The Tennessee men's basketball team has to play a tough opponent before Saturday's game in Nashville against Western Kentucky: Itself.
Coach Bruce Pearl put the Vols through a furious 90-minute workout Monday at Pratt Practice Pavilion in preparation for today's closed scrimmage.
"This is the first time since early November that we've really had a chance to practice on us,'' Pearl said. "It's been refreshing; hard, sharp, picking up the intensity and the angles.''
Drills ranged from taking charges, to the "Forbes'' (slide-step) shuffle, to a series of two-minute full-court sprints disguised as a layup drill.
Pearl, all the while, barked out orders like a drill sergeant with a familiar wild look in his eyes.
"We are going to get better this week,'' Pearl emphatically said. "I've got my teams ready for the games the next two days, and we're going to play a couple games.''
The White team consists of Duke Crews, Ryan Childress, J.P. Prince, Josh Tabb, Chris Lofton and Jordan Howell.
The Orange team is Brian Williams, Wayne Chism, Tyler Smith, JaJuan Smith, Cameron Tatum and Ramar Smith.
"There's going to be a lot of talking between the teams,'' Chism said. "There already is.''
Chism also is one of the Vols talking about needing to make immediate improvement.
"I'm in a slump, and I honestly don't know how I got into it,'' said Chism, who lost his starting job at center two games ago. "I just know I need to get out of it. I've been shooting terrible. I'm not even shooting 50 percent on my free throws; actually, I'm not even hitting 40 percent.''
Chism is 3-of-12 from the free-throw line the past five games, dropping to .381 on the year, and he has failed to score in double digits or pull down more than five rebounds in any of the past four games.
"A couple of times I've felt like I had the hot hand, and I was thinking I needed the next shot,'' Chism said. "But I don't need to be thinking selfish about my shooting. That thought just doesn't need to be there.''
Chism also pointed to early foul trouble as a problem he must overcome.
"Sometimes that's been a problem, because you get those two early fouls and your first half is pretty much over,'' Chism said. "I want to play hard, but I don't want to get those fouls.''
Chism does not have a problem coming off the bench - he did so the first half of last season. But he's quick to admit it was not his choice this season.
"It was because of my performance,'' Chism said. "I played terrible. I really did.''
Chism believes the intensity and pace Pearl has offered the past two practices will serve him and his teammates well.
"It seems like things have been moving a lot faster for us,'' Chism said. "It has been very competitive, and that's good.''
Pearl said he's glad the Vols are taking it upon themselves to improve.
"You've basically got about half the guys on the team saying and knowing they can play better,'' Pearl said. "That's exactly where you want to be at this stage of the season.''
Poll Drop: Tennessee dropped from No. 10 to No. 12 in the Associated Press poll Monday despite winning the only game it played last week, 76-70 at Chattanooga.
"We're a one-loss team, and they (voters) obviously felt there are better one-loss teams out there,'' Pearl said.
UCLA (8-1), Michigan State (8-1) and Marquette (6-1) are the only one-loss teams ranked ahead of the 8-1 Vols.
Marquette and Pittsburgh (9-0), both of the Big East, were the teams that jumped the Vols in this week's poll, the Panthers edging UT by a single point.
The SEC's non-conference struggles could have something to do with it; the SEC went 1-3 in the SEC-Big East challenge recently. Vanderbilt, 9-0 and ranked No. 20, is the only other SEC team ranked in the top 25.
Top Five: The Vols' 22-game home win streak is the fifth-longest streak of its kind in the nation behind Memphis (36), BYU (35), Notre Dame (25) and Indiana (23).
Tabb Ankle: Tabb suffered a light ankle sprain Friday but shot for an hour Sunday and practiced some Monday. Pearl said Tabb will be ready for Saturday's 9 p.m. tip against Western Kentucky at the Sommet Center.
Memphis plays Middle Tennessee State at the Sommet Center on Saturday in the first game of the doubleheader.
