Tennessee Stat Book
SEATTLE - Bruce Pearl's defensive preaching and teaching paid off with a marquee win over traditional West Coast power Gonzaga on Saturday.
No. 11 Tennessee smothered the Zags, leading by as many as 18 points en route to an easier-than-expected 82-72 men's basketball victory before the crowd of 15,141 at KeyArena.
JaJuan Smith's 18 points led six Vols who scored in double figures; J.P. Prince had 12, Chris Lofton and Tyler Smith 11 apiece, and Ramar Smith and Wayne Chism each had 10.
But Pearl said defense was the key to this game, a sentiment he backed up numerous times during the action with his commands to "Press Up! Press Up!'' from the bench.
"We were quick to the ball and quick rotating,'' said Pearl, whose team forced 18 turnovers and held Gonzaga (9-4) to 39.3 percent shooting. "We felt we had to make it uncomfortable for them.''
Gonzaga coach Mark Few described the game as "high-level, high-octane where every pass, every shot was challenged,'' and praised the Vols.
"Tennessee is an aggressive, athletic and opportunistic team,'' said Few. "They take every opportunity you give them … and they are creating things with their defense.''
JaJuan Smith set the tone early, getting a steal and a lay-up for the game's first points, which he followed with a 3-pointer to give the Vols (12-1) a 5-0 lead.
"When you go on the road, you've got to play well early,'' Pearl said. "Our defense was really good early. We tried to put pressure on them to not allow them to run their stuff. You let them run their stuff, you can forget about it.''
The Vols built a 15-5 lead thanks in part to steals by Lofton and Prince before Gonzaga started to settle down and get the crowd back into it.
Josh Heytvelt's 6-foot-11 presence, combined with Steven Gray's hot shooting, led to the Zags going on a 12-0 run to take a 17-15 lead on a Gray 3-pointer at the 9:50 mark.
Gonzaga's only lead of the game lasted 30 seconds.
Tyler Smith drove to tie it at 17-17, Lofton followed with a 3-pointer and then a steal that led to a JaJuan Smith bucket that put the Vols back up 22-17 with 8:32 left.
UT held the five-point advantage into the half when Ramar Smith hit a 3-pointer with three seconds on the clock to make it 36-31.
The Vols extended the lead when Jordan Howell and JaJuan Smith hit back-to-back 3-pointers to push the advantage to 42-33 less than 1 1/2 minutes into the second half.
The Zags closed to within 45-40 a few minutes later when Matt Bouldin scored two of his game-high 21 points on a put-back basket.
Gonzaga out-rebounded the Vols 41-32, but simply couldn't handle UT's quickness and defensive pressure.
A Ramar Smith steal and alley-oop pass led to a Prince dunk that keyed an 11-2 run that Lofton capped with a 3-pointer to make it 56-42 with 11:18 left.
The Vols held their biggest lead of the game after JaJuan Smith and Lofton hit back-to-back treys to make it 64-46 with 9:49 left. The lead was still at 18, 69-51, when Ramar Smith scored on a drive with 7:22 on the clock.
The Zags made their final charge when Austin Daye's 3-pointer sparked an 11-3 run that included two Heytvelt dunks. Jeremy Pargo's two free throws with 4:12 left made it 72-62.
Those were Pargo's first points of the game; impressive when one considers Pargo was one of 50 players on the preseason Wooden Award list.
While Pargo heated up, the Vols missed four of their next six shots, and a Bouldin drive and 3-pointer cut the lead to 76-71 with 1:15 left.
With the game on the line, UT put the ball in Prince's hands, and the sophomore transfer drained three of four free throws on the next two possessions to seal the UT win.
Tyler Smith put an exclamation point on the victory with a reverse dunk at the buzzer.
The Vols won't practice again until Thursday, and their next game is on Jan. 9 at Thompson-Boling Arena against No. 22 Ole Miss (12-0).
