Pearl: Siena is Vols' biggest challenge yet

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UT Men's basketball head coach, Bruce Pearl, talks about players Scotty Hopson, Bobby Maze and Josh Tabb. Watch »

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UT Men's basketball head coach, Bruce Pearl, discusses the Nov. 21 game against MTSU. Watch »

Tennessee’s young Vols are getting ready to take baby steps into the Big Time at the Old Spice Classic Tournament in Orlando this week.

Like a proud parent, coach Bruce Pearl is excited about the opportunity.

Like a concerned parent, Pearl knows there’s a chance 12th-ranked UT could fall, perhaps as early as the first game of the eight-team tourney when they face Siena (TV: noon Thursday, ESPN2).

“Siena is by far the best team we’ve played so far,” said Pearl, whose Vols have run up a 3-0 record against in-state opponents Chattanooga, UT-Martin and Middle Tennessee. “We’re gonna take on a terrific field. There are a couple of teams that are potentially Final Four teams, and every team is a an NCAA Tournament team.’’

The winner of the UT-Siena game plays the winner of Thursday’s Wichita State-Georgetown game at 1 p.m. on Friday. The losers of those games meet at 10:30 a.m. on ESPNU.

“I’m excited about my team’s opportunity to step up,’’ Pearl said, “because it will have to be a big step up.’’

Michigan State, Gonzaga, Maryland and Oklahoma State are on the other side of the bracket, all striving to reach Sunday night’s championship game.

But Pearl’s not looking past Siena.

The Vols’ head coach has been sweating this match-up since it was announced in July, and he doesn’t feel any better after watching more film of the Saints (2-0).

“They remind me of my teams at Wisconsin-Milwaukee: tough, physical and extremely well-drilled,” Pearl said. “They have at least three guys that can drive on us.

“Watch the Siena-Vanderbilt tape (and) you have a hard time feeling real good.”

The Saints, who return all five starters, knocked the Commodores out of the NCAA Tournament last season with a 83-62 victory.

Siena’s wins this season have come against teams that played in the NCAA Tournament last season; WAC champion Boise State (82-52) and Ivy League champion Cornell (74-56).

Siena was unanimously picked to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, the conference that serves as host for the Old Spice Classic.

The Saints, with six seniors, posted a 4-1 record during a trip to Italy last summer.

Practice Plans: The Vols held a conditioning workout Sunday and what Pearl called a “hard contact” practice Monday. UT will travel to Orlando today and hold both a private practice and a public walk-through at the Milk House, site of the games.

Prince’s Ankle: Pearl said junior J.P. Prince has not worked out and might not be available for Thursday’s game after hurting his ankle in the Vols’ win over MTSU on Friday night.

“We’ll see how he is Wednesday,’’ Pearl said. “We’re cautiously optimistic... There’s a chance he won’t play, though.’’

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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