Pearl On Jayhawks: Pearl said he's excited about landing a home-and-home series with Kansas.
"Oh my gosh yes, we want to play the names that are synonymous with the best in college basketball,'' Pearl said, pointing toward next year's Dec. 20 matchup at Allen Fieldhouse. "You look at the Big 12, and we've played Oklahoma State, Texas and now Kansas. The ACC, we've played North Carolina, and Ohio State of the Big Ten. Then we've got Gonzaga coming up. It's huge.''
Kansas has had 100 consecutive sellouts at Allen Fieldhouse, which lists 16,300 as its capacity.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57 men's…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 23
GrandCanyonVol writes:
You want to be the team out there with the most hustle and drive. Hustle and Drive will do what nothing else will do. It will be the difference in the game. The rest will take care of itself. Just go win and make us proud. We really enjoy hearing you on the computer here at the Grand Canyon. Mr. Chism, play your heart out. You are the man.
ColumbusVol writes:
Win your games....who cares about the stupid poll
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
I SAID ITS GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL!!!!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Man, are we in good hands with Bruce Almighty OR WHAT??!
ONUV writes:
thanks Bruce!
eb502us#225637 writes:
Did BYU not lose at home to Michigan St?
Col26ca writes:
I am embarressed that all you Fulmer haters are not on the Fire Pearl banwagon yet. Look what he has done. Taken a pre season #7 team and lost big to Texas that rated was lower. Won against teams that were low to mid level D1 by just a few points. He has taken a team that wins a game and drops in the polls. At best we are behind Memphis and Vandy and no better than #3 in TN you should be saying. While you make off center comments about Fulmers weight and intellegence I know you can find nasty or off color things to say about Pearl. Come on out and show you real dislike for all things UT. By the way Pat lost some 1st place votes is it not time to start ripping her also.
AND to end I am sending out this as a challenge to all you UT haters because I stand 100% with Fulmer, Pearl, Pat and the UTAD.
tigervol9802 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Basketball_Jones writes:
TN7275, Pearl isn't afraid to rattle a few cages unlike Fulmer who tends to coddle his players. Also basketball is completely different that football. The football program has been successful for years and has all the ingrediants to remain successful, except our chef isn't Emeril he's a fry cook at Burger King. The basketball program is just now beginning to achieve success and thats thanks to coach Pearl. Fulmer should be embarassed to make the money he does and not be in contention every year. Don't talk about this year because UT backed into that SEC Championship game, losing 3 games by over 100 combined points. Sorry to have gone off on a tangent
DSaVol writes:
So what's new? Said since summer this team's greatest obstacle would be itself. Chism just needs to man-up and stop being so damned soft.
TN7275 - write again when you sober up.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Tn7275 - great fire - keep it up. That said - don't believe i'd compare the fire and emotion of Pearl to the occasional grimance of Phil. Pearl started building from the near-bottom up and passing Phil who's heading down for the near bottom. Defense has already arrived there. Pearl will have a SEC ring in the future, Phil will not.
Someone posted earlier about Phil's next NC. His picture will be in Funk & Wagnall's beside dreamer. Wish I had that faith. I'd put on my little orange sweater and head off the ice like the other lemmings. Feel better now. Merry Christmas. Have a safe drive, Badgers.
Singaporehillbilly writes:
TN7275 - Good post. Logic and consistency are are not characteristics of those addicted to drinking hater-aid.
GoVol writes:
Team - please focus on your free throws also. This part of the game must improve. You need to take free throws seriously and take advantage of those opportunities.
mloaks#222092 writes:
Fulmer haters dont deserve Pearl.
THE_VOL writes:
Since football season is over, can we just let it go???? Nobody cares about the gridiron garbage anymore. This team needs 3 good weeks of practice and 4 wins to get ready to rock the SEC - which by the way appears to be WAY down after the Vols, Vandy and maybe Ark. Ole Miss beating up patsies. FL is talented but young. KY is a mess. SC & GA - please. LSU - undisciplined and poorly coached. MSU - salary cap taking its toll. Bama - up and down. Auburn - say goodbye Jeffy.
