Tennessee Men's Basketball
On the morning after, Tennessee's win over Kentucky looks as historical as it was exciting on Saturday.
Bruce Pearl's reputation as a Big Game coach just got more legendary. The John Calipari-Bruce Pearl rivalry got more intense. The Vols denied Kentucky a No. 1 ranking in the polls. And some players in orange got a memory for a lifetime.
And, oh yeah, did you see the photo of Scotty Hopson doing the John Wall dance? They're loving that one in Kentucky this Sunday morning.
Here's a look at what sports writers and sports bloggers are saying about the game.
Kentucky Hits a Wall of a Different Kind: Tennessee | Clay Travis, NCAA Fanhosue With less than a minute to play in the game and the Tennessee Vols inbounding the basketball while nursing a two-point lead, Bruce Pearl put his hands together to call a timeout. Then, something extraordinary happened. Senior wing J.P. Prince, the man responsible for more spectacular and more boneheaded plays than any player in the history of Vol basketball, called off Pearl on taking the timeout.
Tennessee 74 Kentucky 65 - Home Sweet Home To Me - Rocky Top Talk: The Vols don't have Kentucky's talent or resume this season. But on this day, we stood toe to toe with our greatest rival, against the coach we love to hate the most and the wealth of NBA talent he's brought to Lexington...and we won. We won.
"HOORAY FOR THE ORANGE UNIFORMS" | The Vol Historian | GoVolsXtra.com: Great move today to pull out the orange uniforms for the Kentucky game. Wonder why the Vols don't do that more often?Don't remember a time Tennessee ever wore white at Lexington or Kentucky wore white in Knoxville before they did so today.
Vols deny Kentucky No. 1 ranking | When You're Strange | GoVolsXtra.com: Back to Saturday....The Tennessee win coupled with Florida's 78-76 loss at Georgia also puts the Vols back in the driver's seat for the No.3 East seed in the upcoming SEC tournament in Nashville.
Vols' win over Kentucky slips into Top 5 Pearl wins -- barely | Ask Griff | GoVolsXtra.com: I didn't expect the Vols' 74-65 win over No. 2-ranked Kentucky, and it ranks in the top five of Pearl's BIGGEST wins in my book:
Tennessee Does the Unexpected: Blasts Kentucky Wildcats Back to Reality | Bleacher Report: I know home wins are expected by good teams, but when you end the undefeated record of the team that has been No. 1 (Kansas) virtually all season long, and you follow that up by beating the mighty Kentucky Wildcats who have been No. 2 virtually all season long, it's a remarkable accomplishment.
UK Falls to Tennessee After Valiant Comeback Big Blue Lowdown: The primary reason for Kentucky's defeat is a very simple one. The Cats shot the ball woefully from start to finish. You won't win many games when you shoot 2 for 22 from beyond the three-point arc and 35% from the field overall.
Five observations from Tennessee's win over Kentucky | The Center of Sports: Did anyone else catch DeMarcus Cousins walk off the floor with his arms raised over his head as if he was being held up at gun-point? No doubt a response to being accused of punching a South Carolina student rushing the court after Kentucky's only previous loss. Priceless.
Tennessee win bigger than UK loss : The Kentucky Kernel: But for Tennessee, the win was rooted too deeply in history and Kentucky connections to marginalize its significance. Calipari has thoroughly beaten the phrase into the ground, but this was the Vols' Super Bowl. This side of the NCAA Tournament, this was as big as it gets.
Bruce Pearl's a gem in a big game again | al.com: You have to choose one college basketball coach to lead your team in a big game against a heavyweight opponent. Who ya got? Bill Self? John Calipari? Roy Williams? Mike Krzyzewski? Me, I'll take Bruce Pearl, as long as it's not a regional semifinal in the NCAA Tournament.
Victory over Kentucky latest episode in Bruce Pearl Show - NCAA Division I Mens Basketball - CBSSports.com: "Bruce doesn't get enough credit as a coach," (UT AD Mike) Hamilton said. "The guy can flat-out coach. He knows how to build a program. He's done it here."
FOXNews.com - Wildcats still far from invincible: They give skeptics reasons to wonder whether the Wildcats can run the table next month in the NCAA tournament.
