| Author |
|
BugMan
Moderator Group
Joined: February-07-2005
Location: United States
Posts: 3175
|
| Posted: January-02-2010 at 8:52am | IP Logged
|
 
|
|
I don't know how you feel dumbfounded yet not surprised, but that's the way I felt when I learned of this yesterday afternoon.
An athletic scholarship is a privilege just like an academic one. Why these nuts did what they did, particularly in light of the recent happenings to the football team is beyond me.
The Athletic Director is ultimately responsible for the character of his/her program. UT AD Mike Hamilton is squarely on the hot seat after this. He had better get to work to clean up what has turned into a renegade program comparable to the University of Miami football in the 1980's and the UNLV basketball program of the 1990's. There are only two differences:
- Tennessee has managed to accomplish that in just a few short months, and
- of course ours comes with ZERO National Championships
Here's the story, courtesy govolsxtra.com:
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2010/jan/01/four-ut-basketball-players-face-drug-and-weapon-ch/
KNOXVILLE - Four University of Tennessee basketball players were arrested on drug and weapons charges today after a Knoxville police officer stopped the car they were riding in for speeding on Alcoa Highway near Kingston Pike.
The four are: Cameron Tatum, who was driving the vehicle; Tyler Smith, who was sitting in the front seat; Melvin Goins, a rear seat passenger; and Brian Williams, also sitting in the backseat.
All four face misdemeanor charges.
Knoxville police say information they previously released that Smith and Williams faced felony charges was incorrect.
UT coach Bruce Pearl suspended the four players late Friday.
“I'm deeply saddened and troubled by today's news,'' Pearl said. “Accordingly, I'm suspending Melvin, Cameron, Tyler and Brian pending further information.
"I apologize for the embarrassment this has brought to the university."
According to Knoxville Police Department spokesman Darrell DeBusk, a KPD officer stopped the car about 11:30 a.m. today. He smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car as he spoke with the driver. He requested back-up and a K9 officer.
After the K9 officer's dog signaled the presence of drugs in the vehicle, the four young men were removed from the car so police could search it.
Inside the vehicle, according to DeBusk, officers found a handgun under the driver's seat, "accessible by either the driver or left rear seat passenger." They also found a handgun, with an altered serial number under the passenger seat, accessible by either the front seat passenger or right rear seat passenger, according to DeBusk.
They also found a baggy of marijuana and an open container of alcohol.
"It could not be determined if the driver and passengers were under the influence of marijuana or not, although the strong odor indicated that marijuana had been recently smoked in the car," according to a statement from DeBusk. "Because of this, physical arrests were made instead of misdemeanor citations for the misdemeanor charges."
Tatum, 21, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and having an open container of alcohol.
Smith, 23, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of firearm with an altered serial number.
Goins, 22, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana, a schedule VI drug.
Williams, 22, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number and possession of marijuana.
DeBusk said the vehicle used was a Dodge Charger and had Illinois plates. A source told the News Sentinel that the vehicle was a rental and was borrowed from a player's friend.
UT compliance is expected to look into the relationship between the players and the person responsible for the rental car to determine if the NCAA would deem it to be a violation of the extra benefit rule.
Smith is a senior and the starting power forward, Tatum is a redshirt sophomore who has started on the wing, Williams is a junior backup center and Goins is a junior college transfer who is the backup point guard.
The 14th-ranked Vols (10-2) flew back from Memphis Thursday night after defeating the Tigers 66-59.
UT's next game is Wednesday at Thompson-Boling Arena against Charlotte.
Smith has started all 12 games and is averaging 11.7 points per game and 4.7 rebounds. Tatum has started 6 games and is averaging 8.7 points per game. Williams has averaged 5.9 points and 5.4 rebounds off the bench. Goins has made one start and is averaging 6.1 points.
Smith announced in June he would not enter the NBA draft. Pearl said when it became apparent that Smith was not "locked down'' as a first-round pick, Smith weighed that against his opportunity to return to UT and graduate and lead the team.
Smith said that he considered playing in Europe, but he never seriously pursued it.
"There was a very slim chance I'd go there,'' Smith said. "I thought about it, but you can't get better fan support and exposure over there than you can right here at the University of Tennessee.''
 © 2010, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Edited by BugMan on January-02-2010 at 2:37pm
|
| Back to Top |
|
Van_84
Moderator Group
Joined: December-24-2006
Location: United States
Posts: 3500
|
| Posted: January-02-2010 at 9:25am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I SAID IT'S GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL!
