Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl and his basketball team are far from pleased with themselves at the midway point of the SEC men's basketball season.
"It's time to grow up out there,'' UT junior center Wayne Chism said. "It's hard to win in the SEC, and it's a battle every night.''
Fans had grown accustomed to UT winning the close battles with clutch play from such stars of the past as Dane Bradshaw, Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith.
"Just look at how many games we could have lost last year,'' UT assistant coach Jason Shay said, pulling out a media guide and rattling off no less than 10 games UT won that could have gone either way in the final minutes. "We're really not that far off.''
The Vols (14-7, 5-3 SEC) look to get back to their winning ways with home games they'll be favored in against Georgia (8 p.m. Wednesday) and Vanderbilt (3 p.m. Saturday).
"I'm as accountable as anyone for the fact that we're a couple games under where we'd like to be,'' said Pearl, who has taken UT to the Sweet 16 each of the past two seasons and made the NCAA tournament all three years he has been the Vols' head coach. "But nobody's panicking. We lost by one point on the road (Saturday at Auburn), and we're disappointed. But I don't think our confidence is terribly shaken.''
Pearl knows the bottom line is that UT is still on track to make a fourth-consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.
The Vols' RPI rating - which is used by the NCAA tournament committee to make selections and determine seedings - is tops in the SEC at No. 21 in the nation.
Still, Florida (No. 30), South Carolina (43) and LSU (52) have been getting votes in the Top 25 rankings while Tennessee has been ignored the past three weeks.
UT has four wins against top-50 RPI teams, and its strength of schedule ranked No. 1 in the country as of Monday, though it could dip a few spots after Georgia (214) and Vanderbilt (93) come to town.
"The SEC will get, what, four or five teams in the NCAA tournament?'' Pearl said. "I think we just need to be in the top four or five.''
An analysis of how the Vols measure up halfway through the SEC season:
FRONT LINE
(Wayne Chism, Emmanuel Negedu, Brian Williams, Tyler Smith, J.P. Prince, Steven Pearl)
Half-court offense:
<B>B+ </B>Chism and Smith's offensive numbers are up, and Williams and Negedu have had their good moments. Negedu brings a great amount of energy but is still learning the offense, while Williams provides an effective big body when he's playing hard. The offensive rebounding has been a "B" as well, as UT has outscored most all of its opponents in second-chance points. J.P. Prince has brought an added dimension of late with his play-making, as he leads the SEC with a 3.2 assist/turnover ratio in league games.
Half-court defense:
B Chism won the majority of battles going toe-to-toe against some of the finest big men in the country. Chism's quick feet have enabled him to stay with smaller players on the perimeter when called upon. Smith has struggled at times defensively, particularly when trying to play with fouls. Williams and Negedu, again, have been hot and cold.
3-point shooting:
B The fact that UT's frontcourt is even being evaluated in this category shows the versatility of the team. Chism has been the most effective of the front-line players shooting beyond the arc, hitting at a .385 clip in SEC play. The front line, as a unit, has hit 22 of 66 (.333) 3-point attempts in league play.
BACKCOURT
(Josh Tabb, Bobby Maze, Scotty Hopson, Cameron Tatum, Renaldo Woolridge)
Half-court offense:
C+ The best breakdown players are on the front line, in Smith and Prince, and that's somewhat telling. Maze has recently started to show his scoring skills while Hopson and Tatum have had their share of highs and lows. Inconsistency has been the bottom line, however.
Half-court defense:
D- The Vols rank only ninth in the SEC in steals and are sixth in league games in 3-point field-goal percentage defense. Pearl said six opposing players have posted career-high scoring performances against UT, including Jodie Meeks' 54-point effort. Tabb's quickness has been challenged by opposing point guards. Tatum, at 6-7 and coming off two knee surgeries, also has struggled at times. Hopson's defense has been the most improved on the perimeter.
3-point shooting:
C- The Vols' backcourt shoots a collective .336 beyond the 3-point arc in SEC games (34-for-101), not even a full percentage point better than the big men, and a far cry from the .377 UT hit last season. Hopson leads the way in SEC games (.429) while Maze is making .333 and Tatum .297. Tabb has made 3 of 7.
TEAM
Free-Throw Shooting:
B UT is hitting .691 over the course of the season and .680 in SEC. The Vols have struggled at times down the stretch, particularly Tatum (.400 in SEC play), who has missed the front end of key 1-and-1 situations. Negedu has been a pleasant surprise, making 25 of 29 (.862) attempts and all six attempts in SEC play. Tyler Smith ranks fourth in SEC games with an .830 free-throw percentage, and Prince is hitting .724 in league games. Chism's percentage is up this season to .730 from last year's .556, as is the entire team's (.691 to last year's .659).
