Rocky Top Talk, a Tennessee Volunteers community

Big Baby has seen what it takes to get into the NBA. So, he's decided to work this offseason. I mean, really work. For a change. Personal trainer, lots of shots, the whole meal deal. For a young man who used to have a couch glued to his very wide behind and a sack of fast food stacked on his gut, Big Baby's transformation into physical awesomeness should be coming this year. (Or at least not sucking wind after 5 minutes of play). Brian Williams can be a rip down the rim dunking and rebounding machine - if he gets strong enough physically and intense enough attitudinally. He's working on the physical. Maybe the meanness is coming as well? Chism's talent alone couldn't quite get him there because he's a 3-4 tweener in the NBA (body of a 3, played an NBA-equivalent 4, way too small for a 5). JP's talent and relations didn't work either. Maybe close but no cigar woke Big Baby up? I love that Bruce Pearl has the connections to get him what he needs to give Big Baby the best shot at being a very good college player with a shot at the NBA as a role player.

As always, Pearl (along with Chris Lofton and Brandon Crump) offers great perspective on the balance between tradition and change.

So how much is a Pearl worth?

KNS (Mike Griffith) says the contract will likely start under $2 mil, but when bonuses are factored in it should average out to 2.4 annually, pushing Pearl back above Anthony Grant to third-highest in the SEC. The report includes a 15 percent increase in the assistant salary pool.

A great recap, analysis, and commentary of the whole Pearl-to-Memphis scare from Gate 21.

I don't know if any students have painted it or not, but it better be painted for Bruce today.

As in a "$1.8M buyout."