__________________
The RLNFL will be moving to the RacersLounge Facebook page beginning with the 2018 season.
|
| Back to Top |
|
BugMan
Moderator Group
Joined: February-07-2005
Location: United States
Posts: 3175
|
| Posted: January-02-2010 at 2:40pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Ain't but one thing left to do:
WHO DEY?!
WHO DEY?!
WHO DEY THINK GONNA BEAT DEM BENGALS, WHO DEY??!!!!!!
Edited by BugMan on January-02-2010 at 2:41pm
|
| Back to Top |
|
RW
Retired Champ
Joined: August-30-2003
Location: United States
Posts: 5661
|
| Posted: January-03-2010 at 7:36pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I"m GLAD to see you were the one who started this topic "BugMan."
Wow, it's such a doggone shame to see stuff like this happening with the young athletes in college. And it's not just a situation with University of Tennessee athletes, either. It's happening on college campuses' all across the country.
Back in the fall, once football season was underway ... I was reading some stuff online and ran across some statistics that showed 58 percent of college athletes were black. To be quite honest, I figured numbers were higher. But I guess when you factor in all men's and women's sports, 58 percent probably is accurate.
You hate to mention the "R-word" regarding race, but you can't help but look at the overwhelming majority of college athletes' getting into trouble and you see they are black. It seems these days the black culture involves drugs and guns.
Nowadays people won't get into fistfights, they'll just instead pull a gun out and "put a cap in yo azz." They have no respect for the human life. Actor/comedian Bill Cosby talks all the time about blacks killing blacks, and how it's got to stop. It's like living back in the days of the Wild West and gunfights. Look at the recent incident involving two black NBA players for the Washington Wizards involving allegedly each pulling a gun on the other, while in the team locker room. Is that not crazy?
"BugMan" you mentioned that coaches and the athletic director are responsible for the character of his/her program, I agree with you. But, here's something else: Coaches and AD's cannot be 24/7 babysitters for athletes!!! You look at the young men and women college athletes, and they're of legal age. You'd like to think the majority of 10 year olds know the difference in what's right and what's wrong.
Look at all the college football teams playing in bowl games, and teams that suspended players. I'm not saying none weren't white, but I didn't see any.
A buddy of mine, he's like myself and our Blood Runneth Big Orange! We were talking and he said, "We don't stand a chance now of beating Kansas or any top teams in the SEC." I told him "You're probably right. But I'm not mad about it. When you've got stupid knuckleheads that are such idiots, they don't deserve to be on scholarship getting 'free-rides' in college playing a sport."
"BugMan" you said: "An athletic scholarship is a privilege just like an academic one." ... Well said. Whether you're an athlete or a scholar student, you've got to hold up your end of the bargain and "do what's right."
Tyler Smith was probably going to get drafted into the NBA, and he still might. But with NBA owners today paying close attention to athletes' backgrounds and seeing if they've been in trouble with the law, I'd say Smith's shot at the NBA is slim now.
I hope to see the current Vols roster players step their games up a notch to help replace the talent lost.
These four UT basketball players, charged with possession of guns (with altered serial identification) and with drugs ... I don't believe they deserve a second chance to rejoin the team. You make such poor decisions, you don't deserve a second chance. At least that's my opinion.
It's said two guns were found in the car, one under each front seat. Cameron Tatum was driving and Tyler Smith in passenger seat. It will be interesting to see if either of them claim ownership of the guns, and also who will claim the marijuana was theirs? Those factors will come into play if any of the four athletes get to continue being part of the team.
|
| Back to Top |
|
RW
Retired Champ
Joined: August-30-2003
Location: United States
Posts: 5661
|
| Posted: January-04-2010 at 8:35pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
While just now watching 11 o'clock news and UT Vols coach Bruce Pearl talking at a press conference today, he said "We still have weapons, we've got weapons."
He then said, "I apologize for saying that. We've still got plenty of good players, good players that will play hard."
No decision as yet what will happen regarding the four arrested players. The UT Athletic Dept. and coach Pearl are still evaluating the situation.
|
| Back to Top |
|
RW
Retired Champ
Joined: August-30-2003
Location: United States
Posts: 5661
|
| Posted: January-06-2010 at 11:15pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Well, the Tennessee Volunteers played a pretty good ballgame tonight in beating UNC-Charlotte. And Charlotte's a good team, too, having already beaten Rick Pitino's Louisville Cardinals convincingly this season.
