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Tennessee brings a 35-game home-court win streak into today’s game with Belmont.
But men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl has a message for the Vols’ fans and players: Take nothing for granted against the Bruins.
“They are third in the nation in 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage,’’ Pearl said. “This is one of the most difficult (defensive) covers we’ll face.’’
How good is Belmont coach Rick Byrd’s scheme?
Good enough that Pearl said the UT scout team beat the starters running it in practice.
The 16th-ranked Vols (7-2) will see the real thing when they tip off against Belmont (4-3) at 3 o’clock today (TV: SportSouth, MyWVLT2).
Tennessee was hoping junior wing J.P. Prince would be back from the ankle injury he suffered Dec. 12 in Philadelphia, but Pearl said as of Friday Prince is out.
That means defensive wizard Josh Tabb will get another start on the wing.
“Josh did a great job against Marquette, and I like it that he knows it is time for him to step up,’’ Pearl said. He played that way, and he has practiced that way.
“Cameron (Tatum) also had one of his better games against Marquette, doing a lot of the little things while being more active rebounding and getting to the foul line.’’
It could be a case where UT will need a raucous crowd for added motivation, as Pearl pointed out that Belmont will not be intimidated easily.
“They about beat UCLA as sophomores, and they about beat Duke as juniors,’’ Pearl said of a Bruins’ team that starts four seniors. “They play 10 guys, and they know they are good enough to play well and beat us. It’s a great opportunity for Belmont.’’
Pearl said UT has a size advantage inside, so he’ll likely be counting on junior Wayne Chism to follow up his effort (26 points, 11 rebounds) in the win against Marquette with another monster performance.
Ultimately, the Vols will need to show their skills once again in their half-court defensive set, as Belmont has quick guards who are hard to press.
“This is a much more complex scheme than we’ve seen — it’s unique,’’ Pearl said. “Against Marquette, we had to stop one basic thing, dribble penetration.
“This is not some guarantee game where you pay someone a bunch of money to come in and they know their role. This is an NCAA tournament team we are playing.’’
Smith for Naismith: Junior Tyler Smith has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2008-09 Naismith Trophy, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced. The 6-7 forward is among six SEC players on the 50-man list.
“Tyler would have had another 10 assists against Marquette if we would have hit our shots,’’ Pearl said.
NCAA Tennessee 83 - Ohio 68
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Comments » 57
wlvol writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
beavbullvol writes:
I hope it's a blowout. Definitely would like to see Hopson be more aggressive. He's far too good an athlete to be content staying on the perimeter launching threes.
Additionally, Woolridge could be a force with his length. His game could mirror very closely Earl Clark from Louisville if he'd embrace his 'banger' size and go to work on the interior.
Good looking club. Hopefully, all the right pieces will start clicking when we need it the most.
beavbullvol writes:
Oh, and something is seriously wrong with wlvol. I'm just sayin'
Colliervol writes:
Maybe you'd like to have Buzz Peterson back?
rockytop4ever writes:
I believe its Buzz in disguise!
orangecountry21 writes:
You're an absolute joker. Belmont is legit. Tennessee beat MTSU by, what, 10 or 11 points? Belmont was blowing them out by 18 at half. I go to three quarter of the Belmont games and sit first row behind the bench (my uncle is associate head coach) and these guys are good. Belmont's guard Al Renfroe will give Bobby Maze trouble.
VOLorado writes:
...or could it be that we play the toughest schedule in the country?
(in reference to why CBP continues to call our opponents "dangerous and ncaa worthy")
Hopson2008 writes:
You sir are an idiot. Every coach in the nation says the same thing about underdog opponents. What is he supposed to say? "Belmont is horrible, we should beat them by 40." Anything can happen in college basketball, especially when that underdog is the best team in their conference. Remember, George Mason made it to the Final Four a couple years ago.
bobbarbilly writes:
Ok, so I guess then that we want Coach to say before every game that " these guys are cannon fodder. We will have them down by 30 at the half. In fact, the game will be so easy that there is no reason for the fans to show up."
orangecountry21 writes:
wlvol is such a newb
stinky_pinky writes:
pearl can do or say whatever he wants.....forever and ever
overatedvols writes:
Pearl quote of the day: “This is not some guarantee game where you pay someone a bunch of money to come in and they know their role. This is an NCAA tournament team we are playing.’’
