Hopson emerges in the nick of time

Tennessee freshman Scotty Hopson said he doesn’t pay any attention to Internet chat boards and sports radio call-in shows.

But his friends and family do.

“They were telling me all the stuff on the Internet and things people were saying on the radio,’’ said Hopson, a McDonald’s All-American who has at times struggled this season. “Man, I haven’t heard criticism like that before. Stuff like I couldn’t shoot, and that Scotty Hopson wasn’t living up to the hype.

“A lot of people were telling me to have a chip on my shoulder.’’

So Hopson did — in his own way — and the result was a career-high 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting (4-of-6 beyond the 3-point arc) in the Vols’ 79-63 win over Florida on Saturday night.

“Coach (Bruce Pearl) talked to me about having poise, so I went out there and I was just smiling,’’ Hopson said. “Coach told me about the importance of body language.’’

Pearl said the combination of Hopson stepping up and Florida stepping out (on defense) facilitated Hopson’s performance.

“Obviously Scotty was aggressive and able to score,’’ Pearl said. “When you play Florida, you’re going to play in space, and it opened things up for us a big and Scotty was able to make plays.’’

One of Hopson’s two-point field goals game on a baseline drive, when he burst past the defender with a quick first step and pulled up for a soft jumper.

“That’s my game, that’s what I used to do all the time,’’ Hopson said with a wide smile. “I think I’ve just been thinking too much, and I haven’t been playing to my strengths.

“I know, I’ve just been hesitating.’’

Hopson said he could think of a few other scoring opportunities he passed up against the Gators.

“I did pass down a lot of other shots, didn’t I?’’ Hopson said. “Well, I’ll adjust. This was a confidence builder for me.’’

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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