Transition Play:
B It's a different Vols team; bigger, longer and slower, and that has taken UT out of the pressing/trapping style Pearl prefers. Auburn coach Jeff Lebo said the Vols are still best in the nation at guarding inbounds passes, and that has led to UT's fast-break points this season. The Vols are doing better getting back on defense, but not good enough.
Coaching:
B Pearl has used nine different starting lineups and started nine different players in his search to find UT's "sweet spot'' as he blends five new players into his 10-deep rotation. Pearl still out-coaches Florida's Billy Donovan each time out, but Kentucky's Billy Gillispie has been a tough matchup, as Pearl is only 1-2 against him and had to hang on for dear life last season when the 'Cats were playing without marquee center Patrick Patterson.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 87
bmaples writes:
Assuming this will be changed -- I'm giving you a D in spelling for using "farring" for "faring."
:--)
Bruce in Louisville
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
our experienced players are not playing up to potential and helping out the youth. too many times our experienced players disappear.
Only a couple players show fire and the energy we had last yr. Tabb, tatum and hobson many times look half asleep on the court.
Wauconda_Vol writes:
Farring. Nice.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
just like the LV's... we lost all our backcourt (ramar, chirs, jajuan, jordan) and it's killing us.
Just think what a different team we'd be if Ramar had stayed on track and was still here.
Laydbakvol writes:
This is tarring me apart!
rootin4volz writes:
Amen...Geez, the idiocy that is displayed by these "writers" is appalling. And if it's not idiocy, it's just plain sloppy. Internet or not, act like a professional. Bozos.
SFOrange writes:
Huh? "B" for this inconsitent team?
NCAA tourney talk? Huh? Look at the record--14-7, 5-5 in last 10, 7-4 home?
Vol_Jokes writes:
So many B's in there. You gotta be kidding me. A team that can't beat anybody decidely these days no matter how bad they are. A team that has lost more than they have won over a period of weeks now. A team that just got beat by Auburn. B huh. Too bad I didn't have this guy when I was in school. I do believe it should be more like F F D- F F D- F
Tigers ranked 8 in AP this week.
newtonrail writes:
Fairing is the word I believe everyone is looking for.
Halls3 writes:
If this team gets a B then teams like UConn, Duke, & Pitt must be off the charts. This team should get a D because they are a #5 team in the #7 conference in the nation.
VOLorado writes:
Nice try... "faring" makes a lot more sense
fare (fâr)
intr.v. fared, far·ing, fares
To get along: How are you faring with your project?
fairing [fair-ing]
–noun
1. a structure on the exterior of an aircraft or boat, for reducing drag.
VOLorado writes:
Oh, and "farring"
Farring- Did you mean faring (in dictionary) or Faering (in reference)?
VOLorado writes:
hang in therre
Concerned_Mother_Focker writes:
whatever
thevoice writes:
When I was in school, a "B" was considered good. Are you telling me that were are a "good" free throw shooting team? And a coach is graded by how many different starting lineups he uses? What about rebounding? Bench play? Hustle? Turnovers? The only thing I agree with here is the backcourt halfcourt offense: D-. Go back and re-evaluate Griff, and start watching the team whose colors are orange and white!!
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
My sediments exactly . . . .
txvolsfan writes:
The Vols will make the tournament but we need a more consistent Hopson and Maze to advance past the second round!!! I really look for us to win the SEC tourney and gain some momentum there.
Ironcity writes:
The grade for transition should be a D not a B. Our transition Defense and Offense have been horrible. I think our front line is getting a little to much credit in this article.
GreerVol22 writes:
spend less time decorating the dining room and more time in the gym...seems simple.
Youtee1 writes:
I can barrly stand to read this.
murrayvol writes:
I've seen worse Bruce....much worse. :)
murrayvol writes:
Let me put my two scents in.
murrayvol writes:
This team can get better but probably not by much. We're 21 games in and still struggling.
We're still missing the guy who can get you 9 points in three trips to either get back in a game or close one out. That's not going to change between now and tournament time. JMO
PennVol writes:
Any decent point guard can drive to the hoop and score on this team or get fouled. Half court offense still doesn't look like we have any particular objective in mind. We just sorta pass the ball around the perimeter until the shot clock winds down.
1982_35_28 writes:
Oh no, not the "we're not that far away" attitude from the basketball team too!
VolJunkie writes:
IMHO, the key sentence in this article is regarding the front court players "... while Williams provides an effective big body when he's playing hard." It's a sad commentary that "when he's playing hard" needs to be used as a qualifier. Win or lose, I think all of us want to see this team put forth the same effort and show the same heart we have seen the past couple of years. I have no problem losing a game when we have given it all we have.
That said, and speaking with my glass half-full, I still think UT can finish 20-10 and get a 6-8 seed in the NCAA. BTW, Joe Lunardi (ESPN Bracketology) currently has UT as a #6 seed in a tough Midwest bracket.
