Tennessee Men's Basketball
The accomplishments were special, even if the level of play at times was not.
Tennessee’s Tyler Smith recorded the first triple-double in the program’s 2,338-game history and coach Bruce Pearl recorded his 400th career victory in the Vols’ 87-69 win over UNC Asheville on Wednesday night .
Smith had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead a tired Tennessee (6-1) team before the smallest home crowd of the year (19,391) at Thompson-Boling Arena.
“It’s special to get it in the program’s 100th year, and it’s really special to get it on the night Coach Pearl got his 400th career win,’’ said Smith, who completed the rare feat when Scotty Hopson drained a 3-pointer to give Smith his 10th assist with 7:46 remaining.
“It will be neat to look back years down the road; this will always tie Coach Pearl and I together.’’
Cameron Tatum, Josh Tabb and J.P. Prince each scored 10 points for the 10th-ranked Vols as they built a 16-point halftime lead on the defending Big South Conference champs.
The Bulldogs (3-4) entered the game coming off their worst loss in school history, a 116-48 defeat at the hands of No. 1-ranked North Carolina on Sunday night.
Still, the Vols couldn’t build a double-digit lead until Smith drove the lane at the 4:03 mark of the first half to make it 31-21.
“I think you saw a little bit of what I saw in practice yesterday, and that’s a basketball team that is getting ready for finals and just not really inspired,’’ said Pearl, who ran his players through extra conditioning work Tuesday. “That’s what happens with a team of young players.’’
Pearl said he didn’t yell at his team in the postgame, as he sometimes does after sub-par performances.
“I was just honest . . . we’ll chalk it up to what it is,’’ Pearl said. “Coming off a big (Old Spice Classic) tournament, there is something to three games in four days and the travel.
“It takes a couple of days to recover, and we recovered well enough to win.’’
Pearl praised Smith’s triple-double accomplishment while downplaying the significance of his 400th coaching win.
“When you’re in the middle of a season, it’s not a time to reflect,’’ said Pearl, whose career mark is 400-109.
Only five coaches — Adolph Rupp (477), Clair Bee (483), Jerry Tarkanian (492), Roy Williams (496) and Henry Iba (500) reached 400 victories quicker.
But the only five that mattered to Pearl on Wednesday was his starting five, which might not be the same when the Vols play at Temple on Dec. 13.
“We’re gonna have two scrimmages in this next period, and we’re gonna compete,’’ Pearl said. “Four out of five positions are up for grabs.’’
Smith, understandably, is the only player who has cemented his starting spot at power forward.
Pearl said the players’ classroom performance also will be considered.
Brian Williams started in place of Wayne Chism at the post Wednesday; Prince didn’t start at small forward on account of a stomach virus that required I.V. fluids.
The Vols will take today off before returning to practice Friday.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 68
GoVols133 writes:
Big ups to tyler!
The_the writes:
Congrats, Carolina beat these guyz by 68 and could have gone O-fer in the 2nd half and still won. Props on the trip-double though.
CoverOrange writes:
UNC had three days off before playing Ash. Plus the previous game was at home in the afternoon. UT had two days after a late game away.
OLDVOL writes:
No excuse. No way should Ashville score 69 points on this team. They have lost some of their chemistry in the last few days. They seem to invite people to drive the lane and dunk on them. Everyone wants to shoot the three and the halfcourt game has taken a leave of abscence. I hope they wake up before the conf starts.
Couchdummy writes:
Good warmup for tougher schedule ahead. If anyone has 2 good tickets for the Jan 6 Gonzaga game at TB Arena and would like to sell, I would like to take my wife. Click on my Couchdummy user name, then email me with your ticket info. I will respond quickly. Thanks!
memvol writes:
Good job Bruce. A win is a win. We're young, going through some growing pains. I'd rather start slow and finish strong, rather than start fast and run out of gas.
The_Mayor writes:
Unacceptable. This does not bode well.
bluevol writes:
Wow, an impressive 18 point win over N.C. Ashville. That win is right up there with that 10 point rout of Middle Tennessee State University. It looks like Tennessee may keep that #10 ranking for another week. Two weeks, that would double the amount of time The Dolls spent ranked #1 last year, well in their entire history for that matter. Speaking of history maybe one day UT will get past the 2nd round in the NCAA tournament, maybe but doubtful.
