Posted by pdhuff on February 5, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thats what I'm talking about. What a last 5 minutes. BOTTOM- Tks John Ward, couldn't resist.

Posted by peerlessvolfan on February 5, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WOWEEEEE! Thatwas fun! I'll try to think about tonight to soften the blow of tomorrow's signing day.

Posted by BluetickBlues on February 5, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Booyaaah!! In ya face floorda

Posted by rockyknox on February 5, 2008 at 11:37 p.m.

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Posted by DSmooth1977 on February 5, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nasty.....all kinds of flashy and nasty....sorry UF...you either smoke or you get smoked and UF....just got smoked.

Posted by ryjenkins on February 5, 2008 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If we play like that there is absolutley NO ONE that can even come close to us. I love it! Everyone clicked that game the way I knew they could. Great win!

Posted by scott_m99 on February 5, 2008 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This Vols team is flat out awesome! I think they are just hitting their stride and are poised to make a very deep run in the big dance. Hope they go all the way...Go Vols!

Posted by mtoms1272 on February 5, 2008 at 11:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's just another W. Peak in March not February. Great win. Go Vols!

Posted by milldw02 on February 5, 2008 at 11:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Even Lofton has to admit . . . HE'S BACK!!! Those were some sick shots he nailed. Now we have what we've been wanting all along -- a team with everyone playing hard, an an All-American to count on when the shot clock is winding down. What a fun game to watch. Great hustle guys.

Posted by VolBall on February 5, 2008 at 11:45 p.m.

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Posted by CubanBornVol on February 5, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm in Orlando tonight. Look forward going to the airport to fly back to Tennessee tomorrow. Think I'll wear my Tennessee Cap.

Posted by pdhuff on February 5, 2008 at 11:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did airforceone say Dang?

Posted by ksteelescvol on February 5, 2008 at 11:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ty Smith is a Beast, and Lofton is in the zone. If they play as a team like this in march its gonna be a long Dance... Hey 99Gaytor congrats on a good recruiting class. But Bruce owns Billy D.

Posted by VolBall on February 5, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

17 assists only 9 turnovers tonight for the Vols.

Lofton was superb, Tyler is too good, JuJuan always brings it!

Posted by alfrizzle097 on February 5, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Couldn't defend the "pick and sprint" that the announcers wouldn't shut up about. Don't know how many times you can diagram the same play... maybe Pearl turned on the TV at halftime to figure out what adjustments to make.

Refs were horrible in the second half; they blew calls both ways. Didn't affect the final margin though.

Good 20 point win for ESPN to flash to all the potential recruits. Exciting game to watch.

Posted by mcbrim1998 on February 5, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A team with kids barely out of highschool nearly took down #7. And what a quiet arena. You would have thought that some fans would have shown up for such a rivalry, but it sure was quiet.

Posted by GerryOP on February 5, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow! Wow! WOW!

Posted by FatherVol on February 5, 2008 at 11:51 p.m.

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Posted by mtoms1272 on February 5, 2008 at 11:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim1998, I don't know what part of a 22 point beatdown you thought was close. I could barely hear midway through the second half. Maybe you need a hearing aid. Go Vols!

Posted by dfreeman on February 5, 2008 at 11:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mcbrim - Could you show your ignorance a little more please for everyone to see?? By the way ask your football coach if he has anymore gymnastic scholarships! There are a few more recruits to shore up down there!!

Posted by bricker865 on February 5, 2008 at 11:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcidiot1998...you must have watched a different game....the Gaytors at home jump around like a bunch of Duke wannabees (ohhhhhhhhh)..which is pretty sad. The crowd I heard tonight helped destroy Florida when it mattered...goodnight loser...

Posted by chucker6 on February 5, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great win and tremendous heart Vols! The officiating was the worst in an important game that I've seen in playing, coaching and watching basketball for over 40 years. How in the hell Prince got a technical and the smirking Werner wasn't tossed ought to be a question for the SEC head of officiating. I'm obviously biased, but not as much as the chickensxxx ref calls on our big guys. Keeping at it and pouring it on instead of getting frustrated says a lot about the poise, maturity and coaching of this team. Go Vols!

Posted by VOLS85 on February 5, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For all of you who were concerned about our crowd not getting into it, please note tonight. Our fans were awesome! I must note that me and my friends in the student section were riotous the entire night and stood the entire time.

GO VOLS!!!!
20-2

Posted by Hacksaw57 on February 6, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

SIMPLY AMAZING!
TBA was rocking tonight! The crowd just needs to keep it going FULL TIME instead of most of the time. CL is back - had a great game tonight with some clutch 3's. The Smith Boys were tremendous tonight. EVERYONE played a FULL game.
No Doubt About This One. To hang more than a hundred on the Gators is something special.

Ted Valentine is a D**N JOKE as an official. How can anybody so full of himself justify officiating a game non-biased is ridiculous. He is only on the floor to put on a show to bring attention to himself. Bob Knight should have CLOCKED his a** a few years ago when he threw Coach out of the game and knocked some of that showboat out of him.
If we get this guy one more time as an official I think I will throw up.
GREAT GAME, GUYS! GO VOLS!!!!

Posted by ajbake on February 6, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am shocked Ted Valentine's ego fits thru the tunnel at Thompson-Boling. SEC needs to do what the Big Ten did ten years ago... get rid of Ted!

Posted by slambob2 on February 6, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Who is the ref who called the "T" on Prince? That guy blew calls in the Gators favor all night long and has a history of skewering the Vols every time he's on the court.

I hope they have the same rule in basketball as they do in football and BP can ban that guy from Thompson-Boling.

What a huge night to be a Vol fan. Crushing the Gators by 22, passing 100 points, winning our 27th straight home game; taking our 4th in 5 from the Gators and doing it all on national TV.

Ya gotta love this team.

slambob

Posted by mparker on February 6, 2008 at 12:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tell ya what;
UF played a helluva game for 30 minutes or so. You can see why Billy D got the championships.

Hope no vol fans are dumb enough to trash talk UF. They had us on the ropes for a while.

