Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl hasn’t made a big deal out of free throws very often during his tenure.
“We make them when they matter,’’ Pearl has said a few times over, regardless of the Vols’ percentages.
Pearl was singing a different tune at his press conference Monday with UT (16-8, 7-3 SEC) preparing to head to Oxford, Miss., to take on Ole Miss (13-11, 4-6) at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
“We’ve not shot it well in practice, and we haven’t made much of an issue of it,’’ Pearl said. “I think I’ve got to make an issue of it now.’’
The Vols made six of 14 free throws in the first half of their 69-50 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday.
“Six for 14, teams will lose games shooting free throws like that,’’ Pearl said.
Tennessee did lose at Auburn (78-77) after making 10 of 17 free throws, and UT made only 14 of 23 free throws in its 54-52 loss to No. 5 Memphis on Jan. 4.
“Because of how much closer the teams are to one another, they (free throws) all matter now,’’ Pearl said. “Chances are, these are going to be close games, and close games will be decided by free throws, all of them — not just the ones at the end.’’
Pearl said he plans to increase the free throw volume in practice with hopes more practice will lead to more efficiency.
Junior Tyler Smith stands tall above the rest of the team in SEC games, making free throws at an .836 clip. Juniors J.P. Prince and Bobby Maze are making .667 of their free throws while junior Wayne Chism is shooting .651 from the line in SEC play.
Freshman Scotty Hopson is hitting .632, while Cameron Tatum is making .400 of his free throws and Brian Williams .389.
“We’ve got to get more volume and put more pressure on ourselves,’’ Pearl said. “We’ve captured some of that urgency defensively; maybe our lack of free-throw shooting has been a lack of focus as opposed to a lack of confidence.’’
Tennessee ranks seventh in the SEC in league games with a .688 free-throw percentage. Ole Miss ranks sixth at .699. Kentucky — where the Vols play Saturday — leads the league at .787 percent.
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Comments » 66
dwa7#337691 writes:
Lady Vols also are terrible at Foul line. That cost them big time against Duke Devils.
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE
Jonboy writes:
were talkin about free throws
elreytk#224994 writes:
Too many college players, Vols included, do not want to learn or execute the things that win games -- setting picks, playing hard defense on every possession, hitting an open man instead of trying to make some street-ball dunk move and showboat and show off and either turn it over and get a charging foul called -- and shooting the free throws. Most of today's players want to run and gun and dunk dunk dunk. Watch me! See how great I am! It's about the team, guys.
wyomingvol writes:
Free Points....
If this team was better on the line during the last 3 years, it would of advanced a round further in the NCAA the prior 2 years and won the SEC last year...
We are a team full of potential 'Hack a Shaque's'...
Sad but true.
doctorvol#211700 writes:
Tyler is solid, Negedu should almost always be in game when we are in one-and-one, Chism is solid when he bends at knees and extends, Prince has improved dramatically-his shot has become much softer, but lately he has lost his arc. He needs to get more air under ball. Hopson usually doesn't hit iron-net or air, Maze's confidence is improving, tatum has none and no routine, wms an adventure, tabb improving. They all need to take fts as serious as tyler and jp. Get a routine and use it in practice and game! GO VOLS!
volbald writes:
Who is Pearl kidding. UT lost those two games against Ohio State two years ago because they couldn't hit free throws. If UT had been able to convert it would have played in the National Champsionship game against UF -which it had beaten twice that year.
huntined#565710 writes:
Just hard to understand that a player at this level can't hit a free throw. at least 70-75% Don't know if h.s. coaches pushes it as much as they did in the past..had to hit 9 out of 10 before you left the gym. Guess it is not that way now..
ggriggs939#223122 writes:
This is the way some of the sec are programmed to beat the VOLS. The sec sandbags the VOLS' key players with fouls and the other team wins at the foul line.
The Lady VOLS were beaten by florida at the foul line when we got 8 shots to their 29, and then missed enough free throws tonight to have beaten duke.
coach75 writes:
ft shooting is all rhythm. same rhythm every time
CoverOrange writes:
Brian and Cameron hit treys as often as free throws.
I'm beginning to wonder if Hopson is farsighted. He can hit the trey but hits the cheerleaders from the FT line.
huntined#565710 writes:
Dang Turbo you may be onto something there..my side hurting from that cheerleader shot!!
ZR writes:
Vols did win the SEC last year.
Funny that the guards are the worst.
kyvol98 writes:
They need to watch film of Ernie Grunfeld and Chris Lofton, then go emulate that in practice.
FeelVol writes:
Would have to agree with you doctorvol,can't understand why Negedu doesn't factor in more games I really feel he could be getting more of Williams' minutes yes especially at crucial one-and-one situations. Brian seems to have gotten worse at the free throw line as the season goes on.Just an observation.
