Strange: Surviving the wait for August

April is gone and with it, the last major rites of the 2008-09 college sports calendar: the Final Four, spring football and the NFL draft.

Now, the doldrums.

We won't be hearing a lot of news from the collegiate corner of the sports world for the next few months. When the Big Orange Caravan heads back to the garage after Monday's final stops, things get quiet on the Tennessee front.

Wait. I hear a protest coming from the general direction of Tom Black Track. Or is it Varsity Courts?

True enough, the spring sports are just getting serious and there's prime seating available on the respective bandwagons. But as far as football and basketball, it's time to hunker down and wait it out until August. In the meantime, here's a survival guide:

May

The NBA playoffs continue. If you're looking for a UT connection, however, forget it. Try following Chris Lofton in the Turkish League playoffs.

The month's most interesting news should come from the SEC spring meetings in Destin, Fla.

To my knowledge this will be the first time Lane Kiffin sits down in the same room with Urban Meyer, Nick Saban and the guys.

Think they'll show him the secret handshake?

Down the hall, presumably, Bruce Pearl will be welcoming John Calipari to the SEC basketball fraternity.

Think they'll slip out afterward for shrimp and margaritas?

The News Sentinel will dispatch John Adams to get the scoop.

News UT Fans Hope For: Nashville offensive lineman James Stone and Washington quarterback Jake Heaps hold a teleconference to announce their joint commitment.

June

There isn't a deader month for college sports. At least, there's golf for a diversion.

The Knoxville Open is June 11-14. It's worth the trip to Fox Den. These guys are really good. The U.S. Open will be on the tube the following week. Tiger should be in major form.

At some point before June 15, Tennessee's Tyler Smith will announce whether he's staying in or pulling out of the NBA draft.

If Smith's coming back to UT he should be around for the third annual Rocky Top League at Bearden. Hoops fans get their first look at newcomers Melvin Goins and Kenny Hall.

News UT Fans Hope For: Offensive linemen Jawuan James, Torian Wilson, Chaz Green, A.J. Cann, Wes Rea and O.C. Brown hold a teleconference to announce their joint commitment.

July

It's hot. It's humid. It's miserable. Keep the remote handy.

There's baseball's All-Star Game in St. Louis on the 14th, followed by the British Open at Turnberry the 16th-19th.

If you're so inclined, you can pull for Lance Armstrong in his return to the Tour de France.

I'm not sure but the NBA playoffs may still be on. Either that or the Pistons' preseason camp will be opening.

Don't sleep on the Maccabiah Games. Pearl and son Steven will be surviving and advancing in Israel starting July 12.

Finally, something juicy: SEC Media Days convenes in Hoover, Ala.

That means a saturation of football talk and some delicious possibilities.

What might Kiffin say as he's herded from print to TV to radio? What might Steve Spurrier say about what Kiffin said?

Based on Kiffin's track record, I'll guarantee you the media can't wait to get at him.

News UT Fans Hope For: Quarterbacks Austin Hinder and Jesse Scroggins hold a teleconference to announce they look forward to competing with Jake Heaps at Tennessee.

August

Freshmen report to campus. Fall camp opens. Pads go on.

Twenty minutes in, Eric Berry intercepts his first pass of 2009 - but not off Jonathan Crompton.

Congratulations. You made it through another summer.

Mike Strange may be reached at strangem@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6276.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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