Eighteen games, nine different starting lineups.
And Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl won't hesitate to go with a 10th lineup if he feels it will put the Vols in a better position to win games.
UT dropped to 12-7 and 3-2 in the SEC with Wednesday night's loss to LSU. SEC Eastern Division co-leader Florida (18-3, 5-1) is on deck Saturday (TV: ESPN, 9 p.m.) at Thompson-Boling Arena.
"I knew this team had to improve a lot - as much as any team I've coached,'' Pearl said Thursday on the New Sentinel's Sports Page radio show. "Early in the season we had them ready to go and put them in positions to show what they could do.
"But once the book got out on us, then, as players and coaches as well, you've got to be able to adjust.''
The Vols added another chapter to that book with the emergence of freshman Emmanuel Negedu, who scored a career-high 11 points while playing 15 minutes against LSU.
"If we can get Emmanuel 15 minutes every game, that would be really good,'' Pearl said. "It would be our goal to maintain that rotation right now.''
Negedu getting more playing time means Tyler Smith getting some work at the wing in addition to his power forward starting duties.
Negedu's performance warrants it. He was 2 for 3 shooting from the field against the Tigers, 6 of 6 from the free throw line (he's 25 of 29 on the year), and he even hit a 3-pointer.
"Obviously he had a terrific effort,'' Pearl said. "Emmanuel's attitude has been really good. He's stayed positive. He didn't come here to play five minutes a game, and we told him to stay ready. He did.''
Negedu, a native of Nigeria, has quickly become a crowd favorite with his energetic play and the warrior-like spirit he displays when loose balls are in his vicinity.
"I heard the crowd, they were shouting and yelling at me, and it felt kind of special,'' Negedu said. "If coach plays me one minute, I go hard and I'm happy. Two minutes, I go hard and I'm happy. He is the coach, and he knows what he is doing.''
Negedu said he has maintained his confidence throughout his limited playing time.
"I got the feeling that if I got some minutes I would do well,'' Negedu said. "We are a team, and we are going to come back strong.''
Negedu believes that to be true regardless of how the minutes are distributed or the lineup changes.
The most recent adjustment to the starting lineup Wednesday night was starting Josh Tabb at point guard in place of Bobby Maze.
"Both handled the change. Josh played well at the start of the game and Bobby played well once he got into the game,'' Pearl said. "I thought Bobby was pressing ... I felt maybe he could do more coming off the bench, and I asked him to do more and he responded by getting 10 shots.
"Our chances of winning would be much improved if Bobby could be out there looking to score.''
Maze said he felt like he came off the bench playing with more energy.
"I played with more intensity,'' Maze said. "I don't have any problem coming off the bench, whatever we need to do to win.
"I just hope our fans don't give up on us. We win this game (against Florida), it could turn things around in a hurry.''
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Comments » 75
Volumni writes:
Until Tyler Smith stops trying out for 2Guard for the NBA, we won't win. Maze, Tabb, Tatum and Hopson play very loose with the ball out front, and have more turnovers. This team routinely has fewer assists than any in the SEC.
I say Play:
Chism, Tyler, Hopson, Negedu, and Prince, and let them play 40!!!!
UT_LAW_2011 writes:
What has Scotty Hopson done to deserve to start?
Bruce_Pearl_Fan writes:
How about this
G - Prince
G - Chism
G - Tyler Smith
F - Williams
F - Negedu
Get Wayne and Tyler popping the 3, play a ton of zone and see what happens.
dopedawg writes:
com on somebody, lets give Childress a try. What could we loose?
eb502us#225637 writes:
Best thing that could happen to this team is for Negadu to play the 4 and Tyler to move to the 3.
Other changes I'd like to see:
Tatum at the far end of the bench (he's been horrendous and like Hopson, plays extremely soft)with Woolridge getting his minutes. Woolridge might not be any better now, but he isn't afraid to take a big shot and like Negadu, needs the minutes to improve.
SuperVolfan writes:
Another change I would like to see is for our "too polite fans" to get off their a**es and make TBA crack at the seams when the other team has the ball!!!!!
SuperVolfan writes:
It's absolutely sickening!!!!
bugman (Inactive) writes:
prince isn't playing well, maze isnt shooting, and tyler has lost his touch. if these three guys don't get it togethot FAST no amount of coaching matters, we will lose over 12 games. they better win out if they want anything good in the ncaa. otherwise they better stay home march.
ZWVol11 writes:
That's what happens when you put the "old money" along the sides. I would personally like to see change in the seating chart that got the students closer to the action and for them to actually do some chants instead of just screaming. I mean could we get something like "let's go Vols" or something. I've been in high school gyms that were louder
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
And then there's douche, as in you are a big douche bag for always coming to this site. And then there's life, as in what you are lacking. And then there is Saturday, as in you will be very sad on Saturday when Tennessee beats Florida.
