Here's how it's always worked for me. I've always tried to surround myself with people that know more than I do. You're probably thinking, well Tony B, that doesn't seem all that hard. Whether you listen to me or read this on a daily basis, you know I'm pretty limited. One thing I did figure out a long time ago is that it's great to have experts on your side. One such person is Chris Dortch. Besides being a fellow music lover, Chris Dortch knows his college hoops. He's been a friend of the show through the years. As I was on my way to do the show yesterday, I got an innocent text from him with a link attached to his story about Tennessee getting a huge transfer in basketball! Just huge news! And an amazing job of not only having the story way before anyone else by Dortch but he chose to share it with me so I could share it with you a few minutes later on the air.
So, while the rest of the folks were trying to run it down, we were already talking about it on the air because I trusted that Dortch had it right. And guess what? He did!!! Guys like Dortch aren't going to take a shot in the dark say like a young me might have. Guess what? I don't have to do that anymore because I've surrounded myself with wonderful folks like Dortch who knows that I won't snake him. I'm only in it for the rub from brilliant reporters like him. In that vein, I'm more than glad to share my readers with Chris Dortch. Just as I'm more than happy to share the audience with my friends at insidetennessee.com and rockytopinsider.com. The more the merrier as far as I'm concerned. We're all in this together.
Check out Dortch's piece that is part breaking news, part analysis and part history lesson. I say this cat knows his stuff! Check it out and judge for yourself.
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Now, listen to Chris elaborate on his wonderful article right here on his appearance on yesterday's Tony Basilio Show. Go right to the 20 minute mark and you WILL enjoy this and get pumped up for the kind of player Tennessee landed yesterday!
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Funny how this stuff works. It looked like Tennessee was dead in the water 4 weeks ago when Mike Slive nixed Eric McKnight to the Vols. Now, I ask you, would you trade McKnight for Woodson? Even Ruin Tomorrow Jr GM of my Phillies could make sense of that question.
Keith Hatfield is hearing amazing stuff about Woodson's potential and he will be on with me to break it down today in hour #1.
Staying with the hoops theme so far today the aforementioned upstarts from Rocky Top Insider give Donnie Tyndall the RTI treatment.
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I admire the absolute heck out of Jacob Gilliam. What a great story. Walk-on to starter. Takes a lot of guts and courage to play major college football on any terms. It takes something special to go from Walk on to starter. You must be made of the right stuff.
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Here's some fodder to discuss with Mike Huguenin. Click through here and try and find where UT's QB's rank versus the nation. And yes, Huggy is this thorough with college sports. The guy knows EVERYTHING about football. Just a real sicko. See if you agree with this list. BTW, for Tennessee click on tab 71-80
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Pride of the Southland Band is under new direction. They are promising a new sound. Hope they are right. I believe they got a little stale in recent years. No reflection/offense on the kids there but here's hoping the new leadership can bring back the oomph to the pride.
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Tee Mail Time:
Tom in Wilmington always makes me homesick for the Kirkwood Highway and a sub from Casapolas! Bring it Tom!
'Hi Tony,
I watched the preview piece of the Vols season on SEC Network. At the end, the hosts went to the electronic board and predicted wins or losses for each game on the Vols schedule. The result was another 5-7 season and another year without a bowl. This is predictable and is something the realist Vol fans understand is possible this year. This made me a little sad and I wanted to dispel this sadness in some way.
I remembered a story I saw years ago about good old Lou Holtz.
Lou Holtz was talking about a time when he was coaching at Arkansas. I believe it was 1977 and Holtz and the Razorbacks were going to the Orange Bowl to face the Oklahoma Sooners. If the Sooners won they would likely be voted the National Champions for the third time in four years.
There were several "KEY" injuries to important Arkansas players and the entire media was predicting an Oklahoma win. It was simple....the Razorbacks had no shot at winning.
Holtz held a team meeting and told his team what everyone was saying about their chances. The team was somewhat despondent as they stared at the floor. Then Holtz locked the door and told them no was leaving that room until they came up with a bunch of reasons why the Razorbacks were going to win the game.
It started off slowly but eventually a player offered a reason why they would win. And another player came up with another reason. And so on. Eventually dozens of players were shouting out ways they were going to win and the mood in the room changed from negative and morose to positive and excited.
The next day they took the field and Arkansas beat Oklahoma 31-6. Chalk that win up to the great motivator Lou Holtz who wouldn't let his team believe they could be beat.
In honor of this story, I was wondering if you could ask Vols fans to write in to the blog or call the show and give a reason why the Vols will win at least six games and get to a bowl this year.
Here is my offering. Jalen Hurd. I believe that Hurd is going to turn several 1-yard plays into big momentum changing plays this year. Is there anything better than hearing the Neyland crowd get LOUD after someone makes a big play?
Just a few more days left until.....Football Time in Tennessee!
Take care,
Tom in Delaware'
What's going to be interesting this year Tom is who wins. Will it be the camp that believes it's all about line play or is there a place for those who think success lies in playmakers? Tennessee is playmaker heavy with very little up front. What a challenge it will be for those designing UT's offense to feature the talents of this year's Tennessee team. Isn't that why this season is so compelling? Like you Tom and many other reading this, I can't wait!!!
Tee Mail Too:
'Tony:
Thanks for all you do to keep us in the Big Orange community informed. The purpose of my message is to ask you to let your audience know about a special VFL, Walter Chadwick. Walter was a key member for several years of some great Volunteer football teams. Tragically, soon after his football career ended he was critically injured in a car wreck and has suffered and struggled ever since. But, he has great faith and loves all things University of Tennessee. He now lives in an assisted facility where he gets great support especially from the "Friends of Walter" who have done and continue to do many good things for him. My request is for those interested to send a card of encouragement to Walter. I know he will treasure every one. His mailing address is:
Mr. Walter Chadwick
Regency House
341 Winn Way #135
Decatur, GA 30030
Again, Tony, thank you.
Best wishes & Go Vols.
Frank'
Two things Frank! First of all thank for taking the time to care about Walter Chadwick. What a wonderful gesture on your part! Isn't this what it’s truly all about. Once you're one of us, you're one of us! I hope many reading this will take the time to drop Walter a line and wish him God's blessings. Secondly, that you would think of me and this little place in cyberspace means a whole lot to me and I want you to truly know that! Thanks again Frank and Go Vols right back to you in Georgia my friend!
Former Titan Lb Tim Shaw was released last year and was diagnosed with ALS a few months later. Yesterday the entire Titan organization had a touching tribute to him.
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Michael Carvell tells me that when I link a story of his from AJC that you blow him up! Well, let's do it today because this is really interesting. If I was an athletic program struggling to gain footing in a new league, I would get aggressive like this! You will think it’s interesting and worth your while to click this
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It hasn't happened in close to 30 years. The Giants win an appeal on the Cubs attempt to win a fast one the other night.
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Is the Charleston hoops job going to get back to Bobby Cremins yet again?
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Out of virtually nowhere, ALS awareness is undergoing a transformational moment.
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Saw where the NCAA is appealing the O'Bannon case to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Now, that's a knee slapper.
NFL Greed Checklist:
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Oh, you didn't catch that? The NFL wants musical acts to pay to play. It's not a bad idea if you think about the exposure acts are getting out of this. I'll be curious to see if the NFL can find any takers.
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Poor Philly. My professional sports town latched onto Tanney in the Little League World Series just in time for those kids to get beaten down by Las Vegas. That town can't even get a feel good in Little League sports.
