Photo by Butch Dill, Associated Press
Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl, middle, speaks to the reporters during the SEC media days in Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday.
Audio
- Podcast: Dave Hooker and the Sentinel crew talk to UT coaches and players, including Bruce Pearl, Pat Summitt, David Cutcliffe, Chris Lofton and Jordan Howell.
- Dave Hooker and Mike Griffith interview G Jordan Howell.
- Dave Hooker and Mike Griffith interview G Chris Lofton
- Dave Hooker and Mike Griffith interview UT coach Bruce Pearl.
- Dave Hooker and Mike Griffith interview Auburn coach Jeff Lebo.
- Dave Hooker and John Adams interview LSU coach John Brady from SEC Basketball Media Days.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The life of the party walked into SEC basketball media days at the Marriott Hotel shortly after noon Wednesday.
Tennessee men's coach Bruce Pearl, tabbed the "Court Jester'' on a recent Sports Illustrated cover, lived up to his billing.
Wearing a creamsicle-orange-colored blazer and a million-dollar smile, Pearl proceeded to inject energy into the media gathering like Rodney Dangerfield at the Caddyshack country club.
"I had to go to Europe to find this jacket,'' Pearl said, looking inside his coat at the label. "It says Bugati. I don't know, maybe that means Kmart in Czech.''
Reporters, photographers and cameramen roared with supportive laughter.
Even in the midst of a serious breakdown of Tennessee star guard Chris Lofton, Pearl couldn't resist throwing humor into the analysis.
"Chris Lofton is World B. Free, he's Vinnie 'Microwave' Johnson, he's Earl 'The Pearl' Monroe, he's old school,'' he said. "Chris may not even know those guys. He probably thinks Earl 'The Pearl' is my uncle.''
More laughter. And so on, and so on.
"The only difference this year from past years here was all the people came to my table when I started,'' Pearl said. "The first year I was here, there was me and a couple of sportswriters at my table who felt sorry for me.
"The next year, there was more, and as the afternoon wore on, it got louder at our table and we had more fun. It was kind of like a wedding reception, where people turn around and say, 'What are they all laughing about over there?' ''
No doubt, Pearl has not only fit into the SEC in two short seasons, he has done so with comical ease.
Billy Donovan and Florida thought so much of its style they elected to play uptempo with Pearl, even though that was the only way the Vols stood a chance of winning.
The result? Three Tennessee victories and one Florida win, at that, when Lofton was injured and out of the lineup.
LSU coach John Brady elected to get into a public quarrel with Pearl over comments made about player Dane Bradshaw, only to come out looking like the bad guy. Same with Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings, who made a surly comment about Pearl's bare-chested antics at the Lady Vols basketball game with Duke last season.
"You know, it is what it is,'' Pearl said, when asked if he felt pressure to be a constant source of entertainment. "As long as it brings attention to Tennessee basketball.''
But, one writer asked, what is too far?
"I think I'm living on the edge right now,'' Pearl said. "I think we've pushed the envelope about as far as we could take it.''
Though, Pearl hinted, there might be another marketing trick up his sleeve.
"The Lady Vols play LSU on Valentine's Day,'' Pearl said. "That's somewhere in the back of my mind.''
UT women's coach Pat Summitt rolled her eyes when hearing another Pearl stunt might be in the making.
"What's he going to do now?'' Summitt asked, eyes widened. "I can only imagine. Well, I just don't know if I can top what I did last year for Bruce. I guess I better start thinking about it.''
Summitt wore a cheerleader outfit and sang "Rocky Top" before the Florida game to pay back Pearl.
Winning over Birmingham and the SEC media is one thing, but Pearl made it clear he's not content with that when television dates entered the equation.
"Kentucky is on CBS seven times, Tennessee is on CBS twice,'' Pearl said. "That motivates me right now.
"I mean, they're missing the opportunity to see me sweat,'' Pearl said. "Don't you think the rest of the country wants to see what I might do next?
"I think they do.''
They certainly did Wednesday in Birmingham.
