More trips to the free-throw line, better finishes around the rim and elevated play from senior wing J.P. Prince.
Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl keeps fine-tuning and raising the bar on the No. 9-ranked Vols (6-1) during these dog days of December.
UT, which moved up two spots in the AP poll on Monday, is practicing each day this week in preparation for Friday's 7 p.m. game at Nashville Arena - formerly the Sommet Center - against Middle Tennessee State (3-4).
"We continue to struggle finishing around the rim,'' Pearl said at his Monday press luncheon. "My job is to try to help us get high-percentage looks, and once we get the ball in there, we have to finish around the basket.
"If we could do that better, our shooting percentage would be up a bit and we'd get to the foul line more.''
The Vols lead the SEC with a .508 field-goal percentage, but Pearl's not about to get a false sense of security.
"Even though we are shooting those percentages, we've missed more than our share of really good looks,'' Pearl said.
And, the head coach points out, Tennessee struggled against bigger, more athletic competition in the paint and on the perimeter.
The Vols made only 22 of 59 (.373) shots against Big East opponent DePaul, and they were only slightly better against Purdue (23 of 53, .434).
"Right now, we're in the top 10 in the country in 3-point percentage (.438), and part of it is we've seen our share of zone defense, and against zone we have a number of guys who shoot the ball well in space,'' Pearl said. "When you start seeing more man-to-man pressed up, against DePaul and Purdue, will we keep shooting that percentage?''
The answer was no for sophomore Scotty Hopson, who ranks fourth in the nation with a .543 shooting percentage beyond the arc but was a combined 0-for-6 shooting the trey against the Blue Demons and Boilermakers.
The Vols are shooting free throws better than they have finished the past four seasons under Pearl.
Alarmingly, however, UT's opponents have attempted more free throws (153) than the Vols (142).
Prince, one of Tennessee's best penetrators, also has struggled.
"You look at his numbers, and he's not putting up what he has,'' Pearl said. "J.P. has more to give at both ends of the floor. Right now, as far as ball-handling and passing, he's fine, but he could do more in every other category; scoring, shooting, defending and rebounding.''
Finally, Pearl's waiting for senior captain Tyler Smith to get more comfortable shooting the 3-pointer.
Smith has attempted only one this season, but Pearl said he's confident Smith will take advantage of his matchups with perimeter shooting in time.
"Tyler will do what it takes to beat the best on our schedule, and if that's having one of the better assist/turnover ratios in the country, which he does now, that's what it will be,'' Pearl said. "If it means scoring inside, that's what he'll do, or if it means scoring outside that's what he'll do.''
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Comments » 24
Volfan615 writes:
So excited that the Vols is comin in to town!!! I finally get to see them up close and personal!!
richvol writes:
This is the first time I have heard Pearl be realistic about Prince and his performance. He is a senior with a lot of experience and there is no excuse for his lackadasical attitude on the floor. It's obvious that he does not give his all even 80% of the time. He has skills but the minutes should go to others that want to hustle.
MBEACHVOL writes:
I agree about Prince, his minutes should go elsewhere until he looks like he is awake out there. If Pearl is waiting for Tyler to take over a game scoring against our best opponents I am afraid we are going to repeat last year. I love Tylers attitiude and he can do a lot of things but I think he is a jack of all trades, master of none.
eb502us#225637 writes:
Problem I see is that Pearl specifically mentioned two players whose upside may be the most limited.
JP could play a little better, but lets face it, he has high school level talent meaning that his only edge is that he's often bigger than those guarding him. Being athletic as he is doesn't translate to having talent. And becoming a scorer and/or playing like a pt. guard as many Vol fans imagine, is a pipe dream that's not going to happen.
Tyler on the other hand could also play a little better and probably will at times, but his game has shown ZERO improvement from last year. From what I've seen thus far, you could make an easy case that his game has regressed.
I think Pearl knows that Tyler will never play like a small forward because he's not comfortable outside facing the basket and will always revert to trying to take his man off the dribble to get into the lane without even sniffing the thought of a mid-range jumper.
Tyler will make a few threes this year, but they won't come off the bounce or dribble as it should for a guy his size. The fact that he hasn't improved in this area (or rarely tries)shows that he has no confidence in that part of his game. Suffice it to say, it will be the main reason he never makes it to the NBA.
Perhaps Pearl's real message is aimed at two seniors to show more leadership in order to rally the rest of the troops.
Ironcity writes:
Its good to see our coach not getting a false sense of security. He sees what we see. I think we will see this team really pick it up after Christmas. As for Prince, I have got to believe there is something going on there. He is not as bad as he has looked. He is turning down layups and making moves to the basket with no intention to shoot. Thats just not his game. When he gets his confidence back, it will add a dimension that our team really needs. Until then, I love what I am seeing from Tatum, he looks good at both end s of the floor.
brentrod writes:
A little less razzle dazzle and a little more value every possession wouldn't hurt either. I love the alley oop more than anybody but wait until the game is secure please. GO VOLS, I will be watching every game.
carlsusanellis#574472 writes:
I think JP is always looking for a chance for a highlight real play, and I'm tired of his reaction when he is called for a foul. I don't see any improvement in his play since he came hear. It's time to give Tatum more minutes.
Bigger_Al writes:
Keep pushing them, Bruce!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Thanks CatScratch...Another great post as always..Happy Holidays!!
dwa7#337691 writes:
predict
UT 77
Middle of Tennessee 67
that's about right
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Agreed. I think Cam Tatum needs to be starting, actually, but Tyler still does a lot of things that make me think, "WTF?????" :)
Nice win vs. UNC the other day, btw. UK is gonna end up being a force to be reckoned with.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Finishing around the rim is more a matter of determination and technique than anything else, including size. JP, Hopson, and Williams are the worst of the bunch on an ongoing basis, though they are by no means the only ones. The first two try to take the ball all the way in on a straight line, so they wind up gliding toward the rim in the last six to ten feet. If they can't dunk it, the resulting shot is hard to make even if they are not being contested. Williams too tries to finesse the ball into the basket instead of gathering himself and exploding to the rim.
