Our Tiger Bloggers will give us their thoughts throughout the University of Memphis’ run through the NCAA Tournament

From Michelle Beasley, Cordova:

I usually agree with just about everything Cal says…not this time! I am a Tiger fan, I bleed blue and gray. I don’t bleed orange!
I have listened to the sports talk radio shows all day. Tiger fans will not be pulling for the Vols. Vol fans will not be pulling for the Tigers.

That is just the way it is, no happy medium. You are either a Tiger or a Vol, not both!

Don’t get me wrong, I am not scared of the Vols, I just want them to get beat, and I feel that their tournament will end tomorrow. Even if it doesn’t end tomorrow, we will end it for sure on Sat. I look forward to the opportunity of playing Ohio State. Xavier gave them all kinds of trouble, why not Memphis! We can beat A&M and we can beat Ohio St or anyone else that comes along.
I wrote in my blog earlier in the week that I was looking forward to revenge on Tennessee. Although revenge would be sweet, I still can’t bring myself to pull for them. I am a true Tiger fan, I will never, ever, ever, ever pull for Tennessee in anything!!!

I can guarantee that Vols fans would never, ever, ever pull for us either. So this time, forget what Cal says…he has no idea what he is talking about! HAHA!!

Love ya Cal!! No hard feelings!

Our Tiger Bloggers will give us their thoughts throughout the University of Memphis’ run through the NCAA Tournament

From Alisa D. Williams, Bartlett.:

I think it’s awesome that Coach Calipari wants the Vols fans to root for the Tigers. We are playing a Texas team in Texas and we need all of the home-state support we can get! They can root for us and we can root for them.

There’s nothing wrong with Tennessee fans supporting another Tennessee team and if we end up playing each other in the Elite 8 then that’s just more publicity for the state of Tennessee…excellent idea, Coach!

On a different note, I’m so glad CDR will be playing in the Sweet 16 game. I saw him walking on the news last night and couldn’t even detect a limp. I hope he continues to heal so he can lead the Tigers to the Elite 8. But with or without him, we’re going!

Our Tiger Bloggers will give us their thoughts throughout the University of Memphis’ run through the NCAA Tournament

From Erik Henninger, Birmingham:

Will I pull for UT and Vandy? First, let me just say this: Everybody pulls for Vandy. Hating Vandy is like hating your grandmother. It’s just not right.

Tennessee is a different story, but my situation is unique.

I would dare say that the majority of Memphis fans who say they would rather poke themselves in the eye than cheer for Tennessee have one thing in common: They have annoying friends, family and coworkers that are Vols.

Yes, those smack-talking, loud, obnoxious, and unkempt hillbillies that probably never set foot in a UT classroom anyway (or so the stereotypes go).

I don’t have that problem. I live in Alabama, therefore I despise Alabama fans. I haven’t really lived in Memphis since I graduated high school and started at Samford University here in town.

What I’m trying to say is that absence makes you not really give a rat’s. At least when it comes to UT.

However, a recent (and regrettable) trip to Gatlinburg reminded me. Vols have a lot in common with the Bama nation. So, I understand. I just think it would be great to see West Tennessee meet East Tennessee in the Elite Eight.

The Tigers opened spring football practice Tuesday and what was noticeable from the outset was the impact of the new coaches on Tommy West’s staff.

Defensive line coach Brent Pry was a non-stop instruction video.

So was cornerbacks coach Derek Jones, the former Ole Miss defensive back who joined the program after spending last year at Tulsa.

It was also interesting to watch longtime assistant Clay Helton in his first day — on the field — as offensive coordinator. Helton’s style won’t be as fiery as Randy Fichtner’s, but Helton’s a former college quarterback and as good a communicator as West has.

OK folks, how’s this for an omen?

The Commercial Appeal contingent of myself, Jim Masilak, Geoff Calkins, Scott Cacciola and photographer Mark Weber arrived in San Antonio at around midnight last night. We took a cab to our hotel and gathered for a late stroll on the Riverwalk.

We happened to stumble into a local establishment with dueling pianos. And what song did they start playing right when we walked in? You got it — Walking in Memphis.

Eerie stuff, eh?

Our Tiger Bloggers will give us their thoughts throughout the University of Memphis’ run through the NCAA Tournament

From Patti Yancey, Bartlett:

Still working on getting my head clear after coming down with strep throat in New Orleans..but….I listened to Cal on his show on Monday night and was really floored when he said we should cheer for them and they should cheer for us….(fat chance of that happening..)…I will watch the game…on TV…to sick to travel this weekend..(awaiting for next)…and will not find myself cheering for the Vols…when Pearl donned the Orange paint and went out and cheered for the Lady Vols I was a little struck by the school spirit that he showed and thought a lot of the reporters came down on him a little hard…this is a sport and these are kids and it should be fun (at least some of the time)….but still..I havent heard anyone from the TN camp say they will pull for us…I will find it hard to cheer for TN…I really want to play them again…on a neutral court to avenge our lack-luster effort previously…Would I like to see an allegiance of sorts…sure…but dont think it will come in time for the game tomorrow…

Our Tiger Bloggers will give us their thoughts throughout the University of Memphis’ run through the NCAA Tournament

From Mike Parham, Memphis:

I’ll be like the majority of Tiger fans. I’ll pull for UT if we win, and pull for Ohio State if we lose. The only reasons I would pull for UT are that we would have a better chance of beating them and that we would have the chance to get revenge for the loss in December.