Video
Scottie Hopson, incoming freshman at the University of Tennessee, signs autographs for fans at the opener of the Rocky Top League. Games are at Bearden High School every Monday and Wednesday starting at 6:00 p.m. with the last game at 9:00 p.m. now through July 2nd. Watch »
Dave Hooker Audio
- Dave Hooker interviews Scotty Hopson about his Knoxville debut as a Vol
- Dave Hooker interviews Ron Slay about the debut of the Rocky Top League 2008
- Dave Hooker interviews Daniel West about his performance in the Rocky Top League on Monday
- Dave Hooker interviews Brian Williams about playing with Bobby Maze and Scotty Hopson following the team’s first win
- Dave Hooker interviews Tyler Smith about enjoying the fruits of his return to UT instead of pursuing an NFL career
Scotty Hopson's expression never changed.
Not on any of his high-flying dunks, killer crossover dribbles or no-look passes Monday night.
The incoming Tennessee freshman lived up to the hype on the opening night of the Pilot Rocky Top League before a packed-in crowd at Bearden High School.
Scary thing was, Hopson made it all look so easy in leading his team, Ray's ESG, to a 140-115 victory over Richardson Construction.
"I've still got some things to work on,'' said Hopson, who appeared to barely break a sweat despite the gym's 90-degree temperature. "I'm just trying to get in the flow.''
UT's incoming junior college All-American point guard Bobby Maze will be there to make it happen.
"Scotty is a tremendous player,'' said Maze, who showed great quickness and ball-handling skills. "I can make him so much better, and I'm going to make sure he's on the right track.''
Hopson finished with 25 points on 11-of-20 shooting while Maze scored 14, going 6-of-13 from the field with nine assists.
Hopson said he sees great things happening between him and Maze - both in the PRTL and the upcoming Tennessee season.
"Bobby has great court awareness, and he's a great passer,'' Hopson said. "And, like me, he's hungry. It's something to look forward to, because we both like the same kind of basketball.''
Hopson just smiled when asked about his cool demeanor.
"You haven't seen the other side of me yet,'' he said. "I'll get crazy and hyped, maybe in the next Rocky Top League game.''
Predictably, Hopson was mobbed by fans after the game.
"I'm glad they are happy that I'm here,'' Hopson said. "I'm happy to see them, too.''
Incoming freshman point guard Daniel West, who along with freshman post Phillip Jurick played earlier, said Hopson is as good a person as he is a basketball player.
"Scotty is like my brother; we've bonded,'' said West, who dished out six assists and showed strong fundamentals and defensive intensity. "Playing ball with him is fun. He's a creator.''
Jurick, meanwhile, is an intimidator.
The 6-foot-11 East Ridge High product scored two points on 1-of-2 shooting, but he had five rebounds and blocked six shots - three in the first three minutes before opponents figured out driving at him wasn't such a good idea.
"It's great to get a chance to play with the better players,'' Jurick said. "But early fouls hurt me, and I couldn't get in the flow of the game.''
The HT Group scored a 123-76 victory over the News-Sentinel as a result of that.
Tyler Smith, who scored 32 for the HT Group, said he's impressed with all the Vols' newcomers.
"Daniel is hard-nosed and tough; he'll get a lot of loose balls and he's a point guard first,'' said Smith, West's teammate on the HT Group team. "Bobby is a great addition; he's great in the open court. And Scotty, he's just a great player. Only a few can come from high school and be ready to play at this level physically and mentally.
"His game is there, it's just a matter of maturity now, and I know he'll be fine.''
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Comments » 47
Michael1204 writes:
I have a great feeling about all these kids coming in this year!
VOLnNASH writes:
Fun to read about and nice that there's so much interest. But can't take too much stock where a team scores 140 in a game...But a good change in the Knoxville sports landscape for sure!
MrBamSeydu writes:
Niiice, props to the site for getting this info out so quick.
My only concern with Hopson is that he may get big-headed, but we'll have to wait and see.
dfreeman writes:
nafslov - are you kidding? Please tell me you are kidding! If not tell me what ethnic group you think he attacked! All he said was it kept them from getting out of shape and getting into trouble. You think that's racist?