Pat Forde: Tennessee scores another win against nation's elite with win over Kentucky - ESPN: Score another one for the giant killer. Bruce Pearl's Tennessee team has knocked off No. 1 Kansas and No. 2 Kentucky this season. Big Game Bruce Pearl has won a lot of games in five seasons as the coach at Tennessee -- but more specifically, he has taken down a lot of high-flying teams as the coach at Tennessee. Playing his Volunteers is hazardous to your ranking.
Tennessee 74, Kentucky 65: Postmortem - A Sea Of Blue: Kentucky hasn't lost many this year, but this is a game in which Tennessee's excellent offensive execution was the biggest reason for the win.
Rapid Reaction: Tennessee 74, Kentucky 65 - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN: Tennessee won't be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, but it has now beaten half the probable field of No. 1s. First it was Kansas, now it's Kentucky. Both in Thompson-Boling Arena, both holding on late, both with the help of huge three-pointers from near the same spot on the court. Skylar McBee did the honors in the last minute against Kansas, Hopkinsville, Ky., native Scotty Hopson did it to the Wildcats.
Joe Biddle: Tennessee upsets Kentucky 74-65 | tennessean.com : And what can be said about J.P. Prince, the Memphis southpaw with arguably the ugliest free throw form in college basketball? Prince made them when it counted. He hit four straight foul shots for the Vols' final points.
Tennessee uses early run, holds off Kentucky men's basketball late, 74-65 | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal: "Probably if you're a fan and you're watching that on TV, that was a great game," Calipari said. "For me sitting there, when we went down 19, I'm shaking my head saying, 'We're going to find out what we are.' And what we found out is, we're not bad. We've got a chance. When you shoot 2 for 22 (from three-point range) and it's 65-65, wow."
Inspired Vols hold off Cats | KentuckySports.com: Ironically, a three-pointer helped beat the Cats. Hopkinsville native Scotty Hopson swished a shot from the left wing with 37.6 seconds left. It gave the Vols a 70-65 lead and saved UT from the embarrassment of almost losing a game it led by 19 points with less than 14 minutes left. "I want my home state to feel not getting me was a loss," Hopson said of his only three-pointer in six attempts.
Wildcats indebted to Tennessee for wakeup call | KentuckySports.com: "We've played afternoon games before," the UK center said, shaking his head. "We just came out low energy and they came out and hit us in the mouth."
Chattanooga Times Free Press | Wiedmer: UT season now officially 'great': What Tennessee again best displayed against the Cats was Pearl's genius against highly ranked foes. Especially John Calipari-coached teams.
Chattanooga Times Free Press | Vols stun No. 2 Cats: Bruce Pearl stood in the media room next to the University of Tennessee's basketball court Saturday afternoon and said something that would have seemed laughable a few years ago. "There's not necessarily a better environment in college basketball than Thompson-Boling Arena," Pearl said. "It's as good as any. How about that? It's as good as any."
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Comments » 49
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
I did not see SH's JW dance, but if it pizzed off UK and their fans..I'm all for it, great job Scotty..HBTV!!!
rockytopatl writes:
Nice compilation! I will enjoy these. They will save me from having to pore through the boring news in my local newspaper!!
LCfastball writes:
It won't be the last time we stick it to Calipari... Bruce own's him....
bryanvolsfan writes:
Last comment by Bruce is dead on. 6 years ago, the tommy-bowl was QUITE, now it's as loud as I've ever heard it. Bruce is a BIG GAME coach! I'm thankful he's on our side.
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Quiet??
DebKY writes:
Dearest Scotty,
Loved your dance !!!!! From one Kentuckian to another,
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wildcatbasketball writes:
I would be careful...maybe that will wake a "SLEEPING GIANT".
Great win for VOLS but be careful how you handle it!!
