The CheckerBoard

I actually think this helps UT more than Memphis. I think keeping the UT hate going helps Memphis in recruiting IMO

So predictable to see the memphis bashing that goes on when we lose a bball recruit to them. I never understand it. People ask why a kid would chose that *&%! school where they are nothing but *&*(@$ , and then wonder why we dont get more recruits out of memphis. hmmm. Maybe start acting with a bit of respect and class and it would help, number one. Number two, Memphis is a PART of Tennessee last I checked. I know a lot of people dont like this, but it's a HUGE part of our great and DIVERSE State. Number three, Memphis is a tremendous, vibrant, diverse town. I was born in Nashville, raised in Knoxville, but I happily visit Memphis whenever i get a chance. So it's not shocking to me at all that a kid would want to go there. I hate it that we lost Austin, but it certainly sounds like he did his homework and he obviously believes Memphis was best for him.

MY disappointment comes from kids not wanting to be a part of a new Tennessee basketball tradition. Austin could have been a part of a final four team in Knoxville with Hubbs coming in, which would be historic. That would appeal to me as a kid from Tennessee, that I could be part of the first team in University of Tennessee history to make the final four or, heck, to win it all! I think it's a selling point for us, rather than a detraction.

Big blow for the staff in recruiting. Alot of time & effort into this individual AND his family!

I spent a summer in Memphis during my grad school days and i can tell you i never ran across anyone who didnt consider themselves part of Tennessee. It's like saying folks from Nashville who root for Vandy dont act like they are a part of Tennessee. And what do you mean "sold out on the state of Tennessee"? What? By going to another school? Again, I ask you, does this mean an instate athlete who goes to Vandy is selling out? Did Brian Kimbrow "sell out on the state of Tennessee" when he went to Vandy? Perhaps your experiences have been different than mine in Memphis, but let me also ask you this, do you believe that bashing the city of Memphis will gain us a better chance of getting kids from Memphis, or worse? If, as you say, that Memphians dont consider themselves part of Tennessee, dont you and others play right into their mind set by reinforcing what they believe by your comments tearing down the city and its people? Why not build a bridge, extend a hand and wipe out that mindset? Memphis is as much a part of our fair state as is Knoxville, and it is part of what makes our State great. We have three fabulous metropolitan areas in east, west and middle tennessee, each with it's own unique vibe, (not to short change some other great places like Chattanooga, Johnson City, Jackson etc..) and I think it's a rare and exceptional asset for our state which i will ALWAYS be proud of and brag about.

Though not an original Memphian, I live here now after growing up in northwest Tn followed by stints in Knoxville and Nashville. So I think i can speak objectively on the Memphis vs rest of Tennessee.

A couple of the comments on this board about Memphis being a cesspool, etc echo some of the same negative vibes i got about Memphis while living in other parts of the state. To be fair, Memphis does its share to help fuel these negative perceptions (see Herenton Willie, Albert Means scandal, etc).

After moving here against the wishes of family and some friends, I absolutely love it. There is so much character, diversity, and cool things to do here, I see why Memphians simply don't concern themselves with what the rest of the state thinks of it.

It goes both ways. The rest of the state does not think of the Grizzlies as being "Tennessee' s team" anymore than Memphians think they need to get behind a state school over a city one. Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, and Miami are examples of other southern universities that the "city vs state" applies to (though they don't have to be mutually exclusive). Its more prevalent in the northeast where you don't have one state school that dwarfs all others.

Lastly, I don't hear the kind of venom towards Knoxville or Nashville when a Memphis athlete opts for UT or Vandy that i do when Memphis wins out. There is a definite hatred of the color orange but for the most part Memphians tend to cut off said player and move on. They possess a "we don't want you if you don't want us" kind of mentality. Granted Knoxville is like one of the best cities in the world so there is not much to bash :)

Just got the news. Too bad.

I wish the kid well. I think he'll be missing out on something pretty special at TBA the next few years.

I'm speaking on the terms of Memphis sports as a whole. I love Memphis as a city as I've said.

My problem is HS coaches and a lot of people around these kids try to get them to go anywhere but UT. Its who I'm talking about selling out. There's more pull to Alabama and Ole Miss locally than Tennessee. Sports talk radio rips Tennessee every day in Memphis. They celebrate when UT struggles.

So again, why am I at fault for not liking that? My opinion has something to do with recruiting? Come on man