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Tennessee Volunteers v. Florida Gators: open game thread

Tennessee Logo

February 5, 2008, 9:00 EST
TV: ESPN
Radio: Vol Network
XM Radio: 199
Phone Broadcast: TeamLine
Live Stats: UTSports.com

Alabama Logo

19-2 (overall)
6-1 (SEC)
No. 7 (AP)
No. 7 (USA Today)

18-4 (overall)
5-2 (SEC)
NR (AP)
22 (USA Today)

Tennessee
Ht.
Wt.
Yr.
PPG
RPG
APG
F 1 Tyler Smith
6-7
215
So.
13.0
6.1
3.7
F 4 Wayne Chism
6-9
242
So.
8.9
6.1
1.0
G 5 Chris Lofton
6-2
200
Sr.
15.2
3.0
2.0
G 2 JaJuan Smith
6-2
195
Sr.
14.4
3.3
2.4
G 12 Ramar Smith
6-2
200
So.
8.5
2.3
3.3
Florida
Ht.
Wt.
Yr.
PPG
RPG
APG
F 21 Dan Werner
6-7
235
So.
8.2
6.8
2.3
C 34 Marreese Speights
6-10
250
So.
14.0
7.7
0.9
G 15 Walter Hodge
6-0
170
Jr.
10.3
2.2
2.7
G 33 Nick Calathes
6-6
185
Fr.
15.8
5.0
6.1
G 5 Jai Lucas
5-11
150
Fr.
9.3
1.8
2.3

Apologies to anyone who is in a car on their way to Gainesville tonight based on today's fast food lunchtime post. Turn around! Game's in Knoxville tonight! That'll teach you to trust somebody who's seriously considering waterboarding the mule behind his house to find out what the cows have been up to.

Anyway, I am, I think, fully oriented now and ready for a Gator bashing, so . . .

. . . Go Vols! Hulk smash Abomination!

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

Jackson the Mule says . . .
. . . always know what gym to go to.

Comment 137 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Nessler & Dykes = Big Pimpin
Both are sportin' the Fat Tuesday beads...nice!

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 9:07 PM EST reply actions  

False start
5 yard penalty of the refs.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:07 PM EST reply actions  

WHAA?
All 5 Vols are wearing headbands...even Lofton!  Too bad he looks silly.

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 9:08 PM EST reply actions  

Is Lofton wearing a headband?
Don't think I've seen that before, either.

I need to put a headband on Jackson the Mule.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:09 PM EST reply actions  

Hold off on that...
Apparently they cut off blood to the brain.  12-3, Reptiles.

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 9:11 PM EST up reply actions  

I can give him
a Chism-ish job. May pop off when he goes for a rebounds or something, but, you know.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Not a good start
Missing shots, giving up easy baskets. Gators 12-3. Sheesh.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:11 PM EST reply actions  

Doubtful...
...just like we can't shoot 8% for the game.  Right?

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 9:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Billy D
Standing beside the ref there outside the coaches box.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 9:12 PM EST reply actions  

An earlier interview with Billy D
mentioned that the Gators have focused almost exclusively on defense this last week in practice.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:14 PM EST reply actions  

Maybe
we're giving them the rope-a-dope.

...or is it too early for wistful hope?

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:15 PM EST reply actions  

Hottness
I've never seen a team as hot as the Gators right now.  They can't miss.

Until now.

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 9:18 PM EST reply actions  

How about . . .
. . . 1st half of our last game last season?
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Whoa!
Now that was a charge! Yowza.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:18 PM EST reply actions  

Wheezy
Takes a charge for the team!

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 9:18 PM EST reply actions  

Ted Valentine
loves to call offensive fouls.  He gets to use his acting skills.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 9:18 PM EST reply actions  

100%!
Vols are perfect from the stripe, thanks to Mr. Williams!