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Comments » 25
Jagob38 writes:
The best men's and women's coaches in the country and we have them at UT!!!!!!!
GO BIG ORANGE
vol52 writes:
GO VOLS win it ALL Men and Women!
ColumbusVol writes:
That guy is just an amazing man. I tell you before its all said and done we will be reading his book.
snowvol writes:
Strongest athletic programs at UT right now over the past year and looking at this year, in order: Women's basketball, men's basketball, soccer, softball, crew, track & field, swimming & diving, football...
Football at 8th, when you consider all the UT teams' position nationally as well as in conference is just about right. UT football, from a national perspective, isn't even an afterthought anymore, and that's pretty sad.
BigUn writes:
"Kentucky is on CBS seven times, Tennessee is on CBS twice,'' Pearl said. "That motivates me right now.
If that's not a kick butt quote, I don't know what is. Pearl wants KY's hide and I hope he gets it. Kentucky basketball and Bama football. 2 things people love to hate.
tigervol9802 writes:
How about we set some smaller goals first and just make it to Saturday of the SEC tournament?
tigervol9802 writes:
However, I will point out the hyprocracy of some of our more famous posters here. If Fulmer gave a press conference and ever dared talked as much about himself as Pearl seems to himself in these interviews (not that I care), these guys would be coming out left and right to comment on it.
I mean, like the rest of you, I think this guy is going to take Tennessee to the next level and keep them there. But, let's face it, they struggled in a very simple category last season - free throw shooting - and it cost them at least two regular season wins and probably a shot at the Final Four. They shot 65.3% from the free throw line last season. Opponents shot 72.8%. I don't care the scheme, mantra on the sideline, etc. If that number isn't up to the 70 or 71% range this season, this team will NOT live up to it's potential.
Hunter writes:
Snowvol, you forget the Lady Vols volleyball team. They did pretty well as far as I remember - and I'm pretty sure they beat Bama. That puts football at #9. Also, don't forget Vols tennis, which made the NCAA tourney for several years now. Yikes, football is in double digits....
DroopyDrawers writes:
tigervol9802, I agree with you, especially if Lofton goes to hoop more than he did last year. Bruce told Lofton before the start of the season last year that he need to drive more and draw fouls. Year before last, Lofton shoot in 90% range and last year in the mid 80%. The entire team needs to work on free throws.
bleed_orange writes:
You guys are right about free throw shoting. I remember back in - I think 83 (oh I think I'm telling my age)when the University of Houston was playing in the finals against NC St and could not throw a free throw in the Ocean. They were the more talented team with Akeem the dream Olajuwon,Clyde the glide Drexler(2 NBA future HOF),Larry Micheaux, Michael Young, & Benny Anders. The teamed was sometimes called the "Phi Slamma Jamma". But they shot terrible from the foul line and I think it cost them a National Championship. Lets go VOLS practice those foul shots - over & over. GO VOLS!
JDS
BluetickBlues writes:
Tigervol and lempga,
Two miserable names if I've ever seen them, you must have put the same amount of time on your usernames as your posts. Obviously neither of you are longtime UT basketball fans or you wouldn't dare have the gall to say anything negative about the state of the program. Somehow I doubt free throws would be of the utmost concern if we rewound a couple years back to that terrible Buzz Ball experiment here in Knoxville. You sound more like obnoxious Kentucky fans than anything. Enjoy what we have with basketball and save the negativity for football posts because nobody wants to read it.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Who on earth really cares about the SEC tournament? It means nothing. We, and several other teams, have proven again and again it is irrelevant.
The only thing that matters is playing well enough in the regular season to: 1) go to the big dance, and 2) get a decent seed.
The SEC basketball tournament is irrelevant -- except to those teams whose only chance for an invite to the big dance is winning the SEC tournament. That ain't us.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Jagob33, good post! We've got the best three coaches of major sports in college. What with Summit, Pearl and the baseball guy, we're on top!
tigervol9802 writes:
mbumburu,
Here's why it is relevant. We're the only team in the league since expansion in 92 to not make it to Saturday. 15 seasons and have not made it to the semi-finals. I'm ready for that to change.
