Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: All Hail David Luiz

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN GAME THREAD: Tennessee vs. Mississippi State

Gameday_depot_hat_guy_190x190__no_drop_shadow__tiny by Joel Hollingsworth on in Tennessee Volunteer Basketball

Mississippi St. Bulldogs at Tennessee Volunteers, Mar 15, 2009 1:00 PM EDT


Tennessee Logo

March 15, 2009
1:00 EST
TV: CBS
Internet TV: CBSSports.com
Radio: Vol Network
Phone Broadcast: TeamLine
Live Stats: SECSports.com
Mississippi State logo
21-11 (10-6)
NR (AP)
NR (USA Today)
 
22-12 (9-7)
NR (AP)
NR (USA Today)
Jackson the Mule says . . .
Jackson the Mule Logo
. . . keep the mo' going, guys!

Leave your pre-, in-, and post-game thoughts below. And please note that we're playing Mississippi State today, not Mississippi. ;-)

Go Vols! Hulk smash Bulldogs!

Comment 689 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

Anybody know where I can watch this online?

CBS here is showing Raycom’s coverage of the ACC Championship Game, and I’m about to have a nervous breakdown.

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions  

That ain't good

Have you tried Yahoo?

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

cbssports.com

March Madness is BruceBall Time!

by Volorado on Mar 15, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

Jay Bilas on ESPN

“I believe in Tennessee…I believed in them even when they couldn’t guard a bank with a machine gun earlier this year.”

Digger already mentioning them as a sleeper for next week. I’m telling you, it’s happening.

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions  

I'm a little worried we're already a sleeper.

Also, the obvious sleepers generally don’t fare too well. Can they keep forgetting about us?

by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

Stop Stealing my Sleeper.

I want the Vols to sneak up on people and make a run, play with a chip on their shoulder like they have on this little revenge tour against Bama and Auburn.

March Madness is BruceBall Time!

by Volorado on Mar 15, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

Pearl's wearing the Orange Jacket

Usually reserved only for KY and Vandy.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah, I saw that.

Is he turning wearing the orange jacket in championship games into a tradition, though?

by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

WOOOOO!

March Madness is BruceBall Time!

by Volorado on Mar 15, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

This is exciting

I cant believe were in the SEC championship, i was ready to give this team up for dead 3 weeks ago..also this is my first time postin

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions  

Welcome

and, as Steve Perry said, “Don’t Stop, Believing!”

March Madness is BruceBall Time!

by Volorado on Mar 15, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

Need to run

get on the fast break, wear down their legs, draw fouls, and get layups. Transition is going to win the game. It’s working already.

March Madness is BruceBall Time!

by Volorado on Mar 15, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions  

It's a bit too early to figure that's going to be how it happens.

I was glad to see them get back on their feet, but now that things are even it’s time to step up.

by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

runs:

9 point by MSU
7 point by Vols

Tie game, 9 – 9. Please stop the shilly TOs

by bobo_the_vol on Mar 15, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions  

chism chism chism

Chism is a great player, but is it just me or does it always look like he’s coasting?

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Only if we're down.

I’m envisioning the Rick Pitino “accidentally” spilling stuff on his white suit the first time he busted it out (and, of course the Cards were down – “oops”!).

by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

Tied at 13 at 2nd break

Really nice laser pass from Tabb at the top of the key to Chism for a slam.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions  

brian williams..

i feel like williams is better than he gets credit for..but hes gotta make that shot

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 1:22 PM EDT reply actions  

Wasn't a moving screen

He lowered his shoulder. Flagrant.

by rblakeh on Mar 15, 2009 1:22 PM EDT reply actions  

Knocked in the secrets, I bet

Or maybe just got the breath knocked out of him.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 1:24 PM EDT reply actions  

then we will be unbelievable next year

assuming tyler returns, we will absolutely consume the rest of the SEC

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 1:30 PM EDT reply actions  

thats m'boy!

we gotta get it to williams more often

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 1:33 PM EDT reply actions  

I think one by Hopson?

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

Wayne got ticked and just decided to take it

Close call there, though. Almost a charge. But instead the bucket and the foul.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 1:37 PM EDT reply actions  

Williams may have lost 100 pounds

But he still outweighs Varado by 100.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 1:43 PM EDT reply actions  

And Varnado

looks really tired.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

girlie man...

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

I like that we're not afraid to go to Chism in the paint

even with three bodies in there with him. Go at these guys.