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 9:19 PM EST reply actions  

JP looking like Dr J
with those nifty little floaters

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 9:21 PM EST reply actions  

Oh
Man,  that turnover was horrible. Might as well alley oop it to the other team.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:22 PM EST reply actions  

LOFTON!!!
WOOO1111!!!!

Now let's have some defense!

And Chism! Wow.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:24 PM EST reply actions  

Headband's workin'
I bet he pulls it down over his eyes in the 2nd half.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 9:26 PM EST up reply actions  

Hey Joel,
This is a completely unrelated question, but do you know when Orson is going to open voting for the People's Champ award?  It's the only one I can vote for.  {sniff}

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:25 PM EST reply actions  

Ah.
What's the window?  I had thought the presentations were going to be made tomorrow, as well.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Schedule
Voting will remain open for a week. Then, we'll sort everything out, assign award presentation posts to the right people and try to have them all queued up and ready to go in two weeks.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:31 PM EST up reply actions  

Um,
wondering that myself. He and Brian were working on it when I left to go stand in line and vote. He was going to announce that voting wouldn't open until tomorrow. Brian's got to populate the voting page and work some tech things out.

Anyway, plan is tomorrow.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Ok.
I'll be patient and let the tech things work out.  It's impressive enough to think of Orson and Brian handling a techy feat like that as it is, so there's certainly no need for urgency.

Thanks, both!

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah
Brian's a php guru. He's added some stuff to ensure votes are legit.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:32 PM EST up reply actions  

At this rate,
I'm looking forward to the 3-point percentage at halftime.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:26 PM EST reply actions  

Man, oh man
What a flurry! Love that emotion from Lofton.

We went from 3 to 30 in like four minutes. Wow.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:27 PM EST reply actions  

What did that say about Urban Meyer?
At the bottom of the screen as they went to commercial

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 9:30 PM EST reply actions  

I didn't see it
but the news I saw on Myere today was that Florida has determined he didn't commit a recruiting violation for his communication w/ a recruit's girlfriend.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:37 PM EST up reply actions  

Parsons
A 6-9 starting freshman with 2 fouls.  With luck, he'll pick up his 3rd before the half.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:34 PM EST reply actions  

That was new
Instead of taking a timeout, plan B on the out of bounds play was to play dodge ball with Chism.

That could get old.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:36 PM EST reply actions  

If what happened is what I think,
I could easily see a rule to forbid it based on an intent to injure.  (I'm thinking the Florida guy threw the ball at Chism to bounce it off him before landing out of bounds.  No ESPN for me.)  That ball can really hurt, particularly at close range with no chance of reacting.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:38 PM EST up reply actions  

What?
How do you survive w/out the World Wide Leader?
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:39 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm a grad student
married to a grad student.  The budget is a bit of a dictator.  That, and I don't mind missing out on the Patriots-worship of the last few months.  Or the OSU homerism.  Or the top-10 dunks of the day.  Or the utter inability to actually do analysis.  Etc.

Other than that, it's tough.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Wise
Heed the budget. School loans are monsters with long lives.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:44 PM EST up reply actions  

So far, no loans!
Go GI bill!  (Though the loans will probably come soon enough.  Still, I can't complain to have this much education without any loans yet.)

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:45 PM EST up reply actions  

Nice
Envy. Don't know if that will work or not, but it's supposed to be green.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions  

Chism
Dude is active tonight. Doesn't look like a big.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:38 PM EST reply actions  

Not having to travel makes a difference.
Here's hoping we get a favorable, close location for the tourney.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:39 PM EST up reply actions  

I'll be sure
to check w/ the mule before writing anything.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Pace of the game has changed
I'm not sure anyone's done it intentionally, but it's slowed down.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 9:47 PM EST reply actions  

Gotta keep it close
Lizards are up 7 with 2:00 to go.  Gotta keep it tight...no need to dig a hole before the half!

