Nichols: Tennessee-Memphis May Have Been Canceled, But Vols Still Figured Out How to Win the Day
NASHVILLE -- Tennessee players streaked up and down the hardwood at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday.
Rick Barnes watched carefully from the sideline, and fans cheered with every dunk.
The mood, once sour, had turned relatively buoyant. But, while the Vols provided highlights, a message on the screen above center court provided a stark dose of reality.
"TODAY'S MEMPHIS-TENNESSEE GAME AT BRIDGESTONE ARENA IN NASHVILLE HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19 PROTOCOLS WITHIN THE MEMPHIS PROGRAM."
According to a report from The Commercial Appeal, two positive Tiger tests were the reason for the cancelation.
The news caused immediate chaos, and any excitement for the Hardaway-Barnes grudge match crumbled in a snap.
A Startling Shift
Prior to the cancelation, the mindset across the arena seemed optimistic.
The 18th-ranked Vols were set to take on the Tigers in the third installment of a renewed rivalry, and discussions from each coaching staff appeared to lean toward continuing the series after this season.
As time ticked toward tip-off, fans began to filter into the arena. Moments later, UT's players hopped off the bus and strolled toward their locker room.
Per reports, Memphis never even left its hotel — though we had no idea of that at the time.
In the media room, breakfast food was laid out across tables. Journalists milled about, scooping eggs and ham onto their plates before the game.
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the center of the room: "Holy sh--t, the game is canceled!"
In shock, a handful of people sped toward Tennessee's locker room.
The Vols' equipment staff, which had just hauled bags from the team's bus, began stacking bags of basketballs in preparation for their trip back to Knoxville.
Meanwhile, Tennessee's warmup-clad players ambled through the arena with phones pressed to their ears and shock across their faces.
For some, this experience was new. But for those who had experienced the SEC Tournament cancelation against Alabama last March (in the same arena, no less), it was all too familiar.
Still, Barnes reiterated the difference in this case. Last time, he said, he had an "eerie feeling" the night before the game that the tournament would be canceled.
This time, however?
"We got a call when we were on the bus that there was a possibility the game might not be played."
Making Lemonade out of Lemons
Following the official announcement, players made connections and media members scrambled.
Meanwhile, Tennessee fans let their thoughts be heard.
Some booed. Others yelled. Several simply filed out, stomping toward the exits in frustration.
"This makes no sense whatsoever," one person said.
"It's kind of disrespectful, honestly," said another.
Still, not all was lost.
As shock reverberated through the almost-empty arena, Tennessee's players filtered onto the floor.
Game or no game, the Vols wanted to play basketball in front of their fans — a point they emphasized to Barnes.
In response, Tennessee’s seventh-year coach grabbed the mic next to the court and informed fans that the team would hold an intrasquad scrimmage, so as not to leave them without some sort of show.
Before taking the floor, Tennessee's players held a dunk contest that drew oooh's and ahhhh's from players and onlookers alike.
The Vols' bench whooped with each slam, and the energy turned as UT’s athletes donned their practice uniforms for a rather unconventional event.
Then, when assistant coach Rod Clark tossed the ball at mid-court, the game was on.
Zakai Zeigler zigged his way through defenders. Santiago Vescovi drained a three. John Fulkerson slammed one home. Barnes coached as sternly as if the Vols were trading blows with Hardaway’s Tigers, instead of themselves.
In response, fans shouted "Thank you!" to Tennessee's players and staff members for turning a chaotic day into one of positivity. But the on-court display was far from the end for the Vols' efforts.
Aside from getting a deeper glimpse into their team's practice habits, Tennessee supporters were also met with an easier ability to connect with players.
When a little boy motioned to Uros Plavsic, the 7-footer responded with a smile, a "What's up, buddy?" and a wave in return.
After the team huddled, several players took turns with the microphone to thank fans who had made it into the arena for staying anyway.
Those who had left — and those still outside — were not allowed in to watch the scrimmage.
When it was his turn with the mic, Josiah-Jordan James offered a simple quote: “Everything happens for a reason.”
Vescovi, for his statement, led a quick chant of, "It's Great to be a Tennessee Vol."
As the team walked off the floor, players took pictures with fans and interacted in a way that can be rare given the way college basketball operates, especially in a world that’s been dunked into a pandemic.
In summation, some onlookers offered a perspective that was far different than the one felt right after the cancelation was announced:
"That was better than an actual game."
The Aftermath
Going forward, Tennessee will gear up for matchups with No. 8 Arizona and No. 6 Alabama.
As for Vols-Tigers, it's unknown whether these teams will play next season. They certainly won’t meet again this year, as Barnes said there’s “no way” Tennessee could fit another game on an already-packed schedule.
If this the end of the rivalry, though, what a weird way to go out.
Whether these teams meet again or not, Barnes reiterated Friday that he “wants (Tennessee) to have a presence” in Nashville.
Given the way Big Orange fans are spread across this region, Barnes' goal has been established long before this game was ever announced.
But Saturday's post-cancelation efforts resulted a greater connection to this area -- and to Tennessee fans in general -- than a scoreboard will ever show.
And even if this wonderfully controversial series is done, the Vols using their time to make people smile feels like some measure of positivity to take from a day we hope will never come again.
