Posts Tagged ‘Awards’

Well, the powers that be have selected the SEC Basketball Post-season awards, and the BasketVols are well represented in the final list.

Chris Lofton and Tyler Smith both were selected as members of the 8-man All-SEC First team, and JaJuan Smith was selected to the All-SEC Second team. JaJuan Smith also was selected for the SEC All-Defensive team. J.P. Prince was selected as the SEC Sixth-man of the Year.

In addition to these player accolades, Tennessee Head Coach Bruce Pearl was selected as co-Coach of the Year with Kentucky Head Coach Billy Gillespie. While I understand that Gillespie managed to transform a potentially disastrous season into a reasonably successful one, the Kentucky Wildcats are still a “bubble” team, and in my opinion his sharing the coach of the year honors with Pearl is ridiculous. The BasketVols have had a phenomenal season, and a number of their wins were the direct result of Pearl’s fabulous efforts on the sidelines. Be that as it may, the voters chose both. Either way, Coach Pearl has earned the accolade, and deserves a huge amount of credit for building on his past successes and propelling the Vols to the forefront of the world of College Basketball.

The Orange Nation is proud of all of the award winners, and of the team as a whole. One of the great things about this team — which I’ve blathered on about all season — is that they are truly a team, not just a collection of individuals. Hats off to all of the BasketVols!

Now let’s get ready to get going in the Georgia Dome!

– Go Figure …

Image Courtesy of: Knoxville News Sentinel

Just wanted to remind everyone that the balloting for the 2007 College Football Blogging Awards is now open. You must be a blogger with a blog devoting a substantial amount of coverage to College Football to vote for all but the “People’s National Champion.” Balloting runs through the end of the week. The folks over at EDSBS concocted a handy-dandy voting thing-a-ma-jig which makes it easier to vote than falling asleep after drinking 9 bourbons before a game. The “voting booth” includes links to all of the nominees in each category, thus, you can give blogs a final look before you cast your vote. Just make sure you read the instructions when you vote.

The ballot for the “People’s National Champion” is on the sidebar over at EDSBS.

Not to engage in overt electioneering, but Gate 21 has been nominated for “Best New Blog” and “Best Looking Blog.” Being nominated was a real surprise (considering I didn’t even start until November 2007). I’d appreciate the vote of any and all out there entitled to vote. I do this because I enjoy it, but I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t like to win one of the awards. That’s all the campaigning I’m going to do.

 At any rate, head on over to Everyday Should be Saturday for instructions, and the chance to make your vote count.

– Go Figure …