Tyler Smith?? I underestimated his value. Used to be when the ball got to that spot on the court, not much happened. Now, when Tyler gets it, it's action at the rim.

Great allaround games from Chris and jaJuan.

Posted by cjraney on February 6, 2008 at 12:04 a.m.

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Posted by Hacksaw57 on February 6, 2008 at 12:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ted Valentine is NO SEC official. As with most "Big Time" refs such as he SUPPOSEDLY is, they travel all over the Nation to officiate the "Big Games". There are a select few that are privileged to be able to do so. I’ve had to watch this JOKE of a basketball official for the past 10 years and he HASN'T GOTTEN BETTER! HE'S WORSE than he was when he broke in. Just ask Coach Knight, who has called him a LOT WORSE names than I have, and a lot of other coaches.

Posted by slambob2 on February 6, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok, I see it was Ted Valentine. He's consistenly dreadful and showboating.

I remember him sticking his hand in CBP's face like he was saying "talk to the hand". I couldn't believe it.

The SEC has got to get rid of him. He's a disgrace.

slambob

Posted by mparker on February 6, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, this should be a rule change: intentional fouls should count as 2 or 3 points, depending on the spot on the floor AND possession. No more ft shooting. That was almsot a wreck, UF got the technicals, and JP missed both.

Posted by VOLS85 on February 6, 2008 at 12:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The true indicator of how ludicrous and uninformed some of the people on this forum are can be summed up by mcbrim.

You in no way can say that this crowd didn't show up. Tell that to me the student who was at the game, standing, screaming til I lost my voice tonight.

Please do indicate where the #22nd ranked team in the country almost beat us? Hanging with a team and beating a team is a huge difference buddy, and they couldn't hang with our ridiculous depth and offense. 22 POINT BLOWOUT, shut your mouth until you realize how to comment on a basketball game

Posted by ajbake on February 6, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

McBrim: Tonight was probably the loudest of the over 2000 basketball games I have attended (anywhere) in my life. Wow!

Posted by yemmusdarb on February 6, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great win, but I want to comment on the refs:

Ted Valentine (the black ref) has been way too involved in every SEC game he's called this season. He is a joke and I hope he, in no way, refs any NCAA regional games in which we are apart of. 51 total fouls???? Is that a joke? The other ref (old white guy) was just as horrible. And no, I'm not being biased, I'm talking BOTH WAYS. We got the brunt of bad calls, but some of the contact they were seeing was non-existent. The technical on JP shouldn't have been called, his teammates quickly pulled him away and there was no contact or immediate threat.... he was just angry (and rightfully so) but yet T.V. (Ted Valentine--- who must like the game to revolve around his calls) felt necessary to make the "technical foul" signal 19 times in a row in JP's face. People don't buy tickets to see a free throw contest. The refs need to call obvious fouls and stay the hell out of the game. It's getting ridiculous!!!!

Posted by 02champs on February 6, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Worst officiating in the country...pitiful.

Posted by bhjohnso on February 6, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

has anyone ever seen a more overofficiated game? let the guys play for crying out loud. both ways. i don't understand it. it's like the teddy v crew can't be outshone by two talented teams running up and down the floor. i almost think this game should be thrown out and started over on another day...but not really!

Posted by slambob2 on February 6, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I finally agree with Coach Knight on something. Ted Valentine needs to stick to WCW officiating.

Posted by Kwitcherbellyachin on February 6, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Landslide victory for Vols"... just noticed the allusion to Super Tuesday, Election Day. Heh.

Posted by dfreeman on February 6, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Werner's smirk at Prince after that bs he pulled should have got him ejected!! He was baiting Prince all the way, what a punk!!

Posted by Hunter on February 6, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I want to point out a severe problem this evening that the SEC should certainly review(cough, cough):

By my count, Florida should have shot 10 free throws coming off of the technical - VALENTINE FELT IT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO "T" HIM UP 5 FREAKIN TIMES IN A ROW!!!!!

Is it any wonder this piss poor excuse for an official has the initials "T.V."? He's made for it.....Can we get Robert Montgomery Knight to come sit on our bench and "Valentine-proof" our team by knocking him senseless with a Big Orange chair toss every game?

Posted by cjraney on February 6, 2008 at 12:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

McBrim, did you see the game in T-town last week? Your precious Tide drank the orange kool-aid on their home court. But you really showed us by coming on here to talk smack after we waxed a division rival by 22. Well played. Please call off the dogs McBrim, you're just too good.

Posted by VolCane7979 on February 6, 2008 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said bhjohnso. I can't recall watching a game where both teams were in the double bonus at the 10 minute mark. The SEC officiating deities need to review this tape. Valentine looked like he was as happy as a pig in sh*t when he was flashing that T sign in JP's grill.

mcjoke1998 - that's just an ignorant comment. Own up to the beating.

Posted by VolBall on February 6, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ted Valentine SUCKS. He officiated the Ole Miss/UT game earlier this year and the UT/VAndy game as well. He called a very questionable technical on Pearl during the Ole Miss game during a critical time. His technical on J.P. tonight was totally unnecessary. The 4th foul he called on Chism (where he motioned a chicken-wing) was totally a poor call as the Florida player was initiating the contact. The foul Valentine called on Crews late in the 1st half, when Crews was simply running alongside the Florida player as the shot clock was running down, was the worst call I've ever seen.

Valentine SUCKS!

Posted by surlyguy on February 6, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In addition to the excellent performances by our marquee players, a really good sign is the continued emerging grittiness, toughness, and hustle of Brian Williams. It looks like his teammates love him and that he will continue to exhibit more and more of the style of play and intensity that Coach Pearl apparently cherishes in his players and especially in a big man.

Posted by hdhurst on February 6, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just a few thoughts...

Pearl and Co. are finishing strong now, something they lacked earlier in the year. Nice adjustments on Pearl's part to back off the press more in the 2nd half. It not only slowed FL down, it helped our guys utilize their energy for their amazing comeback.

yes, my friends, Lofton is back...the rim just got bigger and he is certainly living up to his pre-season billing.

Prince is not quite there yet, but I can see him coming back to his original form from Dec.

