Tennessee's basketball team hopes to deliver a holiday message to its concerned fans tonight at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Namely, that the Vols' mellow West Coast showing - Dude, where's my energy? - was a fluke, not a character flaw.
"So, turn the page,'' coach Bruce Pearl said Tuesday. "It's over.
"Focus on the next opponent and, yes, try to rebuild some confidence.''
The next opponent, North Carolina A&T (4-7), offers one last chance for the Vols (8-2) to restore some good vibes before the Christmas break. Tipoff is 7 (TV: CSS).
A 77-55 loss at Southern Cal on Saturday has cast a pall on UT's run up to a stretch of key games that begins New Year's Eve in Memphis.
And it makes tonight's match with the Aggies a critical game in its own right.
Pearl is anxious to see to what extent his senior leaders are accountable.
Tyler Smith scored a UT career-low three points at Southern Cal. Wayne Chism's one rebound was the fewest since his freshman year.
Bobby Maze had zero assists for the first time this season. J.P. Prince was ineffective after back-to-back strong showings.
Smith has spent UT's early schedule demonstrating selflessness and focusing on getting his teammates involved.
He is at a loss to explain his virtual no-show in L.A., for which he apologized to his teammates.
"I put it on me,'' Smith said Tuesday, "for not having that focus, that drive we usually have.
"When I start off with that passion and energy it trickles down and they follow.''
He says he will ratchet up his offense when the big games call for it.
"When we get to Memphis and Kansas I'm going to have to step it up,'' he said, "but if my teammates are still knocking down shots, I'm still going to pass the ball to them.
"I'm a leader of the team but that doesn't mean I have to take the most shots or score the most points or anything like that.''
Pearl doesn't need to listen to talk radio or read message boards to appreciate that the Vols have not always played with the passion to which UT fans have become accustomed to seeing.
"It's not about winning and losing, it's about the way you play, honoring the game,'' Pearl said.
"That's the biggest thing I promised our fans when I got here. That I don't know how many games we were going to win but we're gonna play harder than our opponents. We did not do that against SC.
"It's not that they're not playing hard,'' he added, "but they're not playing Tennessee hard.''
Vol Notes: Chism was back at practice Tuesday after having an MRI exam on Monday. Trainer Chad Newman said the test didn't show anything serious. . . . Maze did not work Tuesday due to an intestinal illness.
Chris Lofton, the SEC's all-time 3-point king, will be honored tonight with the dedication of the Chris Lofton Recruiting Room at Pratt Pavilion. . . . Since going 3-of-3 from 3-point range against ETSU, Skylar McBee is 0-of-6 the past three games.
Scouting A&T: The Aggies rank 10th nationally in 3-point goals per game (9.3) but it takes a lot of attempts to get there - they're shooting only 30.9 percent beyond the arc.
Leading scorer Dwane Joshua comes off the bench. Thomas Coleman, only a junior, has already broken the school record for blocked shots.
North Carolina A&T is located in Greensboro. The Aggies play in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, where they were projected to finish fourth by Blue Ribbon Yearbook. Coach Jerry Eaves played on Louisville's 1980 NCAA tournament champion team and two of his starters tonight are Kentuckians.
The Aggies have played eight of 11 games on the road. Monday at Miami, they fell behind 21-5, cut the gap to 52-42 and lost 80-59.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57 men's…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 29
kdub writes:
CBP ought to show they boys the replay of the MSU-Tex game to highlight how real bball teams play with intensity, hustle and heart. they'll come out tomorrow fast, let A&T back in it when they get bored then eventually run away with it ho-hum. then they'll lose 2 of the next 3 due to their attitude, lack of hustle & energy, poor perimeter D, horrible FT shooting. if they ain't gonna play "tennessee hard" then let em get splinters in their rears.
pupvol writes:
so Tyler didn't rachet up his game for the Trojans because it wasn't a BIG game. Okay I understand now!
ruffbunch#253882 writes:
you guys are a bunch of whiners. You act like these guys don't care. They do care. Sometimes you just have a bad game or get in a slump. Go have some cocoa with the Grinch.
huntined#565710 writes:
FLA just lost to s. ALA. Looked a lot like the VOLS just jacking up missed 3's. If they don't turn it around fast another NIT..
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
In spite of everything going on with this team right now, I will try to stay positive and take it one game at a time because it doesn't do any good to be negative..If they get their heads on straight and stay focused, then they can still have a good season...I'm surprised that we are still ranked even though most people would agree that we don't deserve it..Win a few big games(very possible if we have our heads on straight and stay focused), and THEN I think we will deserve our ranking.
pupvol writes:
12 players go in a slump at the same time? come on Bruce lay off the kool-aid
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Ruffbunch,
Everyone has their opinion about the team, so if people want to be negative and complain THEN let them...I choose not to be that way because I know that things will always get better one way or another..BTW, I appreciate your statement about the team and the game...GBO!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Don't turn the page, throw the whole book away if it has any more chapters like that one! Unlike some, I really don't mind if Tyler passes a lot if the other guys are making shots. But when they aren't, he has to find a way to make a few more himself. Also, what's been up with his free-throw shooting lately? Up until the Wyoming game, he was knocking them down like a machine, but in the second half of that game he missed FOUR IN A ROW! He missed a couple in the USC game, too, in the first half when it might have made some difference.
