Vols At NCAA And An iPod Alert

Early this week the Vols said this NCAA tournament would be a business trip, and I've got the distinct feeling they truly believe it. Practice and press conference day in Columbus, and the players aren't awestruck. JaJuan Smith had the best line, saying "It is business. We're working a two-hour shift (on Friday) from 3pm-5pm, and hopefully we'll get a raise."

Before practice, the Vols watched some of the tournament on a television in their locker room. Tomorrow, they will gain some of the spotlight.

Unlike last year, ESPN is not following the team around. UT loved the attention last year, but I get the impression the players appreciate getting their privacy back-- at least until us regular media types invade their space.

Humorous note of the day-- and a true indication I'm not young anymore. Prior to my locker room interview with Duke Crews, I asked him what he was listening to on his iPod. Only, it wasn't an iPod. It was some kind of electric-muscle stimulation device for his leg. It looked like an iPod, really! Duke got a chuckle. Gooch, my photog, rolled his eyes. I kept telling myself, I used to be cool-- in the days of platfrom shoes and 8-track tapes.

The Vols practiced for about 45-minutes inside the Nationwide Arena. It's a stunning facility. Huge! They spared no expense building this place. They even have an auxiliary hockey rink (with spectator seating) the NHL's Blue Jackets use for practice.

Jordan Howell says it could be raining 3's in tomorrow's game. The Vols set an SEC record for 3-point baskets this season. Long Beach State did the same in the Big West Conference. Both teams average 80 points a game. But the Vols can be disruptive on defense. That, I think, will be the key.

Bruce Pearl says it could be the most entertaining game of round-one. But we have to wait until 2:45pm to watch it. Until then, I've got my iPod.