Posted by King53 on March 11, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

congratulations coach pearl and vols!!

Posted by bigbluevol on March 11, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow...so they're rewarding Gillespie for SEC co-coach of the year. Essentially, they're rewarding him because of the coaching he did to overcome such a poor start. A start, by the way, that could be attributable to poor coaching at the beginning of the year. Does he get co-honors as best and worst coach of the year also? At least JaJuan got some much deserved recognition.

Posted by TommyJack on March 11, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bruce wuz mugged.

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 11, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nuthin' but nice! but the real awards are still out there.

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 11, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nuthin' but nice! but the real awards are still out there.

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 11, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nuthin' but nice! but the real awards are still out there.

Posted by BDavis on March 11, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Its a joke to mention Gillespie in the same sentence as Bruce Pearl. They should have included JaJuan Smith as the 10th player on the first team.

Posted by HotlantaVol on March 11, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Greer, you can say that again . . . again . . . again . . .

Posted by piperkoby on March 11, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone else see the absolute brilliance of Pearl voting for Stansberry of Miss. State for coach of the year AND finding valid reasons to justify it so that one less vote would go to Gillespie? He basically won himself Coach of the Year!

This guy is sharp as a tack!

Posted by GerryOP on March 11, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am biased and think that Pearl should be Coach of the Year, Coach of the Decade (so far), and Coach of the Century (so far)! But, in reality and begrudgingly, Gillespie did a whale of a job turning that team around.

Congrats to all of the guys who picked up awards!

Posted by VolBall on March 11, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to agree with BDavis. No way can/should Gillespie be mentioned in same breath with Pearl.

Pearl has single handedly adjusted the pecking order in the SEC. KY will be playing second or third fiddle for many many years to come.

If your a stud highschool basketball recruit, whom would you rather play for to showcase your talents and improve your skills for NBA consideration: Pearl or Gillespie? Enough said!

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

Wow. This shows me how much the other coaches in the league really dislike Coach Pearl. This team spent a week at #1 and went 14-2 in the conference, yet 8 of the 12 coaches voted for someone other than him.

Posted by King30 on March 11, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulations CBP, Chris, Tyler, Jajuan, and JP! You and your teammates have made this the most enjoyable UT basketball season ever.
Ramar, Wayne, Duke, Ryan, Brian, Josh, and Cameron...your time's coming!
Here's a good look at the selections:
http://secsports.com/index.php?s=&...

Posted by hueypilot on March 11, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe just a little incentive for the Vols to win the rubber match and knock Kentucky down a notch or two. Helps that they don't have Patterson. I don't think Bruce expects other coaches to like him. He has been burned by that "fraternity" for most of his career. We had another coach that used to irritate the stew out of the other SEC coaches, most notably the man in the brown suit. He did pretty good and Vol fans liked him a lot, too.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on March 11, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to go Juannie!! it was a long time commin', but he finally got some recognition. It's great to see his name on the list, especially for his defense.

Posted by volsfan92 on March 11, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

printable SEC tournament bracket at

http://www.madduxsports.com/sec-tourn...

maybe a Staurday rematch with Vandy and Sunday rematch with Florida?

Posted by vol88 on March 11, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here would be a great way to break the tie:

Let KENTUCKY fans vote which coach they would rather have, BP or Gillespie.

I'm thinking Bruce would have to make some room on his mantle.

Go Vols!

Posted by volsfan92 on March 11, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congrats on the recognition CBP, #5, Tyler, Jajuan, and JP.....and everyone else for a fantastic season GO VOLS

Posted by volsfan92 on March 11, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congrats on the recognition CBP, #5, Tyler, Jajuan, and JP.....and everyone else for a fantastic season GO VOLS

Posted by chipper10 on March 11, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You have got to be kidding me...

This shows you how much Pearl rubs his fellow coaches the wrong way. He should be coach of the year and it isn't even close.

I hope Pearl uses this as an insult and takes it out on everyone in the tournament this weekend. Pour it on and remind everyone who the top team in the conference is.

Posted by VolJunkie on March 11, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you saw the piece on CBP on HBO Sports last night, that may be a reason why some coaches do not get along with Coach Pearl. IMHO he did the right thing (reporting recruiting violation at a rival school), gives me a lot of confidence about how he runs his program and speaks to his personal integrity. The more I learn about CBP the more impressed I am by his character and his committment to his players, his school and his community.

Congratulations to CBP and this historic UT team ... the best is definitely yet to come!

Go VOLS!!

Posted by govolsfan on March 11, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SEC player of the year should be the BEST player on the BEST team.