Free throw % improved tonight...hope it continues to rise a little more.

We continue to hold our own on the boards, certainly not bad for a team that is more guard oriented.

GO VOLS....enjoyed watching baby gators go down.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on February 6, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wowwwwwwwwww-----greatttttttt win--what a show/couldnt be better--had it going on inside and outside to fill up a highlight show but as to be expected again we win by 20 and everyone only want to complain about officiating---you people are sick/ it made no difference----so who now is going to be the first to start up now with the to be expected ESPN dont like us stuff----never seen such a bunch of whinners about everything

Posted by ryjenkins on February 6, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree the officiating was horrible but you have to admit it was bad for both teams. These officals are so ready to blow the whistle with the smallest amount of contact and it really disrupts the flow of the game. But it wouldn't have mattered how the called the game tonight because nobody was stopping us.

Posted by VolBall on February 6, 2008 at 12:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No question, the poor calls went both ways.

Posted by dfreeman on February 6, 2008 at 12:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yabababble - I thought the officiating was bad both ways! My only real problem was the Werner kid smirking at Prince after everyone in TBA knew he just tackled him on purpose! That kid should have been shown the door!! He was baiting Prince and should've had his teeth knocked through the back of his throat!!

Posted by VolCane7979 on February 6, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It absolutely was bad both ways. Although I am biased, I thought there were more touch fouls on TN. Keep it rolling down in Baton Rouge.

Posted by Chainsaw on February 6, 2008 at 12:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fantastic game. Loudest the fans have been all season. But I swear, that was the poorest job of officiating I have ever seen. I wish Ted V. would catch a terminal case of the clap and spend the rest of his days as a test subject for experimental antibiotics. What a freaking butt nugget. He really needs to be reassigned to making sure the balls have the correct air pressure or something.

Posted by dfreeman on February 6, 2008 at 12:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Chainsaw - butt nugget?? LMAO!! That's the funniest thing I've heard all night!! I may be slap happy right now!! Can't wait til signing day is over so I can forget about football for a little bit!

Posted by Chainsaw on February 6, 2008 at 12:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

VOLS85: Yes, the student section was incredible tonight. You guys were so loud, I couldn't hear myself scream. Great effort! Please bring that back for the remainder of the home games!

Dfreeman: I'm punch drunk as well. Nothing like putting a century+ on the the repulsive reptiles of roundball.

Posted by VOLS85 on February 6, 2008 at 12:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

yabadabadoo - First of all, "whinners" doesn't exist in the english dictionary, try "whiners" next time. I would also like to point out that there were 54 foul calls tonight. A research done on foul calls stated:

"The average number of foul calls against the leading team was 16.1 per game, compared to 13.3 against the trailing team."

29.4 fouls on average a game. Now how do you explain how this game was almost double the average foul calls in Div. I-A basketball?

They showboated and they disgraced themselves on both sides of the ball, and this does warrant a look. Ted Valentine has been notoriously self-centered. THE REFS SHOULDN'T DECIDE THE GAME, THE PLAYERS SHOULD.

It was terrible on both sides tonight, I'm not taking sides. Flaunting technicals and terrible ticky tack fouls are not the ref's job.

GO VOLS!

Check out this link
http://www.niu.edu/PubAffairs/RELEASE...

Posted by rootin4volz on February 6, 2008 at 12:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What a bunch of IDIOT refs...heck, we could have beat them by 35 if the Gaytors didn't have all those foul shots off of bad calls! Those guys must have vacation homes in Gaynesville!

What a game, though! That was the first time I've gotten to sit in the new "Oyster" (where the Pearl lives) and it was awesome! Way to go Chris, Tyler, and Jajuan...fantastic game!

Posted by BloneyBoy on February 6, 2008 at 12:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks like you folks saw the same game I saw. SHWEEEET! JaJuan Smith is unconcious. Both he and Lofton have the smoothest stroke I have ever seen. I can't remember as enjoying a second half as much as this. Maybe the first half against tOSU last year in the sweet 16. Get LSU Saturday.

Posted by dfreeman on February 6, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Is this what Hubert Davis saw?? LOL

Posted by Chainsaw on February 6, 2008 at 12:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mcbrim1998: Take your hearing aid back to Radio Shack and tell them you want the modern version based on semiconductors instead of thermionic tubes. Stay off the computer until you have done this. That is all.

Posted by cdldoc on February 6, 2008 at 12:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anybody know an email address to let the SEC know how much we love these officials?

Posted by yemmusdarb on February 6, 2008 at 12:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

screw Hubert Davis! he doesn't even have us in his top 16!!! go check ESPN.com and look at their "power 16", then you can look at voters 1-7 and 8-16 and how they voted. The lowest we were ranked was 9 and as high as 4, but somehow he doesn't even have us in the top 16??? That's a complete and utter slap in the face.

Posted by yemmusdarb on February 6, 2008 at 12:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ps - he has Gonzaga in the top 16.... to add insult to injury

Posted by yemmusdarb on February 6, 2008 at 12:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

there's the actual link:

http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncb/powe...

Posted by dfreeman on February 6, 2008 at 12:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey guys as much as I was railing on Memphis earlier let's keep them and some of the other people out west in our thoughts!! There were alot of people killed by those tornadoes!!

Posted by rabidvol1998 on February 6, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Refs horrible, student section great, "Oyster" analogy creative, century mark and 4 of last 5 over Gators, priceless.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on February 6, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Vols85 let me explain to you how about averages----a high and a low can create an average--every game doesnt have to be 29.4 to create a 29.4 average-- The way you get a total higher than the average coming in is IF THERE WERE ACTUALLY more fouls. Do you understand how it works now?

