LEXINGTON, Ky. — Former Tennessee men’s basketball star Chris Lofton spent two hours in Rupp Arena fidgeting nervously Saturday.
“All I can say is it felt way different,’’ said Lofton, who will return to his pro team in Mersin, Turkey, after spending the past five days at his home in Kentucky. “You know how I hate losing.’’
His first question of the day to reporters from Knoxville was, “Why did they fire Phillip Fulmer?’’
His second question, after the game, was, “What’s wrong with us?’’
The Vols lost to Kentucky, 77-58, to fall to 16-10, 7-5 in the SEC.
Lofton, the SEC’s all-time leading 3-point shooter, was asked what advice he would give to this Tennessee basketball team.
“I’d just say everyone goes through tough times, and it’s just a part of life,’’ Lofton said. “I just feel like the more you practice your shooting, the more it pays off.
“My motto is, hard work pays off.’’
It’s paying off for Lofton in Turkey where he’s averaging a team-high 19.8 points per game and shooting 47 percent beyond the 3-point arc and 84.8 percent from the free-throw line.
Lofton said he’ll return to the U.S. in two months.
“We’ll see what happens then with basketball,’’ Lofton said. “I’m just taking it a year at a time, but I’ve got my team to focus on right now.’’
Lofton is coming off 47- and 25-point performances despite a dislocated left index finger that was injured so bad that the skin split open and he needed stitches, putting him out three games.
Lofton said his city’s Muslim population makes it an unusual environment.
“Every day, you hear the music, three times a day,’’ Lofton said. “I think it means it’s time for them to start praying.
“And the drivers — they drive crazy over there.’’
But Lofton said he’s happy to be doing what he loves most.
“I can’t complain. Basketball is what I do . . . and I’ve got satellite TV, and the NBA channel,’’ Lofton said. “When they (UT) play at night, I’m up the next morning watching the highlights on the Internet.’’
Lofton said he was pleased with the Vols’ “Outlive’’ campaign, which generated money and awareness for cancer screening.
“That was special,’’ Lofton said. “At first, when everyone found out I had cancer, I just wanted to put it behind me and not talk about it.
“But I’ve realized that my story can help people, and that’s more important.’’
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 42
imjustafan writes:
Could have used him today!
Hudro writes:
Class guy wish we had three more like him.
chrisw2967 writes:
we sure do miss you and your shot.
golfballs03 writes:
Man I miss him
suPEARLman writes:
Come back Chris. Your just confused on how many years you went to UT.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
way, way up there on my all-time Vol list. way up there.
Sometimes, when you have a palyer like him, you just dread that their career has to end.
Chris and Jajuan with Bruce as their coach made UT basketball SO MUCH FUN. Now, Bruce has a lot of players who couldn't hit a fat woman's butt with a beachball from a foot away.
govols22231 writes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e-LIm...
Ironcity writes:
Glad to see Chris doing so well. Chris leads by example.
I wonder how many of our present players will go to the gym tonight or tomorrow morning?
VolJunkie writes:
Looking forward to being in TBA when they retire the #5 jersey ...
LDDFC912 writes:
If you are a "shooter" these words should resinate in your head****“I’d just say everyone goes through tough times, and it’s just a part of life,’’ Lofton said. “I just feel like the more you practice your shooting, the more it pays off.
“My motto is, hard work pays off.’’
MidTennVol writes:
Thanks, Chris. I wish some of our players would spend the same amount of time working on their shots after practice that you did.
Always a Vol. By the way, to tell a girl in Istanbul that she is very beautiful, it's: "Sin choke gooZELsin." That's the truth, ruth.
huntined#565710 writes:
Thanks govols//That put a tear in my eye.. Man do we miss him!!
huntined#565710 writes:
They should do it at home game against KY. next YEAR !!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
One would be great!
tennisvol writes:
Pearl needs to recruit some players like Lofton that can hit the 3s. Kentucky just let the UT players shoot as many as they wanted from the 3 pt line.
doctorvol#211700 writes:
Thank you. First time my surly self has been able to laugh since 1pm.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Sure they could! However we'll really never know because they'll throw from at least 20 Feet every time.
golfballs03 writes:
Players like Chris Lofton are few and far between
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
LOFTON JUST HIT ANOTHER 3.... MONEY!!!!!
HEART OF A LION
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
this team can work harder than any other in history, but if they don't care, then there will be no reward.
TommyJack writes:
You in the rum, Bum?
Slystone writes:
Can someone tell why this team paticularly Smith and Chism don't post up? As atheletic as they are they can get their shot up over anyone or at least get foul.
thevoice writes:
Classy Chris lives! Best of luck over there.
Down_The_Field writes:
thanks, govols.
dang, i watched a few other loften highlights while i was there.
i'll never forget the 3 - 3 pt-ers he hit in a row at flar-duh to pull us out of a 12 pts behind to win. the 3 at peebody that was closer to half court than it was the arc.
