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Tennessee’sChrisLoftonpreparesto launch a 3-pointer against North Carolina A&T. Lofton put up 20 of Tennessee’s record 50 3-point attempts and hit eight on his way to 24 points Tuesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Tennessee Men's Basketball
North Carolina A&T invited Tennessee to get into a run-and-gun 3-point shootout, and the Vols were happy to oblige.
Senior All-American Chris Lofton scored a season-high 24 points to lead 11th-ranked UT to a 93-59 win over the Aggies before a season-low crowd of 17,092 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
"North Carolina A&T really sinks (defensively) on penetration,'' said Vols men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl, whose team improved to 6-1 and ran its home-court win streak to 21. "They invite you to shoot the three-ball.''
Tennessee's 50 attempts from beyond the arc is a school record, and Lofton's 20 3-point attempts are a UT individual game record.
"Are you sure?''asked Lofton, who hit eight treys including a run that saw him drain 6-of-7. "I got a lot of open looks, and even though I missed a lot, my teammates told me to keep shooting.''
North Carolina A&T (4-3) held an 11-10 lead with 13:49 left in the first half before a Big Orange barrage saw Lofton make six 3-pointers in a three-minute, 40-second window.
Lofton's streak triggered a 23-4 run that Tyler Smith capped with a three-point play to put UT up 35-15 with 7:40 left in the first half.
"The big thing was we felt the momentum come to us,'' Lofton said, "and the crowd got into it and that helped us.''
Smith and Josh Tabb were significant contributors, and not just because of their season-high scoring performances.
In addition to his 17 points, Smith grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds en route to his first double-double with the Vols.
"I'm just trying to find my niche,'' said Smith, who also had four steals. "Coach wants me to make plays, rebound and defend.''
Tabb, who scored 10 points, proved to be the benefactor of Pearl's new nine-man rotation.
"The adjustment in the rotation was to get Josh Tabb in the game more …,'' Pearl said. "I like Josh Tabb as a guy you can look at and see our identity. He's a physical defender, he rebounds his position, and he's unselfish.''
One of the first comments out of Tabb's mouth in the post-game concerned freshman Cameron Tatum, who played a season-low six minutes.
"I feel kind of bad for Cameron, because he has come in and done a great job,'' said Tabb, who posted career-highs in rebounds (eight), assists (four) and steals (four) while playing a season-high 25 minutes.
Not to worry, Pearl said, Tatum's time is coming.
"Cameron is going be special; he just lives on a team with two senior wings,'' Pearl said. "Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith are our two leading scores, and here's this freshman that comes in and just lights it up.
"I told Cameron, when you get in there, I want you to do your thing.''
Tatum did just that, scoring nine points in his six minutes including two sensational dunks and a three-point play.
Pearl also pointed to the performance of freshman center Brian Williams, who was third on the team with six rebounds despite playing just 12 minutes.
Williams will continue to push Wayne Chism and Duke Crews, who combined for 10 points and nine rebounds in their 37 minutes.
"You look at those inside numbers, those guys have to score more,'' Pearl said. "We had 10 two-point baskets against Texas; we missed a lot of inside shots.
"I joke with the guys that it's my fault we can't make those shots from two feet. I've got to get them into an offense where you get shots from one foot.''
Pearl said a film session with Ramar Smith helped the Vols' point guard bounce back with an 11-point, six-assist, one-turnover performance.
Tennessee returns to action at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Thompson-Boling Arena against Louisiana-Lafayette.
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Comments » 33
dhollland writes:
Glad to see Lofton starting to heat up and nail some shots! 8 3's tonight!
volfan1511 writes:
The Vols played good tonight but A&T really stayed close with us other than when we actually turned it on them in the middle of the first half. Lofton looked good and getting back to par as we thought he would but IMO Tyler Smith played a great game except he had to miss free throws late in the game. We need to start working the ball inside and drive but all we seem to want to do is jack 3's and hope sometimes.
redneckerson writes:
Howell had more shots than anybody except Lofton - THAT WON"T WORK! Ramar needs to step up and take his job back - at least until Prince takes it from both of them.
creepykev#228270 writes:
sloppy game. Some of the passes by our point guards left me scratching my head.
