Eagles’ Lay grew up loving Vols

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — American University’s version of Dane Bradshaw grew up a University of Tennessee fan, a son of two UT graduates and grandson of lifelong Chattanoogans.

But Travis Lay will not cheer for the Volunteers today.

“It would be a little weird if I did,” Lay said with a smile Thursday afternoon.

Lay will play his usual role of tough, undersized power forward in today’s first-round NCAA game. He will lead his 15th-seeded Eagles against the second-seeded Vols.

“These are the games you dream of playing,” Lay said.

But when Lay was a child in suburban Washington, D.C., he dreamed of playing football for Phillip Fulmer’s Vols. He’s been to “a bunch” of UT games, including the national championship victory over Florida State in January 1999.

“We went and stayed in the hotel with all the Tennessee football players,” he said. “It was great, a lot of fun. My family definitely supports Tennessee football 100 percent. Always.”

The Lays have learned to love American, too, and the Eagles’ coach loves their 6-foot-5 son.

Jeff Jones said Lay’s role is more important than his so-so statistics (6.0 points, 4.1 rebounds per game) suggests.

“Anybody that has been around Travis for the last four years knows how much he’s put of himself into our program,” Jones said. “He has established himself as one of our hardest-playing guys and doesn’t just do the job on the court. He’s our best student.

“We tease him quite a bit. I think he got an A-minus once, and I asked him why was he slacking off.”

Lay — whose grandparents, Clifford and Margaret Roberson, live near Shallowford Road — will graduate in May. He’s not sure what he’ll do with a double major in finance and accounting and a minor in economics. Sometimes he imagines working for one of the “Big Four” accounting firms. For now, though, the biggest underdog on an underdog-filled roster dreams of playing in the Final Four.

“I know Travis is very, very excited as a senior to finally be part of something like this,” Jones said. “I know his family was real excited about getting a chance to come down to this part of the country, too.”

Today will be the first time the Lays have cheered against Tennessee — assuming they do.

“That’s the plan, any way,” Lay joked.

Jones sounded confident that his senior leader wouldn’t have divided loyalties.

“No, no, no,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any chance that he’ll be bleeding orange.”

Pearl prefers Goliath

UT coach Bruce Pearl didn’t flinch when asked whether he preferred playing the role of David or Goliath in March.

“I like Goliath, because Goliath has better players, bigger rocks, more guns,” Pearl said. “I’m just glad to be in it, but if you gave me a choice, I’d rather be at Tennessee than Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Nothing against Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

“I’d rather be a 2 seed than a 12 seed, but we just are very blessed to be in the tournament, and we’ll play whatever role needs to be played.”

Lofton’s legacy

Pearl said Vols senior Chris Lofton has already cemented his legacy “as one of the greatest players to ever wear the (Tennessee) uniform,” but he said this tournament could enhance Lofton’s lofty status.

“He’ll join the likes of Ernie Grunfeld and Bernard King and Dale Ellis and Allan Houston,” Pearl said. “He’s not done writing the book, though. There’s more work to do. There’s another chapter left in his book, and how far Chris Lofton is able to lead us will have something to say about just how magical a ride it’s been.”

Lofton overcame a slow start to his senior season and has been strong down the stretch, averaging more than 18 points per game since the start of Southeastern Conference play.

“It’s been spectacular to this point,” Pearl said of Lofton’s career. “Now we’re talking about magic, and going someplace that a Tennessee basketball team has never been. He’s our hardest worker. He’s one of the best student-athletes you’re ever going to find. Everybody can root for Chris Lofton, because he’s such a great kid and does everything the right way.

“I cannot imagine what coaching a basketball team is going to be like without him. He has spoiled me.”

Early risers

Players from both teams said they didn’t expect today’s 11:15 a.m. CDT start to be a problem. The Vols ate early team breakfasts and practiced around 11 a.m. most of this week.

“It is different for us, but we’ve been preparing that way all week, getting up early and eating breakfast and doing stuff early,” Lofton said. “I think we got used to the time, and we’ll be ready.”