Via VOL NATION, WBIR-TV in Knoxville checks out the latest issue of SI, and discovers Dan Patrick and Bruce Pearl engaged in a little one-on-one. (An interview, that is, not a pick-up b-ball game - although seeing those two face off on the court would be highly entertaining.)

Anyway, Patrick volleys some questions at the Volunteers coach, from his oh-so-brief time at #1, to sneaking in a halftime hug with Erin Andrews:

DP: “Do you put on your résumé the days or hours that you’re No. 1?“

BP: “You can make fun of it. (Laughs.) But if you’re North Carolina, you’re Duke, you’re Pat Summitt, you’re there all the time. This is uncharted territory (for us). So you be grateful, you enjoy it. And now let’s see if we can get back there.”

Patrick then presses Pearl on his handling of ESPN property during UT’s game against Memphis:

DP: “You can’t be putting your hands on Erin Andrews at halftime, Coach.”

BP: “Erin is a terrific sideline reporter, she knows the game, but she’s also very engaging. I actually called her and texted her back, and I apologized if in any way that was unprofessional.”

DP: “Is texting her an NCAA violation?”

BP: “No, she’s not a prospect.”

DP: “Oh, yes, she is.”

BP: “She’s way out of my league when it comes to that category.”

DP: “You’re not even a mid-major?”

BP: “Absolutely not. I’m D-II.”

And Bruce manages to get in one last zinger about possible violations:

DP: “When is the last time you accidentally broke an NCAA rule?”

BP: “Probably sometime in this conversation.”

Whether you’re a Vols fan or not, you have to enjoy how Pearl can breathe some fresh air into a sometimes stoic sport. Any guy that’s willing to go shirtless & paint himself orange for a ladies game is OK by us.

And the dude has Erin’s number! We always knew he was a total charmer with the chicks.