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Vols all business

Ready to play No. 1 Memphis

By Mike Griffith (Contact)
Originally published 11:34 p.m., February 22, 2008
Updated 11:34 p.m., February 22, 2008

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There were few smiles at Tennessee's practice Friday afternoon.

Vols' coach Bruce Pearl was his usual self, barking out orders and reviewing his scouting report notes while conducting the two-hour walk-through session.

The players, however, were a picture of concentration, their game faces already on for tonight's 9 o'clock tip-off against No. 1 Memphis (26-0).

The No. 2-ranked Vols (24-2) bring a modest eight-game win streak into the ESPN-televised event at FedEx Forum against a Tigers team that has not only won 47 consecutive games at home, but also, 45 consecutive regular-season games.

"I could use a little more time to get ready for this game,'' Pearl said. "We'll just have to see what we've got.''

Both Memphis and Tennessee have vowed not to back off their frantic, fast-breaking, full-court styles of play.

But at some point, half-court defense will be played.

"Building a wall,'' has been Pearl's catchphrase this week, with the Vols emphasizing the need to limit the Tigers' productivity near the basket.

"You have to stop them from penetrating,'' Pearl said. "They find gaps, and they turn corners, and then they go get what they miss and put it back up. We have to build a wall and try to keep them out of there.''

The playfulness exhibited by the UT players this week was replaced by serious answers when asked about the strategical approach to the game.

"They are athletic and long, and they can get to the rim,'' Vols All-American Chris Lofton said. "We just have to have great team defense.''

Sophomore Wayne Chism said he knows the Tigers will apply pressure on him via 6-foot-9, 265-pound post Joey Dorsey.

"They'll think we're soft inside, and they'll come at me,'' said Chism, who's 6-9, 242. "Dorsey is a beast on the boards, and you have to keep an eye on him on the lob and rebounds.

"They get off on runs off his dunks. He really throws it down. But there's more than one big matchup.''

In 6-7 wing Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis has one of the most talented and hottest players in the country.

"Douglas-Roberts, to me, is as good as there is in college basketball right now,'' said Pearl, noting that Douglas-Roberts has averaged 27.7 points over the past three games. "He's the college version of Kobe Bryant with the things he can do.''

UT wing JaJuan Smith most likely will be the primary defender on Douglas-Roberts, just as he was asked to guard Vanderbilt standout Shan Foster and Gonzaga's Jeremy Pargo earlier this season.

Smith said checking Douglas-Roberts will be similar to stopping Foster and Pargo in some respects.

"I've got to get up into him, like Foster, and keep him out of his shooting rhythm,'' Smith said. "I played against him (Douglas-Roberts) at LeBron James Camp (last summer). I picked up on some of his game.''

Pargo was at that camp, too, and the 6-3 Smith learned enough to limit the Gonzaga star to eight points in the Vols' win over the Bulldogs earlier this season.

Another key is at point guard, where UT sophomore Ramar Smith will be asked to match-up with Memphis' freshman sensation Derrick Rose.

"He's really about the hype, a great player, a McDonald's All-American,'' Smith said. "So you've got Derrick Rose, big name, and then Ramar Smith, with my name not so big. Let's just play.''

Build A Wall II: ESPN producers called UT earlier this week encouraging the school to send students to today's GameDay set.

"They wanted a 50-50 mix of fans,'' Vols basketball sports information director Craig Pinkerton said. "Apparently, that's not going to happen.''

Pinkerton said he got word from Memphis that only 3,500 fans will be permitted around the ESPN set, with Memphis students getting first dibs and the remainder of the seats going to fans who have tickets for the game.

Pearl was not pleased.

"We don't control the game operations,'' Pearl said, "but if we had GameDay here, I'd try to get 20,000 to fill our place up.''

Pat's Take: Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt sat courtside during the Vols' practice Friday afternoon, chatting with Pearl between drills.

"Anytime we've been in that (No. 1 vs. No. 2) situation, it has a postseason feel and it is great preparation for the (NCAA) tournament,'' Summitt said. "It is a valuable learning experience.

