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Tennessee freshman Emmanuel Negedu, middle, takes a defensive stance during the first official practice of the season last Friday. Center Wayne Chism says he is becoming a better player because of the competition against Negedu.
Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess // Buy this photo
Tennessee’s Scotty Hopson, right, runs through drills during the Vols first official practice Oct. 17.
Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl has been quick to earn national respect on most all counts.
But some of his fellow SEC basketball coaches seem reluctant to praise him for his technical and strategical coaching abilities.
Take Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings, for example.
Stallings, regarded as one of the better Xs and Os coaches in the league, suggested at SEC basketball media days on Thursday that too much is made of the Vols' style.
"They're only trying to keep you from getting the ball inbounds,'' Stallings said. "Once you get it in, they play like everyone else plays.''
Stallings said that while UT is indeed good at defending the out-of-bounds plays, the key to Pearl's success at UT has been talent.
"They are good because they have good players,'' Stallings said, "and they've been able to score.''
Pearl said he is proud of the talent the Vols have had since his arrival.
"We have put our talent in position to be successful, and to their credit, they have been unselfish,'' Pearl said.
National award committees, however, have obviously felt Pearl has had a heavy hand in Tennessee's success.
Pearl was named the Sporting News National Coach of the Year in 2006 and captured the Adolph Rupp Cup National Coach of the Year award last season.
Pearl has been the SEC Coach of the Year two of the three years he has been in the league, in 2006 and 2008.
CBS has twice used Pearl at the Final Four as an analyst, and the Vols are finding themselves in more nationally televised games than ever before.
But ask Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie about the Wildcats' relative success against the Vols last season - they beat UT 72-66 in Lexington and fell just 63-60 in Thompson-Boling Arena despite missing All-SEC center Patrick Patterson - and he minimizes coaching.
"We made shots to beat them,'' Gillispie said, "they made shots to beat us.''
One reporter in Birmingham asked all of the coaches at media days who they would select as the best coach in the SEC.
Pearl was the only coach to answer that question: "Billy Donovan.''
And yet, in the past Donovan has been one of the coaches to dismiss Pearl's "Controlled Chaos" press as anything more than token pressure.
Pearl said he's not concerned with what other coaches attribute his success to.
"I don't want to comment on any of that, but I will say there are a lot of aspects to the job,'' Pearl said. "Coaching is important, recruiting is important, and discipline and education are important.
"I had a great teacher in Tom Davis, and I'm confident in the system we teach,'' Pearl said. "Tactically, I'm always talking to different coaches and watching the Olympics and the NBA for new ideas.
"I think the key is, can you do it at different levels, and can you do it with different teams?''
Pearl will have the chance to prove he can do just that; the Vols return only six players from last year's team heading into the exhibition opener against Indianapolis at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Helping Wayne: Perhaps no player has benefited from the freshman class more than UT junior post Wayne Chism, who must battle athletic power forward Emmanuel Negadu and giant post Phillip Jurick every day in practice.
"They make me better, no doubt,'' said Chism, who was the biggest player on the team the past two seasons. "E-Man (Negadu) likes to crash the glass and Phillip is good at blocking shots, so I've had to learn to adjust my angles.''
Chism also said there's competition for the "oil can award,'' which recognizes the funniest player.
"I have competition with Brian (Williams), E-Man and Bobby Maze,'' Chism said, "But you know I'm gonna have my moments.''
Road Warrior: Pearl is 45-2 in Thompson-Boling Arena, but he isn't holding his breath over the Vols' 32-game homecourt win streak, which ranks as the third longest in the nation.
"I couldn't even tell you the number, and I really don't pay attention to it,'' Pearl said. "I can tell you the two teams we lost to were Kentucky and Arkansas. At some point, it might be an issue, but not now.
"I'm actually more proud of our road record, because road wins are sweet and hard to come by. They are the separators.''
The Vols are 32-12 on the road under Pearl.
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Comments » 58
mlewishome#366649 writes:
the Stallings and Donovan statements are the most asinine things i've ever heard. i hope when Pearl shakes their hands after kicking their butts this year he reminds them of their comments.
Donovan should call Pearl "Daddy" as far as i'm concerned.
brunovol writes:
I will take BP's "modest coaching" any day of the week. I just wish we could have found such a lack of coaching years ago.