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Comments » 59
jevolball7 writes:
Hey,something good 4 us to banter about tonight! Lets rap!
Hunter writes:
Team looked great for most of the game. When this team clicks on all cylinders and hustles like it did for most of today, they will not be beaten. And Kentucky is AWFUL!!!!! Good times for the round-ball in Tennessee......
fundamentals83 writes:
Interseting how well JaJuan, Chris, and Tyler rebound. Seems like they are perpetually around the ball. Looks like the team is jelling a bit over the last two games. Keep up the effort guys, that will win ball games.
Vol_In_Ohio writes:
Back to back great road wins. The scattery D looked great. Rebounding a little suspect again, but better. Tyler Smith with 11 and 11, wow! Lots of FT for Prince too. JuJuan with a nice one.
creepykev#228270 writes:
great game
chrisw2967 writes:
Just think how good there going to be if Lofton can ever get going , its going to happen but when, who knows.but when it does they are going to be awesome. Go Vols
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Could ease us back into Top Ten!!! Great job, Vols.
gillblog writes:
They did look good today and Pearl did his usual eccentric job of motivating his players ("Fish! Fresh Fish!!") but unless Lofton regains his shooting touch I'm afraid this is still not a final four team.
daddyaxe writes:
total team effort we are coming together....win the east easily and SEC no.1 or 2 seed in tournament should be ours for the taking
DenverVol writes:
man, they sure are fun to watch!! relentless! although, i wouldn't mind seeing them box out a little more on the defensive boards. GO VOLS!
jevolball7 writes:
I pitty the teams that catch us when CLO & JuJuan go off from 3 land,with Tyler and JP slashing to the hole. There are worse NBA teams.
bmaples writes:
Solid, solid win in another hostile environment. None of these by themselves is a "BIG WIN," but put them all together and it's a quality "pre-season" record. Wonder what kind of SEC record they can put with it?
Here's a comment from one of the TV announcers that should warm every Vol fan's heart: "Tennessee never takes a possession off." Absolutely true. Great hustle, great pressure, and just a fun game to watch. Now for some SEC wins to go with it! Go Vols!
GerryOP writes:
A great win on national TV! And to think that ESPN said two weeks ago that there was a reasonable chance that we could lose three of the last four!! LOL!!!
tapeworm writes:
The mark of a great team is how they refuse to fold on the road when the other team makes a big run. The Vols kept bringing it time after time when the Zags made a run. They look alot like North Carolina with their frenzied pace - both offensively and defensively. Another "quality" win.
inquiry writes:
WEBEBAD. . Go Vols
THE_VOL writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
eduardo writes:
This team has turned the corner on playing real hard for 40 minutes. What a great coach we have in Pearl and his staff. He gets his guys to buy into his scheme and give incredible effort. How refreshing is that vol fans! I agree with the comment that Kentucky is awfullllllllllll! Chalk up 2 wins against those guys. I hope they don't find a fax somewhere to get a former player or players back. Ha Ha If everyone wants a good laugh go to message boards on Lexington Herald.com I don't think Billy Clyde's going to make it through the season!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
QUALITY WIN -- man, it looks like we are finally finding our GROOVE...
tshipley7963#209006 writes:
People I have seen Tenn. play several times and for the life of me I have never seen Lofton do anything. I cannot understand what all the hipe is over somebody that is not consistent (except being mediorer )Hopefully I will see him see do something and then I can change my mind.
jeremy writes:
Great Win!!! Congratulations to the VOL NATION!!!
creepykev#228270 writes:
Chris has hit many big buckets for TN, and hit some timely threes today. He is getting less playing time this year and he is no longer the most talented player on the team which has relegated him to more of a role player. But to say he isn't contributing is an absurd statement. He played good D and got some boards as well. I think that when we truly need him he will come through.
martinvolfan writes:
Way to go VOLS! Quality win to close out 2007 and the March to San Antonio in 08! "It's great to be a Tennessee Vol!"
fjm777 writes:
Looks like the road woes from last year are gone! Can't wait for SEC play.
