OXFORD, Miss. — Tennessee junior Wayne Chism wore a look of exasperation in the aftermath of Wednesday’s loss to Ole Miss.
“This ain’t Tennessee basketball,’’ Chism said. “We’ve got to represent the Tennessee on our jersey.’’
Chism had 19 points and eight rebounds, but many of his numbers came late after the game was decided.
The scoreboard showed the Rebels were 81-65 winners, but the beatdown went beyond the numbers.
“We’ve got to man-up,’’ Chism said. “We got punked on the boards, just like at Auburn (a 78-77 loss).’’
Chism and Tyler Smith combined for only two rebounds in the first half, and yet, the Vols were only down 34-32.
But the Rebels, one of the youngest teams in the nation, came out of the locker room for the second half like veterans with a 7-0 run.
Tennessee couldn’t get shots off, and when it did, it missed. Five free throws in a row were missed as Ole Miss pulled away.
“It’s not our youth,’’ Chism said. “It’s a lack of focus. We’ve got to pick this thing up.’’
Smith said he was at a loss for words and struggled for an explanation of what UT needed to do to bounce back.
“We have to step up as veterans,’’ Smith said. “We played average tonight, and an away game requires you do a lot more.’’
One element that was missing was the sterling play of J.P. Prince.
Prince was battered around and bottled up by the physical Rebels throughout the night, finishing with just two points and two rebounds.
“J.P. was off his game,’’ UT coach Bruce Pearl said. “He took a pretty big hit early.’’
Prince fell hard on his back on one drive, and was seen repeatedly rubbing it for the remainder of the game.
Former NBA star Orlando Woolridge was at Tad Smith Coliseum to see his son, Renaldo, play.
After the game, Orlando Woolridge discussed strategy with the UT assistant coaches, noting how some of the younger players were hesitating with the ball. Pearl has said the same thing all season.
Renaldo Woolridge had five points on 1-of-4 shooting, and no rebounds in the 11 minutes he played.
UT point guards Josh Tabb and Bobby Maze combined for five points on 2-of-5 shooting and had one assist and three turnovers.
Ole Miss freshman point guard Terrico White certainly won that battle, as he had 21 points, five rebounds, six assists and only one turnover.
“They think I’m slow, so I had to use my speed to drive around them,’’ White said. “They were on me too tight, playing me full court.’’
Pearl didn’t cut his point guards any slack.
“Guards scoring have hurt us all year,’’ Pearl said.
Pearl also was matter-of-fact when assessing the Vols’ chances at winning the SEC East.
“I felt like heading into this six-game stretch we needed to win four,’’ Pearl said. “We still need to win four. The teams we need to beat are the teams we’re in the hunt with.
“The schedule doesn’t favor us.’’
The Vols play at Kentucky at 1 p.m. Saturday before returning home to play Mississippi State at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
UT then plays at Florida (March 1) and at South Carolina (March 5) before concluding the regular season at home against Alabama (March 8).
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Comments » 131
dvols writes:
sure it is...
bobbarbilly writes:
Well...duh!!!
bobbarbilly writes:
The Apple Dumplin' Gang rides again.
MikeInTN writes:
Wayne, are you and the guys going to get "punked" again at KY?!! I for see some more butt kicking in your future if you even come close to playing like you did last night.
volcycle writes:
Can we say NIT?
navyvol writes:
What happened to the Vols that put a beatdown on the Gators? There was no hesitation on offense that night. If they play like they did last night, Meeks might hang another 50 on 'em. I will always be orange blooded, but it hasn't been easy this year! Go Vols!!
txvolsfan writes:
Georgia
utucla writes:
How many times do we have to hear Chism and T. Smith say that the team needs more focus.....it's very hard to focus when you are lazy and stupid to begin with....two rebounds in the first half by Chism & Smith?.....I guess it was time to start focusing late in the second half....when the game was out of reach....same sorry excuse.....same sorry Chism (I play great 1 out of every 5 games) and Smith (I'm lucky the draft will be extremely weak this year)......
mocsandvolsfan writes:
I don't know what to say?!!!!!!!!!!
LDDFC912 writes:
GATORZZ... YOU GOT BEAT BY GEORGIA. EDDIE HAS A BUNCH OF PANSIES ON HIS TEAM. SHUT YOUR D!@$ SIPPER.
tractoronthepole writes:
Its a little late in the season for these guys to finally "get it". However it seems one win and they forget "it" again.