Now with that said I agree there were to many ticky tack fouls---I just happen to get too caught up in the excitement of the game to be so focused on critiquing refs as most everyone here is. Tight officiating goes both ways--effects both teams and balances out--it had nothing to do with the outcome wo why cant you sickos focus on how well we played rather than crying about calls that had no bearing on the outcome. Its not enough for you guys to whine about us always getting screwed on the road but now you want to claim we get screwed at home too. You constant "whiners" really are sick

Posted by jevolball7 on February 6, 2008 at 1:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Awesome! The capper was Jujuan,with 30 sec. left tossing that 30 footer in that prick's grill!!! LOL. Where are all the tiger high fans? That second half was AWESOME. Kitties...you want some of THAT. I don't think so. PLEASE!!!,try to run with us for 40 min....I DARE YOU.

Posted by ZacharyUTK on February 6, 2008 at 1:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

HOLY CRAP!

Posted by natcross24 on February 6, 2008 at 1:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i agree with everyone else on the refs being terrible, but JP has to keep his cool in that situation. there is no doubt it was a dirty play, and he was baiting him after the play, but you still have to be the bigger individual in that case. that had the potential to be a real bad play if a fight breaks out there. great job by the assistant coaches keeping everyone on the bench and not getting to excited with such a BS play

Posted by rabidvol1998 on February 6, 2008 at 1:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

yaba - I'd have to look at the data, but I bet 99% of all SEC games have less fouls than this game. I felt like we should all go home and let the teams have a free throw shooting contest and read about the results in the paper. This in not just complaining that we were treated unfair, there was a call on Florida where the replay showed absolutely zero contact. The worst ref (TV) was constantly talking to the benches and not even watching the game. He nearly missed seeing a free throw and got confused on whether players could enter the game.

The SEC deserves better. Maybe we need to go back to 2 refs. I'd rather they miss fouls than feel call so many.

Posted by agentorange on February 6, 2008 at 1:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hard for kns to give that win a negative spin. how white trash do the gaytors white players look? jeez, dupay already did the buzz-cut, betting-on-the-game look. i have to live in fla among the disgusting 3d world pigs (not a reference to immigrants but southern fla in general), wanna be southerners and new jersey trash. will chirp like a bird in the office tomorrow.

Posted by bshell12 on February 6, 2008 at 1:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great win....I just wish J.P. would realize the talent and opportunity he has, because he plays lazy defense and never sprints back on D. Does he know how to drive and dish???? I cant blame him for being pissed but at least make your free throws after you have given them 2 free one's. I honestly think J.P. embodies everything anti Bruce (Lazy, Selfish, Cocky) and i cannot figure out why he keeps getting more PT than Tabb.

Posted by utmdm on February 6, 2008 at 1:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

IPOrange, You out there? You took off earlier with the warning sirens blaring. Hope you and everyone else are safe.

Posted by VOLS85 on February 6, 2008 at 1:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So do you explain a fluctuation on average of 24.6 fouls? Have you ever seen a basketball game have 5 fouls total before? That's what it takes to offset the 54 that were called tonight...I realize that that doesn't happen and that there are higher and lower foul amounts called, but I have never seen a game with more fouls called, and I've been a college basketball fan for a hot minute.

I'm not whining for UT tonight, I never do. I think the officiating was abysmal and I thought both teams played a fantastic game in spite of it. That is why you're seeing the complaints, and they are valid. Deal with it.

Posted by allvols7 on February 6, 2008 at 1:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great game! Watching the Vols team take down the gators, again, was priceless. Great team play. These guys really had a workout tonight and took a couple of hard falls...and for the refs, bring it...can only make us stronger.

Go Vols!!

Posted by rbatten9 on February 6, 2008 at 1:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope that all you people in TN are safe tonight.

Nice to hear the crowd tonight. Sounded like it sounded last year and the year before. Good to have that back.

What a great game for UT!

If UT goes 7-1 from here on out in SEC play, UT is the SEC champ!!!! Lord let it be so.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on February 6, 2008 at 1:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

VOL85, seriously I'm not defending the officiating cause I'm really not as focused and preoccupied with it as most here because I feel even if its called bad its called bad on both sides. Yes i thought there was too much ticky tacs but both ways so it didnt affect the outcome---if it does affect the outcome its only because 1 team hits the TT and the other doesnt. I just get worked up over the ref complaints cause its a given to see them every game on this board ----if those want to say in general the officiated was poor thats one thing im just sick of the constant whining from the koolaiders thats its always UT thats on the short end all the time----I would have more respect the officiating complaints if it wasnt an every single game thing here( like the old Wolf story, if you call Wolf all the time then it comes to take on no meaning )

Posted by jevolball7 on February 6, 2008 at 1:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Where are the Tiger high fans? Hell, you had a great win against UTEP,right? C'mon kitties,lets play.

Posted by marc_ash on February 6, 2008 at 1:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Game....blouses.

Posted by reg_mza on February 6, 2008 at 2:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Observations:

1. Great overall team performance all the way across. Everyone played their roles and played very unselfish. If they took it strong to the hole then they did it knowing they had mismatches and did not just wing it so much as I've seen in the past.

2. With a team like Florida, you cannot play soft, easy, or passive but must attack them for 40 minutes, home or away. TN did that after the first 8 minutes of the game.

3. Florida was just plain worn out the last 8 minutes of the game and it was obvious. Shots were missing, rebounds not nearly as abundant. Their fouls were due to mental mistakes, ie reaching out off balance, defensive breakdowns, lack of hustle, etc.

4. Thanks Werner, after that intentional foul, damn TN kicked it up another gear that you don't see in college basketball that late into a game. It was like a swarming hive of white jerseys after that event.

5. Say what you will about Valentine calling that technical foul on JP, but JP should have A kept his big mouth SHUT and focused on his upcoming free throws, and B should have NEVER lost his cool and got up in his face. I'm no sure what was said but JP brought that on himself.

6. First time I can say that there were some very unwarranted fouls called in this game. I try to stay impartial and fair but damn there were just some bad calls out there.

7. GREAT to see the crowd at the Arena sounding louder and crazier than Cameron Indoor Stadium or the Dean Dome...and all in front of ESPN and the nation...feels great to see.

Posted by Titan on February 6, 2008 at 2:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'd say if you took a vote of SEC coaches, Ted Valentine would be public enemy #1 on every ballot. He is an egomaniac who thinks he is the show. Maybe JP deserved a T but hey Ted, we saw you the first time. Maybe all posters can deluge the SEC office with e-mails and request that TV never call an SEC game again.

