Bruce Pearl is everywhere. After being at Tennessee for 3 seasons, we all know this about him. We expect it. He is always quick with great stories and clever one-liners that keep us all entertained and begging for more.

Junior College point guard Bobby Maze has verbally committed to play basketball at Tennessee next season. This comes after Ramar Smith and Duke Crews were dismissed from the team just last week.

Last week, as you could probably tell, I was a little perturbed at the prospect of having to go thru another off season wondering what will come of our beloved football team this upcoming season. That didn’t get any better when I listened to resident experts Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstriet call us a “non factor” for the 2008 SEC East race.

I don’t believe it comes as a huge surprise to anyone but the VolNation can breathe a bit easier as Tyler Smith has officially announced that he will return to Tennessee for his junior season.

After beating Florida 89-86 on Wednesday night, Bruce Pearl said it best when he reminded everyone that we are champions and fans should take the time to enjoy and appreciate what this team has accomplished. After all, these ‘outright’ championships don’t come around often. It’s been 41 years since the last one and you can never count on the next one coming any time soon.

Tennessee will try to continue their winning ways at Thompson Boling Arena tonight as they welcome the Ole Miss Rebels to town for the SEC conference opener for each team. Home games have been rare in Knoxville as of late. Tonight’s 8pm tipoff marks only the second home game for the Vols in the past 39 days.

Bruce Pearl continues to get the job done. Today, West Hollywood, California prospect Renaldo Woolridge announced that he would wear Tennessee orange in 2008.

I like to pass along a few tidbits from the day that stand out to me as newsworthy. Feel free to add your thoughts by clicking on “comments”.

I know, it’s football season but I thought the basketball team heading off to Europe was news worthy. Here are coach Pearl’s comments before heading out.

Tennessee released the official 2007-2008 full basketball schedule today. I know some had been waiting for this all week so I thought I would go ahead and post it.