2 Seed

The media said 11th seed.  The BallerVols say 2 seed.

Finished strong down the stretch.  Cuonzo is a great coach.  The players love him.  I know Calipari's Wildcats went undefeated in the SEC but there is no way that he did a better coaching job than Cuonzo this year.

I am gonna try to make my way down to New Orleans this weekend to catch some of the SEC tournament action.  The Vols play Friday night and then Saturday afternoon (hopefully).  I need to obtain some tickets.  Can anyone help?

This Guy...

Is gonna get it done for the Vols.  Record might not be pretty right now but the Vols have been in every game they have played but one.  I am fired up.  Love this team and coach.

Baller Vols

Just a few quick comments on the Baller Vols season...

I can't believe the Vols season is over.  They were a complete blast for me to watch this year for some reason.  I really loved this team, I'm not sure why.  Maybe because it is the first year that I have been away from UT or something or maybe just the mix of players and of course Bruce.

The season obviously didn't start out great with 'the arrests' on New Years.  After that incident, the complexion of the team completely changed.  It was noticeably obvious that they played differently from that point forward.  Of course, they beat Kansas with four players suspended at the time but from that point on it was all about the leadership.  Wayne, BMaze, and JP clearly became the leaders of the team.

I'm really, really gonna miss those guys, especially Wayne.  He probably surpassed Chris Lofton as my favorite Vol ever.  He gave his all for the TN for four years.  He continued to improve every year and became a beast.  It is probably his personality or the fact that he would fire a three pointer at any point that makes me like him so much.  He put on for TN no doubt.  He basically set the foundation for UT basketball for a long time to come being in Bruce first recruiting class.  I hope he gets drafted by someone and makes an NBA roster.

I really, honestly hate when people say that things look bright for the future.  The sole reason is because it is frustrating to have to wait six months for another season to start.  I could no doubt watch college basketball all year long.  I am excited about the future though.  With the guys that are on the team and the great recruiting class coming in, I can see the Vols having another season comparable to this year if some guys can step up as leaders.  Just wish they could have went a little farther this year with the seniors.  I still can't believe its all over.

And the most exciting thing about the Vols future:  this is our coach and no one else's...

Photo Compliments of Mr. Abe Jacobson

Great, great season.  Can't wait for the next one.

Elite 8

This pictures says it all.......GOING TO THE ELITE 8!!!!

Bruce Pearl and Co., I love you.

BallerVol Sweet 16

Chris Lofton

Video find compliments of Mr. Michael Hemphill

Yep the man is still a stud. Same old three ball stroke I have always remembered.

I tried sifting through the Spanish website to find his stats for the season but I couldn't find anything. It looks like he switched team mid season in the Spanish ACB League. Here are some crazy things I found on Wikipedia (something I actually can read):

2/8/09 - 47pts (13/20 from 3)
4/25/09 - 71pts (20/25 from 3)

That is absolutely rediculous!!! I would love to see him on an NBA team one day.

Hey Kentucky...

Getcha some of that...

That would be a Vols victory over a #1 and a #2 team this year for those of you keeping track.

VOLS

Vols in PMAC

The Vols finally came to my neck of the woods tonight.  Here are some of my observations from the game:

- JP Prince has a pea-sized brain, and thats being generous.  How many times can you foul a guy shooting a three in one year?? Oh and nice FT stroke.
- Scotty Hopson looks crazy smooth in person.  I wish he would take over games.
- Wayne is a stud.  Without a doubt my favorite Vol.
- Melvin Goins looks good.  I think that he is gonna be a stud for the Vols next year.  Glad he didn't get the boot off the team.
- Kenny Hall is soft.  Explosive at times, but soft.
- Woolridge is still terrible.  I got my hopes up on him after that Kansas game but hes no good.  Awful shooting touch.
- There is absolutely no reason for the jewhawk to be in the game.  None.  Enough with your kid Bruce.
- LSU basketball fans are a joke.  The stadium was at about 25% capacity and the majority were students.  Where are all the 160K fans that show up for football?  I guess TBA used to be like that too.  Thank you Bruce Pearl.
- I feel sorry for Tasmin Mitchell.  The kid should have gone pro last year.  He is the only player on the team.  Bo Spencer could be considered legit but only on random nights.
- I sat next to a bunch of guys on the football team.  Behemoths.  Boy do they love dunks.  Doesn't matter which team, they love them.
- There is a girl on the LSU dance team that is shaped like an alien.  No joke.  And another had one of the worst tanning bed sunburns I had ever seen.
- I saw a mom steal a flying t-shirt away from a young kid to give to her own kid.  Yikes.  The t-shirt world is cutthroat.  Watch out.

