From the Associated Press via ESPN.com.

I’ve already ordered a t-shirt.

Team manager starts ‘Outlive’ program

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Former Tennessee guard Chris Lofton quietly went through cancer treatments during his senior season last year, while forward Tyler Smith’s father died from complications of lung cancer.

Brooks Savage saw how cancer affected his teammates and wanted to do something about it.

So the Vols’ graduate manager came up with the business plan for Tennessee’s “Outlive” program, a drive to raise money to support cancer programs and screenings, and showed it to Tennessee director of basketball operations Ken Johnson.

Now with help from coach Bruce Pearl, the school is selling Outlive T-shirts for $15 each at Knoxville-area sporting goods stores and at UTsports.com to raise money for cancer prevention programs at the University of Tennessee Medical Center Cancer Institute.

More than $10 from each sale will go toward the programs and screenings.

“I just kind of came up with this idea after being inspired by those stories,” Savage said, “and just felt this was a good way for the people in our program and our community to make a difference.”

Pearl is hoping fans who come to the Florida game on Jan. 31 will wear the shirt, giving the Vols’ arena a whiteout effect during the nationally televised game.

“We want to encourage our Tennessee fans to really step up like they always have, and I think we can make a great statement on Jan. 31 to the nation and do an awful lot of good here at home with the awareness that this thing is going to create,” Pearl said.

Lofton’s testicular cancer was discovered during a routine drug test required by the NCAA and caught early enough that, with treatment, he made a full recovery.

In 2008, the American Cancer Society estimated that more than 1.4 million new cases of cancer would be diagnosed in the U.S. and 560,000 people would die.

“The way to most quickly and easily improve those statistics is by early screening and prevention, and that’s what this is about,” said Dr. Dan Green, a radiation oncologist at UT Medical Center.

Post from: EveryJoe

Vols Start Program To Outlive Cancer

It was nothing that simple.

Tennessee’s Lofton quietly faced and beat cancer

A few days after the 06/07 season, Lofton was diagnosed with testicular cancer. A secretive surgery was planned. Besides some family members, the Tennessee coaching and training staff and a few select others, nobody knew. Not a single teammate knew about his cancer until towards the end of the 07/08 season. Lofton wanted the season to be excuse free. He felt it was better for the team to be that way.

The often weak and energy-less Lofton still managed to go for 15.5ppg last year. However Chris and the coaching staff were continually hit with questions as to why he was struggling, why he was a little off.

But the few all knowing did their job.

Props to all of the people who respected Lofton’s wishes. Not an easy thing to do I assume, whether you’re the coach, the trainer or a family member.

Lofton is now cancer free and back on the road to regaining his basketball prowess he had prior to his senior year.

As for Lofton’s NBA aspirations…

Don’t count on Lofton’s name to be called on draft night.

Don’t count on him to give cancer as an excuse.

Do count on him to play in the NBA one day.

Post from: EveryJoe

Chris Lofton’s victory

The Vols disclosed that leading scorer Chris Lofton has a minor leg injury but should be able to play against Louisville on Thursday.

There is bad timing, and then there is having your leading scorer injured during the NCAA tournament.

Tennessee needs Lofton at 100% if they are to advance in the tournament, and even a full-strength Lofton may not be enough to push them past red-hot Louisville.

If Louisville head coach Rick Pitino is smart, he’ll have his guards put a ton of pressure on Lofton to see exactly how hurt he is. If he’s not up to speed, the Vols could be quickly heading back to Knoxville.

Post from: EveryJoe

Tennessee G Lofton has minor leg injury

- Duke is overrated. Period. End of story. You simply cannot afford to rely on 3s as much as Duke does. When they are going in, they are fine. But when they struggle from behind the arc, they are in big-time trouble. Right now against West Virginia, Duke is 2 for 18 from 3 point range. West Virginia is outscrapping, outhustling, and outplaying Duke. The reliance on the 3 is another reason why I’m leery about Tennessee. They have a little better inside presence than Duke, but unless Lofton and company are hitting their 3s, they are vulnerable.

- Michael Beasley is going to be a monster in the NBA. But, Kansas State showed once again that you need a deep team to make a serious run in the NCAA tournament. Once you get past Beasley and Walker, the Wildcats have absolutely no offense. Wisconsin has made it look very easy.

