Tennessee coaches don't always agree with what the News Sentinel runs as commentary. See John Adams.
John Pennington, who has written commentary for the News Sentinel and govolsxtra.com the past three years, has a critique that men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl even approves.
Here's the transcript from Tuesday's "SportsTalk" on The Sports Animal with host Jimmy Hyams.
Jimmy Hyams: “There was an article that John Pennington wrote in The News Sentinel about the turnover ratio in the first (27) games – it was plus six-point-four. The last nine games it was about one. Do you think that was a difference in the way you played – in the turnover margin?”
Bruce Pearl: “Yeah, I do. I thought that was an excellent article. And I thought it made a lot of sense. We weren’t creating as much offense with our defense and that was a big part of what we do. But, you know what, more than anything, our turning the ball over was a factor.
"And sometimes less is more. And in the case of Jordan Howell there were times he did not turn the ball over, he did not make a lot of mistakes. And I think hindsight, in this sense, if I could have gotten JP to do the things that he did without turning it over, then you’re going to get more and give up less. And without a doubt, I think it was turnovers.”
Pennington's column that appeared in Sunday's News Sentinel and gvx can be read by following this link.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
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Comments » 49
vut56#231073 writes:
Well, I guess we could/should conclude this: write a sensible article, and most "sensible" people tend to agree with it.
Write a stupid article and most sensible people will tend to say, "that's stupid."
Gigavol writes:
Why wasn't this breaking news beamed to my cell phone?
I believe they both like Smoking Joe's, too.
peerlessvolfan writes:
Yeah, all those stats certainly back up Pennington's argument. I'm not a basketball expert but I'm going to pay better attn. to turnover ratio from now on.
aspenvol writes:
Pennington = thoughtful, objective
Adams = attention seeker, wannabe
woodwr#217203 writes:
Not many coaches would coast along against beat-able teams staying unsatisfied with his point guards. Most coaches would be irresistably tempted to experiment.
Even fewer coaches would bench a steady senior for a shooting slump, and bench the fiery sophomore, to begin experimenting with a new point guard in the NCAA tournament.
They call it "the dance," and any other hayseed would have "danced with them that brung us."
slambob2#228938 writes:
Seems like the competition got a whole lot tougher in the latter games, too.
Several top 10 teams and a couple of top 20 teams will make your turnover ratio get worse in a hurry.
It was an awesome season. 30+ wins is very satisfying.
slambob
MrBamSeydu writes:
Well whipty doo
hdhurst writes:
One of the things that makes a great coach is his/her ability to adapt, and Coach Pearl does that. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, but at least the recognition is there.
I have two points to make regarding the vols style of play, specifically the use of a full court press, and their running-gunning offense. The full court press was effective early on because we sort of took people by surprise. Why did it faulter a little down the stretch? In addition to playing teams later on that had the players to handle/break the press up, I think we got a little tired down the stretch of the game..hence, some of the "letting the other team come back on us" effect. Second, everyone knows we had little to no half court offense early on and only marginally improved (out of necessity) as we went along. What I feel is significant to recognize is that fact that the running gunning style of play contributed to that, as it led to open 3-point shots and driving layups. However, the point of this is that we did rely a little too much on our strengths of this style of play down the road, which I thought made us a little easier to prepare for and defend against. While we were winning the games, what was blinded was the fact is it did not allow us to focus on our weaknesses: lack of a good point guard and no in-between 10-12 ft shot. I think becoming a little more multi-dimensional with the half court sets will benefit us greatly.
No question about it, the 07-08 VOLS were good. But, to be one of the great teams (Elite 8 or better), then we will need to work on these issues for next season.
UTvols12342000 writes:
hd: i read all your post and actually agree. I do think Pearl made a grave mistake messing with the lineup and rotation that just won the SEC regular season. JP may have been more of an offensive threat, but he seemed slow and out of place in both games. Pearl should have recognized this after the first game and gave the starting position back to Ramar for Louisville, imo. We didnt have to have a point gaurd that scores, we only needed a point gaurd to get it across half court and initiate whatever play is being run. We had four other spots on the floor where we could derive our offense.
Gutsy move by Pearl that didnt pan out this time. Next years squad, if they can gel as a team, appears to have all the right ingredients for another run, hopefully deeper.
sorry for the long post that you obviously didnt read!
GO VOLS from all the way in Holland!
elmovol#229864 writes:
Actually, hdhurst, I liked your "essay". Write on. As far as the article and Pearl's response; facts are facts and Bruce is as realistic as they come. When Pennington sticks to facts, that's fine. When he lowers himself to the anonymous quoting of former players to make a point, that's another thing. Good lesson for the writers to take home. Not everything they put in print is appropriate or done well. If their stuff is well written and thought out I will read and enjoy, regardless of the conclusion. If I think it's gargbage and juvenile I'll respond as well.
jimr07 writes:
bamacheats--i agree wholeheartedly. i almost never read the "essay" type posts.
tenacjim#211887 writes:
hdhurst- read your entire post and liked it.
lomas98 writes:
So if you are not reading the long posts that actually make some sense, are you stuck on the ones that say "well whipty doo" or "dang"? That is well thought out commentary.
johnnyjackson#206090 writes:
Congrats to Coach Pearl and the the team on the great year. The futute is so Orange, I've gotta wear shades.
