Spirit of the Hill

Thought of the moment...

2008-07-01T13:20:00.004-04:00

I don't think in huge essays; I think in short paragraphs.

You won't find many huge essays on this particular blog.

My thought of the moment is this:

Coach Fulmer has been at the helm of the UT program for many years. Some would say his teams have overachieved; some would say they have underachieved. His teams have won championships, and they have competed for them as well. He's had a great career as our head coach.

Having said that, I wouldn't mind seeing the Fulmer era coming to an end.
Is it because UT hasn't won the SEC since 1998? No.
Is it because I think we've underachieved? No.
Is it because I think we're not going to win another SEC title in the near future? No.
Is it because I am simply tired of Fulmer? No.

It is because every single game is no longer about the players or the team.
Every single game, win or lose, is about the coaching staff and the head man.
The fans have made it this way. Sports talk radio has made it this way. Message boards have made it this way.

I'm sick of it.

That's why I wouldn't mind seeing a change at the top. I would like for the games to eventually be about those folks actually making the tackles and scoring the touchdowns.

Curious...

2008-06-27T10:03:00.003-04:00

I've been thinking more about football season, and a nagging question has again popped into my brain:

The gates of Neyland Stadium are opened two hours before kickoff, and from where I stand on top of the G-10 garage, I can see boatloads of people filing into the stadium at or around that time.

What in the world do they do in there for the next few hours, and why would they rather be doing that than enjoying the atmosphere outside of the stadium?

I mean, these people have tickest. They can't get a better seat than the one they've already got, and the warmups just aren't that exciting. What gives?

Again...

2008-06-25T15:13:00.001-04:00

...who brought up the squib kick again today with Tony B.?

Small Mike.

No surprise there.

Enough already...

2008-06-23T21:41:00.004-04:00

So I flip on the radio this afternoon to catch a bit of Basilio, and they're discussing some topic regarding the worst moments in Tennessee history or Tennessee football history or something like that, and I hear Beano rattle off the "decision to squib kick" in the 2001 Tennessee/Georgia game. I guess one of the callers had mentioned it.

I began to fume.

Could there be any UT football moment that has gotten more mileage and inaccurate analysis than this particular one? I really don't think so.

People have griped about this one play going on 7 years now, and I'm done with it.

In no particular order:

1. The decision to squib kick was not necessarily a bad decision. What was clearly bad was the execution of the kick. Not to throw him completely under the bus (OK, maybe I am), but Alex Walls kicked the thing like an onside kick (see: slow and bouncy) rather than a squib kick (see: line drive). The ball trickled to UGA's 40 yard line, and hardly any return was needed in order to obtain great field position. The coaches have been getting blamed for a kicker's poor execution.

2. Georgia still had to go more than half of the field to score. The way UT fans blame a kickoff for UGA scoring a touchdown reminds me of how Florida fans say that an official's call of Dallas Baker's personal foul gave Tennessee the game in 2004. In that game, Florida's defense allowed Tennessee to drive into field goal range; the ref's call didn't give them the ball there, although it certainly helped the cause. In 2001, Tennessee's defense allowed UGA to move in huge chunks down the field in no time at all. Yes, the great field position afforded Georgia an easier route, but it didn't give the ball to the Dawgs in the red zone or anything. The Mustang did that well enough on its own.

3. Losing the game didn't matter! The Vols won the East anyway. If they had won the SEC Championship game, they're playing for another national championship, hobnail boot or not. In fact, I would suggest that losing to Georgia helped Tennessee beat Florida to win the East, because it made the Vols that much more of an underdog heading into Gainesville, and we all know how well the Big Orange plays that role.

To sum up, it was a moment that played a role in the memorable ending of a game that really didn't matter all that much in the end.

The only argument that might sway me is this: IF the Vols had beaten Georgia and later Florida and faced LSU as an undefeated team, maybe our Vols would have been a bit more focused in the second half against Miracle Mauck and his merry men. If only...

#8 on the 8th in '08

2008-04-09T11:24:00.000-04:00

The Lady Vols flat out dominated Stanford last night. The only momentum
that the Cardinal had was during their 3-0 lead. It was all downhill
from there.

The Big Orange got contributions from everyone who stepped onto the
floor for them.

After much wondering whether Pat was ever going to win another title
after three straight in '96 through '98, she and her program have
responded with back-to-back titles.

Coach Summitt preaches defense and rebounding, and that's what we got
last night. Granted, it doesn't hurt to have Candace Parker on your
team as well.

There is no greater sight in women's basketball than CP3 leading the
break and smoothly going behind her back on the dribble.

Game day questions...

2008-03-27T09:34:00.005-04:00

It's going to be a long day. 10 pm is so very far away.

Can we handle Louisville's pressure defense?

Will Chris be hunting his shot?