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 9:48 PM EST reply actions  

Sounds like
Florida is bookending the half.  Not good.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:49 PM EST reply actions  

4 point difference
Not bad, especially considering.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 9:58 PM EST reply actions  

Halftime stats
Alabama Logo Tennessee Logo
48
Points
44
18/28 - 64%
Field Goals
15/34 - 44%
5/11 - 45%
3-Point FGs
7/15 - 47%
7/8 - 88%
Free Throws
7/9 - 78%
18 (2/16)
Rebounds (Off-Def)
14 (5/9)
10
Total Fouls
10
2
Steals
5
1
Blocks
1
13
Assists
11
9
Turnovers
6
13 / 9
Assist/Turnover
11 / 6
2
Bench Points
13
2
Second Chance Points
4
7
Points Off Turnovers
6

Well?

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 10:03 PM EST reply actions  

My thoughts
  • Their shooting percentage is abnormally high.  It will likely come down in the second half.
  • Ours is right on target.  No help there.
  • Free throws are high for both, so no help expected.
  • 3's are high for both, but more so for them.  Factor in that Lofton's early slump hurts our history, this may be good.
  • Blocks are down.  Given their height, that's good.
  • Fouls are the same, but we have the only 3-foul guy (T. Smith).  Slight edge to them.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 10:08 PM EST up reply actions  

Foul Distribution
If UT can stay out of foul trouble, they'll win this game.  While I love to watch us drain the 3, our inside game hasn't existed.  We've gotta at least drive to the hoop with a greater frequency to try to draw some fouls on their biggies.

It's unfathomable that UF would shoot 64% on OUR COURT!  Must. Play. Defense!

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 10:09 PM EST up reply actions  

I really like Jimmy Dykes
Breaks things down well, doesn't too involved with himself. Guy knows what he's doing.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 10:15 PM EST reply actions  

I agree
One of the guys who just gives you some knowledge without pretension.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 10:18 PM EST up reply actions  

I'll go on record...
I haven't missed Dick Vitale.  

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 10:24 PM EST reply actions  

Agreed.
I'll second that.  Or third it.  Or whatever it is by now.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 10:25 PM EST up reply actions  

They've been talking about Dick coming back
for tomorrow's Duke-UNC game.  For those not watching ESPN.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 10:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Now that's impartial.
Vitale commenting on a Duke game?  Gee.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 10:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Don't know what happened yet
(I'll find out soon enough)

but a Mortal Kombat Fark is in there somewhere...

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 10:30 PM EST up reply actions  

These refs are bad
2 gray headed guys and Ted Valentine. Terrible call there.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 10:36 PM EST reply actions  

Really nice steal
by Lofton. He's having a great night defensively, too.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 10:37 PM EST reply actions  

This game's gonna last 3 hours
a whistle every time down the court.  They're fighting over TV time.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 10:38 PM EST reply actions  

Terrible call
I wish Bobby Knight would take his worst creation, Ted Valentine, with him.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 10:46 PM EST reply actions  

Conspiracy question
Wonder if any of the refs are aware that no UT player has ever been DQ'd, despite their foul rate?

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 10:48 PM EST reply actions  

I swear
these guys are so incompetent.  Who are the gray headed guys?  

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 10:50 PM EST up reply actions  

Simple
Gray head = Florida retiree.  ;)

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 10:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Looks like they are
And they're trying to make this game the first to foul out all 5 starters.  Real go-getters, I tell ya.

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 10:51 PM EST up reply actions  

MONEY!
JuJuan burries a 3!  Vols up 5, with just under 10 mins to go.

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 10:49 PM EST reply actions  

Ted Valentine
just T'd Prince for standing up to that idiot

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 10:52 PM EST reply actions  

Tech on Prince
After getting tackled in mid-air?
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 10:53 PM EST reply actions  

Regression
All shooting percentages are coming back into line with seasonal averages.  Regression's no guarantee, but it's nice when it helps.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 10:53 PM EST reply actions  

New Name?
Tyler Smith = ULTIMATE Blender?

I approve!

