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- May 8, 2002
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My literary contributors rarely have this thought: "Maybe, I'm overreacting."
And that's fine with me.
Joe writes: Your prediction on how well Lady Vols do in March Madness sucks. You should move to Hartford, CT. I’m sure you would feel more at home.
My response: Thanks for the most nonsensical email of 2025.
You apparently don’t agree with my prediction that the Lady Vols will beat South Florida in the first round. But why the Hartford, Connecticut, reference? I don’t have the Huskies making the Final Four.
Please write more often.
Joe responds: Good attempt to turn my words back on me, but I’m not that dumb. I believe the Lady Vols will beat South Florida and Ohio State and go further than last year. You don’t give Coach Caldwell the credit she has earned for first year coach on the SEC. Shame.
My response: I repeatedly have complimented Caldwell on her first-year coaching job. But I still don’t get the Hartford reference.
I will let my readers judge your mental acuity.
Jay writes: What was the deal with the Lady Vols? Only a few players appeared to be in someone's den; no reaction to selection; no coach; no fans ... an embarrassment to the University and the State of Tennessee.
My response: I never pay attention to tournament-selection, on-camera reactions. I’m also not amused by football players pouring Gatorade on their coach.
Both the Gatorade dousing and NCAA tournament celebrations have become worn-out sports clichés. You can get enough of those in my columns.
But since you asked: The entire team was there, and the coaches also were in the same room. You might not have realized that because of how the players were situated on couches.
There also was a technological disconnect between ESPN and the teams, who were expected to act deliriously happy upon hearing they had been selected to play in the NCAA tournament. The timing was off.
For a more spontaneous reaction, check out the Lady Vols social media page. I did. The players were excited.
Mike: There is only one word to describe the jackets worn by Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats. Affordable.
My response: I also wasn’t wowed by his sportscoat selection for the Tide’s SEC tournament game against Florida. In fact, I prefer all four jackets I purchased at KARM to what Oats was wearing.
Shemp writes: “One and Done Barnes” has done his best coaching job at Tennessee building a great (former number one) team while inserting three NIL transfers as starters.
Their defense is so good that it would be almost unthinkable for them to lose to either opponent in the first two rounds.
However, their offense is so hit or miss which has provided many great games regardless of opposing talent, they could easily lose to any of the other 15 sweet sixteen teams.
My response: I’m pulling for a Houston-Tennessee regional final. The game would be so physical, officials should allow both teams to wear helmets and shoulder pads.
ADAMS: Kim Caldwell might have to change system for Lady Vols to reach Sweet 16
Mike writes: Your column predicting which 2025 road game would most likely be a stunning loss for the Vols brought back memories of the 1980's. Back then, as we drove home following each UT home football game, we listened to a local radio show in which Vols fans would call in to give their assessments of the just completed Vols game.
Calling himself "The Tennessee Pessimist," one guy would call in each week to predict what he expected would go wrong in the Vols game the following week. Whether it was concern over play calling, injuries, or whatever, he was sure he knew exactly what disaster was going to befall the Vols.
I hope your predictions are just as inaccurate as his were.
My response: I’m obviously not good at foreseeing disasters. I predicted Tennessee would beat Ohio State in last December’s College Football Playoff game.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or [email protected]. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Readers overreact to my March Madness prediction, Lady Vols 'celebration'
Continue reading...
And that's fine with me.
Joe writes: Your prediction on how well Lady Vols do in March Madness sucks. You should move to Hartford, CT. I’m sure you would feel more at home.
My response: Thanks for the most nonsensical email of 2025.
You apparently don’t agree with my prediction that the Lady Vols will beat South Florida in the first round. But why the Hartford, Connecticut, reference? I don’t have the Huskies making the Final Four.
Please write more often.
Joe responds: Good attempt to turn my words back on me, but I’m not that dumb. I believe the Lady Vols will beat South Florida and Ohio State and go further than last year. You don’t give Coach Caldwell the credit she has earned for first year coach on the SEC. Shame.
My response: I repeatedly have complimented Caldwell on her first-year coaching job. But I still don’t get the Hartford reference.
I will let my readers judge your mental acuity.
Jay writes: What was the deal with the Lady Vols? Only a few players appeared to be in someone's den; no reaction to selection; no coach; no fans ... an embarrassment to the University and the State of Tennessee.
My response: I never pay attention to tournament-selection, on-camera reactions. I’m also not amused by football players pouring Gatorade on their coach.
Both the Gatorade dousing and NCAA tournament celebrations have become worn-out sports clichés. You can get enough of those in my columns.
But since you asked: The entire team was there, and the coaches also were in the same room. You might not have realized that because of how the players were situated on couches.
There also was a technological disconnect between ESPN and the teams, who were expected to act deliriously happy upon hearing they had been selected to play in the NCAA tournament. The timing was off.
For a more spontaneous reaction, check out the Lady Vols social media page. I did. The players were excited.
Mike: There is only one word to describe the jackets worn by Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats. Affordable.
My response: I also wasn’t wowed by his sportscoat selection for the Tide’s SEC tournament game against Florida. In fact, I prefer all four jackets I purchased at KARM to what Oats was wearing.
Shemp writes: “One and Done Barnes” has done his best coaching job at Tennessee building a great (former number one) team while inserting three NIL transfers as starters.
Their defense is so good that it would be almost unthinkable for them to lose to either opponent in the first two rounds.
However, their offense is so hit or miss which has provided many great games regardless of opposing talent, they could easily lose to any of the other 15 sweet sixteen teams.
My response: I’m pulling for a Houston-Tennessee regional final. The game would be so physical, officials should allow both teams to wear helmets and shoulder pads.
ADAMS: Kim Caldwell might have to change system for Lady Vols to reach Sweet 16
Mike writes: Your column predicting which 2025 road game would most likely be a stunning loss for the Vols brought back memories of the 1980's. Back then, as we drove home following each UT home football game, we listened to a local radio show in which Vols fans would call in to give their assessments of the just completed Vols game.
Calling himself "The Tennessee Pessimist," one guy would call in each week to predict what he expected would go wrong in the Vols game the following week. Whether it was concern over play calling, injuries, or whatever, he was sure he knew exactly what disaster was going to befall the Vols.
I hope your predictions are just as inaccurate as his were.
My response: I’m obviously not good at foreseeing disasters. I predicted Tennessee would beat Ohio State in last December’s College Football Playoff game.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or [email protected]. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Readers overreact to my March Madness prediction, Lady Vols 'celebration'
Continue reading...
