Bruce Pearl

Thanks to Doug for sending me this info on the new Tennessee bball coach...


The man has a 79% winning percentage. (231 - 46 at Southern Indiana, 88 - 38 at UWM for a total of 319 - 84).He took over programs that were winning 50% of their games and raised it to 80%.Southern Indiana:

He took over for Bo Ryan (a guy who won 78% of his games in his career before he got the job at Wisconsin) at UWM. Ryan is regarded as one of the best coaches in the Big Ten. He has no top 100 players and you can watch him today try to beat UNC in the elite 8.

Anyway here are the numbers for UWM:Before Ryan: 28 - 81Ryan: 30 - 27Pearl: 88 - 38Pearl was coach of the year in the horizon 3 years out of 4. He has raised some much excitement that they now play their games in a bigger arena in Milwaukee.

UWM has never made any post season...well Pearl has taken them to 2 NCAA's and 1 NIT in his 4 years (of course made the sweet sixteen this year).The other thing like I really like is that he's in his 40's and has history to fall back on with winning.

Most 'Hot' coaches are young and have done it for a couple of years then get's promoted. This guy was the fastest to 200 wins, rebuilt two programs and has never had a losing season in 13 years.

The man is a phenominal coach and you will be happy with not only winning, but having a great charasmatic steward of your basketball program.

Verno

Friday's Show

Possibly Jermaine Taylor on the boxing show.

On the Overtime show--

CBS Analyst Len Elmore

Grizzlies Scout Tony Barrone Jr.

GEORGE KARL ON INSIDE THE NBA

With me and Tillery tommorow morning. Bringin in another heavy hitter... Grandpa's station is bringing the pain.

Taylor and Hopkins in Memphis? And More...

Jermaine Taylor and Bernard Hopkins have decided to make a championship fight happen. Hopefully it will be in Memphis. I talked to the guys over at Prize Fight and they told me that they are in the running, but its not a sure thing.

The hang-up is ticket prices and whether or not Memphis could bring the box office sales that are needed for a fight of this magnitude. The prices are going to be really high and hopefully Prize Fight can get it worked out. I would love to see this fight here. Maybe I will be able to tell you that it will be soon. Vegas and L.A. are also in the running. Prize Fight has been working with Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy on a card for April, so that relationship is there. Hopkins is of course with Golden Boy, and someone from his camp said that the fight would be in Memphis. Here's hoping he is right...

Here is the article on the fight by Dan Rafael--http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=2019147

I can't believe I drafted Bonds first in my fantasy draft. Unfreakinbelievable. In the words of Barry, "I am just tired." Tired of all my first rounders getting hurt every year!

tomorrow on Gary Parrish Wednesdays...

Manhattan Coach Bobby Gonzalez

Bil "Spaceman" Lee

possibly the coach from Laurenburg

possibly Len Elmore from CBS

As always... email me with any guest ideas that you have and we will do our best to make it happen. Tell a friend about the show... grassroots radio.

Verno

Some stuff from the show today...

Ole Miss fiasco with the assistant coach is totally absurd...

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050320/SPORTS030103/503200378/1109


Bobby Knight just cannot help himself...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2018104

I will update the blog this afternoon.

Verno

Tigers vs. Louisville Part 2

Gary Parrish writes a post-game article
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/tigers_mens_basketball/article/0,1426,MCA_652_3617944,00.html

Geoff Calkins writes a column
http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/sports_columnists/article/0,1426,MCA_468_3617324,00.html

As I said yesterday, I have never really felt like I would throw up at a game as it completed. I did yesterday. Darius Washington will never forget what happened on Saturday, and none of us that were in the arena and watched it will either.

It was the best college basketball game that I have ever seen in person. The swings of emotions that were part of that game will be unmatched for some time.

There is not a kid that grew up playing sports that hasn't taken those free throws in his backyard thousands of times. In the backyard, the pressure isn't the same, and you always win.
Unfortunately that is not real life.

No one blames Darius, except Darius. He was the reason that the Tigers were even in that position, but he doesn't want to hear that.

I thought John Calipari coached an incredible tournament. With literally hours to prepare for each game, he had the Tigers prepared to attack whatever was thrown at them.

The Tigers made an incredible run at a bid for the tournament. They had the coaching, the effort, and the chance to seal the deal. Unfortunately, Darius wasn't in the backyard, he was in front of millions with the burden of hope riding on the shots he would shoot.

