Really proud of the guys and coaches and super thankful for this year.

[ClockworkOrange]

For the first time ever, I got the chance to sit courtside in TBA with my father, and it was the Alabama game to boot. Dad is 86 years old, a lifelong Tennessee fan, and had a scary bout with pneumonia in late January that had us all holding our breath for a while. He is tough as nails and recovered. Can't put a price on watching that game together, witnessing the players' grit and Mashack dropping that bomb as the clock went off. An unforgettable experience that we might never be able to repeat.

My wife used to play a lot of sports and is incredibly competitive. She gets really emotional watching games, screaming advice at the players, "why is he letting him back him down like that!" "CUT OFF THE BASELINE!" etc. And I try to do my best to reel her back in a little, saying you watch these guys up close and see the heart they put into it, the skill, the endless banging, the incredible speed. And during the Florida game I asked her, which one of our guys would start for UF? Heck, I'm not sure how many starters we could put on any of the top handful of teams. It's unbelievable what Rick has gotten out of these players. Sure, I'm always wanting more, just like everybody else. But it's been a hell of a ride and I've never been more ready to keep it rolling. GO BIG ORANGE.

 

[OrangeInKy]

That’s awesome, and great perspective. I often think about how fortunate we are to enjoy a basketball program(athletic department entirely actually) right now. I didn’t savor it in the 80’s and 90’s when we were prospering in football so I make sure to check myself often and not get bogged down with the negative(losses,etc) and enjoy the ride. I’m especially grateful for the Barnes era. The winning, the culture, all of it. These last few years have been precious. I hope we can keep it going. My first bball game was late 80’s and I fell in love with it watching Dyron Nix soar. Those older than myself have seen much more than I have, but I’ve sat in that place during the Houston, KO, Green, (all the other) eras and seeing the lean times make these times so sweet. Im gonna keep soaking it in and being proud of the coaches and players. Couldn’t be happier with how they are representing.
I'm so glad that you and your Dad had that experience together.

 

[livefaith]

For the first time ever, I got the chance to sit courtside in TBA with my father, and it was the Alabama game to boot. Dad is 86 years old, a lifelong Tennessee fan, and had a scary bout with pneumonia in late January that had us all holding our breath for a while. He is tough as nails and recovered. Can't put a price on watching that game together, witnessing the players' grit and Mashack dropping that bomb as the clock went off. An unforgettable experience that we might never be able to repeat.

My wife used to play a lot of sports and is incredibly competitive. She gets really emotional watching games, screaming advice at the players, "why is he letting him back him down like that!" "CUT OFF THE BASELINE!" etc. And I try to do my best to reel her back in a little, saying you watch these guys up close and see the heart they put into it, the skill, the endless banging, the incredible speed. And during the Florida game I asked her, which one of our guys would start for UF? Heck, I'm not sure how many starters we could put on any of the top handful of teams. It's unbelievable what Rick has gotten out of these players. Sure, I'm always wanting more, just like everybody else. But it's been a hell of a ride and I've never been more ready to keep it rolling. GO BIG ORANGE.

Congratulations to a phenomenal memory with your father. You are a very wealthy man!

And to the part @ Barnes. It's utterly unbelievable that we literally have 1 player on the entire team that even gets a look by NBA brass. ONE! Then you Go and look at how many Vols are in the league and how many are dominating. Few, very few. This guy is a master at court coaching. If he could just land some of these recruiting classes like Cal did for 15 years or other elite recruiters out there ... we'd have national championship banners hanging in the grocery store arena.

 

[Tin Man]

Dreaming of electric sheep… and their wool is Orange.

 

[feathersax]

Dreaming of electric sheep… and their wool is Orange.

You might need a mutton-button.

 

[Tin Man]

Mutton? It’s been awhile since I was in Owensboro, KY…