NASHVILLE - The Tennessee men's basketball team has fallen out of the national rankings for the first time in nearly two years.
But coach Bruce Pearl has a more pressing issue; specifically, the Vanderbilt Commodores (12-5, 1-2 SEC).
Tennessee (11-5, 2-1) tips off with Vanderbilt in Memorial Gymnasium at 9 o'clock tonight in a nationally televised ESPN game.
"This is a very physical, strong Vanderbilt team,'' said Pearl, whose Vols had been ranked in the Associated Press or ESPN/USA Today Coaches' poll since the final week of the 2007 regular season. "They are athletic and deep, but they are also very young.''
Memorial Gymnasium, with the teams' benches located at the ends of the court, is regarded as one of the more difficult places to play.
But Pearl believes UT can overcome the unique configuration and hostile environment.
"Having been on the road and played in some of the tough venues we have, we are positioned to be able to overcome that,'' Pearl said.
UT junior point guard Josh Tabb agrees.
"My freshman year it was kind of weird, because you had to listen for Coach (Pearl) and it gets kind of loud,'' Tabb said. "You get used to it after a couple if minutes. If we'd have come in here at the start of the season, it would have an effect, but we've been to Temple and Kansas so we have some experience.''
Pearl said the gym doesn't change the opponents' game plan.
"They'll try to make us beat them from the perimeter, recognizing we are better from two(-point distances) than three (beyond the arc),'' Pearl said. "If we don't respond to the physicality of the game, they can physically dominate us.''
Pearl doesn't believe the Vols are soft from a physical standpoint.
"You look at us leading the league in rebounding, and I think too much has been made of that,'' Pearl said. "It's more about the mental toughness.''
Pearl referenced his team's inexperience as being a factor in recent outings, pointing out that Tabb and Bobby Maze are still learning how to close out games.
Pearl said he's encouraged by what he has seen since the players-only meeting Wednesday.
"I think the guys are really tired of where we are at, and they are trying to do something about it,'' Pearl said. "The only way we'll feel better about ourselves is to play well and win.''
In addition to Tabb and Maze going up against Vanderbilt junior point guard Jermaine Beal (12.1 points per game, 4.0 assists), Pearl said junior center Wayne Chism will be key as he matches up with first-team All-SEC preseason pick A.J. Ogilvy (16.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg.).
Chism outplayed Ogilvy in Knoxville last season, scoring 18 points and pulling down 18 rebounds to Ogilvy's 12 points and five rebounds. Neither player was a factor in Vanderbilt's win in Nashville, as Chism had four points and four rebounds and Ogilvy had four points and three rebounds.
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Volscars 2012
Bruce Pearl through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 59
MikeInTN writes:
I really hope I'm wrong, but think this isn't going to be a good outing for the team. With that being said...GO VOLS!!!
VOLS85 writes:
haven't been a whole lot of good outings lately, so lets hope for a change of pace...
VOL_FREAK_91 writes:
I think they will look good. they may not win but they will look good. we're due one in vandy.
halloffamebowler writes:
This is a win only if these guys play team ball and limit the threes.Go inside like against South Carolina.No me first and trying to make ESPN highilghts.Playing team ball is the only way any team wins consistently.Coach Pearl knows that and it is time for the players to know that.
allvol9 writes:
If we can put together 2 halves....we will win. We are due and the SC game looked promising. Hopson showed what he can do finally. Vols win by 6. Go Big Orange!
overatedvols writes:
Sounds like a receipe for disaster. Vol playing a decent team + national tv.
Volumnus writes:
The kids will do fine in Vandy. Vandy is not as good as they think they are. They don't "D-up" any better than we do. If we shut them out just a bit we stand a real good chance in this one. Go Vols!
chattaboogievol writes:
"My freshman year it was kind of weird, because you had to listen for Coach (Pearl) and it gets kind of loud,'' Tabb said. "You get used to it after a couple if minutes. If we'd have come in here at the start of the season, it would have an effect, but we've been to Temple and Kansas so we have some experience.''
Wow, Josh, can we expect the same outcome as those "experiences" in the Owl's gym and Allen Fieldhouse. Don't know if I would have exactly put it that way. Oh, and nice job on the spelling (if instead of), Grif.
bls8617#370509 writes:
No doubt, this game will be ugly one way or the other
xvolx writes:
they were phyical last year when we were ranked #1 for 1 week.
tenuscvol writes:
Vandy's court $ucks big time!!!
Do they still have that coach that whistels plays to his team?
Wonder if they'd give an opposing coach, that is not so well skilled in whistling, a set of whistles to communicate to his team?
Sorry, just feel like whinning...
Go Vols!
Slam dem' Dores'!
Tennessee by 2 Touchdowns
BillVol writes:
I wish we could trade home arenas with Vandy. Memorial Gymnasium = college basketball. Thompson-Boling = ... I don't know what... a circus? Or worse...an NBA arena...
Looking forward to the game tomorrow in one of the great arenas in all of basketball.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
i agree as it relates to BB bigger is not necessarily better----down here in Atl and the Ga Tech dome holds about 9200 and a great venue to watch BB---in fact the hawks played there when Phillips was going up--no doubt though game watchin aside the $$$$ our big TBA helps make for many other positives
richvol writes:
Tennessee better strap it up and bring some toughness or this will be another loss. From the coach on down they hate Tennessee. If we begin wondering where Wayne is then forget it.
shipperman#280095 writes:
http://www.firebrucepearl.com
VolJunkie writes:
There is plenty of motivation for tonight's game. I have seen Vandy play a couple of times this year, w/o Foster the offense is not nearly as potent (same could be said for UT w/o Lofton but UT is averaging over 83 points/game, VU, 69, but I digress). While Memorial may be one of those "quaint" BB venues, it is an armpit of a place to play in ... if you are the visiting team; remember CBP getting "T'd" up last year? Hoping for a big night from the Vols and momentum going into TBA this Saturday.
