Adams: Pearl sounds good, don't quit your day job : govolsxtra.com

Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl had a simple explanation for his role as color commentator for MYVLT2's telecast of the Tennessee-Arkansas women's basketball game Thursday night.

"I'm usually at the (Lady Vols') games, so I might as well be working," Pearl said with a smile before the game at Thompson-Boling Arena.

As you probably remember, Pearl has worked women's games before. He shed his shirt and painted himself orange for last season's UT-Duke game at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Pearl adopted a more conventional look for his television work - a peach-colored sports coat and no paint. But there was nothing subdued about his commentary.

Three minutes into the game, he delivered his first Dick Vitale impersonation: "You better get a T.O., baby," he said at Vitale volume.

By then, it was obvious that Arkansas coach Tom Collen needed more than a timeout. The second-ranked Lady Vols raced to an 18-0 lead, as freshman sharpshooter Angie Bjorklund scored 11 points in the first four minutes.

"That's not a good sign for Arkansas," Pearl said after Bjorklund hit her first 3-pointer.

The scoring barrage that followed proved him right. The Lady Vols were on their way to a 98-55 victory.

Pearl also was right in his pregame analysis.

"I look for Tennessee to go inside early and often," he said.

On UT's first possession, it quickly worked the ball inside to All-American Candace Parker, who responded with a left-handed layup.

Pearl didn't have to be right to win over his audience. He only had to be himself, which he was with the exception of the Vitale impersonation.

Lady Vols fans might have been surprised with his knowledge of the Lady Vols. Of course, he has a great source - his friend, coach Pat Summitt.

"He knows our team," Summitt said. "We talk basketball all the time. I think it's great. A lot of people have so much respect for Bruce and what he's done for Tennessee basketball."

Bob Kesling, who did the play-by-play alongside Pearl, asked the Lady Vols coach what she anticipated from Pearl as a color analyst.

"I hope you get to talk," Summitt told Kesling. "You think you will get to say anything?"

Kesling didn't have to worry about dead air. Moreover, Pearl demonstrated his usual enthusiasm, which never seems to ebb - regardless of the occasion. And he couldn't always resist showing his colors.

"I've got to stop saying 'we,' Bob," Pearl said midway through the second half. "That's not very professional."

It was professional enough for his local audience, which would have been taken aback if Pearl hadn't interjected an occasional "we." After all, they don't love him for his objectivity.

He's not just an outstanding coach. He's a great pitch man for UT. You saw that in his earlier television work.

Pearl worked on-air with CBS during its coverage of the NCAA tournament the last two years.

"That was more about credibility for Tennessee basketball," Pearl said.

Pearl admitted being a little nervous before his live appearances on CBS, especially after he was reminded the telecasts were "going all over the world."

There were no jitters Thursday.

"I was working with Bob, who is such a pro," Pearl said. "And here in the confines of the arena. I think they (UT fans) would have been pretty forgiving if I had messed up."

They didn't have to worry about that.

"He did really well for his first time," Kesling said. "He's a natural. I think he's serious about wanting to do this for a living one day."

But Pearl is more concerned about his day job right now. And his day wasn't done after the telecast.

"I've still got a lot of Georgia tape to watch," he said.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.