Grunfeld likes direction Vols are headed

"Anytime you can shoot the basketball there's a place for you on the professional level; there's no question about that." the Washington Wizards president of basketball operations said on the News Sentinel's radio show, the Sports Page, last week.

Grunfeld cited Eddie House of the New York Nets as a player who has overcome a height disadvantage to have a successful NBA career. House is listed at 6-1, but is playing in his sixth NBA season, thanks to his outside shooting.

As for Lofton, he definitely has a shooter's touch. His 22.5 points per game leads the SEC in scoring. Still, Grunfeld said there's more to Lofton's game.

"Chris has a lot of heart," said Grunfeld, who played at UT 1974-77 and is the Vols second all-time leading scorer. "He has a lot of guts. He's not afraid to take the big shot. He can get his own shot.

"He's got a very quick release. He could make it (in the NBA). He has outstanding range. I think he's a good prospect."

Lofton has plenty of time to think about the NBA. Just a junior, his focus is on leading the Vols past the second round of the NCAA tournament, where they were eliminated last season.

"Right now, he should focus on his college career and do the best job he can," Grunfeld said. "But I think the NBA and professional people have taken notice of him."

Plenty have also taken notice of Bruce Pearl. In less than two years, he has transformed UT's program. Grunfeld said he's not surprised by the quick transition.

"I felt very strongly about his abilities," said Grunfeld, who recommended Pearl for the job in the spring of 2005. "He's been successful everywhere he's been.

"He's a program-builder because of his enthusiasm and his energy level. And he's very knowledgeable as far as basketball is concerned. He's a great motivator. I'm not surprised by the success he's had."

Some thought it might take Pearl longer to turn around a program that was 14-17 before he arrived. Not Grunfeld.

"When Bruce comes in, he's going to get his players to play very, very hard," he said. "He's a good recruiter. He has some good young players in that program. I think the program is headed in absolutely the right direction."

Obviously. A chance meeting opened the door for UT's basketball revival. It's hard to imagine where UT's basketball program might be had Grunfeld and Pearl not been scheduled to speak at the same event years ago.

"He's a very energetic guy," Grunfeld said. "He has great personality. He fills up a room when he's there. He's very competitive. He loves the game of basketball. He just has a lot of energy.

"I enjoyed being around him from day one."