Mcbrim - are you serious????

Posted by johnlg00 on February 6, 2008 at 2:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bshell12, I have been as hard on J.P. as anyone, but I thought he was pretty good tonight. Yeah, his free throws are atrocious, he can't score except on a dunk, and he reaches too much on defense. On the other hand, these last 10 games or so are the first real basketball action he has had in the past two years. When he first went to Arizona, he got sick and didn't play at all, and in fact nearly died. The next year he played only a few meaningless minutes in the pre-conference part of the season, and then transferred here. He then had to sit out a year. I think we will only see a small part this year of what he will eventually do. Goodness knows he will have to be a monster next year with Chris, JaJuan, and Jordan gone!

Posted by Chainsaw on February 6, 2008 at 3:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey yabadabadoo1026, Ban Bam said he was going to pile drive you to China if you don't start paying attention and making a little more sense in your comments. Until then, fix the plumbing underneath your trailer: your kids think it's a soda fountain and it's giving them dysentery.

Posted by ge446 on February 6, 2008 at 5:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Having officiated BB for 40 years and actually working with two of these three officials, I have some understanding of what is suppose to happen. As fans we should not really notice the officials when they do a good job. Valentines actually stuck his "T" in Princes face four times which was four times too many. His fellow official walked by Warner and JP at the time of the supposed contact or comment and did nothing. Valentine came from way out front to get his Air Time. Bruce says it tactfully, but watch and see that UT gets no respect from the officials anywhere. Remember JuJuan getting tossed in N.Y. last year for a hard foul on Hansborough? It was not nearly as ugly as the Warner foul. Did you see Lucus undercut Tyler and not get an intentional foul? Make the necessary calls and move on. Usually fouls occur when one team takes the ball to the hole. We are not getting our share of those calls and get too many called against us as we defend the basket. Teams constantly rebound from behind us and seldom get called for those fouls. Tyler was actully pushed from the free throw line to the top of the circle late in 2nd half and no foul called. Got to get our fair share or we will not go far in the Dance...

Posted by KingsportVol on February 6, 2008 at 6:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by FatherVol on February 5, 2008 at 11:51 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Good for you FatherVol.We all need to raise a little hale every now and then.Would have love to read your comment.Great game.

Posted by hippie60 on February 6, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It looks like the only classes that Fla. basketball team takes is the Urban Meyer cheap shot class. Thugs on there Bball and fball team. The SEC would be better off with them in the ACC

Posted by Ironcity on February 6, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

yems Hubert Davis told Digger last night on ESPN 2 that he thought UT had to be considered one of the top 7 teams in the country. He indicated that with Lofton going they could beat anybody. Not sure what your problem with him is.

Posted by indianacurly on February 6, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wonder if lofton will ever break out of his slump ......?

Posted by lnbadger320 on February 6, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jp prince is so quick it's sick to watch. he is on the verge to just have a break out game. loftong and jujuan are really getting their shots going. that one shot by jujuan at the closing seconds was awsome. i'm so proud of the vols. this team is really starting to peak.

Posted by Plasticman on February 6, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Officiating like this just ruins the game. It shouldn't turn into a FT shooting contest. Valentine is a camera hog and should be officiating High School games, not Div. I college games. JP Prince is such a weapon at 6'8" the way he can take it to the hole. Now, if he can just finish as well as hit his FT's he will be awesome.

Posted by vol4good on February 6, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great Game!! Heart, Desire and talent ruled the Day. Go Vols!

Posted by VolJunkie on February 6, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Even with some empty seats TBA was rocking tonight. Great support for a great team. CBP's year long tinkering with the rotation is paying off, there are not many teams in the country that will be able to keep up with UT ... if UT can dictate the pace and play their up tempo game.

Agree with everyone that the officiating was horrible, could not tell who got the "T" until I saw SportsCenter. Prince has got to keep his cool but Werner should have been tossed, no place for that kind of play.

Some tough road games ahead but I like this team's chances to win the SEC and get a #1 seed.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on February 6, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hippy60--get over it---if we havent already I'm sure at some time we will be assessed an intentional foul--that stuff will happenin the heat of action and when coached to play hard--and to categorize a program as ones of thugs for such is insane----go smoke your hippy weed

Posted by kingmufasa76 on February 6, 2008 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

awesome game glad the storms past thru quickly in west tn where i could enjoy it hope all is well in memphis this am heard they got it bad

Posted by 99gator on February 6, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

congrats to tenn.

i see some problems with the team (tenn), but most of those were known before the season.

however, very few, if any, team in country has the ability to run and shoot like tenn. when they are hot, they are probably close to unbeatable.

florida had to play at tenn's pace (as that is the pace florida plays best at too) making the outcome inevitable.

tenn needs to get better defending the post. their shot selection also needs to improve at times. it seems everyone has the green light all the time and sometimes that can lead to trouble. also, for as athletic as they are.....i think tenn's guards can defend the perimeter better. but, other than that i don't see any other weaknesses in that team.

they can run, are athletic, have tremendous guard play, shoot free throws well, and have depth.

just an all around very good basketball team.

Posted by vol88 on February 6, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, that Memphis fan was in here yesterday saying the Vols would need body bags when we go over there to play. And, then 45 people get killed in tornados last night. I hope he got some perspective from that.

Posted by marc_ash on February 6, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

rodneyd, I think the reffing was bad for both teams, but the bad calls for the Vols far outweighed those against Fl. This was by far the most asinine group of calls from a crew that I've ever seen. It almost appeared that the ref's were told to make sure the uptempo style was eliminated. I guess if the game goes longer, there is more time for commercials.

I think the ref's made calls against the Vols and realized how horrible they were doing in the second half. At that point, they were calling make up calls against FL just to keep it even. Was the reffing bad overall, but TN got the brunt of that one. Maybe ESPN had something to do with it ha.

My buddy and I went to the game and he pointed out that we were in double bonus at 10 minutes. Thats insane. I hope the SEC at least takes a look at that game. In all my years of coaching, playing and watching I can't remember a game that went into double bonus with almost 11 minutes remaining.

