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Work on power moves at Pratt pays off bigtime
Chism, Crews handle Arkansas size inside
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There are 12 baskets in the Pratt Pavilion, Tennessee’s sparkling new basketball practice facility. The Vols used every one of them the past few days to get better in the paint.
It paid off Wednesday night, as Tennessee’s big men delivered in a big way in a 93-71 SEC victory over Arkansas at Thompson-Boling Arena.
“We used all 12 baskets,’’ said UT coach Bruce Pearl, “and that’s all we did for 20 minutes, power moves.’’
Wayne Chism’s 15 points combined with a Duke Crews double-double — 11 points, 11 rebounds — to give the Vols plenty of presence around the basket against the physically imposing Razorbacks.
Chism was 4-of-7 overall, 3-of-4 on close-in shots. Crews was 4-of-5 from the field.
“Coach said we had to do a lot of power moves, and that’s what I did,’’ said Chism. “And they went in.’’
The Vols also rallied late to win the battle of the boards, 38-36, for the sixth consecutive game — against an Arkansas team that ranked No. 2 in the SEC in rebounding margin.
“Duke and Wayne and Tyler (Smith) and Brian (Williams), those guys have manned up a little bit,’’ said Pearl.
“They have to for us to beat the best teams on our schedule.’’
Crews’ double-double was the fourth of his career and first this season. It came in his sixth game since returning from a precautionary month’s layoff following a heart test.
“He’s back,’’ said Chism. “That’s Duke Crews.’’
Crews hopes he stays back. He appreciates that Tennessee can’t be one-dimensional.
“It’s a team effort,’’ he said. “Guys like JaJuan (Smith) and Chris (Lofton), as well as Tyler, they’re filling up a stat sheet. We’ve got to do our end.
“Rebounding was one of the things we had struggled with at times so we had to step it up.’’
The 11 rebounds tied Crews’ career high.
“I’m not calling ‘em out,’’ said Pearl. “I’m challenging them. They know what my expectations are.’’
Hopes Dashed: Arkansas coach John Pelphrey was relieved to be down only 43-38 at the half. The Vols, however, outscored the Razorbacks 11-1 to start the second half.
“I was surprised to only be down five points at halftime,’’ said Pelphrey, “and got optimistic.
“But certainly, Tennessee played better in the second half. … They just made some plays there and kind of just widened it out.
“They are good. There is a reason why they’re 22-2.’’
Line Up: One game after going 4-of-15 at the free-throw line at LSU, Tennessee hit 27 of 37 attempts for 73 percent.
The Vols hit their first 11 attempts and finished the half at 14-of-17. They started the second half with a streak of six before missing.
Chism, 44.9 percent on the year, was 6-of-7.
“I’m very happy for myself,’’ he said.
Childress Chilled: Ryan Childress didn’t dress because of the flu-like symptoms that have been sweeping through East Tennessee.
Pearl said Crews has shown some indications of being the next victim but played through it.
JaJuan Smith and Jordan Howell played sick at LSU last Saturday.
UT Notes: J.P. Prince was scoreless for the first time in his 15 games as a Vol. … Josh Tabb had a tip-in, his first field goal since the South Carolina game on Jan. 12. … UT is 5-0 against the Western Division with only a home game against Auburn remaining. … The Vols lead the Arkansas series 13-11. It’s their fewest games against any SEC opponent.
Arkansas Notes: Arkansas, which came into the game with 120 blocked shots, added only two against the Vols. … The Razorbacks were riding a four-game winning streak.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by anthony on February 14, 2008 at 2:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Pearl strikes again!!!
Posted by Madkels on February 14, 2008 at 4:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It was good to see the inside game and free throw shooting improve. We are going to need those in a big way at Memphis. Great game and GO BIG ORANGE!
Posted by pdhuff on February 14, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Beat Jawga. Bad, if possible.
Posted by CatScratchFever on February 14, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Certainly Pearl has recognized how important it is for tennessee to have an inside presence if they are to make a deep run in March. Continued free throw practice would be important too, IMO.
Posted by juicetke on February 14, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's wierd that a coach would be able to improve a team during the year with good coaching and practice. I guess I believed the football defensive coaches when they said they needed to stay the course and keep doing what they have always done.
Posted by THE_VOL on February 14, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NINE DAYS TIL WE GO TO THE CESSPOOL!!! THE PAPER TIGERS HAD ANOTHER IMPRESSIVE OUTING AGAINST A CUSA SUPERPOWER LAST NITE BUT I'M SURE THEY WERE JUST LOOKING AHEAD. RIGHT!!! STAY OUT OF TROUBLE TIGGA'S, MAKE ALL YOUR COURT DATES, STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR PROBATION FOLKS, BE SURE TO MAKE PAYROLL THIS WEEK, AND PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SWEEP THE FLOOR OF THAT PRISON BEFORE WE GET THERE!!!
