Refs want calmer Pearl ... 'Not going to happen'

"Would they like Tennessee to calm down, too?’’ said Pearl, who’s in his second year with the Vols. "That’s not going to happen. It’s a whole new ball game here.

"I’m not going to tone down my passion or intensity.’’

Pearl’s "intensity’’ has been a hot topic in Knoxville in the wake of the 22-ranked Vols’ 83-80 loss at Auburn on Wednesday night. It was the third consecutive loss for the Vols (13-5, 1-2 SEC).

Pearl was assessed a technical with 21.7 seconds left in the game that enabled the Tigers to increase their lead from three points to five.

"I don’t mind people talking about it; in fact, it’s good, because it shows Tennessee fans care about what’s going on in basketball,’’ Pearl said Thursday. "But I wasn’t trying to get a technical. I didn’t think in that situation, with the time and score, they would give me one.

"I didn’t think I did anything to deserve it.’’

That depends on the official, according to SEC coordinator of men’s basketball officials Gerald Boudreaux.

"Different officials have different thresholds,’’ said Boudreaux, who officiated SEC games from 1987 through 2006 and worked seven Final Fours. "When it happens during a timeout, the official decides how much of a conversation they want to have.

"There are some automatic actions that bring technicals.’’

Boudreaux said the list of automatics includes a coach throwing his jacket, kicking a chair, pounding the scorer’s table, using foul language, using hand signals to incite the crowd or berating the official during play.

Pearl, who removed his jacket before going to midcourt during a timeout and drawing the technical, called Boudreaux on Thursday.

Neither Boudreaux nor Pearl would comment on the specifics of the conversation, but both classified it as "positive.’’

The incident that led to Pearl’s tantrum was a timeout that Auburn’s Frank Tolbert was awarded despite appearing not to have control of the ball during a scramble.

Boudreaux confirmed the SEC’s designated observer at the Auburn game, Don Rutledge, reviewed "two or three’’ calls from the game with the game officials — Tom Lopes, Joe Lindsay and Antinio Petty — at the game’s conclusion.

Rutledge officiated SEC games from 1978 through 2000 and worked five Final Fours.

Officials are graded after each game, with the highest scoring officials being designated for the SEC tournament and nominated for the NCAA tournament.

Those who don’t grade out high enough don’t get invited back to referee in the SEC.

Boudreaux, who said he has known Pearl for quite some time, said new coaches in the SEC often take time adjusting to the league officials.

"It might take them a while to find out who the veterans are and what variables are allowed,’’ Boudreaux said.

While fans may continue to speculate over the wisdom of Pearl’s Auburn actions, UT senior Dane Bradshaw left no doubt how he felt about the technical foul.

"That game was lost by the players on the floor when Auburn went on its 18-0 run,’’ Bradshaw said. "Coach Pearl has got our backs, and we’ve got his.’’

New UT transfer J.P. Prince said he was encouraged by Pearl’s technical.

"Coach had every right to be mad,’’ said Prince, who went through his first practice with the Vols Thursday. "I was at home yelling at the TV when I saw it happen. You want a coach who will back you up.’’