Couchdummy writes:
CBP said: "It's not that they're not playing hard,but they're not playing Tennessee hard.''
I saw the game, and they did not play hard or with a focus--Tennessee hard withstanding.
Ironcity writes:
Tyler needs to turn up the intensity on the defensive end. Then demand his team follows. You can't lead on one end of the floor and float at the other. I think we will see better effort gong forward but there are some talent shortcomings that could bite us against some of the upcoming opponents. I trust Coach and expect to see this team more focused and lets hope they gain a little bit of confidence tomorrow.
vols21 writes:
to paraphrase a somewhat famous saying:
"Let what happened in LA, STAY IN LA!"
now, just get back to business...focus on the basics (like free throws) and start winning games again. Need to work on stamina. USC played few players most of the game. We seem to be gassed after 5 minutes.
richvol writes:
Tonight's game against a patsy doesn't mean a thing even if they win by 50. The test of this team,and any other,is how do they perform against the good teams and when their back is against the wall. So far what we have seen has not convinced me of anything except that they are not capable of playing at a high level. They have even struggled against the weak teams and have long lapses of lazy play just like last year. We will see if this team has any character over the next few games...and it must be sustained.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Ive watched some random games (Mich State) to compare our half court offense to others and ours looks very much like other top 20 teams..A lot of perimeter passing between the guards just looking for an open shot or an easy pass to a post player..It really comes down to how well your guards are shooting and how well the opposition defends inside the paint..It's really quite simple; The guards must shot no less than 40% from the field to win.Combine that with a good transition game(which we have) and the result is a 20 point win..If our guards shoot consistently than the problem is solved..I'll take a 55% field goal effort over intensity,leadership and all the other BS anyday of the week
jdcvols#230433 writes:
The disappointment is that Chism and Smith have not improved at all over the past two years. Neither one will stay in the paint. JP is where? Who is JP? Maze and Hopson are better mainly because Goins is helping out at point. And what about "I just like to foul" Williams.
The half court offense is non-existant.
I'm getting concerned about the coaching..seriously. O'Neal schooled Pearl....and we all know Defense wins championships..
FeelVol writes:
I agree with your observation completely rich and yes I'll not be surprised if we win by 50 tonight but I want to know as does many others do we have the character to go to Memphis and get a big win.I hope we can,staying a Vol.
GreerVol22 writes:
When Chism started firing up 3's and missing the whole rim I said this is going to be a long afternoon. No hustle what so ever, giving up baseline was always a no-no when I was playing, but seems quite ordinary against USC. The USC point guard was running right past 2-3 defenders before anyone realized he did it! Slow and sloppy had better change or KY will drill us by 30.
eduardo writes:
Get this trash over with
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Lip service,says I.
Here are quotes pulled from KNS article on 12-18 titled 'Vols plan includes being real in L.A.
"We've all talked about that Temple game,'' Smith said, recalling then-No. 8 UT's shocking 88-72 loss in Philadelphia to the Owls. "We remember what happened, and we don't want that to happen again. After that loss, the season was all up and down.''
"We've learned from last year, and we plan to take care of our business,'' Smith said. "We want to stay (ranked) in the top 10 all season; that's one of our goals. We will not overlook USC.''
"You look back, and here's the difference: we have a better understanding defensively,'' Pearl said. "It takes toughness, effort, execution; and after a year of being together these players understand better what to do.''
"When we get challenged, we'll see some people step up, and we might see some people struggle,'' Chism said. "But most of all, we will stay together. We've shown we've got each other's backs.''
I was disappointed by the missed threes but not disturbed by them. What disturbed me was all the standing around without the ball. Will somebody please explain to me how to get open without moving? Looked to me like the same trash as last year. I wish they would just shut up about how well they intend to play and just play it.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
IMHO, that is just one of the failings of the run-'em-in-and-out system. Nobody is on the court long enough for the "second-wind" to kick in. It's a sprinter's mentality rather than a marathoner's. The idea behind "r-e-i-a-o" is that everybody goes 100% for the relatively short time they are on the court. The thing is, many of the pure-skill aspects of the game can't be performed at 100%. It is better to go about 85-90% of absolute maximum to get the best blend of speed and execution. A military trainer of mine used to say, "Don't hurry; take an extra half-second and do it right!" Besides, we don't play at 100% much of the time anyway. It is natural for a player to try to hold something back; no one wants to literally "leave it all on the court". So this team is falling between the two stools of trying to force the other team to exhaustion and being able to execute the fundamentals of the game themselves.
carlsusanellis#574472 writes:
When is CBP going to cut his rotation there is no way that we have 12 players that can compete in the SEC?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
If you will look a little closer, what you would see is that other teams that pass the ball around the perimeter usually pass and cut; they don't just stand still after passing. The three perimeter positions--between the rings and on each wing--should be occupied at all times, only it should be by guys ROTATING among those positions by cutting across the middle and screening away, forcing the defense to move also. That is where we fall down. Good offense involves moving the ball AND the players.