Can we stop the stupid turnovers?

Can we stay out of foul trouble?

Will the Carolina fans be rooting for us or the Cards?

Monday musings...

2008-03-24T09:24:00.003-04:00

We MUST value each possession more greatly if we're to have a chance next weekend. If that means that we need to slow down, then slow the heck down.

Chris must HUNT his shot, and he can't wait until we're down 15 before he decides to start doing so.

Get the ball in Tyler's hands early and often. If UL runs a 2-3, the offense needs to run through Tyler on every offensive possession.

Wayne! Left-hand hook shots. Are you serious? Fantastic.

Williams was SOLID off the bench. Snags them boards.

When this team plays to win (see overtime), they're great. When this team plays not to lose (see everytime they get a double-digit lead), they're average.

Does it seem like Chris is a turnover machine compared to last year? Something's not right with his handle.

Ramar was brilliant in OT. Simply brilliant.

Not a bad move by Butler not to foul with 36 sec. left in OT, hoping we'd screw up again and turn it over, but Chris and Ramar made them pay for that gamble.

Tyler can hit the shot, but I think he settles for the fadeaway TOO much. Time to shot fake on the fadeaway and stick it up their nose.

One win from even more Tennessee basketball history. Because this team is the best team in the program's history, we want so badly for them to attain the best finish in Tennessee basketball history. That's why falling in the SEC tournament hurt so much and why this team needs to kick down the Sweet Sixteen door and march right into the Elite Eight. If we can do that, I honestly like our chances against Carolina. We will be up for that one. We will be ready.

Ramblings...

2008-03-18T11:42:00.002-04:00

It really feels like the Vols lost twice this past weekend, which is difficult to do in a single-elimination tournament.

There's no doubt in my mind that if Tennessee's name were in front of Kentucky's tournament resume', the Vols would be in the NIT.

On that note, I also believe that if North Carolina's name were in front of Tennessee's tournament resume', UNC would have a 1 seed.

The Vols are very good at getting opponents in foul trouble and very bad at fouling those opponents out of the game.

Why does it feel that everytime we try to double-team in the half court, the opponent always finds the open man and that guy always hits the open jumper?

It's so much harder to go into the NCAA tournament coming off of a loss. I don't think that our fans would care as much about our draw had we not lost to Arkansas. Then again, we'd probably be a 1 had we not lost to the Hogs.

Lessons learned...

2008-03-17T09:40:00.002-04:00

1. Better to lose in February, not March. Road wins in the regular season count less than neutral-court losses in the conference tourney.

2. The committee lies. They do look at the name on the jersey. They do look at the conference. They did focus on the conference tourneys.

3. In order to displace a traditional basketball power, Tennessee is going to have to leave no doubt that they belong. The Vols didn't beat Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas when they should have, and one avenue for silencing the critics has passed them by. They have only one more opportunity, and it's a taller order than the other one. They could have earned respect by blowing through the regular season and SEC tournament and getting the #1 seed that they would have earned. Now the only way that they can get true respect is by getting through to the Final Four. It's the only way that they will ever get a fair shake. They have to earn it. It will not be handed to them.

Good and bad...

2008-03-17T09:31:00.002-04:00

GOOD: Potentially playing the East Regional in an arena rather than a dome.
BAD: Potentially playing North Carolina in the same arena in which they just won their conference tournament.

GOOD: Playing a #7 seed in the second round.
BAD: Playing a #7 seed in the second round that is ranked in the top 10 in the coaches' poll.

GOOD: Scheduling tough OOC games + winning your conference = high RPI ranking.
BAD: Losing your conference tourney + selection committee ignoring RPI = last #2 seed.

GOOD: Winning more tough games than ANYONE in the country so far this year.
BAD: The committee paid attention to the losses and the conference tourneys, not the regular season wins.

GOOD: Getting a #2 seed.
BAD: Getting a #2 seed.

I'm disappointed...

2008-03-17T08:42:00.003-04:00

...but not in the #2 seed that the Vols received (well, yes I am, but that's another story).

I'm disappointed in Arkansas. I'm disappointed in Georgia.

Why?

Because those two teams proved to me that they had much more ability than they showed throughout the entire regular season. By their lackluster effort during the regular season, they helped create the opinion that the SEC was weak this year, which ultimately hurts every team in the conference, especially those at the top.

Why do they elevate their play for one weekend while coasting through the previous 3-4 months?

I feel like Tennessee played with that kind of effort and passion for the entire season, and it showed in their results.

Predictions...

2008-03-14T09:02:00.003-04:00

Going into yesterday, I thought LSU, Vandy, Bama, and Ole Miss would win.

So far, I'm 2 for 4. The East went 3-1 vs. the West.

Today's winners: Tennessee, Vandy, Bama, and Georgia.