"But it's important to not make it bigger or more important than it is.''

New Shoes: The Vols will break out a new adidas model of shoe tonight, the "Piranha 3.0.''

Lofton has been wearing the two-year-old original model of the shoe, which features a crossover strap, but like most all of his teammates was wearing the new version on Friday.

Shoot-Around: UT deviated from its normal practice of holding a shoot-around in the road arena the night before the game because the Memphis Grizzlies have a home game. The Vols will shoot in FedEx Forum this morning before returning to the team hotel to eat, meet, rest and watch other college basketball games.

       122 Comments

Posted by BigVolinCarolina on February 22, 2008 at 11:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We win this game if we play good defense and rebound. I'm not worried about the offense.

Can't wait to crush Memphis's heart...and Calipari's, too.

GO VOLS!

Posted by coach75 on February 23, 2008 at 12:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BEING A FOOTBALL COACH I ALWAYS GET HYPED TO WATCH UT PLAY FOOTBALL. NOW I AM GETTING NERVOUS AND HYPED JUST WAITING TO SEE OUR VOLS PLAY A LITTLE BBALL. GO VOLS! BEAT MEMPHIS AND THEN ON TO NASHVILLE AND TAKE CARE OF THE HOME COOKING WE GOT THERE LAST YEAR.

Posted by jevolball7 on February 23, 2008 at 12:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Our perimeter defense will be fine. The post has me worried. "HACK A SHAQ", would be ideal.

Posted by chrisw2967 on February 23, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just go and play Tenn basketball and if JuJuan and Chris both are hitting there shots then Tn come out of this game with a win and just hope Chism doesnt start throwing up 3s , just hit the boards and get Dorsey in foul trouble and just make those Tigers night a living %ell. Go Vols

Posted by utchris2003 on February 23, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I finally got a ticket!!!!!!! It may not be the best seat in the house, but it only cost me 25 bones!

Posted by OrangeNugget on February 23, 2008 at 12:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's do it vols, Memphis is expecting to runaway with this. I am a student at Tennessee and I have some friends from Memphis that are rooting for Memphis that go here with me. I am disgusted with them. I know Tennessee is the better team so prove it!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by VolBall on February 23, 2008 at 12:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How freakin cool is it to now have at UT such a wonderful men's basketball coach who has completely established a respected and feared program, who instills a healthy swagger and confidence in his players, who "gets it" when it comes to embracing fans and promoting our school and overtaking fertile recruiting grounds once largely unavailable. Pearl has got everyone's attention, and rightfully so!

Posted by utchris2003 on February 23, 2008 at 12:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nugget,

Email their names to the UTAD and request that their ID's not be allowed into TBA the rest of the year on the account of Treason.

Posted by volmattna on February 23, 2008 at 1:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Orangenugget, They should be kicked out of school for not cheering for the vols. How could you go to school here and not cheer for this team? regardless of where you are from. GO VOLS!!!!

Posted by OrangeNugget on February 23, 2008 at 1:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I know, I want to kick their ass but they back in Memphis for the game when they don't even have tickets. Waste of 800 miles there n back.

Posted by Hunter on February 23, 2008 at 2:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

utchris - if you happened to get a Gen. Admission ticket, they're selling WAY more tickets than the place holds and it's first-come, first-served. If you can read this and you aren't in line, you're too late.

Posted by Vol_Fan_4_Life_615 on February 23, 2008 at 2:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

thats almost as bad as having a UT grad putting them down on a Birmingham radio station 5 days a week.

Posted by utchris2003 on February 23, 2008 at 2:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There has been nothing of the sort published. The ticket has a seat number on it and I highly doubt they are selling multiple tickets with the same seat on it. The forum holds 19000 and they are selling 38000 tickets. That is why they are so hard to get. Geez buddy, lay off the juice tonight.

Posted by vol52 on February 23, 2008 at 5:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BO BIG ORANGE! BEAT the tigers!

Posted by StaytheCourse on February 23, 2008 at 6:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Favorite Pearl quote ever, "Were gonna get off the bus and then were going to press ya."

