Tennessee and Connecticut will meet on the basketball court after all.
It just won’t be Pat vs. Geno.
Tennessee’s men announced a two-game series with the UConn Huskies, beginning in 2010-11.
UT-UConn is the marquee rivalry in women’s basketball, but Tennessee’s Summitt two years ago declined to extend the series over differences with UConn coach Geno Auriemma.
The Vols and Huskies have met only once on the men’s side, with Tennessee winning 65-51 in an NCAA tournament second-round game in 2000.
Bruce Pearl will take the Vols to either Storrs or Hartford, Conn., in 2010-11. The Huskies will come to Thompson-Boling Arena in 2011-12.
Coach Jim Calhoun has led the Huskies to NCAA titles in 1999 and 2004.
“I have been a friend and longtime admirer of Jim Calhoun,’’ Pearl said. “I remember when he was coaching at Dedham (High School in Massachusetts).
“When I was a student assistant at Boston College, Jim was at Northeastern. He’s taken UConn from a powerhouse in New England to one of the premier programs in the history of college basketball.’’
The UConn series is the latest coups in Pearl’s campaign to pit the Vols against marquee opponents and attract national television audiences.
The Vols have played Texas, Gonzaga, Ohio State, Xavier, Memphis, Oklahoma State and Temple. They conclude a two-game series with Kansas this season in Knoxville.
“I know our fans appreciate seeing some of the best teams in the country come to Thompson-Boling Arena,’’ Pearl said.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 51
Irwin_Linker writes:
For those who havent seen it. This is a video of Peyton Manning from the ESPY's it is pretty hilarious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHjp8e...
Waldorf writes:
Wow, at least Bruce Pearl's not scared to play them, unlike other basketball coaches at UT.
vol4gzus writes:
I'm glad we're playing(on topic) UCONN and I guess Peyton is also.
vol4gzus writes:
This is men's ball. Your veiled response must be about Coach Summitt. She is not afraid/scared of Geno's team. We all know he did something that created a stink that vexed her enough to stop the scheduling each other on an annual basis.
bugman (Inactive) writes:
Bruceeeeee
Irwin_Linker writes:
Wow...How inciteful. Please continue to dazzle us with your spectacular posts. I'm also glad we are playing UConn. Jack azz.
Waldorf writes:
How do "we" know that? She won't give a reason so it's purely up to speculation.
splinterdand#602266 writes:
How come UT vs. Connecticut in any sport brings out the beast in people? Let's get their football team in Neyland. That would be fun.
splinterdand#602266 writes:
Come on. Summitt plays by far the toughest schedule every year. She won't give a reason because it would expose that idiot Auriemma and maybe, just maybe she has a lot more class than that jerk. You think?
NeylandWest writes:
Speaking of what we know versus what we don't know....
We know she isn't afraid to go against Baylor, Duke, UNC, Texas, Stanford, La Tech, Oklahoma and all the other programs that are always in the top 10 year in and year out...
We don't know what Geno did to tick her off, but I'm fairly certain she has a really gosh-darn-good-basketball reason for it.
cincivol writes:
Wow you are such an idoit and obviously not a UT fan!!! Why the heck does Pat even owe Geno or anyone else a reason. This woman has done more for her sport arguably than any person in any sport. She is honest and will not tolerate dishonesty in the womans' game that she help build. You probably never played anything goober!!!
GerryOP writes:
The UConn football team can come to Neyland any time they want ... as long as they buy a ticket! ;>)
45 -- Fear The Kiffin...
volingreensboro writes:
The Huskies won the national championship in 1999 and 2004, and have been coached for the past 23 seasons by Jim Calhoun. The Huskies claimed NCAA National Championships in 1999 and 2004.
now, help me with this, which years did they win the NC???
vols1511 writes:
"Tennessee defeated UConn in the programs’ only meeting on the hardwood, 65-51, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 19, 2000, in Birmingham, Ala."