THE_VOL writes:
The REAL question is why the hell are we in the middle of February and Pearl is NOW talking about focusing more on it????? After the pathetic performance this program has had at the line the last THREE YEARS, why wasn't this a FOCUS ALL LAST SUMMER AND FALL?????? Free throws are just like defense - a matter of WANT TO for each individual. To be talking about this AGAIN at this point in the season reflects a flat out coaching failure - no matter how much kool-aid you drink!
THE_VOL writes:
A free throw shooting expert??? LMFAO!! What EXACTLY is a "free throw shooting EXPERT." Isn't learning to SHOOT - free throws as well as jump shots - a part of what we pay COACHES to do???? Or maybe you're right and they should just go down to the local rec league, find a 10 year old who's been COACHED, and let him be the on-staff FREE THROW EXPERT!!!
PennVol writes:
Can anybody tell what they HAVE been working on in practice? We've gotten a little better at rebounding but that's about it as far as I can see since the beginning of the year. Still turning the ball over way too much and still too lazy on defense.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Right; they only constitute about 20% of the points in an average game. Of course, margins of victory are lower than that on average, but why should anyone care about that(;-P)!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Right; everybody wants to make what I call eight-point plays: two for the bucket, one for the free-throw and one for each "WOOO!" they hope to hear from the crowd. Too bad those last ones don't show up on the scoreboard and trying for them usually means you don't actually get the ones that do count, either. People usually cheer when their team makes a free throw, but they rarely go "WOOO!" and they never make SportsCenter highlights--unless they miss!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Seriously, I've wondered about that, too! I really think Scotty needs to have his vision checked, and I am not joking.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Good idea. John Wooden once said, "Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent, good or bad." Put another way, PERFECT PRACTICE makes perfect. Numbers of practice attempts are irrelevant if one doesn't use proper technique.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Me three! Williams, Hopson, Tabb, and Tatum should just NOT be on the court once the team goes into the bonus until they make GREAT progress at shooting FTs. This has killed us before and will do so again. It is little things like that which cause me to wonder sometimes what CBP is thinking in those clutch situations.
volfanhatesbama writes:
Basketball is all about match ups and sometimes Brian is a better match up bc of size so I agree with you on that point plus that he is under appreciated. But I think the reason alot of people feel Negedu should get his minutes is because he brings a great energy and a great amount of hussle to this team off the bench and while Brian is sometimes solid he is just so big to alot of people he looks slow and lazy. Not to say he is but sometimes perception is reality to people.
But to say Negedu doesnt play defense is where I must disagree with you. If you make one of the few final games live in the minutes he gets just watch him on the D end and when a shot goes up he is one of the few people looking for a person around him to get a body on. Just because he doesnt get the rebound doesnt mean he didnt do his job. He is still so very raw and brings such great energy to the court is why he is such a fan favorite just like Tabb was in his few minutes as a freshman. But both Williams and Negedu will make for a very good front line in 2 years for us when they are jr and sr if they both keep growing their game
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Hear, hear! I'll bet Jimmy could beat most of these guys shooting with his off hand! Even now!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I'm surprised Negedu's percentage isn't listed with the others in the article, but he is better than Williams. His shooting stroke is as smooth as anyone's on the team. While I agree that BW has had some good put-backs and passes, he is also good for 2..3..4 passes out of bounds or fumbles on his own catches and 2..3..4 silly fouls per game. I'll also bet Negedu gets as many rebounds per minute played as Williams. As for his height, there are plenty of guys his size who are MONSTERS on the boards, such as Blair of Pitt. Also, E-man's wingspan is far greater than most men his size and he is an explosive leaper. I LIKE BW but I also like E-man and feel he deserves more minutes.
Stokes44yrs writes:
Smith is the only starter hitting free throws...!
Stokes44yrs writes:
Agree.
Stokes44yrs writes:
I like Negedu for his energy. When he steps on the court the teams energy goes up 50%. When Williams goes in you just don't know what to expect. We need both to step it up for SEC tourney,
wyomingvol writes:
The Volunteers won the SEC EAST Regular Season Title...
To this point, they have yet to win an SEC Tournie with any of this current cast...
Regular Season Titles are great....
But that would be like saying the football team won the SEC two years ago by winning the East...
Bottom line, hit free throws and this team is a round deeper or more successful in both SEC and NCAA tournaments.
And yes,,, the guard play is terrible this year.
(We are counting on our big men (Smith and Chism) to hit our clutch freebies down the stretch... Not good.
UKblue02 writes:
It always amazed me how a player can hit nothing but net from 20 feet out, with a hand in his face and miss a stand still free-throw. Maybe they should let one of his team mates stand in front of him while he is at the stripe and make him shoot over his outstretched hand LOL, Not picking on any one indididual about 80% or more of the players and teams today are this way.
Vol_Jokes writes:
54 - 52
AP rank 5
doctorvol#211700 writes:
negedu 50%? 83.9% for year, best on team
TrouserCough writes:
Now it's important! You lost the Memphis and Auburn games because of sorry free throw shooting and now it's important because theres a tight race in the east. Interesting philosophy on a fundamental part of the game. Certainly gives insight into why they can't shoot free throws.