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
You know as UK backers go, I think you are the Cat's Meow..But if John Wall has been doing some petty victory dance after every win...Well, that just shows how classless he is..Why should it not anger opponents who have witnessed it?? A little pay back never hurt anyone, or a slice of humble pie..Just a thought
dma38256#264746 writes:
Aye sonny....but ye won't conquer the Bruce....
jclowers writes:
Well if that's what it takes for us to wake a "SLEEPING GIANT" then I guess those Kentucky fans would have wished we did that a long time ago. Plus you know why it doesn't matter?? The one person who should be mad about that is John Wall. And where will John Wall be next SEC season? Definitely not in Rupp or TBA.
Great win and hopefully we can watch Hopson do more of those JW dances in March.
schymtz writes:
"Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery" ... and envy. If Wall was not one of the best freshmen ever to play the game for UK, and an all but certain first round draft pick, Hopson would have had no inspiration to dance his jig. Wall seemed to keep his emotions relatively in check. He is a great player. Kentucky is a great college team. The "Big Blue" fan base will be very disappointed if their team doesn't make the final four and compete for the national championship. From their perspective it has been just too long since the NC Banner was draped in Rupp Arena.
schymtz writes:
Now as to "imitation:" Thomas-Bowling Arena was built with the dream that the University of Tennessee would actually rival with UK and become something more than a perpetual brides-maid. TBA actually was built with just a few more seats than Rupp Arena. But there were flaws in the foundations, not just of the building, but with the dream. Impatient fans, not without cause, challenged DeVoe, especially after a Tennessee team packed with seniors did not win the league championship and made less than spectacular showings in the SEC tournament. From that point on, there was a long, slippery slope and Tennessee descended. LSU, under Dale Brown, consciously targeted Tennessee as a team they had to dominate if LSU was to become the persistent challenger. LSU beat Tennessee five times in a row. UT fans bemoaned the "mistake" of TBA. The University of Tennessee sold almost as many tickets to UK fans as UT fans. A parade of coaches filtered through, including Kevin O'Neil (who pulled a preview of a "Kiffen"), Jerry Green, Coach Wade Houston and his son, and Bud Peterson. UT appeared to have abandoned men's basketball.
schymtz writes:
Then came Bruce Pearl, almost as unknown to the basketball world as Ray Mears was when he took the helm. CBP seemed a reincarnation of Ray Mears. He was a showman. (Mears started the "Volunteer Classic," a clear imitation of Kentucky. Mears brought a Uni-cycle into Stokley Athletic Center. And Mears WON. He took a Tennessee team to South Carolina and beat SC by a point when they were in the ACC and ranked #1. He coached teams with lesser talent to amazing victories and heartbreakingly close losses. He consistently did more with less. Adolf Rupp once remarked "Anybody who can make a basketball player out of Tom Boerwinkle is one hell of a coach." (Boerwinkle came on the scene as an ungainly 7-ft center. He "was the 4th pick of the 1968 NBA draft, " and played with the Bulls until 1978.)
schymtz writes:
Even in the "Golden Age" of UT basketball, even UT fans begrudgingly referred to the SEC as as extension of the UK Invitational." There was no doubt that the "Big Blue" Wildcats were top dogs in the SEC. They have now spent the better part of a decade in the "Big Blue" version of basketball hell. Their last National Championship came under a fired coach and one-time Dean of SEC coaches now making life worth living for Minnesota fans. The Big Blue fan base has endured back to back National Championships by Florida, an outright SEC regular season SEC Championship by Tennessee, and Coach Gillispie (who had a rare winning record against Coach Pearl). Kentucky may be called Wildcats, but their fans are salivating for a return to their "rightful place" in the SEC and in the nation
schymtz writes:
Kentucky Wildcat fans are of a class with fans from Duke and North Carolina. Witness the philosophical thoughtfulness of the UK fans who visit GVX. Expectations are sky high. There is a sense of entitlement and an attitude towards the success of rivals as "this, too, shall pass." Florida, like LSU and Tennessee in the "golden era" were but flashes in the pan. REAL basketball in the SEC resides only in Lexington. This is not sour grapes but a reality of sorts: UK has a tradition that backs them up.