CoverOrange writes:
Plastic, only heard the game via Kesling at the end, but he said that NC A&T packed it in tight under the basket and daring UT to shoot from outside. Lofton obliged with 20 attempts out of the team total 38 (or so I think I heard Kesling say).
amyslins writes:
i do not care if they are packing it in....that is a stupid comment from anyone knowing that we do not have an outstanding inside game, but we are known for the outside game. i do not care if you cannot get it inside, FORCE IT INSIDE. shooting 50 of your 79 shots from the outside is very much UNACCEPTABLE. i know that pearl more than likely had a plan for this, but 50 out of 79...come on!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
totally agree with amyslins--thats rediculous jacking it up that many times---we are not a good 3 point shooting team and the differencial between our 2 % and 3s % is such that it costs us points shooting 3s---you certainly can shoot 2 pt jumpers when its packed in inside---a third of our shots being 3s is more than enough IMO. We need to get some live in game work on the half court game when we are comfortably ahead cause other teams are not going to just let us run and jackem like that and we'll be forced to then.----Tabb is earning more and more playing time for sure--great defense and all round game tonite
RockyTopRooks writes:
we still have a lot of improving to do.. will Chism and the rest of the big guys try and post up once. maybe look to score down by the basket!
newtonrail writes:
Let's see, when the opponent has 5 sagging under the basket, try to run over them and force passes in there with all passing lanes blocked. Hm mm. Actually, Ramar did penetrate off the dribble drive several times successfully. Tabb, Tatum, and T.Smith also penetrated off the dribble. 60 yrs of BB and I guess I wasn't aware the game has been reinvented. Just like the wheel.
lnbadger320 writes:
if the shot is open, you should take it. howell has shown he can hit 3's. he had a lot of open looks but missed. as did lofton before he found his range.
creepykev, they did have some bad passes, but they also had some great ball movement. every team makes bad passes and plays sloppy, especially when up by 25 points. but for the 1st half their passing was great, had a lot of assists that game.
iowavol writes:
I don't think there is any doubt Pearl is concerned about his inside game - especially from Chism and Crews. Didn't see any of the first half, but second half, Duke was bricking one shot after another from 2 ft, then goes to the foul line and swishes 2. GO figure, we need more consistant scoring inside from those two or we will see more Williams. And whoever said we were losing pts based off our 2 and 3 shooting % needs to remember that 33% of 3's is equal to 50% of 2's. I don't know about the whole team but Lofton hit 40% of his 3's which equates to about 60% from 2 pt range - nobody hits that number very often.
webbofconfusion writes:
I am glad we can pound the little teams... I am worried when we start our SEC schedule. We struggle against WV and lose to a ranked opponent. We need to work on our entire game and not jus the long ball.
Lofton 8 for 20. Work on your short game, it would be more productive.
fundamentals83 writes:
GET OUT OF PRATT PAVILLION!!!! We are giving up a significant amount of the home court advantage by practicing in Pratt all the time. Much of shooting is touch and feel. Shooters develop spots on the floor from where they know they are not going to miss. I'll bet Lofton has his spots at Pratt... The only time Pratt should be used is when TBA is not available. Use it as a recruiting tool, not as a practice facility!
fundamentals83 writes:
43%FG, 57.9%FT, 28% 3Pt. That is not good shooting at home.
fundamentals83 writes:
Okay, so practice in Pratt in prep for away games. Treat it like an away court.
bleed_orange writes:
I thought Josh & Tyler had good games. I don't what has happened to Crews's layups. Wayne needs to be more of a factor too. They need to at least get more rebounds 5-10 each instead of 2 or 3 combined. I would like to see Jauan, Chris and Ramar drive more to the basket and get to the foul line. The defense was turned up in the 1st half, but the play looked real sloppy in the 2nd half. They got the win. Now get ready for La Laf. for Friday. Keep getting better. GO VOLS!
JDS
Stumps writes:
stupid journalists can't even proofread their own work.
look at the headline: "50 3-point shots", that would equal 150 points.
the headline should have read "50 points from 3-point shots" or "Vols gun 50 from 3-point shots"
fundamentals83 writes:
14 of 50 from 2 pt line. They actually attempted 50 3pt shots.
fundamentals83 writes:
14 of 50 from 3 pt line. (oops)
JHite7 writes:
Post play is atrocious. I know it's early, but against a team like A&T the post players should have dominated. Tyler Smith is exempt, that kid plays his butt off...but Chism and Crews should be ashamed at the amount of rebounds and "hustle" plays that they tallied. The good thing is all this can be fixed...it's not a talent problem, it's a mental "want-to."
RockyTopRooks writes:
actually Prince can play the point. Thats where he played at arizona
Basketball_Jones writes:
You have to take the shots your given. If a team like A&T leaves the 3 open then shoot 50. Lofton had a decent game 40% from behind the arc is average. The post play is horrendous, I understand Duke is still getting in shape but Crews has no excuse. Tyler is a player, not huge numbers but when he's in the game he's a factor. Don't panic Vol fans, if this continues into January and Feb then its time to panic
jlange#632002 writes:
The lack of interior defense was blatantly exposed by Texas. And reinforced last nite. Whether UT scores inside isn't nearly as important, given their style of play, as playing solid post defense. Giving up back cuts galore, offensive rebounds, transition lay ups and easy post points can't make Pearl happy.
