SEATTLE - Chris Lofton swished a 3-pointer with just under 10 minutes to play Saturday. Gonzaga, suddenly trailing by 18 points, called a timeout and the Tennessee bench exploded.
It wasn't that the Vols figured they had the game won.
"They were really excited to see Chris Lofton making a couple of shots,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl explained.
It would be their last chance to cheer a Lofton basket Saturday in the Battle of Seattle at KeyArena.
And yet nine long minutes and 52 long seconds later, the Vols were celebrating an 82-72 win over Gonzaga to clear their last pre-SEC hurdle and take a 12-1 record into 2008.
UT's first excursion into the Pacific Northwest was further evidence that Lofton doesn't have to carry this Tennessee team. Two months into the season, Lofton continues to struggle to make the shots UT fans and his teammates took for granted his first three years.
But if he goes the last 9:52 without a point, it's no longer a death warrant - even when a quality team like Gonzaga is making a late run in a hostile environment on the other side of the continent from friendly Thompson-Boling Arena.
This UT team is different from Pearl's previous two.
"Tennessee is a lot harder to guard this year,'' said Gonzaga coach Mark Few.
Two of the reasons why are named Tyler Smith and J.P. Prince.
"Late in the game,'' said Pearl, "they're high-percentage guys.
"It's a two-point dimension we lacked last year.''
Pearl hit the jackpot with a transfer daily double. Between them, Smith and Prince accounted for eight of UT's final 10 points Saturday - all well inside the 3-point arc.
Smith has been an invaluable addition since opening night. His box score against Gonzaga reflects his all-around contribution: 11 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, zero turnovers.
Prince has changed the equation since he stepped on the court four games ago. He scored 12 points Saturday and took a key charge in the final minute.
The best thing Prince did against Gonzaga was get to the free-throw line. He accounted for 12 of UT's 15 foul shots and hit eight of them.
The Vols under Pearl have lived and died behind the 3-point line. If Lofton and JaJuan Smith were cold, it was rough sledding.
Prince and Tyler Smith have added a twist to UT's philosophy and it's a healthy one.
"We don't settle for no jumpers,'' said Prince. "We're going straight to the hole every time.
"I've been that way since I was little. Don't settle for the jumper. Either get to the line or make a play. If they don't foul me, I'm going to make a layup.
"They pick their poison.''
Prince got to the line six times in the final minute. And there was another drive that got blocked and left Pearl howling for a foul that wasn't called.
Gonzaga shot 28 free throws, Tennessee 15.
"Is this unbelievable? SEC officials!'' Pearl asked the crowd behind his bench in the final minute.
"They don't like you, Coach,'' came the reply.
"Would you like me?'' Pearl shot back. "I'm a jerk.''
But he likes his team.
"We've got a scorer at every position,'' he said. "It can't be all about stopping Chris.''
And it can't all be about guarding the 3-point line.
The Vols will still jack up the 3-ball. And in the long run, it will be good to them more often than not.
But there's another dimension now. There are some guys who don't settle for jumpers.
So pick your poison.
Mike Strange may be reached at strange2@knews.com or 865-342-6276.
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Comments » 19
budd#207344 writes:
This is an exciting team that can win inside and outside. They need to hit their free throws and rebound but this will be a very very good year for Big Orange BB.
Hunter writes:
I'll still pick C-Lo as poison number one. You have to know he's going to bury the rock in SEC play....we hope. If not, see above!
CoverOrange writes:
FT ratio is not indicative of the officials favoring one side or the other. UT slaps at the ball constantly to try create T/Os thus more fouls, plus Williams plays out of control alot. We got away with alot of fouls in this game. Like Chism's forearm shiv in the second half.
jevolball7 writes:
Is Pearl too cool4 school or what??!!
bmaples writes:
I agree with WD40 -- the Vols' great D will lead to some calls if they aren't careful. Don't lose the agressiveness -- just figure out how to go for the ball and not draw the call, if possible. Here's hoping they keep the intensity and lose some of the fouls. Go Vols!
Perry writes:
"Would you like me?" Pearl shot back. "I'm a jerk."
Now that's laugh out loud funny right there.
Southland writes:
someone needs to help Lofton his performance has been a sad one to watch and its not changing get the man a shrink or something
cdldoc#211897 writes:
Touchdowntn 4 long winded posts and everybody else 8 small blurbs. My gosh, Touchdowntn you are such an expert at both football and basketball. You must have a lot of hours of high level play and high level coaching. We all just stand by for your words of wisdom on how UT sports should be played and coached.
