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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.’’
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Comments » 72
cterblan writes:
Siena is tough. need a total team effort and need JP to be in the game.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Bad news if JP can't play! He has looked pretty good this year, now that he can use both arms.
xvolx writes:
our defense is not as good as last year. not as much quickness. probably need more match up zone this year. time will tell.
Hopson2008 writes:
Scary matchup against Siena with 5 returning starters. How are they not ranked after destroying two NCAA tourney teams in their first two games? Wouldn't be surprised if we lost this one, although we definitely aren't overlooking them. Definitely need JP in this game.
winbigvols writes:
Our defense is fine, if not better than last year. J.Smith was the quickest of the 2 seniors. The other 2 didn't play enough and were usually winded from the toking being done after the game. We will be fine. We may not win this game but our defense will be better than last year. Just take a look at the rebound edge this year.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
looking forward to this game and tournament ...GO VOLS!!!!
bugman (Inactive) writes:
"posted a 4-1 record during a drip to Italy last summer."
REALLY THEY DRIPED TO ITALY?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Sure hated to hear that our neighbors to the Western end of the state ran into Xavier.
CleverUserNameVol writes:
JP has proven to be our offensive spark this year. He's been playing with a fire in his eyes he didn't have last year. I really really really really hope he can play Thursday, if not we may just be in trouble. My mind is still blown from that jumper he hit earlier in the year. I, honest to God, didn't know he even had an outside shot. Rest that ankle, JP, we need you buddy!
cainclifton23 writes:
Sienna Didn't miss a shot v.s. Vandy Last year.. i know they are good... but that was an unbelievably hot night for them..
Oh well.. it'll be a good game.
threehundredbowler writes:
Can someone else step for Prince?Sure hope so.We need his experience in these early games.Need something good to come out of these games.The experience will pay dividends down the road.
CoverOrange writes:
Albany, NY.
Not sure Vandy from last year is a good measuring stick. They struggled toward the end and wasn't whats-his-name hurt?
I think we beat Siena but I could see a tough loss as something to build off of.
budd#207344 writes:
Totally agree with Scotty_Hopson.
There is a reason we are ranked 12 and siena is not. CBP is just practicing his coachspeak. GO VOLS!!!
iowavol writes:
Agree with you rabidvolfan - don't get the earlier comment that our defense is not as good. Hope JP gets well in a hurry, he deserves to be there. Dang has he played well so far - great intensity on both sides of the ball. Win or lose, this time of year, isn't that important. Playing a tough turney like this only makes us better prepared for March. Go Vols, play hard, coach hard and have fun.
THE_VOL writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
dvols writes:
my point is this........mama will either have to let us eat turkey with the t.v on or wait a few hours before dinner.......oh wait titans play tooo.......
promiselandfarm writes:
UT will start slow and then begin to get acclimated to beating their man and wear them down midway through the second half say about the 12-13 minute mark and win going away. 81-67
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
a bit rediculous you knocking woolrich for his 33% after 3 games while your goto man Lofton was but 38% for his senior year and I'm sure less than 35% for the first half---good kid that CL was his 3 % hardly qualified him a great shooter---he was no where near the top tier in the nation
murrayvol writes:
Venture outside the friendly confines of CUSA at your peril.
murrayvol writes:
Albany, NY
Undergrad pop. 3,000
murrayvol writes:
They've got a nice team that will give us all we want if they play their best game. If not, they'll lose......badly.
eduardo writes:
So nice to be talking about real basketball. Not that fake stuff 2ks promotes on the snooze! Maybe kenlucky will have a team to be proud about one day, not! VMI hahahahhahahhaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jturne44 writes:
solid effort there buddy but you forgot a pretty large key to the success of this game...they are returning 5 starters...and those guys know what its like to play on the road...we are going 12 hours from knoxville man the freshmen haven't experienced that at this level...MTSU was pretty dang close to home and we didn't win too convincingly...just remember that I'm playing devil's advocate though, because I have tremendous faith (although it will be a tough game, until we work the nerves out) in the boys and I'm really hopin for Hopson to have a break out game, Big Baby to grab boards and to get some tough points inside, and finally Negedu to block some junk out of the gym.
JTurner
CleverUserNameVol writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
CleverUserNameVol writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
xvolx writes:
we'll see.
jturne44 writes:
oh yeah I forgot to mention I read the first sentence and then replied to your sub par post...no need to read the rest of that garbage...
Volgrad777 writes:
Siena is a very good and well coached basketball team. Ive seen tape of their wins this year. They are one of the most fundumentally sound teams ive seen play in a while. Make no mistake Scotty_Hopson , this will be a huge test and huge win and it is possible they could sneak one out on us. That said , i believe we do get this win and hopefully in convincing fashion. As far as the defense someone eluded to earlier , id say about even as last year right now but will be better by mid year this year , we are still quick and very athletic , the key this year is size. We are longer and bigger to close up passing lanes and honestly just as athletic if not more so than last year. This team will be a defensive juggernout by mid December. Go Vols , Only B-Money can lock B-Money
THE_VOL writes:
Hey moron...you have no point if that is your logic. First, Woolridge has taken all of TWO shots that were not 3s - he won't shoot a mid-range jumper - and in case you haven't noticed the last 3 years, a mid-range jumper is not even a part of this offense. BP wants 3s and drives - that's it. Second, he won't shoot anywhere close to 38-42% on 3s. He's shooting 33% now against NO DEFENSES! You think that % will get BETTER against BETTER competition??? He'll be fortunate to stay at 33%! But he's like Kevin Durant. LMFAO!
