Vols/UConn Series Might be Renewed

[doggydaddy]

Tony, they are not so bad. I mean, it's not like their beat writer and message board moderator called the FBI and asked them to investigate a UConn fan for linking a public press conference from a free and public source, right?

 

[Tonyc]

Think about this. What a slap in the face when UConn wins their 9th NC passing out Pat and Tenn in Nashville. I can only imagine the Orange Checkerboard, and ESPN board lighting up with hate and ridicule. Even if Pat comes out to congradulate Geno it wont be what it appears to be. The hatred runs deep in the veins of many of the orange and that wont change for a very long time.

 

[Tonyc]

Tony, they are not so bad. I mean, it's not like their beat writer and message board moderator called the FBI and asked them to investigate a UConn fan for linking a public press conference from a free and public source, right?

Doggy why aren't you wearing pinstripes??? LOL

 

[RockyMTblue2]

If you read the Cornelius piece you will see that she cannot help herself as she gives a revisionist, but still poisoned account of Summit ending the series. As other posters have pointed out there are better nonconference rivals to schedule at present and Summit was utterly classless and underhanded in her behavior in ending the series. For those who forget, she sniped, but had 3rd party proxies make unsubstantiated complaints to the NCAA, then said "Geno knows" or "ask Geno" about why the series was canceled. I wonder if HW would truly want a game with UConn until she felt they had a very strong chance of winning? The histrionics of the VOLS hairy knuckled fan base are irrelevant as long as they don't come creeping over here.

Some posters are suggesting that Tenn needs the series as part of a rebuilding/glory restoring effort. I don't see it. It is still a strong program in a strong conference. Neither "needs" the other.

 

[RadyLady]

UConn reigns as the premier wcbb program. I know that cuz I read it in the Knoxville paper. I also noticed how those folks invited Geno down there to raise money for their wcbb HoF, then heaped their customary abusive insults on him in various message boards.

As the Lady Vols strive to regain the stature and respect they enjoyed B.G. (before Geno), they need the kind of boost that only a game with (and the possibility, however remote, of a victory over) UConn could provide. Geno would do Holly a big favor to put the Lady Vols on the UConn schedule. They need UConn far more than UConn needs Tennessee. Geno has Stanford, Duke, Baylor, and Oklahoma regularly on boad, plus ND, UNC, and Marylandamong those constantly clamoring for a game with the Huskies on national TV before a full house.

What will happen? Geno will do what's best for wcbb and find room for Holly and do a home-and-home, probably as soon as 2014-2015 and the following season.

And those nasty [SOBs] who post on LadyVols forums will show their appreciation in their customary abusive and vulgar manner, with nary a modicum of restraint by the likes of mods like Marie Cornelius.

I agree with Kib, even to the point where the tainted ones and their mods post their distain without restraint on their respective fan boards.

Geno and Holly are paving their way to restarting the series between UConn and Tennessee...Holly does need this premier match-up, it would be such a coup for her to be a part of putting the rivalry back together. She was not at the helm of the Vols when the poop was hitting the fan, so we don't her involvement (really we don't). She is an enigma to me, I don't know how she really felt about the situation, I see her as a coach struggling to get a once storied program back into the conversation, and I am prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt.


But for the Volunteers who wish to regain the stature and respect as Kib so eloquently put it - there is a modicum of grace that comes along with this including not biting the hand that feeds you. Pat certainly had her issues back in the day (and we don't know for sure if her illness was a part of this), but also it is some of the fanbase, including their mods (MMC, Tiny) who have continued the vitriol unabashed. It is these folks who certainly leave a bad taste in one's mouth, and who should, IMO, dial it way, way, down. Think about it - how can you respect someone who finds it necessary to verbally bash their opponent with racial slurs and false innuendos in order to feel superior? I am sure it will be a struggle....

 

[RadyLady]

Tony, they are not so bad. I mean, it's not like their beat writer and message board moderator called the FBI and asked them to investigate a UConn fan for linking a public press conference from a free and public source, right?

ROFL!! I remember this!