:)
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
Nice job coach and team. 400 wins is a nice milestone. Good opportunity to get some bench time, we'll need it later. Unlike the classless tarholes that play Hansbrough until 2 minutes left so he could get his numbers. Some of these blue people can't biich about Fulmer so they turn on coach cause he isn't acting like Roy boy.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Geesh you just can't satisfy anyone these days even with a win..
The_Mayor writes:
OK, cuttin up sarcasm aside for a sec. Compact 1, you're spot on with your lack of big man point. We've got tons of talent (great depth). We've got tons of speed, ball handlers and strong at the point this year.
Our glaring weakness is the same glaring weakness we've had each year in Pearl's tenure to date. We have GOT to find a dominate man in the middle.
We can run with anyone in the country (when I say that, I mean our style of play, and you can take last year's lineup and plug in this years players, and it's the same...no drop off whatsoever in the thoroughbred game). What has killed us the past two seasons, and will again this season unless Brian Williams CAN SERIOUSLY STEP HIS GAME UP, is getting dominated in the paint. Chism doesn't have the size or the meaness. Folks, Brian Williams is the key to our success, and I define "success" by nothing short of elite 8.
Cherokee writes:
bluevol, are you really a Vol fan? If you are, you ought to know that UT has been past the 2nd round of the NCAAT the past two years, but don't let facts interrupt your silly rant. This team is still feeling its way some and hasn't really come together yet. And no, we probably aren't a top 10 team right now, but I think anyone that has not lived in a cave the past three years can see that Bruce Pearl has a way of getting the best out of his teams.
murrayvol writes:
Yes, yes, yes, and yes.
And we may be saying that he needs to be consistent as his career at Tennessee draws to a close. I sure hope not.
cdonsbach writes:
You haters didn't even care for basketball until we were in the national spotlight! Go back to your caves and stay there, the real fans will have more fun at the games without you.
GO VOLS!
volcycle writes:
Chism and Williams are the best big men we've had in years. Didn't see the game, but everyone has an off night, for whatever reason. No matter the opponent. Chism is and will be fine. Williams is improving and looking good for not playing ball until a few years ago.
I really can't remember the last time we had a good inside game before these recent years. I would probably good back to Dale Ellis and Willie Burton. It's been sketchy since then and that is pretty sad.
xvolx writes:
oldvol: you might be an old vol, but you can still see. I would have to agree with you on every point.
The_Mayor writes:
With all due respect, we need a Ron Slay type. Our most recent two dominant big guys both got the boot for smoking the weed.
VOLKING writes:
Absolutely agree 100% with this post. Dude, you were starting to worry me for a minute. I thought...does this guy want Jerry Green back? You had me going for a while there. We have a great coach...but we need a big-time big man that would round out our team. I hope we make the Elite 8, but am not convinced this early in the season of that happening. Young players and iffy chemistry. Time will tell. I'll take another Sweet 16 and hope we get a big man in here soon.
bluevol writes:
Cherokee, excuse me? The Vols have never been past the 2nd round. Past the 2nd round would be the 3rd round which would be the Elite Eight. Now you tell me again when the Vols have made the Elite Eight.
G'nite.
=)
jballer writes:
ahaha bluevol isnt good at math...
MidTennVol writes:
Wow -- the first in history? With all the great players we've had through the years? That's surprising.
And somebody help me out -- has Jurick played at all? Is he indeed a redshirt now?
CoverOrange writes:
Didn't Jujuan miss a triple double last year by like one assist or something?
I suspect bluevol is a memphis fan.
hippie60 writes:
19,000 on Wednesday night that's damn good, against UNC-A that's real good
rockytopron writes:
I see the doom and gloomers are in full force today. I guess until we win everygame in blow out fashion they want be happy, which means they will never be happy.
To the doom and gloomers, its time to get a life, you're putting way too much into following athletics. Remember, these are games being played by 18-20 year olds.
MidTennVol writes:
Howard Wood and Reggie Johnson, for example?
bigtimevol writes:
Unacceptable...as in we lost two of our top scorers last year, have two frosh and one juco in the starting rotation and we're a one loss team ranked #10, and clearly have a coach who knows what is going on, and how to fix it???
King53 writes:
i would have to disagree with coach Pearl for the first time ever. I think 3 out of 5 starting spots are open to competition. Are you telling me B. Maze may lose his starting spot???? No Way! this kid is the real deal and is a huge upgrade over the last 2 years. Sorry coach, but no way B. Maze looses his spot.
