C.J. Watson longs for the good old days.

You know, way back when he was a freshman, two years ago. Back in those days of yore, the Vols won a few road games.

When Tennessee held its basketball media day on Tuesday, the media didn't have to bring up the painful memory of last year's 1-11 road record. Coach Buzz Peterson beat us to the punch.

He alluded to that next-to-last possession of the season, the one in the NIT loss at George Mason when his top three scorers each passed up open 3-point shots to win the game.

He alluded to the game at Vanderbilt when Scooter McFadgon, one of the nation's best free-throw shooters, missed two late one-and-ones.

He alluded more than once to UT's inability to guard anyone outside of Thompson-Boling Arena.

After the Vols won at UMass on Jan. 3, they lost their final 10 away games, including all eight SEC regular-season road games.

What made it so maddening was that at home, they were 7-1 in SEC play. On the road, however, most of the losses weren't even close.

"It was just being weak-minded,'' forward Jemere Hendrix said Tuesday.

Nebraska shoved the Vols around in December. In SEC play, Florida, South Carolina and LSU each shot at least 60 percent. Kentucky tailed off late to 58.9 percent.

Alabama scored 51 points in the second half. In an SEC tournament rematch, the Tide shot 63 percent in the first half of an 84-49 rout.

The Vols know their road woes cost them any hope of an NCAA tournament bid. They say they accept with open arms Peterson's demand for change in a new season.

"Champions win on defense,'' said McFadgon. "Anybody can put the ball in the basket, but this year we're going to have to buckle down and play hard on defense the whole time we're out there.''

Those words might surprise some, considering McFadgon's forte was putting the ball in the basket last season rather than buckling down on D.

But as individuals and as a team, Peterson said he will insist on tenacious defense.

"I've told Scooter,'' said Peterson, " 'We can't have you injured and sore like you were last year. You have to produce defensively. If not ... ''

Brandon Crump and Dane Bradshaw have both lost weight for the sake of becoming more mobile. Bradshaw thinks he's gained a step.

For Watson, mobility isn't an issue. Being strong enough to hold up for an entire season is. Judging from his arms and shoulders, he's taken a step in the right direction.

Three new players come into the mix. One of them, Andre Patterson, a transfer from UCLA, will enhance team defense because of his quickness and confidence.

"He talks well as far as getting people through screens,'' said Peterson, "and that right there separates him from a lot of people.''

Bradshaw has seen enough to predict Patterson's attitude will make a difference.

"You've got to go on the road and have a tough mindset,'' he said. "Andre coming from a program like UCLA, he's had to be tough-minded and respected at all times.

"I think he's going to help us a lot in that aspect.''

Guards Jordan Howell and Chris Lofton figure to help more at the offensive end. The hope is that they won't be defensive liabilities.

"Jordan's got the quickness to be a pretty good defender,'' Peterson said. "Chris, there may be some tough times for him early.

"That's where we've got to do a good job making sure we've got them in the right spot, guarding the right people so they can be effective for us.''

Peterson is committed to doing whatever it takes to produce a tougher defensive team. He's altering his approach to practice, departing from the Dean Smith school of sticking to a rigid schedule. If defense needs more attention, so be it.

He's also altering his own mindset. In hindsight, Peterson thinks he got too conservative last season on the road defensively. This year, look for more trapping and man-to-man defense.

"I was hesitant,'' he said. "You tend to get that way on the road in conference games. I've got to let these guys be aggressive. If you make a mistake here or there, fine.''

The Vols are willing to live with mistakes to shed their road-kill reputation. Watson hasn't forgotten his freshman year when Ron Slay helped will the Vols to a 4-4 SEC road record.

"Everybody says we're soft, we're not tough,'' Watson said. "I think we've taken that under our belts and want to get tougher every day.

"I feel that intensity getting back to where it was my first year.''

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com.