Posted by VolJunkie on March 11, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

govolsfan ... of course that type of reasoning is "garbage" ... just kidding! Wanted to see if it sounded as lame coming from someone besides Stallings ... it does.

Go VOLS!!

Posted by BigOrngTyme on March 11, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think it's that any of the other coaches in the SEC dislike Bruce, but the Vols did what they "should" have done, and that's win the SEC regular season title with the best team in the league. The only other option was to not live up to expectations, and lose the regular season title to a lesser team. No doubt this is why he got co-coach of the year along with Gillispie. I mean really, do you really think the Vols record would have been worse if Gillispie, Donovan, Stallings, or any other number of SEC coaches had them this year?

Posted by VolJunkie on March 11, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigOrngTyme ... Yes.

Posted by 02champs on March 11, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Typical jealous response by the league coaches. At least Stallings didn't get it for his 10-6 Commode-doors. Great reply by Pearl as to why he voted for Stansberry.

Posted by Volchaz on March 11, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I find it hard to see what people see in the UK coach. Pearl was stellar ALL YEAR< not just against the SEC. We took the conference banner and went on the road, baby, even to Seattle. How did Billy represent us in their non-conference games? They probably are laughing today, at this article.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 11, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

now piperboy why would you think it some kind of a ploy by BP to vote for stansbury and that it sincerely doesnt really believe it??????----its rediculous to think like that

Posted by ggriggs939 on March 11, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It shows how well you are doing when there is so much envy among your peers that they try to knock you down by pretending you are not good. As I recall, one of the KY players did not begin playing until later in the year and then the team began to play better, thus the reason for the improvement was the return of the player instead of the coaching.
Reflecting the coaching they got, the VOLS played well throughout the season and also got better when Prince became eligible. There was just a steady improvement in overall performance as he gained experience with the team, not the jump from losing to winning as happened with KY.
This is the same as with Candace and the Lady VOLS.
The tournament will be a good opportunity to rub some noses.

Posted by Lofton4Three on March 11, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ole Billy G will have a drink on that one. Someone needs to run down to the bar and let him know.

Posted by pdhuff on March 11, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jealous, I guess. Co-coach of the year - loses to Gardner-Webb!!!!!!!!!

How blatant can you get?

Posted by mparker on March 11, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well, I posted this somewhere else;

COY: Pelphrey(sP); Burce did a great job, so no bad thing there. Gillespie?? You can't just 'throw aaway' the bad start.

POY: Remel Bradley; Foster just shot. He did not do well on the road. Bradley handled the ball, ran the team, played D, and scored. Without Bradely, UK is 8-8 or less, even with their damn home-cooking gym.

Posted by Kwitcherbellyachin on March 11, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Eh. I don't have a problem with any of these selections. It's about damned time that Jajuan Smith had some recognition. And like it or not, Gillespie has done some fine coaching since his team finally started listening to him.

The bottom line is this - banners, rings, and championships. Win the SEC tourney. Get a Final Four. The rest is irrelevant.

Posted by utvolz on March 11, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congrats to all our most deserving award winners! Let's win some more hardware this year though.....starting in Hotlanta!

Frank in Miami

Posted by HawkeyeVol on March 11, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The HBO piece was great last night.

Pearl deserves not only the SEC Coach of the year but the NCAA Coach of the year. LOOK at the body of work...

The Man has the Passion and the Gumption to make TN an elite program for years to come

Thanks CBP, from someone who appreciates your history & drive.

Posted by BigOrngTyme on March 11, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who cares about UK losing to Gardner Webb for crying out loud! We lost to that same team, and damn near done it again...at HOME!!! Forget the pre-conf games, that doesn't mean squat now! This isn't November, this is March. Everybody is going to be ready now, and the better teams are starting to show it. Our great regular season won't matter either if we get in the SEC & NCAA tourny and choke up again! That's what you're remembered for, but hey, I guess we can always talk about UK's loss to Gardner Webb huh??

Posted by SeanJean on March 11, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Freaking ridiculous. No way is Gillespie the coach of the year with Pearl. So stupid. What about Miss St? What about Vandy? What makes UK so special? They had a horrible start, with a lot of talent, and he plays well in the conference (as did Vandy and Miss St.) and gets rewarded essentially for starting so terribly? Ridiculous. Pearl loses 3 games all year and has to share it with this guy. Pathetic.

2 of 3 years now Pearl has been robbed of Coach of the Year. If you recall his first year when he lead UT to a #2 seed out of completely nowhere, they gave it to Brady from LSU who had 2 future first rounders.

