Playing time is on the line when Tennessee hits the basketball court for today's practice.
Vols' coach Bruce Pearl said on Thursday's Sports Page radio show he anticipates sophomore transfer J.P. Prince will take a place in the team's nine-man rotation.
"J.P. is going to be in the nine,'' Pearl said. "He's going to take minutes from Ramar (Smith) or Jordan (Howell), Josh Tabb or JaJuan (Smith).
"One of those guys will come out, or (Prince) takes some minutes from all of them and the rotation will be 10, (but) I'm leaning toward a nine-man rotation with one of those four guys getting pulled out."
Tennessee is 8-1 and ranked 10th in the nation, but the Vols have had their struggles, losing by 19 points to Texas and showing inconsistent tendencies in wins.
Pearl is desperately searching to find the right mix.
The 6-foot-8 Prince returned to practice this week after undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery Nov. 8 and sitting out fall-term games after transferring from Arizona last January. Prince is eligible to play in UT's next game, Dec. 14 against Western Kentucky in Nashville.
"We've got (many days) of practice coming up," Pearl said, "and I promise you, Ramar, Jordan, Josh and JaJuan will be fighting to keep J.P. Prince out of the rotation."
Prince likely will compete at the wing and point guard positions, as has been the plan all along.
Pearl said freshmen Brian Williams and Cameron Tatum have handled their current status with the team well.
Neither has played in the past two games because Pearl is contemplating redshirting either or both of them. If Pearl chooses to do so, he made it clear it's because of the team's depth, not the freshmen's past performances.
"They really did play well," Pearl said. "Trust me, there has been more than one occasion the last (couple) games when they haven't played when I thought about playing them."
Pearl said Williams, a 6-10 center, had the misfortune of suffering injuries at an inopportune time.
"Brian, I don't know if Duke (Crews) has the opportunity to get out there if Brian doesn't go knee to knee (Nov. 20) and get a hip pointer on Sunday (Nov. 22), and gets hurt," Pearl said. "Duke has taken full advantage of that since he's come back, and I hope we continue to see him play well and even better.
"Duke's plus-minus numbers are very strong the last four or five games. Brian would give us a stronger rebounder and an even a strong defender."
Pearl also has had to hold himself back from playing the athletic Tatum, who despite some freshman moments has shown flashes of brilliance as a wing.
"Cameron is going to be a great player, and that's a strong statement," Pearl said. "It's just you have JaJuan and Chris, two seniors, residing at his position. I don't want to waste him.
"So that's what we're wrestling with. I want to keep them both ready, and we'll have to see how things go throughout the season, whether they're eligible for a redshirt situation."
Pearl said he understands how any player who's not getting court time could get frustrated, and having recruited them for their competitive nature, he would be disappointed if they weren't a little upset about not playing.
"Right now playing time is a concern for us, because I have 12 very good basketball players on this team," he said. "But I don't see it to the extent where I see someone transferring.
"All you can do is point to Jordan Howell, Dane Bradshaw, Stanley Asumnu and guys that have paid their dues and how it worked out for them," Pearl said. "It happens earlier for some and later for others."
What happens over the next few weeks likely will determine the "whos" and the "whens."
© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 39
tnocvolfan writes:
Never thought I would see a "Playing time" problem with a UT basketball team, hope we can figure out which rotation to go with before SEC play!!
Go Vols!!
IPOrange writes:
A 6'8" point guard? Magic Johnson would be proud.
bricker865 writes:
I said before the season on here that they should reshirt those 2 new players (Williams & Tatum). I think there are advantages to doing so. Sure, it would be nice to give them any kind of playing time, but it also takes away from what our team is trying to do as far as getting the veterans the minutes they deserve, and getting the chemistry together.
redneckerson writes:
hey, the vol, what has Bruce told you about how he's gonna handle this?
tigervol9802 writes:
I must admit, I am surprised that both JaJuan and Ramar are being mentioned as players who may get cut from the rotation. I think that is a big warning shot that these two need to get their act together. Kudos to Pearl for basically calling them out!
budrhon writes:
Pearl realizes he's got to get the right chemistry brewing or else this team will suffer some "L's" particularly against stiffer competition. If that happens that only hurts them when it comes to seeding in March. It's obvious this team has the big target on it's back as every team they face will come gunning for them. Time to step up, man up and play with discipline swagger.No more sneaking up on teams like last year. If Prince put's them in the best situation to win then the whole team wins. Go Vols!
wisonsinvol writes:
Agree with you Tigervol, he's telling them to kick it up a notch or two. But at 6'8" athletic point gaurd is one heck of a threat - and not bad on teh practice squad either.
