Tennessee senior Chris Lofton had the NCAA basketball world right where he wanted it.
That is to say, writing him off, no longer referring to him as an All-American and finding clips of other standouts for the highlight shows.
But the past four games - beginning at Kentucky's Rupp Arena - the Vols' reluctant superstar has averaged 23 points on .536 shooting and hit 21 of 41 (.512) of his 3-point attempts.
Florida coach Billy Donovan has noticed. It's a safe bet the Gators will know where Lofton is at all times when the teams meet in the ESPN-televised event at 9 tonight in sold-out Thompson-Boling Arena.
"When you got a guy like that, it's an incredible gift and talent you admire and watch," said Donovan, who is 0-3 against the No. 7 Vols over the past two seasons when Lofton plays. "When you see a guy make shots like that, it's like you want to leave him open because there's a better chance of him missing when he's open.
"He's as good as anybody I've seen at being able to go up, rock back and create space … that's why I've always felt he can play at the next level."
UT's objectives haven't changed. The Vols want to remain balanced, distribute the ball to the open man and avoid taking low-percentage shots.
Many times, that has led to sophomore Tyler Smith emerging as UT's "go-to'' guy in the clutch.
Coach Bruce Pearl slipped twice and referred to Tyler Smith as the team's "best player" while discussing the team's foul troubles in a 76-71 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday night.
Pearl later qualified his remark, explaining the 6-foot-7 Smith's versatility as a scorer, rebounder and passer.
The 6-1 Lofton, an afterthought in the recruiting world coming out of Mason County (Ky.) High School, has worked throughout his career to improve in all of those areas.
But the 2004 Mr. Kentucky Basketball is what he is: a dead-eye, stone-cold shooter.
And still a humble one, at that.
"I haven't played good yet," said Lofton when asked about what appears to be an offensive turnaround. "Seriously, I am not playing that good. I'm making an open shot every now and then. That's it."
Pearl smiled when asked about the re-emergence of the most prolific 3-point shooter in SEC history.
"I think it has to do with that Kentucky game," Pearl said, referring to the Vols' 72-66 loss. "Chris is all about winning and losing, and that night he realized we could get beat without him.
"We're not as good without Chris Lofton scoring, so he started focusing and realized he had to do it or we'd get beat," Pearl said. "That gave him the courage to start hunting his shot again and working harder to get open to get good looks."
Lofton was sidelined with an ankle injury when the Gators beat the Vols 94-78 in Gainesville last season, but he returned in time for the meeting in Knoxville, scoring a game-high 21 points in UT's 86-76 win.
Back then, there was no Tyler Smith to go to in the lane nor J.P. Prince to drive the lane. Jordan Howell had yet to emerge as a legitimate 3-point threat.
Lofton had to score for the Vols to win, and so he did, a league-best 20.8 points per game en route to SEC player of the year honors.
Lofton's current average is up to 15.2 per game, but he's aware it could take more for UT to top Florida in tonight's game.
"Everyone knows how dangerous they are," Lofton said. "Any team with Billy D is going to bring it.
"They'll be ready to play, and we'll have our hands full with them."
If Lofton continues his hot streak - he's averaged five 3-pointers per game over the past five games - opponents will have their hands full.
There's an outside chance Lofton could break the NCAA's all-time record for 3-pointers. He's 75 away from passing the mark (457) held by former Duke standout J.J. Redick.
"I don't even think Chris would be aware of that," Pearl said. "But the best way for him to do it would be to play more games."
That means advancing in the SEC and NCAA tournaments.
And that means winning, which is ultimately what Lofton is all about, All-American status and highlights be damned.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 70
FatherVol writes:
I sure wish the Gators would just die. Too bad we put the species on the endangered list all those years ago. The teams seem to have a corresponding revival and just won't go away. With C-Lo and the Men of Orange cookin' on the Summitt, we should be able to bury them at least as well as the Swines across the river from me.
StaytheCourse writes:
Loftin-esk.... to dominate, to beat one's opponent with little to no effort.
GreerVol22 writes:
If you have picked up on the ESPN advertising for this game, Florida has already beaten UT. The announcers will once again be so pro Gators it will be sickening.