This must be a mistake because UTS first time advancing to the Sweet Sixteen was under Bruce Pearl three seasons ago.
Waldorf writes:
There's nothing quite like the person who calls another's fanhood out becasue he doesn't agree with something.
All I am asking for is one reason why she won't play them, and I don't think it matters that a player got to tour ESPN on a visit. Personally, I think it's because he told something about her that is either the truth or has the potential to run off half of her fan base if it's handled wrong.
And as much as people want to say Summitt doesn't need Geno, I hate to break it to people but Geno is at the point he doesn't need Summitt either. After all, he didn't get bounced by a 12 seed in the first round last year.
cincivol writes:
Yep that preety much says it....You can't sit through a woman's game and can't play a man's game. You don't have to be a fan but if you are gonna make a comment like that you should at least know the facts and also show some respect for a coach and team that has earned it...fan or not. If i didn't like basketball wouldn't I sound like an idiot for trashing Dean Smith saying he is scared to play Kansas.
cincivol writes:
Its my business to question any idiot comment I want. All you have done is specualte about stuff. All I have done is said until you know the facts (any facts) just show respect to the person thats owed it. Who cares who needs whom? Its obvious Pat didn't or she would not have cut it loose.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
I just hope we have a point guard when we play the game.
Waldorf writes:
No, all I have done is supply myself with about three hours of entertainment on a slow day at the office because of idiots like yourself. Thanks for playing!
cincivol writes:
Then you're as gay as I thought you were. BTW thanks for the government paycheck (tax dollars)I'm at work too.
Youtee1 writes:
The article failed to mention that the Huskies won it all in '99 and '04. I'm just sayin'...
Waldorf writes:
Careful, many die-hard Lady Vol fans may get mad you you use that phrase in a deragatory manner. I figured such a know-it-all Lady Vols fan would be more PC than that.
cincivol writes:
The point here slick is not whether the womens game is inferior, nor watchable, nor really a UT fan! Its dont make assumptions that she is scared to play someone when you don't have the facts. Fact is Pat has always had the toughest schedule.
bhjohnso#207063 writes:
i think the point is, in the Summitt vs. UConn deal, we don't have any facts, because Summitt won't tell what they are. if you're going to cancel the biggest game of the season in a niche sport, it seems like you should give a reason for it.
golfballs03 writes:
I love our scheduling.
chad_t31 writes:
Didn't the feud have something to do with the recruitment of maya moore?
newtonrail writes:
Yes, U Conn cheated, but only got a slap on the wrist. I personally love Pat, although I wish she get over her thing about uni names, and put them back on there. Those gators, gamecocks, huskies, or whatever coming on here to sling mud; have at it. Any one with any sense ignores the slaps and innuendos.
txvolsfan writes:
How can anyone question Pat Summitt after the schedule she plays, year in and year out. Over a 1,000 wins and too many National Championships to count!!!
You are an IDIOT!!!
BasketVols writes:
Hey VolDog and MorristownVol. There's another b-ball article for y'all to troll on, about the USA team winning the gold at the Maccabiah Games. Just wanted to let you know, since that is all you do with your lives.
Back to work for me...
PumpVOL writes:
I love the "1,000 win" coach argument. When 75% of those wins come against teams that a middle school BB team could beat, it is not an accomplishment.
As for the idiot who said the mens team would have won more games with her as the head coach; It is a totally different game. She would be an average high school coach at best. Playing easy competition got her to 1,000 wins, not playing the best of the best.
And we all know it wasn't the Mya Rudolph situation that Pat is mad about. She got the truth told about "her program" and she got mad.
Go4Two writes:
Bruce better get some players signed.
Waldorf writes:
Ummm....and her team looked good?
I do recall them being bounced by a 12 seed in the first round.
PumpVOL writes:
Pat Summitt CAN NOT COACH MEN. She doesn't have half of the knowledge Pearl has (for the mens game).
