With all due respect to Coppin State, Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl is worried more about his own team than the Eagles in today's game.

"This game is about us,'' Pearl said. "Coppin State plays a lot of zone, and with C.J. Watson gone, we need to establish another perimeter threat.

"So the question is, can we make open shots against the zone?''

The 25th-ranked Vols (3-0) are shooting 47.6 percent as a team but just 32.8 percent beyond the 3-point arc entering today's 4 p.m. tip off at Thompson-Boling Arena.

While Coppin State (0-2) does not appear to be much of a threat, having dropped a 94-43 decision at Virginia Tech before losing 79-67 at Hawaii, UT senior Dane Bradshaw said he takes every opponent seriously.

"These type of games are always dangerous,'' Bradshaw said. "We're not overlooking them because you see other good teams that have done that drop games they're not supposed to.

"There are things we can learn in every game.''

Pearl said today's game with the Eagles gives the Vols a chance to improve in key areas before heading to New York for Wednesday night's 7 p.m. NIT Season Tip-off semifinal game against Butler (TV: ESPN2). North Carolina plays Gonzaga in the other semifinal.

"I'm very pleased with where we're at with the exception of our turnovers, offensive execution and drop-back defense,'' Pearl said.

Pearl said he's moving junior Jordan Howell into the rotation at backup point guard and moving freshman Marques Johnson out.

"Marques' time will be cut back a little bit, and he'll play other positions,'' Pearl said. "Marques spent the entire fall working the point guard, but now he's No. 3 on the depth chart.''

Pearl said Howell, with his experience and defense, has brought some stability to the positing playing behind talented freshman starter Ramar Smith.

Junior Chris Lofton said Pearl has been coming down on the team hard in practice for sloppy passes.

"We have to limit the turnovers, cause Coach (Pearl) is getting frustrated with that,'' Lofton said. "We're trying to drop dimes (passes) instead of making the easy pass.''

Here's an assessment of the Vols heading into today's game, with a look at each player's strengths and weaknesses:

* Chris Lofton: Lofton has been streaky from the outside, but he's still the top option. Lofton shows improvement driving the lane, but it appears to have come at the price of his outside shooting consistency. Lofton has gotten to the foul line more as a result of drives, but he has also gotten charging fouls and been forced to miss time as a result of those fouls. UNC Wilmington coach Benny Moss said Lofton hits between 44 and 46 percent of his shots from two or 3-point range, "so why not make him shoot them from two?'' he said. Good point.

* JaJuan Smith: Smith's athleticism makes him a weapon. Smith gets hot beyond the 3-point arc, and he's fearless driving the lane. Smith's increased vertical leap has led to him being a surprisingly effective rebounder, and he's the best defender in UT's press. The only things separating JaJuan Smith from All-SEC status are his occasional turnovers and consistency.

* Ramar Smith: Great expectations have been heaped on the freshmen's shoulders, but he appears more comfortable each outing. Smith proved his toughness by playing effectively for 22 minutes on a sprained ankle. An injured Smith showed good driving ability as well as rebounding prowess. Perhaps no one will improve more between now and the end of the year than Smith.

* Dane Bradshaw: Bradshaw's heroics are well-documented, as he has provided various intangibles at key times. Bradshaw's pass game is near flawless, and his interior game is as impressive as possible for a 6-foot-4 player. Bradshaw's crafty ability to come up with steals is another plus. Bradshaw, however, must get better at the free-throw line and beyond the 3-point arc or he will fast become as much a liability as hero.

* Ryan Childress: The most improved player on the team from last year. Childress has provided sorely needed front-line punch and shown an adequate ability to score in the paint. Childress still teeters on out-of-control from a physical standpoint, but he's far removed from his bull-in-the-china shop ways of a year ago. Childress, like Bradshaw, is another player who can provide a spark when "Plan A'' fails.

* Duke Crews: This phenomenal athlete and colorful personality is the most entertaining player on the court. Crews provides fans with a highlight dunk or a blocked shot sent into the crowd each outing. More importantly, Crews has shown mental toughness by improving his free-throw shooting at a rapid rate. Crews plays bigger than his 6-8 frame, but he has yet to be tested by an SEC center.

* Wayne Chism: A bigger body at 6-9, Chism is another player who will show marked improvement by the end of the season. Chism has a nice outside shot that adds another dimension to his game, but it's his rebounding and interior play that UT cries out for. Chism must avoid picking up the ticky-tack fouls that have led him to premature foul troubles.

* Josh Tabb: The biggest surprise in the freshman class, Tabb is showing the merits of what a good season in prep school can do. Tabb takes what the defense gives him while also dishing out more defense than many ball handlers can take. Tabb forced two five-second violations against Wilmington without the benefit of a trap or the ballhandler picking up his dribble. Tabb also rebounds well.

* Marques Johnson: Johnson is smooth on the offensive end, though the game still appears to be moving a little quick for the 6-5 backup point. Johnson's vision and passing skills can't be argued, but defensively he has been a liability and he's not rebounding as well as one might expect considering his size.

* Tony Passley: Passley's two years away from organized games have taken their toll, as to this point he has shown rust and a penchant for turnovers and fouls. Passley's athleticism and potential is obvious, but this is a player that must push hard for continued improvement.

* Jordan Howell: A broken bone in his shooting hand set Howell back. Howell's ballhandling has been impressive however, and his defense is staunch. Howell's shot might be AWOL until he has completely recovered from the injury, and he's also better off sticking to the safe passes. Howell's lack of size prevents him from providing the rebounding help Ramar Smith and Johnson provide from the point.