Posted by alfrizzle097 on April 14, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hope that no one will remember the name Lofton in two or three years. Perhaps the most talented player to come through UT since Allen Houston.

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 15, 2008 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe I'm living in an alternate universe, but wasn't today Monday?

Posted by utchris2003 on April 15, 2008 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Obviously you are. First day to sign is this coming wednesday, thus he cant sign today, but next monday

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 15, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

While that is true utchris, you have to consider the palatial regalia.

Posted by pdhuff on April 15, 2008 at 4:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Petersen wouldn't have messed with him.

Posted by King53 on April 15, 2008 at 6:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope he isn't putting us off to sign with another school. Surely they have a fax machine in NYC somewhere he could use.

Posted by txvolsfan on April 15, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It seems to all be about the press conference anymore!!!!
They need the cameras and UT hat and all the glory!!!
Times they are a changing, these guys want the bright lites now.
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN

Posted by johnlg00 on April 15, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

He needs to read Dane Bradshaw's book before coming here, just in case he expects to stroll right into stardom. Otherwise, he might not believe the amount of conditioning work, i.e., RUNNING, that CBP requires. I played basketball for more than 40 years, but I NEVER saw such a demanding training regimen in my life!

Posted by bshone on April 15, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

cheer up guys, bruce successfully recruited one of the best players that has ever played for UT!

Posted by johnlg00 on April 15, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I surely hope you are right, bshone. I hope he is willing to do all the work and absorb the coaching he will need to fulfill his undoubted potential. Right or wrong, I have sorta gotten the impression that he is a bit of a "drama king".

Posted by bshone on April 15, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

johnlg00, i can see where you get that... nonetheless, i'll bet he's in the starting lineup next year and i hope he provides some incentive for tyler to consider staying. we'll see...

Posted by murrayvol on April 15, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There's a lot of "drama kings" in our world johnlg. Some just cover it up better than others.

Posted by murrayvol on April 15, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, Lunardi's 1st 09' Bracketology has the Vols @ #9. There's much work to do.

Posted by newtonrail on April 15, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tyler Smith has jumped from 24 to 18 on NBA's Mock Draft site. I hope he knows what he's doing, and gets some good advice from Pearl. Even at #18, there is no real guaranteed money.

Posted by Colliervol on April 15, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Newton, I thought all first round money was guaranteed and when you fall to the second round, it isn't? Maybe I missed something.

As far as Hopson making me forget Chris Lofton? Not if he only stays one year. Unless he were to be an All American and lead us to the Final Four which would be difficult for a freshman to do.

Posted by johnlg00 on April 15, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hear you, bshone and murrayvol. The name that occurs to me when I think of Hopson is Rashad McCants, multi-threat, McD A-A shooting guard on UNC's 2005 National Champions. He went to the NBA after his junior year and now plays for Minnesota. He was a bright guy with a lively sense of fun most of the time, and his teammates mostly loved him. However, he could also be extremely moody, lazy on defense, inconsistent, and a bit "chippy" on the court. His first couple of years, he could score 30 one night and 2 the next, and you never knew which you were going to get. It took all of Roy Williams' considerable experience, firmness, and patience to get him to play consistently. Maybe, despite what I see as similar signs, Hopson won't be such a struggle for CBP.

Posted by marc_ash on April 15, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't know how "star" quality Hopson is going to be, but he sure comes highly regarded. I think this Vol team would actually benefit greatly having a "go to" guy that can take the game over the last couple of minutes. That guy last year was Lofton, but teams converged on him this year and took him out of a lot of situations.

Rose did a great job at Memphis and really stepped up often at the end of games. He had a great cast to support him (which the Vols will too) and was able to make plays when it counted. Hopson could be that caliber of player...but that remains to be seen and could be nothing more than a bench filler his first year. We shall see.

Posted by marc_ash on April 15, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by Colliervol on April 15, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"As far as Hopson making me forget Chris Lofton? Not if he only stays one year. Unless he were to be an All American and lead us to the Final Four which would be difficult for a freshman to do."

Not too difficult to do. Rose led Memphis to a final game and Kevin Love played a big factor in UCLA's run to the final 4 also. I think when you are looking at players like Mayo, Gordon, Beasley, etc you are looking at a whole new breed of player.

Again, I don't know what Hopson can do at the college level, but it is great having an All American that could potentially shine on Rocky Top. If Tyler returns, great things could happen.

Posted by johnlg00 on April 15, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash, Rose was a point guard who usually had the ball in his hands. Hopson will be a shooting guard, who will have to have someone get him the ball where he wants it. Also, Rose was regarded as exceptionally mature for his age. Hopson...maybe not so much. I certainly agree that he is an intriguing prospect, and I surely hope he makes a big contribution.

Posted by THE_VOL on April 15, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a week for this guy! Signs his scholly papers on Wednesday and 75% of this board will have his jersey retired by Thursday!

"Don't know how "star" quality Hopson is going to be" WHAT'S WRONG MARCY???? Stop predicting IMPACT players after your boy Williams didn't quite get it done?????

Posted by Ironcity on April 15, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hopson will be a nice piece on a good team. He won't be the go to guy and he won't make anyone forget Smith and Lofton his freshman year. The key is how hard he works. It might work out better if he is a little lazy, that way coach will have to work longer to whip him into shape and he might have to stay longer to better understand what it takes to play at the college leval and the pro leval.

One more thing, I really don't see how T Smith could pass up the draft if he is expected to be drafted in the first round. He needs the money and so does his family.

