This was almost a great week.

Peyton Manning had lost in the Super Bowl and Vol Nation was not happy about it. But National Signing Day went very well for the Tennessee Volunteers and the campus was buoyed by the enthusiasm emanating from Butch Jones and the rest of the program. The weather in Knoxville was rebounding. Plans were being made to enjoy the Orange and White game. The Basketball Vols seemed poised to keep on rolling against Vandy in their quest towards their first NCAA Tourney appearance under Coach Cuonzo Martin. It seemed like the dark time of year was finally over.

And then the Basketball team stepped on a Lego.

Vandy had just seven healthy scholarship players. Yet Tennessee was unable to get the win. The way the court is organized at Vandy always makes it a tough place to play for the Vols, regardless of the era. But man did that loss hurt. Not because it was Vanderbilt, which stings in its own way, but because it detracts from a narrative that had the University of Tennessee headed in the right direction. Tennessee Basketball remains an enigma wrapped in a Carl’s jr sandwich: so much of it seems like a good idea…yet a bad idea at the same time.

Onward.

Glance Game Of The Weekend

After Tennessee’s loss, there is no glimpse. Just triple Haterade.

Haterade Game Of The Weekend

Alabama at Florida 12:00 PM EST (TV: ESPN)

Oh God, both of these teams are playing at once? This is a Bermuda Triangle of hate that Vol Nation can enter and possibly from whence you shall not return. As an SEC Championship Football game, this is fun. As a basketball game, the sole reason to watch is to troll it. Enjoy the fact that Alabama is a losing team. Enjoy the fact that Tennessee beat the Tide in something. Enjoy the fact that the Florida football team is probably being run poorly and that may result in wins for Tennessee. Remember the times when, despite the fact that Billy Donovan is a fantastic coach, Tennessee used to own Florida. After about 10 minutes, you’ll know if this game is worth your time to continue hating. Florida is the better team. If Bama hangs around it could be worth your time. But other than hate, it likely isn’t.

Kentucky at Mississippi State 1:30 PM EST (TV: ESPN 3)

Wow, these two? Man this slate is horrible. I blame the scheduling Gods who know that we’re all focusing on National Signing Day and will not emerge from our bender until Saturday and will be having a ‘hair of the dog the bit you’ beer in hand as we look at the Basketball this Saturday. Kentucky being dominant, since Tennessee has had their one shot at them (the fact that it’s one shot remains outrageous) is good for the Vols NCAA resume but after Wednesday night the Vols NCAA resume is as fancy as mine applying to be Secretary of State. So just watch this game and hate on it, remorselessly. I didn’t mention Mississippi yet did I? Here you go.

Missouri at Ole Miss 5 PM EST (TV: ESPN 3)

Repeat after me: I will NEVER root for Marshall Henderson, I will NEVER root for Marshall Henderson, I will NEVER root for Marshall Henderson. As a result of that chant, all you can do is hate this game. Because Missouri is the other team that thinks it’s NCAA worthy and will be playing in “Knock out” games with the Vols later in the schedule. So the NCAA reasoning is complicated. A win reinforces the “Show Down” nature of the Tennessee v. Missouri games. A loss to Mizzou hurts them in the race to be considered as a mentionable SEC team behind Florida and Kentucky. That said, in a ‘Post-Vandy’ world, Tennessee needs to knock out people that are at full strength. But that doesn’t mean you should root for either team. Hate on them. Equally. They deserve it.

Reservation Game Of The Weekend

South Carolina at Tennessee 3 PM EST (TV: ESPN U)

Why we keep making this emotional investment, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because the talent exists and we can see it. Maybe it’s because we’re nihilists. Maybe it’s because it’s cold outside and we’re looking for something to watch. Regardless, the rest of the games on the slate, objectively, are Meh and thus despite taking a cheap shot while enjoying National Signing Day, Tennessee remains the best game to watch for Vol Basketball fans this weekend. Particularly because it seems that there is a potential for many of us to be snowed in for parts of the weekend. Might as well take a break from shoveling and swear at the TV rather than at the deficient plow service we’re receiving. For those that are ready to give up on the season or who are going to be free on Sunday, enjoy the Tennessee Basketball Drinking Game as a means of survival. You’ll be snowed in. It’s handy.

Enjoy the weekend, catch up on recruiting profiles on this site, stay warm and plan for April 12. Because life is Orange and White: filled with highs and lows and swearing about basketball and snow. Here’s a helpful guide to the latter and here’s another.