Posted by Colliervol on March 11, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gillespie has done a good job especially since Patterson went down but I think Coach of the Year should be for the entire body of work. And I ain't voting anybody Coach of the Year that lost to Gardner Webb, San Diego, Houston and UAB in the same year. (Especially somebody that coaches at Kentucky for goodness sake!) Sorry, that dog won't hunt.

Posted by vols1986 on March 11, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have lost respect for those who votes on these things.. watching college basketball for 25 years this is the most idiotic thing I have ever seen... GO VOLS show these idiots what are made of...

Posted by Basketball_Jones on March 11, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You have to remember one thing about Kentucky and Gillespie, they played about their 1st 10 games w/out 2 starters. Can you imagine us going 10 straight without Jajuan and Tyler, we might win 5.

Overall its a great year for the Vols, wina few awards, win the SEC. They need to cap it off with a SEC Tournament Championship as well as a run at the Final 4

Posted by jandjhome on March 11, 2008 at 1:19 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by DSaVol on March 11, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is TOTAL bullsh*t! In BP's 1st year, when he brought the Vols from nowhere to win the East, and Brady won COY, the line that everybody put out was "the SEC traditionally votes it to the coach of the regular season champion." NOW, when BP WINS the REGULAR SEASON, they want to change the tune! Gillespie is a good coach and KY did have key injuries early on BUT THEY STILL LOST TO GARDNER-FREAKING-WEBB amongst others! Hey dumbass coaches of the SEC - it's called the coach of THE YEAR award - not coach of THE CONFERENCE YEAR, or coach of THE HALF-YEAR! Yeah BP got screwed so I guess now we'll just have to go out and win some even BIGGER and MORE IMPORTANT HARDWARE!!!! Somebody must pay for this and as the line goes - THERE WILL BE BLOOD!!!

Posted by jandjhome on March 11, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks DSaVol you said it all.

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 11, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sorry hotlanta, volsfan and I must have the hicups.

Posted by Ironcity on March 11, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The only problem I have is that I thought only 5 players played at a time therefore only 5 should be on the first team and 5 more on the second. It looks like half the league is on the first two teams.

Posted by rpoll1095 on March 11, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Often don't agree with all you say DaSaVol, but on this one you are right on!! This is a coach of "THE YEAR." So yes, KY finished well.....not as well as Tennessee, but a good job. Pearl has done nothing short of a GREAT job. And when you add in the out of conference schedule that Pearl had to navigate this club thru, you get a real sense of the kind of job he did. Bruce should not be sharing the platform with ANYONE IN THE COUNTRY, not just the SEC. We won't hold our collective breath on that one, but trust me, if Bruce were at UCLA or Notre Dame or one of the other media darlings, it would be a slam dunk. So now lets further proove our point at the BIG DANCE. GO VOLS! GO BRUCE!

Posted by GoVol on March 11, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tyler Smith is the best player on team and Pearl is the best coach in the SEC.

Posted by VOLS85 on March 11, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So Kentucky starts as a top 25 team, expected to do well, and they finish as a bubble team...how do you reckon this guy should be considered in the same breath as Pearl. We did what we were supposed to do when everyone else thought we would flop, with the #1 RPI and #1 SOS, and pearl has to share it?! maybe we should have lost to temple and UTC to start the season, maybe then Pearl would have won it outright.

I know coach will say it doesn't mean a lot, but this team busted their as$ and he drove them. Pearl should be hands down the coach of the year.

Posted by foreverorange on March 11, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TN's first outright SEC title in 41 years and pearl doesn't win the coach of the year award, give me a break. These awards don't mean a damn thing.

Posted by Colliervol on March 11, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And not only should they be ineligible for COY but anybody that loses to, not one, but two Conference America teams in the same year should be tied to a chair between John Adams and Paul Finebaum for a week as punishment. I'll bet he'd never let that happen again.

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 11, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

he will more than likely win the national COY award.

Posted by SeanJean on March 11, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No he won't brownsvillevol. He won't even be near the top. i would be shocked if he wins National COY. If he can't win the SEC, no way he wins National.

Posted by Volchaz on March 11, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CP3 used her POY snubb as motivation to win the SEC womens tourney, i'm thinking Bruce and company will do the same.

Posted by marinevol on March 11, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigOrngTyme (12:24), was that a serious question? If any of those guys had been coaching this team we probably would not be a top 25 team.

Posted by marc_ash on March 11, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Really can't understand why Gillespe was even considered for COY. Big time losses OOC losses at home with a questionable schedule. When you compare his resume against BP's, it isn't even close.

Posted by marc_ash on March 11, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Seanjohn,

If he wins a NC, he will.

