Backs to the wall, the Tennessee men's basketball team takes to the floor tonight with matchup problems galore.
Consider, tonight's opponent, Mississippi State, is 4-0 against the SEC East this season.
"Every team has its strengths and weaknesses,'' Vols coach Bruce Pearl said. "But yes, this team presents a challenge.
"They are quicker than us at every position.''
UT plays host to the Bulldogs at 9 p.m. (TV: WVLT) at Thompson-Boling Arena in a game with potential NCAA tournament implications.
Pearl said Saturday that the Vols (16-10, 7-5 SEC) must beat Mississippi State (17-10, 7-5) to improve their hopes of getting an invitation to the NCAA tournament.
UT has a national RPI of 25 or 26 with a national strength of schedule of 1 or 2, depending on the RPI service.
But the NCAA tournament selection committee also takes into account how a team finishes a season and where it finishes in the conference.
The Vols have slumped of late, dropping their past two games and three of their last five, falling into fourth place in the Eastern Division and into a tie for sixth overall in the SEC.
Mississippi State, which also sees its postseason hopes on the line tonight, is different than any other SEC team from the standpoint of how it measures up.
The Bulldogs play four guards, making them a dangerous team in transition and beyond the 3-point arc. They lead the SEC with 8.37 treys made per game.
Junior Jarvis Varnado patrols the lane. Varnado, a 6-foot-9 post, ranks atop the nation in blocked shots, averaging nearly five per game (134 total).
Teams that have slowed UT's front line of Tyler Smith, Wayne Chism and J.P. Prince - Auburn, Ole Miss, and most recently, Kentucky - have beaten the Vols.
So what does Pearl expect his players to do against Varnado?
"We've got to go right at him,'' Pearl said. "They don't have a lot of depth on their front line, but Varnado is a great player.''
The Vols are just as concerned with the Bulldogs' guards. Freshman point guard Dee Bost leads the attack, averaging 11.3 points and 4.4 assists a game.
"They're the best 3-point shooting team in our league, and that makes them particularly dangerous because they can shoot you right out of it,'' Pearl said. "Dee Bost is an excellent point guard who makes them go.''
Pearl said he's hoping for a strong showing from UT fans with the season on the line.
"We've had great support all season,'' Pearl said. "The student attendance ebbs and flows the most with our success and failure.
"I'm sure they realize we're playing for a championship and to advance to the NCAA tournament.''
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 77
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
just win.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
only a few plays from being undefeated
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
OKEMO say
utknoxville volunteers will win ....
homecourt advantage
OKEMO has spoken
you must pay homage to OKEMO
snafu14u#241639 writes:
Next year Pearl needs to recruit players that fit into his system and mindset. These guys are talented but not for this system. bonzaivol
eutefan writes:
...immitation is the greatest form of flattery.
blitzshoot writes:
Not a good match up for UT.
ravensearay writes:
If they play like a team on a mission instead of like a bunch of individuals trying to pad their stats, VOLS WIN. Otherwise it will just be more heartache. Come on Bruce.. Get them ready...........
floridavolsfan writes:
Thirity-six points away from being UNDEFEATED this year, according to the 2005 math used by Foolmore! Bruce needs to learn how to use the Foolmore "spin"! GO VOLS!!!
volnknox writes:
with headbands
lsu 88 tenn 74
without headbands
tenn 80 lsu 77
volnknox writes:
sorry wrong matchup
miss st i mean
rusty_shackleford writes:
Play defense...please!
dwa7#337691 writes:
real prediction:
Miss-take 76
UT Vols 79
in an upset.......really............no chicken sandwich either.
HtownVol writes:
Are Hall and West the only players that we will add next year? Does that depend on Tyler? If he stays are those 2 all that we can add to our team? We need to be faster and be able to shoot!
bluetiger writes:
Which championship is Pearl referring to that they are contending for?
(This is an honest question. Does he mean the SEC?)
allntl1#565211 writes:
I think UT must win the SEC tournament to get in. I am not trying to pile on the men but we really do not look like a tournament worthy team.
utvols1969 writes:
Sure be glad when football starts-I think!!!