BBALLVOL writes:
Nope, your wrong blueball, it starts with a field of 64 teams(1st round), then 32 teams(2nd round), oh and then 16 teams (3RD ROUND). So there you go blueball
dirtdobber1 writes:
oldvol- why dont you screw off! they won big. they have a young team. Give them a chance.
dirtdobber1 writes:
bigvol- good post...also we lost 3 starters from last year- if you count the weed man.
BIGEJ writes:
"There are no starters; the competition is open even for the incoming freshmen. We will find a way to compete and the wins will come" Seems to be the theme through out.....Lady Vols basketball, Mens basketball, baseball, softball....football; sometimes programs have to adjust......coaches get paid to adjust to win ball games thus creating the money trail to keep the program profitable and keep their job...oh, well, Christmas is coming.....GO VOLS
richvol writes:
Chism has ability but sometimes gets dominated or disappears in games. He looks exactly like he did as a freshman physically...I can't understand why he hasn't grown some muscle in the weight room.
J.P.Prince is extremely talented but is all over the page in playing consistently. He takes over a game at times and looks to be able to score whenever he wants and then turns the ball over 4 or 5 times.
Everyone else looks pretty good to me but two things have got to happen for this team to make any noise in the NCAA.
1. Learn to make layups...how many can one team miss. They throw the ball off the glass so hard there is no chance it's going in most of the time.
2. Run a half court offense effectively. They looked so inept against Gonzaga it was ridiculous. Lots of standing around and against a discliplined team in the tournament they will get beat.
Negedu is a beast...get him more time and he will dominate...Tabb looks very good too.
bleed_orange writes:
Tabb could take some lessons from Negedu on how to shoot foul shots. JP, Tyler, Cameron, & Renaldo rushed their foul shots that they missed last night. I think over all we will be a good free throw shooting team when it's all said and done.
RoyaltyVol writes:
Great job Tyler, we're proud of you!!!!!
bleed_orange writes:
Remember last year we beat MTSU by 69 points. We had our best game and they had their worst game. That is all that happened with North Carolina and UNCAsh. We could beat them that bad at the end of the season. They are a very young team and will keep improving. Hey, if we can keep winning while they are still learning -then great. They will be ready by the 1st SEC game. Temple will be tough, but I think we should still win. Marquette and Belmont will be tough, but I think we should still win those too. Now, Kansas at Kansas is another story. If we are lucky enough to beat them -then great,if not-no big deal. Give them a little more time. They are not expected to be in NCAA tournament form yet. Oh, we also have GONZAGA again. GO VOLS!
The_Mayor writes:
Hey VOLKING, nah, man I've just been cuttin up, sarcastically immitating the over-the-top negative naysayers who panic with doom and gloom over the slightest imperfection and are so quick to call for a lynching.
Man, I love our team, and CBP is the best thing to happen to the athletic department in a long, long time. His positive energy is contagious to his players, the students and the fan base. I love our style of play, non-stop controlled chaos (always believed that the best conditioned team will eventually wear out their opponents). I just hope Brian Williams will turn into the beast he has the potential to be. You're right, time will tell.
bleed_orange writes:
Hopefully, TN will get better against a zone defense or that's all we will see the rest of the season. I think Hopson, Tatum,Prince,JP, & Woolridge can all drive and shoot that mid-range jumper(10-15ft)at a good %. I know the story on 33% from 3pt range is like shooting what 50+%from 2pt range, but I think if they take more of the mid-range jumpers the 3pt shot will become more open for them later. Their rebounding is good, but they are shooting the ball to hard of the glass alot. They need a softer touch down low. The big key is their full ct and half ct defense getting better. They are about where I thought they would be this early in the season. GO VOLS!
Volumni writes:
Result was expected with the tournament last weekend, but where is Phillip Jurick? We could have used an inside body in the tournament, and I thought he was supposed to contribute right away. No mention I could find that he was hurt, but he didn't play at all in the tournament or last night despite blowouts. If Chism becomes a head case on us, we'll need him.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
You guys who are complaining b/c we ONLY won by 18 against UNCA need to remember something... VMI beat the pussycats at Rupp. I'll take an 18-point win from a team who just got done playing 3 games in a 4-day period away from home, and then got a day's rest before playing this one.. they're working their butts off, and only have one loss! Honestly, what do you people want?