Posted by EastTNVol on March 11, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with SeanJean. No way will Bruce Pearl be COY in the Nation. He deserves both SEC and National honors, but those who vote don't see Tennessee as the darlings that are Duke, North Carolina, UCLA, or Kansas. Cliff Barnes or maybe Bo Ryan will possibly be COY on the National level.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on March 11, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gillespie...great job against the Landscaping college and leading KY to the worst loss in the schools history on ESPN against Vandy!

THIS IS BS!

Posted by marinevol on March 11, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good point, dirtdobber. The 40 point loss at Vandy showed that Gillispie's team just gave up when they got down. Can you imagine a Bruce Pearl team doing that?

Posted by BigOrngTyme on March 11, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marinevol, not a top 25 team?? Wow! No thought whatsoever went into that reply. Regardless of what you think of other coaches, that's just totally insane. Nobody is taking anything away from the great job BP has done, but if he were coaching anywhere else, you'd be all over him to just like the rest of the SEC coaches. Don't even act like the rest of the SEC doesn't have anything man. That's what makes it the best conference in America. You don't have to give a damn about the other coaches, but they do help make the SEC what it is, and that's the best!

Posted by bigorangedude on March 11, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a scam, Gillespie as coach of the year, give me a break. He takes over a team at a premier basketball school and is on the bubble for the NCAA tourney and he is coach of the year, what a scam! Pearl with 3 losses deserves this award by himself. Maybe I could understand if Stallings at Vandy or Miss State's coach had shared it, but Gillespie, what a scam!

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 11, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

there is a memphis fan on tennessean board claiming they have split with us the last four years and claims their sos is better than ours what a moron.

Posted by marc_ash on March 11, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigOrngTyme,

You mention that fans should "forget about Gardner Webb" and that "it is March that we should look at". Sorry, but that logic is just plain silly IMO. A team should be gauged from its body of work over the season. Thats why teams are "on the bubble" because of their resume over the year. Yes, March results say a lot, but only if the previous months don't put you out early.

The coach of the year award is just that...and award for coach of the YEAR. Not coach of March or even Coach of the last few weeks. It's an award that should be based on the entire season.

UK is playing some good ball now, I can't argue that. But I will also say that early on, UK was terrible. Losing to G Webb and S Diego is bad enough...but at home, that is unacceptable.

Posted by bigorangedude on March 11, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A lot of teams are playing good ball now, but its "Coach of the Year", not coach of the month. what a scam!

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 11, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

you guys are freaks if you don't think cbp is not even near the top of national COY i think tou guys are so paranoid to think that the national media are against us. they're not. no we are not the tradition rich programs like ucla and duke ect.... but we are respected and bruce pearl is fast changing the perception of this program.

Posted by invisiblekid on March 11, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sure, give Gillespie the Coach of the Last Ten Games Award to keep the Wildcats in the collective consciousness of the NCAA tournament committee. But, as others have said, there is NO WAY he deserves COY for their early season performance.

Coliier, sorry to correct you but you'd need at least FIVE chairs to carry out your suggested punishment. One for the coach that loses two games to CUSA teams, one each for Finebaum and Adams, and one each for their egos.

Posted by bigorangedude on March 11, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hate to say this, but Floridas coach would have deserved this award more than Gillespie for the kind of year he had with such a young team, what a scam!

Posted by marc_ash on March 11, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To me there are a # of reasons Gillespe shouldn't even be considered for COY:

* Pearl coached at team that had the #1 RPI and a top 2 SOS. UK wasn't even close in RPI or SOS.

* UT went undefeated at home this season. UK lost multiple games at home with major losses to unranked S. Diego and Gardner Webb.

* Coaching a team that gets beat by 40 pts should never be considered for coach of the year in any conference.

* Pearl takes his team to its first outright title since the 60's and has beaten the #1 team in the nation AND was ranked #1 in the nation.

If you put the bodies of work next to each other, it isn't even close. 2 rivalry losses in conference both on the road and a loss to Texas speaks volumes. This shouldn't even be a discussion.

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

Somedays you just do your job. Other days you just get jobbed.

Pearl will say it doesn't matter that much but he's human and it does matter. Your team is 28-3, #1 RPI, #1 SOS, ranked #4 in the nation, etc. and you get 4 freakin votes from your peers. Pearl should fart in their general direction.

Posted by marc_ash on March 11, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bigorangedude,

Wrong my friend. You can't even be considered for COY when you coach a team that lost 7 out of their last 10 games...even if you are coaching freshmen.

