Florida athtletic director Jeremey Foley
is upset that UT fans stormed the floor Saturday night after the big win over Florida.
Ummmm, hello, Mr. Foley? You're Florida. By law, if UT beats you at anything, we are required to storm the field, court, bowling alley, pick-up stick venue, etc. I think it's part of the state law in Tennessee that this is allowed and a fully accepted practice, esp. when our team keeps your team from rising to the status of number one team in the country. Plus, ya know, I've been a UT fan for a long time and we haven't really had a lot to be excited or proud about for a long time when it comes to men's basketball. I know Billy Donnoavan has turned you into perpetual NCAA Tournament contenders who then go on to choke in the first or second round no matter how highly seeded you are, but it's been a while since we even thought about maybe being in the Big Dance (oh heavens, I'm having flashbacks of the North Carolina choke....make it stop, make it stop!)
I do get that UT knew about the potential for this and they did take steps to keep the court from being stormed. But seriously--numbers were on the side of the stormers. And your coach said it was fine and he and his players never felt or were threatened.
But wait, there's more....
"We lost. They won the game," Donovan said. "But I think if Bruce Pearl was down there or if their administration was down there and heard what was going on behind our bench, I can't believe that they would feel good about that."
Yes, because I'm sure all your fans are saints and only wish well upon the visiting team players and fans....
Meanwhile, the Vols have cracked the top 25 for the second time this year. We're 19th in the AP Poll and 20th in the USA Today poll. This development has led to some discussion this morning by Vandy fans on why their team hasn't cracked the top 25. They are quick to point out that they went up to Rupp and beat Kentucky.
To which I say--yes, that was a good win. But you followed it up with a loss at Arkansas and then choking away a game on your home floor to South Carolina. Also, UT's RPI is higher and we've got wins against Texas and Florida on our record. And yes, UT is suddenly the media darling, Cinderella, dark horse story that has captured the attention of the national media. But as a UT fan, I have this nagging feeling of worrying about a letdown--as early as tomorrow night against Mississippi State. I don't want to be doom and gloom, but we can't look past anyone or assume a win any where in this league. I am enjoying the heck out of this season (particularily after football season was so disappointing) but I'm going into every game with catious optimism. I think we can hang with and beat just about anyone but I also think we can lose to anyone.
But back to Vandy--I know it's hard, but I think if you have patience, you'll get there. As I said back when you won over Kentucky, it's what you do with that win. Y'all went out and had two losses--one that you should have won. I say the same thing for UT--it's all about what we do with this Florida win. Too many times in the past we've had a big win only to not have it count for much by losing some games we shouldn't.
posted by Michael Hickerson at 1/24/2006 02:11:00 PM |
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