Congratulations to the current National Champion. In the past 20 years, the SEC has now won 10.5 of the past 20 National Titles awarded with the rest of college football logging 9.5 combined. Congratulations to your national champion but I'm longing for the day which is coming very soon where we won't have to live vicariously through the success of others in our region. Tennessee needs to get back to being Tennessee. It's time to start mattering again in major college football. We are big time in college football. Big Time!!!!
Watching Georgia/Bama last night gave me a headache as I got to thinking about everything that's gone on locally, regionally and nationally since the Vols were at the top of the mountain.
Putting Tennessee's Football Failures Into Perspective:
Every other Big 6 team in the SEC has either played for or won a National Title.
Tennessee Basketball has had 6 coaches.
Tennessee football has had 5 coaches.
Spurrier quit two SEC Football teams.
Tom Brady was drafted by the Patriots where he'd rewrite every record book.
911 Stood only for emergencies.
Trump wasn't even a reality TV star let alone President.
Hussein still ruled Iraq.
World Trade Centers still stood.
Ronald Reagan was still alive.
The Last Time The Vols Were Champions In January of 1999: 
Nick Saban was at Michigan State
Spurrier was still a thing at Florida.
Rick Barnes was at Clemson.
Nashville was a quaint city.
Green Power ran UT Hoops.
Michael Jackson was still alive.
Jerry Sandusky was a respected DC at Penn State.
Bill Clinton was president.
Internet was in its infancy.
Smartphones were a decade away.
A tablet was something you wrote on.
Bill Bellecheat was coaching the New York Jets.
Jimmy Haslam was still a millionaire.
Tom Brady was backing up Drew Henson at Michigan.
Rams were in 5th season in St. Louis.
LeBron James was 13 years old.
Barack Obama was an Illinois State Senator.
Butch Jones was an intern with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brandy's Have You Ever? was #1 Song in America.
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Tennessee Basketball is Big Time!!! Despite what you might think, Tennessee has the second best tradition in the SEC next to Kentucky. Saturday night, Tennessee was BIG TIME!
Big time recruits were on hand while the Vols gave a big time effort in front of a sold out crowd. This is the second time that Tennessee has performed this year before a raucous packed house in Knoxville in front of a Blue Blood opponent. Everything about this screams big time. The only reason Tennessee isn't playing big time basketball right now is that Rick Barnes has decided to this point not to. Here's hoping that with the Simons situation and the visits of Jalen Lecque & Jaden Springer along with Norance Berry, Jordan Rawls and Jason Jitoboh. Here here coach Barnes and staff. These are the kind of recruits were were wanting to see Tennessee involved with for the past several years. Because, we are after all, big time. And big time programs back up Saturday's win with a win at Vandy tonight. I'm expecting Tennessee to win this game in what will become a big time step forward for UT Hoops.
Griffin’s 3 Pointers
Griffin’s 3 Pointers - Vanderbilt
1. Memorial Magic??? 6-4 at home this season but usually carries a big advantage at home. People love to discuss the benches being located behind the baskets and how this is an advantage for Vandy. I felt that the gymnasium was shooter friendly for both sides. For UT to come away with a victory in Music City, it must contain Vandy’s guards arsenal of 3 point shooting for Vandy will live and die by the 3!!!
2. As A Team- 6-9 (1-2 SEC) with a notable win against Alabama 76-75 and losses to Belmont 60-69, USC 89-93 OT, Virginia 42-68, Seton Hall 59-72, MTSU 63-66, and Arizona State 64-76.
Played 4 ranked non conference opponents which is the most since 1988. USC #10, Virginia #25, Seton Hall #20, and Arizona State #5.
KenPom strength of schedule currently 11 (UT 4). Averaging 71.0 points per game while attempting 26 3 Pointers per game and connecting on 8.5.
3. Who To Look Out For- Matthew Fisher-Davis- Senior 6’5” Guard. Averaging- Minutes 28.4, Field Goal % 37.8- leader in shots attempted 148, 3 Point % 33.7- leader in 3 Point shots attempted and made 33-98, Free Throw % 84.4, Rebounds 5.3- 2nd on the team, Steals 18-1st on the team, and second in scoring per game 12.8.