RockyTopRooks writes:
I think Prince is going to be great. Somebody is going to have to sit and i think its going to be Howell or Tabb but if Ramar doesnt stop doing crazy out of control stuff he may see his mins really drop. Go Vols!
BillVol writes:
We've got to get Williams into this rotation. We need a strong inside presence. Williams can rebound, outlet, and he has a nice touch and is a good garbage man. IMO he needs to play NOW!
Oenoboy writes:
BillVol...repeat after me...In Pearl we trust, in Pearl we trust, in Pearl we trust...over and over again until you never have the urge to question his decisions again.
Hunter writes:
We needed Ramar last year when we needed a breakdown offensive player. Insert Prince and Tyler Smith and suddenyl Ramar's value is significantly diminished. I am VERY in favor of Howell for the stability he brings, solid 3-point shot, ball distribution/unselfish nature. Pearl will find a way to put it together for SEC season.
We will likely finish 13-3 in conference, go out on Saturday in the SEC Tourney (it is in the "Temple of Doom"), and inspire ourselves to a FInal Four run to San Antonio. Remember the Alamo!
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
something never mentioned.....
Thank-You PRIDE OF THE SOUTHLAND BAND
you people are wonderful and such a proud tradition of the University of Tennessee, again all of you are wonderful and thank you
eb502us#225637 writes:
Hunter, I agree with you. Last year Ramar was playing out of necessity, not that he didn't deserve it as the season went along. This year however, his game has not improved and his skill set doesn't warrant more minutes. Howell is a much better fit with this team, although limited defensively. Ramar just doesn't handle the ball or pass well enough to be a true point guard, and he doesn't shoot well enough to be a two guard. Add that to the fact that he can't create his own shot other than an occasional drive to the basket and if he happens to get fouled on his way, he's a horrid free throw shooter. I would like to see Prince get most of Ramars minutes. What amazes me is how the NBA and Ramar could ever be mentioned in the same sentence as many people were talking this preseason. I just don't see the talent.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
tnmantravel - good post -Its nice to have someone who performs as scheduled every Saturday. You know what you're going to get there. Pearl needs to learn to play only his favorites, seniors when possible, and don't let those talented underclassmen screw up the routine. Maybe osmosis can help by practicing near Neyland. Win, Pearl, win.
fundamentals83 writes:
Can anyone elighten me as to Prince's abilities? Seems like I remember him averaging 2 pts per game at Arizona. I really know nothing about him and would like to know what to expect.
Basketball_Jones writes:
I LOVE THIS!!!! I think alot of this really boils down to motivation for Ramar and JaJuan. Both of them have no consistency in their game. Ramar is built for the NBA, he is very quick, an average at best shooter and below average FT shooter which is basically what the NBA has turned into. JaJuan to me was the question mark coming in to the season, I know he has his games where he looks great but he takes way to many bad shots, I often wonder if he is trying to upstage Lofton. I think the big problem right now with this team comes from this past summer in the Rocky Top League. That was basically a playground league where players could jack up wild shots and play ZERO defense. Like they always say, you play like you practice and its showing. I really like Pearl calling these guys out. Prince will be able to cause some great matchup problems with his size and wingspan, there won't be many PG's and SG's in the country who could guard him in the post. Anxious to see how this all plays out
BluetickBlues writes:
Well I would expect to see something in the likeness of a Tashaun Prince. If J.P. is anywhere close we have gotten ourselves a hell of a player. J.P. is a former five star recruit and has grown two to three more inches and bulked up since being at Arizona. My vote would be to play him at the point 10-15 minutes a game right away until he gets the hang of it. He also can take 5-10 minutes at each the two and three positions. This guy needs 30 minutes a game for sure. Imagine the two man game with Lofton and J.P. on the screen and role. Who do you guard they both shoot lights out? I can't wait to see him play.
BluetickBlues writes:
New starting five:
J.P. Price PG
Juan Smith SG
Chris Lofton SG
Tyler Smith F
Wanye Chism C
charlesbates1#462322 writes:
Smart move to bench Ramar Smith. He is not a threat on the floor. If a team go into a zone defense Ramar has know game. He just can't shoot well as a guard. Prince, Tabb and Howell will do well for this team on both ends of the court. My concern about redshirting Williams would be no big man in the middle when tournament time come around. Chism has not showed me he is willing to mix it up down low. If he doesn't change fast, there is not room for him in the NBA also. He don't have the dribbling skills to play other positions. I think the future line up should be Loften, Prince, t Smith, J Smith, Chism. The bench should be Crews, Williams, Childress, Tatum, R Smith, Howell, Tabb. The bench players would have to work for playing time are just deal with it as every player on a good team have to do. Once you establish this you won't have problems. Rotate players according to the team you are playing against as for size. I hope someone get this message to coach Pearl even though I feel he has been thinking about this and shortly we will see it happen. These first ten games was just to get a good feel of the players, now it's seriuos business.