Posted by SeanJean on March 11, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Brownsvillevol: While I agree with your logic and am completely on board with Pearl being considered for National COY, what I am saying is that it won't happen. If he can't even win the SEC award, which shouldn't have even been close, how is he going to win the National one? I'm not sure the results are released, but I would almost guarantee Bruce won't be in the top 2 or 3 for coach of the year nationally. I haven't followed other teams closely enough to say whether that is right or not, but that's the way it is. I would bet my next paycheck Bruce doesn't win National COY.

Posted by Colliervol on March 11, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good point IVK. Their egos are certainly bigger than they are. Frankly, I'm not sure how they get them into the same room.

Posted by bigorangedude on March 11, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a slap in coach Pearls face. I think next time we play Kentucky that coach Pearl should wear orange pants with the orange blazer! What a scam!

Posted by BigOrngTyme on March 11, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marc,

This is COY awards man....forget about it!!! Nobody cares! If BP wins coach of the year outright, then loses early in the tournament, what does it matter?? It's just a goofy award that means nothing. I'm sure he'd rather win the SEC & NCAA tourny than some good for nothing award. Lets win some games, and forget the rest. Which would you rather have? Oh, and since everybody would rather talk about UK losing to Gardner Webb than us winning any games from here on out, didn't we lose to the team that lost to Gardner Webb? I think we did, so I think I'd let it go.

Posted by SeanJean on March 11, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigOrngTyme: No doubt about it. It's just another example of this school not getting the respect it deserves with accolades. Blatantly, yet again.

Posted by VolJunkie on March 11, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Timely comment from Rob Lewis, this speaks volumes as to why CBP is COY in the SEC and probably nationally as well. This speaks to CP's style, work ethic and the faith he has in his players:

"On a serious note, one thing that has pleased the head coach has been the mild but steady contributions of freshman big-man Brian Williams. The Bronx, N.Y. native hasn't been spectacular, but he has given Pearl the kind of size off the bench that he hasn't had before.

It's a safe bet that Williams will need to play a small but significant role going forward if Tennessee is going to make serious noise in March. He won't need to be spectacular, but a simple four points and five rebounds in 14 minutes like he turned in against South Carolina would suffice for what Tennessee needs most nights.

His progress from project, to potential redshirt, to a player averaging double-digit minutes since SEC play started, speaks to his work ethic, but also to Pearl's patience in working him into the mix even when he may not have been ready.

"Coaches always want to talk about depth and complain don't have any. But they've got guys sitting on the end of bench not playing. We've got guys sitting on the bench but they're playing. They may only play five minutes, but they're playing," Pearl said of his approach to bringing along Williams and other young players in general.

"That's how you develop depth, put them out there. You don't put them out there long, and with a clearly defined role, but get their feet wet and get them that experience. Then when you get injury or foul trouble, they're able to handle it."

One of many reasons CBP is COY ... without peer.

Go VOLS!!

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 11, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

imo the national COY is between dr.tom davis' son and his disciple(that would be drake and tennessee)if there is any other coach out there that is more deserving than these two it could only be the coach from kansas state but i think bp is in the top two.

Posted by Kwitcherbellyachin on March 11, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Keno Davis from Drake will get the National COY award, regardless of how the Vols do in the NCAA tourney. Ironically, I believe he also coached at Southern Indiana, where Pearl coached before UWM.

Posted by Redvol on March 11, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No question about it, Bruce is not well liked by his peers in the SEC or nationally. Does anyone remeber at one point last season, Vols were ranked in the AP Top 25, but didn't even receive a single vote in the "ESPN USA Today Coaches Poll." For the most part, awards are popularity contest and even then, sometimes, jealousy gets in the way of popularity. Not the first time and won't be the last, Majors, Manning, Pearl, etc., all deserving. Forget about it, don't worry about this garbage. GO VOLS!!!! Kick some A$$!!!!

Posted by THE_VOL on March 11, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

brownsville - what the hell are you smoking??? BP has NO CHANCE at national COY! Why?

1. It is perceived that the SEC is down this year. May be - only 6th in conference RPI.

2. TN has done what was expected of them - win the SEC.

3. National media bias - I'm the last one on earth that is paranoid about this but when it comes to BP it's a fact. Examples - Vitale yesterday morning on Mike & Mike said Gillespie should be SEC COY. Bilas regularly disses TN. AP Rankings - how the hell is UCLA ranked ahead of us after STEALING 2 games? Practically everyone out there has the perception that this is just a run and gun program that plays no defense (Bilas - "break the press and you'll likely shoot a layup") and has no on-court discipline.

4. National coaches bias - enough said about that! Isn't 19 years long enough?

5. Too many "better stories" with "traditional" guys or up and comers - Purdue, Wisconsin, Texas, Drake, Xavier, Stanford, MemPISS, etc.

