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Men's Basketball
When it comes to barbecue, there's Calhoun's and there's The Rendezvous.
Unique flavors from different ends of the state, each with a devoted following.
When it comes to college basketball, there's Tennessee and there's Memphis.
Unique flavors from different ends of the state, each with a devoted following.
Happily, a crowd at Thompson-Boling Arena and a CBS television audience get to sample both flavors of basketball Saturday when this colorful rivalry renews for the 20th time.
"They're two good programs, two programs who have a chance to get to Final Fours,'' Memphis coach John Calipari said this week.
Thus far, only one has.
Memphis has been to not one but three Final Fours (1973, 1985, 2008).
Of all the yardsticks by which to compare the Vols and Tigers, that just might be the trump card. In college basketball, the Final Four is the grandest stage.
But so much more goes into the making of a great rivalry.
Memphis began basketball in 1920 and has won 1,365 games. UT began in 1908 and has won 1,434 games.
Since the start of the 2000-01 season, Memphis has won 228 games, Tennessee 172.
Memphis has finished in The Associated Press top 10 final ranking five times. Tennessee has done so twice: 1967 and 2008.
Tennessee is 13-17 in NCAA tournament play. Memphis is 30-21.
Tennessee has four Sweet 16 appearances. Memphis has five - plus three Elite Eights and those three Final Fours.
Tennessee has played in one conference in the modern era, the SEC. Memphis is on its fourth, Conference USA.
Memphis shares its home court with a perennial loser, the NBA Grizzlies. Tennessee shares its court with a perennial champion, the Lady Vols.
Memphis has attracted 11 McDonald's All-Americans (two jumped directly to the NBA), Tennessee six. This year, each team has one (Tyreke Evans for Memphis; Scotty Hopson for UT).
Memphis has seen 47 players drafted by the NBA. Six former Tigers are on active rosters. UT has had 42 players drafted. C.J. Watson is the only active ex-Vol.
Tennessee has produced two Associated Press first-team All-Americans: Bernard King and Dale Ellis. Memphis has three: Chris Douglas-Roberts, Penny Hardaway and Keith Lee.
Allan Houston (2,801 points) is UT's all-time scoring leader. Lee (2,408 points) holds that title at Memphis.
Tennessee has suited up at least a dozen players from Memphis, eight of whom were significant contributors:
J.P. Prince, Dane Bradshaw, Scooter McFagdon, Terrence Woods, Tony Harris, LaMarcus Golden, Lang Wiseman and Michael Brooks.
Memphis has had one player from Knoxville: Joe Proctor (1968-71).
Memphis has a coach, Calipari, who is in his 17th season with 427 wins. Tennessee has a coach, Bruce Pearl, in his 17th season with 406 wins.
Most of the numbers favor the Tigers. Memphis is, after all, a basketball school. Tennessee is a football school that happens to play good basketball more often than not.
And yet there are these numbers:
Of the 19 meetings in this intrastate war, Tennessee has won 12 to Memphis' 7.
Of the past nine meetings, Tennessee has won seven.
Memphis has never beaten a ranked Tennessee team. Tennessee has beaten a ranked Memphis team four times.
These numbers, too, weigh heavily into the making of a great rivalry.
Unique flavors from different ends of the state.
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strangem@knoxnews.com.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 39
yeavols#228407 writes:
Living in Georgia...man I miss Buddy's Bar-b-que..does that count?
yeavols#228407 writes:
ZZZ you forgot to say first....just to solidify your ignorance...I bet you just forgot...
NoogaVol55 writes:
Not that it matters...but during those "Back-to-Back" title years...UF also has a 1-3 record vs. TN. Just saying....
dvols writes:
to the vols. rebound, rebound, rebound!!!!!!!
yeavols#228407 writes:
ZZZ drank some potion...Mr. Jekyll and Hyde..One minute he posts something respectable to get you hooked..then the next minute he posts some gator hyperlink that sells hats and a t-shirt..Then the cycle stars all over again..Well..we all saw the Basketball gators have a glorious monment..that fell by the wayside..now we get to see the football gators fall in due time..and it will happen...The best part? I get to see ZZZ go away..and never return..Oh it's coming..
yeavols#228407 writes:
I can't wait
yeavols#228407 writes:
to the Gators..rebound rebound rebound..oh wait..it didnt' work..Buahahahah
TommyJack writes:
He's not going anywhere. He has a job to do for KNS.
bmaples writes:
OK, that was a good one. Even if it was from a !@#$% Gator.
:--)
IPOrange writes:
INCOMING! FIRE IN THE HOLE!
GET YOUR HEAD DOWN, SOLDIER! INTERLOPERS ABOUND! DO NOT ENGAGE THE ENEMY! I REPEAT - DO NOT ENGAGE THE ENEMY!
calivol writes:
Actually, Memphis has 10 Sweet 16 appearances, not five. Just saying...