FishTacos writes:
nafslov.
I believe TDTN was referring to the earlier Dane Bradshaw article. Where Dane said he would rather be in Knoxville playing basketball than at home in Memphis eating his momma's cooking and sitting on the couch. Pretty good article you should read it.
newtonrail writes:
Don't like TD's rabble rousing in FB, but there was nothing wrong with this post. I assume reference is to momma, which I've heard in many races and cultures.
mun4life#454315 writes:
my goodness. i call my mother momma and we're asians. about the getting in trouble part, everyone gets in trouble.
TooLegit2Quit writes:
Man I can't wait for next season, I agree to the poster that said this team looks special....
TooLegit2Quit writes:
Man I can't wait for next season, I agree to the poster that said this team looks special....
mun4life#454315 writes:
right on daddyvol. theres a lot of good people and a few rotten ones. tks for the speech
WestTennVol writes:
Just wait till Pearl REALLY gets these new players into shape and fits them into his offense. His 'controlled chaos' is gonna be something special with these kind of athletes lead by Tyler Smith's maturity.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Somebody post a box score if you can find it please.
MidTennVol writes:
Thinking out loud, depending on how these new guys work to earn their way into the rotation, we may be solidly two deep at each position. Pearl could conceivably floor a 10-man rotation, maybe even 11.
West and Maze at the 1. Hopson, Tabb, Tatum at the 2. Prince, Tatum, Woolridge at the 3. Tyler, Chism at the 4. Williams and Jurick at the 5.
Jajuan and Chris will surely be missed. I think we're going to miss Jajuan's defense more than Chris's shooting.
BillVol writes:
Can we get rid of the PA announcer for the RTL? That guy is completely obnoxious.
b_neas writes:
You forgot Childress on your list of players that will rotate, I think he gets as much PT as Tabb. As far as Maze goes if anyone can make him keep his head on straight it is the players and coaches surrounding him. I do not see this as a problem. This team is looking to have talent and the hunger to make a serious final 4 push. That is IF (and thats a big IF) they can get that chemistry, that all Pearl teams seem to have had so far, and play together as a team.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
daddyvol;
I think Maxe looks at it like he's THE leader. If he can back it up, then it will work. A lot of UT guys (wayne, tyler, brian, josh) seem to be very laid back. From a distance, Juanie was the leader last season.
There can be a couple of problems:
-the team does not respect/accept Maze' leading them
-when Maze is not playing, the intensity falls off.
Anyway, I'll give the kid a chance. He may be the 'real deal' in that he runs the team and gets the ball to the right player and breaks down d's.
vol4jesus writes:
Childress knee injury...so the jury is out on him. I see him as a spot player at best giving starters a rest. No doubt a hard worker, but will he be able to play at all due to injury? Daddyvaul sit in the corner for your potty mouth and don't come out til the poster boys give permission. Read comment rules,ie. (obscene/abusive)Have a nice day and don't come out yet......
TommyJack writes:
Kingsport 7:11: I'm the same way after a 12pack.
GerryOP writes:
I heard that Bruce Pearl is walking around K'town with the biggest grin on his face that anyone has ever seen! Betcha' he can't wait until the season starts and he can start working with these kids!
volsack writes:
I heard Tyler is going to get alot more time out at the wing this year, since that's what he'll be doing in the NBA.
UT_LAW_2011 writes:
A Point Guard is by definition a leader. In the NBA your leader is your best player, but in college it is your point guard. The teams that have the best runs in the Tournament are the teams that have great guard play. It was characteristic of the Final Four teams this year, and seemingly every year.
Point Guard's are by definition a bit bossy and Bobby Maze is going to be the starting Point Guard this year barring injury, a gross misrepresentation of his talents by his JUCO coaches, or Daniel West being outstanding.
With that understanding, I don't think Maze exhibiting some leadership is a bad thing. The ultimate leader of this team and program is Coach Pearl. He has already said that this is Tyler's Team.