Not saying I agree with any of this, but that's the way it is and BP won't even be in the top 5 for national COY!

Posted by threehundredbowler on March 11, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Pearl cares about the COY award.There is a clause in his contract that pays him a bonus for winning SEC COY.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on March 11, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigOrangeTyme...Its about TYME you shut your trap! BP should and will be the National Coach of the Year!

I will agree with "Tyme" on 1 point...with a coach like Gillespie winning it after the year he has had...it is a worthless award! Change your name to BigOrangeNoClue!

Posted by pgnetmail on March 11, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bruce should be the undisputed coach of the year in the SEC, but in a way, we really bailed out UK by getting beat in Rupp. How many had they lost in a row til that one? And how many did they win in a row after? If we had beaten them there, their season would have been done. Now they are dancing.

Posted by Volchaz on March 11, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is just not even close. Kentucky's RPI isn't even close to ours..

Posted by BigOrngTyme on March 11, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dirtdobber.....you can't handle the truth?? You provided no details as to what I said that you didn't agree with. Oh well, at least we have Gardner Webb, isn't that right?? Wanna talk about that a bit more??

Posted by pearlific on March 11, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So according to their logic....if UT would have LOST to Temple and maybe Arkansas-Monticello and then went 26-3 the rest of the way then Pearl would have done a magnificent job turning around a team like Gillespie!

Posted by VolJunkie on March 11, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pearlific ... LOL. There is no logic here.

Take care of business in Atlanta ... winning settles everything.

Go VOLS!!

Posted by cdldoc on March 11, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jujuan Smith is my Defensive Player of the year. Talk about lack of respect. The man was a walk on and now he is .....The Jujuan Smith.

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 11, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

so vol i didn't know tenn was supposed to be ranked number 1 (even for one week)and supposed to beat everybody on the road.they earned it.and bruce already has won COY for his region from the very ap writers you are complaining about.ITS PARANOIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!vitale and bilas suck the crap out of duke and n carolinas' booties.can't listen to those idiots.hell they all picked tenn to lose to memphis and then had to eat some crow.and though i agree we shouldn't have dropped past 3 in either poll we still have garnered 1st place votes and espn is extremely hammering on the fact that ucla was given those two games by the officials.

Posted by Colliervol on March 11, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OrngTyme, you keep harping on Gardner Webb and the fact they beat KY and KY beat us. Big whoop. You have heard the old story about "any given day", haven't you? Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then.

Where we have an issue with KY is not just the fact that G-W beat them but they also lost to San Diego, UAB and Houston and by 40 POINTS to Vandy in the same year and are 18 and 12 on the season. (As opposed to being 28 and 3 and ranked in the top 5 for a lot of the season.) As you asked dirtdobber: Wanna talk about those facts too or do you just want to conveniently ignore all of that?

You're the one that needs to give it a rest. If you don't like this discussion, don't read it. Any goof knows we (and BP and the team) are all concerned more with the tournaments. These awards are just something to cuss and discuss.

But if the individual awards mean nothing, why do they hand them out?

Posted by marc_ash on March 11, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigOrngTyme, I don't really care about the award and I'm sure Pearl doesn't either. I was simply responding to the point you made in your earlier post. You had suggested that Gardner Webb wasn't important to think about when deciding whether or not Gillespe deserved the award. My opinion was that it was extremely important and that the award should be judged based on a coaches entire body of work.

Your logic of the award being meaningless if the Vols are put out early in the tourney should logically make sense but it doesn't. Awards are handed out at the end of the regular season in the SEC and are not affected by SEC tournament play or by NCAA play.

So, in reality whether or not the Vols bow out early in the tourney has no bearing on the award that Pearl and Gillespe share.

Posted by BillVol on March 11, 2008 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, Pearl has done something Billy Donovan has never done -- win SEC coach of the year. But what a shame and an injustice he didn't win it outright. Not that Gillispie isn't a great coach; he is. But we were outright SEC champs, and finished 28-3, with wins at Xavier, Gonzaga, Memphis, Mississippi State.

Posted by chrisw2967 on March 11, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a total joke and BP even knows it and he will take it out on who ever we play in the SEC tourney.
He is splitting the COY award with a half #ss coach, that is on the bubble to even get into the tournament and whats going to look even worse is if Ky dont get in and end up in the NIT.
I could understand it more if he had to split it with Miss Sts coach.
I bet if we had went undefeated in the SEC I bet Pearl would still be splitting it with this joker. The ones that voted against Pearl is the ones that cant beat him on a regular bases. Its called (JEALOUSLY)
I also think JuJuan deserved to be on the 1st team cause the Downey kid and Weems kid cant carry JuJuans jock strap

Posted by marc_ash on March 11, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Collier, good post.

