Forty names, games, teams and minutiae making news in college basketball (orange body paint (1) sold separately):
WHY THE MINUTES LOVES BRUCE, PART XXXVIII
If you saw what we saw -- Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl (2) shirtless and chest-painted in the Volunteers' student section for the Lady Vols' game against No. 1 Duke -- you know why The Minutes cannot get enough of Tennessee's irrepressible Agent Orange. Think about it: What college basketball coach could possibly take himself un-seriously enough to pull a stunt like that? You think Coach K (3) will join the Cameron Crazies for a Blue Devils women's game? How about Roy Williams (4) putting on a powder-blue toga in Chapel Hill? Here's the ultimate visual: Bob Knight (5) getting half-naked in the student section at Texas Tech -- and refraining from punching anyone.
It could happen only in Knoxville. Never graduate, Bruce.
The Minutes acknowledges that Pearl -- whose game-day orange is usually his sport coat, not his skin -- leads the nation in grandstanding. And there's no small amount of vanity involved in this stunt. (Few coaches are in shape enough to go shirtless in front of anyone other than their wives. Pearl is an obvious exception, and proud of it.) But it's great to see a millionaire coach throw himself into the guts of the game: the student spirit and the atmospheric thrill of a big game.
Just do The Minutes one favor, Bruce: Don't put on the Borat (6) thong bathing suit in public. Ever.