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Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College coach Ryan Swanson said Bobby Maze would be a great fit for Tennessee.
As a Bruce Pearl protégé, Swanson would know better than anyone. Swanson spent two years as an assistant on Pearl’s staff at Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2001-03).
Maze, a 6-foot-3 point guard, was in Knoxville on Tuesday visiting the UT campus. Maze visited Cincinnati on Saturday and is scheduled to visit Kentucky this weekend.
The Vols are in dire need of an experienced point guard after it was announced last week that incumbent Ramar Smith would not be returning to the team next season.
Swanson said Maze could be successful in any system he plays in, but he’s confident Maze would do well in Pearl’s system because it’s the same one Swanson runs at Hutchinson.
“It’s a system that works well for Bobby,” said Swanson, who also played at Hutchinson. “I try, as much as possible, to emulate a lot of the same things that Bruce does and what we did at Milwaukee.
“Bobby obviously excelled at it, leading our league in scoring and finishing second in assists.”
Maze averaged 20.7 points, 6.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game last season and led the Blue Dragons with 55 steals.
“I want to check the best perimeter player on the other team every night,” Maze said Monday.
Maze was a hot topic of discussion on Knoxville talk radio stations and Internet chat boards Tuesday, with many commenting on his appearance in a rap music video.
Swanson said Maze’s swagger is undeniable, but by no means was it a distraction for his team.
“Bobby has a lot of personality, and that’s what makes him effective on the court,” Swanson said. “Bobby worked harder on his game than any kid we had last season. He’s a gym rat. He loves to play, and he’s the last guy to leave the gym.
“Bobby played 35 minutes a game, and when you play as fast as we play, that’s a ton.”
Swanson said he’s not sure of all of the reasons behin d Maze’s transfer from Oklahoma two seasons ago, but Maze didn’t have any issues with him at Hutchinson.
Maze originally committed to Maryland, another team that runs an uptempo system. But the Terps pulled their offer at the last minute before later coming back and saying they had room after all.
Maze wasn’t interested the second time around.
“Bobby has heard from about 50 Division I schools,” Swanson said. “Bobby is very intelligent; he’s been through this process before, and he can read between the lines.
“Tennessee would be a great fit for him, but he’ll make up his own mind. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Bobby wants to go to Tennessee.”
Swanson said UT assistant Steve Forbes made the most recent visit to Kansas early last week. Swanson said, Forbes gave him his first coaching job at Barton (Kan.) Community College when Forbes was the head coach there and the two have stayed good friends.
The Vols recruited Maze last fall and didn’t back off until Maze made a verbal commitment to attend Maryland.
Listening to Swanson describe Maze’s style of play, it’s understandable why UT showed interest in a junior college player even before Smith left the team.
“Bobby would prefer an assist over a basket for himself; he’s a pass-first guy,” he said. “But there were times we needed him to score 30, and he could do that. He has the best pull-up jumper from 15 to 18 feet of any kid I’ve coached, and he gets to the rim better than anyone I’ve coached.”
Swanson said when teams double-teamed Maze, he’d dish out double-digit assists.
“Bobby is the consummate point guard, and if you like point guards that can score like I do, and like Bruce does, he’s a dangerous player,” Swanson said. “When he’s back home in D.C. he plays in pro-ams with guys like Kevin Durant, Michael Beasley and Gilbert Arenas.
“Right or wrong, he’s not scared of anybody.”
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 66
marc_ash#231781 writes:
He should be committing soon.
FatherVol writes:
C'mon down,Bobby! Rocky Top is THE place to be. And, Bruce Pearl is THE national coach real players want to work for. Get yourself some orange and white and make yourself at home with the VOLS.
Kwitcherbellyachin writes:
I'd be shocked, knowing the connections between coaches, and this kid's style, and our immediate need at point guard, if Maze didn't commit very soon to the Vols.
bshone#598776 writes:
If Gary Williams wanted him to play for Maryland, I have a slightly better gut feel that Maze wouldn't be the lockeroom sour grape that everyone else thinks he'll be...
RockyTopRK writes:
Welcome to Rocky Top Bobby! You won't find a friendlier place than here - The fans are awesome, the facilities are fantastic, and the greatest men's and women's coaches in America coach the Big Orange. We'd love to have you so give Coach Pearl that commitment and you'll be starting next fall!
bamacheats writes:
Bug-eyed Billy at UK thinks he will get his commitment on Sat. Something about...a new plane...a mile high club...yada yada yada...
