Bruce Pearl Steps Up - The Vols Visit Chattanooga Tonight
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Can you picture Bobby Knight doing the same?
He is also a little different with his scheduling philosophy. Tonight the Tennessee Vols travel to Chattanooga to play on the home floor of the UTC Mocs in a game that has my hometown buzzing. It is the first time the Vols have come to McKenzie Arena since the building opened in 1982. It is the single biggest game at the Round House since UNC brought Michael Jordan to the arena.
It is also, at least on the surface, a lose/lose situation for Pearl and the Vols. If Pearl takes his Final Four contenders into Chattanooga and whips the Mocs, nobody notices. If Pearl gets ambushed by a hot crowd and a team whose season would be made with this one victory, the Vols are a laughing-stock.
This is the reason so few big schools are willing to play road games within their home state. Jim Tressel and Ohio State might schedule every MAC team in Ohio, but they sure aren't going to play the game on their field. It happens all the time in basketball as well. There is just too much to lose and not enough to gain for the big boys.
That, however, is not Bruce Pearl's philosophy on scheduling. Since taking over the Tennessee program three years ago, the Vols have played neutral site games in Nashville and tonight will play UTC on its own floor.
Why?
According to Pearl, if his team cannot win a game in Chattanooga, it is not a legitimate Final Four contender. For a master motivator like Pearl, it is a great challenge to see if his team will play with as much energy and passion against UTC as it will Florida or Kentucky. After all, a team like UTC will likely be Tennessee's 1st round match-up in the NCAA tournament. What better way to prepare?
Beyond that, Tennessee's ability to recruit across the state is only enhanced with exposure across the state. Though most basketball fans fail to notice it, the state of Tennessee has some of the best basketball in the country. Last year there were three teams in the Sweet Sixteen from the Volunteer State (Memphis and Vanderbilt being the others). No other state can made the same claim (basketball hot beds Indiana and North Carolina had one each, Kentucky had none). There is great talent in the state, but it isn't easy to keep in Knoxville. By playing across the state, Pearl increases his chances of grabbing players from Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga.
It also helps build the basketball fanbase. Tennessee is a football state and UT is a football school. While Neyland Stadium has 107,000+ for home games, the basketball Vols have often failed to fill their building consistently. In fact, it is easier for Kentucky fans to get tickets at Thompson-Boling Arena than at Rupp Arena. As Pearl takes his pressing, dunking, dominant squad across the state, he generates excitement for his program. Suddenly the half-empty arena is sold out and the Vols have a serious basketball following.
Finally, Pearl knows what it means to coach at a mid-major school and to be ducked by the big boys. He paid his dues at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, building a program that scared Big 10 schools out of visiting his campus. He understands what it means to host a game like this and has actually put his money where his (considerable) mouth is.
Kudos to Pearl and the Vols for coming to Chattanooga tonight. Whatever happens on the floor, there are nothing but winners in this situation. It is a shame that more teams and coaches don't follow Coach Pearl's lead.