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 1:44 PM EDT reply actions  

Varnardo

only had 8 points 6 rebounds last game I think

by bobo_the_vol on Mar 15, 2009 1:44 PM EDT reply actions  

If I was a State fan

That shot of Varnado on the bench would have me terrified

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 1:45 PM EDT reply actions  

I'm probably the only one

But I love when Wheezy puts up a three, as long as it’s on a kick out or a trail.

by rblakeh on Mar 15, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions  

I'm with you

And so is Pearl, I think, most of the time.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

Pajamas?

What are they talking about?

by rblakeh on Mar 15, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions  

What about them? Them?

Is it the way he looks in conjunction with his low hanging shorts?

by rblakeh on Mar 15, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

I remember

one game we wore like knee high white and orange striped socks, at least :-P

by bobo_the_vol on Mar 15, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

in 5 languages...

judo chop

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

uh oh

when smith struggles, so do we

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 1:52 PM EDT reply actions  

Smith is gonna get mad

He only had 2 about this time yesterday too — or was that vs Bama?

by bobo_the_vol on Mar 15, 2009 1:52 PM EDT reply actions  

ARG

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions  

Man, we are not shooting well. Argh.

We miss two (or three) right at the rim, and the other guy flips in the air and gets one down from ten feet. Bank. Sheesh.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions  

For real, Varnado

looks like his girlfriend just left him

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions  

There it is!

I hope we’ve gotten that out of the way now.

by rblakeh on Mar 15, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions  

Need lead at half

1-9 when trailing…eek

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions  

Still...

that would be a nice stat to improve going into next week

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

YES!

Maze for a long 3 to tie the game going into the locker room. Woo!

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

MAZE

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions  

Cold-blooded

And I was just about to say (before he checked in) that Tyler Smith would not be denied much longer.

by rblakeh on Mar 15, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions  

Don't know that one... :-(

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

First five minutes of the second half huge

Both teams tired…who wants it more? Who makes fewer mistakes? I don’t think either team has enough to come back from a deep hole, so we need to be the ones to put them in it.

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions  

You guys really need to pull this off in the second half.

The entire bubble universie is pulling for you. And personally, I’m hoping Tubby Smith and my Gophers are an 11 seed and we see the Vols as a #6 in the first round.

Also, does Pearl always wear that orange sport coat? I always see him with it on.

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Mar 15, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions  

Hey, PJS

Prior to today, Pearl has only worn that thing for our two biggest rivals: Kentucky and Vanderbilt. I’m guessing he broke it out today b/c it’s been forever since we’ve been in the SEC Championship Game.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

I've had enough of Tubby, thanks

I especially don’t like that projection where the game is played in Minneapolis.

But me having enough of Tubby means I think he’s a great coach.

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

Mandatory single college guy question...

Is that you in the picture in your profile?

Either way… thanks for the well wishes! I hope we oblige.

by rblakeh on Mar 15, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

Sorry, no. She was a SI cheerleader of the month.

I’m hoping I receive proper, um, credit if her career takes off because of the attention I bring her in the sports blogosphere.

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Mar 15, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

MSU

MSU is kinda like auburn in that they never seem to go away..they cant really seem to keep anything goin, but they never check out either

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 2:16 PM EDT reply actions  

The lack of headband is messing with him

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

on subs

i say take out prince and put in williams, create some mismatches

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions  

Bast in show?

He can’t be serious. That’s so corny it hurts.

by rblakeh on Mar 15, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions  

Yeah, not good

Lethargy is the right word, I think.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

finally...

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions  

Boo.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions  

4 fouls on Prince

That is not good news.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions  

Prince with 4?

Uh-oh. On the other hand, Varnado has 3.

by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2009 2:24 PM EDT reply actions  

And another

But mercifully, a shot clock violation b/c of an air ball.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

Sweet jeebs grab a rebound...

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions  

Four threes that come up way short

These guys are wasted, and we HAVE to take advantage

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 2:26 PM EDT reply actions  

great point

But what about our inability to rebound? Are we both tired?

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

Running all around in circles

I think it’s just the shot/rebound flow…long three, we run to the rim, off the front rim, we chase it back to the front…just out of position

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

dead legs...