Posted by why36knot on February 23, 2008 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice article here... Maybe Adams should take some classes at the Mike Griffith School of Sports Journalism.

Posted by KingsportVol on February 23, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Man I am pumped.I wish the game was 9am.Going to be a long day.Tigers get ready for the true 40 minutes of hell.Go Big Orange!!!Beat the Tigers

Posted by devilred on February 23, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

College basketball analyst have been talking about this game for two months now. Why....because Memphis is sooo good or because Memphis plays in a soft ass conference and plays a soft ass schedule? I believe it's the latter. The Big Orange two months ago was the big game on thier schedule...They are nervous and full of doubts in thier heads. If we come out and punch them in the mouth we have a good shot at getting the W. GO VOLS and thank you Bruce Pearl for bringing some Pride back to Tennessee basketball.

Posted by txsvol on February 23, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Go Vols! Beat Memphis! SAVol

Posted by Huntingdonvol on February 23, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Check out espn guys,they are already showing the preditions of digger and jay!They both pick pimphis to win on gameday!All we got out of pimphis here in west Tennessee is one tv station out of Jackson,all we hear is memphis,pimphis whatever they call that slum of the south!Iwas raised and taught in Sundayschool not to hate anyone,but i cant rember nothing abought hating something!I puke blue,my nightmares are blue i hate phimphis!Judge me wrong as you may,but i make my stand.GO VOLS SPREAD SOME ORANGE OVER THAT USLESS PLACE AND NOT JUST WIN,WIN BIG BABBY!

Posted by Volssux on February 23, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Huntingdonvol There is a word for people like you....

REDNECK!!!!

Posted by pjhaddix on February 23, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Man, that's really infuriating that Memphis won't let Vol fans around the ESPN set. I hope the ESPN game day crew explain that, so it doesn't look like we just didn't show. How rude. pj

Posted by pjhaddix on February 23, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Man, that's really infuriating that Memphis won't let Vol fans around the ESPN set. I hope the ESPN game day crew explain that, so it doesn't look like we just didn't show. How rude. pj

Posted by pjhaddix on February 23, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good grief...i know better than to click twice. My finger was out of control there.

Posted by Huntingdonvol on February 23, 2008 at 10:04 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by romevol on February 23, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Isn't Memphis that little town that sits out there close to Alalbama?

Volssux: No wonder they have idiots like you iiving there. You have Alalbam stank on you! Now go take a bath and come back wearing something orange, Maybe there is still some time to turn you around.

Posted by pdhuff on February 23, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pat and Bruce chatting at courtside. Hmmmm, man if they were married and had children, it would truly be basketball Jones.

If their prodigy couln't hit a 28' jump shot, he could explain why he missed. All in theory, of course.

We're blessed to have two current and energetic coaches like them.

Beat U of M.

Posted by mdvol on February 23, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BIG GAME! Turn down the sound on ESPN and crank up JOHN WARD! Oh, crap, it's Kesling. Go with ESPN.

Posted by pearlific on February 23, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bruce Almighty will take care of business like John Cheney threatened to do about ten years ago!

Posted by Colliervol on February 23, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Watching the news shows in Memphis this morning and they showed the crowd waiting to get into the Forum. About 1000 Memphis students who got first entry. Not an orange shirt in site. And then after that, only letting in people with game tickets. And guess what percentage of fans that will be. If ESPN wanted a "mixed" crowd, somebody at Memphis and the Forum didn't get the message. Maybe we'll get a few tokens in.

Oh well, fortunately, our guys only have to play five of them at a time. On the floor, it looks pretty even to me. Talking is over. Nothing left to do but play it.

Posted by tnbanker_govols on February 23, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach75: I know exactly what you mean. I've been to several UT footballl games when they play Florida, Georgia or other top schools. Always get that queasy feeling in the stomach......but never for a basketball game. We just need to play our game. If we shoot the three ball well and play solid defense, I believe we'll be #1 next week. GO VOLS!!!!!!

