Vols hope to rush action, not decisions

Tennessee fans will get a chance to meet their new-and-improved men’s basketball team both on and off the court tonight.

The emergence of sophomore transfers Tyler Smith and J.P. Prince has given 12th-ranked UT a different look than the last time fans saw them play in Knoxville on Nov. 30.

The Vols tip off against UNC Asheville (8-2) at 7:30 tonight (TV: SportSouth and MyVLT2) in Thompson-Boling Arena, where they’re riding a 22-game win streak that ranks as the fifth-longest active streak in the nation.

The Vols will stay after the game to mingle with fans and sign autographs.

The Bulldogs, off to their best start in 20 years and representing the Big South Conference, are expected to do their part to entertain, as well.

“There’s not a time of possession stat in basketball, but if there was they would probably win it,’’ UT coach Bruce Pearl said. “We’ll try to speed things up, but with them having four seniors, four returning starters and two senior guards, that will be tough.

“The thing we have to do is make sure we stay patient on the offensive end and get good shots.’’

Pearl’s giving sophomore center Wayne Chism another shot at the starting job despite his recent struggles.

Chism said he’ll work harder to maintain his focus on offense.

“I need to hit my layups, for starters,’’ Chism said. “I don’t know what the problem has been, but I have to fix it. I know sometimes on offense my mind shifts. … I’m not going to lie about it; it’s been a problem.

“When the action picks up I feel adrenaline, but I need to have it all the time. Once I get rolling, I’ll get in a groove.’’

UNC Ashville will put up a roadblock in the form Kenny George, a 7-foot-7, 360-pound center who ranks as one of the tallest players in college basketball history.

George averages 8.6 rebounds and 6.3 blocked shots per game coming off the bench.

“If he gets it on the block, he’s dunking,’’ said 6-10 freshman center Brian Williams, who scored 16 points and pulled down 14 rebounds Saturday in UTs’ win over Western Kentucky. “He dunks it, and he doesn’t even have to jump. We saw the film of him, and everybody just started laughing ... he’s so big, man.’’

Williams’ emergence, along with Tyler Smith and Prince, has brought a smile to Pearl’s face.

While the Vols found their best success of the season against the Hilltoppers, they did it in a different way.

“Tyler, Brian and J.P. gives us more two-point offense,’’ Pearl said. “And I have a good feeling about JaJuan (Smith) playing both the two (shooting guard) and the three (wing).

“That gives JaJuan a chance to play with both Chris (Lofton) and J.P., and the three of them really work together in the rotations.’’

Name Game: Williams explained the “Big Baby’’ nickname he has gone by since childhood.

“The nurse in the hospital said I was the biggest baby she had ever seen,’’ said Williams, who two years ago weighed 360 pounds and has since cut to 270. “I gave my mom 27 stitches.’’

Some UT fans have said they wanted Williams to have a new nickname, not wanting LSU fans to get the impression Williams is trying to steal the nickname of former Tiger and current Boston Celtics forward Glen “Big Baby’’ Davis.

“Tyler Smith started calling me ‘Ooozy,’ ” Williams said. “I have no idea what that means.

“I like ‘Da Neighborhood,’ because I’m as big as any project.’’

Williams’ teammates called him all three nicknames at different points of Tuesday’s practice.

Lofton Record: Lofton will likely become the Vols’ all-time 3-point shooting leader. Lofton’s 345 3-point goals put him one short of tying leader Allan Houston (1989-93) and 21 away from all-time SEC leader Pat Bradley (1995-99) of Arkansas.

Tatum Injury: Freshman Cameron Tatum was wearing a protective walking boot at practice, indicating an injury to his right foot. Tatum has played few enough minutes this season that he could still redshirt.

Mike Griffith covers Tennessee basketball. He can be reached at 342-6289