Bruce Pearl honored Tennessee tradition and former basketball coach Ray Mears by wearing an orange blazer to games against Vanderbilt and Kentucky. But what he wore against Florida went unnoticed, except when he sweated through it.
UT's former coach had a different way of distinguishing his program against the Gators. He beat them.
He didn't just beat them. He beat them when you least expected it, once even in a fever-induced sweat.
His overall winning record against Florida wasn't as noteworthy as what he accomplished in his first two seasons: three victories in four games against the Gators' back-to-back national champions.
Maybe that recent inexplicable history will draw you to Thompson-Boling Arena for this morning's SEC game between the nationally ranked Gators and a UT team that almost beat Austin Peay. So what if Pearl has been replaced by Cuonzo Martin. Perhaps there will be a carryover effect, enabling Martin's Vols to overcome the odds, just as Pearl's Vols did.
Such topsy-turvy developments invariably
are founded in something as mundane as (cue the Allen Iverson rant) practice. There, the Vols at least convey the right message. "Play Hard" is printed on the back of their practice shorts.
"Pray Hard," also would be a recommendable tactic against the Gators, whose numerous advantages are documented in the current SEC statistics. They rank ahead of Tennessee in 18 of the conference's 21 categories.
To which you might say: "Stats, smats."
Anyone who prefers to defy statistical evidence could point out that the then-No. 4 Gators had a statistical edge when they lost to the Vols in 2003. And Pearl had nothing to do with it. That was a Buzz Peterson production.
The beauty of college basketball is its unpredictable nature. Alabama and Florida can beat the Vols in football by simply showing up in their school colors. Basketball doesn't work that way.
You probably remember that Kentucky once defeated the Wade Houston Vols 101-40 in the SEC tournament on its way to the Final Four. The same Kentucky team lost to UT during the regular season.
One game means nothing in basketball. So what if the Vols made the Memphis Tigers look like the Memphis Grizzlies earlier this week. The excess points won't carry over.
Don't dismiss the tipoff time, either. College athletes aren't conditioned to 11 a.m. starts. They grew out of that when they left AAU ball. But if you must play at such an inhumane time for a student-athlete, better to do it on your home turf.
I can't help but imagine what marketing wonders Pearl could have wrought with a morning game at Thompson-Boling. "Breakfast with Bruce," he probably would have called it. He would have scrambled eggs, mixed Bloody Marys and toasted bagels for the first fans in line; then exhorted his team to play at a level that would have further fed the fan frenzy.
But you don't have to cook up a promotion to pull off an upset. Sometimes, you just have to play hard.
And hope the better team doesn't.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com. Follow him at http://twitter.com/johnadamskns.
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Comments » 39
Ayres_Hall writes:
Digging it up and stirring the pot...
BodeaneVol writes:
Ahh, the good ole days.
born2ride writes:
Bruce Pearl was 8-4 against Florida. Pearl OWNED Donovan.
I don't see Martin ever beating Florida.
BodeaneVol writes:
Pearl was a cheater.
orchidvol writes:
Pearl's win in Gainesville in 2006 was legendary. Ditto for Memphis 2008. And Ohio State 2010. There won't ever be anyone like him again. I wish I could shake his hand for all the great wins and excitement he gave to the program.
majscuba writes:
was he a cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater?
Digital5000 writes:
Bruce Pearl is a lot cooler than John Adams. I do know that much.
So is Cuonzo Martin.
Go Vols
-Enjoy Yoselves
FanNotSheep writes:
Got to write something I guess. Basically saying any team could beat another team on any given day. Wow. Deep.
But I would rather know what is going on with our incoming freshman, Mr. Stokes. What is his day like? How much of an impact can he have on the team? How do his abilities stack up against other starters, and where will his minutes come from? Who likely gets bumped from the rotation? Can he make a difference this season or is the best we can hope for is he learns to play with his teammates and get ready for better things next season?
In short, tell me something I don't already know.
iowavol writes:
I don't know much but I do know this, you are 100% correct. Go Vols, even though I doubt you will win five more games this season, I will be watching, yelling and screaming at the refs for you.
ProfessionalHandicapper writes:
Grow up..All Big schools cheat. Kinda like Nascar, its only cheating if you get caught. From Marcus Dupree to Cam Newton huge paydays to families are a part of life. Thinking that all schools dont cheat is like thinking steroid test are legit in sports. It's just a way of life and a few get popped to make it all look good to the fans. Pearl just got caught this time. It was his turn inside the barrel. But what he did for UT basketball was a huge accomplishment. He made a very boring arena come back to life and fun to watch.