I don’t get it.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

;-)

The Fulmerizer always surprises! Please stick around.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

williams with another foul

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions  

yep. not good.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

i dont like the tempo this half

our player seem just a little out of it…like theyre trying, just not doing

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions  

Okay

I thought I’d been spelling it wrong since they were pronouncing the R in the wrong place. I’m sticking with Varnado.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions  

Spelled one way, pronounced a different way...weird.

Either way, he looks spent and we should capitalize on it.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

We're both tired

and impatient. Jacking threes not the answer

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 2:32 PM EDT reply actions  

Man

Fouling on every possession.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:32 PM EDT reply actions  

FOUL again!

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:32 PM EDT reply actions  

Call me crazy

But I’m seeing them call fouls for MSU when they drive and get contact

But not us?

by bobo_the_vol on Mar 15, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions  

Maybe they're making up for the first half?

We got a lot of nice calls, mostly on the out-of-bounds stuff.

by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah, I have the same feeling, but I don't really know

But YEAH, Smith for the drive, bucket, and foul.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

good job tyler

we were in danger of spiraling out…much needed

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions  

no doubt

We really needed that. Now if someone else can get going, too, we’ll get it done.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

Lets tie this sucker.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions  

agreed.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

look at the big men!

if we can consistantly work the ball down low either to smith, chism or williams, we wont have any problem scoring

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 2:37 PM EDT reply actions  

Mississippi State gets sloppy

when they try to push too much in transition. Of course, so do we…

============
lawvol: Gate 21 - Life, the Universe, & the Bounce of the Ball

by lawvol98 on Mar 15, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions  

Man the pep band

Looks like they’re just going through the motions, too.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions  

Hopson!!

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions  

WOOOOOO in the USA!
Just a WOOOOOO in the USA!

============
lawvol: Gate 21 - Life, the Universe, & the Bounce of the Ball

by lawvol98 on Mar 15, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions  

Hopson has such a pretty shot.

Wow…. right back… this game is great.

by rblakeh on Mar 15, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions  

Foul anyone? Geez

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions  

this is ridiculous.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed.

There are also way too many people inside for the ‘Dogs. If we can make an outside shot or two that’ll free up the interior – but in the meantime, they are coming in hard for rebounds.

by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

Keep going at him

Keep going at him

Keep going at him

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions  

How'd he take that from Chism?

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:45 PM EDT reply actions  

JAMAS!

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions  

We were due...

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

CHARGE!!!!

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions  

NO NO NO NO NO NO

…YES!

His third three of the year. Please don’t shoot again, thanks.

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions  

Ooo I dunno about that

That was way under the basket.. but everyone else acts like it’s right sooo

by bobo_the_vol on Mar 15, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions  

I really like the pace right now with 7:00

They’ve played four days in a row; lots of energy on both sides right now, but it’s too early for them. They should be completely gassed when the game’s on the line closer to the end.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions  

Agree

We played lazy for about 5 minutes, now seem to be turning it up, while Miss State is beginning to look a bit tired

============
lawvol: Gate 21 - Life, the Universe, & the Bounce of the Ball

by lawvol98 on Mar 15, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

The whole pace has slowed dramatically

Since the first ten minutes. We were on pace for 80+ at that point, and then it died.

THIS is where we find out how good this team is.

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

Elbow of Death!

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

now we just gotta play good D and a hit a few shots

put in ngedu for prince, and put williams in for tatum

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 2:50 PM EDT reply actions  

D'oh!

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:50 PM EDT reply actions  

YES

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:51 PM EDT reply actions  

on the other side of the court, waiting,

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

And there it is.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions  

MSU has been playing man D most of the game

they should be tired by now..if we set good screens and pass the ball they all might fall over dead

by cincyvol6198 on Mar 15, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions  

This is a heavyweight fight

And it’s going the distance. Just survive.

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions  

varnado is milking how “tired he is”

by volcub82 on Mar 15, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions  

Via Richard Pittman

At The Valley Shook

It’s nothing against Varnado. He’s an outstanding player, and a likable athlete. He was just taking advantage of what the refs were giving him. He figured out early that he could go into the body of the offensive players all he wanted, and there was nothing anyone would do about it. He saw the opening and he went through it. We had no counter, and we certainly didn’t get the same consideration on the other end, as our 3 big men combined for 9 fouls compared to Varnado’s one.

by bobo_the_vol on Mar 15, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions  

also from that article

I’m not one to blame a loss on bad officiating, and this loss is certainly not solely the result of bad officiating, but I have to say that the refs were lousy. They let Jarvis Varnado get away with anything inside. Varnado’s an outstanding player, and he’s a great shotblocker, but a body foul is a body foul no matter who’s doing it. Varnado got a few clean blocks, but he also draped himself all over Marcus Thornton and Tasmin Mitchell a couple times. That he finished the game with only one foul is a farce.