THE_VOL writes:
Well since that old redneck asked - Prince will not only be in the rotation, he will start. But it won't be at the point or the post. See if you can figure out who the new 6th man will be.
knoxtenor writes:
Thank you, tnmantravel, for your comments. (Disclosure: I'm a former band member, so my views may be tainted.) No doubt, UT football and basketball would survive without the bands, cheerleaders, mascots, and the like, but I don't think that fans going to a game would have nearly as a good a time. I pity colleges that don't have fine ancillary organizations that support their athletic department (and vice versa). It must be awfully boring (and quiet) to go to one of their games. V-0, L-S, Goooo Vols! Go!
tp2 writes:
This is a great problem to have. To much talent! Coach Pearl has to sell to his players what he is peddling. You lose 3 or 4 seniors after this year. You will need some serious replacements. A lot of points to replace, Lofton, Smith, Howell. Tennessee needs to settle on a starting lineup and develop a rotation that fits into the scheme of things. Once they settle in then they will become a true threat.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
Great Article and it clearly shows that Pearl will challenge his players directly instead of clapping and stroking them on the back like CPF. Pearl will do what it takes to win!
ge446#212600 writes:
It surprises me that anyone would be overly critical of either Jordan or Ramar. Mentioning JuJuan is IMO absurd. What this does as well, IMO, is handicap us in recruiting. These matters should be handled within the team and not written about, before the fact, in the newsparer. These things have a way of taking care of themselves and do not need public scrutiny. It was just during the late summer of 06 that we were anxiously awaiting the news of Ramar's pending admission to UT and hoping that he could help out during the coming season. He was able to contribute a great deal and won several games for us down the stretch. Jordan represents the nearest thing to Dane Bradshaw that we have on this team. Someone who works extremely hard to get the most out of his game and he gives all he has every game. Being openly honest is one thing, but being openly critical of your players is another thing entirely. Bruce, i would have preferred that you have kept all this to yourself until a point in time when the results of your deliberations was evident.
Ironcity writes:
Someone mentioned it before. Prince average 2 points a game in his career at Arizona. He is coming off surgery on his shoulder. No one has seen his ball handling yet so I would not count on him at the point. My guess is he will be eased into the rotation with an oppportunity to get greater minutes as the season wears on and against teams that we match up poorly against. As for the players that will sit its a good ploy by CP to let those guys know that nothing is given. You've got to earn the minutes. Not surprized at all about the Freshman. I wasn't sure we could redshirt them after how much they played early on. What is the rule there if anyone knows.
ZacharyUTK writes:
Dang, we're stacked. It's good that no one's time is safe -- it keeps guys on their toes and ups the competition.
gotenac#215679 writes:
I remember a quote from O'neil when he was coaching. He once said, "Looking down the bench is like Blockbuster on a Saturday night. There's just not much there." My how things have changed.
THE_VOL writes:
Ironcity - "no one has seen his ball handling yet"???? I would highly suspect that BP and the staff HAVE seen his ballhandling. I assure you he is not going to be "eased" into the rotation as barring some unforeseen development in the next week - he WILL start in Nashville. Of course his performance from that point will dictate what may or may not happen down the road. At this point Tabb is the likely odd man out if BP sticks with a 9 man rotation and perhaps even if he does go to 10. In any event, it will be a HUGE plus to get another guy who plays similar to Tyler on the floor. Tyler, CLo and Jordan should all benefit from the defense having to play straight up.
JAJUAN writes:
JP Prince is the missing link.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
Will be very interesting to see how Prince fits into the mix. Lots of great talent on this team, maybe he can bring something to the team that is missing. Team still has to rebound.
DSaVol writes:
Hey Touchdown - you rang??? Damn I am sure glad that panic and anxiety are not contagious cause by the looks of this board the last few days some folks would be near death! Also didn't realize the NCAA had upped the coaching limits to 296 coaches allowed! LMAO!
