CROSSVILLE —
March Madness finally arrived and, for the Vols, it has not been kind. First, UT failed to control their own fate when they were bounced in the SEC quarter finals with an uninspired performance against Alabama.
Next, Mississippi’s run in the SEC Tournament sealed the Vol’s fate when the Rebels downed Florida in the finals. So, Ole Miss went off to the NCAA Tournament with their horrific strength of schedule resume and the Vols were banished to the NIT.
The Vols rewarded their loyal fans with the unthinkable by getting ousted on their home court in the first round of the NIT. They resembled the dysfunctional team we have seen too many times this season. Simply, they did not bring their best game to the floor Wednesday and were beaten by an inspired lesser opponent, Mercer. At least Kentucky was eliminated on the road!
This turned out to be another disappointing post-season for the Vols. It was even harder to accept after the Vols appeared to be on the right track at the end of the regular season. Cuonzo Martin has a lot of work to do before next year if he wants to turn this around.
The disappointment for the Volunteer Nation was not over yet. The Lady Vols won the SEC regular season, but a loss to eventual SEC Tournament Champion Texas A&M got them a number two seed in a region with No. 1 Baylor for the second consecutive year.
The seeding for the Lady Vols will almost assure that they will need a miracle to make the Final Four this year — not a great reward for the SEC Coach of the Year Holly Warlick and her over-achieving championship team.
The Lady Vols only need to survive and advance for now.
First, they need to take care of business on their home court against Oral Roberts tomorrow. Win and they will play either Creighton or Syracuse Monday night.
The football team is learning what it means to play for Butch Jones and just how demanding it can be. So far, Coach Jones and his staff have said and done all the right things to inject needed optimism in the Big Orange Nation. The early commitments for the 2014 class will not diminish those feelings, especially with a five-star running back part of those that will don the orange in the future.
Jim Butler might want to take note that the Commodore’s will not see the same caliber of team with Coach Jones at the helm. I rather expect half-hearted efforts by some Vols are a thing of the past. The attitude we are seeing this spring could also lead to a few more wins this coming fall. Certainly, Tennessee fans are ready for things to turn around on Rocky Top.
This week has already seen some crazy upsets. So, enjoy the buzzer beaters and watch your picks in the office pool disappear one by one (at least that is usually my experience). Maybe next year, the Big Orange Nation will actually have a representative in the Big Dance. Go Vols and Lady Vols!
(Frank Gale is a Chronicle correspondent and his column appears regularly.)
Area Sports
Rocky Top Beat: March Madness not kind to the Vols
- Area Sports
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Harris wins Region 2A/AA singles tennis gold medal
Stone Memorial sophomore Ali Harris won the Region 2A/AA tennis singles championship Tuesday at Pigeon Forge High School to earn her a second-straight berth in next week's state meet in Murfreesboro at MTSU.
Harris defeated Chesnie Nichols of Carter High School in the first round of the tournament in straight sets 6-0, 6-0, according to SMHS coach Ray Hawn. -
Hospice of Cumberland County real winner in 22nd annual tournament
The 22nd Hospice Benefit Golf Tournament was played May 8 at Lake Tansi Golf Course. The golfers gathered at the Lake Tansi pavilion for a delicious lunch from Big Boy’s Barbeque. The full field of 33 teams took to the course with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.
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CCHS runners qualify for state meet
Several members of the Cumberland County High School track team have qualified for the state meet next week in Murfreesboro at Middle Tennessee State University.
- Lady Jets soccer begins practice June 3
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Record field enjoys nice weather in Senior Open
What a difference a year makes for the Tennessee State Senior Men's Open at Stonehenge Golf Club. Last year, rain washed out the tournament after 18 holes making co-champions out of Harry Taylor and Danny Green, but a record 143 players for this event were greeted with sunny, breezy skies and some early morning frost Monday for the opening round of the tournament.
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Cumberland County stroke play championship tees off June 29-30
On June 29-30, Heatherhurst Golf Club and the city of Crossville will host the Cumberland County stroke play championship on The Brae Course at Heatherhurst Golf Club.
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Lady Panther softball team ends season
The Stone Memorial Lady Panther softball team finished second in the District 4AA Tournament last week at Alcoa and ended the season Monday night, losing to Knox Gibbs 15-0 in the Region 2AA Tournament.
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Three earn Bo Patton CRYSA Scholarships
Crossville Recreational Youth Soccer Association is proud to announce its Bo Patton Memorial Scholarship Awards. This is the ninth year of awarding scholarships to the local soccer scholars.
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5K Race to the Plate held Saturday
Runners and walkers pounded the pavement on Saturday, May 11 in the first 5K Race to the Plate hosted by the CCHS Jets Baseball team and booster club.
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Harris, Yoder, Brown qualify for regional tennis tourney
The District 4A/AA Tennis Tournament was hosted and directed by Stone Memorial High School Coach Ray Hawn May 6-7, but the first day of tournament began at the indoor courts of the Fairfield Glade Tennis Center after a three-hour delay and returned to the SMHS courts later in the afternoon to complete the first round of matches.
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