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.’’
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 49
CoachFulmer writes:
Ole Scotty was on top of his game last night. The Vols need consistency if they wanna make it to the top of the SEC. Go Vols!
volwalk writes:
THis is the Hopson we all were hoping to get...Congrats on a great game..You and the rest of the guards are the key factors in making us a team that will be a hard out in the NCAA Tourney. Keep it up!
volwalk writes:
Beam us up Scotty!
cowvols writes:
that a boy scotty hops!
Waldorf writes:
I hope he can be consistent.
Huge win last night no doubt, but they are going into Fayetteville, and that is never a place where it is easy to win. A win on Wednesday would go a long ways in making be believe this team has turned the corner.
I just hope they don't pull a Wake. Big win followed by a humiliating loss.
CBS has them ranked #20 in their RPI. With the conference being so weak, they will need 10 conference wins to be a lock, if not 11.
BY_HIS_WOUNDS_WE_ARE_HEALED writes:
ALL I CAN SAY ABOUT HIM CUTTING TO THE BASKET AND WEEZIE MAKING THAT NICE DISH TO HIM, SCOTTY-GOT-HOP-SON!
volunteer11 writes:
hopson is so real. you cant expect a freshman to just come in and immediatly start beasting. i have a feeling hes gonna be beasting alot more tho now
huntined#565710 writes:
Good game for him..just keep on keeping on
tripper writes:
Hopps, great game. Just remember you pasing game is just as importantant as scoring.
eduardo writes:
I think everyone should keep on dogging this guy to get this type of performace. wow!!!
eduardo writes:
Way to go STEELERS!!!!!!!!
eb502us#225637 writes:
I still think he's tentative in almost every move he makes.
I know he played well shooting the 3, but like Chism earlier this year, I'll wait for some consistency before jumping on his bandwagon. He needs to eliminate the sloppy passes and airballs first and then be decisive about what he's doing when driving to the basket.
TooLegit2Quit writes:
He needs to be consistent, cut out the freshman turnovers, and quit air balling free throws. The sky's the limit with this kid, keep growing Scotty....Go Vols!
12packvolfan writes:
i agree
MrBamSeydu writes:
good player, just needs that killer instinct. he just doesn't understand that he has the POTENTIAL to be our best player... right now. he could be our go-to player if he really went after it like he did against UF.
VOLKING writes:
So, the SEC is going to have Bob Knight coaching at UGA. Pearl versus Bobby....man, I can't wait. Georgia hasn't offered yet, but according to ESPN, Knight wants it. Does anyone think this is a good idea for UGA? I personally do, but will the suits in the UGA athetlic department go for it?
volfan1985 writes:
I think it is really funny what i was saying on Friday!! "Hopson will be ok!" Vol fans seriously need to back this guy at all times!! even when he is not having the best of games!!! For real!!
richvol writes:
That was a good game for Hopson that showed what he is capable of. There have been several games that he has killed us in however.
Coach has to give a freshman a break now and then but he also needs to sit him when he messes up...not just let him continue to hurt us on those days where he lapses back to la la land.
Did anyone notice the brief appearance of Negedu? he powered his way to a basket and rebounded well. If he got 20 minutes of playing time he would be a star in this league. We got him at the last minute in recruiting...it seems that the coaches are favoring the other guys with more hype rather than giving him the time he deserves with his performances. I'm not looking for disagreement on the team but he needs to play more. He can sub at the power,small and post.
huntined#565710 writes:
Knight going to GA.? Well he still has his RED sweaters.
anything on this??
txvolsfan writes:
Dude can get off the floor, that one dunk he got up quick!!!
Great game, let's get on a roll now\
GO VOLS,
SMELLS LIKE PORK!!! MAKE SOME BACON WED.
rockytop4ever writes:
Great game for the Vols and for Scotty. It was good to see him break out of that freshman funk. He still gave us the obligatory air-ball free throw but I guess I can forgive him this time. Overall great game for Scotty. This is what we all were waiting on. Go Vols!
VolJunkie writes:
CBP said on his post-game show "You could say that Scotty grew up tonight." It has got to be tough coming into this program and conference as a freshman, not much in high school can prepare anyone for this. Great overall effort by Scotty, as a sidenote, he had the first 3 rebounds for the Vols, he was very aggressive from the start. More good things to come from this young man.
Here's the link to the ESPN story on Bob Knight:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/st...
Go Vols!
KENVOL writes:
I'll second that.
Volgrad777 writes:
Ive seen this kid play in high school and know him, he was down on himself because of all the critisicm and bashing. He was in his own head too much. His ability is amazing , and hes showed that in this game. Everyone just remember when you say things about him and bash his game , even though hes a frosh, that it can eventually end up affecting him. This story is kind of proof. This kid needs support and backing , and his family and parents dont need to hear couch patatoes trying to coach their son. Lets get behind the kid and help him get where hes obviously going. To great things......