The bottom half of the bracket will be an absolute mess.

Contrast...

2008-03-12T10:54:00.003-04:00

Bruce Pearl: “I have to check with (UT athletic director) Mike Hamilton if it’s in my contract that if I’m co-coach of the year I have to give back half the bonus...I’ve got to read the fine line on that.”

Response from typical Tennessee fan: "Ha! That Bruce..funny guy."

Response from typical Kentucky fan: "See, I told you he was slimy. It's all about the money to that guy. He'll be gone as soon as someone else ponies up the cash. The Vols will be back at the bottom of the SEC in no time."

Pearl quote from Mark Burgess, Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Disturbing...

2008-03-12T09:36:00.002-04:00

I can't believe that four coaches in the SEC out of eleven voted Billy Gillispie as their choice for Coach of the Year.

Yet, I can believe that only four coaches in the SEC out of eleven voted Bruce Pearl as their choice for Coach of the Year.

This season...

2008-03-11T13:09:00.000-04:00

...the Vols beat every team in the SEC.

Not too shabby.

Now if we can win the SEC tourney and take down VU and UK along the way, that would be absolutely heavenly.

It's there for the taking...

2008-03-04T09:02:00.002-05:00

...the precious 1 seed in the Big Dance.

The RPI is great. It's a lock that the Vols will keep the top spot heading into the tourney.

Some still have the Vols as the #1 overall seed, due to that lofty RPI.

If the Vols can get to 30 wins before the tournament, a 1 seed is a definite.

If they manage 29 wins, they're still probably a 1.

If they can only get to 28 or 27 wins, they may be stuck with a 2.

All I want is clear sailing into the Sweet Sixteen. The #1 overall seed is usually given that type of road to travel.

Tempo problems...

2008-03-03T14:59:00.002-05:00

It's no secret: Slowing down the Vols is easy.

Winning a game once you slow them down is another story.

However, the Vols need to change their offensive mindset once tournament play starts, because EVERYONE is going to try to slow the game down against the Vols.

Because the Vols are used to pushing the tempo and gaining extra possessions as a result, they do not hesitate to fire up all manner of shots and play a tad loose with the ball.

When teams slow their offense down, we have trouble adjusting to that. We want to play our usual style of offense while we let the other team play their way while we are on defense.

To win in March, however, I think that Coach Pearl needs to teach his players to value each possession just a bit more. Coach always says that we're not going to change who we are, and I agree with him: we should not change who we are, which is a team that has shooters at all positions and isn't afraid to hoist one from anywhere. We can still be ourselves and value each possession more.

What do I mean by "valuing each possession more?"

We have to recognize that we're not going to get as many bites of the apple on offense when the opponent waits until the shot clock is under 5 each time they have the ball. We have to make our possessions count. This means we need some more feeding the ball into Tyler in the post. We need more driving to the basket. We need more foul shots. Yes, we need more foul shots. Why? I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I would bet that the more FT's we attempt in a game, the better we are at them.

In essence, when teams slow it down, we need to play each possession on offense like we are down 3 or 4 with 2 minutes left. Like the Ole Miss game. Like the Memphis game. Value each possession. Make them count. Get a good look, or get fouled going to the basket. Pump fake and stick it up their nose once in a while.

Just don't do things like throw the ball directly to the opponent after making an incredible defensive play. That's how we will lose games in March. We're better than that. We're smarter than that.

Perspective...

2008-02-25T14:31:00.003-05:00

Thanks to a big victory against an in-state rival, the Vols sit atop the polls for the first time ever.

To fully appreciate what an accomplishment that is, one needs only to view the results of another in-state battle that took place a mere three seasons ago.

Enjoy this trip down memory lane here.

So once there was this basketball team...

2008-02-22T09:17:00.005-05:00

...and this team had a record of 24-2. Cruising right along, and very highly ranked, to boot.

Alas, they lost three out of their next four games, all losses coming on the road. They won their last two home games against Kentucky and South Carolina.

They finished the regular season with a record of 26-5, but they still won their conference outright.

This team recovered nicely from their late-season swoon, though, and swept through three games in their conference tournament, earning their league's automatic bid to the big tournament.

For the accomplishments of this season, they were rewarded with a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

They proceeded to win six games in that tournament, bringing home the NCAA title.

Who was this team that struggled late in the regular season?

Florida. Last season.

A bit of perspective:
Losing at Memphis would sting, but it would not be disastrous.
Losing at Vandy would hurt, but we could recover.
Losing at Florida would turn heads, but the season would not end.
Losing all three would really bring out the doubters, but there would still be up to 10 games left in the season.
Win all 10, and everyone will forget what the Big Orange did in late February and early March, whether or not we win or lose in the near future.

Memphis musings...

