Posts Tagged ‘Tarheads’

You hardly have to be a genius to realize that I am a college sports fan.

Whether I qualify as “die hard” is open to interpretation, I suppose. Still, as a VASF donor for more than a decade, season ticket holder for Tennessee Volunteers football, and as an individual who travels over six hours one-way to see each football game in Knoxville, I probably fall into the “dyed-in-the-wool” category placing me in the top tier of college fans when it comes to dedication (or lunacy depending on your perspective).

Either way, at various times in my life, I have contemplated becoming a more avid fan of professional sports. At times I have even been a “real” fan of certain teams by most standards. That being said, no matter what I do, I always seem to lose my interest in professional sports and return to my roots as a college football fan…

… or perhaps professional sports loses interest in me.

No, that last statement is not intended to be a wildly arrogant and self-centered declaration of my importance in the sports world. On the contrary, it is meant to show my complete insignificance — along with the millions of other sports fans out there.

In case you missed it, after forty-one years in the “City Which is Never Dry,” the Seattle Supersonics are pulling up stakes and heading to Oklahoma City to be known as the Oklahoma Clod-kickers, or something along those lines.

The era of the Supersonics is over…

Owing to the fact that I live on the Right-Coast and parted ways with the NBA in the mid-1990s, I was really not tuned into this story until after the final announcement was made. I make no claims to be a Supersonics fan, and can really only think of 2 Supersonics players ever: Shawn Kemp and Xavier McDaniel (mainly because he choked Wes Mathews in the middle of a game which is the sort of thing I tend not to forget). Still, I feel for the Supersonics’ fans, and I assume that there are a fair number of them, whether they be “die hard” or not. While I know that Seattle may potentially get another team some day, as a practical matter they now understand how SMU fans felt when their team got the death penalty for football. The only difference is that, unlike SMU who was finally able to resume play, Seattle’s program is gone for good — gonzo, outta here, dead, kaput, snuffed it …

If I am a Seattle Supersonics fan, that just plain sucks…

That got me to thinking (which is so rarely a good thing). The fact that the Supersonics could up and vanish like a fart in the wind, is the reason why I personally will never be anything more than an occasional fan of professional sports. At so many levels, that disturbs me. It also brings back a few memories.

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Just the other day I realized I was getting older…

The reason for this shocking moment of enlightenment was the fact that this past weekend was the 10th anniversary of my graduation from the University of Tennessee (Hmmm, I suppose it’s time for me to start considering my options for Medicare insurance supplements…).

Anyway, bearing this in mind, I thought I’d start a wandering trip down memory lane re-visiting some of my all-time favorite games played by the Big Orange over the next few days. I welcome any comments from the peanut gallery on my choices, and ones I forgot…

16 November 1991

vs.

Ole Miss 25 • Tennessee 36

Neyland Stadium

You might wonder why this game made my all-time favorites list, however, in my life as a Tennessee fan, this is where it all began.

I have been a Tennessee fan, to some degree, my entire life. My Mom grew up in East Tennessee, and went to school at UT. Thus, I had been aware of that “orange school” over the mountains from my childhood home in Western North Carolina since I was old enough to be aware of much of anything. That said, in those pre-Heath Shuler days, Western North Carolina was still largely dominated by fans of the Tarheads and other members of the ACC. Thus, my exposure to all that is Tennessee was somewhat limited.

Then, in 1991, my Father had been given three tickets to the game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Tennessee Volunteers by a friend who worked the sideline chain-gang and who — in normal life — worked for a vendor supplying the hospital where my Father worked. It just so happened that we were already planning to visit my Grandmother in Norris, Tennessee that same weekend. Thus, my Dad convinced my Mother that the three of us should go catch the game. Whether this arose because he wanted to see the game, because he wanted to broaden my viewpoint on sports, or just because he didn’t feel like listening to my Mother and Grandmother argue all weekend is open to discussion. Either way, this was to be an auspicious day in the history of my life.