My friend also had another suggestion. After 20 wins, the Vols should be able to break out the Black Jerseys. I think it's time...

Posted by dirtdobber1 on February 6, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Kik em in da Vols! Muck Femphis!

Posted by marc_ash on February 6, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator,

Some of the points you make are weaknesses for the Vols. Free throw shooting has got to improve, especially from the guard position. It has gotten better, but nowhere near where it needs to be. TN is 9th in the conference from the charity stripe and that needs to get better. I think FL is 5. Pretty respectable.

Post play is still having issue. This team is still trying to gel again after inserting Crews back into the line up. He played the most minutes since his return I think, and is starting to look like the Duke of old.

FL continued to double stack on top. They wanted to pick Brian Williams and the other bigs on the perimiter. This pulled out big guys out away from the basket and hurt us a lot. As I agree with you on having to improve down low, this was not a typical TN defense in the post. Donovan had a good plan...first I've really seen it this way by a team all year.

They key with Tennessee is they wear teams down. It seems with 3 minutes to go TN pulls away from most. Last night was no different. FL just ran out of gas with 3 minutes left, as was evident with the spurt as time ran out.

I have to disagree with you on one thing....TN does not shoot free throws well. Period.

Posted by fundamentals83 on February 6, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Officiating was Pooooooor. There was a 10 minute stretch where a foul was called on every play, many of which were phantoms (both ways). I don't think it hurt or helped either team but I got tired of hearing the whistle blow. At least it was even 26,25.

Posted by feathersax on February 6, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ted Valentine is STILL the most incompentent, stubborn bb ref in America. Bob Knight told the world that many years ago. TV lacks integrity at every turn. What a comeback & total thrashing by the Big Orange over the Gaytors!

Posted by txsvol on February 6, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It was great to see our hoopsters stick it to the Gators! While JP was blatantly given a hard foul, and taunted, he should have had the maturity to avoid a technical himself. The Florida goon should have been ejected. Vols85 referred to a good article on how the games are called. While some of the calls were bad, I thought the 'bad calls' in no way affected the game. Great win! Go Vols! SAVol

Posted by SeanJean on February 6, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A great win for the Vols. That was easily the best game they have played this season against perhaps the best opponent. That Florida team is going to be a good one. They have a lot of talent.

The only downside I see is the play from Chism. He is really frustrating to watch. He has great size, yet all he does is camp out on the three point line. He is never around the basket to get rebounds, he never calls for the ball down low, and he can't ever seem to finish around the basket when he does. It's frustrating because I think he is really talented, but he just plays soft. If he could just toughen up, take it to the basket with authority, and really attack the boards he'd do the team a lot more good than shooting 3 threes a game and making one of them. That accomplishes nothing. Until that changes, I think Duke needs to take more and more of his minutes.

Posted by Vol_In_Ohio on February 6, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought ***FOUL*** the Vols ***FOUL*** played ***FOUL*** a great ***FOUL*** game ***FOUL*** tonight!

Posted by cgreer on February 6, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think JP said something that got him the T, not just jumping up at Lurch the way he did. JP shoudnt have been on the floor anyway. He has a really good inside game but playing inside means you get fouled and he cant seem to throw a BB in a swimming pool. Would much rather see others. of course all the fouls had something to do with it I guess. refs need to get out of the game. That ref should have given himself a T. Looked like he wanted to fight. Terrible frequent whistle. Thought Williams played pretty good but cant handle a big man with quickness. I think he will be real good if they can improve his speed and footwork. great Win and looking forward to paying back little blue and the BBQ boys.

Posted by learnron on February 6, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Congrads Vols, we ran out of gas the last 10 minutes. It looks like Tenn. is the cream of the SEC this year and is the conferences best bet to make a deep run in the tourney. God luck with the rest of your season except when you come to Gainesville.

Posted by Vol_In_Ohio on February 6, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How in the world were there empty student seats? Is that really right? It was soooo loud on TV, wish I still lived in Knoxville!

Posted by LazhilUT on February 6, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I never saw someone take a hit, like the one JP took from that punk Werner dude, and then get Teed off because he got mad he took a hit!
That guy was wearing all Florida colors under his ref uniform.
People like that must have their own agenda and obviously has hidden (not so well) itentions for the game.

Posted by tnbanker_govols on February 6, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Something's gotta be done about this SEC officiating. Both teams were in the penalty with 13:00 to go in the 2nd half. When two physical basketball teams get together, sometimes you just gotta let 'em play.

Posted by tnbanker_govols on February 6, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh yeah.......where's the Memphis studs at this morning! Got nothing to say after that thrashing!! GO VOLS

Posted by BigMikeUT on February 6, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All I have to say with regards to the Werner cheap shot is "where is CJ Watson's elbow when you need it"...haha. Great game! Go Vols!

Posted by bigbluevol on February 6, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Condolensces to Chris about his grandma. Great game by him in spite of his loss. As for the Valentine hate fest, I've got to get on that bandwagon. To call a T on Prince is absurd. There had been no hints of an altercation previously and, if anything, Werner instigated it with his hard foul. JP probably should have kept his mouth shut, but when you're defenseless in the air like that and you get a cheap shot, you have every right to get mad. His teammates pulled him away and Valentine was so focused on showing his T move, he missed that look from Werner. That dude is the new Joakim Noah. I hope the crowd really gives it to him next year. Great win, despite the officiating. Go Vols!

Posted by camaro171 on February 6, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wow, pretty disappointed in the students for not filling those seats. 9pm game should have fit their schedule nicely.

Posted by VolCane7979 on February 6, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Couldn't tell very easily on TV that there were empty seats. 20,036 made a lot of noise. Let's drop the leg on LSU Saturday.