That is all.  Oh yea, and one more thing:  I LOVE THE VOLS.  Very fun getting to see them again.

Vols 76 Kansas 68

Well I picked a great game to go to for my lone UT Vols game in TBA this year.  What a blast.  I still have no idea how they did it, but they knocked off the #1 team in the country.  Incredible.  I love this new look Vols team, not because they are now a better team than were before the arrests but because they actually care.  They look like they actually want to win and have a passion for playing hard.  From what I saw before the arrests that team chemistry did not exist.  The Vols were not enjoyable at all to watch.  It looked like they were just going threw the motions on the court and didn't play well together .  That has definitely now changed.

Just think about it...the Vols just knocked off the #1 team in the country with 6 scholarship players and 2 walk-ons.  And that doesn't even take into account that Wayne and JP contributed little due to foul trouble. So the Vols played with two proven starters for most of the game and the rest were the 'backups' a week and a half ago.  I love this new team.  I highly doubt that they can play better the entire year without Tyler, BW, Goins, and Tatum but at this point can Bruce bring any of those guys back??  The chemistry is there, the effort is there, and most importantly the heart is now there.  The new look Vols are finally a TEAM and I love it.

MUST SEE:  Post-game Locker Room

BasketVols 2010 Signing Class

The Vols got a huge commit yesterday from Tobias Harris, the #5 rated high school senior in the country.  Bruce Pearl had a huge signing class in the early period.  A recap of the players from Rivals.com and Scout.com:

TOBIAS HARRIS #5 Overall #1 PF    5*
'Still physically developing, Harris has an advanced skill level as a hybrid forward. He handles the ball at a high level and can score it with touch from the outside and also score inside with more of a power game. Best suited to guard a four man, Harris is a difficult match up for opposing four men with his versatile skill set.'

JORDAN MCRAE #42 Overall #9 SG    4*
'Fine wing athlete who can get himself to the paint. Shooting it better than he did as a youngster. Needs to become rock solid from the line. Great body. Sometimes could stand to slow down and let the game develop.'

TRAE GOLDEN #55 Overall #12 SG    4*
'Big time shooter and stud student in the classroom. Known for his ability to knock down jumpers, he wants the ball in his hands at crunchtime. Needs to improve his handle in traffic. Weapon behind the arc and he makes them off the dribble pull as well.'


The signing of Harris yesterday catapulted the Vols to the #4 signing class according to Rivals after the early signing period.  Big time.  Jayvaugh Pinkston was ready to sign and changed his mind at the last second.  Hopefully we will still be able to pull him in the spring.  A commit from Josh Selby AGAIN would also be nice but I'm not sure Bruce Pearl and Co. are going to pursue him a second time.  Big things are ahead for the Vols.  Bruce, you are a stud.

Baller Vols

GBOB. Expecting big things this year. It all starts in about 30 min...LETS GO

SEC Preseason Hoops Ranks

Eastern Division                Points 
Kentucky (23)                   148       
Tennessee (2)                    117       
Vanderbilt                          90         
South Carolina                   77         
Florida                               68         
Georgia                             25         

Western Division              Points
Mississippi State (22)       144
Ole Miss (2)                     120
Alabama                           84
LSU (1)                            70
Arkansas                          63
Auburn                             44

FIRST TEAM ALL-SEC       
Devan Downey, South Carolina
*Patrick Patterson, Kentucky  
Tyler Smith, Tennessee            
Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi State 
Terrico White, Ole Miss              

SECOND TEAM ALL-SEC              
Tasmin Mitchell, LSU                            
A.J. Ogilvy, Vanderbilt                         
DeWayne Reed, Auburn            
John Wall, Kentucky                    
Chris Warren, Ole Miss                     

SEC Player of the Year: Patrick Patterson, Kentucky


The preseason rankings for the SEC came out on Monday and for some reason the Vols got absolutely no love.  Tyler Smith was the only person to make the pre-season All SEC team.  Somehow Wayne Chism, a four year starter, didn't even make second team.  That is completely bogus.  New-flash:  A.J. Ogilvy is not good and Chism dominates him.

Evidentally, everyone is all over Kentucky.  They had a mediocre year last year at 20-13 and this year they are almost unanimously picked to win the east?  I'll take the now experienced Vols team any day of the week.  Also in case people forgot:  Bruce Pearl owns Calipari.   Patterson is a stud but this new John Wall character almost makes first team all SEC without playing a bit of college ball.  Foolish.

Vols are gonna have a solid year.  My preseason prediction:  SEC East champs, SEC Champs, Elite 8 appearance.