Tennessee - Memphis cancelled

[savannahfan]

That won’t happen in a world of functional employed adults. Universities don’t make eternal mandates. In the secret space counsel of your imagination, this is possible. In the real world, notsomuch.

Yes it does happen and more than you think. Example: large organizations requiring inoculate or go, there are many examples where the "top" of companies mandates over managers. However if you are right or not, I still say the university needs to make a resounding point by not letting the university they run play Memphis High.

 

[TGRVL]

Memphis backed out at the last minute “due to covid protocol” - because 2 players tested positive the morning of the game, and apparently all but 4-5 of the rest of their players are unvaccinated. (Misleading, Memphis didn't "back out", they were forced not to play "due to protocol")

Earlier in the season penny said about 90% of their players are vaccinated. He’s been pushed on this now and backtracked, claiming he “misspoke” and didn’t really know how many were vaccinated. (True and embarrassing)

Also earlier this year their entire team attended a game at MSG that required proof of vaccination… (Read the statute. It only applies to and enforced on NY residents; not visiting teams)

Some of their fans are more pissed about the team lying about their status while regularly interacting with the public (True), some are more pissed about penny using covid as an excuse not to play us. (False) They’re all embarrassed. Maybe it blows over but this really could be the beginning of the end for penny.

(I've noticed every transgression seems to be labeled "the end of Penny")

 

[southgatevol]

(I've noticed every transgression seems to be labeled "the end of Penny")

Why would anyone outside of Memphis want Penny to leave?

 

[TGRVL]

Why would anyone outside of Memphis want Penny to leave?

I'm not sure why but after every loss that seems to be the narrative.

 

[BartW]

(I've noticed every transgression seems to be labeled "the end of Penny")

MSG does have a vaccine requirement - check their website. As for the rest, it’s what I’d read browsing your message boards. Even some of your own fans were calling it an excuse to not play shorthanded (though if you’re truly down to 4 players obviously there could be no game).

The biggest issue IMO is not even knowing who on the team is vaccinated and who isn’t. COVID politics aside, shouldn’t team activities take into account vaccination status?

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Memphis basketball's Emoni Bates was unlikely to play vs. Tennessee

Jayden Hardaway didn’t make the trip because of a graduation, Chandler Lawson & Earl Timberlake were also likely unavailable due to injuries. Nolley & Harris were the 2 that tested positive for COVID, unknown who is/isn’t vaccinated. However Memphis said majority of roster is vaccinated which should mean 8-9 vaccinated players, seems quite coincidental that all the injured players also happened to be the vaccinated players.

 

[Delmar]

Memphis basketball's Emoni Bates was unlikely to play vs. Tennessee

Jayden Hardaway didn’t make the trip because of a graduation, Chandler Lawson & Earl Timberlake were also likely unavailable due to injuries. Nolley & Harris were the 2 that tested positive for COVID, unknown who is/isn’t vaccinated. However Memphis said majority of roster is vaccinated which should mean 8-9 vaccinated players, seems quite coincidental that all the injured players also happened to be the vaccinated players.

They can come up with whatever excuses they like. Bottom line is that 1Cent and their athletic dept has mismanaged this whole situation since the start. And it caught up with them Saturday. Never schedule them again.

 

[Chris4Vols22]

I hope everyone stops whining and the series gets back on track. Everyone is just acting like losers right now, UT and Memphis.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I hope everyone stops whining and the series gets back on track. Everyone is just acting like losers right now, UT and Memphis.

Why? 2/3 years there has been immature drama around their head coach, this year causing the game to not even be played….it’s not as if any of the 3 years they were some marquee opponent on our schedule, take that game and let’s play the Nova’s and Gonzaga’s of CBB.

 

[Chris4Vols22]

Why? 2/3 years there has been immature drama around their head coach, this year causing the game to not even be played….it’s not as if any of the 3 years they were some marquee opponent on our schedule, take that game and let’s play the Nova’s and Gonzaga’s of CBB.