Yep, this 4-3 team seems dangerous and i've got some swamp land in Fla. for sale. If you get tired of this mess tune in to espn to see a couple of the true big names in college basketball. Memphis vs Syracuse tommorrow at 5pm cst.
stinky_pinky writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Colliervol writes:
You mean Syracuse and the biggest name in Shelby County? Sorry but I have to watch some paint dry.
doctorfingervol writes:
Go vols! Smash Belmont. This link should fire them up. Hilarious scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxkr4w...
mlewishome#366649 writes:
well overrated, maybe Syracuse (you know, the team that got beat by CLEVELAND ST in the CARRIER DOME) won't be as touch a matchup for you guys at Georgetown (you know, the team that UT BEAT on a neutral floor).
nothing worse than a Memphis Homer, except a dumb Memphis Homer.
mlewishome#366649 writes:
PS, generally when you try to be sarcastic and say "If you believe that, I've got a so-and-so for sale" you're supposed to use an item that is not actually available.
like ocean front property in Arizona, the Brooklyn Bridge, etc etc.
There is lots of swamp land for sale in Florida.
Doofus...
overatedvols writes:
Belmont players are talking. One is quoted as saying "If they thought what Temple did was bad ..just wait"
Another quote "Their win streak at home is only due to them playing that Rocky Top song so much that the other team gets sick"
Still another "There's only one real team in the state of Tenn. and that team is on the other side of the state (seems they all say that one).
I wouldn't take this kind of trash talk from them.
stinky_pinky writes:
Tiger High....
buncha rejects who couldn't make it on their own...
Look at the program, Memphis whines about how the state doesn't help them and they don't have any donors. Yet, for some reason, they somehow think they deserve to be in the Big East. HAHAHAH
rejects
doctorfingervol writes:
Overated you constantly bash Pearl and the vols forgetting the fact that Pearl has won two out of three against Sir chokesalot (Calipari). As far as this season goes the vols have two quality wins against Marquette and Georgetown, which is the same Georetown team that beat you by nine points. If the tigers come in to tba and pull off the win then brag but until then chill out and go spankk it to a joey dorsey poster or something.
mempuss writes:
memphis is trash!
THE_VOL writes:
It wouldn't exactly appear that you have an unbiased opinion now would it? If they're so damned good why have they lost to 5-4 A.Peay and 2-6 Jacksonville? Obviously we know that any team can beat another on a given day but let's at least be realistic in the pre-game BS.
THE_VOL writes:
Uhhh...we do NOT play the toughest schedule in the country. It is currently the 45th best and will obviously improve with upcoming games against Kansas, Zaga and (maybe) Mempiss...but the SEC is WAY down this year and there is no way we will have the toughest schedule playing in that league this year.
Colliervol writes:
Stinky, if they could sell more than 300 tickets to their bowl game or draw more than 10,000 fans to their last home football game, the Big East might pay attention to them. Until then, probably not.
THE_VOL writes:
You may be correct that mlvol is an idiot but why shouldn't BP be able to say "look, Belmont is a dangerous team and certainly capable of beating us if we don't play well. But I think we're coming off a good effort against Marquette and being at home we certainly expect to win the game." Rather than all this nonsense hype that does nothing for anybody including his own team. If he wants to challenge them, then tell them "hell yeah we should win this by 20 and if we don't, then I'll see you at practice on Sunday instead of watching your taillights heading home." I'm really getting a little bored with the coach-speak hype and tired of the pampering of these supposed studs that so far show up when the mood strikes them.
THE_VOL writes:
Tune in no later than 5:10 though cause the Cuse will have it over with by then.
cjraney writes:
What's up with your tigers man? Georgetown exposed you. Robert Dozier is so soft and all your hopes are riding on freshman Tyreke. Good luck in C-USA this year, you'll actually need it.
The_Greater_Pumpkin writes:
Go back to loving on Phil and don't even start to hate on Bruce. You probably don't go to any games or give any support. Actually, I shouldn't even have responded, as you are irrelevant!
GreerVol22 writes:
BRuce Pearl without a plan is Buzz Petersen...
orangecountry21 writes:
hahahahahh. Lies everyone. I know every single one of these Belmont players and they wouldn't say these things. Completely against their character. overated is stirring the pot.
VOLMAN40 writes:
OK, 2 points to make here: Bruce can say whatever the hell he wants as UT was basically nothing before he came, and secondly, mempiss fans have no basis to run their pathetic mouths as Bruce owns little johnny c. and the rest of the kitties. Well, maybe 3 points; I would also like to see Scotty and Renaldo be more aggressive and go to the hole.
overatedvols writes:
Oh, I almost forgot. While Memphis is playing Syracuse on ESPN2 tommorrow you can turn over to ESPN and catch the Tigers in their bowl game. That's correct. Memphis vs South Florida tommorrow afternoon.
