Tennessee Men's Basketball
A win is a win.
That said, Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl is the first to admit his team's 89-75 victory over Prairie View A&M was one of the more lackluster wins in recent UT history.
"That was kind of one of those nights,'' Pearl said after holding a lengthy post-game discussion with his seventh-ranked team. "There's not a whole lot that I can say that would be terrifically positive, other than to give Prairie View credit for a great effort and an inspired contest.
"It was a contest we could have lost.''
Tyler Smith led the Vols with 15 points and five steals, but the performances of others weren't so memorable: Ramar Smith was 0-for-12 from the free-throw line, Chris Lofton was 3-of-13 from the floor and JaJuan Smith was 2-of-12 shooting.
The crowd of 18,846 at Thompson-Boling Arena was left shaking their heads when the unheralded Panthers (1-2) took a 36-35 lead into halftime.
This would be the same Prairie View A&M team that lost a 104-48 contest to Oklahoma State just one week ago.
The Panthers jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the Vols reeled off the next seven points, capping the run on Tyler Smith's three-point play.
UT's lead lasted 62 seconds before Prairie View tied the game. The Panthers went back up on Johnny Cobb's transition bucket, making it 9-7 at the 15:57 mark.
The Panthers, paced by Aaron Smith's 21 points, held the lead for the rest of the half and went up by as many as six points.
"Obviously, we got jumped a little bit at halftime, or we might not have come out playing so much better,'' said Ryan Childress, who had 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting. "I think it was a lack of focus on our part. We need to be in control of the game, and tonight, I don't think we were.''
Pearl agreed.
"We play harder than our opponents almost every night; we didn't tonight,'' Pearl said. "Sometimes, and this isn't as much a criticism as a fact, you have those nights. Sometimes. They don't happen often.''
Prairie View out-shot the Vols from the floor (46.8-percent to 45.1-percent), the 3-point arc (11-of-23 to UT's 4-of-21) from the free-throw line (6-of-10 to the Vols' 21-of-47 effort), and they out-rebounded UT 48-43.
The Vols' saving grace was their defense; UT forced 30 turnovers.
The Vols opened the second half on a 6-0 run that included two steals and gave UT a 41-36 lead at the 18:24 mark.
The Vols gradually built the lead, in part because of an 11-2 run midway through the second half that included four forced turnovers.
"Give our guys credit, we took control with our second-half defense,'' Pearl said. "We shot 57-percent in the second half, and if we convert our free throws, the margin is more comfortable.''
Prairie View A&M coach Byron Rimm II said his team came to Knoxville intent on scoring an upset.
"We were not just happy to be here,'' Rimm II said. "We were determined to win, to cause one of the biggest upsets in the country. We really believe we can compete with any team in the nation.
"We had some writers who wrote we were the worst team in the nation, and that kind of fueled our fire.''
Indeed, and Tennessee almost got burned before pulling out its 19th consecutive home-court win.
The Vols play host to Middle Tennessee State at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday before concluding the StubHub Legends Classic with a 9 p.m. game against West Virginia Nov. 23 and then a match up with Texas or New Mexico State on Nov. 24.
Williams Down: UT freshman center Brian Williams went down with an injury with 12:48 left in the game and was helped off the floor.
Pearl said Williams banged knees with an opponent, and should be fine. Williams had his knee iced and did not return to action after the injury.
Orange Slices: UT had 19 steals, tied for third-most in team history … Childress' 14 points tied his career-high.
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57 men's…
Tennessee 73, Georgia 62 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 38
ZacharyUTK writes:
Almost got caught napping on PV. Got away with this one. This is a good thing -- not every team is gonna be as easy to beat as Monticello, and the Vols had better take this WHOLE season one game at a time.
"What's the most important game of the season?"
