I'm loving Tennesse for some odd reason, but I also had GW in the Sweet Sixteen, so don't listen to me.

Signal to Noise is back for his second game today. Maybe there'll be a Snoop Dogg sighting as well? Find out after the jump.

Tennessee #5 South Region:

Conference Southeastern
Location Knoxville, TN
Coach Bruce Pearl (since 2005)
Arena Thompson-Boling Arena
Record 22-10 (10-6)
RPI 11
NCAA Appearances 14
NCAA Record 9-15 (.375)
Last Bid 2006
Last Win 2006

Long Beach State #12 South Region:

Conference Big West
Location Long Beach, CA
Coach Larry Reynolds (since 2002)
Arena The Pyramid
Record 24-7 (12-2)
RPI 87
NCAA Appearances 7
NCAA Record 7-8 (.467)
Last Bid 1995
Last Win 1973


Hey everyone, West Coast correspondent S2N here again. Warning in advance: I may have to bail if this game runs too long -- work at 2:45 Pacific, but you will get the majority of this game, I promise, and three hours should be plenty.

My pick is LBSU, because if you didn't know, I live five minutes from another Big West conference school (GO MUSTANGS!), and you gotta show 'em some love. We're headed out to the game right about now, and the Vols are up 9-5, says Fatty-Boombalatty Greg Gumbel. Off to Columbus after the break!

We're in, and LBSU gets a two via Mark Dawson off the offensive board. Tenn responds with a miss, and a foul on the other end against Juwon Smith, with his second. Vols up by six as we head to break. Players to watch: LBSU guard Aaron Nixon and Vols guard Chris Lofton, of course.

The Vols' forward has lost a contact lens, and Tim Brando is talking about the "incestuous world that is college coaching." Lofton working the ball, moves it over, Cruise is blocked, and Mark Dawson rips it away. Lofton gets the steal, scores with the left, steals the inbound again, and gets another score.

"The Volunteers, annoying you, they're like gnats defensively." - Tim Brando

The Vols are thieving so much right now that the Columbus Police Department is being called out for an incident not involving OSU students or players.

Thank you, I'll be here all the week. And the Vols hit another three after a steal, but LBSU responds with a transition bucket after beating the pressure. Smith hits another jumper. Wayne Chisholm gets an easy bucket down low, and the problem is that LBSU has no one taller than 6'6" on their roster and they're getting abused for easy buckets.

31-14, Vols.

We're being switched to Winthrop-ND right now. Go check out RUTS' live blog until they come back (if at all). I'll keep a score count of the damage here for you.

OK, we're back, Vols up by 13 right now, and they're playing lockdown D and hitting threes.

Zach Landres-Schnur said: damn. i like LBST in this (i'm getting ND/Winthrop here in Seattle), but appearantly they look rather uninpsired.

Yep, pretty much. They're doing the best they can on D, but Tenn is a bigger version of the 49ers. Nixon hits a nice shot, but Tab responds with an easy two. Kejuan Johnson gets a bucket for the Niners and the foul too. (Key-juan. Love that name.)

Six minutes left and the lead is down to single digits, which is always a good sign for an underdog. Tenn's missed the last 5 shots, and Houston is going to the line after getting fouled on the drive. This is how LBSU needs to score, work it off the dribble, don't get flustered, and get those foul shots.


Grimey said: I would like to be frequently updated about the amount of drama in the LBSU. If this isn't possible, I will simply assume "so much."

Man, it's hard out here for a Niner, especially when you got a guy like Duke Cruz going inside on your ass. Kejuan hits a three and pulls it within six for the Niners, tries it again the next time down and the Duke grabs a board. Ramar Smith gets fouled on the other end.


41-35, Vols.

Awful Announcing- said: Carrie Bradshaw is awesome!

Shit, did I miss a Horseface sighting???

The Vols get four points after the second free throw miss and Smith hits a three from the corner after an offensive board. Another steal by Bradshaw, pass to Smith, who drives the lane, scores, and picks up the foul for an old-fashioned three point play. We may be getting swapped out again soon at this rate. Free throw is good. Kejuan Johnson WILL NOT let it go though, and hits another three to make it a ten point game. Jawon Smith hits another two baseline.

"This highlight film isn't going to make a lot of defense teaching reels, but it's been highly entertaining." - Mike Grimminski

Chisholm gets another quick score, and the Vols are up by a dozen. Tennessee's still stealing like crazy and getting points off the turnovers, and it's back to a dozen again. The Vols have 16 points off Niner turnovers, and there's gonna be a lot of drama in the LBSU locker room come halftime.

Bruce Pearl needs to be required to either wear the orange blazer or body paint. His choice.

Halftime. 57-45, Vols.

BD said: This one sounds like it's fun to watch. Got the WIN-ND game over here though. Did you pick LBSU S2N or did you let your Big West bias go?

My bias (noted over at Signal to Noise) stuck with me, BD, but I didn't have LBSU upsetting Virginia or anything like that. Of course, Tennessee could totally screw up my bracket.

That's the first I've ever seen of Mike Giminski. He has a very punchable face. Just sayin'.

Hm. Got Wisky-TAMUCC now, as the Vols are up 67-47. Check out Marco and RUTS' live blogs and I'll be back if this game comes back on.

Score update: 73-51, Vols, about 14 minutes to go. This is getting out of hand. I hope you took the Vols with the spread today. I didn't.

90-62, Vols, 10 to go. Ouch.

Six minutes left, 101-78, Vols. Be back with a final score for you.

Final Score: 121-86, Vols. I just made a couple hundred on my bet for the Over. Thanks for joining me, and I'll probably be back later in the weekend. Join the rest of the guys for more liveblog action, and drop by Signal to Noise for more fun and snark.