You are correct about Pearl. He has done nothing at UT. Nothing at all. He didn't have to build the program up or anything. He had all the talent in the world when he got here and has done nothing with it. He didn't win the most games in UT history. He hasn't won the SEC once in 4 years. He hasn't only gotten beat one time(without his best player) by back to back NCAA champs. I can narrow it down right now to 6 teams in the womens game that will win it all next year...Duke, UNC, UCon, UT, UTx, OK. Can you do that in the mens game? No. The ENTIRE country outside of Stors Conneticut and Knoxville, TN could give a phooey less about womens BB. God you LV SHEEP are idiots.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Funny, but some of the most knowledgeable basketball people around think Pat is one of the greatest coaches in any sport ever. She has spoken to pro FOOTBALL teams and gotten their full attention and respect. Furthermore, the Lady Vols played against the best competition, year in and year out, of any sports program ever in terms of the proportion of top-25 teams on the schedule. Women can't beat men at "strength" sports at any level, but that doesn't mean they can't play or that their coaches can't coach, and Pat and the Lady Vols are among the best ever.
PumpVOL writes:
You are right...both coach a totally different sport. Pearl (reguardless of what some of the man-haters have said) is one of the top coaches in the nation in the mens game. Pat Head is one of the top coaches in the womens game (I know I could have put "the top coach" but IMO her and Geno are pretty darn close). They are 2 different sports from the coaching standpoint to the fanbase (hint, hint). And let me revise my statement from earlier...Pat Head can't coach men, Pearl couldn't coach women.
PumpVOL writes:
At least Bruce doesn't cover up his lifestyle...unlike another BB coach on the hill.
SmokyMTNVol writes:
Not sure UCONN will be making any deep runs with the trouble they may face. Who knows with King Pearl so worried about coaching in a worthless tournament instead of recruiting they may meet in the NIT as well.
MadtownVol writes:
If I recall correctly, TN made the sweet 16 in 2000 as a four seed, and got beat by the 8 seeded UNC Tarheels coached by Bill Guthridge. That UNC team went on to the Final Four.
PumpVOL writes:
You are correct...they were also up on UNC by 9 or 10 (if my memory serves me correctly) with 4 minutes to go. Good old Jerry Ball.
queens2183#661836 writes:
It amazes me how some TN fans can't embrace ALL sports at TN and just support them b/c they're TN. To downgrade a sport or coach or player just b/c the sport isn't your ideal, IMO, shows a lot of insecurity and immaturity and disrespect. Whether you're a fan of WCBB or not, you have to respect what Coach Summitt has been able to do at TN and the fact that TN is consistently a top 5 team year in and out as well as the 8 NCs that TN has earned from the Lady Vols. IMO, a true TN fan supports both the men and women student athletes for what they do on and off the court, field, pool, track, or whatever other surface they play on. If half the TN fans could have the grace and class that both Bruce and Pat exhibit on behalf of the university and toward each other, this website would be much more enjoyable for others. TN fans should feel proud that their big 3 actually are all contenders and good at their sport which is a lot more than what other schools can boast.
I'm a fan of TN regardless of the sport and hope others can quit nitpicking and putting down their own teams and start supporting them and their coaches like a true fan should.
volfan2002 writes:
Where you been in hibernation the reason has been given several times. He cheated in recruiting and also made some very nasty actually vulgar remarks about the Lady Vols. That is all you need to know. Coach Summitt does not plays programs that break the rules.
VOLKING writes:
Best comment of the night! Don't forget to tell SmokyMtnVol and Tatervol too. They wouldn't want to miss trolling on all of our other basketball articles.
Bigger_Al writes:
Good! Always love a great non-conference matchup against a national power. Coach Pearl and Coach Jones have done a great job getting marquis games to test our mettle, and the Vols have done quite well in those.
How about scheduling the Cheating Illini? No, their slack-jawed fans are such morons that they still blame Pearl for them getting caught cheating. Illinois has a tradition of cheating in all sports unrivaled by anyone, except maybe Bama.