I think it is evident that there is a measuring stick of inconsistency. I find it hard to believe that any team (not just because it is UT) goes 28-3 and loses only to the then #5 team in the nation (Texas), a then #16 ranked Vandy and a rival UK isn't viewed as head and shoulders over a team that is 18-12 with a number of pitiful losses.

When you make a decision, you do so based on a standard. UT has been ranked in the top 10 almost all season (if not all season). When you compare that with a team that lost to the teams Collier listed it isn't even a contest.

I won't scream consipiracy, but if you put the 2 resumes side by side it is a no brainer. Chalk it up and move on, but you tell me...who would you rather have coaching your basketball team?

Posted by gator4life on March 11, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Get over these type of awards guys. They are usually given to guys that have a team that does better than expected. Because UT was expected to have a good season, everyone says that anybody could coach a talented team (stupid supposition). Be proud of your coach and keep your fingers crossed that he stays in Knoxville for years to come.

Posted by vol52 on March 11, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Pearl did not want to be the best liked coach among his peers. He stated so when he came to Tennessee. He and the player are a close knit bunch and I hope this motivates them greatly. Pearl should have been coach of the year his first year as DSaVol stated but the rules change from year to year. Just like that sham award given to the best FB player each year.

Posted by rpoll1095 on March 11, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Easy there nasfslov........you must be too young to remember Ray Mears. He was a heck of a coach and those were exciting times in UT men's basketball as well.

Posted by tenuscvol on March 11, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Prince was so instrumental in some key minutes of some key games and I am very happy he got the nod. Don't shoot the three as much and work the ball and you make the team a better team.

Way to go JP!...... :-)

Posted by Plasticman on March 11, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Pearl is THE best coach in College Basketball and we all know that. Jealousy is the largest form of flattery and some of the other SEC COaches are jealous of Coach Pearl (Felton, Stallings, Gottfried). I guarantee that Coach Pearl couldn't care less about this award. He wants the BIG PRIZE in San Antonio the first week of April. Congrats to Loton, Smith and JuJuan for well deserved recognition!! You have Coach Pearls back so Bring It Home boys!!

Posted by grvol on March 11, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Because they fear they will be fired because of Pearl. "If Pearl can do it at TN why can't you do it at GA? at AU? at AL? You're fired!"

Posted by VolCane7979 on March 11, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gillespie shouldn't get a pass for the dreadful start his team had. We don't even know if they are going to make the tourney. No matter... the real prize would be SEC and NCAA tourney titles.

Posted by dvols on March 11, 2008 at 9:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hmmmmm.....

Posted by Volsrbest on March 11, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a load of crap! Pearl led the Vols to record victories, record home winning streak, first SEC title in 41 years! Gillespie doesn't deserve to share this award with Bruce!

Go Vols! Win the SEC Tourney!

Posted by CatScratchFever on March 11, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pearl stated that he voted for Stansbury.
Gillispie indicated that he voted for Pearl.

If Gillispie had voted for someone else, then he most likely would have been the Coach of The Year by himself.

Gillispie has done a tremendous job under the circumstances. He inherited a team that Tubby truly never developed to it's full potential. He had multiple injuries to deal with all while putting a new system into place. All and all, a remarkable job to perform so well in the SEC. It is after all the "SEC" coach of the year, and that part of his resume is pretty darn good.

Not knocking Pearl, he did a good job too, but he had a lot more to work with than Gillispie. Some would say that he should have done better.

Better get use to seeing Gillispie's name at the top, because he is going to be camped out there for a very long time.

See BLUE...Go CATS!!!

Posted by General_Watermelon on March 11, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JaJuan Smith should have been first team. He and Tyler have been the most consistent this year.

Posted by General_Watermelon on March 11, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Not knocking Pearl, he did a good job too, but he had a lot more to work with than Gillispie. Some would say that he should have done better."

Better than 28-3 despite the #2 schedule strength in the country, an outright SEC Championship, an undefeated home record that now stands at 32-0, and victories over the #1 team in the country on their home court and another top 10 team on their home court, an RPI #1. Hm?

Posted by CatScratchFever on March 11, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh one other thing. If Gillispie and Kentucky are so bad....how do you explain that you lost to us in Lexington and were a hiccup away from getting beat by us in Knoxville?

The fact is Gillispie outcoached Pearl in both of those games....ask anyone outside of tennessee and Kentucky and they will tell you the same thing.