So, I know it's almost as painfull to listen to Kesling, but I'll be pumpin' in the feed via laptop. GO VOLS!!!
vol88 writes:
body bags...Wow, what a classy post from a Memphis fan. Your parents are surely proud.
volguy#211935 writes:
Zander616.... In case you didn't notice, you were VOTED No. 1. Nobody's crowned Tiger High champion of anything yet. There won't be any body bags needed on Feb. 23, but YOU may need them in the Final Four!!!
Titan writes:
Zander - if Tiger High played in a real conference, they'd be worried about upcoming games against teams like Florida, Arkansas, etc. instead of looking ahead to their next "real" game nearly three weeks away.
dirtdobber1 writes:
Zander666- good win againt El-Paso State! Wow, what a clutch win by the Tigers...
BigOrangeJeff writes:
Let's see if this MSU idiot has the grapes to post here on 2/24 after getting Pearlized.
BOJ
John_Galt writes:
I'm stunned anyone from Tiger High knows Knoxville is in the same state.
FLAVOLS writes:
This Zander idiot gives all classy Memphians a black eye.
dfreeman writes:
Zander - you and I agree on one thing. Anytime someone visits that crack infested rat hole of a city you call Memphis, they'll need body bags!!
dfreeman writes:
good morning 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 monkey dung!!!
http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/C....
Enjoy that underarm farting contest and pigs feet bobbing!! HICK!!
wvuvolfan writes:
guys lay off zander, he evidently is suffering from a great many insecurities. bad city, phooey conerfence, a college that had to change its name to try to garner recognition. by the way, who does memphis state play this week? rice?, smu?
lnbadger320 writes:
zander616 must be a lawyer. anyone else from Memphis would be be unable to type that much without help from the jail guard.
well it is good that memphis is finally #1 in something besides the crime rate.
FatherVol writes:
Now guys, we may have our problems in Memphis, most stemming from incorrupt city government that local idiots continue to elect, but we Memphians are not ALL bad, and there are some very nice things about the city. I know you are playing with Zandra with your comments, but remember the insults you fling at him fly in the face of many loyal Vols fans on this board who happen to also live in Memphis-Shelby County.
FatherVol writes:
Inbadger320, actually, Memphis is only #4 in crime according to national statistics. We are, however, #1 in murder per captita! Memphis is also the most obese city in the country according to one publication. I guess it's the wonderful ribs that we thrive on down here in the southwest corner of the state. So, that gives us THREE things we we can claim to be first in ranking. BTW, I have to confess that I went to law school for a year before going to seminary, so I guess I only learned to write coherently at the then Memphis State after spending four years at UTK.
GreerVol22 writes:
The truth hurts about the city. It has been dying from the inside out for years. You have to drive as far out as Germantown to find civilization. Inner city reminds me of Detroit.
But hey, stay the course Memphians. Just because other cities have ran the crack heads out of town and taken back their city doesn't mean you have too.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Dang, just 75 more 3's?? Just think if Chris had CBP as coach for one additional year, or had not had the ankle injury.
Anyway, I liked his deference to Billy Donovan. Billy D is a damn good coach and recruiter. That said, I hope the Vols kick their tails. The Gators are free to win all their other games, just not the UT games.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Beat the Gators. Stay this course.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Geez, I thought this article was about CLo getting his game back. Instead, most of the posts just continued the pointless p***ing contest with the cretin from Memphis (apologies to FatherVol)! Don't you know that this is the only way this guy can have a semblance of a life, getting a rise out of so many of us? Lets focus on Florida and appreciate what a prize we have--and will all too soon lose--in Chris Lofton and a gutty bunch of Vols. We will have our opportunity to drown the kitties in good time!
vegasvol writes:
zander needs to check out the rpi index. he'll find the vols #1 and the tigers #2.
TommyJack writes:
Father: Speaking of writing correctly...you may want to rethink your use of the word incorrupt.
gruntworks writes:
Guys, while you're having fun with his classless idiocy, please know that Zander does not remotely represent most of us Tiger fans - or West TN - or even the city of Memphis. Those of us with level heads are looking forward to what should be a great game and what will definitely be a thrilling environment at the Forum. Obviously, we're excited about our Tigers ... unfortunately, a few seem to get vicarious fulfillment through a basketball team. He doesn't speak for most of us. He is ridiculous. Ultimately, he's just sad.