CoverOrange writes:
Who/what is "Peal" KNS?
orangeinga writes:
Try spell check! Go PEARL ! Go Vols!!
byobbio writes:
"They are good because they have good players,'' Stallings said, "and they've been able to score.''
Huh? Look at the recruiting rankings of those players. Stallings has been around long enough to know that we didn't get any raw players in here til last year and this year. Really just this year.
That's like saying the only reason Pete Carroll can get USC in the national championship picture is his x's and o's. He just has average players.
That guy's an idiot. His last good decision, however, was not coming here to coach at the time.
govols26 writes:
Even if he isn't the best x's and o's coach (and I am by no means suggesting he isn't), his dedication and the effect he has on his players is further reaching than any other coach's in the nation. Look no further than Lofton and Ja Juan's work ethic the last three years- you'd better bet Pearl had something to do with that!
budd#207344 writes:
stallings can say what he wants Pearl can coach. That is not a question. Stallings can whine all he wants Pearlo is just better. He understands the game.
dlobh writes:
They're just jealous. They wouldn't say anything negative, much like Pearl is doing, if they were beating us. Isn't Little Billy 1-5 against Pearl? Token pressure indeed . . .
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Donovan, Gillespie, and Stallings are VERY good coaches. What they say about Bruce isn't wrong.
UT creates a lot of turnovers off the press after made baskets. They have been good at inbounds denial. That really isn't novel theory or great scheme, and that is what the coaches are saying. They AREN'T saying Bruce is not a good coach. To Bruce's credit, he puts his kids in a spot to win games, both scheme and talent. And, yeah, he was helped a TON by having Chris Lofton, and to a lesser extent, Jajuan Smith.
I reespect these guys. To me, it makes a great season to have rivalry games against teams who you know will 'bring it'. Don't know about you guys, but I've enjoyed the hell oout of Bruce's time here.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Some of these writers try to invoke class envy or something like that. Jealousy or envy. I am dreaming or something, for wanting some decent writing? Gene Stallings said, and then, well guess what, are we idiots to put up with this tripe?? I know you, you know me. Coach pearl is th ebest and i am thank ful we have him here. Period. No matter what some coach says. ESPN is a fickeled finger of fate, they are not faithful.
BillVol writes:
Like any other sport, basketball is all about talent. What's the big deal here? This applies to Stallings and Donovan, too.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Here's the difference between Pearl and Buzz...
Bruce Pearl WINS games.
I know that it's always fun to harken back to nostalgic coaches, but the truth of the matter is that no matter how well Buzz recruited...he didn't win games.
Also...are you insinuating that Coach Pearl can't recruit? Scotty Hopson, Emanuel Negedu, Phillip Jurick, Renaldo Woolridge??? When did Buzz bring that kind of talent to a "football school" straight out of highschool?
He didn't and that's why Coach Pearl is great. He's shown a huge amount of love to the UT community, given proper respect to Pat Summit, and reinvigorated a stagnant program. What's not to love?!
I only wish that AD Hamilton would learn from Basketball and then apply those lessons to the current attrocity in UT football's coaching.
THE_VOL writes:
Folks it's not the school, the players, the losses or the style that pi$$es the other coaches off. It's the self-promotion and nobody can deny that BP is that if nothing else. Yes, he had to come in and do a bunch of crazy stuff to revitalize a dead program. But there is no doubt some of it was over the top - rightfully or wrongfully.
The other even bigger issue they have but won't talk about and which is even larger in their craw is BP's hypocrisy. His tattle-tale deal in Iowa still does not sit well with many coaches just by itself. But now to see him having recruiting success via questionable means in some instances is more than they can stand. It doesn't matter that they are all just as guilty, it's just that it's BP doing it after being so righteous in Iowa. And if you think all these guys have gotten here the last couple of years because they're great students and love BP and Co., well, just keep drinking the kool-aid.
richvol writes:
No coach wants to admit that another is better than himself...that would be like telling recruits that they should sign with that coach and school over his own. Pearl can do it because he knows he is going to get the recruits he wants anyway and Donovan is going to get his as well.
I would not trade Pearl for ANY coach. What he has done for UT is nothing short of miraculous. Practically everyone felt UT was a basketball graveyard including Stallings. He has a hard time dealing with Pearl's success here and has displayed his big rear end on several occasions to prove it.
