Pearl's Vols on verge of milestones

Tennessee is on the verge of making a case to be recognized as the best men's basketball team in the program's history.

UT (16-1) has the No. 1 RPI rating, which takes into account schedule strength as well as won-loss record.

The No. 6 Vols might also match - or surpass - the highest ranking in the program's history (No. 4) when the Associated Press poll comes out today.

Perhaps more impressive, the Vols will establish a mark for the best start in school history if they can pull out a win against Kentucky at Rupp Arena at 9 p.m. Tuesday (TV: ESPN).

UT coach Bruce Pearl prefers to live in the "now" and will wait until the end of the NCAA tournament before he weighs in on the evaluation.

"I will say it was a very good weekend for Tennessee basketball,'' said Pearl, who ran his record to 38-2 in Thompson-Boling Arena with wins over Vanderbilt (80-60) on Thursday and Ohio State (74-69) on Saturday. "The crowds we had were just phenomenal.''

Tuesday night's crowd as Rupp Arena likely will be just as disruptive as the home fans have been helpful, however.

Kentucky, at 7-9 overall and 1-2 in the SEC, is more desperate for a home victory than ever.

The Wildcats have dropped their past two SEC contests, at West Division leader Mississippi State (69-64) and Saturday in overtime at Florida (81-70) after beating Vanderbilt in double overtime to open the conference slate.

"Kentucky has played three really good games,'' Pearl said. "To beat Vandy, and then go on the road and battle Mississippi State, the West leaders, and then at Florida, where they coulda, woulda, shoulda.

"There's no question we'll have to overcome some adversity to win at Kentucky. It's still an honor to play at Rupp Arena.''

The Wildcats handed a Chris Lofton-less UT team a 76-57 setback last season, which along with this year's 19-point loss to Texas ranks as the worst tail-whipping in Pearl's tenure with the Vols.

Lofton scored 31 points in his most recent trip to Rupp Arena in 2006 as the Vols snapped what had been an eight-game losing streak in Lexington.

"I love going back to Lexington, I won a state championship there,'' said Lofton, who hails from Maysville, Ky., "and, I'll be close to home.''

Further Review: Pearl said after watching tape that sophomore J.P. Prince and freshman Brian Williams deserved praise for their efforts.

"J.P. played pretty well in the first half (Saturday), especially offensively,'' Pearl said. "Brian Williams really stepped up big and was productive with Wayne (Chism) in foul trouble.''

Prince, who injured his shoulder against Vanderbilt and missed Friday's practice, scored eight points and had four assists and two steals in 20 minutes.

Williams, with six points and five rebounds in 20 minutes, enjoyed his best performance since his 16-point, 14-rebound explosion against Western Kentucky on Dec. 15.

Team 2000-01: The Vols of 2000-01 also posted a 16-1 start. That team, coached by Jerry Green, also earned a No. 4 Associated Press poll ranking on two occasions that season, matching the highest ranking in school history.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!