I had been on campus before, but surprisingly, I really had little recollection of the stadium, and amazingly forgot where it was even located. That changed…

Neyland Stadium circa. 1991

We arrived early, and my Dad’s chain-gang friend managed to get us on the field for pre-game warm-ups. This was the first time I’d ever been on the field at any major college sporting event. Standing down on the field the only thing that went through my mind was “This stadium is friggin’ huge!” Now, mind you, this was almost a generation ago, and the stadium looked different than it does now. There was only one pressbox, the field was Tartan Turf as opposed to grass, the North endzone didn’t have an upperdeck, The Vols bench was on the west sidelines, and the scoreboards were … well … less than impressive. Still, the sheer scope and size of the space, wrapped around “the greensward of Shields Watkins Field” (as John Ward would always say) was formidable.

The Kickin’ Scoreboards of 1991

Thus, despite being well into my teenage angst years, I was pretty impressed. I was even more impressed when two Tennessee defenders (whose names I never actually caught) began doing a little hitting practice right in front of me. The “crack” from the impact was much louder at a distance of six feet than it was on television.

From there we exited the Northeast portal of Neyland Stadium and made our way back around to the front. Ticket in hand, I entered the real Gate 21 for the very first time in my life. We took our seats and the rest is history. The only thing I actually remember about the game itself was that Tennessee recorded a safety in the first half and that they beat Ole Miss far more soundly than the score reflected.

My memories about that first game in Neyland Stadium are not so much about the game as they are about the “experience” of the game. That game still resonates with me to this day. I remember being taken aback by all of the orange, I remember watching pre-game and the opening of the “T“, I remember just being overwhelmed with the size of this event called “gameday.“

I was hooked…

If she were honest, however, my Mother would probably have to say that was her least favorite game, because she wanted me to go to Emory University, and on that Fall afternoon in 1991 I pretty much made up my mind about where I would be going to college. The die was cast, and I was bound to be a Volunteer.

In the 17 years since that Ole Miss vs. Tennessee game in 1991, I have attended 107 more Tennessee football games in person and I am sure there are many more to come…

…be that as it may, that first one is still special in my book.

– Go Figure …

Scoreboard Image Courtesy of: The VIB

Well, the Tarheads of North Carolina were soundly defeated by the Kansas Jayhawks last night … so much for all the talking heads that were prepared to crown the “Fightin’ Smurfs” the national champions so prematurely.

Thus, we are left with the aforementioned Kansas Jayhawks, and the Memphis Tigers. This one should actually be quite interesting.

First, there is the run-and-gun style of Memphis. Obviously, Tennessee saw what Memphis brings to the Court back in February, and proved that the Tigers are beatable …

… but not easily.

The Tarheads made it clear on Saturday night that Kansas, in fact, is as good as everyone says when it comes to defense … or that the Tarheads were sorely overrated. I’m going with the first choice.

Thus, we have a potential collision of two great teams for a national championship — one which most people didn’t necessarily anticipate.

Once again, all of this goes to show what the talking heads actually know.

So who is going to win? Well, I know that statisticians believe that you can truly break a game like this down to a bunch of numbers, and those mythical tea leaves will tell you with a fair amount of certainty who is likely to win, in a given situation. I will be the first to admit that I most certainly do not have a mind for statistics. One of the primary reasons that I am a shyster (lawyer) is because I cannot reliably complete the most basic mathematical computations.

I am an utter moron when it comes to numbers…

That said, I do respect “the numbers” and their ability to help shape our predictions and perceptions of various teams. Though I am often at a loss to explain the methodology by which they are computed, I am sincerely in awe of the analyses that great statistics gurus can produce. A great example of that is pretty much anything you find over at the BruceBall Blog. With the game coming up between the Jayhawks and the Tigers, however, I am a little less convinced that any statistical analysis can truly predict what we will see when the teams actually meet. This is not because I doubt the statisticians, au contraire, I believe that this game will be as methodically and precisely broken down as probably any other game this season. All of the brains of the sports world will calculate and quantify every facet of the game that they possibly can.