You, Barnes, and a lot of other people are whining about these things when we could embrace it and give the country a rivalry on the scale of Duke vs UNC. All of this drama is absolute GOLD for an in-state rivalry.

I would much rather Barnes/UT say "hey it doesn't matter, we will play you anywhere, anytime, and we will beat that ass." Instead, we get huffy puffy and declare we'll never play them again. That's some real weak shiz.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

You, Barnes, and a lot of other people are whining about these things when we could embrace it and give the country a rivalry on the scale of Duke vs UNC. All of this drama is absolute GOLD for an in-state rivalry.

I would much rather Barnes/UT say "hey it doesn't matter, we will play you anywhere, anytime, and we will beat that ass." Instead, we get huffy puffy and declare we'll never play them again. That's some real weak shiz.

Lmao….How is it gonna be a Duke/UNC rivalry when Memphis hasn’t sniffed a NCAAT in 8 years, c’mon man. That’s part of the problem, they’re causing these headaches and aren’t worth it, we wouldn’t be dealing with this stuff and continue to schedule ETSU or UT-Martin would we?

 

[VolGee4]

You, Barnes, and a lot of other people are whining about these things when we could embrace it and give the country a rivalry on the scale of Duke vs UNC. All of this drama is absolute GOLD for an in-state rivalry.

I would much rather Barnes/UT say "hey it doesn't matter, we will play you anywhere, anytime, and we will beat that ass." Instead, we get huffy puffy and declare we'll never play them again. That's some real weak shiz.

I live in Memphis and got one of my degrees from that university. This is not UT's fault, and I don't blame Barnes for being upset. Rick Barnes will play anyone anywhere, but he isn't going to waste time with a head coach that disrespects him in addition to causing his school to spend money for a cancellation. Selfishly, I want a series because I can see games, but I understand why we are where we are.

 

[cncchris33]

I think the struggle lies between what Memphis traditionally was, and what Memphis has become. As BTO said, we wouldn’t go to any great length to deal with this level of drama with Tennessee Tech, UT-Martin, or any other also-ran within the state. Memphis isn’t a perennial power anymore, though their name still has a faint glow of that former mystique. Tennessee is starved for an instate rival, and our fans see Memphis as the most logical version of that. Their recent profile just doesn’t match the hype they seem to believe they’re entitled to.

Tennessee football likely falls into that same category if we’re being honest, though we are hopeful of a turnaround under Heupel.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I live in Memphis and got one of my degrees from that university. This is not UT's fault, and I don't blame Barnes for being upset. Rick Barnes will play anyone anywhere, but he isn't going to waste time with a head coach that disrespects him in addition to causing his school to spend money for a cancellation. Selfishly, I want a series because I can see games, but I understand why we are where we are.

And again, Memphis needs Tennessee more than the other way around, especially in its current state as a program…no reason why we should be dealing with that mess and for what benefit? Schedule home/home or neutral site marquee national matchups instead, Memphis isn’t even providing us with a “good win” opportunity of late.

 

[Chris4Vols22]

Lmao….How is it gonna be a Duke/UNC rivalry when Memphis hasn’t sniffed a NCAAT in 8 years, c’mon man. That’s part of the problem, they’re causing these headaches and aren’t worth it, we wouldn’t be dealing with this stuff and continue to schedule ETSU or UT-Martin would we?

Wtf do tournament appearances have to do with whether a series is a rivalry or not? If you want to actually refute any of my points or posit a relevant point, then let's dance. Don't be disingenuous, no one has to explain to you the differences between Memphis and the others you mentioned.

 

[walkenvol]

I’d offer Memphis State a 2 for 1 myself. UT is clearly the better program for the past 10+ years whereas Memphis State has been challenged to make the tourney even as a low seed. I wouldn’t do a home & home with any other team in their conference either so why with Memphis State. They’re closer to a purchase home game like an ETSU than worthy of a H&H. JMO

 

[VolGee4]

I’d offer Memphis State a 2 for 1 myself. UT is clearly the better program for the past 10+ years whereas Memphis State has been challenged to make the tourney even as a low seed. I wouldn’t do a home & home with any other team in their conference either so why with Memphis State. They’re closer to a purchase home game like an ETSU than worthy of a H&H. JMO

Eh, we've done home and homes with Cincinnati, Wichita State, and UConn in the recent past. It's really not the home and home issue. It's the headache from the past 3 years of drama, and while Barnes will play anyone, he favors other head coaches that he respects himself. My guess is he feels like he would be giving Memphis what they want by letting them disrespect him and still schedule games. If I were in his shoes, I totally get why he wouldn't do that.

