Tennessee men's coach Bruce Pearl said senior guard Chris Lofton was in a protective walking boot Monday, but is expected to play in Thursday's game in Charlotte, N.C., against Louisville.
Lofton suffered the injury during Sunday's win against Butler that moved the Vols into the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
“Chris tweaked his ankle in the first half,” Pearl said. “He will be evaluated the next couple of days, but we anticipate he will play Thursday.”
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Comments » 59
Volalumnus writes:
Just great.
gohawks1 writes:
That answers a lot of questions. I guess that explains why he looked so sluggish later in the game, and why he wasn't able to get open coming off the screens.
Take it easy on that ankle, Chris. You are needed on the court Thursday night.
3StatesofTN writes:
There is your answer TommyJack from the previous article's chain of posts. I was wrong with my "terminally fatigued" assessment. I desperately hope that it isn't serious for your Vols.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
That settles it. We will beat Louisville and advance to the next round. No way we lose now, guaranteed.
gohawks1 writes:
I'll post one on tngeoff's behalf:
DANG!
VolCane7979 writes:
AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Caspian writes:
It's a ruse. Trickonology. Pearl, you magnificent b@st@rd!
AllVol writes:
He'll be fine. It's time to step up and show what we're made of. I believe we will.
VOLS85 writes:
He better not be pulling a tom brady, because it didn't work out so well for tommy boy...
anthony writes:
Louisville's licking their chops on this one. Named after King Louis , i suppose. You guys want to beat Pitino. Do these things, don't make fun of people,places and things, and think beat the big red!!! And get your licks in now, because after basketball season we will be off the air till the fall.
peerlessvolfan writes:
Feel better, Chris, we're pullin' for you!
VolJunkie writes:
It will take more than a "tweaked ankle" to keep CLo out of this game.
Go VOLS!!!
FWBVol writes:
Louisville is one of the schools in Kentucky that blew Lofton off, you'd better believe he'll be ready...and with fire in his eyes.
alfrizzle097 writes:
Tweaked ankle may not keep him out of the game, but it can keep him off his. Just a thought...
murrayvol writes:
May God have mercy on us if we can't give them a better game than Arkansas, General.
VolCane7979 writes:
Lofton will pull it together. He'll hit Pitino over the head with a chair and our boys will get the cover:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0PdK8...
hmhawk writes:
This sux!!!
murrayvol writes:
The Carolina team we've seen in the first 2 rounds barely resembles the imminently beatable one that showed up for the ACC Tourney. We'll know more after they play WSU and the UL/Tennessee winner.
EDis4UT writes:
Look for Louisville to play zone [2/3]. That will force us to shoot outside shots. Chris needs to wrap up the ankle tightly with a ACE bandage and rub some dirt on it and have the game of his UT career. Also, we are going to have to get T Smith more involved than we did against Butler. JP, at point...I'll say to JP just look for assists and don't throw 80 mph bounce passes. Don't shoot the ball unless you have a open layup/dunk. Or you will be riding the pine!
Can anybody tell me how well UT played on offence against a zone defence this season?
utchris writes:
Coming from a trainer (me) -
He will be fine. If they used the term tweaked (assuming they are not lying to cover up a much serious problem. chances are they are not though bc you would have noticed during the game) then we are talking a little extra tape or maybe a brace. It is very common to put these injuries in a boot for a day or two to give them a little extra support and allow it to recover faster by taking some of the weight of it.
Kwitcherbellyachin writes:
With Tyler playing his "point forward" position in the middle of the 2-3, we'll be fine. His passing skills and his ability to go to the basket will make him invaluable.
As for the walking boot, I concur with utchris2003... he will be fine. It's not unusual to be in a walking boot after tweaking an ankle.
And as for CBP, it's pretty obvious that he's deliberately obfuscating things to play mind games with Pitino. Lofton or no Lofton? Prince, Ramar or Howell at point? Pressure or half court? Who knows what CBP is going to pull out of his hat.