The problems weren’t limited to not calling defensive fouls on Varnado. They let players get away with going over the back on rebounds, holding, and all sorts of other things. They didn’t call Varnado for a couple of walks that he had.

The calls didn’t just go MSU’s way, as there were a number of questionable calls that went to LSU, but the Bulldogs were clearly the team that benefited overall from strange and inexplicable standards in foul calling. When LSU had the ball, the refs were “letting them play.” When MSU had the ball, the game was called tight. The result was that we had twice as many fouls as Mississippi State and they attempted almost 3 times as many free throws. They outscored us by 15 from the foul line, and they won by 10. Do the math.

by bobo_the_vol on Mar 15, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions  

I'm about to lose my mind.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions  

yeah the announcers have been getting on my nerves the whole game

by volcub82 on Mar 15, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions  

If State wins

I don’t want to hear or read anything about what a warrior and a champion Varnado is…that guy was a non-factor and an emotional wreck on the bench in the first half

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 2:58 PM EDT reply actions  

AMEN!

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

And I hope we don't have to.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

anybody hear the announcers talking about was it Chism and his pajamas? That was when they started getting on my nerves

by volcub82 on Mar 15, 2009 2:58 PM EDT reply actions  

Cameron Turner has checked in...seriously?

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions  

A foul called in our paint? Hally-Loo-Yah!

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:01 PM EDT reply actions  

Frustration!!!

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:02 PM EDT reply actions  

So, some props to MSU

They have answered every time we’ve gotten the lead with big 3’s .. but ..

the refs are really calling garbage calls on UT now. MSU has shot 11 more FTs than us and is outscoring us from the stripe by 8 (with us shooting 70%, no less)

by bobo_the_vol on Mar 15, 2009 3:04 PM EDT reply actions  

We just need two baskets and a stop

Crash the boards. Get back on defense.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions  

WHAT KIND OF GARBAGE CALL WAS THAT???? SERIOUSLY

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions  

"anticipation" my derriere.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions  

okay.

Here’s when Championships are won or lost.

The final possession. Can we get it?

Who will step.

by bobo_the_vol on Mar 15, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions  

Well, it's still in our hands

I don’t want to see a contested three at the buzzer. GET A GOOD SHOT.

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 3:11 PM EDT reply actions  

YAY thanks Vernardo

by volcub82 on Mar 15, 2009 3:12 PM EDT reply actions  

that worked out better than it could have

The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.

by hal41605 on Mar 15, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions  

LOVE THIS

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

SWEET LORD

I may have a coronary.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions  

OMFG

The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.

by hal41605 on Mar 15, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions  

HORSE PUCKY

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions  

refs can’t tell time and are inherently blind

by volcub82 on Mar 15, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions  

Three...THREE

horrendous calls at the end of the game, two against us

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 3:16 PM EDT reply actions  

BLAH

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions  

BOST IN SHOW INDEED

by volcub82 on Mar 15, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions  

No time off clock...

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions  

This is unique

In a really tragic sort of way

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions  

This is bananas.

Bee aay enn aay enn aay ess.

by rblakeh on Mar 15, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions  

Unbelievable

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:20 PM EDT reply actions  

Who takes the three?

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:21 PM EDT reply actions  

why give it to smith?

by volcub82 on Mar 15, 2009 3:21 PM EDT reply actions  

i feel sorry for both teams

such a horrible game from an officiating perspective. Hats off to Mississippi State

============
lawvol: Gate 21 - Life, the Universe, & the Bounce of the Ball

by lawvol98 on Mar 15, 2009 3:22 PM EDT reply actions  

ouch

there goes the four seed and auburn’s hopes

most frustrating game in a while to watch

i wish bad things on those referees careers

by guilded on Mar 15, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions  

Wow

What a finish. I lost track — did we get screwed or not?

;-)

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 15, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions  

that was a cluster F*** at the end

by volcub82 on Mar 15, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions  

Congrats Bulldogs!

Sorry for the Vols, they had a chance…
Onward and upward

============
lawvol: Gate 21 - Life, the Universe, & the Bounce of the Ball

by lawvol98 on Mar 15, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions  

Wow, that was ....pretty terrible officiating.

