Tennessee basketball: It's a whole new game. So says the Vols' catchy new slogan. So say the Tennessee men's basketball players.

Question is, will this be a better game?

The Vols, to a man, are determined to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2001.

"Right now, we're undefeated,'' first-year UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "I've seen the spurtability (sic) and the energy it takes in our limited practices. Whether we can maintain it, I don't know. I think our players have an idea of what it will take.''

Listening to the players at media day Tuesday afternoon, it's obvious Pearl's enthusiasm and optimism has carried over.

"We can turn this program around,'' senior wing Stanley Asumnu. "It starts now.''

It had better. With a beefed-up non-conference schedule that includes a trip to Oklahoma City to play Oklahoma State and Austin to play Texas, the pressure's on.

Regular-season practice begins at 9 p.m. Friday at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Vols play their first exhibition Nov. 3 against Southern Indiana and open the regular season Nov. 18 against East Tennessee State.

"Right now, it's open season on offense,'' Pearl said. "I can't predetermine who's going to get the shots this year. Everyone needs an opportunity to show what they can do.''

It's a good bet sophomore sharpshooter Chris Lofton will be at the top of the shot chart.

Lofton, who led the SEC in 3-point field-goal percentage and 3-point field goals made, said he was comfortable with the system as soon as he saw highlights from the Wisconsin-Milwaukee team Pearl coached into the Sweet 16 last season.

"I realized I needed to stay (at UT) when I talked to coach and saw his system in action,'' said Lofton, who briefly considered leaving when former coach Buzz Peterson was fired last March. "Coach showed me a highlight tape, and it made me a believer. He brings a whole new game to the table.

"I don't care about points or scoring. If we win, I'm happy. Losing got old and boring.''

Senior point guard C.J. Watson said a fast start would be a good remedy for negativity that may be lingering.

"We need to win some games; the losing is still in the back of our minds,'' said Watson, who's anxious to shoulder more of the scoring load. "Hopefully, we'll click before the start of the SEC season. We can't wait to practice. Sometimes, we used to dread practice, but now it's fun again.''

Watson said Pearl's uptempo, pressing style will enable him to showcase more of his skills.

"I still have a lot to prove to everybody,'' Watson said. "Just to win some games and let people know I'm one of the best point guards in the country. I can't wait for the season to start to see where we stand.''

Junior post Major Wingate said Pearl's "whole new game'' allows him to translate potential into performance.

"Potential can only carry you so far,'' said Wingate, who averaged 5 points per game last season despite his imposing 6-foot-10 frame and obvious athleticism. "There's a time when the potential has to come out. I think this system will get the most out of me.''

Wingate laughed when asked if he'd have trouble keeping up with the fast break or getting back on defense.

"I'm usually one of the first ones down the court,'' he said. "This fits my style.''

Dane Bradshaw, UT's human floorburn, said he's spent hours in the offseason grooming his shot so he, too, can excel offensively.

"Everybody has a little more freedom on the offensive end as long as they work hard on the defensive end,'' said the 6-4 Bradshaw, who can play the point, wing or power forward positions. "It's time for me to be more relied on and comfortable on the offensive end.''

Bradshaw knows there are skeptics, and he understands the pessimism.

"It's our own fault we're predicted to finish low,'' the junior said. "But at the same time, we have a chance to show how underrated we are this year. We're not trying to plan for the future, or wait for recruits. For a lot of guys, the time is dwindling.''

Pressing Pearl: Among the many things Pearl has done to impress the players is lift weights with them.

"He might be the strongest guy in the weight room,'' JaJuan Smith said. "He's benching over 300 pounds.''

Pearl said it's a good way to show his dedication, stay in shape and build a rapport with the players.

"I can't challenge them on the court like I used to, but I can challenge them in there,'' Pearl said. "I can't give them enough of me. If I'm going to ask them to come in there and lift early, I should be in there with them. Ever see that movie 'Multiplicity?' I wish there was more than one of me. I can't give them enough.''

Me And Lee: Yes, Bradshaw said, he has heard many times Peterson should have taken Florida guard and former Maryville High School standout Lee Humphrey over him in recruiting.

"I know there's people around here that I have to prove myself to a little more,'' Bradshaw said. "But there's no grudge being held; me and Lee know each other and get along just fine. There's no huge competition; I'm sure we'd both like to out-perform the other. We've talked about it and joked.''

Shhh, C.J.: Watson smiled when asked if he was sick of hearing people say he needs to be more of a vocal leader.

"I just brush that off,'' he said. "I know what kind of player I am. I'm a behind-the-scenes type of leader who leads by example.''

Watson, however, indicated UT's new style of play could lead to him being more animated.

"It's very exciting to fast break get dunks and steals,'' he said. "This system is all about making plays. Everyone has that in them, something we feel we haven't shown. It's running and gunning.''

Practice Facility: Pearl said UT's proposed practice facility is an "absolute must'' for the program to recruit top athletes. The men's and women's staff met Tuesday with architects and Pearl said drilling for soil samples is taking place in the parking lot next to the arena.

"We have a smaller local recruiting base here than most big-time college basketball programs,'' Pearl said. "We've got to go to Indiana and Virginia and Memphis and different parts of the country. One of the things to close that distance gap is potentially having the best facility in the country.''

Mike Griffith covers Tennessee men's basketball.