Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl wishes JaJuan Smith hadn't tried that showboat play that backfired Tuesday night at Alabama.
Now Pearl wishes everyone else would get over it and move on to a visit to Mississippi State on Saturday night.
"It's interesting,'' Pearl said Thursday, "if he's got to make 125 plays in the course of a game, offensively, defensively, transition, passing, shooting, whatever, that's one play ... It happened. Turn the page, let's move on to the next play.''
The seventh-ranked Vols (18-2, 5-1 SEC) won at Alabama, 93-86, only their second win in the past 19 trips to Coleman Coliseum.
They're on the road again Saturday at Mississippi State (14-6, 5-1). Tipoff is 7 p.m. EST on FSN.
At Alabama, UT led 19-12 in the first half when Smith, instead of dunking or shooting a layup in transition, tried to bounce the ball off the backboard for teammate Tyler Smith to dunk.
An Alabama player intercepted the carom and triggered a fast break the other way that ended up with the Tide sinking a 3-point basket to close the gap to 19-15, a five-point swing.
"We definitely want to take better care of the basketball than that,'' Pearl said.
"Even if we complete the play, it wasn't the right time and place. Time and score is a factor at all times.''
Smith took responsibility after the game for his mistake and admitted he avoided looking toward the bench at the time.
Pearl said he didn't yell or take Smith out of the game because the play "spoke for itself.''
Judging from talk radio the past 48 hours, a number of UT fans would have had a stronger reaction than Pearl did.
"I had to say very little to JaJuan,'' Pearl said. "He understood.
"At the same time, if I climbed on him does he make five threes? Does he close out the game?''
Smith actually made four 3-point shots, three of them in clutch situations in the final five minutes. He also had five steals and five rebounds to go with his 22 points.
"Last year,'' Pearl said, "I said JaJuan was our most valuable player, and that's on a team with Chris Lofton as our most outstanding player and Dane Bradshaw is captain of the all-glue team.
"JaJuan fills a stat sheet. He oftentimes gets the opponents' best guard, he's a tough kid, he's a competitor and he certainly fits in with what we try to do defensively with his aggressive play.''
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Comments » 83
dfreeman writes:
I have no problem with JaJuan! I certainly think Coach Pearl needs no advice on how to discipline his own players!! I agree take a deep breath, hold your tongue, and move on!!
shane6#638715 writes:
I agree... We won, move on. And the only one who rates to second guess Coach Pearl's reaction or lack of reaction is Coach Pat.
creepykev#228270 writes:
I see him tear into his players on the bench, but he never calls them out in the press. What a coach!
tigervol9802 writes:
No problem with that play per se. He more than made up for it down the stretch.
The only issue I have with it is that it is another example of guys not thinking on the court. I just don't want to see this team not achieve what they are capable of because of bondheades moves. What has been lost in this is Chism taking another ill-advised three at the end of the game. They both come from the same underlying issue to me - lack of a head on their shoulders at times.
I'm all for up-tempo and semi-reckless ball. I love the press and the go get em attitude. It works and it is different from what nearly every other team is used to. But, you can do that and still use a little restraint and sense on the offensive end.
seviervol72 writes:
Jajuan is always the goat if he makes a mistake. We have plenty of other plays where guys make mistakes that could potentially cost us the game but for some reason when its jajuan it becomes a huge deal. Way more positive things happen when he is on the floor than negatives.What about all his steals, deflections that lead to steals by other guys and all of the flat out hustle plays where he puts it on the line for his teammates, coaches and fans. Maybe because he walked on everyone looks for the reason why he wasn't a big time recruit. I personally glad he wears the orange and white because he wears it with pride.
Hunter writes:
After the play, Bruce had the look you have when your wife tells you she just put $2000 on the credit card. You're so mad you can't move or speak, but you know if you blow up it only makes the situation worse.......BP is truly a b-ball genius.
Not that my wife has ever done such a thing, by the way.
VolPowers writes:
Win a championship first, and then you can do all the Globetrotters phooey you want. I love Coach BP, but that's a perspective that I think his players must have before all others.
eaglentn2002#343016 writes:
Get off of JuJuan. This phooey all statrted with Mr. Self-Righteous Mickey Dearstone. It was one stinking play. We won the game. Geez 4 yrs. ago we'd been happy to see a steal. Hey Mickey I hope Pat doesn't make any sudden stops because you'll be about shoulder deep then!
