Any report from Big Orange Caravan.

[freedom fighter]

..

 

[Delmar]

Was at the one in Memphis tonight. Really enjoyed the banter between all the coaches and Mike Keith. Rick picked right up where he left off with Kesling— busting Mike’s chops. Rick really is a funny dude. All of them covered some new players coming in.

 

[Delmar]

Oops. Cut off too quick. Josh with some nice comments on Aguilar and Raddarius. (He is really high on Raddarius.) Said he’s pleased with Merk’s and McIntyre’s development since January. Kim Caldwell has a fabulous class coming in. Keith asked Rick what he liked about Nate Ament and he said his character and desire to be coached. Kid is already looking at film. He also likes Carey. Said the guy could play football. Well north of the 255 he’s listed at and has the biggest hands Barnes has ever seen. Said the front line will be much more physical and he expects better post scoring next season.

Danny White covered the business end. Neyland sold out with 24,000 on the waiting list. School won the SEC All Sports trophy last year for the 3rd straight year and finished 3rd nationally. Mike Keith said he now has his “dream job” and is really looking forward to doing basketball again. (He definitely has that radio voice.) All in all, it’s a great time to be a Tennessee Vol!

 

[tennrich1]

Oops. Cut off too quick. Josh with some nice comments on Aguilar and Raddarius. (He is really high on Raddarius.) Said he’s pleased with Merk’s and McIntyre’s development since January. Kim Caldwell has a fabulous class coming in. Keith asked Rick what he liked about Nate Ament and he said his character and desire to be coached. Kid is already looking at film. He also likes Carey. Said the guy could play football. Well north of the 255 he’s listed at and has the biggest hands Barnes has ever seen. Said the front line will be much more physical and he expects better post scoring next season.

Danny White covered the business end. Neyland sold out with 24,000 on the waiting list. School won the SEC All Sports trophy last year for the 3rd straight year and finished 3rd nationally. Mike Keith said he now has his “dream job” and is really looking forward to doing basketball again. (He definitely has that radio voice.) All in all, it’s a great time to be a Tennessee Vol!

Awesome update. I had planned on going but time got away from me and a very close friend reminded it was TONIGHT! I always enjoy interacting with them. Glad you were there.

 

[Delmar]

A couple of other funny notes. Rick interrupted Kim and asked if she knew how to count to 9. When she paused, he said it was obvious she and her husband didn’t since the baby came in January in the middle of basketball season. To her credit though, she only missed one game. Tough customer.

At one point, Rick told Josh that he needed another shooter on the team so he had told his S&C coach to get Josh ready. (Supposedly Josh is a dead eye shooter in pick up games.) Josh deadpanned that Rick better have medical staff on hand if he expected him to play.

Overall, we are really lucky to have these coaches. Knowledgeable, high character and good senses of humor. And none of them will embarrass you unlike some others we know.