There was a gleam in Tyler Smith’s eyes as Tennessee’s junior captain surveyed the confines of Thompson-Boling Arena on Friday evening.
“I think all of this helps,’’ Smith said, referring to the ESPN Basketball GameDay set and the former coaches turned celebrity commentators that were sitting courtside at the Vols’ practice.
“A lot of our guys feed off this kind of energy,’’ Smith explained. “We know it’s gonna be loud in here.’’
Tennessee (12-7 overall, 3-2 SEC) plays host to Florida (18-3, 5-1) at 9 tonight on ESPN in a game with SEC Championship implications.
“We’re one win away from feeling a lot better about ourselves,’’ UT coach Bruce Pearl said. “I think the kids are boosted up for this and understand the energy, but it’s about making shots.’’
No one has been hotter in that capacity than Vols’ junior center Wayne Chism.
“I’m just shooting with confidence, and they’re falling,’’ said Chism, who has hit at a .531 clip (17 of 32) over the past three games including 7 of 11 (.636) beyond the 3-point arc. “And, as a team, we’re getting close to where we want to be. You’ve got E-Man (Emmanuel Negedu) coming off the bench now, and Scotty (Hopson) is stepping up. I really believe this could be another breakout game for him (Hopson).’’
The Vols have lost four of their past five home games but continue to display a resilient spirit.
And this in the face of a Gators team that has won 12 of its past 13 games, leading the SEC in scoring margin (plus-15), 3-pointers made per game, assists and assist-turnover ratio.
Pearl said despite his success against Florida coach Billy Donovan — Pearl has won five of the coaches’ six meetings — the Gators present a particularly difficult match up this season.
“We’ve matched up well with them in the past because we were a lot like them,’’ Pearl said, referring to the backcourt advantage the Vols previously enjoyed with departed guards Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith. “Now, we’re not like them; we’re bigger, we’re a different team and we’re playing differently.
“Florida does some things offensively that have bothered us all year, particularly with their ball screen offense.’’
Do the Vols switch or do they fight through the screens?
“I’m not going to discuss any aspects of our strategy,’’ Pearl said, his uncharacteristically guarded response a telltale sign of the game’s importance.
“You look at our attempt to defend our SEC Championship,’’ Pearl said, “and this is one we’ve got to get. It’s an important game.’’
In addition to the hyped-up environment accompanying an ESPN Basketball GameDay crew that includes the legendary Bob Knight, UT will attempt a “White Out’’ in its crowd.
Fans are not only encouraged to wear white shirts, but also purchase “Outlive’’ program T-shirts to support UT Medical Center’s early detection cancer screenings.
Pearl bought 3,000 of the Outlive shirts himself to be distributed to Tennessee students.
But for Pearl and the Vols, it will be one cure at a time tonight against a Florida team that features arguably the top point guard in the SEC in Nick Calathes, who’s averaging an SEC-high 6.6 assists per game.
“We have to defend the ball screen and the 3-pointer,’’ Pearl said.
Chism suggested the fans can help the Vols, whatever approach Pearl calls for to stop the Gators.
“If our crowd gets into the game, it really will help us,’’ Chism said. “I’m serious. A loud crowd can make a difference.’’
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 73
1982_35_28 writes:
It's time for Hopson and Tatum to grow up and show a sense of urgency. Chilly may need to come in and show what playing tough means.
CHS52VOL writes:
Guys, it's a 40 minute game. Winning cures all ills! Get 'em
britt writes:
Big weekend for basketball and football both. Bruce will have them ready
mattlock writes:
Jealous? I bet you want Pearl to grope you too, don't you zz?
mattlock writes:
I am very worried about the Vols and their inability to defend the pick and roll. That will kill us with a team that has a high BBall IQ. We make average players look like Stockton and Malone back in the nuthugger days. . .
bringbackrome1 writes:
If he gets a chance he will. I would too though.......
mattlock writes:
Sorry, its just so fun to engage in a battle of wits with the dimwits. . .I'll try to contain myself.
cjraney writes:
I hope so. It was hilarious the first time.
mattlock writes:
If it just me or does "Witch Doctor" sound strangely like Tonto from the old SNL skit. . .
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
With Hopson's 5 turnovers and Tatum's air balls, we lose by 12. Hope I am way off!!
mattlock writes:
oops, Witch Doctor use word "the" in last post.
bmaples writes:
I agree with Witch Doctor. I've been burned too many times by this team this year. Will I be cheering, and yelling, and pulling for them? Of course -- I'm a Vol! Will I predict a win? Not a chance. The athletic ability of this team is great (except for an outside shooter). The basketball IQ, and the ability to sustain their defensive effort for 40 minutes, remain in doubt.