No matter what, it sure is fun being part of the Sweet Sixteen for two years in a row. Unprecedented for this perennial doormat of a basketball program.
hmhawk writes:
Kwitcher-I sure pray you know that of which you speak.Ruses have always burnt me in my life.
Kwitcherbellyachin writes:
And if CBP isn't doing so deliberately, well, it's fun to think that he MIGHT be. Heh.
stevefrommemphis writes:
Attention: VOL FANS HEADED TO CHARLOTTE WITHOUT TICKETS... Last week when I attended the Saturday session of the ACC Tournament, the Charlotte Arena scanned the bar code, but did not tear, tickets. Fans told me that on Friday night after the first game, fans leaving the first game were reselling or giving away already scanned tickets on the street for the second Friday night game. Those tickets were not honored, because they had already been scanned. Since Tennessee is playing the second game Thursday night, the same situation may surface for UT fans. Be careful!
seaplane#216536 writes:
What time is the game Thursday?
HotlantaVol writes:
Game time - 9:57pm
seaplane#216536 writes:
Thanks Hotlanta. Looks like the old man will have to take a nap Thurs. afternoon to make it thru that late game.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
stevefrommemphis:
people who pull that phooey (almost alwasys men) ought to be chemically castratedd to eliminate their genes from the gene pool.
man, that stuff ticks me off.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
back to BBall;
My thinking is Wash State is 'sneaking up' on UNC. Arky got intimidated, just as they did at UT this year.
Wash State won't be intimidated, however, I do look for the officials to be biased against them. It will be 5 v 8, I'm aftaid.
As for UT v UL...you know, everyone built Butler up to be supermen, and the fact is we played badly enough to let them back in the game. Butler is a good team, so they didn't quit, knowing we'd go lame for parts of the game.
With that, everyone has been building up UL as well, and pretty much saying UT is toast. Here is what I'm thinking:
-we all know pressing teams don't like to be pressed; this applies to both teams
-at times, we will have 5 ballhandlers, as you have to give Wayen and Tyler some credit for being able to dribble
-UL will zone, and challenge to us to shoot 3's accurately; they know we CAN'T beat them with the 3
So.....I look for us to pound it in to Tyler, and to NOT overuse Chris and Jajuan. I think CBP keeps a tight leash on the game. IF we get a run, he will 'cap it' quickly, and go back to half-court sets so as to wear out UL be making them play D for 30 seconds at a time (and knowing that most of our runs end badly, with quick 3's).
Volunteerfan writes:
It seems Lofton plays his best and he sure shoots his best when he is playing schools from the state of Kentucky. It seems that he is ticked at those schools...I wonder why? Oh Well to bad for them. I bet he will be fine for the game and he will be shooting lights' out!! The common theme from this game will be "Lofton for three" and in the immortal words of the great John Ward "Bottom"
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Your usual astute analysis, mparker, but I might quibble with one of your points. I think we CAN beat them shooting the three. I would not be shocked if we made 15 against them unless they are really active in their zone. We just can't shoot the three as our FIRST option. Some keys to beating zones are 1) patience--probe with the pass and the dribble, make them move in and out and side to side; 2) inside play--try to get Tyler the ball at the foul line with Wayne lurking on the base line; 3) pass out for threes when the zone collapses; and 4) strike quickly in the open court when possible to score before the zone gets set. My only fear is that we won't have to patience to execute such a strategy. Unfortunately, we haven't distinguished ourselves, IMHO, for our basketball IQ. I still like our chances. GO VOLS!!! PLUCK THE BIRDS!!! ON TO SAN ANTONIO!!!
VolJunkie writes:
mparker, johnlg00,
nice posts ... john, I agree with your comment questioning if this team has the patience to execute a half-court set. Our basketball IQ has definitely been suspect, I don't know that it improves regardless of who runs the point. That said, IMO, CBP has always come up with a solid game plan, I anticipate a potential trip to the Elite 8 will help focus the team to execute that game plan.
Go VOLS!!!
10ACVOL writes:
Another key to beating zones is passing among your bigs. If Chism and Tyler can make clean passes to each other down low from one side of the paint to the other, we'll beat the help of the zone.
