes:
You racist vol fans are out of touchg with reality! You got an all white team or even a decent football team? Grow up and live in a real world, one in which the Tigers are your 'betters' in basketball.
WE__ARE_MEMPHIS writes:
Check Cals comments in the CA, this series is over after next year. We dont need it. Tommy West wanted it gone last year. Now that Cal got his win in hicksville, he will force the issue and its gone. traded in for a date with the Dores in nashville. Still on CBS, still against an suc(sec) panty waist of a team, but better surroundings, atmosphere,food and people. No tear drops on the floor in nashville. keep thinking it wont happen people. You know Cal and Stallings both would love to stick it to that oompa loompa of a coach of yours. Home and Home in football and BB ball with the Dores starting in 2011. it will happen. This series is played out and has had its time.
ETNTigerFan writes:
Wow, there must be some serious crow eating by vol fans on this thread!!
Pearl attacking a player (CDR) instead of a coach. Be glad ESPN didn't run the story. He would have looked like a real jackass. Stay classy Pearl!
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