Here’s how Knoxville News-Sentinel columnist John Adams began his piece in today’s paper on the Tennessee-Mississippi State game.
STARKVILLE, Miss. - If Tennessee needs a reference for the Top 25 voters or the NCAA men’s basketball tournament selection committee, it should look no further than Mississippi State senior Charles Rhodes.
He didn’t just tout UT after the No. 7 Vols’ hard-earned 76-71 victory Saturday night at Humphrey Coliseum. He sent a warning to No. 1-ranked Memphis, whom the Vols play in three weeks.
“Tennessee is one of the best four teams in the country,” Rhodes said. “I guarantee you Memphis is gonna be in trouble when (the Vols come). I’m behind Tennessee.
“I think they will break Memphis’ (home-court winning) streak. Tennessee is the team that can do that.”
Rhodes may be right. Tennessee could certainly beat Memphis on Feb. 23. But I find this comment odd on many levels. Charles Rhodes isn’t from Memphis. He’s never played against Memphis. And this season, he hasn’t even played a team that has played Memphis. And given that Memphis isn’t in the SEC, it’s kind of a non-sequitur to bring Memphis into the discussion. But it also proves one thing: Even though we’re likely to hear from the Tennessee camp that this game isn’t as important as the SEC title, it’s hogwash. This game is bigger than any game Tennessee or Memphis will play in their respective conferences.
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Responses to “Bizarre comment from Charles Rhodes”
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I think that making UT a favorite over UM would
be a logical thing for any SEC team or player to
say but its only news in Knoxville. I’m sure that
Roy Hibbert might have the other side of this
debate.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Dan, from the entire text of the article, it seemed as though he was expressing his love for Bruce Pearl and the syle that UT plays. He knows it’s always a hard game for them now that BP is on the hill. It’s interesting to me that he would make that drastic of a comment regarding the Tigers.
Of the 36 comments, there were a few responses from the UT faithful geared towards Charles Rhode’s quotes, but more were concerned about getting away from blowing big leads and being more consistant from the line down the stretch.
I have a ton of respect for the job BP has done in Knoxville and now that they have Crews returning and Lofton returning to form they will certainly be a handful.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Dan, what’s the latest on the continuation of the UT-Memphis series into the future? I know Cal wants to meet on a neutral court (maybe Nashville) and BP wants to continue home and home games. Any developments that you are aware of?
February 4th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Guys,
Where is he saying anything that is not the truth or stating something that is any more than an opinion? UT is a really good squad these past few years. Pearl has created a program over there that is respectable and worthy of the accolades. Now his opinion is suspect and fairly self serving. It’s only logical to support the teams in your conference and that help your RPI, now whether or not he actually believes this statement, we may never know. All I can say is enjoy this season, everyone. This type of run we’re on doesn’t come around often. 3 weeks at #1, come on!!! When we cut the nets, drinks are on me!
February 4th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I’m a little surprised by the people responding. When was the last time you heard a 19-year old kid say anything that remotely made sense?
UT-Memphis has the makings of being the premier college game of the regular season. Regardless of which team wins, both are in definite contention for the national title.
We don’t need a 19-year old kid from Mississippi State to tell us that, do we?
February 4th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
This statement needs proper interpretation:
Tennessee is one of four teams that could beat Memphis in the regular season. That’s very true! The underlying presumption is that Memphis is the best team in the country–and that there are only four teams capable of beating Memphis and UT is among them. This truth is supported by this season’s results and the opinion of most sports analysts.
What this young man fails to consider is that: Memphis has not played its BEST basketball. Memphis has yet to really turn it up a couple of notches on its competition; with Georgetown being the lone exception. So…are there four teams that could beat Memphis when it turns it up a couple of notches? Yeah, but those guys get paid to play b’ball. You can bet Memphis will turn it up for its most-hated in state rival.
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