Bruce Pearl has run up a 21-4 record against in-state opponents during his tenure as Tennessee basketball coach, winning by an average of nearly 20 points.
But Pearl said he's not taking anything for granted heading into Tennessee's game in Nashville Arena tonight.
The ninth-ranked Vols (6-1) take on Middle Tennessee State University in the first game of the Sun Belt Classic doubleheader (TV: CSS, 7 p.m.). Vanderbilt plays Western Kentucky in the second game.
Pearl's only losses to in-state opponents have come to Vanderbilt (a 6-2 series advantage) and Memphis (2-2 series).
Tennessee's average margin of victory against in-state opponents is 19.1 points, and its four losses have come by an average of 4.1.
But Pearl said nothing is to be assumed after a rash of mid-major conference teams have scored upsets over various SEC teams, and he's hoping UT fans will show well in Nashville.
"Our fan base in Nashville has gotten better every year, but it's still not where I want it to be,'' said Pearl, who is 6-1 over the past four years in the arena formerly known as the Sommet Center. "I think the place should be half orange, but I think there will be as much, or more, Sun Belt fans.''
As for the Blue Raiders (3-5), Pearl points out they were within four points of the Vols at halftime of last year's game, which UT ultimately won 76-66.
"You saw what happened to us with Charleston and East Tennessee, by controlling the tempo, they were able to stay in range with us,'' Pearl said of the meetings this season. "Them being smaller and quicker is a factor.''
Senior Desmond Yates, a 6-foot-7 forward and preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection, scored 20 points in his first appearance of the season Tuesday in MTSU's 83-71 loss to Belmont.
Former Fulton High School standout James Gallman, a 5-foot-11 freshman guard, scored 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field.
Pearl wouldn't reveal how he plans to stop Yates or Gallman, but he did say the Vols will run with Middle Tennessee so long as UT benefits from the pace.
Pearl's concerns are not limited to the Blue Raiders' scorers or the game's tempo.
"We've gone nine days without playing a game (Dec. 2), and that's a long time,'' he said. "So you're concerned about the start of the game, and also, that second and third wind, as far as conditioning. But we've practiced pretty hard.''
UT senior Tyler Smith, whose hometown of Pulaski is some 35 miles from the arena, said UT wants to avoid playing down to the level of its opponents.
"We've got to play at our level, no one else's,'' Smith said. "Sometimes we revert back to playing to the level of our competition, and we can't do that.
"We have to play this game, and all of our games, like it's our last game.''
Smith smiled when asked if he might attempt another 3-point attempt; the senior has only attempted one all season.
"If it's there, I'll need to get my feet set and knock it down,'' Smith said. "It's something I worked all summer at to improve.''
Pearl Honored: Pearl was the recipient of the "Knoxville Award" at the Knoxville Convention Center on Thursday.
The luncheon for the award benefits the Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service.
Pearl said he was honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the organization.
"We just have great leadership in our community, at our university, our mayor and our spiritual leadership,'' Pearl said. "It's easy to serve. But you can't serve if you're not called upon, and I have asked the community to call upon us.''
Swiperboy Mix: UT sophomore Renaldo Woolridge has released yet another song, this time to CBSSports.com with a contest for fans included.
Woolridge's latest rap song is about college basketball, and there's a contest for any fan or team that makes the best video to go along with it. The winning fan/team will have a personalized song written about their school or favorite team.
The song can be heard on YouTube and is titled "Tip Off (College Hoops Time).''
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 28
eduardo writes:
Why was Ga. playing and not us in that Big East/SEC matchup the other night??
Titan writes:
Uh Mike, you're getting a bit ahead of yourself. It is still the Sommet Center for now. May not be in the future - but for now the name has not yet come down.
VOLoom writes:
We played in it the last two years. It's other teams turn now.
CatScratchFever writes:
I think after such a long break, Tennessee is ready to start playing games again. I look for the Vols to use their size and defensive pressure to win this game in big fashion........92-68.
jmr68ut writes:
Hard to believe it would be less than half orange. The team is great and fun to watch.
joepine2 writes:
Is this game televise..... GO VOLS
VOLinATL writes:
I think Woolridge needs to focus on hoops and not songwriting. Although, judging by his play, maybe being a rapper will hold a brighter future!