THE_VOL writes:
Wow - NCA&T came into TBA and whupped us like we were Depaul or somebody! Oh, wait a sec - what? We won? Alright then - just couldn't tell from the comments on here. LMAO!! Gentlemen - and ladies too given some of the comments - the PLAN going into the game was to shoot the open 3 ball!!! Does anybody think that this staff didn't watch film and prepare a scout on this opponent??? They KNEW they could get all the 3s they wanted and they BELIEVED our shooters would knock em down - and that isn't speculation on my part. The good news is we didn't have non-shooters hoisting up crazy stuff (okay Chism did get his 3 bricks up). 39 of the 50 attempts were from CLo, JuJuan and Jordan. Okay so JuJuan and Jordan had a tough night getting em down but just ask yourself what if? IF they get just 5 of those 16 combined misses to drop they're at 40% too and everybody's talking about what a great night our shooters had in what would have then been another 50 pt blowout! The BEST part of the evening though was the 1st half defense that essentially shut A&T down completely. 2nd half could have been better but it's tough to maintain that level in a 30 pt game against an opponent that has NO chance of coming back.
I realize this was a weaker opponent but I like what I saw in the rotation, the 1st half effort when our core 8 were on the floor, people actually passing up shots to give it up to a better one, people actually LOOKING for the 3 shooters (CLo is particular), Tyler Smith playing with what appeared to be a lot more confidence and purpose not just a "how do I fit in" approach, the freshmen performing at a high level despite limited minutes and not pouting about it, Tabb finally beginning his season, and Ramar staying under better control and doing what he does best. Now let's move on and put some more polish on this thing Friday night.
mlewishome#366649 writes:
the most entertainment i get all day long is pulling up the comments at the end of these articles. i'm so glad they went free with GoVolsXtra! lol
bleed_orange writes:
I kind of like a few easy games, because we will have plenty of tough ones in the SEC comming up. The next 2 aginast LA Laf. & UTC should be 20-30 point wins. WKY and NC Ash will not be easy and then we go to Xavier & Gonzaga. Those 2 very will could be loses. Then we come back to TBA for Ole Miss and the SEC. I think they will continue to improve each game. Looks like Chris, Tyler, Jajuan, Ramar, Jordan, Wyane, Josh, Duke,& Cameron will get the bulk of a 9 player rotation. At least until J.P. is ready to play. Of course when Ryan is ready again he might take Wayne or Dukes minutes. Brain will probally still get a few minutes at C. GO VOLS!
JDS
Suttree6 writes:
Stumps, you're misreading the headline. The "50 3-point shots" means "attempts", which is what the Vols threw up. It wasn't 50 points off threes. It was actually 50 shots, which does seem like a typo.
ralphie writes:
josh tabb will be this years bradshaw. assist to turnover ratio says so.
redneckerson writes:
marc ash, what are you talking about??? I said Howell took way too many shots - not because he's playing the point but because he just doesn't need to be taking that many shots period, as evidenced by his 2-11 line. I guess if you're coaching 6 year old girls in the no scoreboard league you take whatever shot is there but "people who know basketball" know that there are bad shots and the defense will encourage you take them all night long (with the exception of Lofton, if a guy is 2-11 I'll sag way off like NCAT did in the hope he will keep on shooting). Outside of Lofton, TN was 6 for 30 from 3 pt range (including Howell's 2-10)- you consider that "falling"??? "People who know basketball" don't. Coach marc, it's not a good shot just because you're open. I never said anything about Ramar shooting more - said Ramar needed to step up and take time from Howell; he did and will continue to take more. Howell is great as a #2 guy at the point but he's just not the guy to be the #1 option there. As for Prince at the point, you can aoplogize for your ignorance later.
Stumps writes:
OH.... they made 50 3-point attempts... hitting 14 baskets.
thanks for those who clarified... still think it's a bad headline, but that does make sense now.
:-)
DSaVol writes:
redneckerson - stick to what you know. By the way, how ARE those sheep????
ralphie - join redneckerson in the end stall please. As the phrase goes - "I knew Dane Bradshaw, and Mr. Tabb, you sir, are no Dane Bradshaw!"
marc_ash - we finally found something we can agree on - Griffith is worse than terrible though. And how are those 8 yr olds you coach doing btw?
jlange - did you REALLY watch this game? Have you REALLY EVER watched a game? C'mon now, what manual did you copy those terms from???
fundamentals83 - a $19 million recruiting tool eh? That is just brilliant! And I guess you REALLY believe these guys spend all their time in Pratt. Yup - ole BP, coach of nearly 400 wins, a national title, etc etc but not even smart enough to have his guys practice on the home goals. Son, I think you're just a damned genius!
This board is fast becoming Comedy Central!
redneckerson writes:
DSA, your arrogance is exceeded only by your ignorance.
redneckerson writes:
marc, check into the availability of a reading comprehension class. Let me make this simple for you. If Howell is taking the second most shots on your team, it is not a good thing. Ramar is an extremely talented young man; accordingly, he will play more. Coach Pearl will dictate the shooting frequency of the PG in his system. You stick with your open shot philosophy, I'll continue to admire ball movement and the extra pass.
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