Posted by Huntingdonvol on February 23, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I see the espn hate of VOLS already coming out before gameday!I hope coach takes note and uses this for the big moe!And you wonder if espn and pimphis are made for each other!no orange in the background not a vol fan their!God i hate phimphis

Posted by Chainsaw on February 23, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GO VOLS! BEAT MEMPHIS!!!

Posted by SFOrange on February 23, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gotta love this week--this season.
@ Memphis, @ Vandy, UK @ TBA.

All eyes on FedEx tonight--win/loose tonight, we're watching year 3 of a rising program.
Damn, this is fun.
Rev it up Vols.

Posted by Huntingdonvol on February 23, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

IF THIS DONT STICK IN YOUR HEART!!!THEY GOT SMOKEY HANGING FROM A ROPE!!!!!!

Posted by utchris2003 on February 23, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This will only add some fuel to BP's pre-game speech; like they need any other motivation. This Memphis crowd is weak. They only get loud when they talk about Memphis. Everyone in Memphis remember to catch the BP pregame talk @ 6:15 @ Jillians just off Beale St.

How arrogant did CDR seem in that first segment of interviews?

Posted by KingsportVol on February 23, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Man don't F with Smokey!!!

Posted by VolJunkie on February 23, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The ESPN Gameday fiasco really highlights the difference between these two programs. Memphis only letting in about 3500 people, guess what color most of them will be wearing. Bruce said if the game was in Knoxville he would open the place up and have 20,000 in front of the cameras! Bruce is the man, he is coaching a great and talented group of young men, Memphis will definitely be singing the blues tonight. I just hope the talk that Indiana is going to pursue Coach Pearl goes away and doesn't create distractions for what has become an historic UT basketball season.

GO VOLS!!!!

Posted by VolJunkie on February 23, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

<utchris> you are absolutely right but then arrogant describes the whole program. Glad you scored a ticket for tonight, I know you will represent!

GO VOLS!!

Posted by utchris2003 on February 23, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pearl will not leave. Tennessee has the cash to keep him. Besides, he would not want to head to a University that is about to get sanctioned.

My friend in the coaching business does tell me though that Steve Forbes is the leading canadite for the Arkansas St. job. (Vacated by Dicky Nutt,brother of Houston, earlier this week)

Posted by VolJunkie on February 23, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree UT has the cash and Coach Pearl seems to enjoy being in Knoxville. Looking forward to something besides Memphis talk on Game Day; looks like they are ready to do a piece on Tyler Smith. He has a great story, I hope he stays for his Jr. and Sr. years.

Posted by FatherVol on February 23, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It seems that lynching anything these days is enough to draw sanctions; even depictions of just a noose are enough to get editors fired. I say we just take this tiger by the tail and let it unfurl behind the victory ride back to Knoxville, the epicenter of collegiate basketball.

Posted by FatherVol on February 23, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Was on Beale Street yesterday afternoon with some college friends. We got pelted with peanut shells, had one homongous goober propelled our way and one beer bottle hit one of my friends. Mind you, not all Memphis fans are like this. In fact, most are most congenial even if obnoxious in their taunts, but the group at the Hampton Inn across from Peabody Place was ruthless to anyone in orange. Be careful, utchris!

Posted by utchris2003 on February 23, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great story on Tyler Smith. I like how Calipari just walked through the crowd...hmm, am I wrong or is that a copy of something someone else has done over the past 3 years?

Posted by VolJunkie on February 23, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That was a great story, similar to the piece the KNS did a few weeks ago.

LOL about Calipari, I thought the same thing.

I can't wait for tonight! GO VOLS!

Posted by GlennMaxwell on February 23, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Stop bellyaching about the GameDay crowd. It's the first of many disappointments you'll be encountering before the day is over.

Posted by mparker on February 23, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hmm, don't know about new sneaks for a big game...

the vols will hack like crazy inside, I think; wouldn't be surprised to see chism, crews, williams, and childress foul out, and Tyler and JP to have 4 each if that is waht it takes.

My surprise pick: JP comes into the game after JaJuan gets a couple of cheap fouls and locks down Douglas-Roberts.

