As Tennessee was grinding out a 76-63 victory over Vanderbilt on Tuesday night, it never looked less like a Bruce Pearl team.
In the first half - when baskets slowed to a trickle - you might have had flashbacks to former UT coach Kevin O'Neill. The court shrunk. So did the offense.
Contrast what you saw against Vanderbilt with what you remember from UT's first performance on a national stage under Pearl. Remember how UT upset sixth-ranked Texas with a full-court, up-tempo game accentuated by a rain of 3-pointers?
UT made only four 3-pointers against Vanderbilt. It eschewed the press. It played solid half-court defense - albeit against a team with obvious offensive deficiencies - and hit 50 percent of its shots against a defense which has held opponents to 37.3 percent shooting.
The transformation was made out of necessity, rather than preference. Never mind how far removed it seemed from what you have come to know as "Pearl basketball." The Vanderbilt game, rather than the one against Texas three years ago, is more apt to become the model for the rest of this SEC season.
Don't get the wrong idea. Pearl's preference hasn't changed. But pragmatism has prevailed.
"Ideally, I want to recruit the guys who can play the full-court game," Pearl said at Wednesday's press conference, which was held in conjunction with the Big Orange Tipoff Club luncheon. "That style is still unique. I think that style ensures that you will beat everybody on your schedule you should beat. And it gives you an opportunity to maybe beat some people you shouldn't beat - if you don't beat yourself."
He will continue to recruit for the up-tempo, full-court game. But he won't be stubborn about it.
"I don't see us getting to a point where we can recruit (just) our kind of players," he said. "We'll recruit the best we can."
His most recent recruiting has left him with a team better suited defensively for a half-court game than a full-court one, better suited for 2s than 3s. So he's adjusting. His team is having to do the same.
"We want to be a defense that makes it difficult for you to run your stuff," he said. "This team can't do that."
Pearl and his staff accepted that reality before the season. His team didn't.
"They thought we could still press and extend, press up on the ball," Pearl said.
Opponents proved them wrong.
"We started working on head-turn slides because guys were driving by them so fast," Pearl joked. "I didn't want anybody to pull a muscle in their neck."
UT was rarely out of position defensively against Vanderbilt. The Vols held their ground close to the basket and resisted the urge to extend pressure on the perimeter.
They also progressed offensively, repeatedly demonstrating patience that so often seemed unnecessary in previous seasons. But this team can't afford to be as casual about possessions. It doesn't have that kind of 3-point firepower. Instead, it must value each possession, exercising patience and shooting more selectively.
Shot selection has become a more recent point of emphasis.
"It's something I wouldn't have done a month ago because we would have had a revolt on our hands," Pearl said. "Our players would feel like they're handcuffed. Now they think, 'I've got to turn down a shot to get a better shot because this is how we can win.' "
The different approach might not be as fan-friendly. But winning is always fan-friendly.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 38
Volnbama writes:
What th f does pragmatism mean?
SmokeDog72 writes:
Good to see a Vol coach that can "do the best with what he has". Playing with your strengths is always better than trying to stick the square peg in the round hole. Regardless of the recent losses, Pearl is still the man.
Who knows, the losses may come as a blessing. A little humility never hurt anybody.
alfrizzle097 writes:
I worry about our public schools.
kbart4033#247331 writes:
Would help if Tatum, Tabb, J.D. and buds would learn how to
cut-off the baseline drive: put one foot out-of-bounds and
let the driver come to you, instead of stepping into the
dribbler and getting the bump call or watching as the man
blows by!
BigOrangeVol writes:
A practical approach to problems to strike a balance between principles.
Volnbama writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Vols4Ever writes:
I grew up in ETenn, went to school on the Hill, lived there with the Earnie and Bernie show, was at the North Texas State game, saw 3 games live in 1998 (Florida, Arkansas and Florida State). All I'm trying to say is I have deep roots and a long term perspective.
I also was in the Liberty Bowl when we lost to you know who.
I unfortunately reside in the Bluff City now. If our team and BP can win this Saturday, it will be as sweet as Legion Field when I saw Peyton connect on an 89 yard TD on our first play. PUT THE TIGERS IN THEIR CAGE WHERE THEY BELONG.
bluetiger writes:
I grew up in Memphis, and like you, was there when "you know who" beat UT at the Liberty Bowl. What a memory.
