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Adams: Road gauntlet gets UT ready for March
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The only thing wrong with Tennessee's victory over Memphis on Saturday night was the month.
Never mind that the upset of No. 1-ranked Memphis was the biggest regular-season victory in UT history. Nothing that happens in college basketball November through February is as significant as what happens in March.
And no one understands that better than UT coach Bruce Pearl. Even as he prepared his Vols for Saturday's No. 1 vs. No. 2 match-up at the FedExForum, he also was preparing it for the NCAA tournament in March.
Beginning with Memphis, the stretch of games that followed would be as difficult as anything the Vols would encounter in March, Pearl told his team.
After No. 1 Memphis comes nationally ranked Vanderbilt, which plays like a top-10 team on its home floor. Next is Kentucky, which handed UT one of its two losses. And finally, there's two-time defending national champion Florida in Gainesville.
Victories in those games don't build tournament equity. They do build confidence and toughness - qualities that are becoming more and more evident in this team.
You knew in preseason the Vols would be talented. You didn't know how tough they would be.
UT's toughness was never more apparent than in the 66-62 victory over Memphis. In boxing parlance, you would say this team can take a punch.
The Vols took Memphis' best shot in the first 10 minutes and remained unshaken. So what else is new?
Throughout the season, UT rarely has been rattled by the most impressive work of its opponents. The Vols absorb the blows, maintain their composure and retaliate when ready. That reflects confidence as well as toughness.
Both virtues will serve the Vols well next month. So will their versatility.
In the victory against Memphis, Tennessee proved again that it can prosper in a half-court, low-scoring game as well as in a high-scoring, full-court game.
As good as the full-court press has been to the Vols, it doesn't rule them. Against a team as talented, deep and athletic as Memphis, Pearl's team showed that it could change gears and grind out a victory.
Advice to future opponents: Update your scouting report. There's no surefire plan for beating this bunch.
Memphis couldn't have defended UT leading scorer Chris Lofton any better. Antonio Anderson, a 6-foot-6 guard, throttled Lofton for much of the evening.
The Tigers held Lofton to seven points, and second-leading scorer JaJuan Smith was hampered by leg cramps in the second half.
So in comes Memphis native J.P. Prince to propel UT's second-half charge.
When one Vol goes down, another steps up. When one stumbles, another stars. It has been that way all season.
Point guard Jordan Howell has struggled recently. His 3-point shot hasn't been falling, and his confidence probably has suffered, too.
Based on this team's track record, Howell's slump won't last. In fact, you shouldn't be surprised if he hits a key 3-pointer against Vanderbilt.
UT's depth and revolving stars make for a marvelous safety net. This team isn't dependent on any one player, and that helps ease the pressure on everybody.
The pressure will mount in March, and there's no way to simulate it. But you can prepare for it by playing road games like UT did Saturday night and will again Tuesday against Vanderbilt.
Although the Vols haven't won anything in March, they have done the next best thing. They have demonstrated what it takes to win in March.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by FLAVOLS on February 24, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
When will TBA be the home of a NCAA mens tournament bracket seeding? Soon, I hope.
Posted by Hunter on February 25, 2008 at 12:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Conspiracy theorists unite:
John Adams is currently on vacation and has asked Pennington to come in and cover for him......plausible?
Posted by General_Watermelon on February 25, 2008 at 1:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There's only one thing wrong with your attacking Phillip Fulmer. You did it on Alabama airways and at a time when UT was playing the biggest basketball game in the history of the program. What an arse hole.
Posted by usnavyseal on February 25, 2008 at 1:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People (national media) are saying that Lofton had an off game... but lets be honest... everytime he came off a ball screen, he was double teamed... the rest of the Vols were playing 4 on 3 at that point. It was beautiful. That was one of Lofton's better games of the year because of what he opened up for his teammates!! If you double Chris, our team will have open jumpers and layups... if you dont double him, he will shoot over a single defender!!! GO VOLS!!