Pearl is a very good coach, but Gillispie is better. Give Gillispie 3 years (as Pearl has had) and he will have done more than Pearl. I also bet that Kentucky will hang it's Eighth National Championship Banner before tennessee even gets close to hanging one.

We don't have an attitude....We're just that good.

Posted by rootin4volz on March 11, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gillespie? What the...? He's a freakin' drunk!! No coach in this league can TOUCH Bruce Pearl this year. Ridiculous.

Posted by murrayvol on March 11, 2008 at 11:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AirFarceOne, you protesteth way too much. Look down Tennessee's bench and what do you see? 14 guys and only one of them (Tyler Smith) got more than passing interest from KU. Now look down KU's bench and count the McDonalds AAs and HS AAs. And how many of them would return UT's phone calls? That would be none. And you say Pearl had more to work with than Billy!? Brilliant!

Posted by rootin4volz on March 11, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AirForceOne must be suffering from a lack of oxygen. Come on back down to earth, fly-boy, and plant your feet firmly back in reality.

Posted by VolCane7979 on March 12, 2008 at 12:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

AirForceTroll,

Check yourself. You're approaching gatornation territory with the last comment. All you need is the "hahahahahahaha" at the end and you're there.

You don't have an attitude - you're just that good? 18-13. San Diego, UAB, and Gardner-Webb agree that you're just that good. Needless to say, that really sucks. As for March 2, scoreboard. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Face it, you're the Nebraska of the college basketball world. There will be no more banners in Hillbilly town - mighty Billy has passed out.

Posted by Lofton4Three on March 12, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

AirForceOne-

Are you kidding me about Billy working in a system? What is that system exactly? All i saw is basically having Ramel Bradley play the whole game and shoot. True losing Patterson hurt, but don't give me the losing to San Diego and GW was because they were developing a system. And your comment about give Gillespie three years and he will do what Pearl has done and more? Are you serious man? You must be drinking out of the same bottle Billy G is. Gillespie couldn't carry a bag of Bruce's stool. But leave it up to a University who celebrates the legacy of a man, and even names an arena after a man, who was arguably one of the biggest bigots in all of college sports, and then hires the biggest drunk on the coaching scene. The only good thing you can say about the UK program is Ashley Judd, and with all the modern advancements in women, she's almost worked herself to middle tier.

And by the way, why you post here so much? Shouldn't you be off with all your other buddies getting your prosthetic teeth fitted?

Posted by CatScratchFever on March 12, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lofton4three. You know the thing that kills me about you vol fans? You are completely out of touch with reality. You think that bruce pearl is the greatest coach to ever come along. News Flash...He is NOT. With the talent tennessee has had this year while the rest of the SEC is down....he better win the conference. All he had to do is show up. Yet Kentucky under a new coach with players that Flubby coached down to a point of NAIA calibar, turned them around in the SEC.

The crime is that Gillispie did not win COY all by himself.

See BLUE...Go CATS!!!

Posted by VolCane7979 on March 12, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So all that talent you speak of just happened to park itself in Knoxville without the current and former Tennessee coaching staffs having anything to do with that? If you really believe that, I have a bridge to sell you. Also, how many HS All Americans does Tennessee have compared to Kentucky? Exactly, so who really did the better coaching job maximizing the purported "talent"?

Also, why should Gillespie be rewarded for "turning the team around" after losing games to USD, UAB, and Gardner-Webb? Did Tennessee drop games to MTSU, UNC-A, or Temple? No, they didn't.

Crap, why am I wasting time on you? Everyone is excited about our basketball program and you are a desperate Kentucky fan trying to make people think Tennessee is not skyrocketing past Kentucky.

See BLUE, go BACK TO YOUR CAVE.

Posted by Lofton4Three on March 12, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If you have such a problem with TN fans...get off the board. It's really a simple solution. And all you need to do is poll 10 TN fans, and 10 KY fans and see where the excitement is in each program. Bruce Pearl isn't the greatest coach ever to come along...yet. But i will say this, that title doesn't go to Billy G either.

But once again, get off the board if you have a problem, Clown

Posted by 98reax on March 12, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Bruce Pearl, the most colorful coach in the league, deserving of SEC POY, has proven himself to Volunteer fans. He's the unanimous #1 Coach in our minds and hearts. Who gives a squat what the others think? The Ws & Ls speak louder than the voters. Remember that when we take the SEC Tournament trophy and the National POY.

Posted by VolCane7979 on March 12, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lofton4Three,

That's what trolls do... they go on other people's boards and irritate them just to get their kicks. Of course he knows that Kentucky is below Tennessee in the pecking order. He's just in denial and looking to rain on our parade.