THE_VOL writes:
And another illiterate idiot returns! I NEVER knocked Woolridge or can you really not read. I said that the statement that he was a "key" was ridiculous - and it is. A freshman shooting 33% from the arc and showing NO other offense is NOT a key and not someone you want launching 6-10 treys a game which is what it would take to be a KEY. As for Lofton, well, your comments speak to your ignorance without further elaboration. However, let me know when folks start talking about hanging Woolridge's jersey in the rafters.
THE_VOL writes:
NOW your TRUE intelligence is coming out!!! LMFAO!!!! Are those the same "wits" that you said I didn't want to try to match?????? Once again you are absolutely RIGHT!!! Even I couldn't get THAT low on the idiot scale! Perhaps you should just sticking to blowing and forget about what little is left of your mind! We can take you out of the trailer but the trash is forever!
THE_VOL writes:
And I'm supposed to give a damn because....????? That was a truly outstanding analysis you gave in your first post though....showed great depth of knowledge about both teams and the game as a whole. Next year, when you get in fourth grade, you can expand on it a little more.
THE_VOL writes:
What do you know about anything? You're the guy that said you're glad our JEWISH coach has good christian principles! Exactly what the hell does THAT have to do with ANYTHING regarding this team?????
CleverUserNameVol writes:
Seriously, why do you have to berate everyone that tries to put in their two cents? Are you that in love with yourself? Or are you just so ashamed of yourself that you have to lash out at everyone? I've never lived in a trailer and the only trash on this website is you and the Memphis fans. As far as the idiot scale, you're absolutely right. You can't get that low on it because you are right at the top. Number one idiot with a bullet! I suspect you're just overcompensating for something. What ever could that be? Keep up the astute observations, jerk, we all love hearing you chime in on how stupid the rest of the fans are.
CleverUserNameVol writes:
Memorizing stats does not make you a basketball guru. Autistic kids can memorize stats, and come off as smarter than you just for the simple fact that they have SOME manners. Pr!ck.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Love the positive attitude but an experienced TEAM is often more than a match, at least in the early part of the season, for a group of talented players who are new to each other and have not yet fully jelled as a team. If we win this tourney, EVERYBODY will be talking about us. If we don't, well, sometimes a relatively new team takes a step back along the way to the top.
jasonn1970 writes:
The Nashville Titans will have to wait at my house. I'll be watching the Vols for sure.
jasonn1970 writes:
You think maybe his 3 pt% had a little do to with his recovery from cancer treatments?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
THE_VOL, seriously, guy, you need to chill out a little. You give some good info, but a rebuttal of views you don't agree with doesn't ALWAYS have to start with "You idiot". It is, or should be, enough to say, "I think you are wrong about this and here's why." As to some of the points you so strongly objected to, I don't know all of JP's stats this year, but it was obvious to me when I saw his first free throw this year that his stroke is much smoother than at any time last year. Also, I know that CBP's offense, like many in recent years, emphasizes 3-pointers and drives, but Tyler takes lot of 8'-to-10'-footers and makes a lot of them. That is one reason why he is so hard to guard. Also, I think UT SHOULD beat Siena, but, as MTSU showed us, an experienced team with good guards is a tough draw for us right now. Finally for now, Renaldo is not ready to be a focal point of this offense yet, or likely even for this season, but he does have a nice stroke and should be better as he gains confidence and experience. Meanwhile, I look forward to your insights, but you sure do make us wade through a lot of irrelevant bull to get to them, and I'm sure many don't even bother any more.
volfan2002 writes:
Playing a senior team is always tough regardless of talent level these guys will play smart. This will be a very tough game but I believe we win this 81 to 70
CleverUserNameVol writes:
All of the "info" he produces can be read on a stat sheet. All he seems to be is a bad attitude that regurgitates stats. No real insight coming from him other than "you are all morons". You, on the other hand, offer some real insight and I, for one, appreciate your views. Thank you.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Thanks for the kind words. I don't claim to be right all the time, but I will share what I think and I appreciate reading the views of others. In any case, I am ALWAYS a Vol fan, no matter what.
Stinger3 writes:
My kids and I will be there coach with the head bands and all. Go Vols!
Colliervol writes:
Clever, no need to fuss. You just got the DSAVol treatment that many of came to know and love about 3 years ago. (Same M.O., different user name-decent info every now and then but never without an insult). I was wondering where he went and now we know. After awhile, most of us came to ignore him and it will go that route again if he lasts long enough without getting booted again.
Raynoch writes:
I'm kind of nervous about this one. It won't shock me if we lose because of Siena's talent and upperclassmen leadership.
VolunteerMan writes:
Nota bad percentage for a kid that was battling CANCER!
overatedvols writes:
Todays Pearl quote of the day:
"Pearl: Siena is Vols' biggest challenge yet"
That says it all after 4 games Siena is the biggest challenge.
While Memphis was busy playing real competition and lost a game the vols were busy padding their record. Memphis falls in the rankings and the Vols rise due to the teams above them who have played real games..losing.
Aren't you suppossed to play Georgetown? Let's see if you are really a good team or not. That should be your first test of the year.
VolunteerMan writes:
or good Jewish principles...
CleverUserNameVol writes:
Memphis will just be another "cupcake" to pad our record with. Hey, my 7 month old daughter is ready to come play point guard for you guys. She couldn't do any worse could she? Her IQ would probably be too high to fit in at your school though, plus she doesn't have any criminal record as of yet, so there's another strike against her.
overatedvols writes:
How tall is she?
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