Guys its about giving your all every night. Unselfish play, agressive offensive, have each others back, its all about the team. I challenge you to be more teamlike and you won't have the peaks and valley we are facing. Making it in life and/or life in the Pro's will take care of itself if you change the focus to the TEAM.
beachvol1 writes:
Bruce,
This is your fault that this team has played sub par all yr....you have lost your fire and desire to motivate the young players....get back to basics and get this team ready for the remainder of the season and the tournament...talk all you want about the 4 star, 5 star players...it's your job to coach them up and where is Negadu(if that is the correct spelling)...this guy is a physical force...play him a little more and he will put Williams on the bench...play 40 minutes of running hell on the rest of the league...damn, this has gotten pithetic....earn your money...
utucla writes:
yeah, next year after he's gone....
utucla writes:
I still don't understand how Bruce can say that this team isn't built to play his kind of style of basketball...i.e. Tennessee Basketball...after all....who recruited these players anyway?......
SmokyMTNVol writes:
He must not watch game films. This is definitely VOL ball under Bruce.
Ironcity writes:
This team does lack talent. This is the worst bunch of ballhandlers and passers we have had in a decade. Its the reason the team looks so disjointed on offense. Its the reason no one gets a clean shot.
As for rebounding Chism of all people needs to look into a mirror. His man repeatedly went in untouched for rebounds. Our team shot countless shots whereby not one player was within 15ft of the basket. Its hard to hit the boards when your standing at the 3pt line waving your hands.
This team is not built for the 1/2 court and they don'y seem to be talented enough in the back court to run and gun the way they did last year.
It wouldn't surprise me though to see coach Pearl just go back to the up and down game that was successful his first three years and early in this season and let this guys try to use their skills in the open court.
One other thing, this team is extremely soft.
SmokyMTNVol writes:
Bruce Pearl is a lot like Bob Huggins was in his early years. Huggins had to be the center of attention all the time. When his team lost he always found someone else to blame. His team and even the fans. Pearl loves to be the center of attention and he has a million excuses. He never excepts the blame.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
SmokyMTNVol writes:
Did Pearl coach the women's team tonight?
ArealVolFan writes:
Seriously? I can agree on the lack of effort, how much of this comes from Bruce? Very little I suspect. Do you blame Summit for her team playing so poorly right now? I doubt she is taking it easy on them, much like I doubt Bruce has "lost his fire". I'm sure he is getting the most out of this team as he can. If you listen to his comments from preseason to now he sounded very cautious about the lofty expectations for this team. I don't blame you for being upset with the product, but quit acting like a armchair coach. Bruce knows more about the game and his team you can ever hope to.
SmokyMTNVol writes:
Will coach Summitt accept the blame or will she blame her players? LOL!
SmokyMTNVol writes:
Who is in charge of these players. Who picked these players? When it is all said and done the blame for this season falls on the shoulders of Bruce Pearl. He has dome a pi** poor job of coaching these young men.
chestnutglade writes:
I would like to know WHY ARE THE PLAYERS STANDING AROUND ON OFFENCE ?????????????? I can guard a person that stands in one spot.
pammyvol1000 writes:
More laundry for the gals... Loss to KY tonight was pitiful. Wasn't this the #1 recruiting class coming in?
chuckfromwoodbury writes:
Wayne, get your tall a** in the paint and rebound. You are NOT a guard.
PureOrange writes:
Chism is right, this is not Tennessee basketball. It looks like they must practice with our Lady Vols because they are playing the same game.
It is amazing that the two teams can look so much alike. It appears neither is willing to give it all they have, and they cannot concentrate.
OldSmokey writes:
LMAO Witch_Doctor you get post of the year for every post you do. Well its close to being tied with Cavey lol!
