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Vols have to hold their own on boards

Mississippi State tops SEC in defensive rebounds

By Mike Griffith (Contact)
Originally published 09:06 p.m., February 1, 2008
Updated 09:06 p.m., February 1, 2008

Tennessee doesn't need to look any farther than the standings to get up for tonight's game in Starkville, Miss.

The No. 7 Vols (18-2, 5-1 SEC) and Mississippi State Bulldogs (14-6, 5-1) tip off at 7 (TV: FSN) with SEC bragging rights on the line.

"We're treating it like a championship game,'' UT senior guard JaJuan Smith said. "The place is going to be rocking, and we're going to need our best effort.''

Florida brings a 5-1 SEC mark into its game with Arkansas today, and the Vols play the Gators on Tuesday night in Thompson-Boling Arena.

But first things first, UT must prove it can measure up against the West Division leaders, who have yet to lose a conference game in Humphrey Coliseum this season.

"Anybody that loves the game of basketball will get up for this type of game,'' said UT sophomore center Duke Crews, who scored a career-high 18 points in a 92-84 win in Knoxville last season. "Charles Rhodes is a guy who can score around the basket, and Jarvis Varnado is leading the nation in blocked shots.

"That means we're going to have to show up ready to do our jobs in the paint.''

Fellow UT sophomore center Wayne Chism respects Mississippi State's frontline, but said he isn't intimidated.

"Yeah, it will be tough, but I come out the same way to play all of 'em,'' Chism said. "Rebounding will be big; I'll just pick out a side of the backboard, and if it's there, it's all mine.

"I can only box out one man, though - I can't box out three or four.''

In other words, it will take an across-the-board effort for Tennessee to keep the Bulldogs off the glass. Mississippi State leads the SEC in defensive rebounds and ranks third in rebounding margin.

While the Vols lead the league in scoring (84.9 points per game), the Bulldogs are tops in the SEC in defense (62.2) and field goal percentage defense (.360 percent).

"It's going be a physical challenge because they are all so athletic,'' JaJuan Smith said. "I've been looking at a lot of film, and we're going to need to limit our turnovers and be more patient on offense.''

Smith, in particular, will also need to "man up,'' as Pearl likes to say, on defense.

It's likely the 6-foot-3 senior will draw Mississippi State's superstar, 6-4 point guard Jamont Gordon.

"If Jamont gets it in the paint, it's over,'' UT assistant coach Jason Shay said. "He's a great player - anybody who has seen him play will tell you that.''

Gordon, a former Nashville high school standout who said he was going to sign with the Vols prior to Buzz Peterson's firing, leads the Bulldogs with 17.9 points and 4.2 assists while ranking third on the team with 6.2 rebounds.

Finally, there's the matter of revenge for Mississippi State.

Pearl's Vols, then ranked No. 19, humiliated the Bulldogs the last time the teams met in Starkville in 2006, handing coach Rick Stansbury the worse home loss in his tenure, 88-65.

"They beat us in every category that is possible to get beat in,'' Stansbury said after the defeat.

Gordon scored 15 to lead Mississippi State, but fouled out with 9:25 remaining. Gordon, like his teammates, exhausted by UT's tempo, appeared to pick up his final foul on purpose just to catch his breath.

"There's no question that was one of the most impressive games we've played since I've been here,'' Pearl said. "But you saw what happened last year.''

Gordon atoned for the half-hearted effort his freshman year by scoring 25 points, pulling down 11 rebounds and dishing out nine assists, and Mississippi State led by as many as five points in the second half before the Vols pulled out a 92-84 victory.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       44 Comments

Posted by akkdowl on February 1, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think we are peaking at the right time. Of course if we lose this game, scratch that.

Is it just me or is Prince a liability on defense and a little selfish on offense? He hasn't seemed to fit in well with this team the last few games.

By the way, I just saw that C.J. Watson got signed for the rest of the year by Golden State. He played very well on his 2 10-day contracts. Way to go C.J.

Posted by pdhuff on February 1, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Beat the mayroons.

Posted by creepykev on February 1, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think that if we stop trying to be on plays of the day on ESPN and score easy baskets when available some of these close games will not be so close. Prince keeps trying those behind his head slams instead of the boring old face to the basket slams. They look great when they work but they are not as high percentage. But I'm being overly critical, this team is highly entertaining and I am enjoying this season tremendously.

Posted by chrisw2967 on February 1, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Chism doesnt start throwing up 3s and stay in the paint and box out then he is alot better off and Tenn is alot better off. we need him rebounding and taking it strong to the basket.I personally dont think Lofton and J. Smith are shooting so bad that we need Chism out there throwing up bricks. If everybody does there part like Pearl coaches them to do I dont think it will be close.
oh and please JaJuan , no off the backboard stupid passes.

Posted by jevolball7 on February 1, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Tonights game"???? Thought it was tomorrow night. Hope I didn't miss it. KNS,what a bunch of morons! LOL...Can you say "proof read" or "edit" before print?

Posted by jevolball7 on February 1, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What did TDTN do? KNS Nazis on the loose? We need to know,step out of line the man come and take you away.