OldNo7 writes:
I have faith in Bruce, he's a good coach, it's a young team, give it time. Little (I say 'little' with a LOT of sarcasm) more free throw practice though, it gets a bit old watching the games praying for made free throws. I hope we can keep the streak of tournament appearances going.
golfballs03 writes:
My ideal line-up with everyone playing their best is:
G-Maze
G-Hopson
F-Smith
F-Chism
C-Williams
Smith and Chism both go to their natural positions with Williams anchoring the paint. Although, I'm not sure this fits in w/ Bruce Pearl's supposed style of play, but the size and athleticism here would be great in the half court. B Maze running an effective point and Hopson there with the hot hand and driving ability. I like Tatum a lot too.
floridavolsfan writes:
Look's like "Smokey Mountain Rain"----Even if we lose, the sun will shine on Sunday morning! Get to church on Sunday morning and say a little prayer for the upcoming "Project Kiffin"! My name is Duke Deluca and I sign my posts!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Stand around, plays no defense and plays soft.
Are you watching Dupree in the toy aisle at the drug store?
JMP_Vols writes:
If the engine's knocking, doesn't do much good to rotate the tires.
Bigger problems than what combination plays right now.
Just being honest.
coach75 writes:
i prefer this lineup;
1-maze/tabb
2-woolridge/hopson/tatum
3-chism/woolridge
4-smith/negedu/chism/childress
5-williams/chism/negedu
if anyone needs to move to the three it would be chism instead of tyler because at least chism can hit the three or the rim.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
absolutely zero---------if BP can not start Maze to stoke his fire some there is no reason to not do same to Hopson--hes playing with a sense of entitlement starting and getting lots of minutes while contributing nothing but turnovers, bad defense, airballs and bricks. I'll be real disappointed is hes not the one losing minutes to get Negedu more---Tatum has been worthless and doesnt deserve more time and I've been all in favor of Woolrich seeing very little time with all his jacking every time he touches it but maybe if he gets in now hell make the best of the opportunity--------Hopsons time needs to be cut back to sent him a message and the light comes on
coach75 writes:
do students also have to pay for basketball tickets? that could be a good reason that they do not show. the way they raised everything to pay for the building programs is ridiculous. there should be an alloted amount of student tickets that are free and if that allottment is reached then students that are left must buy their own way in. if they don't reach allottment then those tickets should go on sale to the general public.
volsoutwest writes:
I say Coach needs to put up some help wanted signs out on campus for a 3-pt. shooter. I'd bet there is a little short white boy out there somewhere who can't jump a lick but can shoot the lights out and is just dying for a chance to walk on. Surely we couldn't do any worse.
dvols writes:
youens hate bruce for the same reason u loved him?
OrangePower11 writes:
Which means NOTHING because if memory serves correct the Gators were picked to win the SEC in 06 and 07 and we took 3 out of 4 from the "favorites."
5-1 last 3 years sound about right to you?
thsvolfan15 writes:
Does anybody know why childress dosen't play? I mean at least he can shoot the three! That might be what we need.
ZWVol11 writes:
His knees are shot and student tickets are free. They just change the allotted seats depending on the game it came be anywhere from 1250 seats to 3500 seats depending on how big the game is. My guess is last night they were close to a 2500 seat limit. But, I know the students don't really like being shoved up in the corner in the upper deck but if they came to every game that might change.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
couldn't hurt
mocsandvolsfan writes:
How 'bout
1 Tabb
2 Woolridge
3 Negedu
4 Chism
5 Williams
Not really! We've got to get Maze scoring more with the offense in his hands instead of Tyler. I'm old fashioned I guess and feel more comfortable with a point in charge.
1Maze/Tabb-Tabb only when Maze is off.-
2Hopson-No outside shots until he has 6-8 points
3Smith- green light
4Negedu/Prince-No outside shots for Prince
5Chism/Williams-No outside shots either (easier on my heart)
WLE1 writes:
We may not make it to the NIT this year. I thought we started out too over-rated to be so young. I hate it for Tyler. I knew we were in trouble after Gonzaga beat us for the second time. It's definitely been a dissapointing season for all sports so far.
walt23tn writes:
Best suggestion yet. Start Tabb or Maze and alternate the two, Woolridge, Smith, Negedu, Chism. Woolridge, Maze, Negedu, and Chism have more heart than the rest of the team. Reward them for their effort and hustle, and let's be a little scrappy. This would be more fun to watch with Negedu's athleticism and Woolridge's effort and willingness to take the shot. Leave Hopson and Tatum on the bench with minimum minutes until effort and aggressiveness improves. Keep Prince on the bench until he develops a jumper and decreases the dumbest mistakes made in most games. Give Chism and Negedu breaks with Williams and CHILDRESS who Pearl seems to have something against.