GO VOLS!!!
Vol_In_Ohio writes:
So with the SEC slate ready to begin, who would you LEAST like to lose for any reason? Is it still Lofton? For me I think it is. My list in order:
Lofton
T.Smith
Prince
J.Smith
R.Smith
Chism
Howell
Williams
Childress
The difference in the first four is a lot closer than I ever thought it would have been.
THE_VOL writes:
TSHIPLEY - as they say, YOU SIR ARE A FREAKING IDIOT! Chris Lofton has only carried this entire program for the last 3 years. Perhaps you should just stop watching since you obviously have no clue what it is you're seeing. Back to the crayons moron!
CREEPYKEV - Lofton has NEVER been the most talented player on the team, only the most clutch, most consistent, and most dedicated to a team effort.
nickperkinsalc#627224 writes:
I understand what you are saying creepykev, but it is hard for me to consider #5 a role player. Did any of you guys see that ugly suit Coach Jones wa wearing? :)
jevolball7 writes:
TheVol,perhaps I was a tad excited.I really meant it to say,if our talent played up to potential at the same time...etc. And I've seen some pretty bad NBA teams. T.Shipley,you are either an idiot or have never seen a basketball....or possibly both!
yeavols#228407 writes:
GO VOLS! coach Pearl is the BOMB..totally into the game coaching, motivating, encouraging, persuading, and achieving. He is great to watch even if you arn't a VOL fan. Great players coming together and I hope Chris Lofton gets into the groove. GO VOLS and ready for MARCH MADNESS...
gillblog writes:
Sorry to divert this high level basketball conversation but....IS anybody watching the Pats v. the Giants????/ Our brother-under-the-skin Eli is looking PRETTY good!!!
CoverOrange writes:
Interesting that no one on this board is complaining about the officiating this time.
crmcm44#321757 writes:
tshipley7963 you should watch somtehing other than baketball. You don't seem to understand the game and my guess is you haven't watched much basketball nevermind not having watched the vols many games.
creepykev#228270 writes:
I had issue with our guys a couple of times grabbing the arm of a zag player and pulling them down to the ground. I just want to beat them not injure them. I also would argue that everyone on this TN team is a role player. There is almost never the same player leading the Vols in scoring two games in a row. We are just trying to exploit matchups more this year instead of relying on one guy to carry us.
jevolball7 writes:
Creepy Kev.,You are correct,you do have issues! WUS
orangebass writes:
any word on when duke might be able to return? is it possible this season ??
Titan writes:
jw - why do you have to twist and turn every story into an anti-Fulmer show? Why? Why? Why? It's getting awfully old.
stevefrommemphis writes:
In Chattanooga, ESPN2 pre-empted the first few minutes of UT to show the end of San Diego defeating Kentucky. Speaking as someone who used to pull for the Soviet Union during the Cold War when the USSR played Kentucky in pre-season games, I must say that it was worth missing the first few minutes of Tennessee.
Please, please, get Chism to quit gunning three pointers. This appears to be the most talented Tennessee team ever, but I'm afraid when the going gets tough in the post-season, two or three lost possessions as a result of low percentage decisions might be the difference in a good season and a spectacular season.
newtonrail writes:
creepy, I have to agree with most of what you've posted for a change. Don't know about flagrant fouls. Didn't notice that. I go to the home games, and watch road games on TV, and I have a little different perspective on Lofton. I believe because we have so much more talent this year, he and J. Smith have both backed off some. Although Chris has really turned up his defensive pressure. I do feel like Lofton can still get those KEY baskets if we need them at this point in the season. I just think he's being very unselfish with the ball, which is Pearl's call whether that's good, bad, or somewhere in the middle.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
stevefrommemphis, I'm slamming my hand down on my desk saying, "YES! YES! YES!"
Chism's continuing unwillingness to stay around the paint and crash the boards -- often choosing instead to drift outside and launch 3s -- is driving me crazy.
