ThreeStrikesandOut

Bruce is a funny, funny dude. Here he deals with the possible NCAA violations that were involved with the recruitment of his son, Stephen:

More video after the jump, in which he talks about what influenced him as a coach, Dane Bradshaw, and what it’s like to work with coaches Fulmer and Summitt. Little long if you’re not a UT fan, but Pearl is such an entertaining speaker that it’s definitely worth a watch, even though most of the questions are unhearable. I’m not sure where the speech is from, but it apparently took place in Chattanooga: (more…)

Well, he certainly isn’t shy, that’s for sure.

Maze, who is being recruited by Tennessee, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, among others, transferred from Oklahoma, after he and the coaching staff decided that it was be best for him to go elsewhere. Maze was thought committed to the University of Maryland, but re-opened his recruiting, and visited the Vols yesterday. He certainly is very sure of himself, and from what’s on his MySpace pages, one can surmise that Mr. Maze enjoys having a good time.

I know that Maze would help UT, especially with Ramar Smith’s exit from the team, but I’m not sure if Knoxville is ready for Bobby Maze. Not sure if he used the best judgment in the world posting all of this stuff either. View more at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=37402348

CBS Sportsline

Update: Maze has officially committed to UT, and I quote from GoVolsXtra:

“Stevie Wonder could see this is where I needed to be,’’ said Maze, who transferred from Oklahoma to Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College last year. “They’ve called me `The Solution’ here, so you do the equation: what better place could I be?’’

Oh jeez.  I don’t really like the way this is going.  ‘The Solution’ was something that two hacks on local radio called him yesterday, and he’s already heard about it, and is using it.  Ego is a good thing, but this kid has more red flags that a bullring.  Time will tell.

GoVolsXtra

Still not in the mood to rip on anyone today, but with this article I don’t have to. Instead, I’m going to lift one of my guys up a notch. I’ve made no secret on this site of my allegiance to Tennessee, my man-crush on Bruce Pearl, or that Candace Parker is a hottie. Those things being out in the open, this is an outstanding story that anyone (even Memphis and Kentucky fans) should appreciate.

According to GoVolsXtra:

Lofton said he has made a full recover, but acknowledged last spring’s treatment affected his offseason training regimen. His statistics suggest it took him half the season to catch up.

“When I first heard that word, ‘cancer,’ I thought I was going to die,” said Lofton, whose cancer was diagnosed through an NCAA-mandated random drug test following the Vols’ 121-86 victory over Long Beach State on March 16, 2007.

Lofton took alot of flak from alot of places and people this season, because of being a pre-season All-American, and then struggling for most of the year. His shot’s didn’t fall like usual and at times his concentration seemed to lapse. Let me tell you something folks, I live around Knoxville and there was not a hint that something was wrong with Chris, other than maybe a bad knee or ankle. We had no clue that he was battling testicular cancer. He never made it into an excuse. And he got criticized for his play. At the local level, at the national level.

It would have been pretty easy to say, (and I think I probably would have said) “Yeah I know I’m not hitting like I should, but I’m really just concentrating on beating this thing, so leave me alone”, and no one would have thought less of him. But instead, game after game, Lofton was in the line-up trying to be the player that we knew him to be, despite this battle.

People in the Tennessee area know what a player this guy has been, but during the season there were many that questioned why he wasn’t playing up to what we thought that he should. We feel pretty bad right now, but we had no idea. After this season, many felt that this season cost Lofton a chance to be drafted and to play in the NBA.

One thing about it NBA GMs, you may not pick this guy in the draft, but that’s your loss, not his, because Chris Lofton is going to be a success in whatever field he chooses to go into.

Hell of a player, hell of a man.

Read the full article here:

GoVolsXtra

Let the bitch-fight begin.  In a response to rumors that Oklahoma State boosters are going to make sure that Kansas coach Bill Self gets offered a fat contract from OSU; Kansas boosters are stepping up and saying “Bitch, ain’t no way you’re taking my man”.  According to Fox:

“If they’re going to need to raise a lot of money, I’m sure there will be many people step forward,” Dana Anderson, a businessman/developer and prominent Kansas donor, told The Associated Press. “Bill Self is a great individual and a great coach and he’s perfect for Kansas.”

Gotta love this quote:

“All Oklahoma State has to offer him is money,” Anderson said. “We’re going to do our best to make him comfortable in staying. You work out a way to retain great people.”

Correction Mr. Anderson; all that Oklahoma State has to offer Self is alot of money.  Not to mention that’s where Self is from.  Not to mention that I’m pretty sure that Boone Pickens’ could afford to get Self blow-jobs from about 100 super-models if that’s what it would take to get him in Stillwater.

I think that it’s funny to watch Kansas squirm, just days after winning the national championship.  Be honest Jayhawks fan; until Monday night you weren’t sure that Self was the guy to be in charge of your team, and in all honesty, he got out-coached for most of that game.  Now you’re in a situation where you’re probably going to pay too much money to keep a coach that you didn’t really like until lately.  It’s kind of like dating a girl that you kinda like, but kinda think you can do better, and then suddenly, she gets a boob job, grows her hair out, gets a great job, and then starts getting calls from other guys wanting to go out with her.  Funny how quickly that “like” turns into “love”; isn’t it Jayhawks fan?

Fox

Kansas’ Mario Chalmers’ three-point shot that sent the game into overtime. Not quite the Western Kentucky shot, but it was no doubt the most important shot of the tourney.