That's good for a number of reasons. I have no doubt that Tyler will play harder than any of his opponents this year and that's what you want a team leader to exhibit. When your top player is your hardest worker, everything else falls into place.
Scotty played brilliantly, and we expect that. But this is still Tyler's team. Bobby Maze played well and he and Scotty showed they have chemistry. That's great news. But this is still Tyler's team. As much fun as these games are, they're still just pickup. We know that when the real season starts the guy who can stand and deliver is Tyler. And that's why this is still his team.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
I don't think it is a coincidence that Tyler's team is the only one that didn't get a 100 dropped on them either. Anyone seen a box score? Do they even keep box scores for these games?
gnm53108 writes:
TOUCHDOWN:Agree,getten a work out and some playing time is much more prefererable than gettenin in trouble.College life can be alot of fun but you have to stay focused.There are alot of distractions ou t there.
I need another frosted brewed koolaid.
Be right back.
VenomousVol writes:
Pearl ain't the only one with a big grin. I can't wait for the season to tip off. Gonna be a tough pill for Kentucky to swallow, realising that they are going to be looking up at us for the forseeable future. BP is building a juggernaut and I am loving every minute of it.
gnm53108 writes:
venomous:I'm seeing orange during basketball season and loving it.I use to talk to Kentucty fans before and during football season and all they could and would talk about was bb.I really like this.
redneckerson writes:
billvol, you are right - that announcer has got to go! Terrible ... just terrible. I love watching the games but he may be enough to keep me away.
VenomousVol writes:
I work with a big UK fan. He is still in denial, and I find that hilarious. He said just this morning that one of UK's signees outplayed SH in the KY/IN allstar game where he said, get this.. "They play defense."
gnm53108 writes:
I work with a few myself,Ky fans..Nashville.They are really excited about this year.I just hope we can sweep them this year.This is really looking good.Like I've said last year,the most important returning VOL is PEARL.
UTVols1698 writes:
DenmarkVol you are right on about the depth of this team. When Tennessee runs and presses its going to tire out the teams who dont have that depth and thats why Tennessee closes games as well as they do.
West and Maze at the 1. Hopson, Tabb, Tatum at the 2. Prince, Tatum, Woolridge at the 3. Tyler, Chism at the 4. Williams and Jurick at the 5.
Now just Imagine if we sign Emmanuel Negedu.. The depth on this team will be insane not to mention the athleticism!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
sorry about the typo, Mr. Maze...
MidTennVol writes:
Totally agree, UTVols1968. Our second five could, conceivably, be playing well enough in January to be another SEC team. Our stamina last year with that 9-man rotation was, as I see it, key to many, many wins.
Add to that stamina (which will return and even improve) an upgrade in talent and athleticism and things are looking pretty good for the University of Tennessee basketball program.
Unless of course, we have off-the-court issues...
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Looking at the picture accompanying this article...that could be me IF I were
-young
-black
-handsome
-able to jump more than an inch off the floor
-a future multi-millionaire
but, hey, I'm working on my game. just picture a llly white egg trying to shoot an orange basketball...
UT_LAW_2011 writes:
Anyone who has read my posts before on this Emmanuel Negedu deserves a quick apology: I was wrong. I thought he was going to Memphis. It's good to be wrong.
http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/e...
"Emmanuel Negedu has verbally committed to Tennessee."
"I'm going to the University of Tennessee," Negedu said by phone Tuesday in an exclusive interview with CBSSports.com. "Tennessee was one of the schools I considered before I (signed with) Arizona (last November), and when I visited there I liked the campus and I really got along with the players. It just seemed like a family. I love it. And I feel like I've known the coaches forever."
A 6-foot-7 forward, Negedu is the one-time Arizona signee who asked for a release from his national letter of intent last month, unhappy with the uncertainty surrounding Lute Olson and the Arizona program. When the release was granted the African import immediately became the central recruiting target for multiple elite level programs -- specifically Tennessee, Indiana, Memphis and Georgia Tech, all of which were searching for an impact frontcourt player to add to the 2008-09 roster.