Little does Bug-eyed Billy know, we have our own mile high club...right Ramar.
volunteer4life2 writes:
Sounds like a PG we really need next year. Can't believe all the other posts earlier about him being a ball hog. Everyone should know Bruce won't allow that. Let's put this in Pearl's hands and whatever he says goes. I guess everyone forgets if it wasn't for Bruce we still would be missing the NIT every year.
Volchaz writes:
It would be a nice pickup, really glad we have a connection in Hutchinson. GBO.
nivatne writes:
Like the kid...maybe a little too much swagger, but hey, swagger isn't all bad (see Lebron, Kobe, etc.)
mparker writes:
hmmm, 15-18 pullup, attack the rim, assists, steals.....nah, we don't want that, he might not be 'our kind of kid'.
I'll put it this way: you want your pg to be confidant and skilled. If this kid has that, and wants to be a star, Bruce can make him a star. At a lot of other schools he'll just be one of a slew of kids. At UT, every player on the roster can be a FEATURE player.
juicetke#226846 writes:
If we don't get him can we get the guy that finished first in the league in assists. If Bobby finished second with 6.7 assists that other guy must be pretty smooth too.
Pullingguard writes:
If he's as good as advertised, then where ever he goes will be a one year stay... The NBA will be waiting after year..
ballewville6 writes:
if he had numers like that as a juco he would definatly be better than the pg from last season ramar had a great freasman year then in my oppion a horrid sophmore season and duke at the UT fla game i had 17 rows behind bench ,and before the game we got pics with several players when i took pic of duke and my wife then was going to get a pic with me but decided against,i told my wife that day that duke was a thugand he would be dismissed for drugs or for hanging out with some problem guys off the team ,so come to UT bobby if you can play
bamacheats writes:
I think he sounds way too "me first". I much prefer that recruits say things like,
"I don't want to really play that much."
"I'm not really that good"
"I'm not interested in pro ball."
"I just like to watch from the bench"
"I wish I could play for the Lady Vols"
Is that the kind of "team player" you complaining morons want as well?
bowerst#242774 writes:
Don't see him fitting into Gillespie's style at KY.
mlewishome#366649 writes:
surely he's not considering KY if he wants to play uptempo.
i've seen middleschool girls teams play faster than the mildcats...
marc_ash#231781 writes:
UK is not even an option for Maze. He has/had a lot of schools on his list and wants/wanted to showcase and make a bid for schools wanting him. He will sign with the Vols, UK isn't even a reality.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
marc_ash-
You sound pretty confident. I hope you are right. Is Maze elligible to play next season or will he have to sit out a year? I don't know how that works when a kid is leaving a juco to go to D-1.
I wonder what "rap video" he was in?
I have to agree with some of other posters here. If he likes to play up tempo then he'd hate playing for Billy The Drunk. The Cats aren't even allowed to shoot the ball until the shot clock's down to under 5 seconds.
knoxvegas75 writes:
Yes he would be able to play this year that is why he is being sought.
I hope he does come here and contribute to the team even if it is for just one year. If Bruce plays his cards right we will have a lot of one and done (until its two and through (that sounds horrible i know)).
CBP is a good enough coach to let a young man know his role in a team and still be able to showcase his talents to move on to the next level. I hope we get Maze..
Phowell23 writes:
I agree with knoxvegas. We need a proven point guard, while giving West time to get use to the rough SEC play. If Maze signs with us and plays one year then moves on to the NBA, not only does it give us something else to sell to recruits but also gives West enough time to be huge his sophomore and later years. I just don't like the idea of West or Prince being our #1 point guards next year.
DSaVol writes:
marc_a$$ - why are you suddenly trying to play like you know anything going on??? That's pretty funny!!
TN definitely has the inside track simply because of all the relationship connections between the coaches and BP's style vs. Cincy/KY - but this guy already said no to us once so there isn't anything certain til the ink is dry.
02champs#209256 writes:
everybody...please remember..this is his coach talking the talk...if he refers to CBP (the guy that gave him his first coaching job)as "Bruce"...instead of Coach Pearl, then I'm not sure we want this guy speaking for a recruit. But I trust Coach to make the right decision.
golfballs03 writes:
Listen, you people are reading a little too much into this. Bottom line, we need this guy. I would prefer not to have to start a true freshman in West, so I'd take a solid experienced PG. If he doesn't work out, we'll have West and maybe JP. But he is a perfect fit for our biggest need.
