Posted by 2000man on January 10, 2008 at 1:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The Muhammad Ali rope-a-dope worked!

Posted by cdldoc on January 10, 2008 at 1:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just shows what HGH can do. Our guys looked skinny next to their Muscle Beach bullies.

GoVols and no HGH.

Posted by dfreeman on January 10, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"If we meet them in the tournament, it's going to be a whole new ballgame,"

You guys need to post this in the locker room! Everyone you play is expecting to beat you. You are THE team to beat right now in the SEC!! Welcome home boys!!

Posted by jdcvols on January 10, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This team is limited somewhat with Chism's play. Don't really want to be critical but Chism needs to become a man on the boards and QUIT shooting 3's. That point guard for Ole Miss is really fast and tough to guard.

Posted by KENVOL on January 10, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think we can keep getting lucky. We cannot go 7 min. without a basket. I know Lofton is now a defencive player but he got cut from the USA team because he couldn't shoot like he used to and he still can't. I hope his defence is worth it. Not that the guy isn't a good player. I just think he ruined his shot and I'm not sure he will get it back. God I hope he does.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on January 10, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If getting lucky means getting to the Sweet 16 every year- then bring it on. They played that way last year to.

jdcvols- would you rather them be 5 passes and shoot mentality? Chism has always shot the 3 and and cant make every shot.

keep firing chis!

Hats off to Larry Connely and Tom Hammond for needing 6 replays to see that a file was commited on Chism on the blocked shot play early in the second half where Ole Miss got hurt.

Posted by Seasontickets on January 10, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Has anyone noticed the quality of the broadcasts have gone downhill. I read that the Vols went with a different TV company that under bid the other company. It borders public access compared to other teams I have seen.

Posted by mattucket on January 10, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought that Jamar Smith had a good game and was stroking it from 3 point land. If Jamar plays well, we play well.

Connely is UK homer and Hammond pronounced JuJuan's name correctly once. Come Tom, you've been calling SEC games for a dozen years.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on January 10, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dont mean to sound rude or negative, but Tom Hammond is more suited at covering mens figure skating ant the two man luge.

If you have trouble figuring out why Tenn. didnt rebound well last night, then you need to join Tom Hammond covering mens figure skating and the two man luge.

when you got 3 guys that are 6'8", on steroids and jump like Michael Jordan, you are going to out rebound a few teams!

I hope they beat Vandy- and yes I am looking ahead- (hate vandy early) an oldie but still a goodie!

Posted by bleed_orange on January 10, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I was at the game last night. It was a great crowd. I hope we have that kind of crowd at every home game. Plus, I hope we have sell-outs at all the away games too. That will get us more ready for NCAA tournament time. We were very lucky to win last night. Ole Miss was a lot better than I thought they were. They were ready to play. They came in with a mission to upset us and end our home winning streak. However, Tyler Smith put a stop to that thought. Chris seems like he has lost some of his confidence. Jajuan, RamAr, & Jordan played good. Wayne and Brian need to get tougher inside. Ryan hustled and looked a little better. It seems like TN plays like they read their press clippings and they can just turn it on full speed at anytime & win. The league may be down, but this is still the SEC. Anyone can beat you on a given night. If TN plays the whole game like they played the last 2 minutes - they win by double digits. I believe one of our problems on rebounding is effort and purpose. Ole Miss played like they wanted more most of the game. Ole Miss had 20 O-RB. They score over 20 points on 2nd chance points (that is too many). Ole Miss, I think will win the SEC-West Div. and get a NCAA bid. Now, if we can go to S.C. this sat. and play the whole game like that last 2 minutes; we will come home with a great SEC road win. Do not look to Vandy until Sunday. I hope Vandy beats KY and comes to TBA 17-0. GO VOLS!
JDS

Posted by bigbluevol on January 10, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ole Miss is a good team, and when they're allowed to be physical, they're fantastic. They got away with a lot of pushing underneath the basket to get their rebounds. It was called once, early in the second half, and then the refs seemed to forget what they had finally seen. Everyone is all over Chism, but he made a key layup to get us within two after he had been getting murdered all night long. Somebody pointed it out about Connelly, but he actually tried 3 times to talk about the body control that Parnell had on his "block." It wasn't until a reverse angle was shown that he admitted that Parnell got Chism with "some body." That was the worst no call I've ever seen. This team continues to find a way to win and they seem to enjoy playing together. This should be a great season and I can't wait to watch it play out.

Posted by marc_ash on January 10, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds to me like an Ole Miss team that understands what type of team they have. They were confident and expected to win. Thats understandable and expected from a team. This Ole Miss team is angry. I think they felt they had it in the bag and let it slip away.

Take this game into Columbia and keep focused. They played a complete game and looked very good doing so....especially down the stretch.

Posted by marc_ash on January 10, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stop with the "luck" garbage. Luck is when you throw a full court shot into the bucket at the buzzer to win a game. But...even with that being said....the shot may be lucky, but getting to the point of shooting that shot ISN'T luck....

People keep harping on how UT wins by luck if it is a close game. REmember, teams play neck and neck an entire game. Lets assume a last shot is luck...what about continuing to score, make defensive stops, rebound, etc. Basketball is about putting together a complete game from start to finish.

Yes, Tennessee had a stretch (and a long stretch at that) where they didn't score. But they also had stretches when they did score. And also when they held Ole Miss to few or not points. This team does not and has not "won by luck". For those of you that say they have, know nothing about the sport.

Posted by marc_ash on January 10, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mattucket,

Who is Jamar Smith?

Posted by marc_ash on January 10, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mattucket

"Connely is UK homer and Hammond pronounced JuJuan's name correctly once. Come Tom, you've been calling SEC games for a dozen years."

