I went to every UT home BB game from 75-79. Mears was the KING of slow down basketball. It worked. They won games but the tempo was painfully slow. Coach Mears's style would not work in today's fast paced game - but he was a good guy. Don DeVoe was the Phil Fulmer of his time. Nice guy, got some decent players but was not good at motivating the kids. Green, Buzz and other were well, average at best and never bled orange.
Pearl is as on top of his game today as he was when he rode into rode into town 5 years ago. The difference is that the kids believe in him now and will follow him into battle. Coach Pearl has earned the respect of his walk- ons & scholarship players, and when you get a team playing together vs individually, your fan support will grow and strengthen, you''ll win more games and gosh darn it, someone on ESPN just might notice us! Go VolNation!!