GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Although I wasn't privy to Tennessee's game plan for the Florida Gators, my best guess is that it consisted of two words: "Show up."
That's usually all it takes against the Gators.
This game wasn't as difficult as the final score - UT 79, Florida 75 - would suggest. The Vols led by as many as 15 points in the first half and by 16 in the second half Sunday afternoon.
Beating Florida has been the most consistent theme of the Bruce Pearl era at UT. And it doesn't matter whether the Gators are on the way to a national championship or the NIT.
Not even Tim Tebow can do anything about it. Florida's quarterback stood helplessly alongside football coach Urban Meyer in a corner of the O'Connell Center as the Vols punched the Gators one more time.
Pearl is 7-1 against the Gators. To put that in perspective: In the last four years, Florida has two national championships and one victory over UT.
Not even Pat Summitt won at Florida this season. And I won't mention the UT football team.
The Vols didn't just beat the Gators in a nationally televised game. They beat back the memory of their worst week of the season.
Just eight days after Pearl questioned his team's effort and his own coaching, the Vols are tied with South Carolina for the SEC East lead and looking more like the team fans envisioned in preseason than the one that was clobbered on back-to-back road games to Ole Miss and Kentucky.
Pearl's public putdown didn't have an immediately positive response. Monday's practice, two days after the 19-point loss to Kentucky, was awful, according to the coach.
By Tuesday, he sensed the team had moved on and was the better for it. An 81-76 victory at Thompson-Boling Arena on Wednesday provided confirmation.
No one should have been surprised by what happened next - and not just because of UT's dominance against the Gators. You also have to consider the "rhythm effect," as presented by UT associate head coach Tony Jones.
"We've been a rhythm team," Jones said. "It seems like we've been playing in that rhythm, whether we're good or bad.
"The Ole Miss game kind of piggybacked into the Kentucky game. Then, we come back home, get rejuvenated, and win a game we had to have."
The last two months support his theory. Three times, the Vols have suffered back-to-back losses; four times, they have had back-to-back victories.
The most recent back-to-back victories might be the most impressive of the lot, given the sense of urgency for a team trying to play its way into the NCAA tournament and win the SEC East in the process.
UT's intensity and poise were evident from the outset in a hostile environment, where the Gators hadn't lost this season. But the means to the end was the same as at Thompson-Boling Arena: The Vols shot way above their norm from 3-point range (10-of-19) against Florida's zone and switched effectively on defense against the Gators, whose constant screening often loses opposing defenders.
UT altered its defensive strategy only slightly for the rematch.
"I thought we had to do something a little different," UT assistant coach Jason Shay said. "You knew they would make an adjustment to us switching."
When possible, Shay had the Vols set their defense in anticipation of screen-induced switches, which would ultimately leave them with more favorable match-ups.
"My assistant coaches do an outstanding job," Pearl said. "Jason Shay has had the Florida scout the last four years. I have to give Jason tremendous credit for how we are prepared.
"Jason is a great student of the game. So why not study one of the great coaches of the game, Billy Donovan?"
That's the same great coach who has won one of his last eight games against the Vols.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 45
JMP_Vols writes:
7-1.
ncvol17 writes:
At least there is something we can beat the Gators at year in and year out. Hating gators since 1977...
murrayvol writes:
Win or lose, if they play with this level of effort and intensity for the balance of this season, I'm okay with that.
huntined#565710 writes:
Hard road for Donovan right now..FLA fans expect a win in every game..If they go to NIT this year FLA fans will not be happy.. He won with 6-7 Great players now he has one.. Got to be tough on him.. I live in FLA and I have always had respect for him. as far as I know he is a good man, never heard anything but good things about him.. But yes I am glad we beat his team..
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Donovan's offensive game plans are sad;fortunately for us it's a waste of good players. Their forwards used to kill us with 20 points worth of backdoor cuts; screens and baseline passes...Now all they do is let calathes dribble around till he takes a 3 or gets fouled on a drive or dish it to that other midget and pray a 3 falls...
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Tell you what, guys. I'm happy to beat Florida in anything, and I'm tickled to death with today's win. And my blood runs as bright orange as anybody else's, but I'd give up that 7-1 record against Donovan for his two National Championships! Having said that...