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
To me, they still seem to be very streaky... go way too long without scoring, and inconsistent at the FT line. 'course, I've only been able to watch one game, and that was the loss to Zaga. Still proud of them, though. Go Vols!
tarheelbluewsr writes:
Tennessee had from Sunday til Weds. to prepare for this team. Carolina had from weds to sunday to prepare for unca... one more day. maybe that excusable, seeing as how they were in MAUI as opposed to orlando. The flight is twice as long as the drive. and they actually won their tournament, as opposed to the ole baller vols. and they beat unca by 68 without psycho t. take tyler smith away from this game, and we might need bobby maze to hit a spot up jumper to win at the last second. i love bruce, and love what he has done for this program, but this team is unispired, unsure, and unrealistic if they think they are going to make a deep tourament run...
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
I think some of you are going a little nuts ab0ut nothing.
The team just came off an emotional weekend (tough games against georgetown and gonzaga), plus their first loss.
No, I don't think we are top 10 right now. Hell, I don't even want to be seeeing top 10 until later.
Some comments on here are good, especially about shutting downt the drives. We get showcased on a LOT at times.
Wayne appears to be working on his game, trying to be more NBA-like with his moves. He plays hard, but he's got to get adjusted to the season pretty quickly here.
I think we rise and fall with Scotty, Cameron, and JP. We know what we'll get from everyone else. Those three guys (Scotty and co) are our streak players who can be unstoppable. Scotty and Cameraon are also most of our 3-pt shooting.
Ah, gotta go, can't smooth this posting out much.
take care y'all.
Irwin_Linker writes:
Typical Memphis State education. It's easy to see why poverty is so rampant in "The M"
givehim6 writes:
Some times a team just has to fall on it's face and taste the dirt to know it's not a good place to be. congregations Bruce on #400! GO VOLS!
bleed_orange writes:
Just wondering, how many high school McDonalds All-Americans does North Carolinia have? TN has 1-and that is Freshman Scotty Hopson. We don't need to be comaring ourselves with NC. We just need to be comparing ourselves with Bruce's last 3 teams at UT. What are we doing better? Rebounding and Foul shots. What needs alot more work? Our defense-both half court and full ct. Our Offense will come more from better defense. It will get better. Just wait and see when we beat the Zags on 01/07/09 by double figures. However, first things first-ace those final exams and then go beat Temple on their home ct. GO VOLS!
CoverOrange writes:
My apologies. The ESPN schedule I read on line didn't say they were in Hawaii. Pretty impressive then.
But, I'm guessing UNC didn't have 8 am classes on Friday or Saturday to attend like the "baller Vols" did on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Otherwise, I agree with your assessment that this team is not yet a team.
bleed_orange writes:
I think Ty Lawson is even more important to NC than Tyler Hansbrough is. TN needs both Maze and Smith to make things go with Tyler being the teams MVP so far. We need more from our 5(Wayne & Brian) and more drives then kicking outside (like- I hate to say it the Memphis Tigers). Woolridge needs to pass up a few 3's and Bobby, Scotty, Josh, Tyler & Cameron need to take a few more. Notice, I left out JP, Wayne, Emmanuel, and Brian (oh, and how could I forget Pearl). GO VOLS!
tarheelbluewsr writes:
i didnt compare them to unc, i was responding to someone who did. in five years, bruce will probably have 4 or 5 mcdonalds all americans on this ut team. and if you believe any of these kids go to class five days a week, whether it be on the unc team or the ut team, you are mistaken. ironically enough, ty lawson, carolinas point guard, was an aau teamate of bobby maze. kevin durant was also on that team. so bruce is dipping into the right talent pool. maze is going to be special. chism has to stop underachieving, and someone please stop tatum from hoisting a three everytime he gets the ball. Tennessee will still walk away with the sec, hopefully. go vols, and of course, go heels
bluevol writes:
OK BBALL, let me reword it. The Vols have never been successful past the 2nd round. They have never been to a championship game, never a final four never even an elite eight, never. You look at the history of the NCAA tournament and I bet you'll see schools you didn't even know existed that has made the final four but not the Vols.
G'day.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
got to agree with bleed_orange above--why is there any reason to believe we should be as good as NC???????--they got quite a head start on us being good and its going to take a little time to get there but we moving in that direction-----forget about us winnin the NC this year, not going to happen, if we get to the 8 thats year over year improvement and we should be happy
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