Pearl has a commanding head-to-head edge over Billy Donovan, even dating back to our two NCAA Championship seasons. And, since the departure of the Oh-Fours, there's little question that Tennessee has been a better basketball program. I have tremedous respect for Coach Pearl and, as a Gator hoops fan, I'm certainly wary of our games against him. However, I like him and enjoy his success (when he's not coaching against Florida, of course.)

Some Vols think Gator fans hate Kiffin because we're afraid of him (i.e., that ridiculous "he's in our heads" thing). If anything, we should be far more "afraid" of Pearl, who's proven he can succeed consistently against our program. Pearl proves that Gator Nation can like and respect a rival coach who bests us more often than not. By contrast, it's equally clear UF fans don't respect Kiffin, who has done nothing to earn respect. Instead, he's done plenty to deserve the disdain we feel towards him.