Razzle writes:
I agree with most of u other guys. get him in orange and hand him the basketball.
miamiVOL writes:
with our new facilities we should be able to get em, cmon Pearl!!
Couchdummy writes:
Mike Griffith-- You really paint a different picture in your article today!! Yesterday's article made Maze appear to be a total me-person!! Now, this article makes him appear to be the Savior!! Which is it??
drakosben1#216420 writes:
i just am so amazed and happy that our coach is so well connected. And so much like coach Mears, just seems a perfect fit for us here at Tennessee. This kid has a good chance now to come here and play and win win win!!! Must be fun thinking about it!
newtonrail writes:
DSaVol comes out from the Bowels of his custodian job at TB to trash a fellow poster. Now who is the -$$ Mr. DSaVol? FYI not trying to put down custodians. Just one who listens at doorways.
overatedvols writes:
Yep, i'd say just in looking at his pic and reading about him he does fit in pretty well with this program. Don't think any vol fan should ever criticize the Memphis players with a clear conscious. In reading about the Vols team lately I don't think i'd be talking.
On a more pleasant note. The praise just continues to roll in from last seasons incredible ride. One day, if Bruce works hard and is able to get better at his recruiting skills and you guys finally began to attract some top quality players, the story below could be about the Vols. Never stop dreaming. There is always hope. No matter how bleak it can look with pothead players, players not very smart, gang type recruits, a team across the state that always stays a few steps ahead of you.. etc..etc.. You can still dream. Never stop dreaming and one day the Vols may have a program as incredible as your big brothers on the other side of the state.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/...
rstewar6 writes:
I actually talked to Maze tonight at Gus'. He sounded excited about coming and told me he is comming to UT. Now if he comes, that's a different story. Hopefulley he sticks with his word and finds UT the home for him
richvol writes:
A kid that averages 21 points,7 assists and 5 rebounds is a great point guard. He may be the last piece of the puzzle that Pearl needs to get to the Final Four. He obviously can score but to have that many assists averaged per game shows that he gets everyone involved as well. Seven is a lot of assists. As a bonus he can shoot from 18 to 15 feet...just what we have been missing. Sounds like a one and done if he's as good as advertized. He and Tyler Smith together could drive defenses crazy.
volsthetruth writes:
I here to shut down all the Haters... B.Maze is the truth. Every brother with braids is not a thug. In fact B.Maze has never been arrested... One more thing he was not put off the Univ. of OK basketball team he left...
WVVOLFAN writes:
overated, what's your dream? continue winng CUSA? Continue being first loser? Beating the Vols someday? keep dreaming....
camoman270#222859 writes:
Bobby Maze..............come on down!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Vols!
volsthetruth writes:
Where is the press getting this stuff from? Where are all the positive press on B.Maze? They love B.Maze in Hutchinson Ks. Wher is the story about how B.Maze gives his time and works with the kids. All Im saying is give B.Maze a chance. B.Maze is a gym rat. He the first one in the gym and the last to leave....Ps get the presses rolling the # 3 jersey is going to be a hot item....
marc_ash#231781 writes:
DSaVol,
I do "suddenly know whats going on". Unlike yourself, I don't open my mouth just to hear myself talk. I also don't ramble on like I'm better than folks like you do.
So, in the future, don't address any of my comments. I don't have the time to waste.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
Oh, and DSAvol, Maze will sign with UT.
volboy81#211803 writes:
from what I've heard and read about Maze, his JC coach's assessment of "should be a good fit at Tennessee" ISN'T a compliment!!
bricker865 writes:
I'm willing to give him a chance. None of us here know that much about him besides his basketball pedigree. Overrated, get a life man. Quit whining and find something more constructive to do with your time.
Razzle writes:
Yea give the kid a chance. Has really done something that bad?
Overated still shedding tears over the loss to the Vols and one of the all time great choke jobs vs. Kansas.
Razzle writes:
Looked at the CA article overated. WOW a whopping 5 comments about it. such a great interest in tiger high basketball.
bricker865 writes:
Razzle Dazzle
brownsvillevol writes:
and the funny thing is the legislature still won't throw any money their way.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
volboy81,
I think so too. His reputation is as a guy that wants the ball in his hands. He sometimes takes some really bad shots. Only real knock I've heard is that if he get's out of sync, he loses focus. May need to go to the Bruce Pearl camp of work your @ss off for a few months to tier that.