Posted by TurboFan on February 23, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FatherVol, why didn't you text Cal and ask him to stop throwing stuff at you? J/K

You're right, Glenn, first I ran out of raisin bran for my breakfast, then the the wife said she going shopping all afternoon, and the newspaper was laying off the porch in the snow and the dog didn't make it out the door in time. I expect my day to even out this evening though.

Posted by wally on February 23, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not allowing Vol fans into game day is pure, classless Tiger High...unbelievable. Memphis has bascially rigged Game Day because they're so paranoid that big brother will show them up. Of course, ESPN inivited Vol fans because they wanted a 50/50 split and had never experienced an institution rigging the setting. I'd say this is a first for Game Day. This is nothing other than typical Tiger High and typical Calapari...pure bush league....but hey, what did you expect?

Posted by GlennMaxwell on February 23, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL.

Did you get inside info from ESPN about this big conspiracy they got sucked into?

Posted by utchris2003 on February 23, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gameday Checklist

Wallet - Check
Cell Phone - Check
Keys - Check
Ticket - Check
Bullet Proof Vest - Check
Lots of Orange - Check

Alright boys and girls, I am off. Everyone enjoy the game! GO VOLS!!!

Posted by GlennMaxwell on February 23, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I certainly hope the wife has some action planned for ya at bedtime, WD, cuz that's the only way your bad day will even out later on.

Posted by GlennMaxwell on February 23, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way, W: Get GameDay to come to Knoxville for a basketball game sometime and UT can handle the crowd any way they want. But their on our turf now, and we don't want tacky orange cluttering up the moment. Sorry don't like, but there's a lot you won't like about today.

Posted by FatherVol on February 23, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WD40, the next to last text I received from Cal said, "We'll talk Sunday." The last I sent was, "Not if there's gloating." I will tell him about it then.

Posted by dopedawg on February 23, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Like I've said before, the only good things about Memphis:

BBQ

Elvis

St Judes

after that, nothing!!! Georgia wants to annex Tennessee for the Tennessee river for the water...maybe we should let them have Memphis!!!!
Go Vols!!! Beat them pooty tats!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Colliervol on February 23, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, we did sneak four or five tokens in there and somebody at Memphis will get fired for that.

I got kind of amused watching the Memphis crowd at Game Day. It appeared they didn't know how to act. If you watched 'em, most of the kids were more interested in seeing themselves on the scoreboard and posing like rap stars. They all kept looking up at the screen at themselves. Hilarious.

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UtChris - Be sure to get some of those good Memphis ribs before you leave. Tell Bill Dance I said hello and that we love his power T cap. Go Vols! Beat Memphis.

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

KingsportVol - Man don't F with Smokey!!!

Well said Kingsport. The General was about to unload his artillery on that comment.

Posted by EDis4UT on February 23, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No, Glen. Unfortunately memphis will always be in Tennessee. So that means that memphis will always be on OUR turf. As your god says, we are the one that always control the purse strings.

The beauty of today's game is...regardless if UT wins or loses if want effect us much either way in the big picture, other than in the instate bragging rights.

Posted by wally on February 23, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Glen, Tiger High is the first the first to EVER stage Game Day in such a way. I understand the campus is your turf and I also understand why you had to rig the thing with your cheer leaders dancing all around the dais. It was like some sort of cheezy infomercial. But again, we'd expect nothing less from a 2nd..no 3rd rate institution.

BTW, the Vols lead this basketball series 11-7. It's the only sport that is even somewhat close in the series between these incomparable schools.

Posted by TurboFan on February 23, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FatherVol, you mean he didn't ask for pre-forgiveness for the harsh words he is going to use tonight? again, j/k

Truthfully, if gameday was in Knoxville, I would be resentful of the opponent's fans trying to horn in on our day in the sun. Memphis sees themselves as the red headed step child in the state. Let them have their moment, it'll have no bearing on the outcome of the game.

Glenn, that was last night. LOL

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Volssux - There is a word for people like you. Homo.

Posted by IPOrange on February 23, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Smokey hanging from a rope? Man, that's just wrong. Light 'em up, Vols! Make 'em sorry for that one.