Go Vols!
JimBobJumpback writes:
C+. Still a work in progress. Trust the Pearl.
Go4Two writes:
If the football team played like this the grade would be D
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
COACHING D-
THE_VOL writes:
"We're really not that far off.'' The battle cry of a desperate and losing team. For two months it was "we're young" now it's this nonsense.
"I think we just need to be in the top four or five.'' So I guess BP has given up on defending the title????
This team has so much internal turmoil that anything could happen from here on out.
Mommasboy writes:
This team will make the tourney, but I don't see them getting past the 2nd round. Despite BP's comments at the start of the season, this is OBVIOUSLY A REBUILDING YEAR! Of course, he isn't going to admit that. We won't be losing anybody off this team unless Smith decides to go, which I don't see him playing in the nba, unless he grows 4 inches or learns how to shoot off the dribble. We need 2 more solid guards who will lay it on the line. This team lacks quickness and shooters. Pretty mediocre considering BP's past teams.
vollowme writes:
come on, that's not fare.
: )
vollowme writes:
man we're bored.
SeanJean writes:
This is absurd. This team is doing nothing above a C level except maybe Chism. Wake up.
crappieking writes:
Hey coach where's the fire? Where's the in your face attitude? Where's the sweat soaking through your suit? Where's the "sit the bench if you don't play strong defense". WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR? This is not the same fired up team as last year or the same passionate coach!!! Get rid of the fancy house, girlfriend etc........and get back to BRUCE PEARL BASKETBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!! we are waiting.
allntl1#565211 writes:
Turnipment, turnipment. Are yu kiddin me. We better pull a GA in the SEC turnipment if we are goin two make it in. I think were 16w and 12L in reguler seesun.
Go Smokie and go Soggie Daisy
rootin4volz writes:
No, it's FARING, as in FARE. Do you write for the KNS too?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
The majority of the stats cited reflect SEC play. For the most part, we have shot better in SEC games, which would be our more recent games, than we have in the season overall.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Transition offense and defense are mostly back-court responsibilities. They are more often nearer the mid-court line on both offense and defense and do, or should do, most of the ball handling in the transition offense. While it can be debated that our front-court players are graded too high in some areas, I don't see how anyone could think the back-court has performed better than the front-court so far this season.
thebadsamaritan writes:
You guys are cracking me up. Funny posts!
Seriously, from a Memphis alum/fan perspective:
You've got the nucleus of a good team. Chism is a stud and could start at most other D1 schools.
I've watched a lot of your games. The biggest problem is a lack of consistent defense. If you played defense against the SEC like you played against us - you'd win the conference easily.
Defense is scheme and effort. Scheme is the coach's responsibility. Effort is the team leaders' responsibility. Some player on that team must step up and hold everyone else accountable. For us, it is Antonio Anderson. He doesn't allow his teammates to slack off - even in practice. Last year it was Chris Douglas-Roberts.
UT must find that leader. That leader must step up.
I do bust on you on occassion. But, I'm pulling for you. Partly for selfish RPI reasons for UofM, but also because Chism went to my high school and he's a good kid. Pearl has been a winner wherever he's been. Give him time and he'll turn it around. It took Coach Cal at Memphis about three years to get us going again. Included in that was a couple of trips to the NIT.
Good Luck the rest of the season.
Orange4life writes:
keep that jar for your tears when tebag leaves, thats all you got to hang your hat on.
Orange4life writes:
eh read above
Orange4life writes:
finaly a classy person from memphis
and well put
VolJunkie writes:
I knew you had it in you ... good perspective, nice post.
redneckerson writes:
Does this mean you're backing off the 20 win guarantee you posted over and over and over again on here when other folks questioned this team???
theoldbear writes:
Leadership is lacking. Chism isn't as good as some folks on this thread seem to think he is. He wants to be a guard, and sadly his perimeter defense isn't a whole lot worse than those who are supposed to be playing guard. And his three point accuracy may be better!
Two years in a row without a point guard. Well, the football team looks like it will be two years in a row without a quarterback, so I guess it is becoming a Volunteer tradition.
Somebody needs to step up and be "the man" if this team is going to win twenty, and advance beyond the first game in the NCAA tournament.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Huh? Surely you meant to reply to someone else!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Dang, dude! The other UM fans will vote you off the island if you keep writing stuff like this! Not that I doubted that there ARE classy UM fans, it's just that we are not used to seeing many of them on here. All too many UT fans are falling short on the "classy gauge" as well. Good points and all worth pondering.
murrayvol writes:
Not to mention 12-4 in the SEC (can still happen but it's a reach).
What the heck! A guy can change his mind based on additional information.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
good jobe!!!
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