In my years of following Vanderbilt men's basketball I really can't recall a game bigger than Tuesday night's tilt with UT. UT is fresh off an impressive win at previously undefeated Memphis. There are a couple things I took away from the game.
1. Memphis wasn't all that great. This loss was really not all that surprising considering the melee that ensued at UAB and the overall mess that is Tiger High basketball. Derek Rose was really the only Tiger that stepped up in my eyes. CDR played well, but didn't dominate like he needed to for the Tigers to win.
2. Tennessee may be the most balanced team in college basketball this year. Admittedly I follow SEC hoops much closer than any other conference, but I image anyone would be hard pressed to present a compelling argument to the contrary. I really thought that for UT to win at Memphis C. Lofton needed to drop at least 20, with a couple dagger-to-the-heart threes in the last couple minutes of the game. Didn't happen. Didn't need to. J.P. (or is it P.J. coach Cal?) Prince came up big, and I'll be damned if Wayne Chism didn't play his tail off (seriously, you gotta call the bank on the three next time). Tyler Smith was probably the key to the game though. He's like a stronger, more athletic Dane Bradshaw. Everyone who's seen UT play this year knew that when T. Smith drove the lane (and was fouled no less than twice in the process in my estimation) he was going to make the shot to put the Vols ahead for good. The kid plays with heart and passion, and that's something fans of all persuasions should be able to appreciate.
The other game I watched Saturday: UGA at VU.
Got to see this one in person. Shan looked like he couldn't miss, and he didn't very often. The frontrunner for SEC POY hit 8 2-point baskets and really asserted himself against an undermanned and undercoached UGA squad. Perhaps more exciting however is the reemergence of Alex "Red" Gordon. Once thought to be struggling from the curse of senior point guards at Vandy (Mario Moore anyone?) Red has really found his stroke as of late and I for one couldn't be more ecstatic. The three-ball is going to make or break Vandy's chances tomorrow night. If we're hitting we can draw UT defenders away from the bucket and hopefully get easy buckets in the paint with A.J. and Ross. Hopefully Metcalfe has recovered from whatever ailment has caused him to play reduced minutes as of late.
I'm personally on edge. Many of my friends at UT are already starting to talk smack. My reply- "We'll talk on Tuesday after the game". I'm quietly confident. It's a winnable game for both teams, we'll just have to see who wants it more. Memorial will be rocking and the bright lights of ESPN will once again shine down on the Music City (worked out well for us last time...ahem). Can't wait till tip off. Here's to a clean, hard-fought, and fairly officiated game.
Go Dores!
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