Hats off to Mississippi State, and the guy who managed to put Ted Valentine in for one of the refs without anyone noticing.

by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions  

Bruce...

Has got to use this to preach to his guys why you have to play better start to finish not just in spurts

by BigBeefe on Mar 15, 2009 3:24 PM EDT reply actions  

Kind of neutral.

Terrible shooting percentage, but solid otherwise. I don’t know what to make of it when the refs make it so obvious they want to be part of the game, though; that can go either way.

by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

Play with a serious "WTF refs in our title game" chip on our shoulder?

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

The refs literally took control of the game

Neither team actually took a shot in the last five or six changed possessions, everything was a foul (real or otherwise) or a non-awarded timeout or an out of bounds call when it should’ve been a foul. Both teams were on the receiving end of horrendous calls, and there was no actual basketball played…just refs. That should NEVER happen, ever. That better be the last game that crew works this season.

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 3:26 PM EDT reply actions  

The only thing that will be remembered is tard calls, and no basketball...

Agreed.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

The thing is

I liked them in the first half. They swallowed their whistles on both sides of the court.

by rblakeh on Mar 15, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

More than made up for it in the last 10 minutes.

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

Had we won though

I think State could’ve used that graphic too

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

JP Prince walked

When they gave us the foul. And I’d have been shaking my head about that out of bounds call where the kid jumped out of bounds and there was no foul called.

I’m not happy we lost, but to me the story is the refs abusing their power, not necessarily screwing just us.

by Will Shelton on Mar 15, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

He was starting his dribble and got hacked before he could. That call looked right. The rest of the time, the refs were absolutely insane, which was a large contributor to the Yakety Sax quality of the last few seconds.

by SpartanDan on Mar 15, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

It was more "Fight to Win" than 'Yakety Sax", but the point stands.

Poor MSU could end up in two games over the college sports year that could end up as a highlight reel for all the wrong reasons.

by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

Agree...

The refs were bad in both directions. That’s the thing when you call a game loose or tight, it’s not that big a deal once the players figure that out. An inconsistently called game, no matter which direction, is always bad…

============
lawvol: Gate 21 - Life, the Universe, & the Bounce of the Ball

by lawvol98 on Mar 15, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

Both had cases...

Ah the Tennessee fan. Obsessed and Passionate, maniacal and frightening. Step into Neyland Stadium and feel the Orange Experience.

by RockyTopinKY on Mar 15, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Look

the refs were terrible and certainly changed the game fot the worse. But all told, the Vols are not going to win any games shooting 29% from the field and turning the ball over 13 times. I know the refs changed the outcome, but the Vols should have been able to put this game away to where the bad officiating makes no difference. Congrats to MSU, they played hard today, especially for a team that played on all 4 nights of the SEC tourney. Let’s get ready to see where the Vols are playing later this week.

Go Vols!

March Madness is BruceBall Time!

by Volorado on Mar 15, 2009 3:33 PM EDT reply actions  

have to agree...

I just don’t think we miss that many shots we usually make unless we’re getting hacked….

by sddbaker on Mar 15, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Oh well...

Look at the bright side:

We went further than last year. We could have won the tournament. The Vols showed some spark for the first time in a while. We’re going to the dance. The arena didn’t get hit by a tornado.

As least we looked like the Tennessee team we all hoped for this season…

============
lawvol: Gate 21 - Life, the Universe, & the Bounce of the Ball

by lawvol98 on Mar 15, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Search

User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about the Tennessee Volunteers.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Gameday_depot_hat_guy_190x190__no_drop_shadow__small
Dooley 2012 Car Decals Now Available

by Joel Hollingsworth 4 days ago

2 comments

Ilikevols_small
Very inspirational FanPost from me. You're welcome.

by PdxVol 9 days ago

3 comments

Preds_game_small
Best Plays: Exciting or Depressing

by bvkv09 11 days ago

9 comments

N701379423_720742_7509_small
Malik Jackson to the Broncos!

by jbragg 23 days ago

0 comments

20050073_detail_small
Welcome to Uncertainty, Arkansas Fans

by CobbWebbAttack about 1 month ago

2 comments

Preds_game_small
Really?!?!? Really?!?!

by bvkv09 2 months ago

3 comments

A_cullen_the_bug_small
NIT Bracket Challenge - Complete before 7pm

by aurabass 2 months ago

16 comments

Small
Selection Sunday - Where do the Vols Go?

