Walk-on learning the ropes

"I could take a drop step, turn and score,'' Daniels-Mulholland said. "Here, I haven't even scored in a practice yet.''

"Here'' is on the Tennessee men's basketball team, where Daniels-Mulholland has made the squad as a walk-on.

Those who have followed the career of the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder could be somewhat confused.

After all, it was just last year that he was an invited walk-on tight end on UT's football team.

"I liked football, but I was missing basketball,'' said Daniels-Mulholland, a first-team PrepXtra selection his senior season with the Wildcats. "I've been playing basketball my whole life. Football is something I did my senior year.''

Daniels-Mulholland said he considered transferring to another school to play basketball, but the lure of playing for his home state school and coach Bruce Pearl was too tempting.

"I'm just trying every day to play my hardest and help the team,'' Daniels-Mulholland said. "I can make the team better by banging inside on Wayne (Chism) and Duke (Crews).''

Daniels-Mulholland said he enjoys competing with the gifted UT freshmen.

"It's similar to matching up with the great players on the football team,'' he said. "There, I was blocking Parys Haralson. I mean, attempting to block Parys Haralson. So I've had some experience going up against pro prospects; it's a lot different than high school, for sure.''

Pearl said he appreciates the muscle and effort Daniels-Mulholland has brought to practices.

"With Rick inside, it gives us a local front line on the scout team,'' Pearl said. "You've got Ben Bosse from Farragut and (Steven) Pearl from West. It's nice because people remember those guys.''

Pearl said he had walk-ons earn scholarships, playing time and even starting positions at Southern Indiana and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

"It's different for everybody, though, obviously this is a different level,'' he said. "Some walk-ons may end up getting more than garbage time. A lot of them get into the rotation, though most of the time that's been later in their playing careers.''

Daniels-Mulholland said Pearl hasn't seen the best he has to offer, yet.

"Being in basketball shape is different than football shape,'' he said. "Football is a lot harder on your body, while basketball is harder on your cardiovascular system. You're running all day.''

Daniels-Mulholland said basketball players are afforded more individual attention because there are only 18 on the team and more than 100 on the football field.

"It's been a lot of fun,'' Daniels-Mulholland said. "I'm excited about playing for Coach Pearl. You can't put into words how he does it, but when he's teaching, you know you're going to learn.''