Hopson picks perfect time to step up

Scotty Hopson has heard himself described too often this season with a word he doesn't like: "Soft.''

So the Vols freshman guard stepped up and did something about it Saturday night against South Carolina.

Now it's time for Hopson and the Vols (11-5, 2-1 SEC) to prove they can do it on the road against Vanderbilt (12-5, 1-2). UT tips off against the Commodores at 9 p.m. Tuesday (TV: ESPN).

Saturday night, Hopson drove past - and sometimes over - the Gamecocks' extended defenders en route to a career-high 19 points.

"If we're gonna win, I'm gonna need to step up,'' said Hopson, who was 7-of-12 shooting from the field (0-for-3 beyond the 3-point arc) and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. "When (South Carolina) spread out, we just had that quick step to get by the defender.''

Hopson's first step is as fast as they come. He built his McDonald's All-American high school career at Hopkinsville's University Heights with explosive drives to the basket and thunderous dunks in the Bluegrass State.

UT coach Bruce Pearl, however, noted last week on the News Sentinel's Sports Page radio show that when help defense would come, Hopson would pick up his dribble and settle for a "tough two.''

That led Pearl to tell Hopson that if he didn't have a charge each game, he wasn't playing aggressive enough.

"When I make those aggressive plays, I just need to get that foul called,'' Hopson said, smiling when asked about his season-high five free-throw attempts in the win over South Carolina. "It shows what I need to do and what I can do.''

UT sophomore center Brian "Big Baby'' Williams said when Hopson and/or Cameron Tatum are scoring, it makes things easier for Tyler Smith.

"I told Scotty to drive, and with his agility and athleticism, he can score and dunk,'' Williams said. "The biggest part of our offense other than Tyler is our (No.) two guards.

"If Cam or Scotty are scoring, that opens things up for Tyler around the basket.''

That's what happened against South Carolina.

When the Gamecocks extended on Hopson, Smith seized the moment and scored 10 of his 20 points in the final five minutes.

Pearl credited Hopson for keeping a strong attitude through the team's struggles.

"Scotty's attitude has been consistently solid,'' Pearl said. "This has been a grind, and yet, Scotty's attitude has never wavered, his facial expression never changed.

"He has a quiet confidence, and I don't think he gets rattled.''

Hopson admits the adjustment to collegiate basketball has been different than he expected.

"It's been a lot tougher than I expected,'' Hopson said. "But Bruce Pearl is a helluva coach, and he's made me better.

"I just need to start living up to what I'm supposed to be like and play basketball.''

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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