Start The Bruce Pearl Campaign, Tennessee

This may seem like a weird time to start calling for Pearl as the Volunteers have been playing pretty good basketball the last few games.  The problem with Tennessee basketball, though, is what I just said, "pretty good basketball". Cuonzo Martin has been a solid coach since he took over for Pearl three years ago, but solid isn't good enough. During Pearl's tenure, Tennessee fans got used to being good.  Damn good.  This year's team is Cuonzo's best team that he's had at Tennessee and they're looking for a nine seed in the dance at best.  The nine seed is an easy out in the first or second round.

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/bruce%20pearl.jpg

During Pearl's short lived Tennessee Career, he took them to the elite eight, had a number two team in the country, and had the fan base ecstatic each and every time the Vols took the court.  They had a top five college basketball atmosphere with Pearl at the helm.  I want that back.  I'm tired of mediocrity.  Consider McCrae and Stokes gone after this season.  That leaves the squad with whom? Martin has reached his ceiling at Tennessee and it isn't high. 

Every team we've seen since he took over has underachieved overall.  He's been able to reason and win some of the fan base over by how the team finishes the season.  They have finished well with Martin as HC.  You know what happened last year when the team finished strong, though?  NIT.  I'm tired of the ten seed and the NIT.  Nobody cares about that tournament.  Tennessee is about championships.  National Championships. Not NIT championships. 

It hurts that football is struggling in Knoxville.  When Pearl was there, he was able to take some of that pain away.  Seeing him painted up at the ladies games, hearing his post-game analysis and interviews, and simply watching him doing what he loved and where he loved it was awesome.  The fans would do anything for him.  Don't settle for mediocrity, Tennessee.  Go back and get your guy.  The guy that shouldn't have been fired in the first place.  The guy who was penalized, in essence, for having a barbecue with recruits.  We've seen worse crimes in the NCAA since then.  It's time to stand up for Pearl.  We all know he wants to be here, and we want him here.  Tennessee, stop being afraid.  Stop being stubborn.  Bring back Pearl.

Trey Frisbey
Boy Meets Sports
2/4/2014
Twitter: @boymeetsports