Posted by TommyJack on April 15, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is Chief Chavis in charge of recruiting point guards?

Posted by bigbluevol on April 15, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hopson isn't signing Wednesday. He's signing Monday, as the article says. I think people are just excited about a top 10 recruit and are hoping he's as good as advertised as well as hoping he starts a trend of high profile recruits wearing orange. TJ, Pearl did get a commitment from a PG that is supposed to sign tomorrow. Not as balleyhood, but a good prospect nonetheless.

Posted by TommyJack on April 15, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BBV: Good to hear.

Posted by johnlg00 on April 15, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Personally, I am much more interested in how Daniel West, point guard from Michigan, will do. The only reason West was not a big-name recruit was that he chose not to play a lot of high-profile camps and games during the summer. When it counted, he led his team to the Michigan championship, IIRC. Next to Tyler deciding to stay, improved play at point will, IMHO, have more to do with how we play next year than Hopson will right off. Don't get me wrong; I hope the guy is both a team player and a monster on the court from day one. However, no CBP team is going to have trouble scoring points if the right guys are taking the right shots. That is where a good point guard comes in.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 15, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How could you ever forget Chris Lofton??????

Mike H, hang up #5 so that none of these people on here ever forget C-Lo please!!!

Posted by Colliervol on April 15, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marc ash, true about Rose. If Hopson leads us to the Final Four and then becomes the #1 or #2 pick in the next NBA draft, then we can compare him to Rose. Rose is a special player and I doubt Hopson is in that category just yet. He's an excellent prospect though and I'm glad to have him. We're going to need some outside shooting next season.

Posted by murrayvol on April 15, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Collier: We'll have plenty of outside shooting next year. How many of them go in is another matter. Enough to be competitive I think.

Posted by KHVOLFAN on April 16, 2008 at 2:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Where is AIRFORCE1?

Posted by itsme53792 on April 16, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hello vol fans...tune in to ESPN at 2 PM today...and listen to Tyreke (6'6" Rose/CDR in one, Rivals Top 5, McDonald's All American and MVP in the annual game) Evans commit to Memphis. He is expected to join Devon Ebanks (Rivals Top 20 and shooting guard), Angel Garcia (Rivals #27, 6'11" wing player) and Matt Simpkins (Rivals Top 50 6'9" PF) and probably young Witherspoon (6'8" wing/combo). Even without Rose, Dorsey and probably CDR (projected at about #25 in the draft), Memphis will be preseason T0p 10...and maybe Top 5 in the AP.

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 16, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

well itsme from what i understand ebanks likes west virginia not memphis you might get evans and it is still possible he chooses villanova witherspoon may be also but it doen't matter if you get all of them you will still lose to us in k-town and probably will lose many games.remember itsme sometimes when you have too many good players they all fight about who is the man and playing time among many other things.i wouldn't boast to much all your recruits have to prove themselves on the floor just like every teams do.just because rivals says they're great players doesn't mean squat and that goes for any recruits for any team.

Posted by murrayvol on April 16, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

itsme: Here's a reality check. If Memphis couldn't win the NC with the team they had this year, it's not gonna happen for you. Just stay focused on pounding those CUSA giants and losing to the Vols.

Posted by Raynoch on April 16, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That sounds great Tiger fan. Looks like you guys will be good, again. So Evans and Ebanks have already committed?

Tennessee should finish with a top 20-15 signing class coming off a few sweet 16's and an SEC Championship. Pearl has shown his commitment to the school and the school to him, so he should be around for a while. Things are looking really good for our basketball program for the foreseeable future. Especially considering we are widely thought of as a football school. By the way, how are those grid iron Tigers looking?

Posted by sgtvols on April 16, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

don't matter one year and adios! aka rose at mumphis

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 16, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

evans has commited but not signed a letter of intent.this is because calichoker might go to the nba.ebanks has not commited and will visit mempho on may 9 some say he likes w.v. where most likley would play in outgoing alexanders spot.and once again it doesn't matter evans is said to be more selfish and lazy on d-fense than hopson.remember and this goes to all incoming players,everyone has to prove themselves on the court playing against hs kids is not the same as playing against seasoned college athletes.rose and beasley were much like lebron james but from what i understand hopson is more close to that kind of talent than evans.memphis' 6-11 guy garcia doesn't like to play inside that's why he is considered a wing.memphis will have no inside threat offensively or defensively they will rely on evans and anderson to shoot three's and niether are any good at it,with dozier and taggart on the inside and no true point guard they are in trouble.my take is they will be a good team but not a championship team.we have a better outright chance of making the final four than they do with so much inexperience on their team.

Posted by dvolsdacious on April 20, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TN needs a point card like the Hall kid out of Noth Carolina in the 09 class.

Posted by dvolsdacious on April 20, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hopson is a SG and can't create his shot like Lofton. If the West kid can do something a sweet 16 is ok. Like Bradshaw, Smith will be missed. The first goal for Tennesee should be to win the SEC to get respect, while Florida and Kentucky reload. Tyler should go if he is a first rounder. I just don't see him being a lottery pick and franchise player to fill seats like a Rose or Oden.

Posted by dvolsdacious on April 20, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Memphis offense does not need a PG. All you need is 3 people to dribble and dish which is good for elite 8 but not a championship. Evans reminds me of a Kobe Bryant another Philly guard. He like Rose will be one and done.

Again Tennessee should try to get the Hall kid out of North Carolina. Roy upset this kid by going for McDonald out of Memphia. Hall is the #2 PG in 09 class.