GVX audio
The Tennessee men’s basketball program has been all about taking on challenges since coach Bruce Pearl took over five years ago.
So it came as no surprise Wednesday when it was announced that the Vols accepted a position to play at Big East powerhouse Pittsburgh in the SEC-Big East Invitational on Dec. 11.
“The bottom line is the SEC had a contractual obligation and somebody had to play Pitt at Pitt, and the (SEC) commissioner felt we would be a good choice for that,’’ Pearl said. “Even though we’re not getting a game back, it’s something that will help our strength of schedule and something that sends a strong message to the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee.
“I’m also sending my team a message that I believe in them by taking this game. I’m putting them in harm’s way.’’
The battle between the Panthers and the Vols will be televised on ESPN and features two of the top five winningest active coaches in Pitt’s Jamie Dixon (188-54, .777) and Pearl (415-121, .774).
The game will be the second of a doubleheader at the new Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. Rutgers plays Auburn in the same arena on ESPN2 followed by the UT-Pitt game. Game times will be announced at a later date.
The Vols have played the Panthers four times, winning the most recent meeting on Dec. 6, 1998, by a 56-53 count in Knoxville.
Tennessee most recently played in the SEC-Big East Invitational on Dec. 16, 2008, beating Marquette 80-68 in what’s now known as Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
The Vols are 4-1 against the Big East during the Pearl Era, with wins over Marquette, DePaul, Georgetown and West Virginia and a loss to Louisville.
The added game with Pitt beefs up a UT non-conference scheduled that includes a trip to Connecticut in the first game of a home-and-home series, and an anticipated trip to Madison Square Garden in New York for the Preseason NIT.
Villanova and UCLA are two of the other notable teams in the Preseason NIT the Vols could ultimately play should they reach the finals.
UT also plays host to Southern Cal and Memphis in non-conference games at Thompson-Boling Arena.
“Pitt is probably going to be favored to win the Big East,’’ Pearl said. “They’re ranked as high as sixth in some preseason polls, and they won 25 games (last season) and return their top three scorers.’’
The first half of the SEC-Big East Invitational is on Dec. 8 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky., and features Arkansas against Seton Hall in a 7 p.m. tip (ESPN2) followed by Kentucky against Notre Dame at 9:30 (ESPN).
Tickets are expected to go on sale in early fall.
Pearl Future: Pearl said on Wednesday’s Sports Page radio show that he has no desire to coach in the NBA at this time.
“The thing about the NBA, it’s just so focused on just basketball,’’ Pearl said. “For me, I love being in the university setting. Today, I’m talking to all the incoming freshmen I can at orientation.
“I just don’t think (the NBA) is what I want to do. I want to do more than just coach basketball.’’
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57 men's…
Tennessee 73, Georgia 62 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 32
volhoopsfan001 writes:
It looks like the basketball schedule is shaping up pretty nicely. Pitt being added to the schedule is a good addition, but since we will be playing them in what is essentially a road game, I wish the U-Conn home-and-home series started in Knoxville this year.
Memphis may be better this year, but the rivalry has lost some appeal since Calipari left. The return of Kevin O'Neill to Knoxville with USC doesn't excite me too much either. It's shaping up to be a pretty good schedule - I wish the home schedule had one more marqee matchup.
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Great match up and early measure.
I also hope we have a good turnout in Pitt. It's the weekend after we travel down to Atlanta to watch CDD's SEC Championship debut, so put some mad money back.
Thanks, CBP!
DuvalVol writes:
I like the way you think man!!!
navyvolinva writes:
I was wondering did someone read about this in rivals(not about basketball)...
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football...
golfballs03 writes:
Why is he answering questions about the NBA?
Mr_Brownstone writes:
Sh*tt on Pitt
jryevols#222657 writes:
Thought that I would beat the news reports first. The Duck'S lead QB has just been kicked off the team for good na d may be headed to NFL.Thats great news for Tennessee.
VolunteerLifer writes:
"The Vols are 4-1 against the Big East during the Pearl Era, with wins over Marquette, DePaul, Georgetown and West Virginia and a loss to Louisville."
That's pretty impressive. Kudos to Coach Pearl.
Colliervol writes:
He had already been suspended for the year and wasn't going to play anyway. But you are right, he's gone permanently now.
Also completely off topic but there was nowhere else to post it. According to ESPN, Nebraska officially headed to the Big Ten as of this afternoon. And so it begins....... Some folks think this is the beginning of the end for the NCAA. Sixty to seventy of the big name football schools form the superconferences, leave the NCAA and do their own thing (and keep all the money). Never say never. It could happen.