Can you ever just step back and hear yourself? And, oh yes, can you just be quiet a while so we can read what other normal folks want to say?
tenndave writes:
I ask this on a post before and no one responded. What is the latest on Duke Crews health. Will he play ball anymore and if so when.
weisgarber2003#313889 writes:
"Touchdowntn 4 long winded posts and everybody else 8 small blurbs. My gosh, Touchdowntn you are such an expert at both football and basketball. You must have a lot of hours of high level play and high level coaching. We all just stand by for your words of wisdom on how UT sports should be played and coached.
Can you ever just step back and hear yourself? And, oh yes, can you just be quiet a while so we can read what other normal folks want to say?"
This is a free expreesion forum cdldoc and TouchdownTN makes some good points. He is especially right-on about Fulmer, contrary to what some of the Fulmer-philes like to hear. So, talk on TouchdownTN, say whatever you feel like saying on this "free-expression forum."
Huntingdonvol writes:
Hey!!!TOUTHDOWNTN is really randy sanders!!!!!lmao
cdldoc#211897 writes:
Just what I thought, Tdtn. You are a frustrated high school jock who couldn't make it, but knows more than the UT coaches. You do really need to step back and listen to yourself, quietly, so the rest of us can listen to others. I see no reason from what you bragged about, for you to think so highly of yourself.
Weisgarber2003, all I ask is that he write a little less and give others a chance. After all he does repeat his thoughts all over the place like they are jewels, or more realistically,
t-rds.
dewaynemac32 writes:
my only problem so far in the media coverage of the BB team, is that noone wants to mention the fact that J. Smith has been our best player ALL year. i have no problem with the coverage of our transfers, or Lofton's struggles, i'd just like to see J. Smith get more credit for the work that he's put in. It's the 6th man and all-sec all over again. Pay the man his respects!!!!
CoverOrange writes:
whyknothead, you keep reading between the lines and all you'll find is the finger in the middle.
DSaVol writes:
FINALLY - an article about this team that makes some damned sense! This group appears to have gotten over their early season role/ego shake out and is playing with much greater intensity and focus. They appear to be learning how to close games out better and the transfer tandem is tough to deal with given the outside threats. That said, the most important thing is that there aren't but about 5 teams in the country right now that can HONESTLY say they want to play the Vols. With the conference being so down, this team should walk through it fairly impressively.
Now, dewaynemac - you are obviously either related to JuJuan or not watching very closely. He's had a solid year but isn't close to being the best player on this team.
cdldoc - take your meds dude. Touchdown doesn't profess to know more than the coaches - just more than you do. And he's obviously right on that point.
tenndave - Duke may get back this year as things are going fairly well. But they may end up redshirting him anyway depending on timing and other factors. It would be extremely difficult for him to get back and be productive if he's out another month or so.
3rdtenn - you need to get a freaking clue. All you wannabe's and neverwere's like to do is bash a guy (Lofton) who's only carried this program for the last three years. Of course your once a year $10 ticket purchase is important too isn't it? You (and those like you) are a joke and can only dream of having an ounce of the class that CLo does. The day is coming when all of the CLo bashers are going to feel like the fools they are - and it won't be because of anything that happens on the court.
12-1!!! JOHNNY REB - YOU'RE NEXT!!!
Orange4life writes:
Well , I think Lofton relies to much on the 3. He for the past 3 years has drove first then lifted the arch. He's shooting more 3's this year than 2's. Whats happened to Tab and Childress, i mean Chil atleast will go inside and mix it up, and Duke Crews, thought we wouldn't miss him, hmmm. I think this team has a lot of weaknesses and J Smith, hes solid but every game he makes a bonehead playground pass that ends up in the cheapseats, we cant have that in Late Jan , Feb. Pearl needs to leave Lofton in, he hits a couple shots, then yanks him out, hes a rythm shooter. So now we start SEC play, we'll see.
sgtvols writes:
pearl is like football used to be. when he takes the floor we expect to win, doesn't matter who we are playing. give pearl the big raise and extension, he deserves it.
DSaVol writes:
Orange4life...Did you get drunk early today???? News flash....Lofton IS a 3 point shooter! Hell until last year he almost never drove the ball! Now, what's happened to Tabb and Childress? Well how about BETTER players moving ahead of them. Childress wouldn't be playing hardly at all if Crews was healthy. But congratulations Orange! You've won a free copy of Basketball for Dummies! If you post another stupid comment today you'll also get Reading Comprehension for Morons! Hurry now, before you sober up!
FeelVol writes:
Nice column Mike,indeed this team is exciting to watch with its tenacity on defense and its flexibility on offense.Good to see we're not only a perimeter minded offense.Would love to see W.C. become more of an interior presence though,nice to know he has the three point range.Glad that B.W.is getting some experience in the post this year,may help us more as the year plays out.Sure do miss Dukes' athlethicism inside.Love the way B.P. motivates his players and seldom are they not ready to play.Love what the transfers have brought to this team.Look forward to good hoop action in 08.
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