LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Cameron Tatum sat on the ferry as it circled Ellis Island last Thanksgiving, pondering his future.
"I don't want to redshirt, but I know it's probably going to be best for the team,'' said Tatum, who was with the Vols on their Statue of Liberty tour during their trip to the Legends Classic last season. "I want to do what's best for the team, but it's hard, 'cause I know I can do it.''
On Friday, Tatum proved it to the nation in the 12th-ranked Vols' nationally televised 90-78 victory over No. 21 Georgetown at the Old Spice Classic.
Tatum, a 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman from Lithonia, Ga., and The Patterson Prep School in Lenoir, N.C., scored 14 of his 17 points in the final six minutes to lift the Vols to their most high-profile victory of the season.
The difference a year makes?
"It is amazing,'' said Tatum, who hit 6 of 8 shots, including 5 of 6 beyond the 3-point arc at The Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. "My story is I've been waiting for this for a year, really, two years.''
No one was happier for Tatum than UT coach Bruce Pearl, who had the difficult chore of telling Tatum that he needed to redshirt last season.
Tatum's knee injury, combined with the Vols' depth of great shooting with wing JaJuan Smith and shooting guard Chris Lofton, made the redshirt make sense.
Many times, Pearl said he knew Tatum could contribute given the chance.
"That's why I was so happy for Cameron today,'' Pearl said. "He has worked so hard, and he's been waiting.''
Tatum said junior Tyler Smith, his roommate on this road trip, played a key role in his performance Friday.
"Tyler, our leader, told me to be ready,'' Tatum said. "Tyler said, 'Cam, those shots will be there today, and you've got to hit them.' "
Tatum hit the only 3-pointer he attempted in the first half, but played just four minutes after picking up two quick fouls.
But with the game in the balance, Tatum came back on the floor and lit it up.
His 3-pointer from the corner with 5:57 left gave the Vols a 67-66 advantage. They had been trailing since two Austin Freeman free throws gave Georgetown a 48-47 lead with 15:11 remaining.
Tatum struck again from the corner with 4:30 left, and on the ensuing Georgetown possession, stole the ball in the frontcourt and burst down court for a breakaway dunk that gave the Vols a 75-69 lead.
Tatum's NBA-range 3-pointer from the top of the key made it 80-71 and he hit another 3-pointer on the next possession, high-fiving UT radio color man Bert Bertelkamp as he ran back upcourt.
"I was so excited,'' Tatum said, "I just looked for the first person I could find.''
The Vols hoped they could find an answer for the loss of Lofton and JaJuan Smith, and it appears Tatum could be on the brink of filling that outside-shooting role.
"You saw some of it in the Pilot Rocky Top League from Cameron last summer,'' said Pearl, referring to Tatum leading the league in scoring. "Cameron has paid his dues, so it's not surprising to me.''
Tyler Smith said Tatum's performance is big for the team as it continues to grow.
"I told him he needs to get his shot up, because he can hit it,'' Smith said. "That's why Coach Pearl went out and got him, and we need him.''
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Comments » 22
King53 writes:
Congrats Tatum...the Vol Nation is proud of you!!!
blitzshoot writes:
Your play was sick Tatum.
cdonsbach writes:
GO VOLS!
askUncleMaze writes:
I was @ the game Killer-Cam is the man.... He can flat out do it... I cant for the game on Sunday...
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
He wasn't sleeping today. His performance was Loftenesque!! And how I loved it! Just pumping all of those threes, and at the right time, was music in my ears. Blow them away, I said, great God Almighty, just how can this be?! Loved it! Hope this is evidence of things to come. No reason to back down now, we seem to have many many weapons, and Coach Pearl has recruited to his strengths thus eliminating his fallacies(weaknesses)....Comparatively and competitively speaking!
oldvolsfan writes:
TAKE A HIKE
globadoc writes:
Cameron was the stud of the day...but the high five of Bertelkamp was hilarious and uncalled for at the the same time!
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
It's called self-expression, something we longed for in the last 12 to 15 years in Vol basketball. Maybe and at least they now are having something to celebrate. Let the kids have a little fun, Lord knows we've all waited a super long time for something good to happen to our basketball team. Like SEC championship since 67, that's when we were in school down there, for crying out loud.
MidTennVol writes:
So happy for you, Cam -- KEEP IT UP!
Hopson2008 writes:
oldvolsfan might not be up on the current reverse-meaning lingo
blhvols#536551 writes:
By all means, please let us know who your MVP was at the beginning of the year. LOL
1vavolfan writes:
If you went to some of the Rocky Top league games this summer seeing Cam play this way is no surprise.He could easily average 15 ppg for the season.
Colliervol writes:
I was sort of worried about outside shooting coming into this year and who could pick up the slack. But if Tatum, Woolridge and Hopson can keep it up, this team has all the tools to make a good run this year. Improved point guard play, long and athletic, relentless defense, deep bench, improved inside game with Chism, Williams and Negedu....
Just throwing this out for discussion. Still may be a little early but is it possible that they are a better overall team than last year?
giveemsix writes:
Congrads to Tatum but the real player of the game is
A-Maze-ing: Bobby Maze
played 33 min. was 4 of 4 FG with two 3 pointers; 4 of 7 FT; 9 (count em) 9 assists, 3 steals, 2 rebounds, 14 points with NO Turnovers! Anyone remember a better stat line for a Point Guard at Tenn?? Especially against the likes of Georgetown!
Go Vols, good luck Sunday
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
have listened to every game but will be watching tomorrow nite for first time---I want to see Negadu as much as anyone--Bertlecamp cant quit talking him up--hes a rebounding machine who seems to spark the team when hes in with his energy
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Back when Cam was tearing it up in the RTL, some regular posters doubted he could do that against real competition. Well, it's early, and anyone can have a good game every now and then, but I think Cam's potential is obvious. Hopson, Woolridge, and Chism seem to be up and down right now, but if Cam and B.Maze can produce consistently the way they have in this tourney, this team has a chance to be really special. It's a great time to be a basketVol fan!
blitzshoot writes:
Oldvolsfan, I was there cheering for the Big Orange.
What I meant was that Mr. Tatum performed awesome down the stretch and under pressure.
Sorry for the misunderstanding.
utvolz#637682 writes:
Cam was feeling it yesterday and shot lights out! Way to go Cam! Keep it up BasketVols!
I hope they win #400 for Pearl tomorrow night as well.
Frank (broadcasting live from Manchester, TN!)
CleverUserNameVol writes:
Need to catch up on the new lingo, man. sick=the bee's knees. Honest mistake, but now you know, and knowing is half the battle.
dopedawg writes:
Cam=awesome!!!!!!!!!! Bobby practice those free throws tough. Its great to be a Tennessee Vol!!!!!!!
askUncleMaze writes:
I think my Nephew played a great game. But I would give the player of the game to Killer-Cam......
mlynn1 writes:
askUncleMaze, Bobby's playing great, glad he's at Knoxville.
GO VOLS!!
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