This was the Vols' first game since having four players suspended from the team due to gun and drug charges, and even though the Big Orange were short-handed with only six scholarship players dressing, and three walk-ons getting playing time ... it was an overall good effort by the Vols.
GO VOLS!!!
_________________________
No. 16 Tennessee gets 88-71 win over Charlotte
By Beth Rucker, AP Sports Writer
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl didn’t know what to expect with four of his players suspended.
He was pleasantly surprised.
Wayne Chism, one of the six scholarship players left, scored 18 points, leading the 16th-ranked Volunteers to an 88-71 victory over Charlotte on Wednesday night.
“The guys obviously stepped up and played with confidence, played with freedom, played with energy,” Pearl said. “When things don’t go well sometimes, the people that have your back are your family. They’re the ones that come to your aid first. Our Tennessee family is pulling together.”
The Vols (11-2) were without Tyler Smith, Cameron Tatum, Brian Williams and Melvin Goins, who combine to average 32.2 points, 14.7 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game. Pearl suspended the four indefinitely after they were arrested Friday on gun and drug charges.
Pearl bolstered his rotation with three walk-ons against the 49ers (10-4), a team that had upset Louisville by 22 points earlier this season. All six scholarship players scored in double figures.
The home crowd was as loud as its been all season, and the Vols fanned out through the stands after the game to personally thank the fans for their support in the wake of the arrests.
“We know they did not know what to expect. I didn’t know what to expect,” Pearl said. “The team really felt their energy.”
Tennessee shot 59.4 percent in the first half, and a three-point play by Bobby Maze gave the Vols a 54-29 lead just after halftime. Charlotte answered with a 21-2 run, and a jumper by DiJuan Harris cut the lead to 56-50 with 13:02 to go.
A 3-pointer by Renaldo Woolridge and two more by Skylar McBee helped Tennessee pull away.
“We panicked for a minute, but the panic went away faster than any time we’ve ever had a panic on this team,” Chism said.
Harris led the 49ers with 16 points, while Derrio Green added 14 and Shamari Spears had 12.
The limited rotation forced Pearl to slow down his trademark press, to the dismay of Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz. The 49ers typically do well against pressing teams, upsetting both Louisville this season and Clemson in 2008 as those teams played a similar press to Tennessee.
“Everyone was talking about who they didn’t have, but we tried to focus as a coaching staff on who they did have,” Lutz said. “They had great players— obviously not as deep—and couldn’t play the style they wanted, but to be honest we wish they would have pressed us. We love when teams press us.”
Charlotte led 14-11 early in the first half as the 49er fans in attendance chanted the theme to the television show “Cops.” Tennessee launched a 14-0 run that ended when Maze fought under the basket to get a layup that gave the Vols a 25-14 lead 13:13 before halftime.
Tennessee had another 14-0 run in the half and were up 51-29 at halftime, sending the Tennessee fans into a frenzy.
Despite missing two post players in Smith and Williams, the Vols had 48 points in the paint. The 49ers relied on their shooting, hitting only 36.2 percent of their shots.
Entering the game, Charlotte had won three straight and four of the previous five meetings in the series with Tennessee, including one in the first round of the 2001 NCAA tournament. The Vols lead the all-time series 5-4.
Pearl knows his Vols won’t be able to sneak up on anyone else. It’s unlikely the four suspended players will return before Sunday, when Tennessee hosts No. 1 Kansas, so the new rotation must learn how to keep up the intensity.
“It’s important that the players don’t celebrate too much,” he said. “With Kansas and the (Southeastern Conference season) staring us in the face, we know what challenges lie ahead.”
|
| Back to Top |
|
RW
Retired Champ
Joined: August-30-2003
Location: United States
Posts: 5661
|
| Posted: January-06-2010 at 11:18pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Most definitely "My Blood Runneth Big Orange!" But even Vol fans are exchanging jokes/humor regarding the program. Below you will find what I received in an e-mail yesterday from a friend who lives in Knoxville.
GO VOLS!!!
____________________
A lady in Knoxville calls 911. Hysterically, she says, "Someone's just broken into my house, and I think he's going to rob me!"