I also remember going to the Coliseum and later to the Pyramid (tomb of doom) when UT's men's basketball team would come to town and watching the Tigers wipe the floor with them. My how times have changed.
I now unfortunately live here, which isn't too bad except every year when this game rolls around.
In fact, I am planning to just not even read these posts for the rest of the week because I don't see the point. I love to talk basketball and enjoy good-natured arguments. However, the tone here when it comes to discussing Memphis basketball -- anything related to Memphis actually -- is usually far from good-natured.
Here's to a good game, with a blue and gray victory of course.
Adios.
richvol writes:
The idea is to win...not to play a certain style. You can't force it so embrace it. I like the uptempo style much better but I like winning more.
Hopson and Woolridge are gifted athletes but can't move their feet quick enough to man up. Pearl should have the entire team on a workout routine designed to increase quickness,especially footspeed...this sounds obvious but if it's not a point of focus now then it should be.
We need a really gifted point that can perform like a Devan Downey at S.Carolina. You add that to the mix and we would be very good. Bobby has not been "The Solution".
VolJunkie writes:
Pragmatism is basically a practical way to solve a problem. In this context, CBP would like to play a different style of ball, but given the strengths of his team, he has to realistically (pragmatically) evaluate those strengths and play to them.
My apologies if you were being sarcastic, I'm not trying to be a jerk, any day we can learn something new is a good one.
UT37916 writes:
Coach Pearl is a "short-timer". He will go on to bigger and better things in two years.
GreeneVol writes:
Vols4Ever: you live in Bluff City?? Let's fish the S. Holston sometime! Just kidding...I lived in Memphis myself for 5.5 years; I feel your pain. I was also in the Liberty Bowl then. That win last year must have been especially sweet for all the Memphis Vols.
bluetiger: It is a Vols site after all, so Tiger readers beware...
serenehunter#668900 writes:
Obviously you're not no Collitch degreer
Vol_In_Ohio writes:
Is it just me or did Vandy still get a fair number of open layups and dunks. They also had an awful lot of open threes and just missed them. I think the defense was a little better, but I don't think it transformed overnight. It seems more like we are now in the middle of an average SEC schedule. Some great players (Meeks) and some good teams (Florida), but not the types of teams you play in the third round of the NCAA tourney.
All that said, I am pretty impressed that we are 3-1 in the league right now. I think 12-4 would be terrific because I was thinking 9-7 for a while.
TheVolMan writes:
workinlikehek = whiner
tractoronthepole writes:
Like you I saw all the games you mentioned and yes the Liberty. I too reside in the bluff city and its such an anti-UT town. Personally I don't have a problem with Memphis winning unless they are playing my Vols. However they want UT to lose in every sport and every game. Beat the Kitty's.
asleep#212036 writes:
Daniel West likely is, but he was not eligible this year. BP was counting on him to fill that void. I think Maze would be better at the 2 spot, especially if he could be more consistent/confident with his outside shot. It is amazing how we keep getting point guards who can't shoot (Maze, R. Smith) or shooters who can't really play point guard (Lofton). I think West can do both - next year should be a big leap forward even without Tyler Smith. As for this year, I'm glad BP is shifting. Boring or not, the Vandy game was excellently coached and executed. We'll need a lot more of that to make our mark on this season. Go Vols!!!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
i doubt it but with the fickle fair-weather idiots we have here that want him fired if he loses 2 games in a row how could anyone blame him as much as he has elevated the program---hes not going anywhere IMO cause the appreciative fans greatly outnumber the morons
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
Adams-bashers = kool-aid drinking, prefer "head in sand" idiots
jasonn1970 writes:
I much prefer watching the 94 feet trapping and pressing game. But this team just can't seem to play that style. And winning is always better. The offense looked better than it has all year the other night. I think this team finally understands they aren't a great 3 point shooting team and need to pick their spots.
jrwvol writes:
What about Ray Mears? I apologize in advance if you were only referencing the past 25 years....