CoverOrange writes:
Jujuan made a similar last year against South Carolina. He learned his lesson then and didn't do it the rest of the season. Just needed to relearn that lesson.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Just beat MSU. It was no different in results than any other missed 15-footer. Pound the Maroons.
scvol12 writes:
This whole thing is ridiculous. Let's move on. He made one bad play. Sometimes UT fans (I am a big one) are just never satisfied. We have a great team and a great coach and for the first time in my 30 years it is fun to watch men's basketball. Perhaps some fans want to bring Kevin ONeill back. I also agree that Mickey Dearstone started this; I heard him on the radio. No wonder ESPN thinks we are nuts
ORANGEASIAN writes:
Hey maybe we can have a backward cap, earring wearing, all sleeves on night in honor of Mikki.
Volalumnus writes:
Wow..I didn't even worry about this play when it happened.
This team has more problem with when a shot goes up having someone,...anyone... block out.
Even if we don't get the rebound at least don't let 3-4 of their players all have their turn tiping the ball under the basket without one of ours even getting a finger on the ball.
txvolsfan writes:
I'll take that play in Jan. but not in March.
This is a high bball IQ team because of Coach Pearl and I agree with him. If you pile on JuJuan at that point you may lose him for the rest of the game. He might be afraid to shoot those 3 balls and we lose. This team plays hard and lose and with this style you will have some plays that are not text book!!!
On the positive side, I'm glad it was a play to get his teammate a highlight dunk. It is worse to me if it were a 360 degree slam that he misses trying to be selfish.
This team has no ego, they love to share the wealth and get their teammates the rock!!!!
GO VOLS
GO JUJUAN
GO COACH PEARL
LETS BEAT THEM BULLDOGS IN STARKSVILLE!!!
TXVOLSFAN
jemcrynlds#266342 writes:
tigervol9802 on January 31, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. wrote:
>The only issue I have with it is that it is >another example of guys not thinking on the >court. I just don't want to see this team not >achieve what they are capable of because of >bondheades moves. What has been lost in this is >Chism taking another ill-advised three at the >end of the game. They both come from the same >underlying issue to me - lack of a head on their >shoulders at times.
Tigervol9802, if you don't want to see the occasional boneheaded play, then I'd say your best bet is to follow teams like UCLA, Georgetown or Wisconsin.
Pearl's style of play is to allow players tremendous freedom to make on the fly decisions on the court, and he knows that the occasional poor decision just goes along with the intensity and freedom that he gives his players. While I know Pearl would prefer our guys to always make well-thought out, solid moves, our pressing, fast-paced game is at times not conducive to such decisions.
I also think Pearl is well aware that we're going to win a lot more than lose with his style, occasional bonehead play and all. And I'm willing to bet neither he nor our players are going to change:
Pearl: at UT: 64-21, 75.3% won; overall: 381-105, 78.4% won
IntheBlimpalot writes:
I hope tries it again and makes it. Hell, I hope he tries a 360 windmill off the backboard rim stuffer
knoxtenor writes:
YOU PEOPLE ON JUJUAN'S CASE, GET OVER IT!!! From all the hoopla, you'd think he'd shot Bruce Pearl or something! Look, these guys are talented players, but they are human; they're still, for the most part, kids. And kids, in learning the ins and outs of life, make mistakes. But they learn from them and move on. If JuJuan had pulled off that play, I serious doubt you'd all be talking about how dangerous it was for him to be showboating, you'd be pushing ESPN to make it the play of the week.
What that play DID remind me of was the teams of old, circa 10 BP--Before Pearl--where we had five high school all-stars/NBA-wannabe-all-stars looking to make that highlight reel and NOT looking for a win. Bruce has the same, if not better, talent today, and yet these guys are playing like a cohesive team, intent on one thing, winning the next game and, ultimately, a shot at a trophy and a ring. Within the very definition of team is the concept that if you aren't playing your best ball or just making a stupid move, there are four other guys watching your back and taking up the slack. If a guy has to throw away a ball occasionally for that to happen, then so be it.
VolAlexander writes:
Look at this jackass...
fortandrews writes:
Pearl can take this position now - what would he be saying if the Vols had lost - by 2 or 5 points.
There is NO place for a "showboat" when you are in the top 10 and every point counts down the streach
CoverOrange writes:
Hey Zander, check out the RPIs today, Tiger High is NUMERO DOS!!! How did you let that happen? Oh, wait, you have nothing more to do with Memphis BB than we do with UTBB.
http://kenpom.com/rpi.php
DoWhatNow writes:
All in favor of renaming Memphis the Tunica Speedbump, say aye...