The police officer says, "Ma'am, we're really busy at the moment. Just get the guy's jersey number and we'll get back to you."
Q: What is Lane Kiffin's biggest concern?
A: Does the NCAA count bail money as a recruiting violation?
Q: What do you call a drug ring in Knoxville?
A: A huddle.
Q: Four Tennessee players are in a car, who's driving?
A: The police.
Q: Why can't most of the UT players get into a huddle on the field?
A: It is a parole violation to associate with known felons.
The University of Tennessee team has adopted a new Honor System: "Yes, your Honor. No, your Honor."
The Volunteers are hoping for an undefeated season next year ... 12 Arrests, 0 convictions.
Q: How did the Volunteers spend the first week of Spring practice?
A: Studying their Miranda rights.
|
| Back to Top |
|
RW
Retired Champ
Joined: August-30-2003
Location: United States
Posts: 5661
|
| Posted: January-08-2010 at 9:06pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Really, myself and I know others too, feel the decision to dismiss Smith from the team was a good call. These athletes are to be held accountable for their actions. It's a privilege for them to wear the orange and white and be a scholarship athlete. Scholarship athletes have got it made. They're living a good life, getting their education and room and board paid, along with the other perks of being a high-profile athlete on campus.
Is asking the athletes' to attend class and make passing grades, and to know how to act out in public and not break the law, is that asking too much in return?
|
| Back to Top |
|
Bobby Gobble
Track Owner
Joined: March-04-2006
Location: United States
Posts: 1992
|
| Posted: January-10-2010 at 5:59pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
after all this stuff UT shocked #1 Kansas today.
__________________
"Don't Play Well With Others"
|
| Back to Top |
|
RW
Retired Champ
Joined: August-30-2003
Location: United States
Posts: 5661
|
| Posted: January-10-2010 at 5:59pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
"IT'S GREAT TO BE, A TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER!" How 'bout them Vols beating previously unbeaten and No. 1 ranked Kansas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO VOLS!!!
C'mon "Tinkfan75," I want to hear you say the above ... just once. HA HA HA
__________________________
Shorthanded Tennessee upsets No. 1 Kansas 76-68
By BETH RUCKER, AP Sports Writer
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Scotty Hopson had 17 points and No. 16 Tennessee, with a lineup thinned by suspensions, dismissals and injuries, beat No. 1 Kansas 76-68 on Sunday night.
Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor stole the ball and dished it to Brady Morningstar, who hit a 3-pointer with 1:14 left to cut Tennessee's lead to 71-68.
Skylar McBee, one of three walk-ons who played for Tennessee, answered with his own 3 as the shot clock expired.
Sherron Collins, who bailed the Jayhawks (14-1) out of a near loss to Cornell on Wednesday with a career-high 33 points, couldn't help this time, missing three shots before time expired. Collins led Kansas with 22 points.
Kansas couldn't find its composure in front of 21,936 screaming Tennessee fans at a sold-out Thompson-Boling Arena, which was hosting a No. 1 team for the first time. The Jayhawks turned the ball over 16 times, while Tennessee (12-2) had only eight turnovers.
The loss leaves No. 2 Texas and No. 3 Kentucky as the only unbeatens in Division I and it was the fourth this weekend by a Top Ten team, joining No. 4 Purdue, No. 5 Duke and No. 8 West Virginia.
It was the Vols' first game after coach Bruce Pearl dismissed Tyler Smith on Friday, a week after the senior was arrested on misdemeanor gun and drug charges. Tennessee was also playing without Cameron Tatum, Melvin Goins and Brian Williams, who were arrested Jan. 1 with Smith.
But Tennessee, who had already lost two players before the season started, played even more shorthanded than that. Starters Wayne Chism and J.P. Prince found themselves in foul trouble early and both spent more than half of the game on the bench.
The Vols showed they could play defense even playing three walk-ons and two freshmen at the same time. They limited the Jayhawks, who entered the game shooting 51.3 percent from the field, to an uncharacteristic 37.7 percent. Tennessee shot 48.1 percent, the best by a Kansas opponent this season.
Bobby Maze added 16 points for Tennessee, and Renaldo Woolridge had 14 points and eight rebounds playing in place of Smith.
Kansas shut down Tennessee's game in the paint early until Woolridge hit three consecutive 3-pointers — all from the same spot on the court — as part of a 14-2 run by the Vols.