The determination part means that once a player commits himself to taking the ball to the rim, he has to forget about the possibility of getting the shot blocked, expect contact, and explode THROUGH the arms and hands. The player has to have the attitude that, "You had BETTER block it; otherwise, it is going in." In other words, do what you have to do to MAKE the shot and MAKE them stop you, don't "check yourself" as we used to say on the playground.
The technique part is about recognizing where the opportunities are, using good fakes and pivots from a sound base, and having patience rather than rushing to put the shot up. It would also help if the guys use the backboard more in close. That is one area where Wayne has shown a good deal of improvement this year. When he is in the post area and can't dunk the ball, he takes it to the board most of the time.
VolunteerLifer writes:
It's a little early to draw all of these conclusions. I think the Volunteers are still trying to find out who they are, and that's bad news considering that everyone's back from last year, but the good news is they seem to be making progress. Point guard play is improved greatly, and Tyler and Chism are doing a good job at the posts. Tyler doesn't have to hit threes, he's a 4-player. If he was a 3-player, then yes, he has to take that shot and hit it. But not as a 4. Our problems appear to me to be on the perimeter, the 2 and 3 positions. Hopson is not stepping up, so much so that a walk-on freshman is challenging him for PT And Prince is out of sorts, so much so that Tatum is challenging him outright for his position. It's the job of the seniors and the coaches to get those two positions back in sync with the rest of the team. There's still time to get it done, but soon it will be the end of December and we will be playing the big boys. Will we be ready? Your guess is as good as mine.
VOLoom writes:
Good call on the foul reaction. Every time you try to show the refs up they will hit you again and again. Fouls in basketball are so easy to call on any given play, don't give the refs any more incentive to punish you. I just watched a piece on espn about the nba ref that was gambling on nba games. He said Allen Iverson had done something to make the refs mad so all of them got together and decided to single him out for extra attention. You don't want that.
richvol writes:
Exactly John...it just kills me when Hopson,and especially Williams,go up soft for what should be a thundering dunk. They get it knocked out of their hands or blocked about half the time. Determination is required to stuff that ball through that basket and neither one have enough of it. Williams is not only soft but too lazy to get his big rear end off the floor. No one should EVER be able to stop him when he is within 5 feet of the basket...period.
Rockygrass writes:
Need tickets to the game on Friday night. Live in Nashville, but all the Vandy fans sucked up the tix. Only thing I can find are $50 seats in the 3rd tier...better off sitting at the bar than way up there. HELP!
ucancallmeray writes:
I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it-JP is what my old ball coach used to call a lolligagger. He's a glorified elite high school player trying to get a highlight jam for ESPN. Start taking care of the ball, taking it to the rim like a man, and quit whining about every foul called against you. Better yet, just pass it off to Skylar so he can drill a tre'.
alfrizzle097 writes:
I resent the content of that post. How much weight has Williams lost since he was recruited? He as completely changed his body type, and that is not something a lazy man does. He is still learning how to play the game of basketball and I'm seeing improvement from him on just about every level.
If the refs would quit calling fouls on him for existing, he could be a pretty effective defensive force. When someone is driving to the lane, Williams could be standing still, they run into him, and he gets a fould called on him. No wonder coaches get technical fouls with calls like that....
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You make some good points, especially about the way the refs treat Williams. He gets more bad calls against him than just about any player I have ever seen. However, he, like JP, visibly sulks too much when he is called for a foul. I do think in his case it is sheer frustration rather than general surliness, as it often seems to be with JP. I too think Brian has made amazing progress, but surely you would agree that if he could improve in just ONE area, it would be playing stronger around the basket.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Brian may get a lot of unwarranted fouls, but he also fouls when he shouldn't. He gets beat often around the basket and when his man gets by him, he has a tendency to shove his hip into him with his hands raised like "who,me?"
JP is just a joke. Tatum should be getting his minutes.
Ironcity writes:
Great post, I like what Williams is becoming. He still has to learn to finish strong but his game is getting better on both ends of the floor everyday. Man do the refs have it out for him or what. I guess based on years past, he has earned the reputation of being a total hack.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Excellent point. Brian does have a tendency to "wobble" a bit in setting screens and attempting to draw charges. If he would use that hip a little more to get position for rebounds and a little less in post defense and setting screens--out on the floor, where the refs can see any little twitch--he would save himself a couple of silly fouls a game and have a few more to use scattering bodies inside where it really helps.
Mule_Days_King writes:
The only good thing I ever hear about Brian Williams is that he stopped going to Dunkin Donuts with Fulmer. Waste of a roster spot.
Stokes44yrs writes:
I'm still wait and see. I think we're much improved this year but I'm mainly going on the Purdue game... It's still early. MTSU will be a good test of our focus...I'll be a believer if we go undefeated in January.lol everyone will.
Meanwhile Hopson,Defense!! McBee wants your spot! Maze, defense and make the team play your offense (looking a lot better this year tho'), Goins your times coming. JP What the h__? Tyler keep it up. Chism demand the ball! Williams your the stronger player.Let them know it, especially if they foul you (well don't damage anyone tho'...much). McBee I'd almost be starting you now. Almost.Keep playing hard and shooting well. Tyler if you're going to the basket then go to the basket!! who can stop you besides you.
Well it's still early and who knows what we'll do? Elite 8? I can see it.
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