Rivals.com ranks Negedu as the 40th-best prospect in his class while Scout.com has him at No. 71. Either way, he's an extremely athletic, explosive post presence who should immediately help the Vols as he competes for minutes with veterans Wayne Chism and Tyler Smith.
For Bruce Pearl, this is a huge development.
It not only solidifies Tennessee as a preseason top 10 team, but it's an example of Pearl -- aided by assistant Steve Forbes -- beating rival John Calipari and Memphis on a "national" recruit as the two programs continue to compete for supremacy in the state. Negedu's pledge also pushes Tennessee's recruiting class solidly into the top 10 considering he's the fourth Rivals.com top 70 prospect to commit to UT.
The best of the group is McDonald's All-American Scotty Hopson, who will start in the backcourt beside junior college standout Bobby Maze for a team that should win the SEC and could advance to the Final Four.
b_neas writes:
5 years.....IMO in 3 years we have at LEAST one NC.
VOLS85 writes:
NEGEDU TO SIGN WITH VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.sportsline.com/collegebask...
EAT IT MEMPHIS!
b_neas writes:
Ash - get a clue and face reality. No one is going to push Brian Williams around in the paint. And no PF will push Chism around in the paint. Next years team will be more talented than this past years. Still do not understand why you can not support both basketball and football (as do many of us). Do you hate the womens program too because they are successful?
LongtimeVol writes:
Gary Parrish is reporting what VOLS85 just posted. Negedu verbally committed to Tennessee. Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!
Silent_Fulmer writes:
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PEARL IS A GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
b_neas writes:
Like i mentioned before, Pearl's team are easy to like and cheer for. Not because they win but because of the heart, drive, and character his players have. Winning is just an added bonus. Who did not love to watch Lofton, Jujuan Dane, or even now Tyler? There may be quite a few band wagon jumper (and maybe plenty in here posting) but as long as Pearl is there and as long as he holds true to form and instills character, heart, and drive in his players, this fan will never stop the support, win or lose. You can't always win but you can always demand these things from your kids. (uh cough hmm unlike other programs at UT)
thesavageorange writes:
Maze drives into the lane ,kicks out to Hopson, Hopson lobs it to Negedo who flushes it down w/ a 2 hand jam..."MONEY" and the Vols take a 96-79 lead on the Tigers.
LongtimeVol writes:
The message boards in Memphis are crackling. Lot sour grapes about "we don't need him anyway". Nonsense. If it holds up, this is a coup by Bruce. Bruce is da man!
eastknoxfan writes:
billvol, redneck: I completely disagree. I love the announcer. I think he made the night more fun. It wouldn't have been as fun without him.
snowvol writes:
It's only mid-June and I'm already counting the days until basketball season opens. As excited as I was last year, I'm more so for this upcoming season.
And generally, as many on here know, I'm not one to put on the orange-colored glasses. I tend to be much more "wait and see" before falling over myself. This team's make-up though, from a talent perspective and even without Chris Lofton, is downright scary.
Chemistry, chemistry, chemistry...that's the big intangible.
b_neas writes:
Ash - winning 30 games in a season is not "mediocre". Even if they have not made an elite 8 yet, worst case that means we are the 16th best team in america. I can not remember the times when i could say the football team was one of the 16 best team in america. But i am finished comparing the two. If you want to continue on this path of negative posts, fine, but i wont be wasting my time responding.
askUncleMaze writes:
I think my nephew said it right. I agree it is Tyler's team. But he cant do it alone. I think UT starting 5 is one of the best in college basketball. In B-ball you need a good leader. The PG is that position. Im sorry you think my nephew is Cocky but do you really want a PG with no confidence in his game.
rclarkvols#224537 writes:
Take a look at what Chris Paul does for his teammates with New OrLeans. That's what Bobby Maze means by making Hopson better. A good point guard gets his teammates the ball where and when they can do the most damage. Plus he is good enough offensively that he also has to be accounted for, so fewer double teams in the post. Watch and admire and enjoy. Go Vols
kdaff51 writes:
Hey Bobby....
Can you find Chism's head and take it to him? Looks like he could use some help in that area.
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