Exit two-time college All-American Chris Lofton.
Enter everybody's high school All-American, Scotty Hopson.
It was a day of comings and goings at Tennessee on Monday, with one of the top basketball recruits in the nation visiting the Knoxville campus the same day Lofton was packing up to leave for a 3-point shootout in San Antonio.
Lofton, who will compete in the college all-star shooting event on Thursday at the Final Four, was named third-team All-America by the Associated Press.
Lofton finished his career with the Vols as the SEC's all-time leading 3-point shooter. His 431 treys rank third in NCAA history.
Lofton, along with fellow seniors JaJuan Smith and Jordan Howell, led the Vols to a school-record 31 wins this season and the program's first outright SEC title in 41 years. The trio's 90 wins also were the highest by any class of Tennessee seniors.
"Chris has been one of the hardest workers in college basketball throughout his career,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "I can't imagine what it's going to be like coaching a Tennessee team without him.''
It might not be as bad as some fear if the Vols come out on top in the fierce recruiting battle taking place for Hopson's services.
Hopson, from Hopkinsville, has established himself as the best shooter in the state of Kentucky, just as Lofton did at Mason County.
But Hopson's 6-foot-5 frame and immense athleticism give him the potential to achieve even more in Pearl's system, which has led the SEC in scoring each of the past three years.
Hopson has been named a McDonald's All-American and is the No. 9-ranked player in the nation according to Rivals.com.
Hopson would likely step into Lofton's shoes at the starting shooting guard position on a UT team that's expected to contend for another SEC title en route to a fourth straight NCAA tournament appearance.
Hopson also is considering Mississippi State, Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati.
Pearl said Monday that sophomore forward Tyler Smith, who was named honorable mention All-America, will continue to consider his options for the future.
Smith is widely projected as a late first- to early second-round pick in upcoming NBA draft.
"Tyler wants to come back to Tennessee because he loves his teammates and the way the fans have embraced him,'' Pearl said. "But if he's projected to go in the first 16 picks, I won't let him come back. The financial incentives are such in the first half of the first round that he would need to do what would be in his family's best interests.''
A source close to the situation said he felt it was "50-50'' that Smith would stay for his junior year with plans of improving his game and becoming an NBA lottery pick in the 2009 draft.
The field: Lofton will have plenty of competition in the 3-point shootout, which will take place during ESPN programming 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday.
The other contestants are Drew Neitzel (Michigan State), A.J. Graves (Butler), Shan Foster (Vanderbilt), Derrick Low (Washington State), Jamar Butler (Ohio State), Brian Roberts (Dayton), and Jaycee Carroll (Utah State).
The Associated Press teams:
FIRST TEAM
Michael Beasley, Kansas State, 6-10, 235, freshman, Washington, 26.5 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 53.5 fg pct, 38.9 3-pt fg pct, 1.7 blocks (72 first-place votes, 360 points)
Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina, 6-9, 250, junior, Poplar Bluff, Mo., 23.0 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 54.0 fg pct, 81.7 ft pct (72, 360)
D.J. Augustin, Texas, 6-0, 180, sophomore, New Orleans, 19.8 ppg, 5.7 apg, 37.2 minutes (66, 346)
Kevin Love, UCLA, 6-10, 260, freshman, Lake Oswego, Ore., 17.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 55.7 fg pct (52, 318)
Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis, 6-7, 200, junior, Detroit, 17.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 55.1 fg pct, 44.9 3-pt fg pct (52, 309)
SECOND TEAM
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame, 6-8, 251, sophomore, Schererville, Ind., 20.8 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 51.5 fg pct, 37.5 3-pt fg pct (9, 211)
Shan Foster, Vanderbilt, 6-6, 205, senior, Kenner, La., 20.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 52.6 fg pct, 47.3 3-pt fg pct (7, 159)
D.J. White, Indiana, 6-9, 251, senior, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 17.3 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 60.4 fg pct, 1.7 blocks (2, 146)
Stephen Curry, Davidson, 6-2, 185, sophomore, Charlotte, N.C., 25.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 43.8 3-pt fg pct, 89.8 ft pct, 1.9 steals (4, 117)
Roy Hibbert, Georgetown, 7-2, 278, senior, Adelphi, Md., 13.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 60.1 fg pct, 2.3 blocks (1, 86)
THIRD TEAM
Derrick Rose, Memphis, 6-3, 190, freshman, Chicago, 13.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.5 apg (4, 85)
Chris Lofton, Tennessee, 6-2, 200, senior, Maysville, Ky., 16.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 39.8 3-pt fg pct, 83.5 ft pct (4, 82)
Darren Collison, UCLA, 6-1, 165, junior, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., 15.2 ppg, 3.9 apg, 50.6 3-pt fg pct, 87.4 ft pct, 1.9 steals (2, 80)
Brook Lopez, Stanford, 7-0, 260, sophomore, Fresno, Calif., 19.2 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.2 blocks (1, 73)
Eric Gordon, Indiana, 6-4, 215, freshman, Indianapolis, 21.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.5 apg, 84.5 ft pct (4, 72)
HONORABLE MENTION
Joe Alexander, West Virginia; Josh Alexander, Stephen F. Austin; Ryan Anderson, California; Darrell Arthur, Kansas; Jerryd Bayless, Arizona; Marqus Blakely, Vermont; Jon Brockman, Washington; Chase Budinger, Arizona; Jaycee Carroll, Utah State; Mario Chalmers, Kansas.