Ironcity writes:
I like this line up. You can bring Nagadu and Prince off the bench early and Tatum, WOlridge and Tabb late. Not sure this would work but I have got to believe Prince would be better coming off the bench and Chism would be better at the two spot. Smith is playing outside already so there really isn't much change with him. When Hopson and Maze throw up their bricks, Williams can put them back in.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
why are we so impressed with a "willingness to take a shot"----taking shots isnt what its about, making shots is what counts-----Woolrich has been too willing---every time he touches it he jacks it--and 70% dont go in. I'm Ok giving him another chance though at "Airball" Hopsons expense
jimvols13 writes:
I know, it really is shameful. I'm currently a student at UT and I would only be making a fool of myself if I tried to defend the "support" our student body offers to our athletes. There seems to be an ambivalence within our student body, when things aren't going well or there isn't a big name game coming to town students will not show up. They/we may complain about the blue hairs but the students in our lower seat allotment are no better, they usually sit on their hands the whole game too. I was watching a Notre Dame home game a couple nights ago and a VTech game tonight and both their students bodies put ours to serious shame. Some may just give the excuse that we are a football school but football games this past season were hardly any better. Gaping holes in the bleachers, people leaving in the third quarter, its ridiculous. I don't know what it is either. Maybe it is just this generation of kids. It really sucks, just let it be known that there are some decent fans among the student body. We do still exist...
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
gatorzz, there is
'your' as in 'your momma' and "you're" as in "you're extremely intercoused up right now"
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
my 2-cents, for the billionth time;
Tyler is hurting us. He HAS to drop his offense and be a passer and defender. Everyone knows he can score, he does not need to show NBA scouts that. He needs to show them he glue a team together.
Scotty, Woolridge, and Tatum need to be bench players for now. They are NOT getting the job done.
My lineup:
Tabb or Maze (pick'em)
Wayne
Emmanuel, with a quick hook to Brian if needed
Tyler at 3 or 2
JP
No more working around the arc, make everything a drive to the basket, initiate contact. The kids can't shoot worth a damn, so why bother?? Take it to the rim and finish there.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
i would agree with your bench sitters and with your lineup----maybe even a Maze and Tabb if JP needs a hook for careless, clumbsy ball handling/TOs, least Tabb can hit a 3 occationally
I'm no hater like too many on this board but I'm going to be disappointed in BP if he continues to give Hobson these minutes----he and Tatum need to be cut back to Negedus/Williams benefit-----I dont mind Chism taking some 3s with Negudu/Williams in----Chism has a better 3 stroke than any of the bench-sitters
Volsbark writes:
It is unfortunate, but everyone is not playing at their best. This team has not found an identity yet. Early in the season, we wanted to press to get turnovers and easy baskets, but when the press got beat we struggled in the half-court sets. Now, we look better on defense, but we look lost on offense. The youth really shows, and it is up to coach Pearl to help this team grow up. Coach Pearl has been doing a great job for a long time, and I am sure he has a plan in place. Personally, I believe this team would be better off going back to the way we started the season and play an aggressive pressing style of basketball. We have a deep bench and a lot of fouls to give. If everyone starts to play with passion, the wins will come. We are not made to be a half-court team. Coach Pearl brought an up-tempo style of play to vol nation. I would like to see us continue to be aggressive win or lose. That's the way to take it to the gators.
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Wow. You make this too easy. If you're going to point out the grammatical misgivings of others, please make sure that you don't spell "you're" as your, as in you're not carrying a very large brain in your Gator skull. I win.
Volinsider writes:
1 - Tabb
2 - Wild
3 - Pearl
4 - Tatum
5 - Childress
oldvolsfan writes:
pervert go play in the traffic on interstate 40
bluetiger writes:
Knoxville is just not a true basketball town yet; it's a football town. Think about it. Every time the Vols football team plays -- even this last terrible season -- everywhere you go you'll see people decked out in orange (store clerks, etc.) and UT flags on tons of cars. The grocery stores sell those disgusting looking orange cookies and cakes, blah, blah.
This it is how it is in Memphis when the the Tigers bball team plays. Except, of course, everyone is wearing blue and has blue "M's" on their cars. And the cookies and cakes have blue icing.
Men's basketball here just doesn't seem to carry the importance to the fans overall period. They are quick to ditch the team when everything isn't going peachy keen.
volsthetruth writes:
The team has fewer assist because whenever the guards passes the ball, everyone misses. Maze is the best ball handler on the team. What game are you watching?
GreerVol22 writes:
I'm not sure if its coaching or prima donna playing, but one thing is for sure....I've never seen anyone named "Donna" playing the NBA.