 

[BooRadley]

Many here will remember that in the early days of this matchup, it brought out the best in WCBB, but also remember that in the later years it brought out the worst in WCBB. The anger, frustration, the mean spirited one-upmanship, the taunts, the accusations, the steady diet of character assassination of our coaches-players-fans, the contrived 'facts', the pervasive nastiness, and the constant ugliness all added up to a matchup that should have ended long before it did. The checkerboard became a vile pit of character assassination and the BY became unreadable at times. The game itself was lost in the chaos.

For me, renewing the matchup would be like a person reconnecting with an abusive spouse because the abuser sent flowers in a charming mason jar with a sweet note just before their court date. If we meet in the NCAA's, then so be it(I hope we don't)... but to engage in this ugliness intentionally is just asking to dredge up a second putrid helping of the nastiness of the past.

For all the good this game may bring to the WCBB, the cost may also be too high as it is highly likely that once again it would descend into the ugly train wreck of an identity of the game for far too many casual observers. People will watch, but just as they did before many will watch to see the crash for themselves. Let's hope for a better future for the game.

Obviously, I haven't forgotten all that has happened, but its also true that I have long since forgiven them for their nastiness. I do feel sorry for Pat and the Vols given all that has happened to them and while I currently hold no grudge, I'd prefer we look to less ugly rivalries for our amusement.


Your Ol' Pal Boo

 

[Kibitzer]

The OP linked a piece of "revisionist history" composed by, of all people, Marie Cornelius, whose credentials as a journalist are suspect and whose record as a moderator of The Summitt may be characterized as indifferent, irresponsible and tolerant of hateful vitriol directed at Geno and UConn.

I am completely unaware of any effort by her to restrain posters who got/get their kicks from describing the University of Connecticut as UCant or UCheat and our players as the UConn Hussies. Totally false allegations (e.g., UConn paid for Maya's tour of ESPN, Geno bought Maya's mom a house) were freely published without correction or comment, let alone deletion. Geno has been variously referred to as an , dirtbag, cheat, or s***bag, or his name deliberately twisted into something like Aurienema. There is also the ridiculous reporting of DD to the FBI. And so on. NEVER any moderation by Marie the Moderator!

And now MC adopts the new official party line: "Pat Summitt ended the series. . . because she suspected recruiting violations at UConn. . . ." That is simply untrue. Pat had a 37-page complaint assembled (I wonder by whom) and foisted it on the NCAA through the SEC. That goes far beyond "suspected."

Now, having vented enough for today (perhaps too much for Nan et al), let me acknowledge that most LadyVols fans are surely good and decent folks; I know of no players who ever shared any of the mean-spirit published on The Summitt or elsewhere; I see no connection whatsoever between Holly (and her staff) with any of this garbage; and I believe that wcbb will benefit from a renewal of what was unquestionably the series that captured the attention of the general public like no other. So let's get it on.

 

[doggydaddy]

I'll be honest.

Right now, there is no chance that Tennessee can beat Uconn. I like it that way.

 

[RegisteredUconn]

I disagree about Pat's involvement. I think Geno has moved noon concerning Pat the evidence being his support of Pat's Alzheimer's organization.

I realize the guy has some serious talent but never in my wildest imagination did I think he could move noon. Anybody know when lunch is now?

 

[DobbsRover2]

On the one hand, being the subject of so many bitter attacks by UTenn and the Summitteers means that UConn has attained a level of envious and grudging respect that the Volites do not accord to the other teams that they have a losing record against, such as Appalachian St. (why do they always pull those upsets), Ball St., Belmont, Cincinnati, Duke, Edinboro (PA), Georgetown, Louisiana-Monroe, Maryville, Mercer, Montclair St., NC-Greensboro, Union (TN), Virginia St., Xavier, the Knoxville or Farragut high schools, or the Tennessee School for the Deaf that the Vols battled to a tie some years back. Of the long list of Vol-dominators, only Baylor has received anywhere near the abuse accorded the Huskies in recent years, but Griner's departure will dilute the bile a bit there even if Mulkey will still be used as a swizzle stick by the orangeers.

