On a night when Tennessee fans needed some assurance that their team hadn’t lost its fire, the guys wearing orange delivered.  After using a miracle shot with just seconds to go to overcome Florida, and a sloppy, unconvincing win over an LSU team whose roster is stocked full of Junior College talent (minus Tasmin Mitchell), the Vols finally exploded and gave Orange Nation a win to be excited about.

The Big Orange got off to an all too familiar sluggish start but seemed to wake up after a Bobby Maze 3 pointer and went on a run that the Gamecocks could not recover from.

Devan Downey, arguably the most dangerous player in the SEC, was held to only 26 points…..a measly 26 points for a guy that is capable of putting up video game numbers.  While he is only about the size of Lebron James’ right leg, he has James’ ability to completely take over a game.  Just ask Kentucky. 

But in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday night, Wayne Chism let Downey and the rest of the Gamecocks know that it was his court.  The senior set a new career high with 30 points.  He scored about every way possible, layups to the left, layups to the right, reverse layups, 3 pointers, free throws, dunks.  Nobody was going to stop #4 tonight.

Chism led an otherwise balanced scoring attack for the Vols, with Maze and Scotty Hopson being the only other players to reach double figures with 11 each.  Renaldo Woolridge, who has become somewhat of a guessing game because we never know if he’s going to show up and play pattycake, or play basketball, actually showed up to play tonight.  He didn’t light up the score board, but he did grab 6 rebounds and piled up 4 fouls (I’m thrilled that he picked up those fouls because it proves that he was actually involved in the action). 

The Vols did lose Cameron Tatum to a sprained ankle.  The jury is still out on how long he will be sidelined.  On a lighter note, Brian Williams was reinstated today, though he did not play in the game.  I don’t care how much dope he smokes Vols fans, we need him if we plan on making any kind of post season run.  With Williams' return, it will allow Kenny Hall to play power forward, which ultimately will allow Steven Pearl to return to the bench (No offense Steven, but really).

Tennessee seemed to improve tonight.  They shot a miraculous 70% from the free throw line and the stifling defense that shut down Kansas, Ole Miss, and Florida, returned to hold the Gamecocks to a dismal 27.6% FG percentage.  This win, coupled with Georgia beating Vanderbilt, pulls the Vols even with the ‘Dores for second place in the east.

The Big Orange will kick off their most difficult week of the season with a trip to Nashville on Tuesday night to try and get revenge on Vanderbilt.  Tipoff is at 7 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN. 

(I apologize for not having a picture with my article, I seem to be having problems uploading pictures onto my posts.  I will get that worked out as soon as possible so please be patient with me).  

Oh how I wish I had done this fark.

For weeks all I kept telling myself was that I could not wait for February 3rd to pass.  Now that it has passed I realized I am a helpless recruiting junkie.  I miss the competition, anticipation and excitement of who will be the next heroes in Orange.  As I said in the 3SIB National Signing Day Podcast; nothing sells the Tennessee program, to the Tennessee faithful, like Tennessee football players.  With that in mind here is a quick look at some key in-state prospects, that I think, Dooley & Company will go after.

Jabriel Washington

If you look at Washington's film and don't think Eric Berry, I can't help you.  Washington very well could be the top player in the state of Tennessee, and most likely a Top 25 player in the nation in 2011.  Washington is listed as an athlete, but would play safety for the Vols.  Coach Dooley is extremely high on Jabriel and has already had an in-house visit with Washington.  This is already shaping up as a Tennessee vs. Alabama battle for his services.  This should be one of the most exciting recruitments for Tennessee next year.

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After a few weeks of rumors and inaccurate reports, Chuck Smith, has been officially hired as Vols' Defensive Line Coach.  Smith played for the Vols from 1990 to 1991, and was later an All Pro for the Atlanta Falcons.  The former Defensive End, has been heralded as one of the top pass rush coaches in the NFL.  He is leaving Rex Ryan's Jets staff for Knoxville. 

Many believe Smith will be a fantastic recruiter, and Smith has deep connections in the Atlanta area.  This paired and Lance Thompson's connections in Georgia, I look for the Vols to stay firmly planted in that state. 

Welcome Back to the Big Orange Family Coach Smith!

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