Lee Cummard, BYU; Scott Cutley, Cal State-Fullerton; Louis Dale, Cornell; Jeremiah Dominguez, Portland State; Wayne Ellington, North Carolina; Adam Emmenecker, Drake; Al Fisher, Kent State; Gary Forbes, Massachusetts; J.R. Giddens, New Mexico; Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State.
Mike Green, Butler; James Harden, Arizona State; Alex Harris, UC Santa Barbara; Andrew Hayles, Alabama State; Richard Hendrix, Alabama; George Hill, IUPUI; Lester Hudson, Tennessee-Martin; Ty Lawson, North Carolina; Courtney Lee, Western Kentucky; Tony Lee, Robert Morris.
Eric Maynor, Virginia Commonwealth; O.J. Mayo, Southern California; Drew Neitzel, Michigan State; DeMarcus Nelson, Duke; David Padgett, Louisville; Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga; A.J. Price, Connecticut; Arizona Reid, High Point; Tyrese Rice, Boston College; Brandon Rush, Kansas.
Thomas Sanders, Gardner-Webb; Sean Singletary, Virginia; Jamar Smith, Morgan State; Tyler Smith, Tennessee; Greg Sprink, Navy; Jason Thompson, Rider; Sam Young, Pittsburgh.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Tennessee Lady Vols 82, Auburn Tigers 64
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 65
bernardking writes:
Lofton really didn't deserve this selection. This was more about his career than the past season. He gave us a great four years and I am proud he played for the Big Orange. Derrick Rose deserved to be at least a second team selection if in fact, Lofton was third team.
Thanks for all you did for us, Chris, but now it is time for both the Vols, and you, to move on to another era.
Silent_Fulmer writes:
+1 BK. Well stated.
Just look at the company Lofton is in there. That is nice to see him at least make the 3rd team.
brad2235951 writes:
JaJuan and Tyler deserved it more. I agree with you bernard on Lofton getting this award for what he did during his career.
brad2235951 writes:
JaJuan and Tyler deserved it more. I agree with you bernard on Lofton getting this award for what he did during his career.
volunteer4life2 writes:
Why don't we be proud of Chris instead of questioning it? Congrates Chris on a great season and career! And ajs38mh go find another team to trash.
3StatesofTN writes:
No need for negative posts jcvet. He WAS rewarded for a career, and rightly so. Be thankful for this acknowledgement. Lofton was class on and off the court for your Vols and will be remembered as the key ingredient that turned your program around.
Congrats Vol Nation
3StatesofTN writes:
No need for negative posts jcvet. He WAS rewarded for a career, and rightly so. Be thankful for this acknowledgement. Lofton was class on and off the court for your Vols and will be remembered as the key ingredient that turned your program around.
Congrats Vol Nation
Alphafemale writes:
I remember seeing Chris' name all over everything before b-ball started this season. I am sure it was difficult for him to live up to what he had done in the past. He was on a very different team this year.
Congratulations Chris. I hope you won the Low's Senior Class Award. I voted almost every day.
GreerVol22 writes:
jcvet, yo check it, I'm inclined to agree, but it was a career thang dog...
sorry, I have been subjected to too much Am.Idol phooey.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Seems about right. Congrats Chris and wish you well on whatever life throws at you.
murrayvol writes:
Welcome back pdhuff. Guess you've been on sabbatical.