On the other hand, the obliviousness to facts and the cluelessness emanating from the bunker cult in Knoxville has long since gotten tired and tiresome. If the idea for a renewed series keeps coming with all of the defensive "we know something bad was going on but we just can't say what it is" crap ---- who needs it? The Vols should just get back to their roots and see if they can even up their record against Ball St. and Appalachian St., and maybe even give little Edinboro a shot at some charity-type contest. I mean, the return of Ball State versus Tenneessee? That would be a ratings bonanza in certain parts of the country that still remember the Massacre at Bowling Green of the reigning champs.

 

[DobbsRover2]

I realize the guy has some serious talent but never in my wildest imagination did I think he could move noon. Anybody know when lunch is now?

I'm already digging into my bag of potato chips by 10:00, if that's any help.

 

[reno tony]

Can't say I'd be happy about UCONN if I were a Vols fan since we beat them four times in the N.C. game. Kind of like N.D. has done with us the last few years. I thought it was a sin when the series was ended and I look forward to it starting again I just hope TENN can bring a great game to the court if it starts again. It would be great for WBB.

And to all the people crying about what their fans say about UCONN or Geno. Get over it. Geno is a big boy and can handle it and why should we care what some disgruntled Vol's fans think. Don't give them the courtesy of your response.

 

[BooRadley]

And to all the people crying about what their fans say about UCONN or Geno. Get over it. Geno is a big boy and can handle it and why should we care what some disgruntled Vol's fans think. Don't give them the courtesy of your response.

I don't think people are 'crying' about what the Vol fans have said... instead I believe that for many, remembering the ugliness it brings with it is a warning to pass on a repeat performance of the trouble the first go around gave us... think of it as a manifestation of a gut feeling to avoid repeating past experiences that were essentially unpleasant.

All many here are saying is that they lived through the descent into vulgarity and ugliness that eventually became the story instead of the game itself and would prefer to avoid those troubles.

I see little to be gained by UConn or the game as a whole by having the Huskies sign up for round two of this nonsense other than for ESPN to fatten its wallet... Personally, I find it hard to understand why some would like a repeat of that experience, especially in that this matchup is completely unnecessary given that there are far better rivalries to be had.

I don't doubt that this matchup will resume; I just hope for the sake of Husky nation and the game that it does not...

YOPB

 

[Forty_four]

I'll be honest.

Right now, there is no chance that Tennessee can beat Uconn. I like it that way.

Totally agree!!

 

[DobbsRover2]

As far as getting over it and moving on, it may be easy for Geno and Pat to kiss and make up (okay, really not that easy even with Pat's condition), but the issue is really that UTenn has these pooper scooper of charges and allegations hanging out there that except for the self-reported Maya secondary stopover in Bristol were dumped into the round receptacle by that ever dogged UConn defender, the NCAA oversight committee. Pat and UTenn have never backed down from telling their nebulous crime story, so tell me how do the teams just move on with neither budging, the unstoppable sewer flow of charges and the immovable wall of adamant denial of charges. Like, we're playing this game under protest for regular season meet-ups?

PHS was at a school that was stinking up the SEC joint (and that's saying a lot) between Kiffin and Pearl and maybe now Hermann with violations and with her usual fake-principled, two-faced hypocrisy she leveled her ammo-less guns against her tormentor up north instead of the associates who were raging and pillaging the Vol reputation right on her backside. That ended the chance for any future meaningful relationship right there, and UConn has moved on to better dance partners who don't whine about not being on an even ballroom floor, and smell better.

 

[dtbtbtb]

While I have as much disdain as any UConn fan for those TN fans who spread the nasty stories and lies in regard to Geno and UConn and despite my deep dislike to Pat S. for her attempt to destroy Geno and UConn,
IMO both teams and WBB need this serious to renew. UConn will be playing in a horrible conference and will need as many games against top 10 teams as possible (TN will be without a doubt a top 10 team for years to come). While in the Big East UConn could have some challenge through the years, from teams such as ND, RU, Louisville, Georgetown, DePaul, etc that will not be the case in the new conference (especially with Louisville and RU leaving after the coming season and 16-18 in conference games). In order for UConn to keep it's stature it needs those games. TN needs it for other reason, which is that if TN wants to return to the glory days of Pat and give credibility to Holly and the program it needs to be playing against the best and the best is UConn!
WBB needs this serious to renew as the interest in the game seems to be waning....there is less and less coverage of it and the fans who were the core fans of WBB seem to be getting older with not enough new fans coming in (see the attendance of UConn and other schools). This game will bring back interst to the game from the general public and that I believe is just as important as any of the reason above especially for some one like Geno who I think is truly troubled by the state of WBB and its future.