A really mature man can appreciate another man's success...kind of like Coach Pearl's opinions of Donovan.
rockytop47 writes:
Thank god we have Pearl! Now if we can just get Obama!!!! I mean what a parallel! Both young, both smart and can run the ship!!! GO VOLS, GO PEARL and GO OBAMA!!!! Please save us from the redneck trash in the White House!!!!
MidTennVol writes:
Oh, the disrespect. And the class, grace and dignity of BP's response. I hope the team is full of anger when they play Vandy, KY and FL.
BTW, what is this Obama thing I keep hearing about? Is it some new fight song at Alabama?
rockytop47 writes:
Denmarkvol,
Yes Obama is the new UA fight song! They win and so will he! Thank god, because 4 more years of Bush/McCain would put us all in the poor house! So Pearl and Obama are alike! Both great for the future! GO VOLS and GO OBAMA!
DandyVol writes:
THE_VOL: I always enjoy reading your posts because you are a realist and don't go off half cocked. I am not familiar with the Iowa incident and would like to hear more about it. If you can't reply here would you drop me a line at _pamela@bellsouth.net ? Thanks.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I think Kosmo was speaking sarcastically, VA2003. I'm pretty sure no one thought CBP's first team was loaded with talent. As I recall, his first team was picked to finish about 5th or 6th in the Eastern Division.
rockytop47 writes:
I am still waiting for Pearl to win one like Pat and Phil! So get off your high horses! WHEN and I mean WHEN he wins one then you can kiss his butt! But Phil HAS ONE!!!!!
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
Didn't Coach Pearl say something to the effect that if our rivals liked him that probably meant he wasn't doing a very good job?
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
My son starts high school next year.He was barely out of diapers WHEN Phil won ONE.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
The interpretation of CBP's actions in the "Iowa affair" depends on who you are talking to. CBP did not receive any official sanctions I am aware of. Some of his "colleagues", and not just those at Illinois, were annoyed at him for exposing some of the "secrets" of the coaching fraternity. Sort of a breaching of the "wall of silence", so to speak. I am curious to know, in any case, if you think UT is possibly facing serious problems for recruiting violations. With CBP's high profile and the well-documented jealousy of such as Stallings and Gillespie, it would seem UT is playing with fire if they have been cheating.
mlewishome#366649 writes:
if you're going to suggest BP's recruiting tactics are illegal, you need to cite some sources and information.
you can't just start throwing phooey like that around unless you:
A: have facts
B: are rumor mongering
it's either one or the other. either state your case or admit you're full of beans.
doing what's right is not considered tattling unless you're in the 3rd grade.
Pearl08 writes:
Stallings is a whiner and the commodores will be exposed without Foster. Stallings sees the train coming and he knows that Vandy will have trouble competing with the Vols in the future.
smokyredbone writes:
Here you are again with your hateful posts,must be a slow night (it is night in Camp Freedom isn't it) in the desert. Your an elitist punk!!! Cop, and that gives you the right to call anyone an idiot, I don't think so chump!
smokyredbone writes:
Stallings is a chump,how do you dimiss his first year with all that peterson talent, he knows what he is doing!!!
MrBamSeydu writes:
So I guess you could say the same about every major college program in America? I mean, who would've thought someone would be saying "The only reason Tennessee basketball is good is because they get high-level talent."
UNC and Duke get the best of the best every single year, and I don't hear anyone saying Coach K, Dean Smith, or Coach Williams have won solely because of the players they had.
Bruce Pearl didn't come into a great program like Roy Williams did. He completely turned around a program. You can say that's the "talent" or you can look at it for what it is and at least give him the credit he deserves.
It seems to me these other SEC coaches need to lay off the Hatorade.
cdldoc#211897 writes:
The difference in Pearl and Obama....Pearl has experience and he develops the wealth instead of taxing it.
orangecountry21 writes:
your comment about Duke and UNC, those schools don't have to. They are elite programs.
volmaniac22 writes:
this is just a sick and disgusting article. saying that the only reason for success has been the talent is probably one of the most preposterous comments i've heard in my whole life. stallings is just a sore loser and a maniac who needs to go jump off a bridge.
volmaniac22 writes:
im so fiery and pissed off right now at the lunatic that wrote this article that i'm about to start a petition to get him banned from the state of tennessee. u sick motherfricker
volmaniac22 writes:
itsme53792#1349745: your a sick human being and a numbskull. y dont you and that terrorist obama go screw each other.
Mr_Man52 writes:
"Donovan should call Pearl "Daddy" as far as i'm concerned."