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 10:56 PM EST reply actions  

47
The number of fouls between the two teams.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 10:56 PM EST reply actions  

Man
Is there really still almost 8:00 left?
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 10:59 PM EST reply actions  

Calathes looks about 12
but he's pretty good.  I hate him.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 11:01 PM EST reply actions  

Childress finally in the game
I thought he was on his honeymoon or something

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 11:03 PM EST reply actions  

I thought he was sick.
But he has no fouls, so that's worth something.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 11:04 PM EST up reply actions  

If we can hold the lead,
Florida will have a hard time fouling us at the end without losing players.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 11:05 PM EST reply actions  

Ted Valentine, Tom Eades, John Cahill
How many whistles ya'll think these three go through a year?

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 11:10 PM EST reply actions  

OK, hooper
Even you have to like that!
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 11:13 PM EST reply actions  

sniff
you'll have to explain it to me...

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 11:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Oh, sorry
Forgot. By the way, the tag for green is [font color="green"]. ;-) 104!
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 11:16 PM EST up reply actions  

GAME OVER!! (almost.)
All over but the crying for the swamp rats.

Mmmm...the tears taste so sweet!!  YUMMY!!

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 11:13 PM EST reply actions  

Weird
that alley oop was like The Matrix on my TV.  I don't know happened, but it was scary and cool.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 11:13 PM EST reply actions  

Whoa, somebody fouled out.
Because, because, because . . . the ref, right?
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 11:14 PM EST reply actions  

UTSports.com shows JP fouled out a while ago
Don't know if it's true.  I guess if ESPN doesn't say it might not be.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 11:16 PM EST up reply actions  

He wasn't in the game after the T
but he shot the free throws for the intentional foul.  Then Pearl took him out.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 11:18 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm not saying I have special powers
...but I turned the TV on just in time for the second half.

by Holly Anderson on Feb 5, 2008 11:16 PM EST reply actions  

You need to tune in earlier
Seriously. And get me your IM, so you can be pinged in an emergency.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 11:18 PM EST up reply actions  

I blame the Los Angeles freeway system.
I blew off work early and STILL only caught the second half.

And I can be reached at the name I post under on my blog via AIM...on my phone 24 hours a day, because I'm a techno-nerd asshole like that.

by Holly Anderson on Feb 5, 2008 11:21 PM EST up reply actions  

Headband?
We all know you have special powers.  What we REALLY want to know is if you were rocking the headband, too?

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 11:18 PM EST up reply actions  

That never crossed my mind
but I'm wearing A headband.  And it's white.  Holy shit.

by Holly Anderson on Feb 5, 2008 11:22 PM EST up reply actions  

You saw a 60-34 gator bashin'
From 13 behind after 4 minutes to win by 22, what a game.

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 11:20 PM EST up reply actions  

Oh, yeah
Right behind you in line. Woo! What a finish.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 11:18 PM EST up reply actions  

Cool.
Nothing like dangling a little hope, then smashing it underfoot...

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 11:18 PM EST reply actions  

So, the alley oop...
pretty good play?

(FYI - I don't mind athleticism if it's for the sake of the team.  It's the NBA-style I don't like.  That doesn't apply to UT.)

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 11:21 PM EST reply actions  

Yeah, it was
Mostly for the timing, though. It opened the floodgates.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 5, 2008 11:22 PM EST up reply actions  

That's what it seemed like.
At that point, the lead became too big to be realistic, and the scoring from that point on seems to back that up.

by David Hooper on Feb 5, 2008 11:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Thanks Ya'll
Enjoyed it as always.  20-2!

by wvvol on Feb 5, 2008 11:24 PM EST reply actions  

Pearl's Record
Not sure if ya'll saw it, but they just tossed up this tidbit...

Coach Pearl has had 20+ wins in 15 of 16 seasons as HC.

That's getting to be ledgendary status.

by Aerobab on Feb 5, 2008 11:25 PM EST reply actions  

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