Tennisajoke writes:
Funny bro, that was the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Without the football stadium, Knoxville is the worst place on earth. If I had to live in Knoxville with all those hicks, i'd just stay inside all day. I hope Jajuan Smith tries that hotdog phooey in Memphis...Joey Dorsey will eat him for lunch....how is ole Minor Losegate doing? Another Tennessee thug....
Tennisajoke writes:
RPI is done by a computer who cannot watch the games like a human can. The polls are made up of humans who see the teams play and last time I checked, they ranked MEMPHIS not Rocky Flop as #1. "Rocky Flop you'll always be, second in Tennessee." Here is a happy thought to leave you with...... 21-17 ring a bell guys? 1996 Peyton Manning...ORANGE CRUSHED!
rabidvol1998 writes:
Do it at home, not on the road. The layup would have quited the crowd on the road. The successful dunk would have created a frenzy at home.
Bruce gets on them about defense and rebounding, let's them be a bit loose on offense. Can't argue, plus it probably creates recruiting opps.
As long as we don't get punks, I think it's fun and fine.
dirtdobber1 writes:
If your upset about Jujuan hot dog play, keep this in mind if you have one...
18-2 record
#1 rpi
Now shut the F-Bomb up about it!
VolBall writes:
Coach Pearl understands that playing well, especially on the road, requires CONFIDENCE and looseness and aggressiveness. JaJuan exudes all those qualities. You can't play scared, you have to have that chip on your shoulders. Had the pass off the boards resulted in a rim rocking slam by Tyler, the message to Alabama would have been.."get you some of that". The play didn't work, but it still sent a message to Alabama players that we're here to beat you and beat you badly. JaJuan completed his message with some incredibly, CONFIDENT, clutch shooting in the end.
AlpharettaVol writes:
All of these negative posts are really a compliment to this year's Vols. We have now progressed to such a point that the bar has been raised to a level none of us would have even dreamed about three years ago. We now demand perfection. I know that when I watch a game I now groan about things that would not have bothered me in the old days. Keep it up, boys, we complain because we love you and want you to excel on every play.
fundamentals83 writes:
Hey Zandra,
It's not Feb 23 yet what are you doing back? Couldn't keep your word I guess. (like a man) Did you bring your "friend" with you like you promised? Perhaps she can actually add to the conversation.
cazfree58#268189 writes:
This on-going blubba about JaJuan definitley started with Mickey Dearstone and Heather Haarington on Wednesday morning. I was so mad and I tried to call in on my way to work but couldn't get through. Yesterday morning I tried to get on again and got through but they wouldn't take my call on the subject. One caller actually had the nerve to call JaJuan a 'Zero, instead of a Hero'. MAN!! I was ticked! So on the way home from work they are still talking about it...but this time it's the sensible, more knowledgable guys...John Wilkinson and Chip Kane, who are not negative towards the UT Men's team like the morning crew is. When the caller said JuJuan was a 'Zero', Jeff or Heather should have contradicted him, but they didn't. They chuckled and didn't say a word. That made me even madder. So when I got on the talk show in the afternoon I was happy to be talking to John and Chip and to hear that Bruce had made the statements about JaJuan in this article. It's what I would expect from our coach and I would expect that our monring show hosts could start being more positive and supportive of the men's team. I don't think it's too much to ask. JaJuan (and I know him personally) is a good kid and the leader of this team and a dynamic player. He has baled us out many times. He was the player that in the last timeout at Xavier, pumped the other players up and they got it done. I'd say the same thing happened at Alabama. The UT fans that called in and said anything negative about him should be ashamed of themselves...as should our Sports Animal morning hosts...Mickey, Heather and Jeff!! I hope they read these posts. :)
GO VOLS!! Beat up on Miss State and let's move on to Florida!
CoverOrange writes:
Posted by zander61
Posted on January 30 at 10:57 p.m.
"O.K., fundamentals83, TouchdownTN, I'm tired of proving you guys wrong on this board. It's a full time job. Who has the #1 RPI ranking? Look again:
http://realtimerpi.com/ncaab/Men.html
The index is a composite of won/loss record and strength of schedule. The index is the sole determining equation to determine the ranking. See Memphis' index, 168.36? See Memphis' RPI rank? It's #1. Read it and weep fellas. Cya on Feb. 23rd. I'm outta here and will return then. Ciao :)"
Don't try talking out of both sides of your mouth unless your running for office.
Memphisajoke, humans can't watch all the games and humans aren't objective. The game in April will decide the championship of Tennessee.
dfreeman writes:
Zander - "You're right dfreeman, what Coach Pearl needs advice on is how to coach."