Someone please help me out here. I was scanning the bowl games and I haven't found Tennessee anywhere. I must have just missed it. Can someone let me know what bowl game you are in this year. Oh, I know. It must be a BCS and I stopped looking when I got up to the upper tier bowls and i'll bet I stopped too soon. Probably, Sugar, Fiesta, Cotton?
orangecountry21 writes:
I was scanning thru Memphis's football national championships but I couldn't find one. Maybe I gave up too soon. Oh but I found quite a few Tennessee NCs. Five or six maybe? Oh and by the way Lynx Community College could make a bowl in C-USA d ouche bag
IBleedOrange444 writes:
We need to defend the 3pt line and watch for the back door cuts. If we can do that we'll be fine. I can't wait to see Tiger High get beat down by 'Cuse on Saturday. Can't wait to see the look on Tasmeek and Calamari's faces when they take that "L".
Jaywine writes:
Man, You're really sharp. I bet you've coached city league.
iowavol writes:
Ahh, crvol is back as wlvol. It was too good thinking you had actually met a horrible end to your pathetic existence.
floridavolsfan writes:
The Krispy Kreme/Dunkin Donuts Bowl
Razzle writes:
Syracuse #2 man is out. That makes them about even with Belmont.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Me thinks Collier Vol holds his breath too much!! Go root for Alabama for awhile, life is good! Go get some gusto CollierVol, like fresh air.
VOLMAN40 writes:
You sir, are a jealous, stupid and pitiful little man. South Fla will kick mempuss's azzz! And, mempiss will lose to Bruce and the VOLS AGAIN in January! Mark it down!
ncvol writes:
Before I retire for the night, I would like to comment on the article concerning the Belmont game tomorrow. Go Vols and let's win this game.
I also would like to say that Buzz was not a bad coach but he no longer is here and Pearl is at the helm now. Go Vols!
ncvol writes:
left out the "is"
Should read as : I also would like to say that Buzz was not a bad coach but he is no longer here and Pearl is at the helm now.
bricker865 writes:
Don't want to fall asleep too early.
bricker865 writes:
Poor overrated...he needs a hug or something, or maybe a swift kick...haven't decided which yet.
BigOrangeVol writes:
Guys our RPI is #35 and our SOS is #76.
West Tennessee State Normal School has an RPI of 19 and an SOS of 11.
Maybe those are areas better left alone at the moment in talking smack to Filthiest-part of-the State fans.
This team has so much talent it is scary but they haven't shown me squat yet! Like the Lady Vols, both of these teams may be bound for greatness but there is a ton of hard work, discipline, selflessness, commitment, leadership and desire that is lacking on them both. The LV's and men's teams look like Rocky Top League or AAU ball right now. I'm confident that they'll get their collective heads screwed on straight by the SEC regular season but to this point it looks pretty rough as far as cohesion is concerned.
BigOrangeVol writes:
BTW, the Bruins RPI is 210 and their SOS is 299. But that doesn't mean that their seniors aren't going to be dangerous against our baby Vols. They have four starters averaging in double-figures scoring. They have four players averaging OVER .500 from 20’-9”. Wicke and Dotson both burn the treys. As a team, we’ll be lucky to hold them under 12 for 27 at the 3-point line. Belmont averages 78ppg and they shoot 46% from the field! Bruce is exactly right, they can shoot their way out of a 25-point deficit in a heartbeat and THAT is why they are a dangerous team!!! They aren’t big… 6’-2”; 6’-2”; 6’-4”; 6’-6” & 6’-8” but if our young Vols aren’t careful and think that they can take this team as lightly as some of you suppose it could be just like the MTSU game in ’88. If any of you think that Rick isn’t capable of out-coaching Bruce then you are deluding yourselves.
Plasticman writes:
Sure hope your little tiggers pull this one our since Syracuse's best player is not playing in this game since he was suspended for hitting a girl. You'll need to play better than you did in your 5 pt. victory over Ark. State the other night!!Can't wait till we clean your clocks AGAIN!!
dma38256#264746 writes:
in response to wlvol:
Another b.s. job by pearl. we all know belmont is overlooked, under ranked,and just too good for anyone to play. I'm sooo tired of this a-hole blowing smoke to say EVERYONE ut plays is dangerous and ncaa worthy. Guess what, 64 teams get to go, so,yes, in their pitiful league, they can will. But please, spare me the comparisons. And for "about beating" teams, what's the difference? Marquette about beat YOU. Is that any consolation? Yes, 4-3 Belmont is REALLY DANGEROUS.
In case you don't know, Bear Bryant (he was a pretty good coach at AL) made a living at psychology like that....sure helps get your team up for somebody they may not be taking too seriously....
grvol writes:
What worries me is Belmont is all white guys and Vols do not play smart. We may win but we will be schooled on how to play the game.
ncvol writes:
What kind of statement is that? Your theory that because a team is composed of mostly white that we can't compete with them. A skilled player can play with any nationality. Why would you even post that?
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