Posted by todd on February 6, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

empty student seats????? amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by johnlg00 on February 6, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know how many of you actually read the article referenced by Vols85. I did, and the key findings weren't about the number of fouls or the distribution between the home team and the visiting team. The main point was that, in NATIONALLY TELEVISED games, the officials generally make more calls against the LEADING team, presumably to keep the score closer. The author does not allege any deliberate bias on the part of the refs. This correlation was weaker in games televised regionally and weakest in games televised only locally. He also said that since the team in the lead may change several times over the course of the game, the TOTAL number of fouls at the end of the game would not necessarily show any advantage to one team over the other, though he found a larger, but statistically-insignificant, number of fouls called on the visiting team. If you think about it, a goodly number of "bad" calls against us have come when we were in the lead. Think about the OSU game in the NCAA tournament last year. We got a big lead in the first half, but in the second half it seemed they were calling a foul on us every other possession. Of course, when OSU really did foul us in their frenzy to catch up, we didn't hit our free throws. This is, as the author said, counterintuitive because all coaches emphasize the importance of avoiding fouls when they have the lead. He also threw out calls in the last two minutes of the first half and of the game because the trailing team usually commits more fouls as a deliberate strategy. Add to this the fact that we have been in the lead much more often than not, and that our most important games have been televised nationally, and you have a fair explanation for the apparent "bias" against us. Obviously, there are plenty of real-world exceptions to even the best of theories, but the article certainly contained a great deal of food for thought.

Posted by GoVol on February 6, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TN isn't perfect, but show me a team that is? They had me worried for a while, but pulled it out with flying colors.

Had to be one of the poorest officiated games I've seen in some time!!

Posted by powellvoter on February 6, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Where's Gatornation? I don't blame him, I'd hide too. That's what happens when you let your mouth overload your rear end.

Posted by Colliervol on February 6, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Crowd looked pretty rowdy to me. And somebody said last night on ESPN that Thompson Boling has been voted as the best home court advantage in the SEC so that's saying something.

Valentine? Not much else to say. After watching him ref three games against the Vols, he obviously has something against Pearl and the SEC office needs to take a look at it. And that's in addition to being an incompetent showboat. JP should have kept his cool but Werner could have really hurt him and it's hard to control your anger when that happens. Bottom line is that all the refs had to do was step in between them and JP would have backed off. Ridiculous to immediately T him up and that was just Valentine in his usual reactionary mode.

Memphis? One thing's for sure. I'll bet we show up (along with BP's orange coat). Somebody said they have more depth than the Vols? Well, an article this morning in the CA talks about their starters playing 30 plus minutes because the subs are under-performing. (And that's Calipari's words, not mine.) They had best get those guys going again because I can guarantee their starters will be dragging against the Vols if they have to play 30 plus minutes. Based on how they are playing right now, I'd say the depth question favors us. And if Lofton, Jajuan and Tyler continue playing like they're playing, look out. But, hey, nobody said I wasn't biased.

Posted by bigorangedude on February 6, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, what a difference a coach makes! Not too many years ago Tennessee just hoped for a winning season. Great job coach Pearl and great job Vols!

Posted by FatherVol on February 6, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I survived the storms and the 400 Mexicans camped out in the basement of my church through the night. It's good to see another day and live to see another UT BB game.

But I do wonder what I said that caused my post to be pulled by site staff. I didn't say anything obscene. I didn't criticize anyone, not even Valentine and the rest of the officiating team. I didn't even transpose F's and A's in reference to our feelings about Bama. I'm puzzled.

Posted by pdhuff on February 6, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

utmdm - did you get any sleep? Between the Vols and the wind, it was antsy here. Macon Co (7 miles away) got hammered. Prayers go out to all affected. Another big storm hit us at 3:30 a.m..

Gas (natural) pipe line blowing was spectacular. 400+ foot flames in the air. Visible 20+ miles or so.

Lets welcome the new Vols. Beat the Bengals.

Posted by jhbaker14 on February 6, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Can someone explain to me how the students didnt use 1,400 tickets to the UT - Florida game. Come on

Posted by pms151 on February 6, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Got in my car this morning in Houston and this is what I heard:
http://www.sportsradio610.com/Morning...
Click on Daryl Moray 2/6/08

Posted by vol1994 on February 6, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

1998mcbrim- A team with kids barely out of highschool nearly took down #7. And what a quiet arena. You would have thought that some fans would have shown
---------------
The game was close until the 4 minute mark when the vols went on a tear.
That is why the game is for 40 minutes not 36minutes. Face the music mcbrim!

The announcers stated the fans were electric so i assume you were talking about the gator fans attending the game being quiet.

Posted by vegasvol on February 6, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone see the article on ESPN about the game? All about Florida and their inexperance. Give me a break!

Posted by utchris2003 on February 6, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sports Radio out of Memphis is reporting that Drosey from Memphis my be in some trouble for possibly hitting his girlfriend. Not sure how true it is, but that is what I heard earlier this morning.

Also heard some rumblings that two of the players from Memphis may have been stopped by police the other night and found to have som drugs on them, but were let go. Nothing may ever come to light, but i hear that there could be a video tape that is out there to back this up, but it is being kept out of public view right now.

Again, dont know the truth of this yet, but I guess we will find out soon.

Posted by MOOREVOLS on February 6, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was at the game last night. I was fortunate enough to sit near the floor. There were some empty student section seats. Other than that it was a great crowd and it was as loud as it's ever been. Great game. Getting down early just made it even more fun to watch. Tennessee has the talent to play with any team in the country if they play hard, with aggression and passion. The last 3 years have been the most fun I've ever had going to basketball games. It's amazing though that we've been able to win 20 games since we never get calls, even at home.

Posted by pms151 on February 6, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gators did not run out of gas in the final 10 min. Vols stepped on the gas.

Posted by HilltopperVolPhi608 on February 6, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great game! Bad officiating on both sides. Let me ask you guys something. How many times do you see a player get in the face of another player after a hard foul and a technical is called? Hardly ever! Werner=PUNK!

Posted by 1974Vol on February 6, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hats off to Gators for daring to run with the Vols. Most teams try to slow it down and make it a half court game when playing TN. The first 10 minutes was amazing offensive basketball. Officiating was poor but equally so. Both teams were just too quick for the refs to keep up. Prince went around a gator without being touched and the Florida player was called for blocking - blocking air I guess. I did a little reffing back in the day of HS games and my guess is all the calls were made because the officals were concerned the game might get out of hand - it was very physical and intense with alot of trash talking. No one wants a brawl.