Short memories amongst the faithful. Without Lofton in the two previous years the Vols would've been a middle of the pack team.
Basketball_Jones writes:
What an ass jc is....Congrats Chris on a great career. Good luck in the 3pt competition. Just heard Jajuan was in the off balance ill advised fade away 3 point competition
dirtdobber1 writes:
Good for him...he is a class act and great shooter!
jdcdjc#246285 writes:
I am proud for Chris and Tyler, very deserving.
But I am sorry that JaJuan got left out, don't know who did the voting but JaJuan is very every bit as deserving.
jdcdjc#246285 writes:
I am proud for Chris and Tyler, very deserving.
But I am sorry that JaJuan got left out, don't know who did the voting but JaJuan is very every bit as deserving.
chisigs2 writes:
Hmmmm.... 2 MEMPHIS players... 1st Team and 3rd Team....
GO TIGERS!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
yeah, murrayvol, every once in a while I take 10 days. Our little group, the DLA (D-linemen anonymous) have been making some progress, but skepticism still raises it head.
Offense sells tickets, defense wins games.
Lofton has been a bright star for the Vols. Kudoes to Memphis U. for beating Texas, something I didn't think they could do.
I feel the bball Vols went about as far as expected. Talent finally overcame will. 31 wins = good year. Pearl's energy is astounding.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
"Memphis mental toughtest"? Shouldn't that be toughness? And you are calling Vol fans inbreds? LMAO!!!!!!
VolPride_13 writes:
Yeah, I think that Tyler and Lofton should have switched in their selections!!
invisiblekid writes:
Leave ajs alone vol_in_LSU_land, it took him all season to make that cute little acronym up, must be a member of the pom pom squad.
invisiblekid writes:
On a more important subject, what pdhuff said at 3:43.
murrayvol writes:
Well, I've evaluated the F4 and decided that in spite of their fans, I dislike Memphis less than the other participants. Sure do wish Curry had taken (and made) that last shot vs Kansas.
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
it's Eating at the Memphis fans that they CANNOT beat Tennessee...in anything!
MrBamSeydu writes:
I'm done talking about Chris Lofton for now!! THANKS CHRIS FOR EVERYTHING!!
Now, the REAL point of this article is the FUTURE! Let's all be positive and root on our chances of pulling in S. Hopson so that we can finally get past the Sweet 16. I really feel like if we get him and Tyler comes back, we'll have a better overall team than we had this year. We'll have SIZE on the outside with Hopson and Tatum at the SG positions (with Tabb heavy in the lineup, finally). Losing Jordan Howell doesn't affect anything. Losing Lofton and JaJuan hurts, but I'll take our very first McD's HS All American over keeping them another year.
Thanks Seniors for the Sweet 16, but I'd rather be thanking Hopson for a future Elite 8 / Final 4.
utcomvol (Inactive) writes:
Please come Scotty. We need you for next year and you could start right away.
Also, congrats to Lofton for all your accomplishments and hope the future is good to you. Thanks for all you have done for this program over the past four years.
LiveFaith writes:
**our very first McD's HS All American**
yemmus,
Wasn't the great Dan Federman of this same pedegree?
Hehe, that oughta be some cause for pause.
MrBamSeydu writes:
Unfortunately that one went over my head LiveFaith.
As the Romans used to say, "please explain".
Okay, the Romans never said that... I was just causing more pausing.
Hunter writes:
Just don't tell C-Lo that this is a 3-point shooting TOURNAMENT or he's toast.
Sorry, couldn't resist. Fresh wounds and all....
Here's hoping BP closes the deal with Hopson and Tyler realized he's not near ready!
volssam writes:
On scout.com,
it only has Tennessee and MS State listed as HIGH INTEREST........hopefully this is a good sign....but it also lists his perimeter shot as an area for improvement, but this article says he's the best shooter in KY....what gives? Anyways, I really hope we get him, but I really, REALLY hope Tyler stays....he is so dominant, and if he comes back, he will be THE MAN for us next year instead of just one of our three best...CHISM, TYLER, HOPSON, RAMAR, PRINCE, TATUM, CREWS, TABB, etc.....repeat SEC champs...
