KNOXVILLE -- University of Memphis freshman guard Chris Crawford suspects he'll be the one hearing the worst of it tonight from Tennessee fans when the Tigers invade Thompson-Boling Arena for their first true road test of the season.
After all, it was just last October when Crawford, then one of the nation's top-rated guard prospects as a senior at Sheffield High, tantalized Vols fans by initially picking up an orange cap representing Tennessee during his commitment announcement.
But Crawford, who at one point appeared to be a lock to become Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl's first signee out of Memphis, put the orange cap down, then donned the blue Tigers cap in front of him. Crawford didn't make it any easier for Tennessee fans to swallow the decision with his comments afterward.
"It really wasn't my style," Crawford said then. "I didn't like how they acted there. I didn't want to be in that kind of environment. I knew Tennessee wasn't for me. Memphis is my school."
Now, more than a year later and 13 games into his college career, Crawford doubts Tennessee fans have forgotten his hat-swapping antics or the comments he made about the program.
"I'm expecting a very hostile crowd after what I did. I wouldn't be surprised because I know they were mad when I picked up that hat," said Crawford, whose No. 21 Tigers (11-2) are looking to avenge a 66-59 loss to the Vols at FedExForum last December that ended the Tigers' 23-game home winning streak. "But it's just another intense game. We've got to do a way better job on the defensive end. I feel if we do well on the defensive end, we can most definitely beat them."