Obviously BP is more concerned about his mansion and the cutie shacking with him. Wonder how much alimony BP's wife got? Or is the university paying that also?
Stokes44yrs writes:
I for one can't wait to see how they respond to their last lost. What lineup is Pearl gonna use?
Tabb/Maze
Prince
Hopson
Smith
Chism
He really needs to get Negedu in more pt.
HtownVol writes:
how many players can we add next year besides west and hall??
Stokes44yrs writes:
I don't know who messed up in Pearl's marriage but it's none of my business. No ones perfect. Let it go.
This team must win these last SECs to pull out the season. They need confidence going into the SEC tournament. Even if they get in the NCAAs they won't win in my oppion without that confidence. For some strange reason it seems they thought winning wuould be easy this year. SEC will never be easy.
Dig deep Vols. Try a game or two laying it all on the line.
Vol_In_Ohio writes:
No joke about Negedu. He's not going to solve the guard issues, but he is such a spark - the crowd LOVES him.
Volumni writes:
No point guard, no chance. God, I miss Jajuan Smith. Did I say that out loud!
Stokes44yrs writes:
West would start now if he was eligible...but maybe by next year Maze and Tabb and even the rest of our bench will come around, tho' they haven't shown much this year. I don't follow recruiting like others on here but I think we're looking pretty good with who is coming back. We definately need a shooter or two. A big wouldn't hurt. Center/forward. It'll be a big mistake for Smith or Chism to leave as for as NBA is concerned. They can probably get a big paycheck somewhere tho'.
volfan1985 writes:
well every team knows if they stop Chism, Tyler, And Prince they have a really good chance of beating us! Our shooting gaurds have to step up! If they dont, kiss the season good by!! Come on boys, you can win and even maybe get some momentum and get into the tourney and possibly do good in the tourney! GET SOME PASSION!!!
shipperman#280095 writes:
I am a UT fan through and through guys, but this is an NIT team at best, and probably one and out there
halloffamebowler writes:
you are also wrong about headbands.Headbands do not guard players,neither do they shoot the ball.Enough about this dumb arse headband theory.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Folks, the dadgum ball just isn't going in the gosh darn rim. We're the best 16-10 team in America. It's just been a perfect storm so far this season. Pearl is gonna watch film for 15 minutes and fix this.
Volumnus writes:
I fear that this team has gotten used to losing, at least the close games. This should be a close game. If they pull out the high octane wheaties and can muster some speed and energy, and kick in a little gingko biloba for mental focus maybe,just maybe they can come away with a win. I hope so. 10 years ago we would have loved this season. With the expectations and the hype, it is a supreme disappointment.
Go Vols!
Volumni writes:
Hey Michael Phelps, put the bong down, and back away slowly! Woolridge, Hopson, and Negadu will be 2 or 3-year starters, and when we get a point guard who can control tempo a bit, we'll see Pearl's plan take shape. I agree with whoever said if West were here, he'd be starting, and we'd be at 20 wins right now.
UKblue02 writes:
The games tonight for UK and Tenn will go a long way in determining whether it's NCAA or NIT, if UT doesn't respond with a great effort and play as a team with heart then they will lose tonight, this game is a show the Vol fans what we are made of game, I think if they lose it's NIT, as for us if we go into SC with a we'll get behind by 25 and come back in the second half attitude then we lose big time and have a good possibility of losing the next 2 out of 3 games and unless we or UT win the SEC tourney its NIT. JMO
GoTennessee writes:
Play defense and the Vols will win!
Volumnus writes:
Hmmm, probably, we lost a scholarship for academic performance ratings failures, we lost an aditional one to the Smith/Crews situation... I can't recall but I think we are down to 10 or 11. So by my unofficial reckoning I think we have to lose someone to gain someone. Now we lose a few walk ons, and we could do what Miss. State has done and recruit academically qualified players with the academic side kicking in the scholarship and let them walk on for a year or two. The really fast point guard from the Houston area in the RTL last year was supposed to be National Honor Society... that type of kid would be good. Most of them are not able to excel at both academics and play really quick and fast basketball. What bothers me is that West is good, but he did not seem all that fast. What we need to get is speed, quickness and defense. From what I have seen West is more of the same. I have never seen Hall play and don't know anything about him. Don't want to see another year like this year.
vscebail#247785 writes:
"WorkinLikeHeck writes:
only a few plays from being undefeated."