TNisPeerless writes:
Vincent Yarbrough Mcdonald's All-American
eb502us#225637 writes:
We need Hopson badly. The thought of having Ramar, JP and Tabb on the perimeter shooting the ball is as scary as they come. Hopson and West would be instant starters and Woolridge would also see significant minutes. Another shooter is a must.
drwfocus writes:
A business associate of mine lives near the Hopson family in Hopkinsville and claims he speaks with them frequently. He said that Scotty hopes Louisville will pursue him harder and if so he would make them the number one choice. He is not really interested in KY because of the Lofton recruiting story. MS State is "interesting" and Cincy is a long shot at best. Others have him on their radar but none of particularly high interest to Scotty at this time. So if Louisville presses hard ?????, if not he will most likely wear Orange.
Oh yeah - and what givim6 said (at 12:52)
richvol writes:
If Pearl is able to repeat as SEC champ next year(even with Scotty Hopson) it would be an amazing feat. Not to say it could not be done but the SEC and NCAA tournaments showed just how important a really quick point guard that scores means to a team. Additionally,we need a dominate big under the basket. If Pearl were to ever have those two components he would beat the phooey out of everybody.
Basketball_Jones writes:
Louisville will be loaded next year. Shoot their 6th man could start at 99% of the schools in the country. I hope this kid comes to UT. I would like to see us get a PG of the Derrick Rose caliber. He was so dominant against Texas, he takes the ball to the hole hard and just rises above everyone.
Hopson would definitly start next year, plus we are forgetting about Camerun Tatum, not sure if he has PG abilities or not but he has a HUGE upside!
amyslins writes:
browns, do you not read the earlier comments? hopson would not be our first maa! as mentioned before, yarborough was a maa. and, let's not get all hyped up about hopson, he would still be a freshman. and, we are COMPLETELY forgetting about the other three recruits that are coming in. dominate inside man in jurick. woolridge being a very solid all around player. and then a true point in west. let's not focus on the things that might happen, but let's think about the things that are happening with those that are committed.
but do not get me wrong, i would love hopson. but, we will just have to wait and see about louisville according to earlier post.
amyslins writes:
my bad browns, i misread your comment. you were right, hopson is not the first maa
jhayes1911 writes:
Yemmusdarb-Charles Hathaway was a McDonald's All-American right along with Tony Harris...I watched the McDonald's game and Hopson is pretty athletic...
dfreeman writes:
Lofton has been Tennessee for the last four years! What a bunch of unappreciative Jacka$$e$ some of you are!! I'll always remember Chris and JaJuan as two of the best to wear Orange and white ever!!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
what a freaking joke the aa team is this year. Everybody rattles about cdr, but Mem is NOTHING without Derrick Rose.
hate Mem if you want, but Rose is an absolute winnner of a player. I'd take him over any pg or sg I've seen. He completely outplayed the Texas guys. What makes him a killer is that, when you need a basket, he gets it done.
volssam writes:
Who else will beat us out for the SEC....IF Tyler comes back and we have consistent PG play and we have some decent outside shooting?????
Vandy -- Foster aka 1/2 of their offense gone. Alex Gordon is gone as well
UF -- they could be pretty good, but it remains to be seen if ol' Billy D's motivational aka beat you down tactics work to make them good
UK -- yes they will have Patterson back and will surely have good recruiting but Bradley and Crawford are gone
ARK -- Weems - gone. Thomas - gone. Townes - gone. Ervin - gone. Hill (aka 7-foot hit about his only shot of the season against us with 6 seconds left) - gone.
LSU -- They'll all be back except for maybe Randolph if he bolts for the Association...but not too worried about them either...
AUB- please.....SC....please.....Ole Miss....please...
UGA -- Gaines gone...aka....please...
So, that leaves 2 teams....and they are the 2 that could give us competition for the crown besides maybe the Gators....but at least they are in the WEST...
BAMA -- If Hendricks comes back, and Steele remains healthy, they will be tough....
MS STATE -- They are losing Rhodes, but they'll still have Jamont Gordon and Varnardo aka set up a perimeter 6 feet around the basket and if you enter said perimeter, you get it swatted back at your grille....AND they MIGHT get Hopson....????/
GO VOLS!!! Repeat SEC Champs....Have Faith Orange Country...Not everything has to look dreary...Don't be negative....
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
good for Chirs, that was indeed a career award.
As for Jajuan, I agree he has a better NBA chance then Chirs, tho I kind of doubt either of them have a great chance. You never know, Dale Ellis and Allan Houston both had really good careers as shooters.
Chris certainly has NBA range, and maybe shooting in a system where he's just a piece of the puzzle rather than 'the guy' might work for him.