"THIS game."
chrisw2967 writes:
If Lofton does not find his stroke then Tenn could have some problems this year , I keep thinking this is the game where he catches fire and explodes but so far he has not . Maybe next game is when he comes alive. Go Vols.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
i can understand the bad field goal and three point shooting percentages and also playing "down to the competition" however the free thow shooting by the point guard (and others) can and will be tennessee's achilles heel
bshell12 writes:
Ramar is playing like is mind is elsewhere. (nba maybe) but he is making stupid mistakes, taking bad shots, 0-12 fts, and getting beat on defense alot more than last year. I think pearl should start Howell is much more consistent and maybe this would wake Ramar up!!
orangeblood writes:
Chris Lofton will play when UT needs him to play. Granted they needed him tonight and he still shot poorly from the field, he hit free throws when needed. Im thinking he busts out big for the west virginia game. 30 pts
volfans_1#225396 writes:
Stop reading the news papers and web sites and play like you are unranked and the underdog. Make free throws,play defense and win. Free throws are what cost us the games against Ohio State both times last year. 0-12 by Ramar on free throws is horrible and unexcusable. Pearl is a great coach but our free throw percentage has not gotten any better yet. Basic skills learned in elementary school...dribble,pass and free throws. Come on guys show us your better than that phooey.
nh680#633995 writes:
kwiss wofftun
nh680#633995 writes:
i didn't know clinton had a junior college.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
can we quit extolling, glorifying, coddling and making excuses for our over-rated AA, hes been awful for several games now and maybe he needs some pine-time as a wakeup call. Ramar should have been benched the entire second half for the 0-6 freethrows as obviously his focus was somewhere else---how can anyone go 0-12 on freethrows??????--even Shak could do better than that blindfolded. At best this team is an average shooting team in general, we have been brutal with the 3s and the make % desparity between 2s and 3s should suggest we quit shooting the 3s so much. This was an ugly performance for sure
calivol writes:
For God's sake people, it's Nov. 16th. Get a grip.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
I'm with you, calivol. These people are unreal. Already second-guessing Bruce Pearl. LMAO.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Its a win. Ramar Smith, 0-12 has to be a SEC record! Congrats! Win them all!
DSaVol writes:
THANK YOU CALIVOL!!!!!! The voice of reason! Was it ugly? Certainly. Was it a win? Absolutely. Move on. MTSU is in trouble - Pearl will simply not put up with this type of effort and dumb play - and he has the depth to send the messages needed. I've said all summer - as everyone was ranting about rankings and Final Four's, etc - that this team's greatest opponent is themselves. There is plenty of physical talent but they have not yet proven themselves to have the maturity, the commitment or the CHEMISTRY to bring what they are capable of every night in order to achieve their full potential. Until they understand and ACCEPT some roles, commit to TEAM success, and stop listening to the hype, they are vulnerable. In these first 3 games, I've seen impatience, lapses in intensity, LOTS of mental errors, questionable mental toughness, and nobody stepping forward as the leader. Granted the competition has been weak to date, BP is still working through rotations and combinations, and some new guys are finding their way but these are things that are totally controllable individually and collectively. No panic or despair here but it will certainly be interesting to see how these things develop the next few weeks as the competition picks up. The best thing this team can do is remember "potential means you haven't done it yet."
tigervol9802 writes:
21-47 from the stripe........
I don't care if it's Nov 16 or March 16, that's a number you worry about.
tndrob#206162 writes:
Has Bruce ever had Bill Justus discuss free throw shooting with the team?? He lead the nation in free throw shooting with > 90% avg. He gave a demonstration to the basketball campers at a Don Devoe camp. Very helpful!!!!
BigManVolFan writes:
Why does the KNS always have something negative to say about UT athletics? This is a different day in college athletics...No one is gaurenteed a win anymore...Look at college football this year for example...We beat the dog phooey out og UGA, but UGA turned around and beat the phooey out of UF and Auburn? Florida beat the breaks of us!
Hell, out of all people with more access to sports information, the KNS should know that college athletics has evolved into a new bread of college athletics! No team is gaurenteed a win anymore.
EX: Appy St v. Michigan
Take a win where you can get...No championship team has ever won a championship by beating everyone soundly..There has been plenty of nights they were just happy to come out with a win!
A word to KNS.......Stop downgrading the UT!