Oh yeah, how about that Brian Williams boys?!
volntx writes:
Tennessee will shoot them out of the 2-3 zone.
We need eveyone to contribute,including Howell.
volusherG writes:
Louisville has beaten their last two opponents handily and seem very confident that they will carry on that streak.
We have played our last two games very close. Too close for me and I'm sure, ALL the Vol fans.
I'm hoping that we end our "slump" so to speak and have a breakout game!
Louisville is due a bad game. Let's give it to them!
GO VOLS ! ! !
volusherG writes:
IF! And I mean IF!. . . CBP decides to leave the University of Tennessee . . .
I nominate johnlg00 ! as a candidate for our next coach !
injunvol writes:
ever been beat up with a louisville slugger - get ready -its painful
IBleedOrange444 writes:
We are shooting over 50% from the floor for our last several games. We will be able to score against the zone in the 1/2 court and get buckets in transition. I hope they stay in that zone all game. It will help us win the battle on the boards and we'll attack the zone in the middle with Tyler and by shooting 3's just like we did to Ohio State in the 2nd half this year. My guess is Lofton will be fine. You'd have to tear his foot off at the ancle to keep him out of this game! Hopefully he can get Burt Bertlekamp to shout "money" about 6 or 7 times on Thursday. JaJuan is due to light it up too, so I'm thinking we'll get a big game out of one of them and just enough from everybody else to get the win. As always, defense and rebounding will be the keys.
GO BIG ORANGE!!! Survive and advance!!
Volchaz writes:
I'm really shocked how tight the refs have called this tourney so far, very tight for the first 37 minutes, and then swallow the whistle for the last 3. UL is more physical, i hope they let us play our game, and pray Jujuan and Chris bring their jumper with them.
injunvol writes:
champions must have the 3 d`s - DISIPLINE - DEFENSE - DESIRE - hurts to say this - this team has none
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Thanks for the vote of confidence, kimzy, if you meant it(;-))! However, I am too old, too lazy, don't like to recruit, and lack CBP's scintillating personality. If I had spent as much time on golf as I have on basketball all my life, I would be making a much better living than I am now(;-P)!
BTW, I think our relatively close games are an advantage for us. After Louisville's experience in the tourney so far, the Vols' intensity will be an eye-opener for them. GO VOLS!!! PLUCK THE BIRDS!!! ON TO ANTONIO!!!
volssam writes:
About Louisville and UNC winning easily the first 2 tourney games:
I think Louisville shot something like 59% agains the Sooners, surely that mess will not continue against us.... and against Boise State, the CARDS were shooting lights out from three, at least in the 1st half and they didn't really blow Boise away; most of the game stayed around the 15 point margin...and we're much better than Boise. AND people seem to think we're beat or we're going to have a tough time beating L'Ville -- and I'm scared too but we know we're the underdogs and are once again being disrespected after going 29-4 playing the toughest schedule...we'll be ready
ALSO I think ESPN said UNC shot something like 68% or something against Arkansas; that's just ridiculous and statistically impossible to keep up
Let's beat the RedBirds and go take it to the Heels and show the nation powder blue looks best on babies.........GO VOLS!!!
Orangeblood13 writes:
Hopefully he will be fine, didn't need it right now though. Can't figure out how he tweeked his ankle standing around so much....MOVE! lol
johnlg00#206211 writes:
The team has NONE of those, injunvol? How the HECK did they win 31 games against the nation's toughest schedule, then? Surely you don't think our talent is so much better than everyone else's! They have had, at most, a few lapses in those areas, but those have also been the REASONS we have won many of those games!
