"Pearl Has Converted The Faithful in Tennessee"

Link...

Tells the story we're all familiar w/ and brings in a couple of quotes that are smile worthy, plus something to think about regarding a Jew among Christians.

"He's just so dynamic, so engaged," she says. "It's fun being around him, fun to be around someone who always sees the good in everything."

"He jumped on the Tennessee bandwagon," Summitt says. "If there was an event, he was at it. He could be elected mayor in a heartbeat."

So maybe we won't have to look far to replace Ragsdale.

If there is a subject on which Pearl is most passionate, it's his Judaism, about which he talks so feelingly that his eyes well up. When he first arrived in Knoxville, some local Christian worshipers invited him to church and told him they wished he would make Jesus his personal savior, so he could get to heaven. It wasn't enough for Pearl to politely inform them he was Jewish and attended synagogue. He described the role of God in his life, how he worshiped, lit candles, believed in mitzvahs. (Some of the local Christians still invite him to church.)

I was taken aback by this. I am preparing to go to church this morning, and am unsettled that people would not respect his religion.

But the players do, there's a passage about when they went to Europe last summer, and he took them to the concentration camps. And then there's the story of Pearl watching as the players attended his daughter's bat mitzvah between that trip and the beginning of fall semester.

"Here came these talk, dark, handsome men, all wearing yarmulkes," Pearl says delightedly. Then he adds his favorite detail: how he heard some of the players greeting the other well-wishers.

"They were going, 'Shalom, y'all.' "

This:
Link...

Or THIS?

Link...

Tennessee's Parker to Skip Senior Year

By skipping her final year of eligibility, Parker has the chance to enter the WNBA draft in April. She would likely go as the top pick.

UPDATE: Yesterday's news.

It is my understanding that the gentlemen who play basketball for the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee Knoxville are ranked among their peers in the number one and number two positions respectively, and that the two clubs will compete on Saturday in a contest characterized as the Game of the Century.

Tickets to attend said contest in Memphis are reportedly fetching a price of $10,000 per ticket, indicating a heightened level of interest in the rivalry and an unusual demand for credentials to witness the historic confrontation.

Experts report that the University of Tennessee's number two ranking is the highest level of recognition ever secured by the university's basketball program. Much of the credit is given to their wily and tenacious coach, a Mr. Bruce Pearl, who is a relative newcomer said to be popular with those who follow the university's sporting activities.

Bruce Pearl absolutely rocks!!!!!!!!!
Link...

Spalding fails to deliver an acceptable "microfiber composite" basketball. A lot of to-do about nothing, but it's something to the players. There were "complaints from players about the way it gripped, performed and even hurt their skin". ... "Shaquille O'Neal compared it to one of those "cheap balls that you buy at the toy store, indoor-outdoor balls" ...

"Stern told The New York Times last week the league should have sought more input from players before introducing the new ball."
Well, duh!

The old leather ball returns Jan 1. Glad that is settled. I guess I can go shopping now.

Couple of weeks ago, I posted a link to a video of Lady Vols pointguard Shannon Bobbitt wowing the crowd at Rucker Park with her amazing ballhandling skills. This is the most legendary playground basketball site in the country, and not noted for being friendly to women. Bobbitt, whose Rucker nickname was "Somthin' Special," is barely 5-2, and is probably the tiniest player Pat Summitt's ever recruited.
But it turns out that Li'l Bit (her other nickname) is a trash-talking machine who'll challenge anybody, anywhere. Here are some clips that catch her laying down the smack. My favorite is when she urged Candace Parker to block a shot -- "Punch it! Get that outta here!!" Afterward, Candace reaches down and pats her on the head.
This fearless little Bronx warrior is an absolute blast to watch -- and to hear-- if you're close enough to the court.

Link...