It’s interesting to see all of the mixed reaction from Tennessee fans regarding the Florida Gators winning the national championship in basketball last night over the UCLA Bruins. Many of us have learned to really hate the Gators over the past decide. They have been our primary rival in the SEC East ever since the league split into divisions.
So how does Florida winning the title make you feel? It’s a good thing, right? Are you happy in the fact that we can now claim we beat the national champions twice during the regular season? Bruce Pearl and the Vols swept them on the season, winning both at Thompson Boling and in Gainesville. That has to be a good recruting tool, but not as good as winning the title.
It’s not a good thing that two of Florida’s top players are from the state of Tennessee. We all remember the controversy when Buzz Peterson did not offer Maryville’s Lee Humphrey a scholarship and he ended up joining Billy Donovan at Florida. While Humphrey has not had much success against Tennessee he sure did play well last night on a national stage in the biggest game of the year.
Then there is Corey Brewer. He is the other Tennessee native that ended up wearing the wrong orange. Brewer is from Portland, Tennessee but never gave the Vols much of a look. He apparently wanted to play for a winner which Buzz Peterson and company could never claim to be. Brewer is a true talent who has NBA calibur skils.
There could be another bright side for Tennesee fans though. There may be a good chance that, with a championship under their belt, three of Florida’s top players could look to turn pro. That list includes guard Corey Brewer, forward Joahkim Noah, and center Al Horford. All three are sophomores.
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