Talking Points - Who's Bad?

by Will Shelton on Jun 26, 2009 11:28 AM EDT in Rocky Top Talking Points

(Sorry for the delay - Joel's still out of town and my internet was down all morning)

Tennessee Athletics

Mike Strange compiles his third annual list of the 12 Best Individual Athletes of the Year at Tennessee. You know who's number one. The rest of the list is a great way to get (re)acquainted with some of the big names in smaller sports on campus. As Mike Hamilton is always prone to remind us, he expects to win, and the Vols are one of a handful of programs in the country that are capable of winning championships in every sport they play.
Team Speed Kills gives us the official lineup for SEC Media Days, now just a month away. The Vols will be sending Montario Hardesty and Eric Berry, and Lane Kiffin will keep a safe distance from Urban Meyer.
Bruce Pearl looked good in his orange tie and his SEC Championship ring last night on NBA TV, and did what I thought was an outstanding job as an analyst for the NBA Draft. To no surprise, Pearl was well-spoken, opinionated but still positive, funny and a strong representative for UT (he told Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins that it was "Big Orange Country all over the state baby"). You can check out Pearl (as well as Kenny Smith and others) giving their instant analysis of all the first round picks in 1-2 minute segments right here.
Golden State drafted Stephen Curry last night at #7, leaving some to question the future of restricted free agent and former Vol CJ Watson, who remains the only active Tennessee player in the NBA. Chris Lofton's summer league stint with the Celtics begins July 6-10.

The Rest

With Jodie Meeks now safely tucked away in Milwaukee, A Sea of Blue examines four critical questios for UK's 2009-10 basketball season.
Television rights for college football's opening weekend are quickly being secured - you'll be pleased to know that the season will begin with North Texas at Ball State on Thursday, September 3. But just 30 minutes later, the real fun begins. Take a look at the nationwide TV schedule for opening weekend from CFN; no official word yet on Tennessee/Western Kentucky, but we continue to hear 12:30, which means you'll still be able to watch Georgia/Oklahoma State and Alabama/Virginia Tech later in the day.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Could not help but to laugh

At “Who’s Bad”

Tennessee WILL beat Georgia on the way to 9+ wins in '09!!!

by VolBrian on Jun 26, 2009 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

Here's to hoping that C. Lo. gets an offer from the Grizz

part of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.

by Pride of the Southland on Jun 26, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

I'd love for him to stick in Boston

as a Celtics fan…but Boston drafted UT Martin’s Lester Hudson last night with their only pick at #58, and he’s a 6’3" scorer. So that puts the odds even further against Lofton with them…I think he was still not quite 100% from the cancer treatments last summer, but with his numbers in Turkey and the PRTL I don’t think that’s a problem this time around, so hopefully he gets the hot hand.

Will - Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Jun 26, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

CJ Watson

Well, Stephen Curry is more of a combo guard, not really a true point, but so is Monta Ellis who I can only assume he will splitting the backcourt with. But on top of that, Golden State also traded one PG, Jamal Crawford to get 2 PGs from Atlanta, Acie Law and Speedy Claxton. That’s a lot of guards to have on their team. Considering that CJ is a restricted free agent, I think he will be looking for another team next year. We’ve gotten reports about Chris and Jajuan, I’d like to hear what CJ has slated for the summer.

by golfballs03 on Jun 26, 2009 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

but....

there is a rumor that Stephen Curry is part of a package deal that will send him a couple other guys (including guard Marco Belinelli) to Phoenix for Amare Stoudamire. I guess it depends on who Phoenix would accept as part of the trade. If Curry and Belinelli are part of the trade then there is a glimmer of hope for CJ, but if Curry stays, they prob won’t ship one of the two guys they just traded for and will instead drop someone (CJ). But I don’t really know. It’s all speculation here…..

by golfballs03 on Jun 26, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Any video links

for the Bruce Pearl comment about Big Orange Country? I’m having trouble finding it.

"It's static noise. You can't hear anything. You go up and down the line, your wide receivers, your running backs, your tight ends, nobody can hear. Nobody."
- Cal QB Nate Longshore commenting on playing in Neyland Stadium

by jimvols on Jun 26, 2009 4:11 PM EDT reply actions

It was on NBATV's predraft show, which may not be online

They were asking Hollins who Memphis was going to take at #2, and the exchange went something like this:

Pearl: “Hey coach, it’s Coach Bruce Pearl from the East part of the state of Tennessee…”
Hollins: (laughs) “Well, you don’t know about Memphis then.”
Pearl: “Hey, it’s Big Orange Country all over the state baby.”

Will - Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Jun 26, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions