The night has arrived, and I can't wait for tip-off. If the Commodores can't get pumped up for this match-up, then they can't get up for anything. Before I continue to the game, let me just say that I am really worried about the "white-out technique." Judging from prior UT games, there will be a pretty good UT contingent in the gym, and it can be assumed that they will be sporting vomit orange. Therefore, when looking at the crowd and seeing white & orange everywhere, one might get the idea that it’s a UT home game. The fact that this is on National Television doesn't help anything. Why we didn't go for a blackout, I have no idea. Other than the fact that some sneaky UT alumni is handling promotions over at the McGugin Center.
That being said, while the crowd may look like UT fans, I do not expect them to act like UT fans. Judging from the Florida game I attended weeks ago, this has the making of an extremely hostile environment for the Vols, and I hope it is just that. UT went into the FedEx forum and beat the Tigers. However, I would not compare the home court advantage of Memorial to a gym that was built for an NBA team in Memphis. I think the crowd is a huge factor tonight, and I hope it is as disruptive as possible. The 9 O'clock tipoff can only help, as the frat-lords emerge from their dwellings at 8:45 in a drunken state.
I think there are three main keys to the game:
1) The overall pace of the game. UT played with an extremely fast pace in Memphis on Saturday, and I think this quick pace plays strongly to their advantage. It can also quickly take the crowd out of the game. I think its important to slow down the tempo, and force UT to set up their offense. On the offensive side of the ball, I think Vandy should try to run the O through Ogilvy, which will eventually free up shots from the perimeter.
2) Inside Presence. Wayne Chisholm dominated the Commodores on the first go 'round, and I think its important to contain him. I think AJ has an advantage over Chisholm, and the tactic would be (as mentioned above) to run the offense through Ogilvy, and hope to draw fouls.
3) Turnovers, Turnovers, Turnovers. In the first match-up, the Commodores turned the ball over way too much, as they had done against UK the game before. This team seems to have matured, and hopefully they will keep their TO's to a minimum. On the other hand, they should be all up in Lofton and the Smith boys' grill. Prediction: Team who wins the Turnover game, wins outright.
Finally, the constant in Vandy basketball: We have got to make shots. I realize this is a bit of a John Madden/Captain Obvious comment, but we need to shoot well in order to pull of an upset. I can't see us winning with below a 40% shooting percentage.
Put on your Vandy gear, and root on the Dores.
Tip-Off @ 9pm on ESPN.
***Breaking News*** - Quintana has posted his pick of the day as the Under of the Dores game. A good call if VU can slow the pace of UT, I think.
Tuesday, February 26
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10 comments:
As a vandy student, I will try to bring insight to the reason for the white out. Now, I'm not going to try to say that the white out is the best idea ever, but there are reasons for it.
#1. We already had a blackout, Jesus saw the shirts that they handed out and didn't really like them. So, we could be repetitive and do the same thing we did a week ago, or try something new.
#2. Last time we had a white out, it worked out okay for us. (Florida last year, anyone?).
#3. We're wearing the same color as our team.
Even though it may look like an orange and white ut home game, I'm pretty sure that the players won't be confused about where they are. The student section had a good warmup last week against Florida, and will be loud and raucous tonight. Wayne Chism will finally realize that his headband is useless (honestly, what sweat is he stopping wearing it that high), and J.P. Prince will regret picking the wrong school to transfer to.
One more thing: GO 'DORES!
If it was up to me it would be the black and gold out, with the endzones wearing gold and the sides wearing black. Place XL the shirts on the seats and get rowdy.
good thing its not up to you.
First off, "clark", that insolent tone will not be tolerated in our comments section, especially when referring to a constructive point made by one of the blog authors.
Second, JP Prince picked Vanderbilt, but was not admitted thanks to the University's no mid-year transfer rule.
Also, I realize that the players will know where they are. That's not what im saying. Im saying from a National Television exposure viewpoint, it could look bad. I saw the black t-shirts that were passed out at the Uf game too, and I would not call that a blackout. There was no campaign like there is for this White Out. Also, in your comment about Florida last year, white was not one of Florida's colors (as it is one of UT's official colors).
I completely agree with your assesment of Chisholm's headband, totally non-functional.
And the counter stroke by Martino Grady.... well refuted. Are you studying law or something son?
I don't want to cause Vandy fans to turn on each other, my point originally was that, as far as color-coordination for fan sections go, it's at least as effective to be marginally wrong together than to be right individually. Ben Franklin.
I hope that it won't be an issue by the end of the game, when the announcers are talking about how the 'Dores took it to ut.
I also remember looking at the Florida game last year, as well as the ut game (which I believe last year was a blackout), and thinking that the white out looked a lot more unified than the blackout.
And the student newspaper did call for a Florida blackout the week prior to the game as well as a Fanatics email that called for the blackout.
I don't want to be insolent, but mostly, I bring solid information.
Clark,
Please stop raining on my parade.
You do bring solid info, and we appreciate it.
Whats the environment on Campus like today?
clark - i know we already had a black-out, but #1 what's wrong with another one, this time with shirts that are about VANDY and #2 Florida fans would never wear white, especially their brides, and
#3 is the only reason i came down off my high horse and put on white this morning. I also found a pair of light khakis in there so i'm trying to be as white as a white girl can be.
I agree with Marv. We've got to ride this wave of good press we're getting, and accenting the game-wear of a bunch of yay-hoos who will go hunting immediately after the game is NOT the way to do that.
Sorry about raining.
People are pumped. I talked to the Vice-President of Vandy Fanatics at lunch and he said that there were people lining up at 12:30 to get into the tunnel (the tunnel is open 3.5 hours before the game for students who show up either wearing their maniacs shirt or the designated color for the game). I have class until seven, but my professor is letting people out at 5:30 to make sure that they get into the gym. This is the most excited people have been about Vandy sports all year. It's going to be a great time in the pit.
Can't focus at all. Good thing he lets us have computers in class or I would've left already. The pit is already filling up.
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