If they beat this Florida team, it will be significant win. If they lose close, it will be a great game. If they lose big ... well, that may indicate some problems bigger even than we've discussed.
Bruce in Louisville
VOL_FREAK_91 writes:
i went to our high school basketball game tonight and i was talking to somebody and looked up to see that Bruce Pearl had walked into our gym. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!! I got to met him shake his hand and get his autograph!!!!!!!!!!!
tlc429#392720 writes:
Here's the thing. We look hapless when a team throws a zone defense at us. We can't find the right 5 to put on the floor at the same time. Williams couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat. If Tyler is having an off night, so goes the whole team. Maze, Hopson, and Tatum can all shine but not at the same time. Chism is, well, Chism. If he's having a decent game, he's in foul trouble. I feel like I did a third of the way into football season. Like I've been sold a bill of goods. We've abandoned our full court press and our free throw shooting is iffy at best. Somebody wake me when it's underwater basketweaving season. FL will shoot our lights out.
Volinsider writes:
Wouldn't you? Maybe not since you're a Gator!
DrJCrown_theMagicMan writes:
So let me get this straight...
They need Espn Gameday there to get in the mood to play a good game?
Is there something I am missing here?
I would think someone would get excited every game not just get a spark when Espn comes to town!
Maybe I am just saying that because I am not pleased with the way they are playing.
utchris writes:
Anyone think they can get a We Want Marlon (Marlon Brown) chant going? I am thinking about 2 minutes long would get mention on ESPN..haha
SFOrange writes:
why would UT expect to "excel" tonight? team has flopped @ home. how could this be different? go vols.
IdahoVol writes:
Unfortunately after the LSU game the site was full of people throwing in the towel on the team and on Bruce. Seems like we got a little support back with the group here. It's one thing to express concerns about some losses, and another to start questioning Bruce's coaching at this point.
Everything will be fine in the long run. Bruce is still trying to build chemistry. Even if we don't finish the year strong, Bruce will still have a winning record against Florida, Tiger High, and just about every other team out there. I just hope all of those jumping off the bandwagon will stay off and go cheer for Memphis State or Vandy - those schools are used to fans like that.'
Go Vols!
yeavols#228407 writes:
I see you have made your way to to the basketball site as well. Every one of your posts are nothing but a lousy attempt to rile everyone to respond to your infantile banter. I don't know who you are or where you come from or what your agenda is, but it is rather obvious you don't belong here. Your incessant and constant diatribes offer nothing of substance. DO yourself a favor and everyone else: Get off this site now and stay off. Even the freedom of speech can't tolerate so much from someone who offers so little with so much hate.
coach75 writes:
areyoukiffinme,
you are a pathetic loser, if all you can do is complain about a young team that is having problems. if you don't like them or kiff and company go find some other team to spread your nazi propoganda on.
smowkee (Inactive) writes:
Does it take Game Day to get these guys motivated? They should be fired up for every game, no matter who it is, or what network is televising it.
allvol9 writes:
Let's all get behind Coach Pearl and the whole team. I hope the crowd is loud and really shows support. I have not given up on this team...we can still make some noise. Pearl is still a fantasic coach!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
you're the #1 no class azz on this site to always interject coaches personal life-----if you look down on attractive women so I hate to imagine the "un-looker" you have for yourself though still better than an idiot like you deserves
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
"White Out"--? How about just go out and play good basketball and win the game? Something this team doesn't know how to do. Look for another embarrassing performance on national TV.
blitzshoot writes:
less talk , more play.
halloffamebowler writes:
I hope they give you a refund.You are one stupid butt .If a refund will get you off this site that is for FANS,then we might be able to take a collection to make it happen.Just get on your jet and fly away to the end of the world.
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
To be truthful, the whole offense just stands around. When they can feed Chism near the post we have a decent chance to score otherwise its up to Tyler Smith and our opponents know this. Didn't get to watch the LSU game but I was hoping Hopson would drive to the basket like he had been doing the previous few games. This team better get it together because I'm thinking we are not going to be invited to the NCAA tournament with 12 or 13 losses. GO VOLS play hard on defense and start geeting your half court offense together really soon.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Chilly would endear himself to Vol fans for a long time if he were to put some kind of memorable lick on Florida's Werner; you know, the thug who tackled JP in last year's game and then stood over him, smirking. That was one of the sickest (in the old-school sense) plays I have seen in my 55 years of playing, coaching, and watching basketball.
