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Strange: Not a lot of points, but a big week
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A Tennessee men's basketball fan might be a bit conflicted at the end of this momentous week (OK, nine days) in program history.
On one hand, the Vols beat No. 1 Memphis on the road and moved atop the polls for the first time ever.
Following up with a close loss at Vanderbilt was not unforeseen. Finally, UT clinched a share of the SEC Eastern Division title Sunday with a 63-60 win over Kentucky.
But folks might have come away from Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday wondering if they should be concerned that the Vols' high-flying offense isn't flying so high these days.
There are three primary hallmarks of the Bruce Pearl era. There's winning, first and foremost. Then there's playing hard for 40 minutes.
And there's points coming fast and furious.
Until this week, that is. The Vols scored 66 at Memphis, 69 at Vanderbilt and 63 against Kentucky.
The only other time Pearl-era Vols were held under 70 points for three consecutive games was last season when Chris Lofton was out nursing a sprained ankle.
Cause for concern on the threshold of March Madness?
Pearl was asked that question Sunday and his answer was defiant.
"We love to play in the 80s, we love to play in the 90s,'' he said. "But we'll beat you in the 60s, too.
"We'll beat you your way. We'll beat you our way. You decide.''
Kentucky wasn't the first team to decide on the 60s. LSU even decided on the 40s a few weeks ago. The Vols won that one, 47-45.
They've won 26 times in 29 tries this year. No past UT team can top those numbers.
So you have to hand it to this team for its versatility.
"Win in the 80s or the 60s, it's very hard to do that,'' said sophomore Wayne Chism. "A lot of teams can't do it.''
Without question, the Vols would be more comfortable in the 80s. And while their resolve to win a slower-paced game is admirable, what does it say of their inability to force their will and tempo on more patient opponents?
"We tried to speed 'em up,'' Pearl said of the Wildcats. "We tried to turn 'em over. We tried to wear 'em down.''
Kentucky's ultra-deliberate game plan is a likely blueprint for how teams will play the Vols in the coming SEC and NCAA tournaments.
Even before that, Tennessee has to try to clinch an SEC outright regular-season title at Florida on Wednesday and then at home against a patient South Carolina.
"South Carolina's a lot like Kentucky,'' Pearl said. "They've got some ball-control guards. We've got to play better.''
It will, however, be difficult for another opponent to match Kentucky's efficiency Sunday for milking the shot clock and then making clutch baskets.
As a result, UT attempted a season-low 46 shots. Precious few of them came from beyond the 3-point line.
The Vols managed only three 3-point baskets - a low for this year or last - and none of them came in the second half.
Lofton tried only two 3-pointers, making one. JaJuan Smith was 1-of-4 deep. Chism made his only trey.
Kentucky backed its defense in, shadowed Lofton everywhere and dared anyone else to make a trey.
"We've got a lot of guys right now not confident from the perimeter,'' Pearl said.
Lofton, in fact, attempted only five shots overall, the fewest since December of his freshman year.
As the Vols try to regain their offensive swagger, late-season fatigue is an adversary. Especially after a grind of intense games, quality opponents and unprecedented national hype.
"I'm so sore and tired right now,'' said Lofton. "It's been a long week.''
But, bottom line, a week (OK, nine days) that produced two big victories, regardless of who dictated what tempo.
"It is not easy to win a championship,'' said Pearl. "And it's not always pretty.''
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com.
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Posted by rabidvolfan on March 2, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess Ray Mears would say "There's no such thing as an ugly win over Kentucky". There were many aggrevating moments but we did make the plays in the final 4 minutes to win the game. That's what championship teams do. Teams have taken us from our comfort zone lately and we are still winning. We may have not won if Patterson wasn't hurt. That's another mark of championship teams, luck tends to go their way quite often. You have to congratulate KY for turning it around. I think Pearl is going to have fits with Gillespe every time he faces him.