Well, I have to work a bball game tonight, but it should be over by the UT/Memphis tipoff. I spoke to Chism's brother Thursday - he says he's ready to roll. GO BIG ORANGE!

ATĪ©

Posted by wally on February 23, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WD40, you're right about the inferiority complex and I agree that Game Day will have no impact on the outcome of the game. However, you can rest assured that if the same game was taking place on UT's campus, TB would be open to the general public...not just those in orange. As a host school, this had always been understood until Game Day landed in Memphis.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on February 23, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well the usual and expected ESPN hates us crap has already started from the paranoid ones---so the we got jobbed by the refs whinning and complaining cant be far behind---no need for the game to be in progress cause its coming as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow

Posted by wally on February 23, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yaba, in your paranoia, you apparently jumped to a conclusion and missed the point. That was not a paranoic complaint about ESPN. In fact, ESPN actually contacted UT's SID and encouraged them to have UT fans attend GD because they wanted a 50/50 split. The GD reference was not a criticism of ESPN, but rather in regards to Tiger High limiting attendance to GD for Memphis students only.

Posted by VolJunkie on February 23, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good call W ... Coach Pearl said if Game Day had been in Knoxville, he would have opened up TBA and filled it with 20,000 people. See my earlier post, this is not whining, just an example of the difference between these programs and the coaches that lead them. Calipari has a superiority "we are a national program" complex; Memphis has a rich basketball history and one they can be proud of. That does not mean you denigrate an up and coming program and one of the best coaches in the country. We have some experience with National Championship caliber programs at UT.

GO VOLS!!!

Posted by SFOrange on February 23, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lots a coordinated yahoo's in blue behind the GameDay set inside FedEx. Come tonight I suspect we'll see and hear some Orange.

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

With the title of this article, there is only one thing missing for the Vols to do:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nql4Bk...

Posted by VolJunkie on February 23, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nothing like some BTO to get in the right frame of mind ... Well done General!

Posted by cjraney on February 23, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GlenMaxwell-
Check out FatherVols post above at 11.42. Classy.

Posted by SFOrange on February 23, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK, I'd like UT to win every game it plays---but I'd rather we not be on the #1 hit list until the NCAA championship game. Winning today--going to #1 next week...I think its added pressure on the Vols. While I'd like us to beat the crap out of UofM today---I don't think its a huge hit if we don't.

Posted by Plasticman on February 23, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Agree SF Orange, although it would be great pub to be #1 for the first time in program history, what really matters is winning the SEC title and winning 6 games in the NCAA Tourney. I'm pumped about this game tonight but if we lose, I will not be devastated as long as we play well. If Lofton and JuJuan are hitting, we win by 8 to 10 points.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on February 23, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

W, I was not referencing your post but others above whinning that a couple ESPN analysts are picking Memphis--guess that makes them Tennessee haters by somes warped definitions

Posted by VolJunkie on February 23, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SFOrange & Plasticman, totally agree with you. A win tonight is great for the program but it won't hang any banners in TBA. I gotta believe that when Coach Pearl set goals for the them this year, winning the SEC regular season and SEC tourney are close to the top ... beating Memphis, not so much.

Here's to a well played game by the men in orange!

GO VOLS!

Posted by VolJunkie on February 23, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Damn typo ... "goals for the TEAM this year"

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FatherVol - so the Memphis girls fight with peanuts and beer bottles. LOL. They better be glad the General is not there.

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Loved it imwithphilly. Watch the entire video of this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKP6An...

Posted by GlennMaxwell on February 23, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The obvious truth, of course, is that (as others have noted) it won't hurt either program too much to lose tonight. Both will still be ranked in the top five and go into the NCAA with a high seed. I'd be willing to wager, in fact, that Memphis will still be a No. 1 seed as long as tonight's game is competitive and it's the only one they lose, should that be the case.

All that said, I'd still like to win it all with a perfect record ... not to mention kicking some obnoxious orange -- ahem -- backsides clear back to the East Tennessee hills.