798orange writes:
I'm glad he is still playing and doing well. We are fortunate he played for us and hope he receives a well-deserved honor and recognition for his accomplishments here one day in the near future.
wyomingvol writes:
Well said CLow!!!
That said,,, the word 'hard' could of been omitted from this team....
They might be better served as just 'working'...
Soft as I have ever seen... And that goes back to the Wade Houston Era... No lie......
BP was right in the post game "I am sorry to all of UT fans that supported this team in this game"...
A bunch of hyped up and no product losers...
MidTennVol writes:
Not in many years, TJ. It really is the truth, Ruth. I've several Turkish friends and used to spend some time in Istanbul.
Oddly enough, that's about the only phrase of Turkish I felt was worth remembering...
suPEARLman writes:
I don't give a $%&! what anyone says about Ernie & Bernie, Houston or anyone else that wore The Big Orange at UT. I dont think anyone has ever did it as big as CL!!! People evolve and the game has eveolved with them....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxpHI0...
I'm willing to bet my left "FUN BALL" that Ernie, Bernie or Allen could NEVER pull off the shots Lofton did ESPECIALLY in the face of bigger and more talented defenders than any of those 3 EVER faced!!!
suPEARLman writes:
this too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmpbIO...
for those who havent seen it.......
Waldorf writes:
Too bad this bunch of overrated and over-hyped losers don't possess the one thing #5 had - character.
chl1958 writes:
Chris Lofton is a once in a lifetime player! We were fortunate to have him,and our recent success is due largely to Chris. The NBA needs him,especially the Grizzlies! Our needs are a Chris Clone and a better free throw shooting team. If I were coaching this team,I would only practice 3's and free throws. Also,I would employ a sports psychologist and a better nutritionist. This team also needs a positive attitude and the energy to keep it fueled!
drwfocus#660070 writes:
CL was and is a great player but he ain't at UT anymore - soooo - you can stick a fork in this years so called team - they are done. Pearl needs to focus on what little salvaging can be done with a few individual players and devote the majority of his time to recruiting. I hope Pearl ain't going down the same road Fulmer did allowing complacency, poor discipline, poor attitude, lack of passion, etc. If so, it is a slippery slope, just ask Phil.
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
Good advice for the team. You got to work hard and finally all those missed layups and other shots will fall. Hold your head up VOLS the season isn't over yet.
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
I did love CPF but he did let complacency, poor attitude and lack of passion creep into his team. It did effect the way they played and it had everything to do with him losing his job. Don't believe Pearl will make the same mistake. He definitely is not complacent. We will lose Tyler Smith after this season and hopefully Chism won't go pro because he could. That leaves us with huge vacuun of talent to fill. Now, I believe Scotty Hopson will emerge as a star. Can Maze or Tatum emerge as effective point guards? We will have to recruit some talented forwards and centers. Man at this level of play we might not make the NIT tournament let alone the NCAA tournament.
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
Amen to that. I will give Tyler Smith some credit but not the rest of the team. They have a terrible half court game. They waste 22 seconds passing the ball on the 3 point line with very little movement. Where are the picks, back door cuts? Then they hurry up a 3 point shot which they miss 80% of the time or drive the lane with 3 defenders on them and get the ball stripped or blocked. Very frustrating. And when they have an easy shot they miss layups and tip-ins!!!!!!!!!!!
DisorientedVol writes:
As an aside, in the stadium challenge, we are losing to LSU. Go vote vols.
http://www.prepticket.com/battle/mark...
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Maybe BP should devote some time to conference with LK. He needs to learn how to instill some fear into the players in order to motivate them. If they can't improve, then move them out. I hate to see them become slow, lethargic, unthinking and selfish. At the beginning of the season it was about team - we win when we get almost as many assists as goals. We need to get back to that style.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Agree with all. CBP could also use a little more time putting together a portfolio of strategies for different combinations of player types so he will have some idea of what to do when a team's makeup doesn't match his exact specifications.
And of course, mad props for Chris, who will always enjoy an honored place in the hearts of Vol fans everywhere! Best of everything to you, young fella!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I've often wondered what guys like Mike Edwards and Danny Schultz would have averaged if they had played in the 3-point era. And Maravich? No one could even count that high!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Didn't Dale Ellis win the 3 point NBA a couple times? He may have won against Larry Byrd...I don't remember. He definately could shoot.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Ellis was pre-3-pt-era also. He didn't really shoot it outside that much in college. He was too good in the post and he really piled up the old-fashioned 3-pt plays. But, yeah, in the NBA, he was one of the best 3-pt shooters ever.
MBEACHVOL writes:
#5. They should have retired his jersey opening night this year. Willed himself to be a great player. I would not even begin to compare anyone on this years team to him. He came ready to play from the start.
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