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

I hate Memphis I’ll root for anyone before them. Never liked Penny either

 

[walkenvol]

Eh, we've done home and homes with Cincinnati, Wichita State, and UConn in the recent past. It's really not the home and home issue. It's the headache from the past 3 years of drama, and while Barnes will play anyone, he favors other head coaches that he respects himself. My guess is he feels like he would be giving Memphis what they want by letting them disrespect him and still schedule games. If I were in his shoes, I totally get why he wouldn't do that.

While their behavior has definitely been less than classy, I doubt CRB is so fragile that he won’t agree to schedule teams because he thinks they don’t give him enough respect. At least I hope so. A man his age who has enjoyed that level of success really shouldn’t be worried about the other coach. Ought to coach ours and schedule the teams that are best for our program to play. I’d guess CRB is savvy enough to not involve himself in any type of animosity with other coaching staffs

 

[jp1]

Why? 2/3 years there has been immature drama around their head coach, this year causing the game to not even be played….it’s not as if any of the 3 years they were some marquee opponent on our schedule, take that game and let’s play the Nova’s and Gonzaga’s of CBB.

As long as Hardaway is the coach I certainly agree.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Wtf do tournament appearances have to do with whether a series is a rivalry or not? If you want to actually refute any of my points or posit a relevant point, then let's dance. Don't be disingenuous, no one has to explain to you the differences between Memphis and the others you mentioned.

Memphis isn’t good and hasn't been good for damn near a decade, surely you don’t need me to explain why that part of the equation is important?

 

[bleedingTNorange]

While their behavior has definitely been less than classy, I doubt CRB is so fragile that he won’t agree to schedule teams because he thinks they don’t give him enough respect. At least I hope so. A man his age who has enjoyed that level of success really shouldn’t be worried about the other coach. Ought to coach ours and schedule the teams that are best for our program to play. I’d guess CRB is savvy enough to not involve himself in any type of animosity with other coaching staffs

We can schedule 50+ other programs who are better for us to play and who cause less of a headache…that’s the point.

 

[jp1]

Absolutely agree. UNC-Duke is a national rivalry.

 

[wtmvol]

Wtf do tournament appearances have to do with whether a series is a rivalry or not? If you want to actually refute any of my points or posit a relevant point, then let's dance. Don't be disingenuous, no one has to explain to you the differences between Memphis and the others you mentioned.

IMO you can't say in 1 breath that UT/Memphis could be Duke/UNC and then say it basically doesn't matter if the teams are actually good or not. UT/Memphis will never be Duke/UNC for many reasons, namely that neither school has ever been a basketball blue blood. The #1 vs #2 epic game in Memphis was a 1 in a lifetime thing, but history has shown it isn't sustainable. Memphis has been garbage for about a decade, and we've gone through our own wandering in the desert. Secondly, there is no respect between the fan bases like what you see in the Duke/UNC rivalry. Yes, they sports hate each other, but most of them have a respect for the other program. Every UT/Memphis debate quickly spirals into race class wars, white trash hillbillies/we'd be better off if Memphis was cut out of the state, nonsense.

As long as Penny is there, Memphis isn't worth the drama, and in general the rivalry just brings out the worst in both fan bases to the point it's just a rivalry I'd be perfectly content if it ended.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I hope everyone stops whining and the series gets back on track. Everyone is just acting like losers right now, UT and Memphis.

There should be no consequences for what Memphis did? Lie about how many on your team are vaccinated? Lie about the reason you can't field a team at the last minute? There should be no consequences for that?