Vol_Jokes writes:
I thought the vuls mainly played cream puffs and in the weak SEC conference. Why schedule a loss? Anyone knows the only Vols team that can play with UConn is the lady Vols.
gatorhator5033 writes:
Bruce,
You are absolutely great for Tennessee. This is how you build a program. I certainly hope this guy is around Knoxville a LONG time.
2/3 years ago UCONN would not have given us the time of day, period!!
PumpVOL writes:
Queen...so you are the one to judge who is a real VOL fan or not? I do not and will not EVER pull for the LV's. Why? I don't like the sport, I don't like the way it is pushed on everyone and we are told we have to like it because it is UT (what you did in your post)and I don't like the lifestyle that is associated with womens basketball. Just because I don't pull for the LV's doesn't mean I can't pull for the other sports.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Bruce is good at getting the team national exposure by playing all these top 10 programs; but sadly; it hasn't helped recruiting much..I seem to be missing what the attraction is playing for John C. at Kentucky; Good coach but certainly NOT the caliber of Wooden and other great coaches..This years Kentucky class is the cream of the crop!! Memphis still kills us in recruiting no matter who the coach is!! This years class for Bruce is all important to push the program over the hump and into the final four. So far it's not been encouraging. Hoping for the best and thanks to Bruce and all the dedicated fans packing TBA every game. GO VOLS!!!!
Seasontickets writes:
Dear Pat,
Uconn and Tennessee have agreed on a football deal in 2013. Now Coach Pearl agrees to a two year deal to play the Huskies. As a womens basketball fan I feel shortchanged. Come on Pat, Give us our game back. I know Geno is a jerk, but no one is bigger than the game. Do not avoid the enemy. Everyone knows between that Uconn is the basketball capital of the modern world. 15 current Uconn Men in the NBA, more than any other college. WNBA all star game this weekend. Five of the 22 players selected are from Uconn.
Please Pat, lets take them head on and show them who is #1
VOLFAN5307 writes:
Replying to the last thing you said in your ignorant comment, i will throw some stats at you since you're bringing out UT getting beat in the first rd by a 12 seed.
Championships:
Lady Vols-8
Uconn-6
Tournament Appearances:
Lady Vols-28
Uconn-21
(By the time Uconn first made an appearance in the tournament UT was winning its 2nd National Championship)
Final Fours:
Lady Vols-18
Uconn-10
COACHING WINS:
Pat Summitt-1005 Wins, 8 Ncaa Championships, 14 time SEC champions, 13 time SEC tournament Championships, 7 time SEC Coach of the year, 7 time NCAA coach of the year, Naismith Coach of the 20th Century, Womens Basketball Hall of Fame(in Knoxville, TN because of Pat), The floor in the Arena is named the Summitt that both men and womens teams play on.
Geno Auriemma-696 Wins, 6 NCAAA Championships, 15 Big East Championships, 14 Big East Tournament Championships, 6 National Coach of the year honors, 3 WBCA Coach of the year honors, Naismith HOF, Womens HOF, NIA Sports HOF.
*In 93' Uconn was "bounced" by an 11 seed.
So next time that you are thinking that Coach Summitt owes anyone an explanation about anything then look at her resume' and then compare it to Genos because at this point in time she is the better and more legendary coach. The stats tell the story!
Seasontickets writes:
I am not here to pick on our program. As a fan who buys season tickets, purchases t-shirts, sweatshirts, flags, mugs,.....you name it. Not to mention donations so that my tickets are decent. I even purchase pay per views on football. The Uconn Tennessee game was the most relevant game in womens basketball. Thats all......and I hate to admit your numbers were accomplished well before Uconn made its committment to the sport. Recent history gives Uconn the edge. The same thing happened with the men when Calhoun came on board. It looks like football is on the same success track.
Look, I want what you want. Success for the Vols...Why not give back to the fans and showcase the two best teams in basketball....Sorry you got so defensive....Go Vols.
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