Passion, poise and purpose are the buzz words around Tennessee men's basketball this fall.

"We're playing with the passion; we need a little more poise and a whole lot more purpose,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl said this week. "The team has made a little progress, but not a lot.

"I'm looking for individuals to start to define their roles ... looking for shots, understanding the offense and making plays defensively.''

Pearl said returning players Tyler Smith, Wayne Chism, J.P. Prince, and Josh Tabb are ahead of the freshmen in their understanding of the team's scheme.

"They have tremendous advantages because they been there and done that,'' Pearl said. "I'm trying to evaluate all of our personnel, so they're all getting the same look. Some of the newcomers are picking it up faster than the others.''

Smith looks to be the marquee player, hitting shots from the perimeter as well as the lane, and Chism looks stronger than ever both inside and outside. Prince, now healthy, has also shown glimpses of greatness. Tabb remains a dogged defender with an improving offensive game.

Scotty Hopson has jumped out among the freshmen, particularly on the offensive side of the court. Hopson, at 6-foot-6, elevates on his 3-point shot, making it virtually unblockable. And now that Hopson has become accustomed to lifting weights, his high-arching jumper is beginning to find its mark on a more consistent basis.

The offensive production represents both good news and bad news, according to Pearl.

"The defense should be ahead of the offense this time of year, and it's not,'' Pearl said. "I'll give a lot of credit to (assistant coach) Jason Shay and what he and his managers have been able to do offensively.''

Pearl said the five freshmen are still getting accustomed to the quick tempo.

"One of the things we have worked on is speeding the game up,'' Pearl said. "We try to force our opponents into some sloppy play, but we can't let our tempo make us look sloppy.

"We're trying to fatigue our opponent, but in doing so we fatigue ourselves. That's where the purpose comes in. When you're tired, you still have to pass, catch, screen and shoot.''

Pearl said the team's attitude and chemistry has been good. He said a new rap song written and performed by freshman Renaldo Woolridge is a healthy thing.

"That thing is a little better than amateur,'' Pearl said. "It has a good sound, and it has a good beat. The lyrics are pretty complimentary of the University of Tennessee and his teammates.''

Pearl said he continues to encourage his players to be individuals away from the court, so long as they are respectable and represent UT properly.

"We're on a college campus, and we're faculty and staff, and they are kids trying to find their way,'' Pearl said. "They are finding themselves spiritually ,and they have to make their own decisions on how they dress and act.

"I have no problem with them having their own personalities.''

As for how the team conducts itself on the court, Pearl is still pushing his players to find a winning identity.

"Little by little, they are getting there,'' Pearl said. "We haven't had enough time in practice to get them together. They are still figuring out their roles and carving their niche.''

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.