WLH -- You suck! Do you really call yourself a Tennessee fan? All you have ever done is provide negative comments and criticism. There is nothing that any team or school could ever do to satisfy you and your pitiful little life. Why don't you just go jump off a bridge. You might actually realize that life is worth living once you get half-way to the bottom. -- But then it will be too late!
crappieking writes:
Agreed. No way this team makes the Tourney. NIT 2nd round and done. Huge Vol fan but they just don't have it this year.
Volinsider writes:
I'm sure you use the term "team" loosely. Nothing about them is a team. Gotta long way to go apparently until they grasp that concept!
Stokes44yrs writes:
Bit of an optomist.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Wow...1 post in and you are trying to play the pitiful life card. LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stokes44yrs writes:
optimist
Ironcity writes:
Tyler is gone he has a family to take care of and he is 4 years removed from high school. I think Chism is close to being draft worthy so I expect him to stay. As for the two out of four leaving I don't see it. Maze nor Prince have anywhere to go. Williams and Tatum are good kids who are improving (remember Tatum is still recovering from a leg injury that has hurt his development) Woolridge is one I could see leaving as well as the big Redshirt Freshman if he see that he will never get on the court, but I am not sure. Remember we can't keep booting kids out without eventually taking a hit on our Graduation rate. So coach will do what ever it takes to keep this kids in school and on the team.
The_the writes:
NIT. Count on it.
Volumnus writes:
The APR hit is too great, the coaching staff can not afford to run anyone off. MS. State has 7 scholarships and are having to recruit kids who are smart and can play ball. It is working for them, but there are just not that many kids willing to do that or capable of playing SEC level ball and bright enough to get an academic scholarship. At UT I don't see the athletics and academics working together to allow that type of recruiting. So what you see is what you get, unless Smith and Chism go, West doesn't qualify and Childress leaves. Woolridge will probably transfer, then you have Maze for one more year.... "Slow and NO(defense)" basketball is probably here to stay for a while. I just hope lessons are being learned by the staff(all blue chips and no blue collars make for a shiny but not so tasty cookie!)
UKblue02 writes:
Good one, Doc.
jasonn1970 writes:
19 wins will very likely get this team into the NCAA tournament. 18 is shaky. I *think* only one team in history with an RPI in the 20s has been left out of the tournament - and they were not from a BCS conference. Playing the Thursday game in Tampa might even help them. (Assuming they don't lose that one...)
abnermc writes:
Aaron Craft for one
bmaples writes:
When a team is regressing, the first question always is "Can they stop the slide?" Good time to find out.
Prediction - either they win in second half push by 15-20 (turnaround is started), or they lose by 20 and it's time to hope the Lady Vols give us something to cheer about.
Bruce in Louisville
brucemaples.com
golfballs03 writes:
We would have to lose 3 of the last 4 and our first round game in the SEC tournament to miss out on the NCAA tournament. I think we beat MS State, Alabama, and win the 1st round game in the SEC tournament (whoever that team is from the SEC West). The Vols will be an 8 seed in the NCAA tournament.
golfballs03 writes:
We lost 4 of our last 6 in 2006 and still got a 2 seed. Even if we lose to Florida and SC on the road. We will get into the Tourney. Even if it is as an 11 seed.
givehim6 writes:
It's funny during the end of 2008 football season talk on this site was can't wait fof basketball season, bad turn for 2008 fball, 2008/2009 bball guys&ladys. CLK we need you help!
vscebail#247785 writes:
Workin Like Heck: Maybe it's because I actually have a life. -- Now it's time for me to get back to work, and it's time for you to get back to complaining!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
I wouldn't consider having to get back to work much of a life. To each his own though.
LifetimeVolFan98 writes:
I'm sure you know what's best for the team since you seem to be coach's top advisor on what he should or should not do - gimmie a break
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