On Tuesday night, Florida comes to Knoxville to take on the Tennessee Volunteers. The Vols (19-2 overall, 6-1 conference) lead the SEC Eastern Division, but the Gators (18-4, 5-2) are only one game behind them.
The Gators lost almost everybody from their national title team but had played well until getting thumped by Arkansas 80-61 on Saturday. Tennessee, on the other hand, is coming off impressive road wins at Mississippi State and at Alabama.
Tennessee Coach Bruce Pearl is 3-1 against Florida since coming to Knoxville, which is even more impressive when remembering that the Gators have won the last two national titles. Even with all his success, Florida Coach Billy Donovan has only managed to beat Tennessee once in Pearl's first two seasons at UT.
In football, we have all heard for years how Florida has gotten into the head of Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer. Fulmer has an excellent record, but his losing record against Florida is something Gator fans love to needle him about.
Because of this, it is only fair to ask the same question of Billy Donovan. Donovan is only 1-3 against Pearl. Has Pearl and Tennessee gotten inside Donovan's head? Does Bruce Pearl own Billy Donovan?
Florida's program will never be better than it has been the last couple of years, but the Gators have struggled against the Vols.
Will this happen again Tuesday night? We’ll see...
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3 comments:
Three cheers for Tennessee Basketball, women's and men's.
If Florida plays like they did on Saturday, Tennessee might just break the 100-point barrier. And if they do, it will be a good thing (apologies to Martha Stewart). Take THAT, Billy Donovan ... you little pretty boy.
"If Florida plays like they did on Saturday, Tennessee might just break the 100-point barrier."
Nice prediction, Joltin. Tennessee beat Florida 104-82. It's official: Billy Donovan can't beat Tennessee. We're in his head.
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