In order to be the best, we must first learn from the best, then beat the best. The best in the SEC is, right now, KENTUCKY. Imitate their players, imitate their fans, and learn. And WIN. The days of one-team dominance over time must come to an end. Witness the ACC. North Carolina is really down this year, but their fans KNOW North Carolina will be back. Duke cannot be Duke without NC. Witness the BIG EAST. They are not hailed as the strongest league just because SYRACUSE is now top dog. I remember when Coach Jim Boeheim sent Tennessee home from the NCAA tournament. He may well do the same with Kentucky this year!
schymtz writes:
Resurrect the dream that built TBA and transform it and trancend it. Immitate the best, then build an individual idenity for the Tenness Volunteers! We are only second best if we continue to think like second best. Coach Green KNEW that the notion that Tennessee's game of the year was with Kentucky in TBA was not a big enough dream. This does not diminish the importance of yesterdays victory, but builds upon it. Every game Duke plays vs NC is more, not less important than before. But it is not the final goal. A successful season may include and be built upon beating Kentucky in TBA. It may be a key to a great season but it is not enough to make a successful season. GBO! BEAT Arkansas! Focus! Play! Have Fun! Dance! Hell-o, even rap with Swiper, but don't settle! Kentucky won't. LSU won't. Florida won't. And the day WILL come that the SEC will have five teams ranked in the top ten all at the same time. GBO!
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Whatever?? Get a life..
The SEC only plays BB until FB starts up..Sure it's fun while it's the only thing going on, but if UT was in the middle of a competitive FB season, UK fans would be the only ones giving a shirt about BB..Why?? Because other than cheer leading, it's the only thing they are worth squat in..
Lean_and_Hungry writes:
IF ky gets a final four banner in the next few years, how long will it stay in place? ask memphis and umass about their banners...if you dance with the devil, the devil doesn't change; you do.
schymtz writes:
I have a life, thank you very much. Lot's of IF in your one dimensional vision. I hope you enjoy your life at least as much as I enjoy mine. I love UT football as well, but this is the wrong time of year. There are any number of boards on this sight where you can berate Kiffen all you like and revisit all the IF ONLY wails of three missed field goals against 'Bama. Life is worth living with or without a football or a basketball team to pull for, but I'm grateful for the enjoyment both bring. Most pathetic words in the language: "I don't give a s#@t." Change the word "don't" to "can't," and you are describing the reflexion in your own mirror. Have a good day!
VolinCalif writes:
"The Cat's Meow!" Now that's a pre WW2 phrase. Are you as Old a dirt like I am or did you get that from your grand parents?"
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Old enough, born in 62..HBTV!!
volball7222 writes:
All the Bruce Pearl haters.....put this in your pipe and smoke it.....He beat a Kentucky team filled with all Americans, and are predicted to have their top 5 picked in the first 20 of the NBA draft--beat them with 3 walk-ons and a couple of pretty good players. Coach Cal said he was surprised the game was that close. Well, at one point in the second half Kentucky had 10 total fouls and we had 20. Ky shot 27 free throws and out scored us at the free throw line by 13 points. I guess coach Cal batting 500 against Bruce Pearl is acceptable to the Wildcats...KY needs to get them a real coach!!!
RichmondKyVol writes:
Similar to what is written in the Good Book, the stone (Hopson, Lofton) that the Kentucky builders rejected have became cornerstones of Big Orange basketball. Can't say thanks enough to this team. You can't know what sore losers Kentucky fans are unless you live here or attend games in Lexington. But, that just makes beating them that much sweeter.
ArealVolFan writes:
You may think you have a life, probably not much of one though...you spent way to long rambling on about this and that...without any real point....but on the bright side you could probably write for the KNS.
RichmondKyVol writes:
Did you notice that Travis Ford was wearing an orange tie Saturday when his team beat No. 1 Kansas. Like Calipari, I'll bet Kansas really can't stand orange now.
govols9875 writes:
Bruce Pearl gets my vote as NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR. I mean who has done a better job under the circumstances that he has went through?
volfan73120#211815 writes:
I fit the mold as being old as dirt. I'm still in good health, and loving every day I can pull for the Vols in anything. I'm sennding a link to the Rat Pack you might enjoy. Have a nice day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=...
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Frist of all I can't understand why people describe what John Wall does...is a dance. There is no dance to it! All he does is make some stupid arm gesture and bend his wrist, kinda like the kids song.."I'm a little teapot". Again, no dance at all period. It is a gesture.
