Toppling Tide was mostly effort, extra effort

Marvin Westwestwords

Tennessee fans, almost all of 2l,678, provided thunderous support, a tremendous atmosphere at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Volunteers responded with terrific effort. Rick Barnes was so proud, he used “effort” eight times …

Gus Manning gone at 99

Marvin WestOur Town Stories, westwords

Gus Manning, 99, a treasured segment of Tennessee sports history, died Sunday night. He was one of a very few remaining direct links to Robert R. Neyland.
Gus was truly a …

Three losses in four games

Marvin Westwestwords

Near the end of January, a few minutes after Tennessee topped Texas, 82-71, interim coach Rodney Terry of the Longhorns said the Volunteers have the ingredients of a Final Four …

History repeats, Vol lose late

Marvin Westwestwords

Too bad, so sad … history repeats … devastating three in the closing second … home game to double the hurt … this time it was Missouri 86, Tennessee 85.
A …

Vandy upsets Vols in last half-second

Marvin Westwestwords

Almost a really good game … better shooting … fewer whistles … stunning conclusion.
You could say Vanderbilt upset Tennessee, 66-65, on a three-pointer launched by Tyrin Lawrence a fraction of …

Rick Barnes and NCAA Tournament

Marvin Westwestwords

Wise and witty Doug Jones, faithful westwords reader, has surged into first place in concise column commentary.
His short needle after the Tennessee loss at Florida was “Is it March already?”
The …

Vols win ‘basketball’ game

Marvin Westwestwords

Sports purists may not have recognized what Tennessee and Auburn were doing Saturday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena. It is called Southeastern Conference basketball.
The basic idea is to throw the ball …

Vols really bad or Gators very good

Marvin Westwestwords

Previously second-ranked Tennessee was bad, really bad. It lost twice at Florida, inept start, feeble finish.
Or, could be it was the exact opposite, a stunning upset by the Gators. They …