Posted by ajs38mh on March 31, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a joke!

Posted by bernardking on March 31, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on March 31, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

+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.

Posted by brad2235951 on March 31, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JaJuan and Tyler deserved it more. I agree with you bernard on Lofton getting this award for what he did during his career.

Posted by brad2235951 on March 31, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JaJuan and Tyler deserved it more. I agree with you bernard on Lofton getting this award for what he did during his career.

Posted by jcvet on March 31, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Guess not showing up for post season play doesn't count.

Posted by volunteer4life2 on March 31, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by 3StatesofTN on March 31, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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

Posted by 3StatesofTN on March 31, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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

Posted by Alphafemale on March 31, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 31, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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 crap.

Posted by pdhuff on March 31, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Seems about right. Congrats Chris and wish you well on whatever life throws at you.

Posted by murrayvol on March 31, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by Basketball_Jones on March 31, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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

Posted by chkrbrd on March 31, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Am I nuts in thinking JuJuan has a better chance of making an NBA roster than CLo? JuJuan must be the most underrated Vol ever.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on March 31, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good for him...he is a class act and great shooter!

Posted by jdcdjc on March 31, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by jdcdjc on March 31, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by chisigs2 on March 31, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hmmmm.... 2 MEMPHIS players... 1st Team and 3rd Team....

GO TIGERS!

Posted by ajs38mh on March 31, 2008 at 6 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by pdhuff on March 31, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on March 31, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Memphis mental toughtest"? Shouldn't that be toughness? And you are calling Vol fans inbreds? LMAO!!!!!!

Posted by VolPride_13 on March 31, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, I think that Tyler and Lofton should have switched in their selections!!

Posted by invisiblekid on March 31, 2008 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by invisiblekid on March 31, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

On a more important subject, what pdhuff said at 3:43.

Posted by Plasticman on March 31, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Chris Lofton had a better year last season because we counted on him more. THis season we had numerous weapons and I think Lofton plays better when he knows he is "the man". Maybe it was the Sports Illustrated jinx (on the cover pre-season and then again on the NCAA TOurney issue ) Interesting how both slumps started right after he was on the cover!
Without Chris our program would not have been turned around so fast, he carried us his Soph. and Jr. years. He'll always be one of my favorite all-time VOls. Congrats CHris on a well-deserved honor!!

Posted by murrayvol on March 31, 2008 at 10:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by pearlific on March 31, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

it's Eating at the Memphis fans that they CANNOT beat Tennessee...in anything!

Posted by yemmusdarb on March 31, 2008 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by utcomvol on March 31, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by LiveFaith on April 1, 2008 at 12:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

**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.

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 1, 2008 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by Hunter on April 1, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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!

Posted by givim6 on April 1, 2008 at 12:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You goobers who are now downing Lofton ever think about the possibility that parents of potential recruits research local info outlets?

I wouldn't want my son in a city that turns on these kids the moment they make a mistake, leave, or graduate.

You morons are why ESPN etc. think we not deserving of any respect.

Posted by volssam on April 1, 2008 at 1:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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...

Posted by TNisPeerless on April 1, 2008 at 2:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Vincent Yarbrough Mcdonald's All-American

Posted by eb502us on April 1, 2008 at 6:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by drwfocus on April 1, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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)

Posted by richvol on April 1, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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 crap out of everybody.

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 1, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

peerless is right hopson would not be our first maa but maybe the first one that actually lives up to potential.

Posted by Basketball_Jones on April 1, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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!

Posted by amyslins on April 1, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by amyslins on April 1, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

my bad browns, i misread your comment. you were right, hopson is not the first maa

Posted by jhayes1911 on April 1, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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...

Posted by dfreeman on April 1, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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!!

Posted by mparker on April 1, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by volssam on April 1, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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....

Posted by mparker on April 1, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by mparker on April 1, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 1, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jajuan is a primo defender and thats what will get him in the nba

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 1, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

louisville does not factor in they are already loaded at sg and hopson will not recieve playing time there and miss st i believe is not in the running because of stansburry i believe he will choose playing time and up tempo style ball and thst leaves tenn and louisville and as i stated he will not have much playing time there.

Posted by LiveFaith on April 1, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by bigorangedude on April 1, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 1, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

agreed parker i as well don't believe in the shot the wad or we peaked to early theory we just didn't show up against louisville as texas didn't show up against memphis we were and still are a good team lofton and jajaun will be missed but the team will still go on and win games and lose games but our recruiting is getting better and we will compete in coolege bb

Posted by johnlg00 on April 1, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by murrayvol on April 1, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 1, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just in case ya'll needed one more reason why Pearl won't be going to IU...

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;_y...

Posted by GreerVol22 on April 1, 2008 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bleed, thanks for the link. Back to the hood!

Posted by splinterdand on April 1, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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?

Posted by General_Watermelon on April 1, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stephen Curry is #2nd team? He looked like Jordan in the tourney.

Posted by straightshooter on April 1, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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.

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 1, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

taylor king is leaving duke looking to transfer he is 6-6 sg maybe he's intrested.going to try and find out more about him.

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 1, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

rivals.com has him 6-7 215 sf but with a shooters touch

Posted by tuckepk on April 1, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't post here often, but this time I just couldn't help it. I agree with dfreeman about Lofton et al. He, Jujaun Smith, Tyler Smith (so far for just a year) and Dane Bradshaw (gone for a year now), gave everything you could ask to the UT bball program. Bet your boss would be proud of you if you gave as much effort and contributed on your job as much as any of these guys! These guys are not the 5 star, McD All Americans that some other programs have. So, though not a god as some have opined, Pearl must be a pretty good coach. No, the team did not play as well the last few regular season games and thru the tournaments as a lot of folks would have liked, but look what they accomplished--versus 3,4,5,6 years ago. Some of us have memeories that are too short. Anybody that can't be happy with this program over the last 3 years needs to take a few deep breaths--or get a life.