He should be a good fit for the Vols. At this point, they need a pg (at least with some experience). I can't see Prince being the popular choice going into the season at pg.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
55vol,
lol..thats funny.
overatedvols,
Yea, I can see how excited all the Tiger fans are...what, all 5 of the comments they left. I'm guessing one of them was left by you, so that counts you out so 4 plus yourself.
Wow, the interest in tiger basketball is just insane isn't it. How many posters do we have here today? Is it roughly 60 or so PLUS a visit from you (and i notice you can't stay away).
Enjoy your stay overated vols. But please, change your name to spell 'overrated' correctly. At least give Memphis some credibility.
rbut5252#220065 writes:
Teach that man the words to Rocky Top...NOW!!!!!
overatedvols writes:
Well boys, glad you checked out the CA article. As for the measley 5 comments, actually we have just had so many of these types of honors/celebrations etc. that most fans have gotten a bit used to it now. Most just skim thru the sports section looking for any info. on recruits and we constantly see all the praising so most have stopped bothering to read it all. One day you guys may understand. Bush even made some nice comments about the team recently to a tenn. congressman commenting on what a great team they were. ..yawn.. Anyway, yes most of us are more interested in recruiting info at this point. That explains the lack of comments. This site is much more interesting at this time of year. Vol fans can't get along with each other and so there is always the infighting and squabbling that goes on over here. Heck with DSAVol posting on here I may be able to stop. He seems to iritate much better than I can. The memphis site is mostly articles on praise from last season, updates on all the players in the upcoming nba draft, star recruits coming in..etc..etc.The good news can just get boring at times. At the vols site we have player suspensions, health issues, insults flying between posters etc etc. Also it's enjoyable to see how you can take a situation and if it involves a vol player, turn it into nothing but positive, and if it's a player from another team, listen to you butcher the poor fellow/team. Fun to read all your praise for Pearl knowing that if this guy was a coach anywhere else you'd be merciless with him. So, all in all, this site is just more fun this time of year when there aren't any games going on. Also some Memphis fans formed a 'by invitation only' board where they post. It seems so many Vol trash talkers have continued to post on the CA board that some have had to create a way to post to keep the Vol people away. One more point i'd like to make....Tigers will beat the Vols next year.
Even brownie knows it in his heart.
DSaVol writes:
marc_a$$ - is your sudden "knowledge" similar to your previous projection of BWilliams as an "impact" player???? Nice call on that one too.
Maze may very well sign with TN but to come on here and state it as a fact like you actually know what's going on before he even visits is nothing more than a guess that you HOPE you can look good on. But hey, it's a habit with you so we should all expect it I guess.
newton - glad to see you out from under FOOLmer's desk finally.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
An invitation only board hu? Wow, now that is funny. That is the problem with memphis fans, they can't handle the idea of someone coming in and questioning the "greatness" of memphis basketball.
I think the reality of it is you really have nothing to discuss on your site because you have nothing to look forward to. memphis doesn't have any other team to be excited about. Football isn't even a sport in memphis, and the basketball team doesn't play until next year.
I do buy that the CA site can be boring at times. I mean, how many times can you talk about a player hitting his girlfriend or selling drugs. Yes, UT has it's issues as well...but don't try and suggest that memphis is immune from this type of behavior.
Nobody cares about memphis, but obviously you care about the Vols. Great, welcome to Big Orange country. It is great over here. We talk about basketball, football, and all other sports that UT excels at.
I love the second to last sentence you leave us with...the tigers will beat the Vols next year. Well, if that happens you may have some room to brag. But the reality of it is....for the last 2 years, you haven't. Nice effort though, maybe you'll get em next year.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
DSaVol,
Marc_a$$....GOOD ONE. Like I said before child, do not respond to my posts. If I want your opinion, I will give it to you.
Secondly, go back and do some research. Brian Williams did make an impact this season. Some would even say he was more of an impact that your buddy Ramar Smith. Impacting a team doesn't just mean scoring 18 every night. If you don't think B Williams helped this team, then you are sadder than most already think you are.
As for knowing some information, I do. I...unlike you, don't say things unless I know what I'm talking about. And as far as trying to look good, who gives a poop. I could care less about looking good and care even less of what you think.
Like I said before kid, find something to add to the conversation, your script is getting old and boring.
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