Also, I wll never read John Adams'junk...never!!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
I gotta go back to this: it is not so much UT NOT doing what it should as it is OTHER teams playing harder at the end of the year.
Bruce has his team ready from game 1.
-----------
A side ligth:
Bruce should have an 'open tryout' for 3-point shooters; maybe pick up a couple of kids who can shoot the 3 but not much else. It'd be nice to have, and a great story to boot. Before you get all worked up, just go look at mid-majors: almost all have a couple of kids who can spot up and knock it down. On a cmapus like UT, there is almost certainly a few kids who played HS ball but for one reason of another didn't get recruited by anyone.
It doesn't take much to not be recruited: just don't play AAU ball.
TheVolMan writes:
aspenvol and other JA bashers=Boycott weenie wannabies who just can't stop reading the KNS. LOL...
good jobs by John P and John A
Alumni_06 writes:
pearl continues to show class
richvol writes:
Great teams do not put four players out there to play against five. Every player on the floor needs to be a threat to score in order to be effective against good teams. We will get there.
Defensive minded teams are much more sophisticated than ever and defense wins...particularly at tournament time.
Coach still needs another year after this next one to secure enough of the type of player to achieve this.
rockyknox writes:
Good job. P.K. and J.P. I am still holding out hope for Pennington's promotion.
RockyKnox: KNS Needs Change At The Top
splinterdand#602266 writes:
Ilove Bruce Pearl. I believe that when he gets quality point guard play you'll see better half-court offense. At least, I hope so. Of course, then you'll have those who'll complain that we're playing a boring style. I love the "controlled chaos" where we push the tempo and create offense with out defense, but the championship teams also look to get the highest percentage shots they can in half-court sets. That is Bruce Pearl's goal.
vol4jesus writes:
Lazyheelut that was a beautiful (not) sarcastic(as usual) post from one who has no respect for Coach Fulmer. So again you sink down to the 'childish', old donut etc. namecalling. Grow up please. Critize lack of control, playcalling etc. if you will ,but getover 3rd grade namecalling. OBTW we are not the only school experiencing student/athlete problems in the SEC in case you didn't notice. Coach Pearl keep up the good work and getem ready for 08-09!
murrayvol writes:
hdhurst: I much prefer longer thoughtful posts to short braindead posts. And like most others "I fart in the general direction" of a long braindead post.
You might consider breaking your post into several short graphs (or sentences) if you wish to retain the time challenged reader.
murrayvol writes:
mparker: You're not kidding us are you?
jimr07 writes:
Lazihilut--how would you react if there was an article in the paper that you should be fired.
Silent_Fulmer writes:
Pearl can handle constructive criticism, Fulmer can't.
murrayvol writes:
The one great truth in college bb is that the sport is about getting to the NCAA Tournament and advancing as far as possible.
A team can join the Dance (and with some talent, pluck, & luck actually win a game or two) w/o executing in the half court. In the Sweet 16, however, most pretenders hit the wall.
vol4jesus writes:
my bad critize=criticize. typo man got finger ache from long posting. Hey try headon....apply directly to the forehead/fingers....sorry couldn'y help myself. GO VOLS!!!
vol4jesus writes:
lazyheelut's cousin or one of them squeezed out of the woodwork again to comment as per the family with negative city coach slam. KBP had to awaken from slumber to do a mini-spew on Coach Fulmer. Its a family affair..........
agentorange writes:
fire john adams. i would post defamatory, obscene, abusive and threatenting things about him and his retard supporters on here, but i'd hate to get banned from such a great web site.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
Sooooo.... Now it's "news" when a KNS columnist writes something that isn't complete horse puckey?
rkastens writes:
In games where you score when you have possession of the ball, it only makes sense that you're more likely to win with a positive turnover margin than with a negative one. That goes for basketball and football. That's why teams that make the final four usually only do so with a solid if not great point guard. If Collison and Lawson were turnover machines, how good are UCLA and UNC (and Love and Hansbrough for that matter)?
BOASoldier writes:
HDHERST I coodnte reed ur rticle Iz meanz esaie caws Iz cants reed none 2 weals
FlushTheJohn writes:
Pennington's article was good because he researched stats and delivered facts! Let's not forget that he is also prone to using "unnamed sources" to support his opinions and take cheep shots as well. In my opinion every KNS writer named John should go!
Flush the Johns!
Actually I would love to keep Pennington as long as John Adams get's the heck out of here!!