The only problem with statistical analysis is that you cannot quantify heart …

By the time a team reaches the finals of the NCAA Tournament, there really can be little question that they are really good. It is true that a team can be lucky, but you cannot be that lucky for that long — at least I don’t believe you can. I am sure there are ways of calculating how likely every shot might fall, but the fact remains that both of these teams are fine basketball teams, and have successfully proven that they deserve to be in the championship game. They have proven that they both possess the ability to win in difficult situations, they have the ability to rise to the occasion under pressure, that they are focused enough to fight to the end…

Thus, in my non-statistical mind, the ultimate determining factor in a game such as this is which team has the most heart. Everyone know that Memphis is a lousy free-throw shooting team — no question about it. In the game versus the UCLA Bruins, however, Memphis hardly seemed to miss a free-throw, especially in the second-half. In the end, the Tigers simply played harder, and wanted it more badly than UCLA. They had more heart when it came down to the end.

The same is true of Kansas. When the Tarheads came roaring back in the second-half and cut the lead to 5, it looked like Kansas was going to flame-out. Instead, the Jayhawks looked inside themselves, dug deep, and managed to find a way to stretch it back out.

I think that sort of thing is precisely what will be the final deciding factor in the game between these two teams in San Antonio on Monday.

All season long, I wrote of the heart that the BasketVols showed. I wrote about that not just because I lack the ability to make any other cogent statements on the fortunes of my favorite team, but because I felt it was the most important asset that the Vols had as a team. I think that same is true for the teams that will battle for the championship on Monday night.

So, Memphis, Kansas, which one of you wants it more?

I have no idea what the answer to that question might actually be. Either way, it is guaranteed to be a great game, and whichever team wins, there is no question that they have earned it.

– Go Figure …

Well, I’m not going to pretend that I am happy with the result of the BasketVols‘ game against the Louisville Cardinals, no one likes losing … but I am so happy with this season that I can hardly contain myself.

I would have loved to see the BasketVols advance to the Elite 8 and set one more team record, by advancing farther in the NCAA Tournament than any other Tennessee team. I would have loved to have seen the Vols have a shot at making the Final Four, but it just wasn’t in the the cards. Still, I am so amazingly proud of this team and what they accomplished this year.

As odd as it sounds, I am so happy that, finally, Tennessee fans have earned the right to be disappointed that basketball season is over …

In years past, when the Mens basketball season ended, there was little to be disappointed with. If (and that is a huge “if”) Tennessee had made the NCAA Tournament, the Tennessee faithful had no reason to be disappointed — in years past, just getting there was all that was ever expected. You can only be disappointed if you expect more. You don’t get disappointed, unless you care. Now, for the first time in my entire lifetime, all of Orange Nation cares.

This year was very special for the Tennessee Basketball program, it was a coming out party of sorts. For the first time since Coach Mears walked the sidelines in Stokely Athletic Center, Tennessee fans had a lot of reasons to get excited, and for the first time Tennessee “belonged” at the forefront of the world of college basketball. As long as Bruce Pearl is coaching the Vols, I think they will continue to “belong.“

In the end, tonight’s game against Louisville was far from the best game that the Vols have played this year. Early fouls for Wayne Chism, inconsistent play at point guard, the inability to beat the press, and a lack of offensive rhythm, and a long list of other things really killed the Vols down the stretch. None of that really matters now. The only thing that matters now is what did the season represent?

Progress…

This year the BasketVols end the season at 31-5, better than any other team in the history of the University of Tennessee. After more than 40 years, the outright SEC Championship belongs to the Vols. Tennessee both beat the No. 1 team in the country, and earned the right to be the No. 1 team in the country. For the first time since the 1970’s, Tennessee filled its arena for every game. The list goes on.

A few years back, none of this was possible…

Tonight was an end of sorts. Three fabulous young men: Jordan Howell, Chris Lofton, and JaJuan Smith young men I am proud to say represented my alma mater, played their final games for Tennessee. To each of them, we owe our thanks. Good luck gentlemen, and Godspeed …

Tonight also represented the final sentence in this 2007-08 chapter of the basketball program. With that, the most remarkable season in Tennessee Mens Basketball history comes to a close.

