SEC's smallest but competitive, Pearl says of Vols

"I can't control what your expectations will be except you can expect us to play our best,'' Pearl said Wednesday at SEC Media Days. "Our talent level is very young, we will once again be the smallest team in the league, and yet I feel confident we'll be competitive.''

Being competitive doesn't necessarily translate into repeating as SEC East champions, particularly when defending national champion Florida returns all its starters.

"There's no place to go but down in the (SEC) East,'' Pearl said. "There's not a lot of room to do any more than we did in the regular season last season.

"I want people to look at my teams every year and say 'Tennessee will beat the teams they're supposed to beat and a few teams they're not.' ''

So how would Pearl pick the SEC East if he were an outside prognosticator?

"I'd pick Florida and Kentucky, and then I'd say Tennessee will battle the rest of the East for that third spot,'' Pearl said. "LSU, Florida and Alabama are teams that can compete for the national championship. After that, Kentucky is going to be there. Arkansas has that talent, and Georgia is a team not to be surprised about because all their guards are back.

"Can we finish higher? Absolutely. We'll compete to win the East, and that's where we'll set the bar.''

Pearl said the Vols are at a disadvantage because the SEC's loaded with experienced, talented centers and point guards.

"Tennessee will have freshmen at point guard and center,'' he said. "The league is chomping at the bit to get these kids, but my guys are confident.''

Pearl bemoaned the loss of dismissed center Major Wingate.

"I'm going to play many of the same cards I played last year because of my roster,'' Pearl said. "Major Wingate, with 26 or 27 minutes a game, would have allowed me do some different things.

"Teams have seen us now; We've lost that element of surprise.''

Pearl's Favorite: Pearl said Florida center Joakim Noah is his favorite SEC player.

"He plays with such passion and intensity,'' Pearl said. "I saw him this summer (at adidas camp), and he came over and put his arm around me and said 'Coach, you know the real reason I'm coming back? To beat you guys twice.'

"I said, 'Joakim, we might play you three times.' ''

Great Dane?: Pearl said Dane Bradshaw is playing like he did in practice at this point last year.

"That's the good news and the bad news,'' Pearl said. "I think he will play better, I think he should play better, I think he should be shooting the ball better.

"He will be our assist turnover ratio leader again. The fact he hasn't dominated yet, or really stood out, is probably a good thing.''

Lonely Lofton: Chris Lofton finally smiled at SEC Media Days -- after the reporters left and he was sitting alone.

"It was the same questions I expected,'' Lofton said. "About our freshmen, about Kentucky and Louisville (not offering him a scholarship), about how I've improved my game and about Coach Pearl.''

Lofton indicated he sidestepped controversy or headlines, as planned, and is looking forward to getting back to basketball.

Media Presence: Knoxville's Sports Animal was one of only two out-of-state radio stations with remotes set up here. The other stations were from Fort Smith, Ark., Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.