..then how come even Memphis players say it is?
Quote:"It's always hostile going into UAB," senior guard Doneal Mack said. "It's a rivalry game. When we go down, the fans get excited, they camp out, they have signs and posters. It's a fun environment. I always love playing there, but it's going to be tough. It's one of those games you have to stay poised and stay together."
Link
Pose this question on the Memphis board.
I don't think anyone here is in denial on the subject.
I personally believe its a huge rivalry. Some people on our boards have posted "it's just another game," and I completely disagree. Memphis isn't as talented as they have been in recent years, but that doesn't make make this just another game. If it was just another game, there unfortunately wouldn't be 9000 people there tonight. We would have our regular crowd of 6700 faithfuls.
(03-03-2010 03:09 PM)UABblazer87 Wrote: [ -> ]I personally believe its a huge rivalry. Some people on our boards have posted "it's just another game," and I completely disagree. Memphis isn't as talented as they have been in recent years, but that doesn't make make this just another game. If it was just another game, there unfortunately wouldn't be 9000 people there tonight. We would have our regular crowd of 6700 faithfuls.
I don't understand why people resist the term, on either side. Rivalry games are what make sports fun. And there's no better natural rivalry for Memphis and UAB than each other. Nothing else works. Memphis may have been better than us for a few years, but it's not like they spent that time developing any
rivalries. It's not
just another game, and I don't know why anyone would want it to be.
(03-03-2010 03:08 PM)Smaug Wrote: [ -> ]Pose this question on the Memphis board.
I don't think anyone here is in denial on the subject.
UAB is certainly a rival. Some Tiger fans think that by admitting that UAB is a rival would elevate UAB's status. The biggest difference is that UAB isn't really a long term rival. Louisville and Tennessee would probably be two rivalries that have existed the longest. Funny too that a lot of Louisville or Tennessee fans would never admit to being rivals with Memphis.
Look, a great number of Memphis fans acknowledge that it is a rivalry. Some others deny it, saying we haven't won enough in the series or whatever. Those UM fans point to Louisville and Arkansas and schools like that. But I don't think those schools play Memphis every year, and they certainly don't have anything to do with conference standings.
So UAB and Memphis are a rivalry whether some can admit it or not. Maybe some Memphis fans hate Arkansas, UTK, Louisville, or Ole Miss more than us. Maybe some Blazers hate UAT, USM, or Auburn more. But UAB and Memphis are urban universities in the same geographic region, playing in the same conference, and having some notable historic ties. Each program holds a nice lead in the all-time series in the two major men's sports, but the other has won enough to justify the rivalry.
The players on both sides know it's a rivalry. Most fans do. A few Tiger fans that like to look down on UAB because of our shorter history and smaller fan base can deny it all they want, but tonight, I'm going to enjoy the rivalry!!
(03-03-2010 03:20 PM)freeblazer Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 03:09 PM)UABblazer87 Wrote: [ -> ]I personally believe its a huge rivalry. Some people on our boards have posted "it's just another game," and I completely disagree. Memphis isn't as talented as they have been in recent years, but that doesn't make make this just another game. If it was just another game, there unfortunately wouldn't be 9000 people there tonight. We would have our regular crowd of 6700 faithfuls.
I don't understand why people resist the term, on either side. Rivalry games are what make sports fun. And there's no better natural rivalry for Memphis and UAB than each other. Nothing else works. Memphis may have been better than us for a few years, but it's not like they spent that time developing any rivalries. It's not just another game, and I don't know why anyone would want it to be.
Because saying this game is a rivalry is akin to accepting that both teams are similar. If certain others say, "It's no rivalry," then that allows for an attitude of condescension.
(03-03-2010 03:28 PM)mairving Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 03:08 PM)Smaug Wrote: [ -> ]Pose this question on the Memphis board.
I don't think anyone here is in denial on the subject.
UAB is certainly a rival. Some Tiger fans think that by admitting that UAB is a rival would elevate UAB's status. The biggest difference is that UAB isn't really a long term rival. Louisville and Tennessee would probably be two rivalries that have existed the longest. Funny too that a lot of Louisville or Tennessee fans would never admit to being rivals with Memphis.
Hell, I'd love to say that Kentucky is a bigger rival than Memphis. I personally would hold more stake in a Kentucky vs. UAB game than a Memphis vs. UAB game...
but that doesn't make it true for the program.
Oh damn, I brought up Kentucky in a thread about Memphis.
Kentucky's record against UAB: 2-3.
UAB and Memphis are definitely rivals. Most of the fans hate each other, and the teams amp up to play each other. Those who think we aren't rivals are nuts.
I guess UAB's second rival would be...who? The Hattiesburg Community College Golden Chickens?
(03-03-2010 03:28 PM)mairving Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 03:08 PM)Smaug Wrote: [ -> ]Pose this question on the Memphis board.