by memphispete 2 months ago

10 comments

A_cullen_the_bug_small
REPLAY - Anatomy of the Final 5.10 minutes vs Ol Miss

by aurabass 2 months ago

3 comments

Small
UPDATED - SEC Coach of Year

by memphispete 3 months ago

0 comments

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Recent Posts

SHOP THE ROCKY TOP TALK STORE

Gameday Depot University Apparel

Animated Drive Charts

RTT Classics

RTT Classics 2008 Animated BlogPoll2007 Animated BlogPollLOL! Your logo is so scary! Welcome to Rocky Top Talk Tradition! Fiddlin' on the Roof2008 Animated BlogPoll The Season of Which We Do Not Speak Pearlfection Case Study: 2QB Systems and the 2005 Tennessee Volunteers The 2007 College Football Blogger Awards The 2006 College Football Blogger Awards The 20 coolest college football logos The 10 worst college football logos The 29 most boring college football logos 2006 Animated BCS Race 2005 Animated Race to the Rose Bowl

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recent FanShots

Phil Steele preview - #27 Tennessee

by Caban 9 minutes ago 0 comments

Peyton Manning (and Tom Moore)’s Indianapolis Colts Offense: How a Handful of Plays Built a Decade of Success

by birdjam about 6 hours ago 2 comments

Top Recruit Likes Tennessee

by gouda3 5 days ago 0 comments

Phillip Fulmer selected to College Football Hall of Fame

by dmiles 6 days ago 0 comments

KC Joyner: SEC's top QB-WR tandems ($)

by birdjam 6 days ago 2 comments

Say hello again to Mose Phillips!

by VolBrian 6 days ago 0 comments

Is Tennessee QB Tyler Bray poised for a big year?

by el phantasmo 10 days ago 0 comments

Dooley ranked dead last by Sporting News

by CobbWebbAttack 13 days ago 6 comments

Orange and White game film breakdown

by Rx Salt 13 days ago 0 comments

The 1970 game between Alabama and USC has been heralded by many (usually Trojan fans) as the contest which lead to the integration of Crimson Tide football. It's nonsense, of course, but that hasn't stopped that version of the story from spreading by West Coast revisionists. One reasons Tennessee fans should be disappointed with this sloppy telling of history is that it almost completely discounts a historic game involving the Vols a year earlier. In 1969, Lester McClain and Jackie Walker (pictured above) started in the Third Saturday in October game and broke the color line at Birmingham's Legion Field (a third black player, Andy Bennett, got into the game as well). Not only that, the Vols handed Bear Bryant's Tide team a 41-14 beatdown that afternoon. I tell a bit of the tale at Roll Bama Roll today in my scathing review of a book about the 1970 Alabama vs. USC game, One Night, Two Teams.

by kleph 14 days ago 1 comment | 1 rec

+ New FanShot All FanShots >

YouTube

SBNation.com Recent Stories

BATON ROUGE LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Bill Stewart of the West Virginia Mountaineers watches a play against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 25 2010 in Baton Rouge Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the Mountaineers 20-14. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) +3 updates

Bill Stewart Dead From Apparent Heart Attack, According To West Virginia

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 5: Fans watch the pre-game show before the start of the NCAA Big 12 game between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas Tech Red Raiders on November 5, 2011 at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Erich Schlegel/Getty Images)

What's Your College Football Program Worth? Introducing Realignment Value Rankings

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 22: Trent Richardson #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes upfield against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 22, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) +171 updates

SEC Expansion: SEC Network In Works, According To Report

More from SBNation.com >

Editor-in-Chief

Gameday_depot_hat_guy_190x190__no_drop_shadow__small Joel Hollingsworth

Senior Editor

Gromit_small David Hooper

Associated_20press_clayliston_1965_l_small kidbourbon

Tennessee_logo_small Will Shelton

Tumblr_lx1hpdd3yx1r2a42bo1_250_small Chris Pendley

Mutantenemy_small Incipient_Senescence

Ut_small Brad Shepard

Author

Avatar2_small rustytanton

Vols_dooley_hair_small Getoffmyvols

Pygmy_marmoset_small marmotman

Picture_081_small Joseph Stanley

Jackson_the_mule_avatar_small Jackson the Mule

Img_0171_small RockyTopinKY

6156218740_03c5ca84f5_m_small VolnVA

Top_small _trey_

Small Chien Rouge