Posted by usnavyseal on February 25, 2008 at 1:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To FLA Vols-- I am pretty sure about this, but not 100% positive...
If the Vols are the #1 overall seed they will more than likely be in East Bracket in Raleigh for the 1st & 2nd rounds which automatically puts them in Charlotte for the Sweet 16. If they go to the Midwest bracket as a #1 seed (Birmingham- 1st & 2nd round), they have to go to Detroit for the Sweet 16. The NCAA selection committee will give the #1 overall seed the least travel time, hence Raleigh/Charlotte vs Birmingham/Detroit.
Posted by FireJohnAdams on February 25, 2008 at 2:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What are you thinking Adams???? Looosiana, Loosiana....home.....Looosiana....time to pack....go home.......
Posted by Vols1998 on February 25, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fire Adams, Fire Adams, Fire Adams!!
Posted by Vols1998 on February 25, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fire Adams, Fire Adams, Fire Adams!!
Posted by lkilgore on February 25, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alabama now has 8 arrests in Sabans first year.
See article from Birmingham News.
http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/bir...
Posted by volinky on February 25, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice article John - you must have gone to church yesterday.
Posted by VolJunkie on February 25, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chris Lofton does not have an "off" game. He may not score his average but the other things he does are oh so sweet. Memphis did a great defensive job on him and other prima donna scorers might have tried to force the game. Not Chris: laying out on the floor to push the ball ahead to JP, knowing Memphis' tendencies and getting in position to grab that last rebound with about 3 seconds left and sinking both ends of the 1 and 1. We have all seen examples of his unselfish play. Lofton's quiet leadership speaks volumes about the character of this team.
GO VOLS!
Posted by 55Vol on February 25, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lkilgore.......thanks for the link. John Adams.....you dissed the b'ball team last week trying to run Fulmer out of town and now are writing about the b'ball in a flurry of articles to cover your screw up. Stay away from UT athletics. You are irelevant.
Posted by volfan5521 on February 25, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
John, I can't even read what seems like a possitive article by you, I hope Fulmer kicks your ass!!!!!!!!!
Posted by jopad on February 25, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am not an Adams basher but would take exception to one of the statements in this article. He states this was the biggest win in UT regular season history. That is his opinion. Don't forget the wins over South Carolina and Wake Forest in the 70's and certainly the regular season win over Rupp's Runts was just as big as this one. There is no doubt this win was significant and I for one will enjoy it for a long time, but to say it was the greatest ever is a matter of opinion, not necessarily fact.
Posted by rabidvolfan on February 25, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
General Fritter! You are wrong. Adams did not attack Fulmer while we were getting ready for Memphis. Adams attacked Fulmer while we were getting ready for Auburn. The timing of Adams article was perfect for the big orange and Adams needs a lot of credit. You see, had it not been for Adams article, All the fans would have been talking about the Memphis game when our next game was against Auburn. Therefore, Adams kept our basketball team from having to listen to everyone talk about Memphis, when the focus needed to be on Auburn. It was Fulmer who came out with his article when we were trying to get ready for our biggest regular season basketball game in history. He's probably jealous of Pearl anyway.He obviously wanted to take everyone's focus off the ball game, but it didn't work.
Posted by VolJunkie on February 25, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jopad ... this is Adam's column, he was only expressing an opinion, just as you expressed yours. I don't disagree with you, I am only pointing out that an opinion piece is different than a game report; both should be factual but a columnist is free to express his/her opinion and of course you are just as free to disagree ... IMHO! ;)
Posted by Colliervol on February 25, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
+1 to the Fritter. Adams can write what he wants in the KNS and stir up controversy. That's what they pay him to do and, judging by the response he gets, he is doing a fabulous job. (And I'm sure the KNS agrees.) HOWEVER, to cozy up to somebody like Finebaum and play his slimy game is pretty darn sad.