FeelVol writes:
I believe its on CSS at 7:00.
volfirst writes:
CSS 7pm -
gwills228#231210 writes:
MAYBE BRUCE CAN GET VANDY'S BASKETBALL COACH TO ASK VANDY'S FOOTBALL COACH IF HE WAS THE ONE WHO LEFT ERIC BERRY OFF OF HIS BALLOT,BECAUSE IT WAS EITHER HIM OR HOUSTON NUTT!
UTfaninYankeeland writes:
Has anyone noticed that C.J. Watson is having a solid year for the Golden State Warriors. He is averaging 9.2 points a game on a bad team with alot of ball hogs of which he is not one. He is shooting over 50% from the floor, 83.3% from the free throw line and has a positive assist/turnover ratio of 2.3 to 1. Way to go C.J. keep it up.
UTfaninYankeeland writes:
His wrist has been hurting and there is nothing wrong with someone having a passion other than basketball. It's not like he says, "I'm not going to practice extra today because I want to work on my rap career". Get off his back. He represents UT very admirably.
roloyo writes:
I was at the MTSU game last year, at Murphy Ctr., and it was at least 90% orange. I think BP may being trying to punch some buttons.
GBO
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Orange or no Orange it's time for this team to flex their muscles and play a WHOLE game with consistent shooting from all 3 guards..Put 100 points on them and let's get ready for some top 25 competition!!!
topgun writes:
Yep!! The Atlanta vol?? seems to be a little negative, at times, toward the great VOLS sports programs. ATL, ease off, just a tad.
GOVOLS!!
Chris4Vols22 writes:
Except that he only has 1 game this season where he was productive. All the others, he just fouled, turned the ball over and took awful shots. He obviously isn't committed to the team seeing as how he hardly plays and is coming out with a new song every week. I will shut up when he shows any kind of consistency of production on the court. But right now, I wish he were red-shirted.
mtoms1272#210656 writes:
Looking for a great night of eating at The Palm and watching the Vols spank little middle. GBO!
Chris4Vols22 writes:
It actually is the Nashville Arena. They JUST changed it.
VolJunkie writes:
Hard to get excited and travel to Nashville for this match-up; neither game is that great and the tickets, IMO, were way overpriced. Last year was Vandy vs. USF and UT vs. Marquette. My son goes to Vandy so it was a great chance for us to get together and watch our teams. The ticket prices were reasonable and we got great seats. Sorry, CBP, love the team but will watch this one on CSS. See you next Tuesday vs. Wyoming.
Go Vols!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I know CJ had a pretty good year last year but haven't heard how he was doing this year. I'm a little surprised to hear that, not because I don't think he can play but because I thought Stephan Curry was playing point for the Warriors this year. Are they splitting the time?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
No CSS on my cable system, so I guess I'm stuck listening to "Bumblin' Bob" again. Hope the Vols aren't too rusty after their long layoff.
BTW, judging by their game with Syracuse last night, I guess the Gators still aren't ready for prime-time yet. That Syracuse zone is going to be tough to crack this year.
MSU did a number on DePaul last night by a bigger margin, IIRC, than the Vols did. MSU looks like they have some good outside shooters who can take the pressure off Varnado inside.
CatScratchFever writes:
John, You might try Justin.tv. They carry alot of games, and with a light college schedule tonight, there is a good chance it will be on. Good luck.
rbromley7#241642 writes:
The level that they play to is the level they are. Here is another chance to try to slash to the baske by using the dribble and kicking it back out to our big men on the perimeter!! Let's hope we can score in order to be able to press!
rbromley7#241642 writes:
not only smaller & quicker, but smarter basketball wise.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Thanks for the tip; I'll give it a try. BTW, Wall is all you said he would be. The kid has "clutch" written all over him. I still wouldn't ink in a UK win over the Vols just yet, and certainly not two. I know the Cats will be a load by the end of the season, but I think we have a chance to hold them off one more year. At least I hope so!
Slystone writes:
Wayne Chism's basketball IQ is still very low. For a 4 year guy that is got to be pretty amazing.
Slystone writes:
UT has no one in it's backcourt that can remotely stay with John Wall. And we know Patterson brings it every time he plays the Vols. I'm just amazed at the digression of Prince and no improvement of T.Smith. Still a lot of season left and if the Vols can find a rhythm they can be dangerous.
grvol writes:
Place was empty. Vol fans aren't gonna pay doubleheader prices, especially to see Vandy play. What moron came up with the doubleheader concept with hated rivals playing in the separate games? Hope they lost lots of money. Next year just schedule a UT game and leave Vandy out of it.
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