Down_The_Field writes:
Yea, the flarduh gaturds have never cheated. BTW- did santa clause give you all you wanted? The easter bunny is just around the corner lil fella.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I'm sure we all would like to know the answers to your questions, but since Stokes just started practice on Thursday, IIRC, it is a bit early to really expect them. It will probably be a couple of weeks yet until we start to see definitive answers to these important questions.
VOLinMAHWAH writes:
I did . . . just before they beat the snot out of Villanova at MSG last year!!
crappieking writes:
After Martin brings our program back to mid-major, like he is doing right now, may'be we can hire BP back in two years.
VolunteerLifer writes:
I've got some news for you Pearliacs - Pearl would be struggling as much with this team as Martin is. Why? Because when he recruited Hall, Tatum, McRae, Woolridge, and Golden, he recruited players too soft or too disinterested to play defense. And he didn't correct that while he was coach. You will note others that he recruited were the same way - Hopson comes to mind - and recall the substandard defense his last two clubs played most of the time.
I certainly acknowledge the many great things Pearl did for this program, and I am grateful for them. But I cannot yet fondly remember Pearl without at the same time remembering how he inexplicably lied to the ncaa and so tragically left this program in a shambles.
RockyTopinAlabubba writes:
Gonna need more than luck today Samuel....Gonna need some divine intervention!!! LOL GO VOLS
kcbigorngX writes:
All the good things Pearl did for UT basketball went out the window when he decided to sidestep a NCAA rule and then lied to cover himself when he got caught.
He had good intentions, but he got caught up in his own success. A little arrogance lesson that still hasn't been learned by a few so-called Vol fans.
You can win without cheating.
You can be strong without steroids.
Some men have the character to do things the right way, Bret. Losers will do or say anything that they think will further their own personal agendas.
kcbigorngX writes:
Once again the short sighted are exposed to reality.
Please keep telling us how Derek Dooley will never be successful, and how Volunteer football won't be competitive any time soon.
Pretty please?
Harrit writes:
You don't see Martin ever beating Florida? Ummm, how about now?
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
I must agree with you on this. It wasn't just a BBQ. He made a huge effort to cover it up. Calling the kid's dad, having his coaches lie. Not to mention he committed the EXACT same violation at UMW prior to coming here. He knew what he was doing. He knew oh so well what he was doing.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
HUH?
HarryHood writes:
Prophetic article.
GBO!!!!!!
Harrit writes:
I'll take a win over Florida on the hardwood, and can't wait to get one on the gridiron!
FanNotSheep writes:
I admit I was wrong. I still don't understand how this team can lose to Austin Peay and beat Florida.
But congratulations to Coach Martin and the team, and apologies to John Adams. To all of the above: You sure knew your stuff better than I did today.
jhayes1911 writes:
Well I guess you have to eat that crow today!
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Tennessee undefeated in the SEC!
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
The same way Pearl beat Nova and Pitt then went on to lose to Charlotte. There's more parity in college hoops than any other sport, well maybe pro football can compare.
timetotellthetruth writes:
would you like to reconsider?
HarryHood writes:
+1
See if they crawl out of their troll holes today....
GBO!!!!
Theo writes:
Then you better get new glasses. Way to go Vols - excellent effort. Excellent coaching!
huntined#565710 writes:
I DID NOT EXPECT THIS WIN!! I live in FLA and was expecting to get hit hard by the Gators. Got to hand it to the VOLS on a great game also maybe we should play ALL our games at 11..anyway beautiful day today and this win makes it even better..
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
I pray for your blindness.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
where do you live, hayes. Why did you steal my username?
OrangeJuiced writes:
Time for some new glasses, eh?
movinonup writes:
Hope you had your DVR programmed - you can see it again and again and again........
GoVols1974 writes:
And now?
Teamguy writes:
John Adams REALLY wrote this article? Title and all? Consider yourselfs wet and sandy, Goodness Gracious Sakes Alive! Reaching with this one...the Title is crucifixion with a pen
Teamguy writes:
John Adams REALLY wrote this article? Title and all? Consider Adams wet and sandy, Goodness Gracious Sakes Alive! Crucifixion with a pen.
eVOLved writes:
Breakfast with Bruce, and they'll serve bagels? Purposefully racist, or subconsciously stereotypical?
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