Brentwoodvol writes:
I used to get so tried of hearing people complain and bash CBP on here, that it wasn't any fun to read. Then I started thinking what a great state we live in and what a great univeristy we have in sports. That it's ok for people to get on here and vent if they feel better. I wish they would not get so personel and call these young men and women stupid names and talk about them sucking, cause I have kids, and it just ain't right. This team is alittle different for whatever reason they just have to find there way (in a hurry too)!! As far as CBP I'm sure he has thick skin and it doesn't bother him as much. Anyway fellow VOL FANS have a great Christmas and Happy New Year!! You guys for the most part a GREAT. Would not want to be a part of any other group!!!!! GBO
Slystone writes:
Vols need to do less talking and more producing to get back on track.
tdvol1989 writes:
First, anyone that calls themself a leader is suspect. Leaders lead by example. But he might be right. He just holds the ball on offense and then passes. When he does shoot, it is usually in traffic and he shoots it with his purse. So does everyone else.
This guy was supposed to have NBA level talent. Maybe he does, but he does not have the competitive drive. If he did, when his team needed a basket, he would take it strong to the basket and CLOSE THE DEAL, make the shot and 1. Not flick it up there Hollywood style and hit 1 of 2 from the line.
This game tonight doesn't mean much. In fact, the ONLY thing they can do tonight is make it worse. Even if they come out and pound the punching bag opponent, it is the same thing we have already seen. So, there is nothing that can change the loss...this week.
Now that I have vented, I do have hope that Coach Pearl can get the edge back. But, they are going to have to get on a hot streak. They have to play well and win SEVERAL games in a row to put the USC loss behind them. Tyler needs to average 18+ over the next 10 games, Chisum needs to get under the basket and hit layups, we have to get a more intentional half-court offense, 2 guys (Hopson + anyone), have to get consistent shooting outside, OUTREBOUND EVERY OPPONENT, and we have to stop dribble penetration and quit getting caught in a doofus double team leaving a wide open 3. For clarification, a DOOFUS double team is when 1 of our guys is confused and lost. Double Teams aren't bad.
The good thing about College Basketball this time of year is that ANYONE can turn their season around. Our record is not bad and we will contend for the East again. But, everyone expected more this year. And, I hate to say it, but Jerry Green's teams looked good the first couple of years. Then, they started playing bad basketball. They won some games, but played ugly. We have to right this ship before we go there.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Good post! Speaking for myself, and I think a good many others on here, I criticize because I want the team to succeed, not just to bust their chops. We don't want to bother CBP, we just want to know that he sees what we are seeing and has a plan for fixing what needs fixing. Sometimes fans DO need to vent, but I agree that sometimes we take it too far. I wish Happy Holidays to you and yours as well. I too love our big, happy, if occasionally brawling, Big Orange family! Makes me feel right at home!
vet4ut writes:
I think your post is very good but not likely to occur.
1) Yes, the season can be turned around but we are about 1/3 the way through it and any fan can see the weaknesses. Problem is, we have a lot of seniors. So, they do what they do. And they aren't going to do what they don't do.
2) Chism under the goal? Come on now...you know that's not happening. If he's hitting the jumper, it will be a productive night. If he's off, it won't.
3) Tyler isn't an 18 point per game scorer. He's a glue guy. He leads by having a block, 4 assists, a steal, 5 rebounds and 12 points. He doesn't have the skill set to take over a game. Without shooters to spread the floor, he can't slash and create. After all of the talk about our team's offseason work, we have not improved. Hopson is SOFT. Tyler has no shot. Maze is no better on D. JP can't shoot.
4) JP is putrid. More importantly, he's lazy. And whining after EVERY call, the refs will never give him the benefit of the doubt. I imagine his dad gets embarrassed when he watches him play.
5) Agent 0 (Woolridge) provides nothing. He too is a Charmin player. Poor D, no shot, no dribble, and gets pushed around the floor. CBP gives him 3-5 minutes a game starting at about the 6 minute mark of the 1st half to keep him from transferring.
6) Skylar has to hit shots to be valuable. His defensive liabilities have to be covered by the rest of the team.
7) Our point guards are poo poo platter. How are they going to stop penetration? Mark Packer dribbled all over them last game.
9) Tatum has "the dog" in him. He puts it out there.
GBO
vet4ut writes:
"Bell....rings".
I'll take 55% all day long and twice on Sundays. Instead of just the guards, what about the entire team?
Our guards are stinky. And half-court offense? What half court offense?
byrd4vols writes:
Has anyone seen a UT basketball program?????????? It looks like a book of mug shots from a high security prison.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Iam honored you even read my post; Your Majesty
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