Garbage Time: Duke, Detroit, and the Volunteers

Teach's Story: The Georgia Tech win against Duke last week was huge, not because I personally love seeing Duke lose, but because the ACC desperately needs a third team to be involved in the conference race, which over the last few years has been dominated by Duke and Carolina. This two team domination not only makes everyone else at the table feel awkward because all the drama centers around the Devils and Heels, but it also eats away at the idea that the ACC is the premier basketball conference.Insert a joke about the auto industry. Make a call for compassion about the state of Michigan's economy. Offer up a cliche Motown reference. Any of the above will work as an analogy for what's happening this season with the Detroit Pistons, but after watching them against the Wizards yesterday, a game that Detroit won 99 to 90, I can't help but look at Rip, Tayshaun, and Big Ben and think about General Zod, Ursa, and Non from Superman. It just feels like these three have seen better days and are just wasting time in the Phantom Zone. If you listen closely, you can even hear Rip yelling, "You will bow to me," but it's unclear whether he's speaking to Joe Dumars or the opposing team. On the bright side, Rodney Stuckey, the reason Billups seemed expendable, does lead the team in scoring with 18.2 ppg on 41% shooting; of course, the team he leads is only 12-25 and fourth in their division.

Lastly, how does John Hollinger have San Antonio number two in his Power Rankings? I'm a great hyperbolizer (word?) of the Spurs, and even I have a hard time comprehending what formula he plugged into his T-81 that backed up this claim. For the record, his number one team is Cleveland.

Langston's Story:
For much of the past two seasons, it seemed as if the rest of the basketVols stood around waiting for Tyler Smith to lead them to victory. Not unlike the Lakers before landing Pau Gasol, but all that changed when the Tennessee Four got locked up. The rest of the squad was forced to stand up and try to fill the shoes of their discarded teammates, and somehow, they managed to come out as a better team. This was never more evident than on Sunday, when they upset the Kansas Jayhawks playing with just six scholarship athletes and three walk-ons, with the biggest shot coming from freshman walk-on Skylar McBee. I'll let Bruce take it over from here:



Yesterday it was announced that Melvin Goins and Cameron Tatum passed drug tests administered shortly after their New Year's Day arrests and could be reinstated within the next two weeks. But after the way they played against Charlotte and Kansas, should they even want them back? Or do they just keep the chemistry they've built and bring them back next year?

The Vols move into SEC play against Auburn at 7:00 on Thursday, it can be seen on ESPN2.

Game of the Week:
#11 Georgetown vs. #4 Villanova, Sunday, 12:00 pm
Last Saturday, Austin Freeman had the best game of his collegiate career. One that saw him score 28 of his career-high 33 points in the second half, leading the Hoyas to a come back win over No. 13 Connecticut 72-69. On Monday, Scottie Reynolds scored 30 of his season-high 36 in the second half. Carrying his team from being 17 down in the first half to defeat Louisville 92-84 at Freedom Hall during a “white out." If this game is anything like these two splendid comebacks, it will be must-see TV.