...and just for good measure....I think Bruce and these new players have been told they are God's gift to basketball several times too many. I bet Tyler wishes he was playing in Italy 'bout now...
walt23tn writes:
I would choose Woolridge to start because he shoots as well as anybody on the team, which may only be 30%, but he seems to play harder when given the chance. All of our SG's are freshmen, so why not play the one who gives the most effort? And we wouldn't have to watch the stalled offense where it goes around the top of the key for 35 seconds. Offensive rebounding is one of our strengths anyway, and he may help on D. I don't know, I wouldn't mind seeing more of a kid who will hustle than Hopson who doesn't. I'm not a coach though.
VolJunkie writes:
Not only is Negedu playing great ball, he made two comments all Vol fans should take note of:
"He is the coach, and he knows what he is doing."
"We are a team, and we are going to come back strong."
As fans we are disappointed with the losses and in some cases the effort. But as fans, we should also support our coaches and our programs. This isn't instant bouillon, ready in one minute, this is a rich stock that may take some time to come together (sorry, the car analogy earlier kind of bugged me).
Buy your oUTlive shirts and come out tomorrow to support your team.
Go Vols!
rockytopspottedbirgdog writes:
It is worth a try. Haha
Basketball_Jones writes:
I like Maze, I think the kid has alot of game he is just looking to distribute more than score. Like I have said in other posts, the PG can't make players hit shots he can only set them up for good ones. If Bobby is happy coming off the bench then let him, I have no problem with that.
I have also liked Negadu ever since I saw him at the Temple game, the guy is a beast for 18 years old. I team needs a scrappy player like him (Dane Bradshaw esque). It energizes the team and the crowd.
I don't like Tyler on the perimeter or Wayne. Tyler can't shoot a lick and Wayne has been very dominant down low. Smith is a scrapper who gets a lot of sloppy points and Chism has finally learned how to be successful in the paint.
Prince is a mystery, I have yet to see what he brings to the table. Last year he was good because Lofton and J.Smith could extend the defense and open lanes for slashers, this year teams lag in the paint and it really hurts a persons game like Prince and T. Smith.
This team is learning and we'll continue to grow, we as fans need to be patient. I think Woolridge, Williams, Hopson etc etc need to get their minutes and their touches. They need to have more confidence when there in the game. Hopson has ZERO confidence when he's on the floor.
jasonn1970 writes:
Since everybody has their preferred lineups here's mine:
PG Tabb/Maze - rotate them
SG Tatum/Woolridge/Hopson - Tatum's the best shooter on this team. I have no clue what Hopson has done to deserve to start. Woolridge needs more minutes imho.
SF Smith/Prince - either can score inside, neither can shoot the 3
PF Chism/Negedu - Chism is clearly the best player on the team. Let's hope he doesn't leave for the NBA.
C William/Negedu - both have been playing well of late
bluevol writes:
The main problem here is the coach. Pearl is being out recruited and out coached. The guy was overrated to start and he's under achieving despite the fact that he was overrated. The honeymoon is over. The Vols aren't going no where until they get a new coach. The guy has peaked and has not managed to get past the sweet sixteen. The only reason they got that far is that the talent the Vols had were recruited by Pearl's predecessor.
THE_VOL writes:
Now THESE are some great posts!!! LMFAO!!! Once again, this astute group has proven that stupid is contageous! Remember YOU are the ones that set the unrealistic expectations for this season! You morons couldn't put together a winning line-up in a fantasy league if you had the first 10 picks!
richvol writes:
Play Chism,Negedu,Smith,Maze or Tabb (or Maze and Tabb together) and let's see Woolridge for enough minutes to get into the flow of the game. The lineup would be long and more aggressive. Sub for Woolridge with whoever is playing well enough to warrant it or just stick with the original five for a change...sometimes there is too much subsitution.
Maze is capable of playing well but he needs to learn to dish to a trailer for a dunk or layup in the paint. Whenever he tries to finish he gets stripped or blocked...same with Tyler Smith. Of course that means somebody is actually trailing the play looking for the dish or (GOD forbid) an actual rebound.
Under no circumstances should Hopson be starting...no way. Until he gets his arse in gear he should ride the bench along with mistake prone Prince. They are killing the team right now and I can't understand why Pearl is continuing to play them. I think the world of coach but you don't let these guys ruin your chances of winning.
Brian Williams is playing better. I saw more movement and aggressiveness from him the last two games but he has to work on his footspeed in the weightroom. He could be a good player.
Negedu is my man...he is a beast! What an athlete.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Was going thru the channel guide on my tv and I saw a listing that said 'basketball' for tommorrow. I pressed info to see who was playing and it said "The vols, the same team that was abused and kicked around lately by Memphis and LSU are humiliated once again. This time by Florida"
mocsandvolsfan writes:
May be?
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