Good luck until and after Feb 23
gruntworks writes:
Hey LazhilUTDelt, are you sure we still have a women's team at Memphis? I though we got rid of that about 20 years ago.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well said, gruntworks. I have relatives in Memphis and have always enjoyed my visits there. I'm sure there are plenty of Tiger fans with intelligence and class. Unlike Zandra, you seem to be one of them. The UM-UT game should be a classic that will make both teams proud. It will surely be the game of the day in college basketball. I hope you will understand if I still hope that the Vols will smash the Tigers!
BornaVolDieaVol writes:
UT is #1 in the RPI for about 14 days straight now... and that's all the selection committee cares about. NCAA basketball is NOT the BCS.
Hunter writes:
Glad to have you, gruntworks. Looking forward to a great game as well. I do hope we enjoy it a little more than you, but I am a little biased.
Are they still shipping Rendezvous ribs? Man, all this Memphis talk got me hungry!
Concerned_Mother_Focker writes:
Makin' Easy Money Pimpin Hoes In Style
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
Zander,
Did you ever work at 616? Just a thought. By the way, I guess you haven't seen the RPI, or watched any UT games. I hope Memphis fans feel like they're going to destroy us, and I hope we beat Memphis by 1 single point. That would be brilliant.
Retiredvol writes:
Can someone tell me where I can find the RPI listings???
Retiredvol writes:
Thanks KS Vol
CoverOrange writes:
google "RPI", lots of choices.
bleed_orange writes:
GO VOLS! BEAT THOSE GATORS! FL is a good team and will be a good challenge. They are also a good 3-pt shooting team. GO DEFENSE! No open 3'for FL. I hope we are bringing our A+ Rebounding & Defensive team. FL is a hard team to press. So, TN will have to have a great half court defense. Chris keep up the good work. Tyler be yourself. Wayne, Ryan, JP,Duke & Brian keep improving on your foul shooting. Our best 5 FT shooters right now are as follows:1Chris Lofton 85%,Jajuan Smith 78%, Tyler Sith 72%, Jordan Howell 70%,and Duke Crews 63%. GO BIG ORANGE!
ballewville6 writes:
if flordia plays defense against ut the way they played at arkansas,loften,and jujuan will both score 30,GO VOLSBEAT THEM gators.
inkxtn#228006 writes:
Hey Zander616...
You sound like the guy whistling as he walks through the cemetery at night afraid to think of his real thoughts of impending doom! Well...its coming...Feb.23rd! 9pm...AT NIGHT...KEEP WHISTLING!
GiveHimSix1387 writes:
We should get Jay Bilas's prediction on the next few games for Tennessee including at #1 Memphis. I'm sure he will have some great insight on where our program is headed. Or maybe, he will just go back to talking about UNC and Duke!
Beat the GATORS!
GiveHimSix1387 writes:
Oh yea... Lofton will shine tonight.. MARK MY WORDS!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Chris, rain 3s down on the Gators. Rain them down. You need to be the man tonite.
geniuspearl writes:
Why bring your own body bag, They hand them out for free at the Memphis visitors center.
dfreeman writes:
This game is getting ugly!! That Florida player smiling at Prince after he molested him should have got him ejected!! That was bs and totally incited Prince!!
utmdm writes:
A shove in the back while someone is going down like that deserves more than an intentional foul. That's prime for an injury. The guys have showed a lot of character in fighting thru. Prince is a player, but we still have too much celebrating and not getting bakc on D. Loving that Crews being back.
utmdm writes:
What a turn around!!
dfreeman writes:
To quote tngeoff..... "DANG!!"
bobo_the_vol writes:
Wow. Just .. wow.
THAT'S a National Title Contender.
daddyaxe writes:
What a great victory....Watch out Memphis ...We are coming soon
VolBall writes:
Valentine absolutely SUCKS as a ref! He is such a spotlight hunter. We killed Florida tonight despite the embarrassing officiating.
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
and VolBall...you are absolutely right.
scott92699#212441 writes:
Yee Haw!Way to turn it up guys.Beating those Gators by 22,that had to be one of the most impressive 3:30 minutes I've seen in along time.Maybe the vols will do the same tomorrow on NSD...I know, wishful thinking.GO VOLS!!!!!!
VolBall writes:
Lofton is simply tremendous. He is beaming with confidence in light of his performance over the last 5 games and it spells trouble for the rest of the league. What a player!!! What a team!!!
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