Ultimately, however, the loss to Louisville does not represent an end, but rather a beginning. Three years ago, Tennessee was mired in the throes of perpetual mediocrity. Now, the future looks bright. In just three short years, Tennessee has come so far under Coach Pearl’s leadership. Tennessee is now — legitimately — a basketball school. Tennessee took huge strides this year, and next year they will take some more. No matter what happens in the future, I know I will always look back and say that it all truly started here, in 2007-08.

In the end, a win against Louisville in Charlotte would have helped the BasketVols take one more step forward, but the loss isn’t a step backward. Coach Pearl summed it up best when he recounted to Bob Kesling what he told the players after the game: “Tonight could have added to this season, but in no way did it detract from it.“

Now there has been a great deal of discussion swirling about whether Indiana or some other suitor will come calling to try and pry Bruce Pearl away from Tennessee. I have refrained from writing on that until now, because there were more important things at hand. I plan on covering it a bit more in the future, but for now all I can say is that I hope Bruce Pearl remains in Knoxville for a very, very, long time to come. I personally have never believed in a coach in any sport more than I believe in Bruce Pearl — and if I feel that way, I can’t imagine how much the BasketVols believe in him.

To the BasketVols I send my sincerest thanks — you all were great this year, and I hope it was as rewarding for you as it was for all of the members of the Orange Nation. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you, for all your effort and work.

This team made basketball fun again….

As for Louisville, they will go on to play the Tarheads in the Elite Eight. They played tenaciously tonight, and I wish them all the best as they advance in the tournament. Though I’m disappointed that the Cardinals beat the Vols, Rick Pitino and his Louisville squad can make up to me by beating the Tarheads by 80 — no, let’s make it 90 — on Saturday.

In closing, all I can say is that despite the fact I started this blog as a “football” blog, this season has changed that. Thus, while I haven’t quite figured out what I’m going to do yet, no longer will this blog be about “Life, the Universe, and College Football” with only the add-on of “Plus Basketball” it’s time that my little corner of the Tennessee and SEC sports world recognize that the Tennessee Volunteers aren’t just about football, and give credit to Coach Pearl’s program. For now, I’ve adopted the new byline of “Life, the Universe, and the Bounce of the Ball“…

I welcome any suggestions or thoughts from the blogosphere for a “revised” byline.

There is no question that I hate to lose as much as the next alum or fan, and I am disappointed, so very disappointed to see it all end. Yet, after what I have seen from Coach Pearl and this team — all the promise for the future, all the fun of this season, all the excitement of actually being a contender in the NCAA Tournament — I can honestly say, when it comes to sports …

… this is the happiest I’ve ever been to be disappointed.

– Go Figure …

Update: 28 March

Here are a few other thoughts on the game worth reading:

• Standing O for the Tennessee Volunteers – Rocky Top Talk
  
• Louisville 79, Tennessee 60 – The Bruce Ball Blog
• Crapola — Fulmer’s Belly
• A Look Back at Last Night – Third Saturday in Blogtober
• Louisville Ends Volunteers Season — World According to MoonDog
• A Picture Tells the Whole Story — Pigskin Pathos
  

Okay, I admit it — this is a completely irrational rant, but I can’t help it. If any of you SEC fans out there happen to live in the heart of another conference’s “territory” then you may understand. Either way, I am unapologetic about this little rant…

I live in Raleigh, North Carolina, which is generally a really great place to live — except when it comes to college sports. My house and office are about 5 miles from NC State University. Considering how shitty the Wolfpack generally is in pretty much every sport other than Tiddly-Winks, that isn’t so bad. Widen the arc just a bit more, however, and things get decidedly more annoying. Dook (a/k/a Duke) is about 15 miles up the road, and Tarhead State (a/k/a UNC) is about 9 miles beyond that.

I live in the bowels of ACC Country…

Now, during football season, things aren’t all that bad — basketball season (especially the month of March), however, is a different matter.