Plasticman writes:
Vols have won 7 of the past 9 games vs. Memphis St. Tomorrow will make it 80%. That should shut up the Tigger fans.
vol1 writes:
Oh look...the piece of shiit is posting again...fcuk off gatorzz
volball7222 writes:
UF=FU
IPOrange writes:
"Happens to every guy sometimes this does." - Yoda, Jedi Master
utchris writes:
You are right, but Chris Jackson of LSU dropped off 53 in the O'Connel Center back on December 10, 1988.
He also dropped off 48 on you in March of the same year.
And then there was Maravich. Do you really want to know what he did to you?
47 in 1968
50 in 1969
52 in 1970
utmichael20#546617 writes:
THAT'S AWESOME!!!
RocketVol writes:
Tennessee has 8 National Championships in Basketball
txvolsfan writes:
That's the past, Eddie Munster!!!
Hounddog writes:
Mr. Strange, with respect next Memphis visit let me know, I will show you where the real BBQ is served. Rendezvous a tourist attraction, there is much better here.
I will agree with you on Calhoun's.
ThurmondEppy writes:
I've said it before and I'll say it again....Buddy's is to BBQ like Captain D's is to seafood. I'm a Vol who grew up in Memphis. There is no comparison in the BBQ contest. Memphis wins hands down.
orangeinbama writes:
I have thought that very thing myself. And has a couple of monikers at that......
JTinCharlotte writes:
I have to agree with you, except many years ago the best BBQ was in outlying areas known as BBQ stands on the side of the highways. Just a cheap nothing building, a BBQ pit out back. I sure do miss those and real BBQ. I also miss the catfish from the Savanah and Pickwick area.
Chartervol writes:
If Buddy's is Captain D's (true) Calhoun's is about like Red Lobster. Chain dreck.
Silly to compare ET 'cue to what they have in Memphis; also silly to compare the Tiggers to the Vol athletics machine.
VOLinCockCuntry writes:
Anyone comparing Knoxville BBQ to Memphis is out of their mind. Its not even close. I like Buddy's as much as the next man, but you can't compare it to the Rendevous, Commissary, etc. Memphis is known throughout the U.S. for two things: BBQ and crime.
orangeluvr writes:
Hounddog,I love all things that are Tennessee traditions,the Smokeys,JD,VOLS and BBQ. Memphis is the 'que capital.Rendezvous,Corky's and Neely's garner the most publicity. Is there a little known que place better than these? Some of the best que comes the from the backyards of dedicated pitmasters across the VOLUNTEER state. I cook myself and have learned my lessons the hard way! BTW let's not forget the ultimate 'que event, Memphis in May!
VAvolfanRON writes:
I agree here..
Does anyone remember Brother Jack's?
He made some of the best ribs!!!!
VAvolfanRON writes:
Sorry, we've kind of gotten off the subject!!....but its is lunchtime!!!!
Let's go Vols!!!!
Slystone writes:
Strange: So you know the Rendezvous is not the best BBQ joint in Memphis. The Rendezvous doesn't even touch A&R BBQ (located on Elvis Presley Blvd, one in Whitehaven and another in Bartlett) A&R rules. I like Calhouns, but more for the spinach maria.
Slystone writes:
But also it's "music", Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Bar-Kays, Rufus Thomas, Stax Records, Booker T and the MG's and much more (I didn't even mention Elvis). Not just BBQ and Crime.
TommyJack writes:
yup
sameolvolalum writes:
Guys. You're once again responding to that zzlizard closet queen. The only it'll go away is if you ignore it.
sameolvolalum writes:
Being an orange-blooded ex-Knoxvillian, I hate to admit it but you're correct, sir. However, having lived in Austin, Texas I can tell you neither town has BBQ over the Texas varieties. Memphis has a nice little section of skyline to be seen off I-40 but never------NEVER leave the interstate. The gangstah's will getcha'! Also, what else sports-wise is there other than the Mempuss Tigers? I'd be hanging on to that one thread, too, if I were you.
volsoutwest writes:
and there wasn't even a 3-point line then....
volsoutwest writes:
Memhis does have Beale St. and the Auto Zone Park area which are pretty nice. However, when exiting those places on Beale it would be wise to go out the front door and not the back, cause the "hood" is might close.
Slystone writes:
Actually their minor league Baseball team (Redbirds)does fairly well in their state of the art ball park (courtesy of Autozone). But Memphis is a baskeball and music town. Even the Titans were not very welcome when they played football there. Veering off the highway for good BBQ is not a problem for me. Bringing Texas into the BBQ conversation is interesting, but not in the same league as Memphis BBQ. I would rate Kansas City and St.Louis ahead of TX. Bottom line there is nothing like good ole soul music and some Bluff City BBQ.
orangeluvr writes:
Disagree.Memphis has beaten texas in taste tests. Don't recall any texan winning Memphis in May. But I do respect your opinion. GO VOLS!!
GOTGO writes:
guess we don't have to shut up
thebadsamaritan writes:
Neeley's BBQ in downtown Memphis can't be beat.
But, B.E. Scott's BBQ in Lexington, TN comes very close.
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