When I came to the University of Tennessee, it was important to know two things: football reigns supreme and the Lady Vols own basketball. Basketball has always been the Robin to football's Batman and that is fine. But it is time to acknowledge that Robin may have to make a little more room in his sidecar for the men's basketball team. 

According to UTsports.com, the men's basketball team has clinched the Southeastern Conference regular-season title. Because this is the first outright title since 1967, everyone can imagine that this is a big deal.  

Most people, including myself, are attributing this success to Coach Bruce Pearl. From his enthusiastic coaching to his lovable personality, Pearl put the team back in teamwork for the Vols. He is quickly making a big name for himself. Not in the same way as Kelvin Sampson, thank goodness.

By winning this title, it shows UT fans that the basketball team can achieve greatness in spite of a rocky past.This season, Pearl led the men to their first number one ranking ever. This is a huge deal considering the currently ranked teams in the nation. Although it was an extremely short-lived No. 1 spot, the men definitely earned it. 

On Sunday, March 9, 2008, the Vols beat South Carolina 89-56. However, this was not the most exciting thing about the game. After it ended, streamers shot from the ceiling as the men were finally able to celebrate their SEC championship win.

Each member of the team and coaching staff took a turn cutting down a piece of one of the nets in Thompson-Boling Arena. It was a great moment to see the celebration and the look of accomplishment in the eyes of the men that worked so hard to become champions.

I didn't want to compare this to one of my favorite shows, One Tree Hill, but the basketball elements on the show make it an undeniable comparison.        

One of the characters, Mouth McFadden, played by Lee Norris, described one of the reasons why he loves watching basketball so much. He said that watching basketball reminds him that average people can achieve greatness.

By winning this title, it shows UT fans that the basketball team can achieve greatness in spite of a rocky past. On the brink of March Madness, a whole new set of challenges await the men.

For them, being SEC champs is only the end of the beginning and around the corner is the beginning of the end. Let's hope that around the corner, they will show everyone why it is so great to be a Tennessee Vol.