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
hotrodvol writes:
Smoke 'em if you got 'em!
How 'bout them VOLS!
SmokeDog72 writes:
Gatorzz,
Better hope Florida doesn't end up in the same bracket with the Vols. Pearl owns "Slick Willie" Donovan. Can you say 0 and 3?
rusty_shackleford writes:
John Adams: Proving himself a Tool since birth
Madkels writes:
This win takes some of the sting out of a less than stellar season. I know our expectations were higher. But that being said, It feels GREAT to beat the $%&@*!^ gators! I hope there sorry azzz fans enjoyed the beatdown.
Go Vols!
ect1983 writes:
no gator---we are in.
Madkels writes:
Maybe this team will finally get it and play hard from now on. The play today was what has been expected all season long. Should we get our hopes up for a big run or expect more Jekyll and Hyde?
ect1983 writes:
And you continue to read him....and post ...and drive his salary up.
Madkels writes:
To all you gator fans, no matter how much garbage you blog here, you can't change 1-7. Your NC's are history and 1-7 is NOW. Bruce owns you and you can't stand it. That's why you're here trying to make yourselves feel better. HA HA! Get a life.
ArealVolFan writes:
I haven't seen you whap this much to since the last time we beat you.
hillsborovol writes:
UT lost Lofton, JaJuan Smith, Howell, Duke Crews, and Ramar Smith from last year's team. A top 10 finish for the Vols was a ridiculous prediction, especially given that we have no seniors that play except in complete mop-up roles. Pearl can't control the predictions and shouldn't be judged by them. Judge him by the players he has. We simply don't have consistent outside shooters this year. With all those personnel losses, we still beat Florida twice.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Yes, Mr. John Adams, the most underpaid over priviledged writer on the staff! Mr. John Adams, what a piece of work! Mr. Iconoclastic, generous to a fault, hero at large, watching gambling on ESPN, John Adams! What a guy!
Madkels writes:
Yes 1-7 is now. It is Bruce's record versus Billy. This is the record as it NOW stands. Enjoy the NIT!
SmokeDog72 writes:
gatorzz,
"UF will win another BB National Championship before the Vols ever get back to the Sweet 16."
You better hope your employer (assuming you have one) does not start random drug testing any time soon.
I don't understand why all of these Forida fans have to come on this website. You guys should get back to your environs. Or get a date......with a person.
invisiblekid writes:
May turn out to be a good thing the rest of the season wasn't canceled after the KY game.
People can say what they want, but Pearl got through to the kids for this game at least.
marinevol writes:
Thank you gator lopers for making the victory even sweeter. By the way you guys are reacting, it must hurt real bad. Chomp!
thevoice writes:
Probably an uphill battle, but I'll try anyway... Comments from friendly and decent opponents are welcome by me. But would someone, actually everyone, please ignore all negative gator posts on here and for evermore? It's getting a little ridiculous to see almost every response string start out decent and on-topic, only to deteriorate into an immature sparring match between immature fans (on both sides) who seemingly have a lack of dignity and a great aptitude of hiding behind a screen name. Please grow up or go home. We've obviously kicked their buttocks 7 of the last 8 times. Pretty convincing to me. What's the need to respond to their petty attempts/posts, only to stoop to their level?
After the 10th response, it's not fun anymore. Please make this a pay site again KNS!! Again, grow up folks.
Your Resident Poster Police
GOJO writes:
WHERE ALL THE FAIR-WEATHER VOL FANS WHO SAID THE VOLS WOULD NOT WIN ANOTHER GAME AFTER THE KENTUCKY FIASCO, & WANTED TO GET RID OF THE COACH & MOST OF THE PLAYERS?
PureOrange writes:
Great win! It is so much more enjoyable to watch this team play with effort.
marinevol writes:
Very true. Chomp, chomp!
JohnsonCity_George writes:
gatorzz,
You drinking or smoking crack tonight?
"So, we MAY make the NCAA's or we man not, but we won't have fallen way short of the where the Vols were expected to finish."
Your grammar sucks.