Basketball_Jones writes:
This is by far the best thing Pearl has done this year. With this teams lack of outside game, he knows he needs to play a half court game and pound the ball inside. We have one of the Top PG's in the country coming in next year as well as West. Not worried, we'll beat Memphis and keep on rolling
OrangePride writes:
What leads you to believe he graduated from school?
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Vols look more like they should be against Vandy..Pearl made the right moves.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
It means J Adams' is looking through his miscroscope again. That's the way he writes his articles. That's why he wears big glasses, so much better to see you with my friend.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
BigO, you are coming up with some great comments and analysis, the last two at least. Please keep it up, a voice of sanity and reason.
panavol writes:
He has already found bigger and better things! Have you seen his GIRLFRIEND?????
GO CBP! CO VOLS!
calvolfromkingsport writes:
No doubt that if Ramar Smith taken care of his school work we'd be in the top 10 and still using the press. Oh well.
panavol writes:
I agree with you Mr. Flinstone...we have a very young team that is developing at a normal rate and hopefully it will peak in March...tough schedule this year, but, we still beat some very good teams early in the season.
GO VOLS
BigOrangeVol writes:
"hes not going anywhere IMO cause the appreciative fans greatly outnumber the morons."
Really? Don't count on it. Has Bruce devoted all his life to the university? Has he brought us a National Championship? Has he spent the last 17 years as head coach being a class representative of UT with only two sub-par seasons?
C'mon, this group will slit their own mothers' throat in a heartbeat, drag her mangled body through the streets, take a dump on her grave, demean and degrade her very existence and laughingly brag about it forever with no remorse!
That is what THIS generation of Vol fans have devolved into.
Colliervol writes:
"We started working on head-turn slides because guys were driving by them so fast," Pearl joked. "I didn't want anybody to pull a muscle in their neck."
Great comment and unfortunately very true. The sign of a good coach is adjusting to what you have to work with. Some of the new guys may turn into good defenders at some point but they aren't close to Pearl's idea of defense now.
As far as Saturday goes, it should be interesting. Two very similar teams that struggle shooting from outside. Memphis plays better overall defense but Tennessee's inside game has shown to be better. My fear is that the Vols let somebody go off like they've done SIX times this year (with career scoring nights). Fortunately, most of those guys were excellent outside shooters and Memphis just doesn't have one of those that does it on a consistent basis. Memphis generally dominates inferior teams with their length and quickness and wears them down. We have just as much length and they won't have that advantage over UT. If UT keeps Memphis off the offensive boards, the Vols should be fine.
Colliervol writes:
I've decided that you like commenting on things that you have no clue about. Whatever gets you through the day, I guess.
Volumnus writes:
It means that we now know the reason you are living in exile in Alabama.
KENVOL writes:
GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!! Phil was a great guy but a sorry coach.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Amen, brother! I thought the same thing, time after time, in the Vandy game. Really, though, that was about the only bad thing about our defense in that game. We did give them some open looks at threes, but maybe the scouting report said the guys who were getting those looks weren't likely to make the shots. If so, I'm doubly impressed!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I gotta say, guy, that you don't seem to be such a bad sort. It would be possible to have a decent discussion about the game with the likes of you. The thing is, there are at least a couple of outright Memphis trolls posting on here solely to rattle Vol fans' cages, and you, unfortunately, get caught in the cross-fire when some of our own resident Einsteins try to go down in the gutter with them. I don't doubt that some so-called Vol fans are just as obnoxious on the CA site. Some people just don't seem to get the fact that games are just, you know, games, not war without guns.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Right again, Rich! At the risk of tooting my own horn, I said a couple of weeks ago that this team needs to pack the defense tighter and work the inside as much as possible on offense. CBP's remarks about the shift in tactics were enlightening. He really does want to run a player-friendly system. Having led the players to believe that that was what he intended to run, he couldn't very well do a 180 on them until THEY could see that that system didn't work for THIS team. I like our chances for the rest of the season a LOT better than I did after the UK game.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Good points. I still think Maze can do the job this year, but having West back won't hurt. This year out may actually help him since he was pretty skinny coming out of HS. Also, I don't think Tyler is a lock to go out after this year. I still don't think his perimeter play is up to the NBA standard, and he could only play the front-court on a team like Houston or Orlando that had a beast of a center to back him up. He's a second-round pick at best right now.
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