I don't think anyone here is in denial on the subject.
UAB is certainly a rival. Some Tiger fans think that by admitting that UAB is a rival would elevate UAB's status. The biggest difference is that UAB isn't really a long term rival. Louisville and Tennessee would probably be two rivalries that have existed the longest. Funny too that a lot of Louisville or Tennessee fans would never admit to being rivals with Memphis.
I see your point, but for the life of me, I'll never understand the whole "elevated status" thing. Contrary to popular Memphis fan belief, the UAB sun doesn't rise or set with Memphis, but we sure as hell want to beat you. I know the feeling is mutual because I look at your board and see all the "No one cares about UAB" threads that run multiple pages.
The whole, "them and their little program" attitude smacks of arrogance, but it's not unique to Memphis. I see the same attitude on this board toward Troy, and don't much care for it.
I used to work with a gump who would hit me with the tired old "know your role" crap until I ask him, "Didn't we fight a war with England over just that sort of attitude?"
That shut him up. Well, that and beating their pompous asses on their home floor.
(03-03-2010 03:06 PM)Tiger Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]..then how come even Memphis players say it is?
Because it is.
(03-03-2010 04:02 PM)Smaug Wrote: [ -> ]The whole, "them and their little program" attitude smacks of arrogance, but it's not unique to Memphis. I see the same attitude on this board toward Troy, and don't much care for it.
:clap2:
UT fans do Memphis this way, so they feel that they have to belittle us to 'elevate' themselves.
(03-03-2010 04:09 PM)FNblazer Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 04:02 PM)Smaug Wrote: [ -> ]The whole, "them and their little program" attitude smacks of arrogance, but it's not unique to Memphis. I see the same attitude on this board toward Troy, and don't much care for it.
:clap2:
UT fans do Memphis this way, so they feel that they have to belittle us to 'elevate' themselves.
It's true. UAB = Troy = MTSU etc... etc...
(03-03-2010 04:09 PM)FNblazer Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 04:02 PM)Smaug Wrote: [ -> ]The whole, "them and their little program" attitude smacks of arrogance, but it's not unique to Memphis. I see the same attitude on this board toward Troy, and don't much care for it.
:clap2:
UT fans do Memphis this way, so they feel that they have to belittle us to 'elevate' themselves.
It's the old 'kick your dog' syndrome.
(03-03-2010 04:17 PM)mairving Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 04:09 PM)FNblazer Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 04:02 PM)Smaug Wrote: [ -> ]The whole, "them and their little program" attitude smacks of arrogance, but it's not unique to Memphis. I see the same attitude on this board toward Troy, and don't much care for it.
:clap2:
UT fans do Memphis this way, so they feel that they have to belittle us to 'elevate' themselves.
It's the old 'kick your dog' syndrome.
Correct, this year has been a bad day at the office for us. But shouldn't that be "slap" rather than kick?
(03-03-2010 04:21 PM)TIGERCITY Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 04:17 PM)mairving Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 04:09 PM)FNblazer Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 04:02 PM)Smaug Wrote: [ -> ]The whole, "them and their little program" attitude smacks of arrogance, but it's not unique to Memphis. I see the same attitude on this board toward Troy, and don't much care for it.
:clap2:
UT fans do Memphis this way, so they feel that they have to belittle us to 'elevate' themselves.
It's the old 'kick your dog' syndrome.
Correct, this year has been a bad day at the office for us. But shouldn't that be "slap" rather than kick?
It's:
kick your dog
slap your monkey
Caption on the picture, "You stole my hamburger, bi+ch!"
n.b. Either the slapper or the slappee can be credited with that line.
(03-03-2010 04:23 PM)mairving Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 04:21 PM)TIGERCITY Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 04:17 PM)mairving Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 04:09 PM)FNblazer Wrote: [ -> ] (03-03-2010 04:02 PM)Smaug Wrote: [ -> ]The whole, "them and their little program" attitude smacks of arrogance, but it's not unique to Memphis. I see the same attitude on this board toward Troy, and don't much care for it.
:clap2:
UT fans do Memphis this way, so they feel that they have to belittle us to 'elevate' themselves.
It's the old 'kick your dog' syndrome.
Correct, this year has been a bad day at the office for us. But shouldn't that be "slap" rather than kick?
It's:
kick your dog
slap your monkey
Pretty sure it's 'spanking the monkey.' BTW - I've also heard 'squeezing the primate' but I think that's regional.
Being from the Memphis end of it, I completely agree with you guys. The UAB contests are my favorite ones of the year because the fans and the players are amped up another level for it. The talent level almost becomes inconsequential - we were the no.1 team in the country in '07, and needed a CDR miracle to come out of y'alls building with a win. Any Tiger fan that says this isn't a rivalry game is not being truthful to themselves. That being said, I hope we beat the brakes off of our rival tonight, haha. Good luck to ya