The only one calling BP "daddy" is his young girlfriend. BP will call Cal "daddy" when he gets spanked this year and watches UM go to another final four. Another year not getting past the sweet 16.........got to be getting old.
RockyTopRooks writes:
pretty sure we beat memphis last year, oh and the year before.. my bad.. maybe "Cal" can try again this year.. Pearl owns that pierce
rusty_shackleford writes:
Basketball coaches are kind of like middle school girls: they believe the world revolves around them, they work hard to attract all the boys' attention, and they get overly upset when someone new comes to school that looks better than they do.
CampVol writes:
Our football team has good players, but I don't see them getting coached.
smokyredbone writes:
Pearl won the SEC last year,jerk!!!
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
Pearl..... gotta love him!!
OldNumber7 writes:
You should wake up and smell the coffee.....when lightening struck and forced Clint Stoerner to fumble, it was really the worst thing that could happen to UT football. Now 10 years after, folks that understand football realize that moment has brought a program to its knees with foolish, faith-laden praise from blinder-wearing, football know-nothings.
THE_VOL writes:
Excuse me but you need to extract your lips from FOOLmer's cheeks - Pearl also has a national championship on his resume thank you.
Alabaster_Jones writes:
You know what these guys said are true, how many coaches can win with crappy players? I mean Pearl is the man but usually the team with the most talent wins. Yoy think Duke and Carolina have been so good for so long just because of Coach K, Dean Smith and Roy Williams? They get great players, but they have to be able to control ego's and put those players in the position to make the most of their abilities. All I'm saying is good talent never hurts anyone.
Colliervol writes:
I don't really care how he's doing it or what the other coaches say about it. It's called WINNING and that's what he gets paid to do. It goes without saying that the athletes need to have decent behavior and at least make a pass at going to class. But, at the end of the day, it's about W's and L's for these highly compensated coaches.
vol03 writes:
you seem very fond of calling people trash. You must be a trashologist. Do you have a degree in trashology or something? GET A LIFE!
overatedvols writes:
"CBS has twice used Pearl at the Final Four as an analyst"
He did make a really good analyst last year as he watched Memphis playing in the final 4. We'd like to have him back again analyzing our final 4 game.
KENVOL writes:
God help us if obama gets in the White House. We can all stop working and let obama pass the money around. He will put us all out of work, same as Jimmy Carter.
THE_VOL writes:
A couple of replies:
First to DANDYVOL - just google Bruce Pearl and you'll get several sites that provide info on what happened when he was at Iowa. Some even have the memo given to the NCAA.
Next to JOHNLGOO...In the Iowa deal Pearl was the "informant" so of course there were no sanctions against him. There were however far more than just a few colleagues that were far more than just annoyed at him. As for TN facing serious problems for recruiting violations - there are no investigations at this time that I'm aware of. However they are at risk just as practically every other school in the country is because they all break the rules to some degree or another. Pearl has said in the past that he has to be squeaky clean because of the Iowa situation. Given that and the "loud" profile he's created for himself I hope that he doesn't forget that because the more hoopla he creates, the more he signs "name" guys, and the more he wins the greater the chances that someone out there decides to try to bring him down.
Finally, to MLEWISHOME - are you really that big of a moron? First of all, I don't HAVE to cite anything or anybody. My track record of posting on serious issues like this is well documented on this board - see Chris Lofton situation last year as one example. And besides if I wanted to spell out specifics I damned sure wouldn't do it here. All that being said, you really should re-read my original post and try EXTRA hard to comprehend the english in it. As I stated IF you believe that everything is as clean as your whitey-tighties on Rocky Top, then you're dreaming!
RockyTop1 writes:
You did drink the kool-aid. Put the glass down and step away! There goes another one! Go VOLS, but NOBAMA!
Madkels writes:
Be careful what you wish for. You might regret it when you loose some liberties and the economy continues to tank.
Madkels writes:
Man you did forget your med's? First an Obama supporter and now a Fulmer backer? Dude, Fulmer is 1-11 versus top ten teams in Neyland since 2000! Obama is an extreme socialist community organizer!
I hope Pearl DOES win one or more, but even if he doesn't, he has made us COMPETETIVE again! Phil has taken us down and Obama will do the same with higher taxes. You must have A) Flunked economics and B) Be too young to remember the Jimmy Carter Presidency.
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