Posted by mparker on April 1, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

volssam, shoudd you read this...I didn't mean to tack on the part about vol fans and us peaking too soon on my post...had nothing to do with your post, so my 'preemptive' apology.

Posted by mparker on April 1, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

murrayvol:
as much as I think highly of Derrick Rose, I don't think that much of the Memphis big men. Who knows, maybe they'll change my mind, but most games they haven't. They only beat miss state becasuse the refs allowed Mem's posts to drive their shoulders into Varnado's chest.

Kansaas and UCLA both had very close calls as wsll.

The only team to kick butt every game is UNC. We'd most likely have gotten killed, unless we had one of those 'magical' games where Chris and Jajuan where hitting lights out.

So, I'm thinking UNC unless they choke.

Posted by mparker on April 1, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tyler Smith;
as much as I like the guy, I just don't think he's ready for the NBA. To be btural, I don't think he starts for UNC. He might start for Memphis, but it's a tossup for UCLA or Kanasas.

Tyler needs:
-a good 3 point shot
-a dribble drive from the wing
-better 1-v-1 D
-better court awareness on D (he gets backdoored a ton, Brian is better at reading the passes)

I think the best 'girft' UT could give him is let him work on those things next year. Sure, we need his points in the paint, but on the other hand he needs an outside game.

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 1, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

this years draft is going to be way too deep for tyler to go in the first round and if you know about the NBA(and i do)you only get guaranteed money if you go in the first round and if you go in the second then you better be ready to fight for a spot on the roster or you are in trouble.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 1, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker-

I think Tyler's 3-ball is there when he decides to shoot it, but that wasn't his role this past year. I don't know the percentages, but I bet his was pretty good with very few attempts. His mid-range turn-around jumper is almost unstoppable! I think if he stays, he'll average a double double next year and be 1st or 2nd team All American. I didn't really see a Michael Beasley or a Lebron James in the McD's All American game so I think Tyler will be a shoe-in lottery pick next year if he decides to stay.

I think we will be very tuff defensively next year with good length at almost all positions and I think our press will be much better, but we will have a lot of points to replace without J Smith and Lofton out there. Man I'm gonna miss watching those guys play in UT uniforms!

Posted by brownsvillevol on April 1, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well from what i've seen in tabb and tatum they can knock some shots down they didn't get to play much this year but it will be their turn now and lets all get behind them and win another sec championship.

Posted by BADGES0413 on April 1, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Man, if we could just bring back Grover Glick and Ruppert Breedlove we would be set for next year.

Seriously, add Hopson to the 3 that have committed and next year looks good. We would need Hopson and the point guard we signed from MI to contribute right away.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 1, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Am I the only one that thinks Ramar will improve and be able to keep the starting position next year?

Posted by amyslins on April 1, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

as for tyler going to the nba...give me ONE good reason why HE should stay? remember ask from his point of view. look at his numbers from iowa last year and compare them to this year. he actually did not improve much at all...actually i would say that his numbers are a little down from last year. he would go middle to late first round, and he does have a child. remember the reason why he came here was to be close to his dad, bless his soul. and tennessee does not have a great past with people staying for another year. he would be a great asset, but i am not going ot get my hopes up for him to stay!

Posted by BADGES0413 on April 1, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ramar will be fine, we need Daniel West to play 12 to 15 minutes a game to spell him. That would move Prince back to the 3 spot to share time with Tabb.

Posted by pearlific on April 1, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Scotty---just look at the Kentucky high schoolers that have come to big orange country...like Allan Houston and Chris Lofton. It worked out well.

Posted by Gigavol on April 1, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JaJuan, not JuJuan

Folks, read up on Scotty Hopson. He is not known for his outside shooting. He is a slasher and a strong player taking it to the hoop. He does not fill Tennessee's need for that threat behind the soon-to-be-extended 3 point line. Read http://smashsouthsports.org/forums/sh...

Posted by cjraney on April 1, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's being "reported" on a UT BB blog that Hopson committed to Pearl on his visit. The deal is supposedly contingent on T. Smith staying another year and this supposedly comes from the blogger's buddy at Rivals.com. May be April Fool's or may be true, don't know but thought y'all would be interested.
Here's the link:
www.loserswithsocks.com

Posted by bricker865 on April 1, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The only player in recent memory that bolted early when everyone thought he was ready (Marcus Haisplip) had a short lived NBA career a few years ago and now I'm not sure anyone on here knows where he is now. My point is he is the opposite of the notion that a player sticking around an extra year is going to hurt from it. He should have stuck around another year and it might have helped him.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 1, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cj-

I hope that it is true, but I'll believe it when he's inked the LOI being that it's April Fools Day. Thanks for the link though.

Posted by volfan5521 on April 1, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll take the third team and beat the first two by 20 points a piece.Also I have a friend who has a friend who's little sister heard on the radio that Scotty is a go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by egwillo on April 1, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have so enjoyed watching Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith play for the Vols these last few years!!! They will be missed! I am proud to say my 8 and 10 yr old sons have looked up to these guys and they have set wonderful examples for my kids both on and off the court. When my kids were ball boys for a game, Chris and JaJuan graciously posed for pictures and signed autographs tirelessly for everyone. Thanks guys and the best of luck in all your future endeavors!!!

Posted by ajs38mh on April 2, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not to rain on the parade, TN will be like Memphis back in 92 when they had 3 McDonald All Americans who were focusing on the NBA instead of Championchips. Look for some transfers next year. I guess Lesly McDonald goes to Vandy now.