1vavolfan writes:
Great schedule but again most of them will be away from TBA.As a season ticket holder I would like a fewer high profile games at home. USC isnt much to get excited about but Memphis should be pretty entertaining.
Chris4Vols22 writes:
Basketball season is going to be awesome!! I love the beefy non-conference schedule! GO VOLS!!
JBVols1698 writes:
looks like we are gonna have to beat another big east team.
MikeTheTiger writes:
Man, I wish he was my team's Coach! TN fans I hope you know how lucky you are.
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
Yes, and probably Missouri is right behind them.
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
Great scheduling! Pearl upping the ante and playing highly-ranked teams like Summitt has done for years!
Now PLEASE, let's enjoy an orange tinted victory over SoCal this year! For some reason, a win over them would be extra sweet!
VolfromtheBin writes:
Does anyone else find it funny how the SEC felt like we matched up better against the best team, supposedly early on, in the Big East instead of Calipari and the Kitty Cats from Lexington? We are finally starting to get respect finally
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Great schedule for MBB this upcoming season, CBP has this program in position to reload and make some noise in next years big dance...HBTV!!!
aoneil66 writes:
Pitt troll right here...
Actually, UT grad, huge Pitt fan. I'll be at the game no doubt. Pitt will be tough and physical but the Vols should be able to match them. Pitt's inside game was weak last year with Dante Taylor not quite ready and Gary McGhee not quite good. The guard play for Pitt will be their strength - Gibbs and Woodall are tough. Gilbert Brown = Scotty Hopson...20 one game, 2 the next...make you scream - both good and bad.
Should be a great game.
Slystone writes:
Unrelated story, it looks like Kiffin's decision to bolt to USC will have him coaching a team on a 2 yr probation and other penalties. According to ESPN.
Ringside writes:
set ' em up, knock'em down. Go vols!
brokebackvol writes:
@ VolNotHamilton - empty seats for 20 years?? c'mon man, that kinda talk is NOT supporting the Vols at all. Those long time fans like me will still thrill at pregame, running through the T, "pay these prices and please pay no more", and the rest of the big saturday show.
The General would say "keep your a** home and let the real men have your seat."
If I can sit through an 0-6 start back in '88, I can certainly weather this new round of musical coaches. That is what being a fan means, you stick with your team NO MATTER the record. CDD will get the ship turned round, and we can laugh at USC's crash and burn under Lame Kitten.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I know where you are coming from on the whole Dooley thing, but that comment makes no sense. See, if there are empty seats in Neyland, that means there is LESS money in the athletic department budget for anything else. Please explain how you think empty seats in Neyland means MORE money for Vol basketball travel; I'm sure there are members of Congress and state legislators, not to mention ordinary citizens, all over the country who would love to know how less money coming in means more money to spend.
volboy81 writes:
pick another team to cheer for volnothamiltonfan. You sound like Vandy or Florida material. They whine about every little thing too.
CoverOrange writes:
Not that I want to make sense of anything he said but I think he meant the individual fan will not spend money on UTFB and thus will have it to spend on UTBB.
easleychuck writes:
A couple of points:
Not sure what in the heck the QB situation at Oregon has to do with Coach Pearl manning up to have the BB team take on the challenge of playing at Pitt.
And, secondly, the QB at Oregon was already suspended for the season. Yeah, if the nimrod could have stayed clean for an entire year UT might have faced him in 2011. Seems this guy couldn't make it through half of the off-season without showing his true thug colors.
easleychuck writes:
Vandy has fans? Who knew?
robvols#366273 writes:
-As an alum living in northern NJ, I can't wait to go to the game at UConn and the NIT at The Garden. The Pittsburgh trip is tempting, but probably too long a drive, but to be able to catch two men's games in one season is priceless! GO VOLS!
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
That is good news, Rob, you'll be a speck of Orange in a sea of blue..Will UCONN even be allowed to have a team, they're in worst shape than USC?? Just a thought.
Mule_Days_King writes:
Since Kevin O'Neal is coming back to TBA, we need to make sure that the first 15 rows are devoid of small children so as to protect their ears from O'Neal's colorful language.
murrayvol writes:
Haven't been hired yet.
murrayvol writes:
I'm sure Dooley will be there. Probably won't have the team with him but we can hope.
murrayvol writes:
And if the superconferences keep all the money, all but a few will still be running in the red.
As much as I've criticized the NCAA in the past, if your prediction comes to pass, it will not be a good thing.
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.