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Tyler Smith to return to Tennessee
2008-04-24 21:57:00
I don't believe it comes as a huge surprise to anyone but the VolNation can breathe a bit easier as Tyler Smith has officially announced that he will return to Tennessee for his junior season.
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Guitar Shots to the Head: 4/24
2008-04-24 18:57:00
Another round of spring ball has sprung and arduous wait for the fall has begun. Now Vol fans across the country are forced to brace themselves for high temperatures, summer gas prices, and the anticipation of what might be once the ball is kicked off in September. While there are a myriad of questions that will remain unanswered until then, the Volnation has one thing to look forward to. For the first time in two years there are some legitimate playmakers on both sides of the ball.
More About: Football , Guitar , Shots , Head

Daniel West
2008-04-18 22:50:00
On Wednesday Daniel West signed his letter of intent to play basketball at Tennessee next season. West, a point guard from Saginaw, MI, will join early signees Philip Jurick and Renaldo Woolridge in the Vols 2009 class. Scotty Hopson is expected to complete the class when he signs next week.

The Halfcourt Trap: 4/17
2008-04-17 15:47:00
With a huge celebratory weekend in Knoxville on the horizon, here are the topics that intrigue the Trap this week:

Scotty Hopson Video
2008-04-17 02:24:00
For those of you who missed the Nike Hoop Summit this past weekend, I managed to put together a few highlights of Scotty Hopson. Enjoy.
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Guitar Shots to The Head: The ?It? Factor
2008-04-16 17:50:00
So far this spring the offense, and more specifically the quarterback play has been the story. Speculation about the new system continues to run rampant with the Tennessee faithful. In my attempt to understand the west coast offense, I have thoroughly researched its philosophy. As most of you know there are several variations of the west coast out there, but they all have one thing in common. They all use the passing game to set up the run.
More About: Guitar , Shots , Head , Factor

A Halfcourt Trap Commentary
2008-04-14 21:01:00
Perception is Reality. Image is Everything. Those have been two idioms that have defined American culture for the better part of two decades now. What one appears to be, or is defined as being, overshadows what one actually is and does. Two examples from last week in the world of basketball drove that point home for me.
More About: Commentary , Basketball , Trap

The Rearview 4-13
2008-04-14 01:43:00
?Non Factor??i.e., does not matter, irrelevant. These are the only words that were spoken yesterday morning during ESPN?s two hours of College Game Day regarding the Tennessee Volunteers 2008 football season.
More About: Football

Vols Scrimmage Highlights
2008-04-13 10:48:00
Here are a few notes from Saturday's scrimmage:
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Latrell Scott
2008-04-13 10:41:00
On Friday, I heard an interview with Tennessee's wide receiver coach Latrell Scott who is going through his first spring practice with the Vols since coming over from Richmond with offensive coordinator Dave Clawson. The following is a summary of a few things from the interview that I found interesting.

JaJuan and Lofton play in Portsmouth Invitational
2008-04-11 13:00:00
Former Vols Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith played in the opening round of the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament on Thursday.
More About: Play

Montario Hardesty injured again
2008-04-11 04:10:00
I can't remember another player that has bitten with the injury bug quite as often as Montario Hardesty. He's one of those players that just cannot seem to stay healthy. Just when we think we may get to see his full potential, another injury strikes. The news from the hill today is a hairline fracture in his foot that will cause him to miss the remainder of the spring.
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The Halfcourt Trap
2008-04-09 21:18:00
With the Madness of March behind us, the Trap heads to the Bay Area this week for the Nuggets-Warriors clash. Here are some topics to keep college hoops fans buzzing into the offseason.
More About: Basketball

Candace Parker and Lady Vols: Champions again!
2008-04-09 06:14:00
The Lady Vols came out of the gate firing on Tuesday night. Shannon Bobbit hit a couple of early three pointers to put Tennessee up early and the outcome was never really in question. The final: Tennessee 64 Stanford 48.
More About: Champions , Parker , Candace

The Rearview
2008-04-09 05:15:00
The last week and a half has been very interesting from where I've been sitting, and the unfortunate thing for you is that you now are subject to a rant from me. As a member of a volatile fan base myself, I understand the need to vent, and I get the emotional attachment and investment made concerning your team, who ever that may be. But there comes a point where rational thought processes have to come in play, otherwise you run the risk of being likened to being a part of the subject of this rant: The North Carolina Basketball fan. The other part of this rant is going to be about last night's game. Letâ??s do the game first.

The Halfcourt Trap
2008-04-04 04:23:00
With all eyes of the college basketball world focused on the sport's showcase weekend in San Antonio, here's what's on the Trap 's mind.

The Rearview
2008-04-04 04:20:00
Well, in this edition of the Rearview, we take a look ahead to the upcoming football season. Since the basketball season has ended, we are now beginning to focus squarely on the task at hand, being how does Tennessee win an SEC title in football too? And it?s never too early for that, right?

