Tennessee-LSU game day open thread: now every game counts

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 6, 2007 6:48 PM EST in Tennessee Volunteer Basketball

	February 6, 2007, 9:00 EST TV: ESPN Radio:Vol Network Internet Broadcast: Yahoo! Phone Broadcast: TeamLine Live Stats: CSTV GameTracker Live
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So the loss to the Abomination was "pretty big," but time is running out for the basketball Vols, and every game from here on out is really big. First up are the LSU Tigers at Thompson-Boling.

Chris Lofton's ankle is still sore, but we're going to need him, and he's going to play. I and Corn from a Jar will be here at tip off. Hang out with us here as we root the Vols into the Big Dance.

By the way, I got an email from Gator fan "Matt," with the subject line "Pearl = Classy Hulk" that I that y'all might appreciate it. Even Gators like recognize that we have a good thing in Bruce Pearl. Who knew?

* * * *

Amazingly, I'm not writing you to badmouth you about talking bad about Florida, which I'm pretty sure is the usual communication between any Gator and Volunteer. Instead, I'm writing to praise your team, and specifically your coach.

After the UF-Tenn game on Saturday, I've read a lot of articles about the game, and in every one, Coach Pearl is complimenting the Gator players. One comment was "They honor the game with the way they play." And I keep running across new compliments all the time.

I must say, I'm impressed with the class and civility that the entire Tennessee team showed on Saturday and afterwards. The fact that every Tennessee player patted Corey Brewer on the back when he limped off the court was one of the best displays of sportsmanship I've seen in a while.

You've been writing depressed lately, as the Volunteers lost one game after another. Well, here is one thing to keep your chin up about: your basketball team is the pinnacle of class.

So while I know you have nothing to do with, well, any of that, from one fan to another, I wanted to say thanks. Hopefully we can keep this up. At least until Football season. Then the Fat Fulmer jokes come back out.

Go Gators,

Matt

Thanks for the note, Matt. You have doubled the number of Gator fans that I like.

You know what, folks? He's right. No matter what happens this season, we can and should be happy about the direction of the program.

Leave your pre-, in-, and post-game thoughts below.

Go Vols! Hulk Smash Tigers!

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Comments

Early Retirement

I'll be with you guys (and gals, perhaps?) this evening...in my dreams! Sooper-Dooper early morning commitment equates to an early retirement this evening. 9pm tip-off?! Seriously?!

Let's go Vols!

by Aerobab on Feb 6, 2007 8:40 PM EST reply actions

Wimp

Who needs sleep, anyway?

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 6, 2007 9:04 PM EST up reply actions

Lofton's at "80%"

We'll see. He's starting.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 6, 2007 9:06 PM EST reply actions

Lofton gets first 3 points

Looks like he's moving slow. Got plowed under by Big Baby Davis. Fouled on his first attempt at a three. Hits all three FTs.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 6, 2007 9:08 PM EST up reply actions

Discombobulator discombobulating

Lofton's making all the difference. Good to have him back. Shoot, we're even getting rebounds now.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 6, 2007 9:13 PM EST up reply actions

Nice start

Man, it's great to have Lofton back.

Chisim's looking active too. I guess it was his turn after the December Crews had. Too bad neither of them seemed to be around in January.

by CornFromAJar on Feb 6, 2007 9:17 PM EST reply actions

Let's see . . .

Does that mean it's Crews' turn in March? And did he cut his Colonel Sanders goatee? That's a shame.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 6, 2007 9:22 PM EST up reply actions

That would be nice...

it would mean we made it to March! And hopefully not the NIT, that didn't work too well for us in the preseason.

by CornFromAJar on Feb 6, 2007 9:25 PM EST up reply actions

Seems to me...

LSU could exploit their size advantage if they wanted to. Let's hope they don't want to.

by CornFromAJar on Feb 6, 2007 9:26 PM EST reply actions

Love that play!

When we need a bucket, we should just give the other team the ball under their own basket.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 6, 2007 9:37 PM EST reply actions

Joel

check your email.

Conquest Chronicles

by Paragon SC on Feb 6, 2007 9:43 PM EST reply actions

Halftime stats

Halftime Stats
	Tennessee	LSU
Field Goals	10-23 (43%)	14-33 (42%)
3-Point FGs	2-3 (67%)	2-13 (15%)
Free Throws	12-15 (80%)	9-11 (82%)
Rebounds	18 (6 off, 12 def)	17 (8 off, 9 def)
Turnovers	10	6

Much better than against Florida in 3-pointers (percentage-wise), free throws, rebounds, and defense.

That little run at the end of the half may be a blessing in disguise. If our tendency is to sleep through the first five minutes of the second half, maybe that won't happen now.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 6, 2007 10:05 PM EST reply actions

Putting the "free" back in free throw

We're 27-30 the last two halves from the line. That's got to be out two best free-throw shooting half of the year.

by CornFromAJar on Feb 6, 2007 10:08 PM EST up reply actions

More Lofton

Yeah, it doesn't hurt that Lofton's shot a third of them tonight.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 6, 2007 10:27 PM EST up reply actions

Pretty good game

I'll admit, Ryan Childress is surprising the heck out of me. I've been hard on that kid in the past, but he's gotten much better. Good first half out of him.

by CornFromAJar on Feb 6, 2007 10:06 PM EST reply actions