Posted by tenuscvol on February 1, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jevo....

Remember these articles are actually written for the next days print (newspaper)....we just get them ahead of time....Mississippi State is tuff and that white (sorry, hope no one is offended) freshman point guard is fun to watch...GoVols!

Posted by TurboFan on February 1, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jevol, can you say "this article will appear in tomorrow morning's newspaper"? How long have you been on here?

My guess is TDTN was flaming somebody behind the scenes via the KNS GVX email system and got carried away.

Posted by jevolball7 on February 1, 2008 at 11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry,forget sometimes that this is actually a news paper. WD40: Why the sarcastic slam man? You work for 'em?

Posted by natcross24 on February 1, 2008 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

akkdowl--- i agree. it seems to me that JP is a liability on defense to say the least, and it seems his offense has diminished since league play has started.

Posted by mparker on February 2, 2008 at 12:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think they mind JP being selfish on offense. he's an offensive creator, so he has to have time for his moves. Kind of the same with Tyler, it takes him some time to get a move completed.

That being said, his minutes will keep sliding if he doesn't play better D.

I already posted this, but I think with his quicks, speed, long arms, and jumping ability he could be a REALLY good lockdown defender. He just has to want to be that. Josh Tabb won a lot of fans with his D, as did JaJuan his sophomore year. I even like how Chris plays D, he tries hard.

Posted by volmattna on February 2, 2008 at 12:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

this is a big one! Go vols!!

Posted by oldorange on February 2, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As an old basketball player, this is the kind of game I enjoy watching. The atheletic games are the ones that old farts miss playing in the most. I feel that the way UT plays this game will define the way it plays the next two. Hopefully they can get their speed back that has been missing for the last 3 games. GO VOLS.........

Posted by THE_VOL on February 2, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"...but I come out the same way to play all of 'em,'' Chism said. Yeah Wayne - WE KNOW! And THAT is what we are sick of! Here's a novel thought - how bout coming to play ALL of them like you did the Vandy game???? Or maybe just not being a sissy every time it's not goin' your way. Man up for God's sake!!!! Vols by double digits IF Wayne loses the skirt!

Posted by tuckepk on February 2, 2008 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

JP's also a liability at the free throw line. Against Alabama he was 1 for 4 on FTs. The three that he missed weren't close. On his drives to the basket, he's likely to get fouled. Unless he makes the basket, it's the same as a turnover.

Posted by pdhuff on February 2, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Shoot 57% from the floor and offensive rebounds won't matter. Pressure them every inch. Win.

Kingsportvol 9:40 a.m.-Ditto

Posted by iowavol on February 2, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It would be great to see a complete game by everyone tonight. I'm not sure that has happened too many times, but the bottom line is these guys are 18-2. Not too shabby. Keep doing what you do! Looking forward to Chism playing his Vandy game, looking forward to JaJuan and Chris lighting it up, looking forward to Jamont fouling out. Go VOls.

Posted by pixmonks on February 2, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Prince has been lost on offense as of late, great in transition, but otherwise...yeesh.
Does anyone give a turd about the Memphis Tigers at this point? Keep smoking that rock, zander.

Posted by TurboFan on February 2, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Jevol, wasn't meant to be a slam, should have put a LOL at the end like you did. Mostly just riffing on your own wording. That question comes up every so often and I thought you were one of the long timers on here and would not be one to ask a newbie type question (calling KNS morons over it was a bit strong, though, IMHO).

Posted by TurboFan on February 2, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mudflats (z616), glad to see you got a good 8 hours of rest, but you better hurry, your shift at the quickie-mart starts pretty soon.

Posted by shotgun on February 2, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

...and no thank-you z616. I do not want fries with that.

Posted by shotgun on February 2, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

z616: Conference USA, right? gimme a break. So. Miss, So. Meth., Tulsa, Rice, Tulane? Real powerhouse competition.

Posted by eb502us on February 2, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Chism not intimiated? Every time he's in the paint he hurries his shot out of fear of it getting blocked. And half of the time it is.

Posted by johnlg00 on February 2, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

J.P. has seemed lost on offense since the SEC season started. I have thought from the first time I saw him that he doesn't really have a shot or a go-to move, he just gets the ball out on the wing somewhere and takes it to the basket. His free-throw style gives a clue as to why his other shots don't go in; it just looks shaky, with lots of little quivers, not a smooth stroke at all. He is sometimes dynamic on the open court, but right now, when the tempo slows, he needs to sit. I would try to give Tabb some of his minutes. Josh has already been through these SEC wars once and his defense is worlds better than J.P.'s. Maybe he needs to play Gordon some tonight. Anyway, I trust CBP to know what the team needs; he has done fine so far without consulting me(;-P)! I do hope our big guys step up tonight and that we shoot like we did in the second half against Bama.

Posted by johnlg00 on February 2, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I had to smile a little at seeing the photo topping the article about Stokely closing in a few years--Red Robbins, A.W. Davis, and big, bad Howard Bayne. We could use Bayne in the paint tonight against MSU! I know I'm just an old guy, sometimes dwelling in the past, but I'll bet those guys could play in this era. It's been WAY too long since we had anybody as tough as Bayne wearing orange!