Posted by pdhuff on February 25, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Colliervol 9:17am- He interns with Finebaum. Finebaum has been drawing the Bama faithful to the bait so long all he needs is a naked hook now. Adams want to aspire to that level. Getting close.
Lord, let us avoid the Vandy trap. I can see the box score now- Hmmmm Vandy FT 19 for 23 - Vols 2 for 5. Let in rain on the Dores.
Posted by VolCane7979 on February 25, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He couldn't have defended Lofton any better? You mean he couldn't have strangled him with his jersey any better, right? That jersey was stretched from size M to L by halftime.
Posted by 55Vol on February 25, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alabama's captain of the football team was arrested this past weekend for disorderly conduct. 8 arrests in a year. Wonder how Adams would spin that one. I mean, Nick Saban is the coach and he has total control of his program, right? TDTN was right...Adams screwed the pooch doing what he did last week on Finebaum's radio show.
Posted by VolJunkie on February 25, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And CBP gave us a demonstration of the Memphis holding technique during his halftime interview with Erin!
Seriously, teams have been holding Lofton all year, the Memphis game was just the most blatant example. It will be interesting to see what Vandy does.
Posted by VolJunkie on February 25, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And CBP gave us a demonstration of the Memphis holding technique during his halftime interview with Erin!
Seriously, teams have been holding Lofton all year, the Memphis game was just the most blatant example. It will be interesting to see what Vandy does.
Posted by Volfan1 on February 25, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Adams = no credibility....ever.
Posted by dvol on February 25, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Question. Will Tennessee cut loose the money it will take to keep Coach Pearl in Ktown? If they do Will our football coach except being payed less than our Basketball coach? There is no doubt CP will deserve the money it will take to keep him. On the other hand football is heading in the wrong direction and it will be fun to watch this shake out in the next few months.
Posted by johnlg00 on February 25, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jopad, one reason this win was bigger than the ones you mentioned is that not only did we beat the #1 team, we got to #1 ourselves as a result. Those earlier teams weren't going anywhere, so the results in those games had to stand for themselves. Great wins, no doubt, but no way they were as big as the one over Memphis. By the same token, no way the win over Memphis will be bigger than a win over Vandy on Tuesday. MAKING it to #1--beautiful; STAYING #1--priceless!!! GO VOLS!!! SINK THE COMMODORES!!!
Posted by marc_ash on February 25, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
dvol, absolutely UT will take care of Pearl. He already has one extension as a coach after his second year.
I posted a recent link to the Jim Rome show where pearl talks about honoring his contract with UT. He will be a Vol, and UT will pay him and reward his success.
If Fulmer can get a raise after a 5-6 season, Pearl will not be going anywhere any time soon if money is the issue.
Posted by KENVOL on February 25, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OH, It's GREAT to be a VOL fan in Memphis. I sure didn't see hardy any Memphis stuff Sunday. What a GREAT WIN!!!!!!!!!!! Now back to business, go beat the Dors. GOOOOOOOOOOOOO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by GreerVol22 on February 25, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Adams.....why do you care?
Posted by VOLstuckINky on February 25, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Adams ... you need to call you buddy Finebaum up and ask him about Bama's all SEC safety that just got arrested. Let's see what little Nicky does ....
Posted by Kwitcherbellyachin on February 25, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As much as I despised the hit piece Adams wrote last week, I still have to ask... is it possible to declare a moratorium on the knee-jerk Adams commentary, or at least in basketball articles? Focus, people. Stay on topic.
Posted by Volfan1 on February 25, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For all basketball posts, place them on basketball articles written by someone other than Adams. The BB team is well deserving of praise, etc., so make your comments about our #1 BB team there. Adams doesn't deserve anything.
Adams = no credibility.
Posted by rabidvolfan on February 25, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad to see Adams articles getting the most response. I think he is finaly recognized as a great sports writer.
Posted by TommyJack on February 25, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
PD: Wonder if the Bama fans bust Feinbaum's chops because he's a TN grad a la JA/LSU?