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Tyreke must feel at home in Memphis. Calapari continues his try to win at any cost.
Marcus Camby is still spending the money Calipari paid him at UMASS.
Here is a story from Tyrekes hometown from last year.
CHESTER, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
A local basketball star and one of the nation's top recruits will be played in a holiday tournament tonight, despite his presence at a drive-by shooting.
Tyreke Evans, a senior guard at American Christian Academy, was involved in the fatal shooting of a Chester Township man.
Evans played in a Pete Nelson Classic Thursday night at Widener University and his family asked for the security to be heightened for the event.
Those attending the game walked through a security checkpoint and were scanned by a metal detector before hitting the stands.
Madkels writes:
How can a player at this level not hit 75% of his free throws? Not practicing and learning this shot is like a professional golfer not learning to or practicing putting. If Memphis had been better, they would be defending Nat'l Champs.
woodwr#217203 writes:
EXACTLY!
Coaches can watch for a hitch but no practice time need be spent on free throws.
Players who want to be in the game near the end will practice them alone before breakfast, and in the dark before bed.
Other than a bad form (usually a big guy problem) free throws are "want it" and "nerves resistance."
NO_DIGGITY writes:
I thought when B-Ball announcers were calling Tyreke "Drive By" they were talking about his B-Ball skills.
Here is a story from his hometown that Clarifies how he got his Nickname.
Calpirai still tries to win at all cost (paying Camby Big $$, signing Drive by Suspects) but still has as many Rings as Pearl.
http://cbs3.com/topstories/Tyreke.Eva...
Vol_Jokes writes:
no_digg jealousy will get you nowhere. Well, maybe into the NIT.
Memphis Final 4 ? Who knows, a possiblity.
Tennessee NIT? Strong probability.
volsstinkbad writes:
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Calpirai still tries to win at all cost (paying Camby Big $$, signing Drive by Suspects) but still has as many Rings as Pearl.
Thats funny since he won the NIT a couple of years back and before you say it thats minor league stuff. But, one question for you??? Has ut ever one the NIT?? Has ut ever won the SEC Tourney??? Has ut ever made it past the sweet sixteen???
The answer to all of the above is a big fat NO!!!!
volsstinkbad writes:
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Calapari continues his try to win at any cost.
Marcus Camby is still spending the money Calipari paid him at UMASS.
And Pearl's background is so squeaky clean!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Pearl got in "trouble" because he REPORTED cheaters, not because he cheated; big difference to me, but I guess you don't see it.
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Wow, would love to see that NIT ring with the Cubic Zirconium Center and the Pyrite finish. Coach Cal must be proud.
NO_DIGGITY writes:
He has yet to sign a get away driver in a drive by shooting (Tyreke) or paid Thousands of Dollars to a Player (Marcus Camby). Well, if you want to get picky he did kick 3 players off this team for Smoking Wacky Backy.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Well no_digg I believe your team will be trying to win one of those rings come march.
Somehow i'm thinking if Evans had of come to Tenn. he'd be ok. You know like Maze.
Yes, Pearl did tattle didn't he. So did Fulmer.
Cal runs a clean program. He doesn't cheat. Actually he's tough on the players. One is suspended from the team right now.
Just hurts you people to acknowledge the truth. You want to be big brother so bad. It's really a shame what has happened to the self proclaimed new kings of the SEC. You know those old has beens, kentucky and Fla. are yesterdays news. The vols are today. They are just so much better than that tiger high. Oh well, keep dreaming. At the start of your season I'd say the goal was to get a high seed and get past the sweet 16. Now, it's just to get in.
bluetiger writes:
Tyreke was cleared of any wrongdoing in that murder. He was a chief witness against the shooter.
MOOREVOLS writes:
You might want to check things out a little better before you shoot off at the mouth (or keyboard). Negedu is 26-31 from the line for the season. .839%. You obviously don't watch too many games.
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Good to see Coach Cal suspend someone, I know it was hard for him to do with your tough schedule ahead. I see where you have UTEP, SMU, SOU MISS, Tulane, UAB and HU. Do you play any teams that don't go by initials? Should toughen you guys up for the Tourney. "Drive by" is playing pretty good, so maybe you can repeat your choke of last year.
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Hopefully Coach Cal does not have to "Vacate" his choke runner up last year similar to what happened at UMASS. At least they can still hang their banner like the Memphis State team that Cheated in 1985.
Here is the story.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi...
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Words Associated with Coach Calipari and Memphis
"Vacate Titles"
"Drive By Shooting"
" $28.000 paid to Marcus Camby "
" NIT Ring with Cubic Zirconium Center and Pyrite Finish"
" Memphis State cheated in 1985"
Am I missing something?
Words Associated with UT Basketball.
"Can't shoot Free Throws"
HMMM, I will take UT's Program.
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Here is what John Chaney does to Coaches with a Shady Past.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51-4sJ...
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