Volchaz, Michael Wilbon on ESPN's PTI show said yesterday that the officiating in college basketball this season has been "pathetic". He especially mentioned how UCLA has seemed to carry their own refs with them the last month of the season. For myself, I prefer not to allege conspiracy when mere incompetence is a sufficient explanation, usually revealed by inconsistency. Some inside players, e.g., Roy Hibbert and Brian Williams, can't breathe without getting fouls called on them. Others, e.g., Kevin Love and Tyler Hansbrough, can do anything they like without getting fouls called on them. On one hand, refs fall for the most phony "flops" in calling charges, while on the other they allow the latter two I mentioned to put the shoulder into defenders at will. The only thing the players can do is to keep their emotions in check, no matter what stupid calls are made. Incompetent refs hate to be shown up more than they hate being wrong! Some of our guys--Wayne and JaJuan come to mind--sometimes seem a little too testy when calls don't go their way. I can't blame them in a way, but they have to be a little more careful in showing their displeasure--that only leads to more bad calls. GO VOLS!!! PLUCK THE BIRDS!!! ON TO SAN ANTONIO!!!
schymtz writes:
mparker- I liked your earlier post, especially what you said about everyone building up Butler and now UofL and fearing UT is toast. The Vols are very capable of winning this game. Pitino and his team are sure no pushovers, but the Vols wouldn't be playing them at this point if the Vols were pushovers. FOCUS and play ball! This is a game. This is fun! I don't believe Louisville was just so delighted to have Tennessee in the east bracket and who knows which team North Carolina would rather face. UNC doesn't determine who they have to play, Uof L and UT will decide that. It's nice to hear fans risking what Tennessee intends to do to Louisville rather than dreading what Louisville will try to do to UT. "Never, never ever take the counsel of your fears or they will consume you." That is exactly what happened to Arkansas. Coach Pearl will have a winning game plan and the team will execute that plan. GO VOLS! Beat 'em! Beat 'em! BEAT 'EM!
thesavageorange writes:
Anyone seen overatedvols around?He told everyone to make sure they came on yesterday so he could rub it in our face after getting whipped by Butler.I love it when these goofs come on here and say, don't go into hiding when such and such happens, and then don't show up themselves when it doesn't.
We really need CL to get hot this week.If Chris would have commited early, he may have never wore the orange.
Rick Pitino:
"Everybody thought we didn't recruit him," Pitino said. "We recruited him hard. We wanted him to commit as a junior. He wanted to wait a little bit longer, and he chose the right school for him. It was a great school for him, because he's the all-time leading 3-point shooter. He made a great decision to go to Tennessee, and we lost out on a very good basketball player. There was nothing wrong with that. His parents were big U of L fans and we had great respect for him. We loved Chris Lofton as a basketball player in high school."
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
we handled the zone exceptionally well in the 2nd half at Alabama. We fed Tyler in the middle of the zone and he made decisions. If Alabama collapsed on him, he hit C-Lo and JaJuan for open 3s (which they made consistently) and when the wings stayed at home, Tyler went one on one to the basket. We torched Alabama in the 2nd half with this.
Take this same game plan to Louisville! Make them get out of that zone and then let Ramar, JP and Tyler drive the ball at their bigs and get them in foul trouble.
Look for Ramar to play a lot more point against the press.
Go Vols!!!!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Posted by injunvol on March 25, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
champions must have the 3 d`s - DISIPLINE - DEFENSE - DESIRE - hurts to say this - this team has none
Come on man!! You don't get to 31 wins and the Sweet 16 without ALL OF THEM!!!! Quit dogging the team. What have you ever done in your life to rival what they've done this year? We are in the midst of the best season in school history and all you can think of is some non-existant negative poop. The glass is way more than 1/2 full. Quit being such a pessimistic chump and try to show some support; it'll go a lot further than the critisism.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
rbhobbs73-
Everything you just said was dead on. Well put!
GO VOLS!! Make History... again!!
THE_VOL writes:
First off - there is NOTHING wrong with Lofton. Just a little soreness.
Second - for marcy the expert - it's PADGETT not Pagent. Way to know the opponent!
Third - I can't believe the comments on this site the last two weeks about Howell. The guy obviously hasn't shot the ball well but he's still a Vol. Funny how so many here want to defend everything orange from every outsider that posts, yet will turn around and bury one of their own.
Finally - it will be VERY interesting to see how many of you bandwagon jumpers disappear if this team gets a loss before April 7. I'm sure you'll have somebody to blame too. But it WILL be an improvement here without you!
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