Posted by Colliervol on February 25, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bossvol, don't look now but I think ole rabidvol's posts in support of Adams are a bit tongue-in-cheek. Just a guess. Especially the ones about taking up a collection for him.
Posted by murrayvol on February 25, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kwitcher: If visitors to this site really kwittheirbellyachin, there would be precious little conversation going on here.
Posted by b on February 25, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
STFU Adams, you big loser!!!
Posted by LargeOrange on February 25, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
General F, I agree and have posted so several times, let's not forget that Adams not only went to Birmingham, he came to Atlanta to both talk radio stations last week to trash UTFB and CPF in the heart of Georgia. Adams is a self serving jerk. On the other hand, Rabiesfan needs some serious medical treatment, you know rabies will make you certifiably insane, sounds like it may be too late for him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabies
Posted by rabidvolfan on February 25, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Large Orange, I hope your name calling makes you feel better. But the fact is that John Adams is very fair. John is really proud of this basketball team. He was bragging on them for 2 hours on his radio show today. I think John care's for football too. He's tired of seeing 4 loss teams every year. It's not what he's used to. He wants the big orange to do good in all sports and if they aren't performing to their potential, he's going to say so. Furthermore, we need to stay on topic and quit talking about this suspect football program when we should be talking basketball.WE'RE #1!!!!!!
Posted by TommyJack on February 25, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I lean toward the rabid one on this issue.
Posted by rabidvolfan on February 25, 2008 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Beat Vandy!!! Mark Allen says! I listened to Pearl on Vol Calls. Does it bug anyone but me that Vol Calls only spent the first 20 minutes on Basketball. The next 40 was on Women's basketball and Baseball. So of course I turned it off and watched basketball on TV. I think they should have at least the first 45 minutes related to baskeball and the last 15 to whatever else they would like to do.
Posted by pdhuff on February 25, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TJ _ does Finebaum have Phil over for shrimp on the barbie?
Probably Adams is off the list.
Posted by rabidvolfan on February 25, 2008 at 11:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Top 5 guys in media
1. John Adams
2. John Pennington
3. Jimmy Hyams
4. Mike Strange
5. Small Mike
Posted by rootin4volz on February 26, 2008 at 1:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
D-E-N-I-A-L is...
John Adams.
Posted by General_Watermelon on February 26, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jail Adams!
Posted by brvol on February 26, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey everybody. Why are you still reading this mans garbage? I am pledging not to read another of his articles. I think it would be great if not one person posted comments on any of his so called journalistic work.
Posted by VOLstuckINky on February 26, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"rabidvolfan" is an interesting screen name John .... I figured you would use "LSUhomer" or "loveSEChateUT" or something more clever.
Posted by LargeOrange on February 26, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
T.J. I'm broken hearted that you lean towards this moron. LOL. RabiesFan, I didn't get off topic about FB you are the one that brought CPF up with this piece of brilliance at 9:06 yesterday: "He's probably jealous of Pearl anyway.He obviously wanted to take everyone's focus off the ball game, but it didn't work." Yeah I am sure that CPF is plotting to use the classic - distract the fans so the team will lose trick. Works everytime, LOL AT you. BTW, I didn't read the article, or any by Adams since he embarked on his SEC whistle stop bash UT tour. I don't intend to read his passive/agressive drivel again. But you go ahead and enjoy Hanoi John all you like.
Posted by brvol on February 27, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I didnt read the article wr23 I only posted a comment. Try it some time. Youll find that you can actually post a comment and not actually read the article. I just did it again here.
I am not lol because someone like you is not worthy of that. You are too stupid to understand. Go Vols!!!!! Go Philip Fulmer!!!!!! You are a rod. LOL
Posted by anthony on February 27, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Long live brvol@
Posted by pearlific on February 28, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wr23 are you referring to the NC Fulmer coached? So you must mean we should try Alabama's approach to winning one (since 1992) which is hire about 7 different coaches!! great strategy!!
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