Posted by tnbanker_govols on February 2, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

While stating that he isn't intimidated, Chism pretty much contradicted himself in the next statement..." I can only box out one man though.." That may be true but I think I would rather hear "I'll do anything and everything I have to in order to get to the ball" instead of "I can only box out one man." No doubt Tennessee has the more talented team but we also had the more talented team against Kentucky but you see what happened there. Lack of hussle....or the mentality of "I can only box out one man" will beat Tennessee, not lack of talent.

Posted by pearlific on February 2, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

zander has fresh memories of last years 18 point pasting!

Posted by pearlific on February 2, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

by the way...will security be checking Dorsey for weapons before he takes the floor?

Posted by Hunter on February 2, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)

tnbanker, everyone needs to read that post. It makes our discipline problems seem pretty minor, doesn't it?

Posted by 98reax on February 2, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree, zander is rough around the edges. It's just a pitiful attempt to cover for lack of knowledge. Deep down z knows Vols are headed for greatness. This will be the year we go deep into post season.. If that means taking out tigerpaws along the way, so be it. I like Prince. He has the raw talent. Eventually, Pearl will reel him into the system. Yes, we have some unnecessary showboating, but you must admit, when it scores points, blocks shots and wins games, it's a beautiful thing. Blow it and it looks streetball gone ugly. As coach P says, move on. Knock down free throws, d up, steal & score. Now that is fun to watch.

Posted by kbart4033 on February 2, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is hard to believe Prince's dad was a basketball
coach--his shot is so fundamentally-flawed and he has
absolutely no clue on defense. He is, however,
very athletic and seems to be a good kid and reports were last fall that he was doing some
amazing things before the injury. At this point,though,
I believe Tabb may soon pass him in the rotation.
Go Vols!

Posted by THE_VOL on February 2, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Calm down Vols fans! Tiger High has some serious challenges in front of them. After all, MemPISS is trying to secure court dates that won't interfere with game day, is still trying to get the amnesty gun program approved for players AND stay under the salary cap! (The NCAA is currently considering a ruling that would cause bail money and attorney's fees paid for players to be included in the cap.) Perhaps some more Tiger boosters should just consider the LOGAN YOUNG SOLUTION!

Posted by mparker on February 2, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JP could leave UT being one of the greats; as for his shot, I'm guessing he spent all his time attacking the rim.

As for Memphis...who cares? The vols would be no. 2 w/o the loss to UK. Again, who cares??? The NCAA's come down to such a 'luck of the draw'. With the parity in this country, being a 1 or 2 seed gaurantees about nothing.

The UT-Memphis game will be tough. UT will be in foul trouble before the game even starts. Thing is, I expect them to be really focused. Memphis has all to lose, NOT UT.

Looking forward to tonight's game.

Posted by marc_ash on February 2, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Notice how zandick doesn't continues to comment on RPI and #1 ranking. QUIT LIVING IN THE PAST Zandick and get some new material...its old.

Blah, blah loss to kentucky..blah blah texas...past...rpi...blah.

Why don't you try to comment on your pathetic schedule and only beating 1 ranked team all year. I already proved you wrong on the Arizona and USC thing. Love thug U.

Have a great day. :)

Posted by Razzle on February 2, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let them Memphis dudes do all the talking they always been good with the mouth anyway.

Who you tryin to convince your gonna beat the Vols so bad, us or you?

Zander u gettin little worried bout the Vols are ya? lol

Posted by dfreeman on February 2, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am watching a GREAT game between Memphis and UTEP!!! Freaking UTEP!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAH 11:52 to go and it's a 4 point game!!!

Posted by dfreeman on February 2, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

4:56 to go memphis and UTEP are tied!! hahahaha

Posted by chrisw2967 on February 2, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

zander616 UTEP 64 Memphis 70 , now thats a blow out by the #1 team at home.

Posted by 98reax on February 2, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Someone's callin' the hogs. They are putting it to the gators by 27 about now in the 2nd stanza. Warming up those gators for us next week. Look out! First time I've see the gators take a whupin' in a while. Z, do you like my hillbilly lingo? I hope so because we are bringing it to you soon.

Posted by Razzle on February 2, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Zander let's see. Memphis beat UTEP by 6. UTEP lost to Central Florida by 29. Central Florida lost to Ole Miss by 9. I'll let u do the math.

Posted by TurboFan on February 2, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

z616, still waiting for you to do better than that.

boss, no, wouldn't agree to that, he's smart enough to keep getting responses from us by repeating the same boring mantra. But he still can't spell.

Posted by dfreeman on February 3, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

good evening zander, congrats to your kitties they purred their way to a win!! Again, we can talk about the education and wealth of Knoxville and Memphis all you want to!! Average household income is higher in Knoxville!! Higher test scores and academics in Knoxville both at grade schools and university levels!! Hillbillies?? It would seem your little rundown crack infested rat hole of a city has taken over the hillbilly name!! Here's proof you sack of S$%%!!!

http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/C...

Enjoy that underarm farting contest and pigs feet bobbing!! HICK!!

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