SalVol22 writes:
It is early and this team is still figuring out everyone's roles. Although 0-12 from the charity stripe is ridiculous from a starting point guard. Bruce Pearl has the talent to motivate and coach less talented teams to overachieve. Now he will have to earn his paycheck and show us what he can do with a loaded team. I think he will come out on top but this team will go through growing pains and us fans need to support them. Lets worry about the SEC East before we begin to care or think about our rankings and whether we go to the final four. One step at a time.......
eefor10c writes:
Coach Pearl will take care of things. My big concern is R. Smith who previously let it be known that he was looking to leave for the NBA. I wondered then if he was serious as he had not shown nearly enough to leave. After this performance I think he should get his head back into the VOL games and quit worrying about his "NBA career". Go Vols and Go Lady Vols!
wisonsinvol writes:
Wow, our sphincter muscles are tight this morning. Calivol, you said it best. I really like the nut case jumping all over Ramar's game and suggesting starting Howell instead because he's more consistent. Nothing against Howell cause I like him, but 1-5 from the floor, 0-0 FT, 1 RB, 3 assists and 1 steal in 24 minutes doesn't trump 5-8 from the floor, 0-12 FT, 3 RB, 2 assists and 1 steal in 19 minutes. Yeah, Howell may be more consistent but its in the wrong direction. The fact that RS got to the FT line 12 times (and could have been more if made a couple of frontenders) suggests he's playing pretty damn hard, driving the lanes and picking up fouls. On the other hand, missing 12 ft's is pretty amazing. Hope the kid can get the gremlins out of his head.
threehundredbowler writes:
Maybe this team is too talented.Could they be looking at individual accomplishments instead of team first?I believe this will be a defining year at Tennessee and I do not see an elite 8 or better team at this time.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
now dash, you're drinking the koolaide already it seems------dont call another an anti-vol cause he calls it as he sees it and not with orange-colored glasses on----theres no bashing for spite--its for bad play period--i guess your ok with 20-25 % from 3 pt land and under 50% on FTs cause its the Vols and anything they do is just great----you're the idiot. I like pearl and have faith in his coaching but he cant shoot the ball---we are deep enough that he can reward with PT those playing well and sit those who are not---we havent always had that luxury---thats what gets players attention---these guys have had a 6 month off season to just shoot the ball---no excuse for shooting slumps to start the season against inferior opponents---tired of CL getting a free pass---I'm sure Pearl will get their attention this week and deliver some wakeup calls--otherwise our ranking is going to tumble by next weekend
auttat writes:
Oh, wow! It has already started!!!
tnfab5#213749 writes:
What's with the new ball? I heard a little on the radio about it being a little heavier and a lot slicker, especially when it gets sweaty. That could have had an effect overall last night - although it was a lackluster win...
invisiblekid writes:
Personally, I think this could prove to be a great game for the Vols. As long as they understand the fact that they can't "just show up" and beat anyone, it can be chalked up as a learning experience that ended with a win. At this point, I trust that Pearl has some ideas about how to motivate this team to work and maintain better focus. If we are seeing this same type of effort in a few weeks, then I'll worry.
Colliervol writes:
I prefer to think the team performance against PV was an aberration and I'm not worried about Lofton. He'll come around. Certainly, this game give Pearl lots of ammo to hammer the team on.
But you have to admit this free throw thing is a disturbing trend dating back to last year. The last I checked a team does not have to "gel" to shoot free throws. That is on each individual.
As far as Ramar Smith and the NBA, please. Until he polishes his shooting, the only way he goes pro is if he heads to Europe or South America.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Guys, we are going to lose games. We are not going to go undefeated. We are going to underperform at times.
What matters is that we play well enough throughout the regular season to get a decent seed in the NCAA tournament.
If you people start Fulmerizing Bruce Pearl already, he might not feel so much at home here. Do you think he's not seen what Fulmer has been through? Think he wants that for himself?
Ramar and Chris will be fine. They are in the best of hands with one of the best college basketball coaches in the land today.
Let him coach and let them play.
Ironcity writes:
Its great we could play so poor and still win by 14. Thats the difference between teh way we play now and the way we played with previous coaches.Lets hope an 0-12 does relax Ramar and get him back on track.
threehundredbowler writes:
Don't blame the ball for anything.Remember that both teams are playing with the same ball and the opponent is not struggleing like Tennessee.
DSaVol writes:
eefor10c.....Ramar Smith has NEVER stated publicly he was looking to leave for the NBA. That was some of Mike Griffith's phooey.