Couple of things though - (1) Prince has shown alot of promise in practice but hey - "we're talkin bout PRACTICE!" Personally I think he could end up being the MVP of this team but time will tell. (2) Ramar and JuJuan are about to get the shock of their basketball lives cause BOTH are moving in the wrong direction in this rotation - but hey, that's what selfish gets ya sometimes. (3) At least two guys had better have their faces in books this week. (4) BP has said since the summer that competition for minutes would be immense and that nobody had any advantages - he apparently meant it and NOBODY can say they didn't get a fair shot. (5) TD - we were right again on the freshmen. It just takes somebody special or a unique situation for a freshman to have an impact in this league. Of course some here (marc_ass) have never seen a freshman that wasn't an IMPACT player! LMAO!! (6) ge446: "Being openly honest is one thing, but being openly critical of your players is another thing entirely." What the hell are you talking about???? BP was not critical of anybody in his quotes in this article. He simply said one of four guys was going to come out of the rotation. So what? In the infamous words of Dan Hawkins "This ain't intramurals baby!!" Guess what - there isn't a top 20 draft pick on this team so if they are serious about getting a shot in the league they better show some of those good TEAMS that draft late that they are willing to play a role and understand TEAM basketball. Oh well, enough of my expertise. Ya'll go back to breathin heavy and sweatin those heart palpitations!
Ironcity writes:
The _Vol you seem quite sure of your self. Did you realize the man hasn't done anything for a month. I hope I am wrong but I don't think he is so good he can just show up after taking a month off and start on a top ten team. Word is he is a great slasher who can really defend. Not much has been said about his passing or his ballhandling. His shot is suppose to be average from the outside at best. He has been told thats where he needs to work. I hope All_Vol you are right but I will stick with my prediction that BP eases him into the rotation. I also beleive we will move towards a 10 man rotation until the SEC starts then all bets are off. My guess is Prince plays 10 minutes next week and slowly moves up to 15 minutes based on how he fits in.
DSaVol writes:
Touchdown - the check's in the mail bud! Seems like some early predictions for the freshmen were right on (us) while others (marc_ass as The_Vol calls him) were "just a bit outside" the "impact" range. LOL
DSaVol writes:
Actually you're wrong again ilove_....The University of Tennessee didn't have a head football coach this season. Hasn't had one for about 5-7 years now and won't have one next season either. Hey but nice try anyway. Now go back to kissin' your sister.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
DSaVol, if you want to address me do so directly..don't do it in a 1-6 connect the dots post indirectly. You know about as much about what I think as you do about sports. Marc_ass...omg, how original...never heard that one before.
DSaVol writes:
TD: regarding ilove's sister - ever seen that show Ugly Betty????
marc_ass: a little testy there aren't ya?? First of all, I don't want to address you as I don't believe in debating the mentally challenged (known in some circles as morons) and factually uninformed. Secondly, everybody on here knows a LOT about what you think cause you unfortunately continue to post it. Didn't someone here recently call you out and re-post your exact words regarding Mr. Williams? Wasn't YOUR post what you really thought???? Please have your therapist read your post and my post to you and then try to tell everyone who was right about these freshmen. Oh, sorry, that's right, you've moved on to your NEXT IMPACT freshman, Mr. Jurick. LMAO!!!
Finally, TD, I continue to "diss" FOOLmer cause it's the only right, American, TRUE-VOLUNTEER thing to do at this point in his ill-fated tenure. Are there reasons we shouldn't????? LMAO!
marc_ash#231781 writes:
dsavol or the-vol or whatever name you want to use today, amazing how good you are at interpereting that I am testy on a post. Amazing how you can do that without having a clue of what tone I'm using.
I work with developmentally disabled adults and mentally retarded people so don't even stoop to be pathetic enough to try and make a joke at their expense. That really shows your lack of class.
Go back to that post you wrote last week and see my response dsavol/the_vol and you will see where you are wrong. I replied, you didn't.
slambob2#228938 writes:
Ramar is loaded with talent and will be an NBA guard one day, imo. But for now, he plays out of control and sloppy and we can't afford that when the margin of victory against a good team could be two points. Every posession counts.
And Jujuan has been missing it from the perimeter every since the MTSU game. Neither guy is earning minutes, though they both work incredibly hard and play good defense.
I see Prince taking time from both of them (Jujuan first, when Prince hits the starting lineup) but an injury will come down the line and one or both of those guys will come up huge for the Vols this year.
slambob
slambob2#228938 writes:
A quick question about Howell. He's constantly surprising me with his sweet shot and steady ball-handling skills. He runs the team a lot better than I ever thought he would.
But does he have trouble breathing through his nose? I don't mean to be ugly, but I notice he has his mouth wide open most of the time.
The truth is, I should be so good at what I do that people would notice my idiosyncracies like that. But I wonder if he's had a broken nose or has terrible allergies or what? Maybe it's just a habit. In any event, he's a heck of a great player.
slambob
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