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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Comments » 29
TommyJack writes:
Doldrums would be easier to tolerate without the fake gator posers ruining this site. IMO
Laydbakvol writes:
No kidding. I gotta get a life. I find myself checking GVX every half hour to see if I'm missing something. Well, at least there's this. FIRST!
volsare1 writes:
haha i thought i was the only one that checks it every hour haha
Laydbakvol writes:
Dang! I gotta learn to type faster.
tenmanjonez#561272 writes:
Not a bad article. Cant wait to see the heaps/stone decision. LETS GO VOLS!
IPOrange writes:
Summer months are for Vols DVDs.
RJ_Vol writes:
Ways to pass the doldrums:
1. String up the flyrod. About the time it's to hot too fish, fall practice is starting.
2. Plant some 'maters, taters and peppers. Watch them grow. When it's time to harvest...it's almost football time in Tennessee!
3. Double check your taxes to make sure the right amount is being taken out...I hear the government may be asking some folks to "give back" the green stuff due to a bad "table".
4. Take a trip to the local landfill. Hey, I know it's unusual...but it puts a lot of things in perspective. Went there today.
5. Read a book to the kids/grandkids. That vessel will not return empty.
RJ_Vol writes:
Additionally...
5 & (1/2). Brush up on homopones such as to, too, and two.
belayvol writes:
You left out the best news. August: The NCAA announces the loss of 20 scholarships and three year tv ban for major violations. Mike Slive announces that due to extreme mental anguish from losing football signees to TN., Urban Meyer will spend the first two months of football season in a mental facility. Pahokee High School announces it will change it's team colors to orange and white.
belayvol writes:
The NCAA violations were for Bama.
RJ_Vol writes:
5 & (3/4). Learn to spell "homophones".
Pullingguard writes:
Playing golf 3 days week will make the summer pass faster. Also will improve your game.
teampenny#658108 writes:
We all can train for a marathon. And hope our mouth has not wrote a check our butt can not cash. Go Vols
tweetdriver63#346474 writes:
When was the last time anybody saw an article on this site that Gatorz4 didn't regurgitate the very tired (and inaccurate) $8.whatever million deficit?
Give it a rest, dooshbag.
belayvol writes:
Sept. 7th 2002. He was not old enough to reach the keyboard.
rockitwithrespect writes:
heres a nice article about mitch browning, the offensive coordinator turned graduate assistant.
http://tennessee.rivals.com/barrier_n...
hope the link works
go vols!
chaos001 writes:
"News UT Fans Hope For: Nashville offensive lineman James Stone and Washington quarterback Jake Heaps hold a teleconference to announce their joint commitment."
God, I hope so!
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
strange, while you were writing this article, thanks for the no-link to be able to follow lofton in the turkish playoffs....dweeb.....
i'll provide two
http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-bask...
http://www.tblstat.net/
also July has a tournament held in England since 1877, it's called Wimbledon..
the mens tourney is really good, especially toward the quarterfinals, their is a man named Roger Federer, he's also, really good.....
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/index....
tweetering twits
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Must have missed the email from Strange asking for permission to use doldrums.
Oh well, how many days, Ashley?
onevolfan99 writes:
mike strange is the best writer at KNS.
steve22043#233791 writes:
The posts on here suggest with Coleman leaving we only have two quarterbacks. Is everyone dismissing Rozier? I think him showing up was part of why Coleman left. Plus I think we'll get a top QB recruit next year. Good riddance to Coleman--prima donnas are poison for a team.
TommyJack writes:
Agree about Strange. More in line with straight sports writers/commentators...refreshing to see pre-ESPN smartazz approach. Stay true, Strange. Don't be influenced by those dolts you work with.
old_number1 writes:
do you not realize how stupid you sound? idiot!!
orangebloodgmc writes:
Article did not mention that the football magazines come out some time around early June.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
We talk about the untested baseball player coming to the Vols as QB hopeful. Vol fans recall the 2001 season when the big Orange had to beat LSU for a National championship game...with the starting Tiger QB leaving the game with an injury, in comes an unknown backup QB for LSU, who had never started a game...a former baseball prospect for the Chicago Cubs, Of all things. With the Vols leading, it had the look of roses..but although inexperinced..the Tiger QB, was a very good athlete and alertly backed-up as if to pass, on two occasions then tucked the ball and ran down the middle wide open and untouched for two touchdowns which spelled doom for the Vols...knocking them out out of the national title game in the Rose Bowl. It was a bitter pill to swallow for Vol fans...With Rozier coming in, say we might have a duplicate of the Lsu QB back then. Maybe just a solid athlete is all we really need next year.
bcbobcat82 writes:
NCAA FOOTBALL 2010 Comes out in June too I believe!!!!! Let's play some football!! EA Sports Its in the Game!!
VOLstuckINky writes:
The News Sentinel will dispatch John Adams to get the scoop.
I read that the first time and thought it said that JA was dispatched (fired). Too bad this was not the case.
I also hope sometime in June Teebag blows out a ACL helping circumcise foriegn children.
SWAVol writes:
I will spend my days prowling for some good news about some blue chip players coming to Rocky Top to help right the ship. God knows we need some big time talent to restock. I want to go back to when we used to reload and not rebuild. Got to get better fast cause I will catch it big time here in Dallas from the OKLA and TX fans. I am a Gator Hater but it did me well to see FLA take care of the Sooners. Would not have been able to take it!
ScoobyDoo writes:
Sorry, it obviously gets hot in east TN during July, but having transplanted to Houston, it is in no way "humid" in Knoxville. Trust me.
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