From there the Vols found the lane a little more accessible. Hopson drove to the basket for a layup at the end of the run to give Tennessee a 27-21 lead. Tennessee finished with 30 points in the paint compared to Kansas' 20.
Maze gave Tennessee its first lead with a layup around big man Cole Aldrich that made it 23-21 with 5:59 in the first half. Kansas would only lead once more, on an alley-oop dunk by Taylor with 18:03 in the second half that made it 37-36.
Taylor had 13 points, and Xavier Henry added 10. Aldrich grabbed 18 rebounds as Kansas outrebounded Tennessee 42-35.
Kansas entered the game averaging 27.6 points more than its opponents and having dominated then-No. 18 Temple, its only other Top 25 opponent, 84-52 on Jan. 2.
Kansas won the only other meeting between the schools, a 92-58 victory at Kansas on Jan. 3, 2009. The Jayhawks dominated that game as Collins and Aldrich combined for 48 points. Smith led the Vols with 21 points and nine rebounds.
It was the second consecutive win for Tennessee over a No. 1 opponent. The Vols last faced the No. 1 team when it won 66-62 at Memphis on Feb. 23, 2008, a win that vaulted them to their first, albeit brief, No. 1 ranking.
|
| Back to Top |
|
Bobby Gobble
Track Owner
Joined: March-04-2006
Location: United States
Posts: 1992
|
| Posted: January-10-2010 at 6:00pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
only 2 udbeaten teams remain and one of them is the team that plays in Lexington. Thank god for Coach Cal
__________________
"Don't Play Well With Others"
|
| Back to Top |
|
RW
Retired Champ
Joined: August-30-2003
Location: United States
Posts: 5661
|
| Posted: January-10-2010 at 6:23pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hey Bobby, I"ve watched Kentucky play three or four games this year and the Wildcats are GOOD!!!!! Coach John Calipari is doing a great job in Lexington.
Even though "My Blood Runneth Big Orange!"... I still enjoy watching Kentucky play basketball. I respect the program and its accomplishments over the years.
Heck, I just went blank on the coach the Wildcats had the past couple of years that came from Texas A&M. Wonder how he would've done this season if able to kept the job? For one thing, he'd a had to stay sober. HA HA HA
|
| Back to Top |
|
Bobby Gobble
Track Owner
Joined: March-04-2006
Location: United States
Posts: 1992
|
| Posted: January-10-2010 at 6:30pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
the coach that came from Texas A&M was Billy Gillespie. He had a major drinking problem but I dont think UK would be half as good with Gillespie as Cal cause Wall and Cousins wouldnt came to UK if Gillespie was the coach. North Carolina and Memphis both was after Wall but when Cal decided to move to Lexington, Wall also decided on UK.
Gillespie was having to start Perry Stevenson and Ramon Harris last year and neither player starts this year and Stevenson dont play much at all and Harris plays but not alot. It shows the talent just wasnt there like now
__________________
"Don't Play Well With Others"
|
| Back to Top |
|
RW
Retired Champ
Joined: August-30-2003
Location: United States
Posts: 5661
|
| Posted: January-10-2010 at 6:38pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Yeah, Billy Gillispie.
Man, John Wall is a "stud" for sure. Very talented.
Over the years the Vols have played Kentucky good in Knoxville, but not at Rupp. With the talent in the Bluegrass State, I'm kind of dreading the Vols' trip to Lexington. HA HA HA ... And especially considering the lack of bench-depth the Vols have.
|
| Back to Top |
|
Bobby Gobble
Track Owner
Joined: March-04-2006
Location: United States
Posts: 1992
|
| Posted: January-10-2010 at 7:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kentucky makes alot of mistakes but when you play as many young players as they do then mistakes will be made but they have got better and keep getting better. Wall is a monster and DeMarcus Cousins is a beast too.
6 players didnt return to UK that played last year: 1) Jodie Meeks went pro 2) Kevin Galloway transfered to Texas Southern 3) Jared Carter 4) Donald Willimams 5) AJ Stewart 6) Michael Porter
Porter was released from the team after starting every game last year and decided to stop playing basketball. Carter, Williams, and Stewart transfered as far as I know but I dont know where.
__________________
"Don't Play Well With Others"
|
| Back to Top |
|
|
|
News
Active Topics
Members
Search
Help
Register
Login
Topic: 4 UT Basketball Players Arrested