Go Vols!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Gen Melon, tell him I do not need another 200 copies put in the bed of my pick-up!
50, as usual, will do.
thevoice writes:
Regardless of the opponent, since this game is nationally televised, we'll struggle mightily.
shoalcreekvol writes:
Catscratch - changing the subject - what are the UK fans thinking about all the title-flipping going on with the football program? Excited about JP as an HC-in-waiting and RS as OC? Just curious...
shoalcreekvol writes:
Maybe he's speaking Pteradactyl. Too bad Arian is in Mobile this week. We could use him on the bench stealing plays.
shoalcreekvol writes:
Memorial Gymnasium = Proof Vandy's Engineering School Is Overrated
As if that freak show gym(?) isn't weird enough b/c of the layout, the unpainted concrete block really says "This building was a class project".
sayhitomaggie writes:
Haha. Almost like the Art and Architecture building here was a class project. :-P
rusty_shackleford writes:
Play defense! 20 turnovers = 20 points and that CAN be the difference in the game...if you play defense.
MOOREVOLS writes:
Hopefully you're being sarcastic here.
I've been in Vandy's gym and it's one of the worst I've ever seen. It's pitiful inside and out. TBA is now one of the best arenas in all of college basketball.
THE_VOL writes:
Ahhh...the resident moron returns!! Did you bring your IMPACT player with you??? Still LMFAO!!! Gee, you're not gonna tell us what color shirt you'll be wearing like you did last year???? You wouldn't know inside information if it hit between the eyes!
On a more serious note - stop all the hand-wringing, whining and female doging folks. Relax! Vols go 12-4 in the SEC and there isn't anything anybody can or will do about it.
tulelakevol writes:
Well, time for another primetime massacre, hopefully it will be the homestanding commodes, not our guys again. Maybe one of our guys will have a Meeks type night.
blitzshoot writes:
Need to get back to sound fundamentals instead of the Knoxville Globetrotters who can't make a layup. Don't like this game.
Orangeblood13 writes:
i don' think he's blown smoke at all since in been in the orange, this man knows more about basketball, history of basketball and tha game than most of us will ever know. So hes got a tuff team to coach this year, we will see tonight.
hey playing 3rd fiddle would rile me up to behind memphis and the vols
auggievol writes:
Oh ye of little faith.
Break out game tonight in Nashville as the Vols finally gel and begin to prep for March.
Tennessee 142
Vandy 70
DA VOLS
Go4Two writes:
There must be 2 million plus at today's Inaugural. Amazing.
Govols beat Candy!!!!!!
bfrank78 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
rockytop4ever writes:
If Hopson can drive to the hole and Chism can play his game inside we got a good chance of winning. We need Wayne to step up again. He is the key. Go Vols!!!
CoverOrange writes:
Hey Marc, while you're there, try to figure out which one sitting behind Pearl is THE_VOL, then wave, then duck and cover.
Mr_Brownstone writes:
L
ncvol writes:
Let's go Vols and win big at Vandy's court...We will all be pulling for you....Go Vols!
bluetiger writes:
The Vols will win this one.
bfrank78 writes:
Not exactly Einstein. 20 turnovers can equal zero points if you don't convert.
volboy81 writes:
Vandys court should be against the law, but then...so should Vandy! Go Vols!!! SLAM the COMMODE DOORS!!!!!!
askUncleMaze writes:
I hope B.Maze gets to play his 30 min...tonight
Down_The_Field writes:
If we could beat those punks by 72, it wouldn't be enough for me. Don't get me wrong, when we play hard and hussle, I'm always proud of my VOLS, always, win or loose. I just can't stand Peebody.
gohawks1 writes:
Profound.
govols22231 writes:
exactly stop shooting the THREE POINTERS we are horrible at them let chism and smith own the paint
1vol writes:
The pride of the southland band played "Rocky Top"for the new Pres. at the parade tody.
thevoice writes:
One possession and I can see that Pearl has instructed these guys to not force 3-pointers. Like it!!
eduardo writes:
1 free throw in 20 min. of bball? Where do they find these officials at in this conference, Lexington?
utkjoe29 writes:
im with you eduardo, i dont normally complain about refs.. but it seems the refs have been instructed this year to not let tn play their physical brand of bball.. period. As much as chism is a show boat, i think there is definitely a target on his back this year!
ncvol writes:
Saw the band in the inauguration parade...Awesome, that they were playing Rocky Top...They looked and sounded great....
Now, I hope we can hold on to this lead against Vandy...
Go Vols!
MrBamSeydu writes:
Nothing makes me more mad than the following:
When will Brian Williams realize he is 6'10 270 and not 6'2 170?
He tries to much finesse when he's too clumsy for his own good. He shouldn't be allowed to dribble more than once per touch and he shouldn't be allowed to touch the ball at all outside the paint.
My GOD it really gets on my nerves..... even worse than the dreaded JP Prince 3 point shot.
msvolsfan writes:
If Bobby Maize drives the lane against 4 defenders one more time I'm gonna throw the remote through the tv. We've had MULTIPLE chances to put this game away but thanks to boneheaded plays on the offensive end, typical Memorial Gym officiating, and defensive lapses Vandy is still hanging around.
volwalk writes:
Ballgame!
way to go Vols, I was one that said I believe in this team.
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