Posted by THE_VOL on February 6, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ESPN radio is reporting it's Robert Dozier not Dorsey. Calipari is saying the school is looking into it but he's still on the team. THUG U is ALIVE!

Posted by Colliervol on February 6, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Chris, the report I heard said it was Dozier who supposedly slapped his ex-girlfriend. Seems he followed her out of "The Plush Club" at 3:30 am Sunday morning in downtown Memphis and the discussion may have gotten a little physical.

I wouldn't worry much about Dozier though. Everybody knows Cal's stance on abuse of girlfriends. He brought Jeremy Hunt back from "permanent" suspension because he needed a veteran guard on the team. Does anybody really think he'd lose a critical big man and jeopardize a #1 seed in the tournament? Not a chance. If this is true and if he suspends him, I can assure you that he'll be back just in time for the UT game. Book it.

Posted by Ironcity on February 6, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a game and what a team. Wha excites me about this team is some of the weaknesses I felt we had at the begining of the year, now appear to be strengths. FT shooting which has been discussed here often has been really good as of late. The important thing is we can put four ball handlers out there with FT%'s greater then 70%. Really if you take away Chism and Prince, there is no one in our normal rotation that I would not mind shooting from the foul line with the game on the line.

Posted by Diggs on February 6, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator: Classy comments. You are a credit to the gator nation.

What a great game. Gotta love this team.

Diggs

P.S. There is no Wooooo in Rocky Top!!

Posted by MOOREVOLS on February 6, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Diggs -- I agree, there is no Woooo. I can't stand the Woooo. I boycott the Woooo.

Posted by pms151 on February 6, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The woooo is so stupid. I remember how powerful the song was without it. Now I am embarrassed by it among my non Vol fans who diss it. What happened? Did the 'powers to be' decide we needed some East Tennessee twang to show their constituents some respect? Let's get rid of it. It will not ruin the impact.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on February 6, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The_Vol, you've got to be an idiot----I'm going to keep calling out those who say stupid stuff IMO or Ok stuff at the wrong time. No time to be casting stones towards others about off court law breaking with what we ourselves have have had here for last 5 weeks. Some of you people in your constant hate have no sense of fair play at all.

Posted by hippie60 on February 6, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yabba dabba your the one that is insane to think Fla isn't anything but thugs there's nothing worse than a gator lover.

Posted by mcbrim1998 on February 6, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If only you vols could recruit at the same level as you whine. You won by 22 over a bunch of kids just out of highschool, and you spend all day and night bitching about the home cooking.

Posted by Vol_Fan_4_Life_615 on February 6, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great game last night. The Vols are starting to get hot. Happens every year about this time. I feel sorry for the rest of the SEC. As for the refs last night, well their is not a word to describe how bad they were last night. Ted Valentin has a thing for UT. Maybe we didn't recruit him or something when he was in high school. Either way we won by 22. Even if we had to do it for the most part 8-5.

As for Hubert Davis. He has either hit his head once to many times, or smoked a little to much tree in his day. Cause the brother is stupid. I about fell out my chair when i saw that he did not have us in his 16. You gotta love ESPN and the I.Q.'s they hire. He reminds me a lot of Merril Hodge on there NFL coverage, only getting by because they played the game.

Must be nice still making it because you where a jock, even though there more like jock itch....lol. So whats he gonna say when we are 25-2 and beat Memphis in 3 weeks? We will be #16 hopefully by then in his pole. Thank God for the RPI and the Selection comity or we wouldnt even make it to the dance.

Go Vols (20-2)
P.S. THEY HATE US CAUSE THEY AINT US!!!!!!!!!

Posted by GreerVol22 on February 6, 2008 at 5:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a great game. I was out of town on business and enjoyed it from the lobby of the hotel with some locals...

VOLS85 hit it all on the head with the Northern Illi. professor study.

Just remember folks, this is prime time tv, big money, big ratings are on the line. Don't think for one minute its all about the schools and the kids. The refs have to keep it close as ESPN can't make money if advertisers are not seeing payback. When refs do what theses did last night, its obviously about entertainment.

Posted by dopedawg on February 6, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey the Woooo!!! is ok!! Leave it alone!! The Woo is Tennessee, and we shouldnt be fake like other schools. Be real, the Vols are real!!!

Posted by ratkins589 on February 6, 2008 at 7:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

when lofton goes pro i,ll finally have an NBA team to follow hees awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!

Posted by VolFan32 on February 6, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

took 15 minutes to get from the 12 minute tv timeout to the 8 minute one. too many fouls called

Posted by murrayvol on February 6, 2008 at 9:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FatherVol: I was shocked (yes shocked) at your post being deep sixed by staff. Anyone else but you I could understand. Did you offer a prayer for Calipari or a special dispensation for OleTDTN or what?

Try it again! Perhaps a Methodist was manning the board.

Posted by VOL7 on February 6, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

no excuse for the students not showing up for this game. those 1400 empty seats could've easily been sold to paying customers who would've bought concessions, too. all the students have to do is walk to the game for free on a night when it was 70 degrees & clear weather! we need to reduce the student allotment to no more than 2500 for all future games.

Posted by utchris2003 on February 6, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Colliervol,

My mistake. It was Dozier. I heard wrong the first time.

Posted by jevolball7 on February 7, 2008 at 2:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator: Class comment! Your Gators are going to be really good. I think they have a shot at the round of 32,or maybe the16. They showed poise beyond their years. Eddie Munster is a great coach,even though I hate him and the Gators. You guys are going to have a great team..already do.

Posted by jevolball7 on February 7, 2008 at 3:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

FatherVol: Congrats!!!! For getting tossed! I jumped to conclusions about you at first,but I was wrong. I respect your opinions and your profession. If I'd had a preacher like you when I was young,I'd still be a regular!!! YOU GO MAN!

Posted by VolnFlorida on February 7, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT just scored again!