First I expect that comment from a Memphis fan. You obviously had someone else read my post to you, and they read as well as you do! I said he needed NO help coaching!!
"Have a wonderful day and kudos to kogicgail :)"
Who is kogicgail?? I hope you weren't suggesting that I was this guy? I have better things to do with my time than go to some second rate board that talks about P#$$%ies all day!! Oh and for the Texas and Kentucky comments... they are Texas and Kentucky, not.......
Houston 4-1 15-4
UAB 4-1 14-6
Tulane 4-2 14-6
UTEP 4-2 13-6
UCF 4-2 11-9
Marshall 3-3 11-8
Southern Miss 2-4 10-10
East Carolina 1-4 7-11
Southern Methodist 1-4 7-11
Tulsa 1-5 9-9
Rice 0-6
Concerned_Mother_Focker writes:
shut up dorks, knoxville is a great city Tennis, you dumbace. And sphs, watch your tongue before i webslap you harlem style...SLAP!!!
dfreeman writes:
Oh yeah, your kitties are 7-11 agains the MIGHTY VOLS!!!
pupvol writes:
dirtdobber1:jerry greens team had a similar record one year!
Concerned_Mother_Focker writes:
getting webslapped hurts...SLAP!!!
fjm777 writes:
dfreeman ,
That was NOT the RPI - look again!
http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_Men.html
fjm777 writes:
sorry i meant WD40plusVol,
That was NOT the RPI - look again!
http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_Men.html
fjm777 writes:
sorry i meant WD40plusVol,
That was NOT the RPI - look again!
http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_Men.html
jemcrynlds#266342 writes:
Dearstone is the as$hat of all as$hats. Do you think maybe Pearl knows a bit more about coaching than as$hat Dearstone and all the coach wannabes on this board and elsewhere who spout nothing but nonsense?
Bruce Pearl at UT: 64-21, 75.3% won; overall: 381-105, 78.4% won
DoWhatNow writes:
It will be great to watch UT smoke Calipari...IF I DON'T FIND HIM FIRST!
Signed,
John Chaney
Orangeblood13 writes:
I guess thats why we play it on the court. You know they do play in a real tuff conference guys, I mean Conf USA is a madhouse. When they did have to oppurtunity to come play in a real conf, they weasled out, so we'll see in a couple weeks. Tiger Tamer Lofton has plenty for you guys in Blue, so we will see on the court.
fundamentals83 writes:
Bring your friend next time... Zandra
Hunter writes:
Zander, yahoosports shows the schedule as teams are CURRENTLY ranked, not where they ranked when you played them.
You know, Vol fans, I never saw Kentucky or Memphis fans on this board until we started whipping their tails with regularity. Must have 'em scared....
Tennisajoke writes:
ARIZONA WAS RANKED WHEN WE PLAYED THEM. PEOPLE IN KNOXVILLE ARE RETARTED
Tennisajoke writes:
YEAH THE #1 TEAM IN THE NATION IS SO SCARED....OF THE TEAM WHO LOST TO KENTUCKY AND TEXAS BY 20...THE BEST WIN TENNESSEE HAS IS XAVIER HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Tennisajoke writes:
HAHA ORANGEBLOOD...LEARN HOW TO SPELL "TOUGH", NOT TUFF...HAHA YOU GUYS AVE NO BRAINS...ALL THAT ORANGE SCREWS YOUR BRAIN UP
DoWhatNow writes:
The previous posts have been brought to you by the letter "D" and the syllable "oosh"...
Orangefever writes:
"all that orange screws your brain up"? Get off the computer and get a life dumbass
FatherVol writes:
Zander posted:
"O.K., fundamentals83, TouchdownTN, I'm tired of proving you guys wrong on this board. It's a full time job. Who has the #1 RPI ranking? Look again:
http://realtimerpi.com/ncaab/Men.html
The index is a composite of won/loss record and strength of schedule. The index is the sole determining equation to determine the ranking. See Memphis' index, 168.36? See Memphis' RPI rank? It's #1. Read it and weep fellas. Cya on Feb. 23rd. I'm outta here and will return then.
------------------
This IS NOT the RPI, Zander. This is a "power ranking."
Yes. Memphis has the #1 Non-Conference RPI, but the Vols' Non-Conference RPS is #2. Overall, Tennessee's RPI is #1.
And, there is no way Memphis can win a state title because they don't play Vandy becasue they are typically afraid of SEC teams.
We'll see out is plays out in three weeks.
tigervol9802 writes:
jemcry -
Wow, how about you at least quote my whole post instead of parts?
Sorry if I don't like Chism taking 3's after the final TV timeout.
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