2008-02-21T09:33:00.003-05:00

Even with the chance to become the unanimous #1 team in the land, losing to Memphis would still hurt worse than winning would feel good.

What are the odds that Bruce wears the Florida 2006 suit again?

I will never be convinced that he didn't know what was going to happen when he donned those threads down in Gainesville.

If Chris & Juannie can combine for 35 points, we win. Tyler will get his 10-15 as is his custom.

If we can get 3 fouls on Dorsey in the 1st half, we win. Time to learn the pump fake.

If we shoot 66% on free throws with at least 15 attempts, we probably win.

#2, going on #1

2008-02-18T08:32:00.002-05:00

Because Wake pulled the upset last night and Texas beat Kansas during the week, it is likely that the Vols will rise to #2 in this week's rankings. Everyone knows that after a midweek speed bump against Auburn, the Vols will take on #1 Memphis on Saturday night.

(I will preface my next comment by saying that it's probably not what most people would think...just wanted to warn you.)

Last night, in the aftermath of the Duke loss, what immediately came to my mind was this:

If Tennessee is able to pull off a victory on Saturday night and subsequently rise to #1 in the rankings the following Monday, I honestly think I would be satisfied with this season, right then and there. Even better if we could hold onto it for a week.

Maybe not if we lose in the first-ever #16 over a #1 seed upset, but if we make it to the round of 16 and then fall, I would look back at that #1 ranking and be pleased.

The V-O-L-S Spellout...

2008-01-29T08:45:00.000-05:00

...might be the most hated 90 seconds of my life each time it happens.

Why?

The people who paid really good money for their lower-level seats and yet sat on their hands with nary a peep heard from their mouths suddenly jump for joy and scream at the possibility that they might get a T-SHIRT! Oh my freaking goddy god GOD! A T-SHIRT!!! I MUST HAVE ONE SO THAT I MAY WASH MY CAR WITH IT!!!

I used to think the whole t-shirt thing was REALLY depressing back in the BuzzBall days, because it was absolutely the loudest the arena ever got at any point during the game.

They also do this later in the second half each game, no matter what the score. I really think it depresses and annoys the folks who are really into the game, like myself, especially if the game is tight and intense.

It's great for the kids...bad for everyone else, especially all the white people who can't keep up with the rhythm of the chant when it gets faster.

Big Orange Tipoff Club Report - 1/24/08

2008-01-25T10:03:00.000-05:00

This week's meeting, held on Thursday, featured Coach Pearl as the headliner of the day.

For the great portion of the meeting, Coach answered questions from the attendees.

He did mention that Duke would get in the game on Saturday, in all likelihood. I can't wait for the moment that he walks over to that scorer's table. Maybe Wayne will ask Coach to let Duke start, like Duke did when we played Memphis last year. Anyway...I've lost my focus here...back to the report!

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the meeting had little to do with basketball. When Coach was asked about the team's trip to Europe and their visit to a Jewish prison camp, Coach delivered a passionate response.

He spoke of tolerance, and how he taught his players (and us) that differences between people cannot be the source of hate. He wondered aloud how crazy it was that in this lifetime, people allowed the atrocities of the Holocaust to occur unfettered. He demanded that when we are aware of illogical hatred based on differences between people, we must not remain silent and allow it to continue. He boldly called out the old-timers in the room, stating that some people don't like the way his players dress and wear their hair or jewelry, and that those people need to accept and tolerate the differences between people.

He also spoke of war, and how he absolutely hates it. He told us that war for political or economic purposes is intolerable, and that a life in danger is the only reason that is acceptable for war. However, he also told us that once we are in a war, we had better be in it to win it.

After he was done, Coach received a hearty round of applause.

The Joy of Lex...

2008-01-22T15:46:00.000-05:00

~~I'm hopping in the car in a few and heading up to Lexington to go to the game.~~ Hope the roads are OK, because they sure weren't this morning in Knoxville. I was slipping and sliding all over the place.

I'm predicting a game that is very similar to the Ohio State affair last Saturday. Early lead, gets closer, UK takes the lead, Vols take it back and hold on to win.

~~I'm driving back to Knoxville immediately after the game.~~ It~~'s going to be~~ was a late night.

Update: Trip cancelled due to threat of icy roads on the trip up and back. I LOVE the Vols, but I'm not risking injury or death for them. Turns out that it wouldn't have been my favorite game that I've ever attended...

Quick rant...

2008-01-18T11:39:00.000-05:00

I have great disrespect for those individuals who claim to care a great deal about Tennessee Basketball, but don't care enough to spell a certain name correctly.

Hey clueless, it's not JuJuan, Jujuan, or Jajaun...

...it's JaJuan!

If you can remember Peyton (not Payton), then you can get this one right, too.

The continuing lack of respect for the Pest baffles me.