This guy is normally playing the 5 spot (if I'm correct). He is 6'9" and 242 lbs. He had five rebounds tonight, 4 against Xavier, and 3 against UNC Asheville for a three-game total of 12 boards.
Tyler Smith is 6'7" and 215 lbs. He plays the 4 spot. He had 11 rebounds tonight, 3 vs. Xavier, and 6 against UNC Asheville for a three-game total of 20 boards.
I cannot understand this. If he is playing the post, he should be bringing down at least 10 boards per game, as I see it.
The good news: he only tried one 3 tonight after throwing up 4 vs. Xavier and 3 against UNC Asheville.
Maybe he's been getting an earful of Pearl. I hope so because we need him desperately to pound the glass like a 2008 version of Moses Malone.
Anybody else seeing this?
madisonvillevol writes:
still need to find the killer instinct. when you get somebody down by 15 or 16 they need to go for the juglar. scary, when we are at the foul line, with the game still undecided. team is starting to gel. awesome depth!
knoxtenor writes:
In watching the game, I realized that if I didn't pay too much attention to an individual player, all I could see on any one play was this writhing sea of orange with white specks caught up in it. I can't imagine having to play against that wildly shifting offense or defense for forty minutes. It was wearing me out just watching it. Heck, BRUCE wears me out just watching him. I didn't look at the game on ESPN360, but I think it would be almost as entertaining to just watch Bruce the entire game.
The biggest thing that I'm seeing with the Vols is that they are playing as a TEAM, not as individual superstar wannabes. That's not been the case previously. Bruce was able to squash that mentality that had become all too prevalent in the program. And seeing players like Prince stepping up when they're needed is a hoot.
ATLVOLFAN writes:
Good Job!!!! The Vols are looking wonderful; I believe once Chris gets his shot back they will make a big run come March. The have very good team chemistry. Go Vols!!!
Singlewingleftguard writes:
Nothing original to add.
vol52 writes:
I feel Lofton will find his shot at some point during the season. He is a purer shooter and I believe he has tried to improve his point guard abilities at the expense of his shooting abilities. He need to settle down and just let them fly and do some dribble penetration.
heathut15 writes:
ut should be atleast #5 look at everyone that has got beat ut is the real deal and look at the road wins these guys have they are looking good i cant wait until they play memphis that will be a hell of a ballgame
Vol_In_Ohio writes:
Predicted point spread vs. Ole Miss?
fundamentals83 writes:
20 vs Ole Miss. I would like to see Lofton go to the basketball more. He was excelent at it last year and seems hesitant this year. To score 80 last year, Lofton would have needed 20-30. To score 80 this year, Lofton could have 0.
fundamentals83 writes:
oops , I would like to see Lofton go to the basket more.
vol52 writes:
Plasticman , I would think that Duke has cardiomyopathy. If he does then there are several types. They said that they would try some treatments and possibly return, which would probably lead me to believe that he has hypertrophic and not dialated. Most of the people who drop dead have dialated. None are good to have. I am not an expert in cardiology.
TNPilgrim writes:
No doubt about it - we're a Basketball school now. Before long, football will be right in there with baseball, track and golf - just something to pass the time until Bruce's guys hit the court.
dave_olympia writes:
I am a UT grad living in Olympia, WA and had the great pleasure of attending the battle in Seattle. I'm also a big fan of the Zags and root for them against anyone except UT, so you can imagine how much of a thrill it was to see this game. In the warm-ups, Wayne Chism spent almost all of his time practicing 3-point shots from one spot on the court. Like most, I wish he would concentrate more on rebounds and garbage buckets in the post area. He did play great defense though. I've seen a few of the games on tv - it was more apparent in person that Tyler Smith is clearly the leader of this team and is Pearl's coach on the floor. He has adopted the Dane Bradshaw role at this point. He was absolutely awesome in yesterday's game.
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