largeandincharge writes:
i think the boys mayh be playing a little better than the girls right now. they look absolutely horrendous. i wonder if they wil wear their playing gear home to practice when they arrive off the plane/bus? they definitely need to. i really think our guys problem is that we have no true shooter and no true point. chism to me has rebounded a little more than tyler right now. i can't tell you how many times in the last six games that tyler's man has repeatedly beaten him to the boards because he wants to take off downcourt. hope we turn it around before it is too late.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Maybe I'm just a complete homer and I know UT didn't play their best, but I thought we got ref'd right out of that game. Ol' Miss was allowed to play as physical as they wanted to b/c they weren't calling any fouls on them in the paint. Our guys take a charge and it is a blocking foul or a no call. The no call when the dude pushed JP and he flew 10 feet across the floor and subsequent technical on JP for complaining once he picked himself up off the floor told the story of the game. That BS needs to stop. In no other sport is homefield advantage more of a factor than in college b-ball and I'd say about 80% of that advantage is the refs helping out the home team. Just call 'em even no matter where the game is played!
kbart4033#247331 writes:
Snapshot of the season: Ole Miss is shooting FT, Vols have
4 men in the lane, Ole Miss has zero. Free throw misses,
2 Vols closest to the shooter take off the other way looking
for a snowbird, 2 Vols under the basket are busy fixing
their headbands, shooter gets his own rebound and scores an
uncontested lay-up! Vol coach claps and hollers at the ref.
Earth-to-Bruce: call time-out and rip them a new one. Expect
more!
Just a thought: wonder how many SEC officials wore headbands
during their playing days?
tnoutlaw2001#228008 writes:
Please tell me that some of you people are joking. Have you seriously watched UT basketball or been a bandwagon fan, just riding the past couple of successful years?
You don't lose Lofton and Smith, plus several other dismissals, and return to the top of the SEC or the Sweet 16.
Please think for a minute, how you would replace 5 guards, 3 of which were 3 and 4 year starters, also 1 the SEC 3 point king, and reload the following year.
Lets put it this way, last year, was there anyone who came off the bench and showed the possiblity of being a shooter like Lofton or Smith? or for that matter the defensive presence and ball handling skills?
Now just think, and answer that question, before you keep posting about "whats wrong with this team" and they need to do better. Honestly, if you think about it, beating Georgetown and Florida were probably luck.
Pearl will rebuild, and we will get more shooter, and better defensive guys, but it doesn't happen one season, after losing the talent we had previously.
cmaven writes:
you make a great point and one that i have noticed all year long...even when the vols destroyed the gators. this team does not move in offensive sets. the guards stand around the perimeter and either a) possibly pass it into the post or b) chunk up a three. there is absolutely no movement in the offense.
i'm a diehard memphis tiger fan (don't shoot) but enjoy logging on to various boards to talk hoops. this offense reminds me very much of the larry finch era back in the '90s at memphis where actual screens, cuts and sets were non-existent. it makes for an offense that is very easy to guard. believe me, i had to live through the finch days so i know...it was brutal.
with the vols relative high rpi and excellent sos this team will make the tourney in my opinion if they can muster a total of 19 wins. that's including the sec tourney. a total of 19 wins up to selection sunday. but pearl needs to begin coaching these kids. i don't see any type of passion from the players or the bench and that is going to lead to an early exit come tourney time.
hey, i'm not like most the other rude arse tiger fans that come to this site. i want the vols to do well. when the tigers, commodores or vols do good it showcases the entire state!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Great post. I can't believe people are on here ripping Pearl like he can't coach all of the sudden. JuJuan and Lofton probably combined for more made 3pt shots and steals last year than the entire team has this year.
cmaven writes:
in all fairness, memphis lost 52 percent of their scoring offense from last year and they are a top 5 team this year.
i am a tiger fan. yes, i know the primary retort: we don't play in a "major" conference. believe me, i, along with hundreds of tiger fans have heard it a thousand times. but the question still remains: how can memphis, losing so much offensive power be ranked in the top 5 and the vols not be ranked at all, especially considering how weak the sec is this year?
i'm not trying to start $hit (see my previous posts). but the question should be asked, epecially since both the tigers and vols lost about the same amount of talent from last years team. why are the vols hurting worse than the tigers...much worse?
you guys beat us fair and square last year and it was about as close this year as last. so, perhaps it is pearl, i don't know, but this team is simply not playing to its potential, IMO.
teampenny#658108 writes:
True we are a football conference but shouldn't someone in the SEC be able to play BB Does conference lack the players? Only one Mcdonalds all star coming to the SEC Does LK have time to help Bruce?
utucla writes:
It is true that Bruce does know more about his team than anyone on here...but when certain players become lazy and stupid in their play...bench them...if he can get blown out by Ole Miss with his starters...then he can just as well lose with the other players...i.e. Chism and T. Smith...use the bench....it's your most importent asset as a coach...per John Wooden...but then again..what did he know?....
utucla writes:
"important"....sorry...