Go Tigers!! Only a few hours until the schooling begins.

Posted by SFOrange on February 23, 2008 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

lol.."until the schooling begins"?

Tiger fans are frothing as much as UT fans for this match-up...its the only interesting thing they've got between now and the NCAA's. Honestly, UT's on the rise and as its program gets serious so will its in-roads to in-state recuiting. No matter what happens tonight--both schools benefit.
In the long run---UT wins.

Posted by GlennMaxwell on February 23, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In the long run, the basketball reputation of the state as a whole wins.

UT will no doubt get a bigger share of the Memphis hoops talent pool if they're able to hang onto Pearl and continue to improve the program, but Calipari has taken recruiting more nationally than local anyway, so there's enough to go around.

Posted by MemphisTigerFan on February 23, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Give me a break and stop with the Memphis plays a softass schedule routine. Let's see... Georgetown, USC, Gonzaga, UCONN, Oklahoma... And, well... I'd take UAB (ask Kentucky) or Houston over Ole Miss, LSU and Georgia.

Memphis has walked through every challenge... And should this one as well. UT doesn't play any 1/2 court defense, relies on the 3 ball too much and has no inside game. I'll give credit where it is due, Pearl is a fantastic coach and much like Bobby Huggins; gets the most out of his talent, but the on this day, a Tiger has a bigger bite than a Blue Tick Hound.

Posted by mparker on February 23, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

memphistiger,
see my post above for how I think the game goes.

I'm waiting for the announcers to give us several "Jamar's" during the game.

Posted by mattucket on February 23, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Doug Roth is going to man up against Joey Dorsey!!!

Posted by vol1994 on February 23, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

glenn maxwell- Why in the world are you on a UT site?
Just curious- I am so sorry you despise UT so much. I guess it is because we are an elite program and most of the state does not give a crap
about Memphis.

But then again, I forgot- Most of your city is still upset that the Titans chose to play
in Nashville instead of Memphis..
Calling someone on this board Redneck is just so child-like. Grow up and go post something on your own Memphis board if you guys have one.

The only good thing about Memphis is.. NOt going there!!

Go Vols!!

Posted by vol1994 on February 23, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Memphis tiger fan= Go back to your board.
IT amazes me why there are two or three Memphis
fans on our UT board.. I have no desire
to go to Memphis's board.

I guess all the analysts are incorrect then about your soft conf. schedule, huh. They do not have a clue what they are talking about. You guys may win this game- maybe or maybe not!

however, Memphis will NOT win the Natl title.
Book it!

Posted by EDis4UT on February 23, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dude, don't give me this UAB is great garbage just because they played the paints off you guys.

UAB LOST TO:

GA Southern (D-2)
Rhode Island (who is horrible)
UL-Lafayette (Please...)
Wichita St. (D-2)
Marshall (a joke)
So. Miss (a joke)

Yes, your right there is way UGA and LSU could ever hang with those guys! Oh, and Ole Miss wouldn't have a chance! Those are some impressive L's! But since they beat a mediocre Kentucky team early in the season they're just world beaters aren't they.

You will see shortly how horrible we are with our 1/2 court defense. Make sure you don't keep count of the 1/2 court and baseline steals in this game. We hardly ever have any.

Yes, our whole offense is just running down the court and firing up three's.

You don't have anything to worry about man.

Posted by trivol on February 23, 2008 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's play some ball!!

Posted by vol1994 on February 23, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by EDis4UT on February 23, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dude, don't give me this UAB is great garbage just because they played the paints off you guys.

UAB LOST TO:

GA Southern (D-
---------------------------

good Points ED!

Whether UT wins or loses I despise anyone who makes ridiculous comments. It is horrible what is going on in Memphis today. All I have heard from people in the city wearing Orange is-
"profanity laced comments, throwing things, having cars vandalized over night @ hotel parking lot, etc.

How classless!!!!

Posted by KingsportVol on February 23, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

F MEMPISSSS GAME OVER

Posted by Razzle on February 23, 2008 at 11:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bring on the commodeodores

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Where's the friken Memphis Wusses? If it were not for Rose and the early uncharacteristic 3's, this game would not have been close. If this game is played in Knoxville, the Vols kick their arse.

