Adams: Maze admits needing energy boost

Tennessee point guard Bobby Maze has been doing extra homework on a familiar subject: Bobby Maze.

He didn't have to review much video to see what was missing. The verbiage was missing.

"Earlier in the season when I was playing well, I was more verbal," Maze said, following a light Thursday practice. "I was talking to myself, talking to my teammates."

But this isn't all talk. Talk translates into energy for Maze.

And energy is the No. 1 issue with Maze, according to UT coach Bruce Pearl.

"If he doesn't bring great energy, he doesn't defend," Pearl said. "He has shown great energy at times. At other times, it looks like he was in a coma."

Maze, who is coming off a 14-point game against Mississippi State, admits to the occasional drop-offs, which he says can be influenced by the opponents.

"Some teams, we back down from defensively," he said. "Some teams, we pressure. The teams we pressure are the games I play better. I'm up on the ball, playing with more energy.

"When I'm sitting back, I tend to pick up bad tendencies."

The next two games will play to Maze's strength. Florida, this afternoon's opponent, and South Carolina (Thursday) are both up-tempo teams with outstanding point guards. Maze looks forward to the challenge.

"When I was playing junior college ball last year, I watched both of those guys (Nick Calathes of Florida and Devin Downey of South Carolina)," he said. "I saw a lot of them.

"Calathes doesn't back down from nobody. He's an unselfish type player. I've seen him where he could get a layup himself and he would give it up to the other guys around him.

"Downey plays with a lot of heart. At the end of games, he can just take it over."

Maze had his Downey moments against Mississippi State - playing more aggressively on offense, taking the outside shot when it was available and slipping under the basket for a couple of offensive rebounds as well. With Maze scoring in double figures and freshman Scotty Hopson becoming more assertive on offense the last two games, UT suddenly doesn't look so feckless on the perimeter.

It's obvious Hopson and Maze appreciate the significance of their contributions. They both stayed late after practice Thursday to work on their shooting.

"I think the most disappointing thing that has happened is that at the end of games, I could have hit a 3 for us to go up," said Maze, referring to the Memphis and LSU games. "Those were games where I feel I had to make some open shots. I just don't want that to happen again."

Scoring wasn't an issue for Maze in junior college. He averaged 20.7 points per game - or about 12 more than he is averaging at UT - at Hutchinson Community College.

His production has been affected, in part, by playing time. At UT, he shares the point guard position with Josh Tabb. But more than his playing time has changed.

At Hutchinson, Maze was more of "a creator," repeatedly driving to the basket or pulling up for short-range jump shots. The more aggressive role led to more opportunities at the free-throw line.

"I've been in games (this season) where I didn't shoot a free throw," Maze said. "That had never happened before."

Late in his junior season, Maze is looking for ways to score more. That explains his pursuit of offensive rebounds against Mississippi State, and his extra shooting after practice.

The scouting report for UT is hardly a secret. You take away its inside game and give them the open shots on the perimeter.

"I always was able to hit that open shot," Maze said. "I've just got to knock them down."

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.