Vols should OWN this conference which combined with some really solid non-conf W's will lead to a very high seed and then who knows - it's Madness after all. BUT they MUST take it one game at a time and be prepared to show up EVERY night and EVERY possession. If not, well, they wouldn't be the first team with a load of talent to miss the boat. A Sweet 16 berth should be the minimum target, an Elite 8 is in the could/should category, and the Final 4 is a "nice to have" bonus. This team is definitely capable of making San Antonio but SOOOOO much that is out of their control has to fall their way to get there it's just not a reasonable EXPECTATION for them or any team for that matter.
DooleyNoted writes:
Chill out TN 7275. If you can't tell the difference between UT's drop in football and our assention in BB, no amount of facts will open your eyes. You just keep supporting 9-5 and 5-6 records. When Pearl finishes the season dropping 1st round tourn. games to MAC schools maybe then you will know the difference.
Pops writes:
TN 7275 You are "embaressed" about Pearl. First, the word is embarrassed, so you should really be embarrassed with your intelligence. Second, you write that Tennessee lost to a Texas team that "rated was lower" a third grade Chinese student has better grammar. Finally, you stated that you are supporting Pearl, I'd hate to see what you wrote about Pearl if you were not supporting him.
McIntireIMP writes:
Ask Pearl's soon to be exwife what she thinks of his coaching job.
But hey, his basketball team sure has improved.
sidwalkvol writes:
Pops--uh, I think for too much attention to grammar you missed the irony/sarcasm of TN7275's post.
THE_VOL writes:
McIntire...you need to stick to things you know about - like sanitation collection.
Col26ca writes:
sidwalkvol - Thanks
And Pops you are correct, I chose not to do a grammer or spell check. I just thought I would get a few people going. BTW I love Pearl, Pat and yes Phil and Mike. You see I'm a born and raised Kentuckian with the great luck of being offered a scholarship to UT back in the 60's. I have 2 degrees from UT thus the 7275. I have lived all over North America and have seen college sports programs large and small and watched their fans act and react to their programs. UT has some of the best programs and fans I have ever been around. Let's keep it proud and on a classy level. All schools have up and down cycles, just look at Oklahoma, SoCal, UCLA, Texas, Penn State, Fla State and yes even Fl and UGA, etc. I'll stick with my Vols and trust in the Departments leadership. If you have not had a job like Hamilton's in any business, yes college athletics is a business, I suggest you try it before asking for his or one of the coaches heads. Yes it is OK to critize but try to remember the old saying of most good managers. Praise in public and chew a## behind closed doors. By that I suggest that if all those who want to critize would take the same time and send your concerns in writing to the UTAD with your name and address you would get a lot better chance of being heard than screaming here behind a pen name. What most of you are doing that only post negative comments is hurting the teams you profess to love.
GO VOLS FOREVER
utvols1 writes:
Hey TN7275-4389zzzzzzz take a powder. Who gives a flip about your life story? Most folks on here either went to UT or grew up in Tennessee.
What's more important is how poorly Phill is doing in recruiting this year. Get ready for more of the same next year and the next year. We are already in the 7th year of a downward cycle.
And I did send my letter to Hamilton already. Thanks for the great advice.
UTByrd writes:
There is no doubt that there are a great number of top quality athletes graduating high school nowadays due in particular to population growth. The NCAA has mandated higher GPA and graduation rates. Adhere to these standards or lose scholarships. Therefore, universities are having to recruit real "student" athletes that are of good character instead of athletes period. Everyone needs to keep it in mind that a college football career lasts four years, an education lasts a lifetime. I do believe that Coach Fulmer is recruiting young men that cherish an education first. The true mark of success is not winning a national championship but in how well you taught your young charges in how to win in life as well as how to deal with disappointments. Coach, you're doing a fine job of graduating quality people. Keep up the good work.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.