Posted by 55Vol on February 23, 2008 at 11:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MemphisTigerFan.... you lost.TN won...you can't shot FT's..you lose.again...two years in a row........

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 11:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Undefeated.........NADA
47 home streak is OVER!!!!!!!!!!!

Go VOLS!

Posted by bigorange80 on February 23, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When is the team arriving back in k-town? Let the party begin!

Posted by fundamentals83 on February 23, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Zander, you got the guts to post on here again? And where's memphisjoke?

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lofton was cold, JaJuan Smith was cramping and on the bench, you were playing at home, and you still lost. LMFAO

VOLS #1

Posted by fundamentals83 on February 23, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Now bring on the important games! Memphis won't be the best team we play this year.

Posted by LazhilUT on February 23, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MEMPHIS FANS ARE IDIOTS! YOU LOSE! YOU LOSE!
GO HOME! GO BACK TO THUG TOWN!!!
WE'RE #1!!!
SORE LOSERS!!!

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The Memphis thugs tried to start a fight before the game. We sent your classless thugs home losers!!!! Next.

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Preach it Kingsport. Preach it!

Posted by fundamentals83 on February 23, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wonder how long it'll take for the Memphis fans to blame the officiating?

Posted by LazhilUT on February 23, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tickets for the game: $300
Beer at the game: $5
Nachos: $7
Seeing the Memphis Pussycat fans stunned after they realize that UT IS BETTER THAN MEMPHIS ON EVERYTHING: Priceless!!!

Posted by fundamentals83 on February 23, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dang, Memphis is going to hurt our rpi....

Posted by 55Vol on February 23, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vandy......and then AirForceOne......your next dudes

Posted by LazhilUT on February 23, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

They will blame the officiating even though all the fouls were called on us, there was a charge on them not called at the end of the game...bla bla bla

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Heh MemphisTigerFan - No inside game? Who won the rebounding battle inside. Hint - not Memphis.

Posted by fundamentals83 on February 23, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rebounds
UT 50
Mem 34.

Posted by KingsportVol on February 23, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The last time I saw a beating like that was when Linda Loveless challenged John Holmes to a meat cigar duel.We all know how that one ended.Go Big Orange!!!Free TD

Posted by VolJunkie on February 23, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tyler Smith was the man tonight but a great overall effort by the men in orange ... does anyone know when the team gets back in town, I assume they are coming into TYS?

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Heh Calapari - IT is "JP" Prince NOT PJ Prince. I was pissed off for him. He kicked your butt tonight!

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The last time I saw anyone suck as bad as Memphis, Monica Lewinski was in the White House. Pass the cigars boys.

Posted by VolJunkie on February 23, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good call General ... UT was +15 on rebounds and I think they had 18 offensive boards. Big night!

Posted by TurboFan on February 23, 2008 at 11:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One of the all time great games. Refs didn't get into the game. Frenetic pace. Athletic moves by Smith, Prince, Rose and CDR.

Does anybody think Bruce has a date with Erin after the game?

Saw somebody wearing an orange blazer shaking a pom-pom behind Dickie V after the game.

Wish that Dickie V would actually talk about the game some during the game.

Posted by KingsportVol on February 23, 2008 at 11:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Calapari You can call JP "The Fresh Prince of Knox Air"!!!Go Big Orange!!!

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 11:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LazHilUT - Post of the night! Thank you Sir. Priceless.

Posted by VolJunkie on February 23, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

<WD40> LOL! The crowd at my house broke up when Bruce grabbed her during the halftime interview. She was courageous to come back for the end-of-game interview!

Posted by General_Watermelon on February 23, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who is number #1 in the nation?

A) Tennessee
B) Not Memphis
C) All of the above

Posted by KingsportVol on February 23, 2008 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am going to agree with Dupree on this one (C)?

Posted by wally on February 24, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No more popping off from Glenn? It looks like he went wee, wee, wee...all the way home.

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