BTB,
Actually life long UT fan in all sports and a season ticket holder in football and basketball (as well as frequent baseball game attendee as well). Pick them up from the ticket office next week.
Wow! We can't even critique Pearl on here! But, I dare say if you woud walk up to Pearl with those sams stats and asked him what he thought about that post, he'd probably say I was right!
GreerVol22 writes:
I like the cockiness, the arrogance , and the humor...it shows intelligence. It just goes to show you that someone who is a non native Tennessean nor a former player game be both a great guy and coach a little bit. Remember that Hamilton in the coming months after football season.
Its ok to talk smack coach...just be prepared to back it up.
BigManVolFan writes:
Coach Pearl has taken this door mat program and put it into elite status in just 2 years....Almost 50 wins in two years and a each year he has taken the team one step further in the NCAA tourny!! I dont think Buzz had 50 wins all together...
Wonder if their is a Football coach out there who can do the same wonders for our soon-to-be-doormat-football-team...
Smokey91 writes:
wish we could take some of what Pearl has and inject it into Fulmer. The Great Pumpkin needs help!!!!!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
That IS surprising about the TV schedule. UT is a natural TV team, basically they play like a highlight reel: splashy dunks, the press, long-range shooting. The players know how to play to the crowd.
You know, I hope Bruce can pull a championship at some point. Even if he doesn't, he plays basketball in a way that I really enjoy.
For all you long-time vol fans, enjoy it and savor it. We had a glimmer with Dale Ellis, tho Don was too conservative; Jerry Green did a nice job, but most of you hated him cause he wouldn't kiss your butts. Ernie and Bernie were just aswesome, and so was Ray Mears!!!! (and Stu aberdeen :) )
knoxtenor writes:
It's an interesting mix we've got at UT right now: Pat's super-focused intensity versus Bruce's go-out-there-and-have-some-fun attitude. It's a match made in heaven. Is it any wonder that fans are filing out of Neyland to get to Thompson Boling right now? It's much more entertaining over there!
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
tigervol9802, your argument is about pride -- playing to win. I'd love to win the SEC tourney too, of course. But it just doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. It's nothing but practice for the Show...
supersteve17 writes:
You guys think that's old? I can remember when Bob Petit was the SEC's all-time leading scorer! I was in Tuscaloosa when Pistol Pete scored 69 points in an overtime LOSS to Alabama. I can remember loving Ron Widby for the Vols. I almost cried when Vandy's "F-Troop" beat UT. That's old!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Hey, I've got an idea. Let's take a basketball article that has nothing to do with football... AND GRIPE ABOUT FOOTBALL!!!!
Oh. We're already doing that. Well, I'm all out of ideas.
Go Vols!! Beat Cocks!! 24 - 13
Voldodger writes:
As a new poster, I don't want to ruffle any feathers, but man, can't we just talk basketball in the basketball stories and leave the griping about football in the football stories.
I'm with the guy who said the SEC tourney thing is upsetting. I, for one, want them to do well in the SEC tournament. That tournament is important to me. I have been around a lot of high school district and regional tournaments and they are always fun because everyone knows each other and there is pride, along with advancement, on the line. I know, for the most part, advancement is not on the line in the SEC tournament, but pride sure is.
We talk about wanting to replace Kentucky in the national spotlight. Start that by taking a title they seem to win more often than not, the SEC tournament championship.
And then win a few NCAA tournament games and things will be about perfect.
Colliervol writes:
Fartherest back I can remember is seeing Dan Issel at Stokley once when I was a kid.
hueypilot writes:
Joe Ford, Jeff Fosnes and Butch Feher? I go back to John Ed Miller and Clyde Lee dueling Howard Baines and Danny Schultz. BTW, Touchdown, Artis Gilmore lives here in Jacksonville. I see him most years at the Players Championship at Sawgrass. Hard to miss at 7 feet plus and he is flat bellied and looks like he could play a little bit today. You forget how big 7 feet is until you see it up close. He is a very large man.
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