Guitar Shots To The Head: Building the Perfect Beast
2008-04-02 21:25:00
Recapping the journey for the 2008 UT men?s basketball team is a bittersweet enterprise. Pardon the cliché, but when looking for an adequate comparison, "a roller coaster ride" is really the first thing that comes to mind. Somewhere between the elation of beating the number one team in country on their home court and the disappointment of the inability to make an Elite Eight appearance, optimistic fans have come to grips with the reality of our basketball program.
More About: Building , Guitar , Shots , Head , Perfect

The Halfcourt Trap
2008-03-27 21:51:00
As the Sweet Sixteen is pared to the Final Four by Sunday, here's the Trap 's takes on some issues related to the tournament and college hoops is general.
More About: Basketball

Guitar Shots To The Head: Lofton Time
2008-03-26 03:45:00
With a showdown with the Cards on the horizon and a berth to the final four at stake I am somewhat surprised that inspiration for guitar shots is not coming that easily this week. After all this is a historical time for the Tennessee basketball program. Perhaps like the majority of the board, I have spent so much time of my life focused on the sport of football, that the success of our basketball program is too novel for me to approach intelligently.
More About: Guitar , Time , Shots , Head

The Rearview
2008-03-26 03:38:00
In all the basketball talk the past couple of weeks, a strange thing occurred. Spring practice started. Doug and Justin were kind enough last week to give some perspective on key players going in to 08, and it seems they are pretty spot on, based on some of the early returns after a couple of practices. But in reading a few articles by Drew Edwards found on GoVolsxtra.com, I found a few excerpts that stood out to me.

The Halfcourt Trap
2008-03-22 04:14:00
The Halfcourt Trap Vol. I, No. 32. Ahead of an early flight to Birmingham, here are the Trap’s postseason awards and some news and notes. 1. Player Of The Year: Michael Beasley. I am amazed at the number of analysts who openly admit Beasley is the best player in America, then say they are voting for Tyler Hansbough. It’s akin to voting for Al Horford instead of Kevin Durant last season. It’s also illogical. Honorable Mention: Hansbrough, Chris Douglas Roberts, Kevin Love. 2. Coaches Of The Year: I could not, to my own satisfaction, choose between Keno Davis and Matt Painter. Thus, they share the title. What Davis accomplished is admirable, but Painter won big in a major conference with a team filled with freshmen and sophomores. Honorable Mention: John Calipari, Bruce Pearl, Jim Calhoun. 3. All Americans: Beasley, Hansbrough, CDR, DJ Augustin, Eric Gordon. Honorable Mention: DJ White, Kevin Love, Tyler Smith, Jamont Gordon, Shan Foster. 4. SEC Openings: The media h...

Guitar Shots To The Head: Behind The Curtain
2008-03-20 18:46:00
Just a few weeks ago the national media descended on Memphis to market what was the highest ranked regular season basketball game of the year. The media machine was in full force, and Tennessee and Memphis did not disappoint. If only for one night Tennessee (of all places in these United States) was the center of the basketball universe. Now one question remains. What were the members of the NCAA selection committee watching when all this was going on?
More About: Guitar , Shots , Head

The Rearview: 3/17
2008-03-18 02:39:00
But the bright spot is that today is also ?The Day of the Bracket?. Everyone frantically printing brackets and trying to figure out who is going to be this year?s George Mason. It really is a good time of year. For all those teams that made it through the long 30+ game regular season, now it?s just 6 to go.

The VolNation Interview with Charlie Spoonhour
2008-03-12 19:21:00
This edition of the VN Interview is one of my personal favorites. Charlie Spoonhour is one of the finest gentlemen in the game, as well as one of the sport’s sharpest observers. Thanks to UNLV SID Andy Grossman for helping facilitate the interview. Hope you enjoy. 1. On The MVC Finalists: Drake-”People spent all winter trying to figure out how they were doing it.” Coach Spoonhour stated that the Bulldogs have “better athletes”, especially on the perimeter, than most people assume. Illinois State-”I hope they get in. 2 1/2 months of good work shouldn’t be wiped out by a bad game in the final.” He was effusive in his praise of Tim Jankovich and Osiris Eldridge. 2. Top National Contenders: “Tennessee, Memphis, North Carolina, Duke, UCLA, Texas, and Kansas.” Coach Spoonhour said he has seen Tennessee “4 or 5 times” and is really impressed that they “play really hard and together.” 3. College Basketball&...

Guitar Shots to The Head: Green Light!
2008-03-11 05:22:00
Long before the SEC athletic directors realized the revenue potential of March Madness my grandfather sat me down and unwrapped the great mystery of sports in the south. Before soccer moms and the three point shot, in every southern state, save Kentucky, he explained to me that there were two sports that mattered. The first was football and the second was spring football.
More About: Guitar , Green , Shots , Light , Head

The Halfcourt Trap
2008-03-11 05:22:00
The Trap is preparing for a week spent glued to the conference tournament action that serve as the prelude to March Madness. Here's what's on my mind:
More About: Basketball

Five Vols to watch this spring
2008-03-09 00:18:00
As spring practice nears, football fans tend to salivate. Everybody wants to know about which player looks the best, which looks the worst and who's going to start. Well, here are some names to keep in mind. These are some guys that you can expect to hear a lot of good things about:
More About: Watch , Football , Spring

Tennessee vs. South Carolina preview
2008-03-07 23:59:00
Sunday will be senior day for three Tennessee Volunteers: Jordan Howell, Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith. The ceremony for these three will take place before the 2:00pm start, so be sure to get to Thompson Boling Arena early to show your support.
More About: Basketball , Preview , South , South Carolina

Tyler Smith and Dan Werner Video
2008-03-07 18:48:00
I see I'm not the only one who thought that was one mean look from Tyler Smith in Wednesday's game against Florida. I hadn't noticed that JaJuan Smith had a hold of Werner from behind, holding him back. That could have turned ugly.
More About: Video