Running a bit late this morning, so the Talking Points for today will be of the quickie, push-button variety:
Twitter / Wes Rucker: #Vols PG Bobby Maze said F ...
#Vols PG Bobby Maze said Fr G Skylar McBee went to Pratt Pavilion after tonight's loss to put up more 3-point shots.
Postgame: Vanderbilt 85, Tennessee 76 - Anchor Of Gold
As a lifelong Vandy fan, I never thought I'd be saying this: Vanderbilt outswaggered Tennessee on their home court.
Chattanooga Times Free Press | Vols stumble
"We can live with scoring 76 points, and we can live with shooting 44 percent -- even shooting 30 percent from 3," Pearl said. "But we can not live, and we can not win when we give up 51 percent shooting. It's the common denominator for all our losses."
Chattanooga Times Free Press | Vols coordinator search continues
Uncertainty is the only certainty at this point, but is seems more and more likely that the University of Tennessee won't have a defensive coordinator in place for Tuesday's national signing day.
Prince was royalty in UT's loss " GoVolsXtra
J. P. Prince raised his game to unexpected heights Wednesday night but couldn't carry his team with him. Tennessee's 6-foot-7 senior made nine of 10 field-goal attempts, scored a team-high 22 points and had three steals in the Vols' 85-76 loss to Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena. He has filled out stat lines before. The wild card was his 3-point shooting.
Strange: No mirage: Vanderbilt leads East " GoVolsXtra
Early Saturday afternoon, the SEC East men's basketball race boasted three perfect records. Kentucky hadn't lost all year and was No. 1-in-waiting. Tennessee took a 3-0 league record to Georgia, where it always wins. Only Vanderbilt was in jeopardy, trailing lowly Auburn by 16 points in Nashville. But when the smoke cleared Wednesday night, what a different tale the standings told. And then there was one. And the one is Vanderbilt. For now.
Vols in foul mood in loss to Vanderbilt, 85-76" GoVolsXtra
But it was Prince’s second technical foul of the night — called for hanging on the rim after a dunk — that Pearl said changed the momentum. Prince and Vanderbilt’s Andre Walker had been issued double technical fouls a minute earlier after exchanging harsh words. But Pearl didn’t sound as though he felt Prince’s technical at the 15:33 mark was as apparent. "The technical foul on J.P.’s dunk, at that point, was a momentum shifter,’’ Pearl said. "It’s a call that can be made because he was on the rim. I’ve seen that call made, I’ve seen that call not made.’’
Stone's high school coach reveals OL didn't like Kiffin, Orgeron " GoVolsXtra
"Flat out, nobody liked Kiffin," Thompson said. "I didn't like Kiffin. James didn't like Kiffin." Thompson said he and Stone also didn't like former UT recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron, who along with Kiffin left UT for Southern California on Jan. 12. Thompson said the only coaches he and Stone liked were Chaney and linebackers coach Lance Thompson, who were retained by UT. "Pretty much everybody else on the staff, we thought were not personable and weren't in it for the kids," Thompson said. "If they would have stayed, James definitely would not have reconsidered Tennessee. And that's a fact."
In short span, UT's Derek Dooley proves he can recruit | tennessean.com | The Tennessean
With one week remaining before signing day, Dooley is keeping pace. Rivals.com has UT's recruiting class listed at No. 11 in the nation. That's the good news. The bad news is that five SEC teams rank ahead of the Vols — Florida, Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Georgia.
My Twin, Scotty Hopson - TENNESSEE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE (Written by Swiperboy)
Although we grew up in completely different environments--as I grew up in the city of Los Angeles and he grew up in the hospitable family community of Hopkinsville, Ky.--we had similarities in lifestyle. My second mother, Ms. Hopson (Scotty's mom, who by the way, makes some of the best cornbread I have EVER had) raised Scotty in the church and instilled good morals in him. She taught him to be a good kid who stays out of harm's way. Scotty has no tattoos, just like me. And he was the first person on campus who I went to church with. Even now, with all of the headlines, achievements and accolades he has garnered by way of his dedication and hard work on and off the court (SEC All-Freshman Team, two-time SEC Player of the Week, our top scorer this season, etc.) he is still one of the most humble and down-to-earth people I have met.
Scout.com: Rivera excited to be a Volunteer
Derek Dooley has a reputation of using tight ends in his offenses. Dooley picked up a big commitment Wednesday night when California Junior College athlete Mychal Rivera chose the Vols over Kansas State. Go "Inside" for the latest on Rivera's commitment to the Vols.
VolQuest.com - JUCO defensive back to see the Vols
With just one week remaining until signing day recruits are narrowing down their choices and getting ready for the last official visit weekend before Feb. 3. Tennessee will host numerous of the those visitors including Independence Community College cornerback Dave Clark. . . . "But, Tennessee, that's the SEC. I grew up watching LSU. Competing against LSU and the SEC, that'll be good also. I don't know, I'll just get up there this weekend and take everything in with Tennessee and see where the program's headed." Clark added that committing to Tennessee on his visit this weekend is a definite possibility.
SEC In Review: Fourth Time Again a Charm -- NCAAFB FanHouse
11. Tennessee will be bad in 2010. Will new coach Derek Dooley begin 2-6? That's what the oddsmakers will forecast. The Vols will be underdogs against Oregon, Florida, at LSU, at Georgia, Alabama, and at South Carolina. . . . Barbara Dooley, Derek's mom, has already gone on the Paul Finebaum show and predicted that her son will be lucky to win three games. He'd better manage that. Tennessee and Ohio State are the only football teams in the country never to lose eight games in a single season.
Hey Jenny Slater.: The 50 Most Loathsome People in College Football: 50-41.