VolJunkie writes:
Unbelievable ... great video. Glad to see that so far he is "tat" free!
b_neas writes:
IMO Scottie needs to be like JuJuan and #5, if he has any type of open look, shoot it. He hesitates to much. He just needs to know the ole shooters saying, "when you are hot SHOOT IT, when you are not hot keep shooting til you are hot"!!
Vol_Jokes writes:
Good win Saturday. This should help your chances of getting in the NIT this year.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Always good to tune in to a vuls game and hear all the raving that goes on about what a great coach you have....but
enough about pat summit. Wonder when they'll mention bruce.
Great to see all the banners hanging. You think any will ever belong to the mens team. Maybe not considering the best sec team wouldn't be in the top 8 of the big east. Nice one for the national tv audience. At least you won one on national tv. It was getting ridiculous. Nevermind that you blew a big lead and Fla. got back in it near the end
Vol_Jokes writes:
Even if we lost to gonzaga we wouldn't lose to them twice.
We've beaten them 3 straight times. Memphis had their best showing of the season sat. They are going to do some more damage come march. You vuls can cheer us on again.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Hey you vuls better hope we do lose to gonzaga or it's just gonna make the vuls look all the worse. You were beaten soundly by them on a neutral court and then soundly again at home breaking your win streak. If we go to their place and beat them then it's only gonna make vulunqueers look worse. Tigers recrowned champs of Tenn. after a fluke vul win a year ago after which the vuls have been miserable since. Memphis appears they are doing their usual and that's getting better and better as the season goes on. They could be an elite 8 team again or better. Vuls.. losers in the first round of their NIT game to knoxville school for the blind.
54-52
VolJunkie writes:
Interlopers think a quarterback is a refund
Major_Magilicutty writes:
he's pretty good at airballs too! but seriously, great win!
TrouserCough writes:
He still has a mental issue with free throws. Air balled yet another.
Orange4life writes:
Interloopers think your football team is a joke. The power house of a conference you play in is really making you look good. Woot Woot, Does Memphis High produce anymore winners like yourself or are you the only one?
Go back to the piss pot town you came from
dirtdobber1 writes:
He should have shot more Saturday night from 3 point land! He needs to keep firing at will!
dirtdobber1 writes:
F Dick Vitale! He is a bald headed punk. What was he smoking Saturday night? he tried to get his partner to agree with him that the best SEC team would finish at best 8th in the Big East? Thank goodness that is sidekick called him out on it and informed that the Vols had beaten Marquette and Georgetown! Get your head out coach K's crack!
VolJunkie writes:
Interlopers think "Memphis High" is something you smoke.
VolJunkie writes:
Agreed. They spent more time sucking up to the Big East and ACC than to the game going on in front of them. Granted the Big East and ACC are seriously strong this year, but I think the SEC will surprise some people come March.
Go Vols!
VolJunkie writes:
I think you need to reread my comment ... or perhaps you misunderstood it?
Go Vols!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
This site should be banned for all players. Coach should dish out suicides for any player found out to be on these sites. Besides with the language on here he's too young.
Bring on the web police!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Good points, as usual. On one hand, I don't want Scotty playing scared because of a too-short leash, but on the other, he has to sit when he gets in his "oblivious" zone. Like a lot of us, I too have wondered why Negedu isn't getting major minutes. Unlike Scotty and some others, Negedu has never really HURT us whenever he was in; on the contrary, he has USUALLY provided some kind of spark when he plays.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Do NOT feed the interloping troll!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
That's an interesting issue. As a general rule, the ONLY people players should pay attention to is the COACHES. They are the ones who determine how and how much they will play. Some of these guys have "posses" and "helicopter parents" who are always telling them how great they are, no matter how they play. While I would CERTAINLY agree that players should take all fan comments with a grain of salt, reading a forum like this can serve as a form of reality check, to the extent that the sports world is "real" in the first place(;-P)!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
if u dont do it consistently its not a breakout but a fluke-------it was said he broke out a couple weeks ago but he followed that good game up with 3 or 4 of what he had been giving us----I hope its breakout this time but its going to take more than once every 2 weeks to say so----but having an airball every game does take some of the luster off---how do u airball freethrows in 2 straight games---dont say this to be critical but they should get his vision checked to see if his depth peception is right---I'm not hater, I'd like to see him play as billed
VOLKING writes:
How many banners hanging from Tigerhigh's gym? Same as UT...weird isn't it? Our record versus the Kitty Cats from Hades...I mean Memphis...over the last 10 meetings, 7 wins, 3 losses. We still own you. Period. Getting far in the NCAA tourney means zilch if you don't win it all. Loser.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
I wasn't serious really. Although posts no one should read, especially teens.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
correction- "although SOME posts noone should read."
mocsandvolsfan writes:
oops...no one
ballewville6 writes:
scotty will be great in time,he will improve next year and even more his junior year and next,i hope he finishes the rest of this season scoring and reboundind more and have fewer turn overs,but other players need to do better like woolridge and tatum they both shoot well during practice and pick up games ,but they need to improve tennessee needs to win atleast 8 of their remaining conference games and win the tourney tital for first time in a while
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