Posted by bmaples on March 2, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pearl::Gillispie as Mears::Rupp.
<g>
Bruce in Louisville
Posted by tenndave on March 2, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I like Pearl's defiance but the truth is we are looking like a tired ball team. No movement, tenative shooting etc. Am I the only one seeing this concern. We can play with anybody in the country but right now we look like we are gasping for air.
Posted by newtonrail on March 3, 2008 at 12:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was at the game, and came home at watched the recording of CBS's broadcast. I believe certain team members get frustrated easily, more than being tired. They had been off 5 days, depending on how you count it. Ramar and JP need to play more under control, and then Jajuan at the end of the game with a behind the back pass that sailed out of bounds, ---please don't do that again. Howell has lost confidence in his shot, as has Ramar, and Tabb just needs to pass it. Steven Pearl and Ryan Childress had perfect games, cheer leading. Of course, I noticed at home CBS only showed Ky's bench jumping up and down. One final word. Somebody tell me how 6 Ky fans got in the middle of the Rocky Top Rowdies?
Posted by eb502us on March 3, 2008 at 6:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
KY had a good gameplan. Play tight on Chris and Jujuan and pack in the defense when Ramar and JP are on the court. This is the recipe for beating us. For all the talent Ramar and JP supposedly have, you can count on one hand the combined shots these guys have hit beyond 4 feet this year. It's truely sad when two of our guards who get major minutes don't know what a jump shot is. The only reason their "lack of game" hasn't hurt us as much is because of all the talent around them. Yes, they have helped us win some games this year, but BP desperately needs to sign a guard who can shoot because going to war next year with Ramar and JP as our two primary guards(without Chris and Jujuan) is going to be a nightmare.
Posted by FLVol on March 3, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
eb502us...a good take but I think you are forgetting about Cameron Tatum. He's an excellent player who can shoot it from all over the court. I think if Bruce had to do it all over again, he would not have redshirted him. The kid can play and score.
Posted by pdhuff on March 3, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Somewhat surprised to see BP even mention SC with the Gators up next. Oh well, beat them both.
Dang, I did it too. Congrats, Vol on a tough win.
Posted by GreeneVol on March 3, 2008 at 10:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tennessee fans: before we get too 'woe is us' with it all, consider the pressure right now -
A. trying to win an SEC reg season banner outright;
B. playing THE ABSOLUTELY TOUGHEST stretch on our schedule (at Memphis, at Vandy, Kentucky at home, at Florida) - at the end of the regular season when teams like Kentucky and Florida are playing for both SEC (Kentucky at least) and NCAA bids;
C. playing in one of - if not the - toughest conferences in the country;
D. having the added pressure of wearing the #1 team in the nation bullseye.
tenndave I here ya...how can you not worry about fatigue at this time of year - it has been the downfall in the past with Bruce's teams here - BUT - what team isn't experiencing fatigue right now? Plus, we're deeper than in the past.
When things are put into proper perspective, you will realize that UT has won 2 of 3 games in this vital stretch and that a win at Gainesville Wed will take a huge amount of pressure off this team as it heads down the home stretch. Then there will be a week off before SEC tournament play for taking a collective breath. Stay postive Vol fans - oh by the way, we just beat rival Kentucky - why not say 'yay'?
Posted by asleep on March 3, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I still say that winning in the 60's when you have to is the mark of a great team. Out of our comfort zone and winning anyway. If Foster hadn't had a career night on Tuesday, we would have won that one too. I don't think we're tired physically as much as mentally. The pressure of Number 1 and our first SEC title since 1967, especially with BP making that our primary goal of the regular season, are taking their toll. We'll be OK-just need to keep grinding it out.
Go Vols!!!
Posted by woodwr on March 3, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are you all beginning to wonder about the Orange blazer?
Posted by murrayvol on March 3, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It would've been nice to find 4 more points in Nashville but I'll take 2 out of three against that lineup.
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