Submitted by Mark Nagi on February 13, 2010 - 6:53pm
I was there... on February 7th, 2006.
Bruce Pearl's Vols were on their way to a 22-8 record, and a first place finish in the SEC's Eastern Division, something that has become a common occurrence now.
But back then, Tennessee fans were still in a state of bliss. A team which had spent four mediocre years under Buzz Peterson, was suddenly in the national rankings.
When Bruce Pearl arrived in Knoxville in 2005, a friend asked me what I thought he'd be able to accomplish in his first season.
I remember telling my friend that Pearl would be lucky to get the Vols into the NIT, considering that they were losing two of their best players in Scooter McFadgon and Brandon Crump. That team didn't even have a .500 record in Buzz Peterson's final year.
Well, I was mistaken. Tennessee won the SEC East, and earned a 2 seed in the NCAA tournament.
To the best of my knowledge, I have never been to Providence, Rhode Island.
I need to ask my Mom for the official word, but I don't recall stopping by this city as a kid, even though I grew up in Albany (NY), which is only 3 hours away.
I flew into Providence this afternoon... the Vols arrive later tonight. Downtown is pretty.
I've been tweeting updates throughout the day, and will add some observations throughout the week. Tennessee's press conference takes place tomorrow at 4:30pm.
By the way, I'm staying in Seekonk, Massachusetts.
Submitted by Mark Nagi on March 16, 2010 - 11:53pm
Remember the scene from Broadcast News? Where the producer makes a sprint thru the newsroom to get a story on the air? That isn't just something that happens in the movies...
On a road trip? Even more challenging.
Tonight I was at the team hotel, waiting for the Vols to arrive here in Providence. The plan was to get a quick interview with Bruce Pearl, feed the story back to WATE-TV6, and call it a day.
Slight problem. An estimated time of Tennessee's arrival of 9:45pm turned into 10:10pm. I had to feed at 10:40pm from the
I was editing a couple of stories when a buzz started filling the video distribution room at the Dunkin's Donuts Center.
Robert Morris wasn't going away...
2 seed Villanova was in big trouble. Down by eight points with less than four minutes to go. I finished editing, and headed inside the gym to watch the end of the game.
Robert Morris fans were loud and proud. Wildcats fans were quiet and nervous. My bracket was about to take a shot to the gut, because I had 'Nova in the Final Four (I know, I'm a buffoon).
Submitted by Mark Nagi on March 20, 2010 - 10:10pm
Three trips to the Sweet 16 in the past four years...
Think Tennessee basketball fans would have taken that deal at the end of the Buzz Peterson era? Me too...
Saturday afternoon in Providence the Vols were much better than Ohio, and the results proved it. Tennessee won 83-68.
The postgame celebration was fairly subdued, perhaps because these guys have been down this road before. Three years ago the Vols were a Greg Oden blocked shot from the Elite 8. Two years ago they were run out of the gym against Louisville in thi
Submitted by Mark Nagi on March 25, 2010 - 11:20pm
For the third time in the past five years, the Vols are in the Sweet 16.
Will the third time be the charm as far as advancing to the Elite 8?
Three years ago Tennessee lost at the buzzer to Ohio State. Two years ago they were blown out by Louisville.
This run to the Sweet 16 has been unexpected, especially after the dismissal of team captain Tyler Smith back in January.
But they have been resilient. A team with only six scholarship players upset top-ranked Kansas. They beat second-ranked Kentucky at the end of the regular season.