Posted by cjraney on February 14, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THE_VOL-
Classy remarks man.
Posted by bigbluevol on February 14, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Interesting that taking 20 minutes to work on something makes Pearl a genius, but Fulmer taking 15 minutes to work on tackling is idiocy. Liking Pearl does not mean you have to hate Fulmer; they're not mutually exclusive.
Posted by shelby_volunteer on February 14, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THE_VOL-,
Your comments are really myopic. There are thousands of Tennessee alumni, including yours truly, who live in what you refer to as a cesspool. Your type of remark serves to perpetuate a cycle that is one I'd rather not continue. The Tigers are good but the Vols can win this game. Go Big Orange and let's show some class.
Posted by 55Vol on February 14, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bigblue....what the experts on this site never knew or have forgotten is that both coaches only have so much practice time allowed by the NCAA each week. Taking 20 minutes, 15 minutes, etc. from the normal practice routine and away from game prep, even if it is what seems to be a small amount of time is something that has to be managed by both coaches. Know-it-all numbnuts will never grasp that concept or reality so most of us ignore the source and move on.
Posted by mparker on February 14, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
okay, this is my stupid comment. why wouldn't you work on post moves every day, with every player??
seems like in college you would, plus the switch rotation of pick and rolls. We are still fudding those up pretty badly.
Now, don't get all pissed, I'm not criticizing Bruce. I've never played college bball. I'm sure they do a lot of prep for the other team, and a ll that. I watch a lot of bball, and it really does seem like people take post play for granted.
Posted by 98reax on February 14, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job, shelby. If our team behaved the way some posters do, we'd be out of luck in the NCAA
Posted by Hacksaw57 on February 14, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anybody know the status of Tyler Smith?
I noticed that he somewhat grabbed his hamstring during a play and was hobbling around after that, even though he did re-enter the game at the end.
Posted by johnlg00 on February 14, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I only listened to the game on the internet, but as the free-throws kept falling in the first half, I wondered who was wearing the Vol uniforms! Especially when Bob and Bert kept referring to the strong post moves Crews and Chism were making! I also got the impression that we were, for once at least, benefiting from some "home cooking" from the refs. Even Bob and Bert kept saying, "Well, looks like we caught a break on that one." It seems that Pratt Pavilion is already paying off in a big way. There is really no substitute for repetitious individual work to improve post moves and free throws. If we can keep everyone healthy, motivated, and improving, there is no limit to what this team can accomplish this year!
Posted by DwightShrute on February 14, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anybody else think that John Pelphrey looks like Clay Aiken?
Posted by juicetke on February 14, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't recall addressing practice time, just coaching style. Playing college football myself, I am well aware of what goes into practice at this level.
...and I'm the nunmbnuts. Ha Ha Ha.
Posted by txvolsfan on February 14, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the_vol, unless you live in Germantown or Collierville it is a cesspool, I lived there for 3 years and glad to be gone!!!!
TXVOLSFAN
GO VOLS
Posted by bigbluevol on February 14, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Unless you're attending UT's football practices, how can you comment on coaching style?
Posted by 55Vol on February 14, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
juicetke... maybe you didn't...but go back in the archives and see how posters made fun of the 15 minutes spent on tackling. What's the difference between that and the 20 minutes Bruce spent on inside moves? Both insinuations are baseless.
Posted by TurboFan on February 14, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's my two cents, which after devaluation of the dollar is worth slightly more than a 100 pesos.
BBall players can and do practice on their own (read Dane Bradshaw's book) after practice with the coaches concludes. Easy to do just grab a fellow student athlete, a basket ball and find a hoop. Try to do that in football. Availability of players, pads and helmets, and fields lighted at night are constraints.
Posted by chrisw2967 on February 14, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
55_Vol: maybe you didn't...but go back in the archives and see how posters made fun of the 15 minutes spent on tackling. What's the difference between that and the 20 minutes Bruce spent on inside moves? Both insinuations are baseless.
The difference between Pearls 20 minutes working on post moves and Fulmers 15 minutes working on tackling ,in Pearls 20 minutes he actually got done what he wanted to get done and it worked. The players buy into Pearl and thats the difference between a great coach (Pearl) and a good coach(Fulmer).
Posted by bigbluevol on February 14, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually, from that 15 minutes on, tackling noticably improved. I think players buy into Fulmer; if they didn't the Alabama loss would have been the first of many.
Posted by GerryOP on February 14, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Interesting concept. Ahead by 5 at the half, win by 22! Is that due to aggressive halftime adjustments to the offense or failure to properly execute the "prevent" offense?
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