There are few things that I dislike more than Tarhead fans. The self-righteous “Whine & Cheese” Smurfs of Chapel Hill have to be some of the most annoying fans in the sports world. Of course, the UNC crowd would claim this is unfair — they would argue that the Dookies are worse. In some ways they might be right — the Dookies are terribly obnoxious, arrogant, elitist, and (on the whole) annoying fans — the key point, however, is that the Dook fans acknowledge that they are this way and, in fact often wear that fact as a badge of honor. UNC fans, on the other hand are generally so elitist that they refuse to acknowledge their elitism.

Duke may be the “University of New Jersey at Durham,” their fans annoying as hell, and a former employer of Steve Spurrier, but I’d still take them over the Tarheads any day — after all, they hired David Cutcliffe…

Oh yeah, did I mention that I am an alum of both the University of Tennessee and the University of North Carolina — UNC School of Law, Class of 2001…

This is not to tout my resume (like anyone would care…), but rather to point out that I have earned my bitching license. UNC is a great school, and I got a fine education there, but I hate the Tarhead fans. I am just so tired of hearing all the Tarhead talk and all the “ACC is the King” crap that I am about to puke…

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Ahh, the Joys of the NCAA Tournament Selection Process…

A few links worth looking at from across the blogosphere…

• A great discussion on the competition ala Print Media vs. Bloggers – World According to MoonDog
• An open letter to Ashley Alexandra “Kristen” Dupre and a Little Celebration at the Dawgs winning the SEC Tournament – Hey Jenny Slater
• Pat Summitt loves putting the screws to Geno Auriema for using ESPN’s front-office as a recruiting tool – ESPN (HT to Loser With Socks)
• A bevy of thoughts from the monkey house on the NCAA Bracket and Tennessee’s fortunes: The Bruce Ball Blog Part 1 & Part Deux, Spirit of the Hill, Rocky Top Talk, Fulmer’s Belly, Third Saturday in Blogtober, The Power T, The Tennessean, and GoVolsXtra” target=”_blank”>everyone GoVolsXtra could find

In the unlikely event that anyone cares, here’s my bracket (at least the one I’m claiming publicly, that is):

Yeah, yeah, go ahead and laugh it up…

• A podcast on getting to know the American University Eagles – Rocky Top Talk
• An addictive time waster on learning how not to fly a helicopter – Fulmer’s Belly
• Awww, Florida has to go to the NIT – Orange and Blue Hue
• WVU’s Noel Devine claims that his misdemeanor battery is a mistake (it wasn’t him, it was the one-armed man) — Wizard of Odds
• Something Reeks in Ann Arbor – Get the Picture
• A Little Saint Patrick’s Day Wish for You All – Kissing Suzy Kolber
• Why some people think that Bob Costas is a Douchebag – Epic Carnival
• Ahh yes, the joys of Rivalry, Buckeyes Rejoice at the Emasculation of Mee-shee-gun – Eleven Warriors
• Another Reason to Love CraigsList: “To the Guy Doing My Wife…” – CraigsList (HT Deuce of Davenport)
• A real find … The Application for Admission to Duke’s Flopping Camp – Brahsome

• And finally, A few ESPN highlights of everyone’s favorite grandpa, Bobby Knight – Awful Announcing

For more Bobby Knight clips, check out Gate 21’s videos over on the right sidebar… (yeah, that’s right, over there >>>>)

– Go Figure …

Image Courtesy of: LOL Jocks

Well, once again I have added to the conversation over at Rocky Top Talk. This time a little look into how Tennessee values Bruce Pearl, as compared to other coaches — including it’s own.

While not as acerbic as my usual posts, this one was tough — and (cringe) actually resembles a real report by a real journalist. I actually had to do some research and find sources and things. I hate it when I can’t just make baseless allegations grounded on nothing more than the empty space between my ears. What is the world coming to?

Anyway, if you feel like giving it a look, just click the following link: How Much is Winning Worth?.

At any rate, I should be back on Gate 21 full time sometime in the near future (not that anyone cares).

– Go Figure …