The Commercial Appeal

So I open the memphis paper this morning like I do every morning.I expected the sports section to be all about the tigers which is fine,this is their town.And it was mostly about the tigers...but not all good.

I am the first to admit that I have questioned the character of this team over and over again but they have proved me and several other people wrong with their performances on the court.

So back to the point,the first negative story was about andre allen and his suspension for an alleged failed drug test.That one was fine b/c he did something VERY dumb and very selfish.

The second one was about the 85 tigers,a very special team to many tiger fans.But this article completely bashed that team and mostly all the players by referring to the off the court issues and all that.I understand that all that is true,but is the time to bring that up while this team makes its way to their own final four?

Like I said,I am in no way a tiger fan.But I find it disheartening to see the tigers very own city not completely support it.Im not talking about the fans....but the media.This team has dealt with its own off the court issues and doesnt need people to tack on the 85 teams baggage.

This tigers team deserves to be where they are and they have gotten there by destroying almost everyone in their path......except for my vols of course

This is why I try not to watch the local news or read the negative sayings of the Commercial Appeal.  The will report anything that makes their paper sell.  It is pretty sad that they are willing to crush Allen for doing something so stupid.  Anyway, I kind of heard a rumor that he didn't fail the drug test.  I heard he told coach not to let him take it because he might not pass.  Which explains why he was suspended for violating team rules thru the school and coach and not thru the NCAA.  Also, wouldn't the NCAA have made a statement about the reason he failed?  Makes you wonder.

About them bashing the tigers.  I have no doubt in my mind that if we do not win the whole thing that they will be doing the same thing to this team.  Memphis only loves you if you win.

By the way, I think Pearl has done a heck of a job coaching the Vols.  I look forward to the rematch next year.

Yes, props on beating the best basketball team in the land on their home court.  Surely we wont live that one down until next year, although it was our only loss thus far.  I agree with the what's done is done philosophy.  But govols2316 should understand is, the perspective from which this media coverage is coming.   That year ,85, was the end of an era of greatness, followed by NCAA sanctions at Memphis.  The program was corrupt, and a few of the players were an extension of that.  I think the commercial appeal was only reminding us all, tigers fan or not, of the dangers of big time college athletics.  Although the timing was ill advised with the final four looming. 

I agree, the media should leave them alone and let them play in the biggest game of their careers thus far.  I also even enjoyed your dig about the Vols beating the Tigers this year.  Hear's to next year.  May that game be as big as this year's.