Rocky Top Beat: Vols enter March Madness with a vengeance

March 8, 2012

Rocky Top Beat: Vols enter March Madness with a vengeance

By Frank Gale Chronicle correspondent The Crossville Chronicle Thu Mar 08, 2012, 01:09 PM CST

CROSSVILLE — Volunteer fans finally have something to feel good about. Both the Lady Vols and the Vols finished the season strong and roared into "March Madness" with a vengeance. After suffering through a disappointing football season, it surely was a welcome relief.

Hanging another banner

The Lady Vols will be hanging their 16th SEC tournament championship banner at Thompson Boling Arena thanks to their dominating performance last weekend in Nashville.

On their way to the championship, the Lady Vols were able to avenge two of their regular season setbacks.

Celebrating the Lady Vols win over Vanderbilt on Saturday certainly was worth the price of admission for those wearing orange, but watching Pat Summitt cutting down the nets on Sunday — priceless!

The Lady Vols are undefeated since they have been starting their five seniors. Now they will have to wait until this Monday night to find out their seeding and destination for the next game. After taking over Nashville last weekend, I am sure the Lady Vols faithful are packed and ready to travel to wherever that destination might be.

The Vols a bubble team?

Cuonzo Martin has taken this team from oblivion to second place in the SEC. He has managed to make the Vols relevant again not only in the SEC but also outside of the conference. Out working opponents and adding Jarnell Stokes to the rotation in January helped the Vols turn their season around.

Finishing the regular season in the top four in the SEC gave the Vols a bye in the SEC Conference Tournament yesterday. They will play their first game tonight at 6:30 CT against the winner of the Auburn/Ole Miss game. The Vols will likely need to win at least one or two more games to have a chance for a NCAA Tournament bid. Still, the fact they are even included in the post season conversation at any level after a disappointing start to their season is just short of amazing.

Calipari gives props to Vols

The Vols needed a little help to finish second in the regular season standings. That help arrived last Sunday when Kentucky went to Florida and left with a victory. During the post game interview, Coach John Calipari reminded the television audience that Tennessee is a tournament quality team. It was a class move by the person that edged Coach Martin out as SEC Coach of the Year.

Defense first

The Vols have won games the second half of the season against teams with more talent because of their commitment to defense. That suffocating defense is the reason that the Vols will be a tough out in this post season.

The Vols a "Cinderella" team?

The Vols destination after the SEC Tournament will not be decided until Monday evening after the NCAA Tournament teams are announced. There could even be another home game on the horizon for the Vols if they slip to the NIT. Fortunately, the Vols can still help their post season resume and that all starts tonight in New Orleans. Even with a few more wins, the Vols will need some help to get an at-large bid to the “big dance."

Remember, when a “Cinderella team” cuts down the nets in a conference championship game this weekend, it could decrease the available number of at-large bids. That alone could ultimately keep the Vols from making the NCAA Tournament field of 68.

Peaking at the right time

The Lady Vols and the Vols have both been part of dramatic turnarounds this season. It is always exciting on Rocky Top when a team peaks at the end of the season. With one program adjusting to a season full of adversity and the other exceeding expectations, this has already been a special season. Could March hold more special moments for the Big Orange Nation or even another banner to be hung? Go Vols and Lady Vols!

(Frank Gale is a Chronicle correspondent and his column appears regularly.)

Text Only

Sports Columns

ROCKY TOP BEAT: Former Vols sacrificed for their country
Fans that attend football games at Neyland Stadium have probably noticed the newest addition to the retired jerseys, No. 45. Of course that was Johnny Majors’ number and he joined seven other honored players with retired jerseys on the facade between the upper deck and the lower deck this past season.

May 23, 2013
Tennessee Orange/White game is in the books
The 2013 Orange/White Game is in the books and for now, the immediate hopes and dreams of Team 117 could rest on an improved defense. It is also going to depend on offensive players that either missed the game with injuries or are not yet on campus.

April 25, 2013
Rowan adds PrepXtra award to his 2013 honors
Stone Memorial senior Brock Rowan added to a growing list of honors Thursday, as he was named to the PrepXtra Boys First Team by the Knoxville NewsSentinel.

April 25, 2013
ROCKY TOP BEAT: UT Orange and White game kicks off Saturday
I can’t believe the Orange-White Game has arrived already. Tomorrow, Neyland Stadium will be the site for what has been an annual rite of spring for the Vol Nation. Fans will get their first glimpse of the new coaching staff and the players that will give their all for Tennessee in the fall.

April 18, 2013
Rocky Top Beat: Lady Vols extends NCAA home court record to 52-0
The Lady Vols ran their record in NCAA Tournament games played at Knoxville to 52-0 this past week after winning their two opening round games. Oklahoma City is the next stop, where the Lady Vols will play Oklahoma University on Sunday at 3:35 p.m. CDT on ESPN 2.

March 28, 2013 1 Photo
It is sweet 16 for March Madness
March Madness has entered the round of 16 or Sweet 16 as many refer to it, and "how sweet it is" to have a couple of "Cinderella" teams on both sides of the ball.
The Florida Gulf Coast University Golden Eagles and the Delaware Blue Hens have moved into the "Sweet 16" round of both the men's and women's tournaments this weekend.

March 28, 2013
All in the Game: Are the ladies taking over some sports?
Though the female kicker didn't do well at all at the NFL combine, she at least did get the opportunity to try out. Danica Patrick did win the pole at the Daytona 500 and also finished well in the event. Is she going to be a factor in the Sprint Cup series or was the Daytona performance just a fluke? Some think that it was somewhat staged to help promote NASCAR, which has staggered a little in their ratings.

March 7, 2013
Oh Good Greif: Spring sports dodging bad weather to prepare for the season
"It's beginning to look a lot like...." You know the rest of it, but that came to my mind Wednesday as the snow fell, forcing schools to be closed for another day. This puts a damper on spring sports practices, as the regular seasons for baseball, softball, tennis, boys soccer and track and field begin next week.

March 7, 2013
Rocky Top Beat: Vols, Lady Vols waiting for selection weekend
The Lady Vols and the Vols both failed to win on the road last weekend. The men almost suffered a fatal blow to their NCAA Tournament hopes with their second loss to Georgia but, with a weak tournament field this year, they lived to fight a while longer.

March 7, 2013
ROCKY TOP BEAT: Only 267 days until Vanderbilt-Tennessee game
It was nice to have Jim Butler back “in the game" again last week. I can’t imagine anyone being more devoted to the Commodores, no matter how misguided that loyalty turns out most of the time. Now, with one successful football campaign in the books, the stakes are sure to rise this fall in regards to that Big Orange rivalry.

February 28, 2013
More Sports Columns Headlines

Sports Columns

Search Results

Rocky Top Beat: Vols enter March Madness with a vengeance

Site Map

Contact Us