What Bruce did on the sidelines was a dance! He did his best moonwalk he could and he also moved each arm one at a time with a hip-hop like wave motion! Now, THAT was a DANCE! Just wish someone would put it to music and get it on utube in a hurry. GBO!!!!!!!!!!!!
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Thx ?? I guess..
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Sorry, I left this out. I meant to include that I have no problems with Hopson immitating Walls gesture. I would have done the same thing, probably!
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
No need to be sorry for that, you are totally forgiven..lol
I think mocking John Wall is akin to the Gator chomp, if it offends him it is not absurd to think it offends others..A little lesson in good sportsmanship for Mr. Wall..GBO!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Hey there! BTW...with more breaking news...Hardesty did a GREAT job in the NFL combine today. Been switching back and forth between NFL channel and USA hockey game! Waiting for the Lady Vols to come on at 5pm and watch them kick Ole Miss' butt!!!!!!
mytrifecta writes:
Great win by the Vols...great shot by Hopson...just wish those shots came more consistently. GBO!
tnaseevol writes:
Hey, you must live in Central time. Read your post awhile ago, and thought OMG I've missed some of the game. But it wasn't on espnu, then looked it up, it's on at 6pm, so will get to see it all! GLV
tnaseevol writes:
USA won silver, lost to Canada....good showing for them, tho'
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Not too shabby to finish 2nd in the world in one of the country's least favorite sports. I actually jumped out of my chair when we tied it in the last minute of regulation.
tnaseevol writes:
I did too! Also clapped my hands hard, and scared my poor puppy dog! Was a great game.
kkempf#226833 writes:
You are a troll, and not worth a response.
Thanks for the article, schymtz. These forums are here for us to share our talents and exuberance with each other and you've definitely improved my day.
ArealVolFan writes:
Dude, you have got to be kidding. That was just rambling nonsense. I'm all for people posting opinions, but that was just a pointlessly long essay. BTW if you think I'm a troll...you have just now started looking at this site. I'm the farthest thing from a toll you will see here.
christreyuk writes:
Wow, you can tell that this is your "Superbowl". First, let me say that Wall doesn't do this dance every time we beat somebody. He did this at Big Blue Madness and the fans took over from there. He obviously has more class than you guys are use to from players. Not mad about Scotty doing the dance at all. I'm just glad he plays for UT. As for Bruce "sweaty pits" Pearl, he will always have inferior talent. You guys played a good game and won. Congrats! We hate to lose any game, but this is just another game. We will still have a #1 seed and we will still crush in the SEC tourney(if you make it far enough). But until then, do the SEC a favor and stay classy.
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
I have to agree, if someone went to such lengths to praise UK..Then just say you love them and end the nonsense..4 paragraphs to say nothing, C'mon people freedom of speech is to voice opinions, not re-write War & Peace..Doh!!
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Okay Mr.Yuk..
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
Loved reading through all of these articles...especially the ones from KY papers. So proud of our guys! Keep it going for the orange!!
kkempf#226833 writes:
Yeah, you're right. Got you mixed up with someone else.
TnScooby writes:
A Kitten fan telling somebody else to show class???...Give us all a break..Read Calimari's comments after losses...Check out the behavior of your "freshmen sensations", between the whistles and after....Don't even PRETEND to lecture Vol fans on CLASS...As for the "sweaty pits" reference, that's what happens when you WORK at coaching!!!...But then "greasy hair" would know nothing about that huh...BTW, "Super Bowl" would be the LAST analogy a UK fan should use on a Vol message board...How's that football thing against UT been working out for ya'?????
kkempf#226833 writes:
You really don't know much about UT fans if you think this was the high point of our season. After we beat KU, my parents and brothers called and we talked about how exciting it was. After this game, everybody just went on with their day, because we do this almost every year. It's normal for us to beat UK.
After the high point again KU, I think none of us will be as excited until we get to the tournament. That is our SuperBowl.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Good post! Love the Yamamoto reference! Guess I'm not the only military history buff on this board.
N2Motorsports writes:
Where is TaterVol?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Who cares? Let sleeping spuds lie!
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