How can you call out the announcers for mispronouncing JuJuan's name when you don't even get names right?

Posted by vol4life on January 10, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mattucket who is Jamar.....It is Ramar
I will second the comment on Chism by jdcvols

Posted by marc_ash on January 10, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bleed_orange, I was at the game also and have season tickets...but I can't say it was a great crowd other than the numbers. I was disapointed when UT would make a run and the crowd would get pumped only to get stone quiet if Ole Miss scored a bucket. I will say the crowd did liven up the last minute of the game. Wish fans would get more involved when the team is struggling...it helps pump them up and get them motivated...also really shows support during spurts of struggle.

Very good crowd...would have been great if we were more involved.
Just my opinion.

Posted by mparker on January 10, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Bruce ever leaves, go get Kennedy. He is a helluva coach, in my book.

whoever posted that 'ole miss knows what type team they are' is dead on. See all the post passing, all the banging around?? Sure, they fouled like crazy underneath, but that is smart if the refs won't call it.

warrens's killer, no way he doesn't go NBA after his soph year at this pace....

Posted by johnlg00 on January 10, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've seen several negative posts about our home crowd on various articles about the Ole Miss game. One was giving the administration a hard time about not seating the students where they could get on camera and at least one saying the fans on the sideline behind the benches don't make enough noise. I see the points here, but there is an odd problem with this that many seem to have forgotten. Back when fund-raising to build TBA began, promises were made to big donors that they would "always" have prime side-line seats in return for their donations. It would probably take a BIG buyout to get these people to give up their seats and it would almost certainly cause hard feelings among these big donors and community VIPs. Since these are almost by definition older people, they are just not going to get as rowdy as students. I understand that Pearl inquired about this when he was hired, and this is basically what he was told. I don't know what can realistically be done about it.

Posted by NatiVol on January 10, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First things first mparker12, Lets hope Bruce Doesn't leave. Andy is a great coach, but a Mississippi boy, born and raised there. He cut his teath under bobby huggins (what a great coach to learn from, really all he does is get wins and kids to play for him) and then took over UC for one year and did a heck of a job. I doubt he will leave Oxford, he's home. We just need to keep Bruce at him new home, Knoxville.

Posted by bleed_orange on January 10, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash, your right about the crowd. Johnlg00, your right too about the students and the donors. I didn't feel very comfortable last night when other people were telling other fans to sit down in their seats. I told a couple a guys- No, we should all stand up, get fired up and make some noise. That's one thing I hate about in the upper deck-sitting down so some one doesn't get upset. I think if you want to sit on your hands, you should stay at home and watch it on TV. All the games are on TV except the Auburn game (for now anyway). I'm also going this weeend to SC to cheer on the VOLS & Lady VOLS. GO BIG ORANGE!
JDS

Posted by oldorange on January 10, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is honestly the best game I have seen ths year. The Mississippi coach should be commended on his athletes. I shudder to think what would have happened had this game ben played in Mississippi.

Posted by oldorange on January 10, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We often here individuals who choose to comment on the crowd. I am sure if there had been two people in the stands this would have still been an intense ball game. Some people will say the crowds to loud or to quiet. You will hear people whining about people standing up or not standing up. I suppose this conversation is beeter than whining about a loss. GO VOLS.......

Posted by murrayvol on January 10, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker: I'm pretty sure Kennedy will be long gone to a top tier program before Bruce leaves the Vols. I still can't believe Cincinnati let him get away but I suppose they wanted to purge all things related to Huggins including people.

Posted by TurboFan on January 10, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marc Ash, go back and read Mattucket's post again, especially the second paragraph. That was his point.

Posted by jevolball7 on January 10, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash..couldn't have said it better myself! Luck??? LOL. VolCR...WORST broadcast I've seen in 40 years!

Posted by dlobh on January 10, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolCR, I always thought "turd" was spelled with a u; guess I've learned better . . . but I definitely have to agree about the broadcast. It's a good thing Notre Dame is stuck with Hammond for football.

Posted by pupvol on January 10, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bruce almighty got out coached a little bit last night.never did adjust to pick and roll type play.but great effort at end.Kennedys a smart coach!

Posted by DCSOvol on January 10, 2008 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Raycom is horrible. With the money the SEC gives this company, they could afford to upgrade to 1080i HD. I hated watching that game last night on my TV. Looked horrible. Loved the finish and the outcome.

Posted by jondadam on January 10, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What Tennessee has done well since Pearl has come is win at the end. Peterson was a super guy but was not very good at getting the Win. Even on bad nights Tennessee has been getting it done. Congrats to Pearl and the team for digging deep and finishing the game.

Posted by dfreeman on January 10, 2008 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolCR - Great let's take em' out back and beat the crap out of them! Spit in their mommas face and kick the dog!! LOL I actually agree.. however that was humorous!!

Posted by LongtimeVol on January 10, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with jdcvols on Chism, we have at least 5 guys who shoot 3's better than him. We need more strength inside and he is big enough to provide it. It is true he hit a crucial layup, he also missed two others earlier. Boy, do I miss the Duke! Hope he is well.

Posted by orangebass on January 11, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree that the crowd pretty much sat on their hands the entire game. We have the best venue in the league and our fans act like we were playing Lincoln Memorial in an exhibition game. Maybe those new black seats are to comfortable we gotta do something to get are fans off their @$$es before the final two minutes against a top twenty team.

Posted by ballewville6 on January 11, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

chism definatly needs to quit shooting threes because he isnt a three point shooter,he has to be under the basket where he can rebound so does childress big guys are there to score down low and rebound chism needs to go up strong on the inside and be physical we only got out rebounded by the top sec rebounding team by 4 or 5 that isnt bad