Huge weekend for the Vols!!! Yuuuuge!!!! Big time!!!!
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Trey Smith Is Big Time: FWAA know the score.
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On McKenzie's Decision: I'm surprised but then again not really that he's leaving. Obviously this coaching staff is upping the ante with regards to output from returning veteran players. So, if you're a veteran player with marketable skills from an already wealthy background without a discernible desire to play football at the big time level, why not get paid real money if you're going to have to put your body on the line? And I'm not knocking McKenzie but he's never going to be called a catalyst in workouts or on the football field from his time at Tennessee. So, while McKenzie's decision would be ordinarily eye raising in this case it almost makes sense from my point of view. And I'm not knocking him because major college football is a big time commitment from a playersʻ standpoint. I hope Reginald Jr. becomes a breakout star in the NFL or whatever he ends up doing. Go, young man, go!!!
We had some terrific NFL conversation on the Tony Basilio Show on Monday and why not? The NFL playoffs are a great show. Brian Hartman, your Basilio Show Producer is feeling it with HIS Jags heading to Pittsburgh this weekend on house money.
Brian Hartman
'10 years is a long time. It had been that long since the Jags last won a playoff game. Sunday's game, a 10-3 triumph over the Buffalo Bills, seemed like it lasted 10 years. If you watched the game, no need to go into many details. Here is one mind blowing stat: Jags QB Blake Bortles rushed for 88 yards. He passed for 87. That alone tells you what being a Jags fan has been like recently.
Despite all the ugly descriptions that can be used to describe this, I could not be happier right now. From this point forward, I have no expectations. Before the season started, I had no expectations TBH. When you are a Jags fan, you don't expect greatness. It's just how it is.
This season is going to be fulfilling no matter what happens in Pittsburgh Sunday, at least for me. And I am at peace with that. On a flip side, a loss to that underwhelming Bills unit would have been devastating. Way below terrible. Especially at home, on Everbank Field. From 10-4 to 10-7, season over. Would have felt like a miserable failure. Even though it really was a pretty good season through 14 games. It was nice to see Nathan Peterman play for the opposing team this time after starting QB Tyrod Taylor was knocked out of the game late. Peterman, right on cue, throws the game clinching interception. To CB Jalen Ramsey. Who is a Smyrna, TN native that chose Florida St over Tennessee. It's all come full circle.
Now, I'm going to address Blake Bortles: You have nothing to lose now. No one ever thought you could take any team to the second weekend of the playoffs. Not many experts will pick you to have success in Pittsburgh, much less win IMO. Which you all ready have once this season. 30-9 in Week 5. The Steelers will have all the expectations and pressure that comes along with them. You have the best defense in the NFL. Trust it. No need to play scared this week. It's is a 1ET kickoff on Sunday. You should be used to that. Same routine and all. Be loose. You got nothing to lose. But the Steelers do. Many people will be looking ahead to Steelers vs Patriots Part 2. Blake, you are playing with house money. Don't hold back. Embrace the opportunity, embrace the moment. Do that, and I can live with the result, which will take care of itself.
Let's ride.
Brian'
Briney Boy: If ya'll just had a smidgen of QB play, I'd like you to perhaps get out of the AFC. Let's say the Jags were able to add a guy like Kirk Cousins in free agency, they'd be my pick to win the conference next year. If you had him under center Sunday in Pittsburgh, you would be winning it.
Briney's Jags are already an interesting bet in 2019.
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What Comes Around Goes Around: DEREK DOOLEY will be back at Neyland Stadium on Nov. 17 as QB coach and OC of the Missouri Tigers. You know...it was against Missouri that Dooley had his last home game at UT. (Courtesy Eric S. South Ga)
Finally... Congrats to Mike Griffith on winning a huge award in his profession.
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A New Direction At TonyBasilio.com: Here at Tonybasilio.com we’re creating a series of programming with little to mostly zero commercial sponsorship. In other words, you will be digesting the following programs in coming days with almost no interruption. This is unprecedented in the history of my business. Nobody has ever done this. Here are the offerings coming your way.