ArealVolFan writes:
Yeh, I agree to a point...I don't know why Brian continues to get play when Negedu looks more promising now. I like Brian, but he seems to be playing extremely soft as of late. Sometimes it seems like you could stick a large stuff teddy bear through an orange jersey on it and not know the difference. I guess I just feel like Bruce will get the most out of any team he has. He can coach them and have his intensity, but they still have to carry it over on the court for him. I think the biggest problem is the lack of a leader. There is no Bradshaw or Lofton leading on this team on the court. We have better athletes and basketball players, but worse leadership than we have had before. One of these guys or two preferably need to have the fire Bruce has out on the court. They have to develop that within themselves. You can't coach leadership.
b_neas writes:
Chism is saying the right things to be a leader (which this team so badly needs) now he just needs to go out and be a leader by example on the floor.
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
I still says its because Phil is still on campus and the office is too close to TBA..... as witch doctor might say..."that bad JuJu"
VAvolfanRON writes:
alot of armchair coaches tonight...
guys, if you can get out there one the court and do better then, by all means do so. Otherwise, support your team..
Greer, i hope you are kidding.
Let's go vols, pick it up. Tough game on Saturday. I'm looking forward to it!!!!
UKblue02 writes:
I would like to relay an observation that i have noticed the past couple of years with coach Pearl, when he first became coach at UT he was full of fire i mean he was in the players face so close they could smell what he had for lunch on his breath, granted he lost Lofton which hurt but i have noticed that he is way more laid back now I don't get to see every game but he is acting more like he is losing steam, could that be some of the problem, just curious.
tractoronthepole writes:
Good observation UK you almost sound like a UT Fan. I have noticed the same.
UKblue02 writes:
With all due respect. No i am as BLUE as they come LOL, I just like college BB i try to watch all the games i can especially in the SEC, but when someone in the limelight such as coach Pearl and Billy G for example changes in personality and actions are noticeable, maybe yelling doesn't work with these kids he has now so he's saving his breath. JMO
VAvolfanRON writes:
UK...i may agree with you.
Back in my wrestling days, when I was a freshman, coach made us do mat drills everyday. By the time I was a senior, it was once a week. At it showed on the mat. you may be onto something.
BTW, cangrats on the lady Cats win tonight.....arrggghh
UKblue02 writes:
Who would have thunk it!! First win in 23 years i think, this has been a year to remember(or forget) maybe in college BB, anyway i know when Ricky P was coach at UK you did what he said when he said or you rode the pine until you did do it, that went for every player from mashburn to Delk to whoever, they knew if they didn't they would be spectators, he said once he'd play the waterboy before he'd play Mccarty point is he was in charge. Don't know if that would help players today but i'd try anything wouldn't you?
VAvolfanRON writes:
lol....I may have to suit up!!!!....my big belly hanging out of the shirt!!!!
yea, I hope can bring our A game on Saturday and keep Meeks at check.....Do you see him staying all 4 years?
He's tough...wow
UKblue02 writes:
Oh lord got a mental pic of that. LOL I don't really know about Meeks from what i hear, his family wants him to stay and they aren't depending on him for financial support so he doesn't have any pressure on him to "have to go" I guess it depends on who else comes out early in the draft guard wise, i hope he stays he is smooth for sure, best jump shot and pure shooting eye since Chris Jackson for LSU and Chris Lofton for UT, the thing with Meeks is he is a good defender also
comshirt writes:
Unfortunately, you can't coach speed. In addition, you can't coach quickness. It is also hard to coach experience. Court vision and reaction time is a bit tough to coach as well. Coach Pearl recruited them, but I think he has been surprised at how slow on a number of fronts these recruits are. I know a couple of players from this past RTL and they came away with the same assessment. This team is slower than they thought they would be. I will bet he has some speed and defense in 2010 though!
comshirt writes:
I think you are absolutely correct. I suspect that he is uncomfortable, maybe a bit unsure how to manage this crop of blue chip recruits as opposed to the blue collar recruits that he is used to motivating. This team is way short on role players, ball passers, rebounders and defenders. It has plenty of stars though.... The egos here are fragile and a bit hard to manage and not motivated the same way, if at all. I don't envy him his job right now.
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