For all you experts that worry so much about FT's, the 5 guys that will play the most and be on the floor in crunch time besides Ramar were 17-22. That's 77%. Childress So Ramar had a remarkably bad night - he isn't a good shooter from anywhere to begin with. As someone else pointed out, just getting to the line to shoot 12 FT's provides benefit cause somebody on the other side is getting in foul trouble.
For those complaining about Chris Lofton supposedly getting a "free pass" - well if he is, he's damn sure earned it so get off his ass too!
Finally, TouchdownTN, I usually try not to pick on old men but please just STFU!!! Shooting from 15 INCHES away doesn't count!
DSaVol writes:
One last thing, in all seriousness, if anybody watched this game or even just REALLY looks at the stats you would see that PV had 30 turnovers and 33 fouls! That's an average of 1.5 play stoppages per minute not even counting what we do to ourselves! That kind of stop/start/stop game lends itself to poor shooting all around. Everybody is focusing on FT's but hell our BEST 3 outside shooters went a combined 6 for 30!!!! Everybody else combined for 63% from the field! That to me indicates it was simply a bad night for the long ball and was certainly not cause for concern so can we all just calm down and let things take their course.
And Yaba...do yourself a favor and stop showing your lack of knowledge about this game and this team. Only morons care about rankings in November.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
DSaVol, I realize this is just 1 game for Ramar and hopefully an aberation but it matters not at crunch time how well the other guys on the court shoot freethrows cause your point guard who cant hit them is the one who will get fouled immediately when he touches it at crunch time
and no he dont deserve a free pass anymore than any one else--its everyones responsibilty to perform---what an idiotic statement you make
as well as your next one about all the stoppage of plays messing up our shots----didnt keep the other team from hitting 48% of their 3s while we hit 19%
koolaiders are always looking to make excuses--I realize there will be bad games and I have faith in our coach but how bout just acknowleging bad performance without the excuse making--i sure dont care about rankings in Nov--its too many others already booking hotel rooms to the final 4
UTByrd writes:
It's my understanding that coach has been stressing defense during the off season. No doubt their offense will come around and excel. The defense and FT (?) will win championship. Pavlov says put a shock collar on them and when they miss, zap em. That would tighten up more than FT %.
JohnyLobo34 writes:
Scottie Hopson. Committed, but didn't sign with Miss. St. Any word on whether Pearl & the Vols are back in that hunt? Hopson is a 5-star guy & hails from the same school that produced Isiah Victor (Hopkinsville, KY). Thoughts?
Tellicovol writes:
I've been a Vol bb fan since the sixties and I believe this team has more tallent than any team I've saw, and yes I saw the Earnie and Bernie show. I don't know who makes our schedule or how far ahead it is made but I don't think the push over schedule we've played this year has served us well. If we want to contend for the SEC crown, the final four and a national championship we could take a page out of Pat Summits book on our schedule. Tallent plus good coaching will rise to the ocassion most of the time, but as we saw last Friday if we are not challenged we tend to lower our play to the level of the team that we are playing. I hope next year we will schedule some good teams before we start the SEC schedule.
calivol writes:
Wow, we learn something new about TouchdownTD every day. Apparently he's a grandfather whose grandmother is not only still alive and kicking, but is still fretting about free throws. No word yet on whether she also gets drunk and stoned while attempting them.
Tellicovol writes:
TouchdownTN: No I wouldn't sit any of them and I wouldn't sit Allan Houston either but as a team I don't think any other Vol team can match the first 12 players on this team.
calivol writes:
As for TellicoVol, before posting next time, I would suggest taking a look around the country at how many patsies show up on the schedules of the top programs. It would be impossible, and stupid, to play an elite team every game. And besides, have you even looked at our entire schedule? It's not that hard to find. We'll be playing West Virginia, Texas, Xavier and Gonzaga...all before New Year's, all away from Knoxville, all have had recent tourney success. Then, as if that wasn't brutal enough, we'll also be traveling to Memphis to play a Top 3 team and will be hosting last year's national runner-up in Ohio State. If that's not a tough schedule, I don't even wanna see who you would have us playing. The San Antonio Spurs, perhaps? Team USA?
bleed_orange writes:
I think my starting line from 2007-08/75-76 team would be Ramar at PG, Chris at SG, Ernie at wing, King at PF and Tyler C with Jackson, Chism,Duke &Darden off the bench. GO VOLS!
JDS
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.