JohnsonCity_George writes:
"won't have fallen"
Where did you learnt that?
JohnsonCity_George writes:
Hey Dippy,
Did you see Louisville today? With what you have coach wise, you guys are a few years from the NCAA.
Kinda like the VOLS under Buzz Peterson.....
bleuvol writes:
regardless, you still lost to us...again. if your gators are so awesome, why can't you beat us? because billy doesn't know how yet (unless you only need to win 1 out of every 8...b/c if that's the case, then i guess you guys are set)....you still lost today. regardless of whether we both make it to either tournament, you still lost. and i love thinking about how frustrated you were today watching the game, and seeing that you lost....again. haaaahaaa, i chuckle at the thought. you still lost. that's all i care about today.
bleuvol writes:
oh yeah, you lost today too. (see above comment/reply to your fellow losing gator fan.)
VolJunkie writes:
Speaking of numbers, you know it is a tough year when you play Florida and your SOS ranking goes DOWN.
Go Vols!
LifetimeVolFan98 writes:
I don't know about everyone else on this site, but, UT is about right where I expected them to be. I thought there were a few games they should have won when they didn't, but, overall, they are where I thought they'd be. RPI 29 and climbing, SoS #2. They are in the Big Dance. For FLA - RPI of 70 something, SoS 101 and falling - NIT bound with even 23 wins - that's bad....
gmccown007#392764 writes:
$%&@*!^
Just cuz you're you
$%&@*!^
cmoore7 writes:
7-1
OrangeRush writes:
I keep thinking that eventually Billy D. will get tired of being Bruce's b*tch.
Then again, maybe he just likes it that way.
gmccown007#392764 writes:
Then, too, just cuz you're you.
HA HA HA HA HA, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! HA HA HA HA HA, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! HA HA HA HA HA, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!
HA HA HA HA HA, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! HA HA HA HA HA, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! HA HA HA HA HA, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!
HA HA HA HA HA, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! HA HA HA HA HA, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! HA HA HA HA HA, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!
And, Oh, Yeah, After Reminding Me That Even GOD Hates Gators THE MAN Said $%&@*!^$%&@*!^ TOO!!!
THE_VOL writes:
Somewhat like a FOOLmer game plan isn't it????
GainesvilleVol1 writes:
Ahh, the sun is shining brightly in Central Florida today. I spent yesterday aftenoon at my favorite oyster bar, watching UT get a big lead, and then the Gator's would get somewhat close, getting all the fans hopes up, only to be dashed again, and again. My cold beverage was especially satisfying, the oysters were better than ever, and all is well in my little world for now.
THE_VOL writes:
Been quiet for a while cause I had already told everybody what this team would do many times. And they are right on track to do it just like I've been sayin'. But I see the bandwagon crowd has unfortunately jumped back on!!! I guess all of you who were bit@hing and whining a week ago (and that's about 90% of you) were with us all the way huh??? You people need to go put your teeth in, clean your trailers, and steal some more batteries for that transistor radio - we have another game in three days!
JohnsonCity_George writes:
Did I hear that florida university has one win against a Top 50 team?
JohnsonCity_George writes:
My bad, I found it. Its 2. One against 1-25 and One against 26-50. They suck.
Fryinpansvols writes:
Why do the Gator losers still come on our website and talk trash to us after they just got swept the season series from that beautiful team in Orange? Oh, maybe it's because they are jealous because Pearl owns Donnovan!
GainesvilleVol1 writes:
I admit its not very often I have gotten the upper hand when it comes to watching UT vs UF. In living here almost 20 years, and having a lot of Gator friends, I've taken more than my fair share of grief. The Gainesville area is a nice place to live, but I'll always be from Tennessee.
Go Vols!!
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Beating the gators is nice if you are a Vol fan...but the two dismal games against Kentucky indicated the Volunteers have not really arrived as yet. They are hard to figure.
gotthepopcornready writes:
TN had a tough year, no doubt. However, UF is gonna have to beat TN to get another SEC title. 1-7 won't do it. Gator4Life-how long of a life, a whole 2 years. UF has the largest population of bandwagon fans in the country-just like you.
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