Here is hoping he forgives himself...

It was classic drama, no matter the outcome. Totally unforgettable.

Tigers vs Louisville

I have never in my life really thought I was going to throw up at a game. I did today. Totally excruciating loss. I will give my total thoughts tomorrow.

Verno

Conference Tournaments Set

Here are the tourney layouts for CUSA and the SEC. I love conference tournaments and I'm glad that we have one in Memphis. My shows on Wed and Thurs will be shortened, as we are carrying the CUSA tournament on Sports 56. Memphis gets St. Louis in the first round... how about making a bad-shooting team shoot this time around?

Here's how the tourneys look

CUSA http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/champweek2005/news/story?page=cusa

SEC http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/champweek2005/news/story?page=sec

Neither conference has a dominating team, so these should be fun to watch.

Verno

OH GREAT-- BONZI HITS IL

Bonzi Wells has been placed on the injured list with a herniated disc in his back. I am glad I have this blog for this reason. Andre Emmett has been activated. Here is the release.

GRIZZLIES PLACE BONZI WELLS ON THE INJURED LIST;
ACTIVATE GUARD ANDRE EMMETT

Memphis, Tennessee — The Memphis Grizzlies today placed guard Bonzi Wells on the injured list with a slightly herniated disc in his back and activated guard Andre Emmett from the injured list.

Through 51 games played, Wells averaged 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.27 steals in 22.2 minutes per game. He was shooting 41.7% from the field and a 36.9% from three-point range. In Tuesday’s game against the Warriors, he left the game in the second quarter with back spasms. An MRI on Wednesday at the Campbell Clinic revealed a slightly herniated disc. He is expected to miss two to three weeks to undergo treatment.

Emmett was placed on the injured list on Jan. 25 with a right ankle sprain. Through four games played this season, he is averaging 1.0 points, 0.3 rebounds and 2.0 minutes.

The Friday show

I hope you got to hear Rick Glazer on the Boxing show this morning. We talked about how Showtime is going to be free for cable subscribers this weekend and you can watch the fights that they have. Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy is a guy that I like-- but Glazer killed his opponent Reuben Williams--- saying he was a bum with no chin and no heart and the fight would be over in the first or second round. It was hilarious. Everyone agreed that the Main Event--- Diaz/ Castillo-- would be a great fight. Check it out if you get a chance.

I have a problem with Memphis not being sure about playing Louisville or Cincy next year. I thought it should have been made a sure thing. R.C. Was sure about it a week ago, and now nobody is sure? I thought that Peter and Eli did a good job of getting answers from Bonowski this morning.

rumors include Mike Anderson to UT if they fire Buzz, and Matt Doherty to East Carolina.

Jason Ferguson (DT Cowboys) signed a 9 mil. Signing bonus and was on the show today. He was a great interview. I thought it was hilarious when I asked him if he blamed Doug Brien for the loss to Pittsburgh in the playoffs and he laughed and said, "Yeah, I blame him."

Let me know what guests you want to hear on the show. Bill "Spaceman" Lee has been confirmed for the 16th. I encourage you to let me know who you want to hear and we will make it happen if we can.

I am going to be getting together your chance to meet the great Sandy at a remote soon.

Verno

Tigers vs. St. Louis

I went to the game last night. It was pitiful. Totally ridiculous.

Greetings from the Lou

I am going to the Memphis game tonight.

Inside the NBA will have Brian Cardinal, Pete Praneca, and Mark Spears on it.

Gary Parrish Wednesdays will be broadcast from my parents house.

Verno

Headin to St. Louis

Today the show will come to you from Isaac Hayes place down at Peabody Place. I will only be on for an hour- which will be the Jersey Mikes Square Table. We have set up blogs for Rob and Eli if you click on the Square Table link on the front page.

tomorrow the show will be live from St. Louis before the Memphis/ St. Louis game. Gary will be on with me there.

I had a terrible feeling that Pau would not be coming back this year, and today's article didn't help things.

There is something wrong with how the deal was made if the Tigers don't play Louisville after they leave. There shouldn't even be a question about it.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING ON THE WEBSITE, OR THE SHOW, EMAIL ME AT CHRIS@CVERNON.COM. WE HAVE A FEW NEW ONES COMING ON AND WOULD LOVE TO ADVERTISE FOR YOU TO.

Thanks for listening to the show.

Chris