John Adams, WE HATE YOU!!!!!!!!!!! GO AWAY!!!!
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
Hey Coach Pearl! Since you read the articles in the sports section, read this:
TELL TYLER TO STAY ANOTHER YEAR!
Thank you! We all want to cheer for Tyler another year!!!!
JSMITH2432 writes:
Did the author of this article just brag that they wrote something accurate? What does that say about the majority of the work done?
tnseamstress writes:
So, I know the recruit from KY has been on campus this week. Not seen anything in KNS about his signing but I've heard rumor he has....anyone know? His name escapes me.
Pearl is a class act. Maybe we'll see the men in the finaly 4 better yet, national champs!
tnseamstress writes:
Never mind, I saw the article posted 4/1/08--name Hopson....looking good for next year Vols.
CoverOrange writes:
That last paragraph about Jordan hits me wrong. If I remember correctly from Penn's analysis, out defensive TOs decreased by 6 and our offensive TOs increased slightly. Meaning having Jordan in there NOT making TOs, versus Ramar or JP, did not effect the change in TO margin.
Lack of defensive TOs was not the reason we lost to Louisville, we had a bunch in the first half and still trailed. Offensive efficiency in not being able to convert those TOs to points or stay even in half court game was the culprit.
HardcoreHottie writes:
Pennington is a punk and clown.
CoverOrange writes:
Pennington had an opinion. He tracked down some folk he thought would be knowledgable (whether that was the guy at the street corner or actual former Vols we don't know, but JP put his whole business on the line if he lied), and could put substance to his theory (or discredit it).
JA, reads the newspaper every morning, has a thought and writes it. He doesn't do research, cross check with any knowledgeable people, he just writes the idea that floated through his skull.
Either one could be right or wrong on any given UT sport subject, but I would put money on JP over JA.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
WD40, there is a difference between live-ball turnovers--e.g., steals and intercepted passes--and, uh, the other kinds--e.g., five-second calls, ten-second calls, three-second calls, passes thrown out of bounds, traveling, etc. With the former, you create open-court offensive situations where our quick guys can score easily. With the latter, we get the ball, but the opponents have a chance to set up their defense, so we have to either run a more structured offense or just throw up wild prayers. Most of the turnovers we forced against Louisville were of the latter type, exposing our shortcomings in half-court offense.
FWIW, as one of the usual "essayists" on this board, I don't really care if the time/reading-challenged types read them or not. Besides, FWIW again, not every worthwhile thought can be expressed in "bumper-sticker" slogans; just look at the state of our politics. I don't have a local bar where I can just hang out with other Vol fans, so this is my outlet. I'll write what I want; everybody else can read what they want. 'Nuf said.
davidray31#232814 writes:
John Adams tells it like it is,in his opinion anyway.You have to admire his straight forward approach to jornalism. I do anyway.
CoverOrange writes:
John, I understand the difference you are pointing out but do the stats reflect that difference? Is a turnover credited to team A when team B makes a steal?
If the fastbreak points only happen after a steal (live-ball) and turnovers only result in deadball inbounding then Pennington needs to reanalyze the data. Further, if so, unless Pearl's teams get better at half court offense they might as well not bother with pressuring 5-second calls, etc.
BTW, UT had five more steals than Louisville and 3 less turnovers but we still lost badly.
CoverOrange writes:
John Adams calls it like he sees it...behind dark sunglasses. Don't let his guide dog pee on your leg.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
murrayvol, just think about the touch that would bring. If it doesn't work, so what? if it does, and you pull in a couple of shooters....it would maybe give the talking heads something else to talk about.
Schools have done it for years, maybe not so much basketball but in football, for things like kickers, punters, and then there is the whole A&M thing.
You look at the shootes for Butler, Davidson, Drake....it would be dang nice to have a couple of kids who need about a glimmer of daylight to put the ball in the hole form 3-point land.
No offense to Crhis or Jajuan, but since those guys where 'regulars', we had NOTHING to bring off the bench for that big 3.
so, no, I'm not kidding. Not every player on the team needs to be a mickey-d's AA, some just need to do one thing well.
murrayvol writes:
mparker: The problem comes when the 3 ballers have to play a little defense or get a shot off when someone else does. There's a reason these guys don't play AAU ball.
Agree not every player has to be a McD. AA. But every player has to do more than shoot.
dlravol2 writes:
If Fulmer had changed QB at end of season and had the same success as our point debacle what would have the response been on this site? Hindsight,I say Howell should have been reinserted and at least have someone that could get the ball to the playmakers. Ramar looked like a kid in peewee league on some of those drives to the basket against Louisville.
jpbryson#215688 writes:
What about TATUM? Can he play at this level? We are going to need some outside shooters. Neither Tyler or JP can shoot from the outside.
scanders writes:
Bruce Pearl needs a raise!
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