HoopNotes: The Cats and the King

#1
orange+white=heaven

orange+white=heaven

VN GURU
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#1
Nights like this one just don't come along very often.
I won't be at the Tommy, but I'm wearing my bright orange power "T" hat right now at work and 7pm can't get here fast enough...

When they say Tennesse Tradition, this is the stuff they're talking about.

Some notes....

tfpOnline:The King Is Coming
This ceremony for Volunteers great Bernard King was literally decades in the making, but finalized recently. King was asked what would be a good game to return after nearly 30 years apart from Tennessee basketball.

“He said, ‘When do you play Kentucky ?’” UT coach Bruce Pearl said.
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nothing rallies the troops like a visit from the Wildcats.

“Kentucky is still the benchmark program in the SEC,” Pearl said. “I’m trying to create a rivalry. You can’t have a rivalry if you can’t beat them every now and then and be competitive with them.”
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As for King, he didn’t come back after all these years to sit quietly. He will address Tennessee’s team prior to the 7 p.m. tipoff. During Monday’s video session, Pearl slipped in a small clip from King’s playing days to surprise his players expecting video of the Wildcats.

“I want them to see him in his Tennessee uniform and his (New York) Knicks uniform,” Pearl said. “I want them to know who he is and what he did. ... He was Michael Jordan. It just sort of happened before its time.”
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Said Vols leading scorer Chris Lofton: “We’ve heard so much about him. We’re just happy to finally get to meet him.”

Pearl has attempted to bring King back to campus since arriving at UT before last season. There is, however, one aspect bothering Pearl: “He’s got no eligibility left.”
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Something must give tonight. The Vols are 13-0 at Thompson-Boling Arena this season, including an 84-57 spanking of Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Wildcats have won their past four visits to UT and 10 of the last 11 series meetings.
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“We played well here against Tennessee,” Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said, “but they didn’t have Chris Lofton.”

The Vols have won two straight since Lofton returned from a sprained ankle.

Pearl placed the health of his injured star at “80 percent,” yet Lofton will start and could play at least 30 minutes against Kentucky, the school he grew up cheering for in Maysville, Ky. It’s been often repeated that the Wildcats didn’t recruit him.
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“Fortunately we’re in a new era now to where most of the stands aren’t packed with blue,” UT forward Dane Bradshaw said. “Any way you put it Kentucky is always just something that brings a little extra out of everybody.”
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Tennessean:Lofton and Kentucky
Lofton said he got over being spurned by Kentucky a long time ago.
"I dealt with that as a freshman and again last year," said Lofton, who wasn't offered a scholarship by the Wildcats despite being the state's Mr. Basketball. "It's over with now."
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"It's time we make a little run," Lofton said. "We just can't be satisfied with where we are now, because we're still not where we want to be yet. We started fading around this time last year. I feel like we can build off the last two wins and take it from here."
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"He's good from anywhere on the court, anywhere in the half-court, basically," Kentucky guard Ramel Bradley said. "We have to get out there and force him to put it on the floor. I think (Patrick Sparks) forced him to make plays on the move. You can't just let him catch and shoot."
Sparks shadowed Lofton in Knoxville last season and limited him to 15 points and nine shots.
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Tubby Smith, perhaps playing a little game of cat and mouse, said the Wildcats may try a little bit of everything on Lofton.
"We will throw a bunch of junk defenses at him — box-and-one, triangle-and-two, we're going to do it all," said Smith, whose Wildcats lead the SEC in field-goal percentage defense (39.1 percent). "You've got to tweak your defense when you play a guy like Chris Lofton. He forces you to, because he's so talented."

Pearl, not to be outdone by Smith, tossed out a subtle reminder to Lofton that he was indeed forgotten about when the Wildcats were making recruiting choices.
In pointing out that Bradley had scored 20 or more points for the Wildcats in his last four games, Pearl added, "Ramel Bradley is the guy that Kentucky took at that guard spot the year the young man from Maysville came out. I think that's right, and Ramel Bradley is a terrific player. I think he's probably heard enough about that decision."
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tfp's Estes...
"Preparation will be tested by pressure. A national television audience and packed house — including the most decorated player in school history — will be on hand to witness the result. This is, after all, Kentucky."


I'm just gonna come right out and say it...
No way we lose this game.

Go Vols!!!
 
#2
#2
Great read. This is why I believe that this young team learning to play without Lofton was a good thing. I don't think they'll panic if he is not getting his shots. Should be a great game!!
 
#3
#3
I think tonight will be all about Lofton often. Remember, UK's not used to Lofton driving to the basket. Let's hope they still think his offense is one dimensional.
 
#4
#4
OWB said:
I think tonight will be all about Lofton often. Remember, UK's not used to Lofton driving to the basket. Let's hope they still think his offense is one dimensional.
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:thumbsup:

The emotion of the evening is going to be overwhelming.
I know the kids still have to get out there and execute, but I wholeheartedly believe they are ready for a moment like this...
 
#5
#5
In order to beat Kentucky, a couple of other guys are going to have to step up. I have a good feeling about Jujuan, he usually shoots well at home. I hope that Chism can pick up where he left off too. He'll have a big job working on Mr. Magic Fax. Everyone else just needs to contribute and Ramar needs to take care of the ball.

AND THEY ALL NEED TO MAKE FOUL SHOTS
 
#6
#6
Maybe an NBA team will sign Mr. Magic Fax / NBA free agent before the game tonight.
 
#7
#7
I am so excited for this game that I can't stand it. 7:00 can't get here soon enough.
 
#10
#10
thanks again owh. you always find a way to get me even more excited (about ut sports that is)
 
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