 

[stwainfan]

I would like the series to start up again. It was a game I always looked forward to see.

 

[RadyLady]

While I have as much disdain as any UConn fan for those TN fans who spread the nasty stories and lies in regard to Geno and UConn and despite my deep dislike to Pat S. for her attempt to destroy Geno and UConn,
IMO both teams and WBB need this serious to renew. UConn will be playing in a horrible conference and will need as many games against top 10 teams as possible (TN will be without a doubt a top 10 team for years to come). While in the Big East UConn could have some challenge through the years, from teams such as ND, RU, Louisville, Georgetown, DePaul, etc that will not be the case in the new conference (especially with Louisville and RU leaving after the coming season and 16-18 in conference games). In order for UConn to keep it's stature it needs those games. TN needs it for other reason, which is that if TN wants to return to the glory days of Pat and give credibility to Holly and the program it needs to be playing against the best and the best is UConn!
WBB needs this serious to renew as the interest in the game seems to be waning....there is less and less coverage of it and the fans who were the core fans of WBB seem to be getting older with not enough new fans coming in (see the attendance of UConn and other schools). This game will bring back interst to the game from the general public and that I believe is just as important as any of the reason above especially for some one like Geno who I think is truly troubled by the state of WBB and its future.

I mentioned that the any new series between UConn and Tenn will be less of a spectacle than games of yore (once we get through the hype and get to the actual game). One blowout, and the interest in this marquis match will wane significantly.

 

[JS]

I realize the guy has some serious talent but never in my wildest imagination did I think he could move noon.

Pretty low to take advantage of typos.

Hey, didja catch Tony's little gem?

What a slap in the face when UConn wins their 9th NC passing out Pat and Tenn in Nashville.

 

[DobbsRover2]

Pretty low to take advantage of typos.

Hey, didja catch Tony's little gem?

Oh, c'mon. The Vols will get passed out their own way with all of their NC and SOS trophies piled around them to make'em feel better about it all. Plus a lot of Miller Lites.

 

[Bestiarius]

Ever since Pat cancelled the series, I've thought a main reason for doing so was fear of losing to UConn. Pat knew they were going to be in trouble against UConn and cancelled the series to avoid being embarrassed. Now, with two top 10 recruits coming in, they see a glimmer of hope which has also buoyed their desire to play UConn. If Russell & company turn out not to be what they hope and expect, interest in playing UConn will wain until (if ever) their team has a good chance of beating UConn.

I believe this coming year will be a critical one for TN. For the past 5 years, they have had highly ranked players, yet accomplished relatively little with all that talent. For the coming season, they will again have a highly ranked crop of recruits. If they fail to deliver once again, their reputation as an elite program and their recruiting will take a hit from which recovery will be difficult. One can't survive on past glory forever.

 

[Husky68]

I would like the series to start up again. It was a game I always looked forward to see.

You should have mentioned this to Pat years ago, not here in 2013. Isn't it an NCAA violation to be asked for extra benefits from a recruits mother and not reporting it to the NCAA?

 

[DobbsRover2]

One can't survive on past glory forever.

Past glory? There are folks down there who stretch their past glory back 150 years to guys volunteering for the Gray. I'm sure the Vols can keep on living in the 1900s for quite a while longer just like another orange team's football fans up at Cuse can wax prolific about the Jim Brown glory days.

What would really help was if there was a December classic of preseason top-10 type teams every year that pulled together some big-name teams to put WCBB in a bit of spotlight. Having UConn and UTenn be part of a gangbusters of four teams battling it out for tourney champ would take at least some of the pressure off both schools in a return to action while giving WCBB an annual publicity shot.

 

[Bestiarius]

I realize the guy has some serious talent but never in my wildest imagination did I think he could move noon. Anybody know when lunch is now?

Oh yes, he does it twice a year, or didn't you know he invented daylight savings time through judicious adjusting of the clock to get another hour of practice in before lunch in the Fall, and for the team to skip lunch altogether in the Spring.