More thoughts as the day goes along…

Post from: EveryJoe

NCAA tourney Day 3 – early thoughts (UPDATED)…

Are you tired of watching the Republican and Democratic debates? Are you sick of watching reruns of your favorite television shows? I have just the cure for what ails you…

Here are some top-notch college basketball games to check out this week:

Wednesday January 30: #2 Kansas at #24 Kansas State – Don’t be surprised if the Jayhawks fall from the ranks of the unbeaten tonight. Kansas State is for real, and you never know what is going to happen in big rivalry games.

Thursday January 31: #11 Indiana at #13 Wisconsin – a dynamite Big Ten battle will take place in Madison as the Badgers host the red hot Hoosiers. This very well may be the best game of the entire week.

Saturday February 2: #8 Tennessee at #25 Mississippi State – Chris Lofton and the Vols face a stiff road test as they travel to Humphrey Coliseum to face the Bulldogs. Great SEC contest.

Post from: EveryJoe

UPDATED: Games to watch this week – 1/30

It’s time to make a turkey sandwich, grab the last few Christmas cookies and watch some college basketball!!!

Here are some tasty matchups to go along with your tasty Christmas leftovers…

Thursday December 27th – Nevada at #1 North Carolina – if you want to watch the #1 team in the nation in all their glory, check out the Tar Heels as they squash the Wolfpack at the Dean Dome.

Saturday December 29th - #19 Arizona at #2 Memphis – fresh off its impressive win over Georgetown, Memphis will play host to the #19 Wildcats. Arizona will have its hands full with Derrick Rose and the rest of the Tigers. #20 Gonzaga at #12 Tennessee – Chris Lofton and the Vols host Jeremy Pargo and the Zags in what should be a great game. Tennessee showed me a lot in their road victory at Xavier, which is not an easy place to play.

Post from: EveryJoe

Games to watch this week – 12/26

North Carolina – the number 1 ranked team in both major polls is unbeaten at 8-0 and is a good as advertised. Tyler Hansbrough is a monster, and the depth and athleticism of the Tar Heels make them a solid pick to win it all.

Georgetown – the Hoyas are 7-0 and appear ready to dominate the Big East. With Roy Hibbert and DaJuan Summers leading the way, the Hoyas will be a tough team to match up with in the tournament.

Kansas - the #3 ranked Jayhawks are 9-0 and have managed to keep their focus despite the legal issues of star guard Brandon Rush. The Jayhawks have five players averaging double figures in scoring which will serve them well when March rolls around.

Louisville – the Cardinals are 5-2 so far and were tripped up by Dayton at home last week. Louisville suspended their second leading scorer, Derrick Caracter, for violating team rules. Losing Caracter’s 13 points and 7 rebounds per contents will definitely hurt the Cardinals chances at reaching the Elite 8.

Memphis – the Tigers are 7-0 and ranked #2 in the country. Led by Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis is perhaps the most athletic team in the country. They have proven they can play in up-tempo games as well as half-court contests.

Oregon - the Ducks are a very quiet 7-1 this year and are ranked #16 in both polls. Not many people are talking about Oregon outside of the Pacific Northwest, but don’t be fooled – 5 Ducks are double digit scorers, led by guard Malik Hairston, and they can play with anybody in the country.

Tennessee – the fans on Rocky Top are thrilled with the Vols this year, as they have started out the season with an 8-1 record. Guards JaJuan Smith and Chris Lofton form one of the best backcourts in the country. If they can get through the brutal SEC East relatively unscathed, Tennessee could easily make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

UCLA - freshman sensation Kevin Love has led the Bruins to an 8-1 record and a #8 ranking. The only hiccup in the Bruins’ season so far was a 2 point loss to #4/5 Texas at home. If Love can continue his stellar play, you can pencil in UCLA for a trip to the Elite 8.

Post from: EveryJoe

Early report card on projected Elite 8 teams

PF Tyler Hansbrough – North Carolina
C Roy Hibbert – Georgetown
G Chris Lofton – Tennessee
G Drew Neitzel – Michigan State
G Darren Collison – UCLA

What blows my mind is that Hansbrough was not a unanimous selection to the team – one AP voter didn’t vote for him on the 1st team. Whoever that voter is should have his AP credentials and voting privileges revoked immediately. Hansbrough will be the Player of the Year, in my opinion, and very well could lead North Carolina to the championship this season.

Post from: EveryJoe

AP Pre-season All-American team announced