volmattna writes:
We do need to be loud! Not like the kenlucky game! It was like a library in there from the start! We will win this game florida suk$!! GO VOLS!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I'm with you on this one. I'm pulling for the Vols all the way, but it will take a dramatic reversal of their recent form to win this one. Everyone who can attend, PLEASE make some noise and show some enthusiasm. And show up, students especially! We need the place full and ROCKIN'! The team, our football recruiting, and our national image will all suffer if we show them the same ol' Thompson-Boling Mausoleum tonight!
huntined#565710 writes:
Got to bring our a-game tonight...Guard against the three point shots and work the ball inside or just drive the lanes..They must win this game because against the Gators this is the only chance we have to win against them at anything.. Lady vols down-Softball they are rated number 1
so this game may be our only win against them.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I get your point, but if it takes a special atmosphere to get them playing well, with heart, enthusiasm, and execution, so be it. They may find that they like it and will start doing more of it. Don't underestimate the importance of a defining moment. I'm sure the players have picked up on the doubt and second-guessing, even if they don't read forums like this. Indeed, it must be following them around like a black cloud. Dispel that cloud with a supportive environment, it might make all the difference. We can all hope, anyway!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I know what you mean, but I think CBP is just trying to build up Scotty's confidence, which we can all guess is pretty shaky right now. With all the grief many of us have been giving him--myself included--he no doubt could use a little TLC from CBP. As I have said before, some players, almost no matter what they are doing or not doing, respond better to a pat on the back than to a kick in the butt. Most of them need a little of each sometimes. Since we have been supplying the figurative kicks in the butt, it's CBP's job to give him the pat on the back.
OrangePower11 writes:
No, he will accept the Grizzlies job only to back out right before tip-off, return to UT and improve to 6-1 against Billy the Kidder
TommyJack writes:
Ole Teej sees narrow victory tonite.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
You feel better about this than I do.
Must have some guard play, somehow.
givehim6 writes:
Do not get me wrong, my bloods Orange. But i'll find out on the computer later what happened, I get hate watching my Vols get beat on tv. Reminds me of the 08' football team. NO, I'm not compairing, Vols bb is better! The BB vols try! Just don't like what they are today. But Go Vols
STNVol09 writes:
Agree. But we have no SEC guards. Maybe we will get lucky.
Pearl is beginning to remind me of Foolmer with his stubborness concerning Hopson. He needs to ride the pine for awhile until he decides to hustle and handle the ball with being a constant turnover waiting to happen.
Stokes44yrs writes:
Go Vols! We really need this one. Play hard.
VolJunkie writes:
Battle? It's not even a skirmish! ;)
ncvol writes:
I am loving all the hoopla at UT today...Go Vols and beat those Gators!!!
allvol9 writes:
Wow....Game Day in Knoxville looked great. Students did an awesome job. Best part to me was the Pat Summitt and Bobby Knight interview. He thinks she is the best.....we all know that. Pat is the best thing going at UT!
tan007 writes:
I have been to these basketball games & fortunate enough to sit close to the floor. I have seen too many games that have gotten out of hand, almost brutal, due to lack of good officiating. I am talking about both sides of the court.
These young men didn't sign up to play football & someone who is in charge of the referees needs to step up to the plate & make these men do their job.
GO VOLS!
Stokes44yrs writes:
right again.
jephsteph writes:
This is probably the most important "Must Win" of the season and will likely help us get off the bubble. We still have to travel to Florida, South Carolina and Kentucky later this season. If Arkansas pulls it's head out of it's rear that game won't be easy either. And let's not forget about Mississippi State at home later. I still think we can lose about 4 more games at the most this season (not counting the SEC tournament), and get into the dance. But if we don't win the tournament and end the year with 7 or more conference losses...... it's "Hello NIT"
STNVol09 writes:
S if Bobby throws a chair at your son and then proceeds to cuss him out, that's ok too? Summitt owns Bobby Knight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO!
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
could not agree with your comment anymore. hopson will be lost in this SEC pressure packed game....the best place for him is on the bench in the later parts of the game, unless of course he is ON, i hope he will be, but don't look for it to happen...
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Agree. I couldn't tell from the TV exactly how many fans were there, though I suspect that it was only one side of the lower section of the arena full, but they WERE loud and demonstrative--hope they all come back tonight! One thing that was a BIT annoying about Knight's comments about Pat, while exceedingly gracious for him, was that he constantly referred to "girls' basketball". Surely even a dinosaur like Knight knows that boys and girls play in HS while men and WOMEN play in college! This is especially true since, in terms of mental and emotional development, the majority of college-age females are a LOT closer to full adulthood than the majority of college-age males, IMHO.
Slystone writes:
Unless the Vols get better guard play expect much of the same.
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