As for Jajuan, he's a good athlete, good shooter, and tough. I'm not a smart enough basketball guy to know how good his fundamentals are.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
volssam;
look for UF and GK to both be VERY tough. Ole Miss will be good.
UF lacked good depth this year. UK lost Meeks and Patterson. Don't know Meek's status....but if he is back, and they recruit well again, they will be tough.
Bradley and Crawford were great players, but IMHO they hurt UK by maybe not buying into their new coach early enough. That won't be a problem this year.
As for us?? Well, Brian needs muscle and more weight loss. Duke needs more 'game' on offense, just maybe adding a ittle jumper. JP needs a jumper. Wayne is good, but has to mature in terms of giving fouls.
We wull have really unsettled guard play for a while.
Finally, I disagree with you 'fans' that say we peaked at Memphis. Total nonsense. We did not play that well against Memphis. Burce does a lot with smoke and mirrors and process.
If you look at games we lost, we simply lost to teams that outplayed us. UK--controoled tempo, got to the FT line, hit key shots.
Vandy--Foster, FT's, Foster, FT's. Tex: kicked our butts, all over. Ark: No D either team. Ark got a prayer, but that happens in a 'last possession' game. UL: we stunk, they didn't. UL was a lot like us, except they had Earl Clark. UL then promply went on to lose to UNC, which we would have done as well.
Has nothing to do with 'peaking', has to do with how damned hard everyone else plays; we play hard all season. I say 'we', because in this matter I'm defending the team and how hard they play.
LiveFaith writes:
yemmusdarb,
All I'm saying is that DF was a MickeyDs HS All American too ... I think? That was not a real dominant thing for UT, therefore the "pause" to consider it.
Vincent Yarbrough from Cleveland was too I think? As the 1-2-3 collegiate team All America list comes out, it's pretty clear that coaches can't just bank on awards to build a team. A lot of it is politics, hype, and agnorance.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
We need this kid bad. We have got to get some good shooters into the program this recruiting year or next season will not be as good as this season
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Some random thoughts: Chris's selection WAS a career award, but well-deserved nevertheless--WHAT a career!
Re: JaJuan in the NBA: in a league where a Smush Parker or Rafer Alston could play for several years, JaJuan should get a shot, though he might have to start out as a free agent.
Re: Hopson: Why would he want to go to Miss. St.? No knock on them, but Jamont Gordon is the guy at shooting guard. UT has both the style of game he would excel in, plus a ready-made roster spot. Cincy isn't nearly what they were in Huggins' heyday. He would have to fight for playing time at Louisville. He would fit in at UK if there are no hard feelings from their relatively late start on him. He ought to come here, but I'm not going to slit my wrists if he doesn't. I'm with volssam in that we should right back in the thick of things next year, only I think we will be OK with the guys we already KNOW we have.
Re: Tyler in the NBA: I'm with CBP on this one; the money is just too good for anyone drafted in the first half of the first round, even though he--and WE!--could benefit from another year in college ball.
Re: NCAA: Memphis was awfully impressive in beating Texas, and Rose was out of sight. Curry may be one of the best clutch shooters I have ever seen; he is also a true SCORER who can take it to the hoop and nail free-throws. UNC is, and has been, my choice as NCAA champs; they have all the tools and are playing really well right now.
murrayvol writes:
mparker: Thoughtful post.
Hoping (but not betting) that West will settle the PG problem sooner & not later.
As for playing hard, that's a good thing but it helps to be more talented than who you're playing. We might have one guy (Tyler) who would have started for NC.
Fast forward thru the Final Four and find a serious weakness on any team.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Just in case ya'll needed one more reason why Pearl won't be going to IU...
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;_y...
GreerVol22 writes:
Bleed, thanks for the link. Back to the hood!
splinterdand#602266 writes:
The negative posts against Chris are ridiculous. The lack of a capable point guard hurt him tremendously this year. This team REALLY did miss Dane Bradshaw. Did you negative posters really watch the games?
straightshooter writes:
I don't agree with the negative posts against Chris but thinking more positively toward the future and what a more physical replacment can bring to the team at this key postion. Tennessee needs not only a guy who can knock down the 3 pointer consistently but a slasher one-on-one guy whom can take most guys off the dribble to the basket and have the option to either stop short for an easy jumper, dish off after drawing the double team to an open man, or drive on by and dunk the ball on his defenders. We never had that in Chris as he never had the physical skills to do that. But that is what we need to take the potential of the team to the next level along with more taller big men they are now getting in.
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