Our Family Of Offerings:
‘X-Cast: A Recruiting Podcast’: Featuring Tony Basilio & ‘X’ where we discuss the latest moves, behind the scenes machinations and all the intrigue from the world of recruiting. This will hopefully be offered twice monthly with lengths varying. If this takes off perhaps we can even do some live offerings of this show. THIS IS BEING OFFERED COMMERCIAL FREE!!!
Fifth Quarter Fan Reaction: Back for season 4. Sponsored by Marcos Garza. This year with NO OTHER SPONSORS. This will be pure content for you. I’m taking a chance here but I know you will reward me for not bombarding you with messages Vol Network style. This program will run for at least 3 hours following Tennessee Football Games. We will have new visual presentation of this feature as well that we’re investing in. Thanks to Jayson Swain for helping me with the technical side of our visual presentation.
Southeastern Sunday Night: 7p to 9p on Sunday Nights airing on Periscope/Facebook Live and other platforms including your Tony Basilio Show App. This will be a regional program that aims to keep it real. We will tell the truth on us, them and all with you. This could be a lot of fun if you help me spread the word across the region. This hopefully will turn into a free for all that is free for all. ZERO SPONSORS. COMMERCIAL FREE OFFERING.
Vol-Scars: A podcast featuring Vol Historian Tom Mattingly and Eric S where we go back in time and commemorate the painful losses in UT football history that left a mark. These shows are extremely time intensive to put together. I’ve worked all summer on these offerings and am really proud of what we’ve compiled thus far. I think you’ll really enjoy this. COMMERCIAL FREE.
Gate Twenty Won: A podcast Featuring Vol Historian Tom Mattingly where we celebrate the greatest wins in UT history in time capsule form. These are a breath of fresh air and the type of programming I’m aiming to bring to you . COMMERCIAL FREE
Chill Cast: Tell Me A Story: A podcast where I grab folks from the sports world and our community and allow them to share their stories with us. This will be done in the spirit of the
recent re-launch programs that I did. We’ll aim to go deeper here. Stay tuned. COMMERCIAL FREE.
Tennessee Basketball Overtime: Back for year 5! Immediately following Tennessee Basketball Games. A Tennessee Basketball Call-In show featuring ONLY ONE SPONSOR…GARZA LAW FIRM. Therefore we keep the conversation going without bombarding you Vol Network style. What a concept!!!!
Garza On The Law: A Podcast dealing with the legal issues that invade the sports world featuring the great Marcos Garza. We will go deeper here. I promise that you will find this interesting. Presented by Garza Law Firm.
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FAQ's Asked Of Tony Per Our Relaunch Announcement:
Q: Tony, you didn't say anything about your daily show yesterday. Will you continue to do this?
A: Absolutely. I'm looking forward to year #24 with you.
Q: Tony, you used the word 'subscribe'. What Am I subscribing too?
A: Great question. 'Subscribe' is a misnomer. What you actually are doing if you choose to help us monthly (and we need this for budgeting reasons) is actually acting as a patron. The goal is to keep the content (ALL CONTENT, from postgame offerings to various podcasts) free for all.
Q: So, if I'm not subscribing and I'm already reading this, why give?
A: Because you value the content and our contribution to the market and you want to help us keep this stuff free for everybody.
Q: Are you going to beat us up for money all the time here?
A: Absolutely not. I will bring this up a few times heading into the football season as we attempt to meet our financial goals and create new programming. I'll also mention it in the post-game format as well as the regional programming. I will not however wear you out with this. Either you feel the need to help us or you don't. This is why I'm taking today to field some question I received after day one.
Q: What happens if this doesn't generate the revenue you're seeking?
A: We will scale back our online offerings accordingly. The blog itself could even disappear. I really don't want this to happen but will be forced to spend my time in the most profitable way necessary. That's why we're having the conversation. All my cards are on the table here.
Q: Where can I find these new podcasts, like that X-Cast?
A: Click on "Podcast" wherever you see it on the site, and it will take you to our Podcast page.
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