Cameron Tatum was flying high in the Pilot Rocky Top League on Monday night, even if he is still under the radar.
"I still have a lot to prove,'' said Tatum, who started four games at guard for Tennessee last season and averaged 7.4 points per outing. "I hear it from people, I hear the bad things still.
"I hear that I'm not quick enough, that I can't shoot the ball consistently or play at this level.''
Tatum, who scored 36 points for Choice Spine in Monday night's opener, makes no apology for the chip on his shoulder.
The redshirt sophomore from Lithonia, Ga., who came to UT via the Patterson (N.C.) Prep School said he thrives on what he views as a general lack of respect from outsiders.
"I put so much pressure on myself because I've always been overshadowed,'' said Tatum, who originally committed to Charlotte.
"In my mind, I won't ever reach my potential,'' Tatum said. "That's why I love watching Kobe (Bryant). He's the best, but he'll tell you he can always get better.''
The 6-foot-6 shooting guard looks to show his improvement in Spine's 6 p.m. game against the News Sentinel tonight at Bearden High School. Richardson Construction plays First Tennessee at 7:30 and Ray's ESG plays the HT Group at 9.
Tatum said a combination of improved concentration and a healthy offseason should help him get better.
"I've been hitting the weights harder than I've ever hit them, especially my legs,'' said Tatum, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last year. "I'm building up my calves, my quads and my thighs. I was having too much pressure on my knees.
"I can tell I'm quicker.''
Improving his perimeter defense was at the top of Tatum's to-do list, right beside improving his free-throw shooting.
Tatum shot .596 from the free-throw line - subpar for a guard.
"It was a lack of concentration,'' Tatum said. "Even shooting 3s, the whole thing. I need to concentrate better.''
Tatum made just .315 of his 3-point attempts despite his hot-shooting performances against Georgetown (5-of-6) and Gonzaga (5-of-10).
"Bottom line," Tatum said, "I have to be more consistent."
With UT rising sophomore Scotty Hopson also playing shooting guard, and Tyler Smith returning to play minutes at small forward, Tatum knows his playing time will correlate with his improvement.
He's not complaining.
In fact, Tatum relishes the opportunities that lie ahead for the team because of Smith's return.
"Tyler coming back will make our national-championship run a lot better,'' Tatum said. "And Ty will show us some things he learned in NBA camps.
"I'm going to work hard to put myself in a position to succeed this season.''
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Comments » 45
Hounddog writes:
TarHeel, why don't you go and play in the road. I would try to change your mind on CBP, but you actually don't have one. Go blow a camel, okay.
chrisw2967 writes:
dont feed the idiot trolls and sooner or later they will go away.
Hounddog writes:
I know, I know, you are right but this guy is an idiot. And I really respect UNC BBall, and their tradition. Most of their fans are first class, which make me think this guy has never seen the campus of NC. Sorry, would really like to kick his you know what!
txvolsfan writes:
I think that one will disappear around football time just like his football team and his old washed up has been coach
babyblueheelkeychain writes:
UNC's Bill Guthridge and Matt Doherty were splendid coaches and real winners! Guthridge complied a 32-16 ACC record over 3 seasons and lost in the first round of the NCAA tourney in the '99 season. WOW! What an impressive use of All-American UNC talent! Doherty was also AWESOME!. He coached his team to an impressive 23-25 ACC record in 3 seasons; HOWEVER he reached the NCAA 2nd round in '01 and the NIT Quarterfinals in the '03 season. WOOHOO! Didn't even make the tournament in '02. Probably was the lack of his ability to coach DEFENSE. But good job in 2009 UNC. Roy and the UNC fathful can finally relax and feel good that Roy can recruit and coach HIS OWN PLAYERS. We are really happy for Tar Heel Nation to get that monkey off your backs. Now go down to the Myrtle Beach Hooters with all the paranoid Kentucky fans and enjoy some ---neck fun!!!!
babyblueheelkeychain writes:
Good job in 2009 UNC. Roy and the UNC fathful can finally relax and feel good that Roy can recruit and coach HIS OWN PLAYERS. We are really happy for TarHeel Nation to get that monkey off your backs. Now go down to the Myrtle Beach Hooters with all the paranoid Kentucky fans and enjoy some ---neck fun!!!!
babyblueheelkeychain writes:
Matt Doherty was an awesome North Carolina bball coach. He coached his team to an impressive 23-25 ACC record in 3 seasons; HOWEVER he reached the NCAA 2nd round in '01 and the NIT Quarterfinals in the '03 season. WOOHOO! Didn't even make the tournament in '02. Probably was the lack of his ability to coach DEFENSE.
miatatom writes:
Keep working hard Cam, the Volunteer nation needs you.
GO VOLS!
dvols writes:
just shoot the rock...cam...with confidence
im just sayin
eb502us#225637 writes:
Count me as a Tatum critic. I think he'll always be a 3 because he doesn't handle the ball or shoot it well enough.
That said, he certainly has plenty of upside and I'm glad to hear he's playing with a chip on his shoulder.
Biggest problem I saw with him last year was his indecisiveness. It was either 3 points (3 pt. shot) or bust (which is an out of control drive to the basket)
I also question whether he can create his own shot as I never saw it. I think if he looked up the definition of a pull-up mid-range jumper, it would do wonders for his game.
easleychuck writes:
A troll such as this has nothing in common with UNC. You can't really believe that a true fan of a basketball school such as UNC would spew junk such as this. Nothing but a light-in-the-shorts poser. I am responding to you, but if you ignore the trolls, they will stay under the bridge where they belong.
VOLKING writes:
News flash, Tarhellrules is not a UNC fan. He's a disgruntled Memphis fan who changed his screenname when Calipari left. Notice he didn't come here until Memphis became irrelevant. He has no brain, no class and no backbone. He spews hate and venom. Loser/Poser. He lives for this board, however, with his 500+ posts since April. All negative.
Chris4Vols22 writes:
I can't believe how every ACC fan unconditionally bashes ANY SEC team for reasons they cannot justify. You can find that on ANY sports website.
P.S. this is NOT "UNC Trivia" so get those comments out of here. If you want to weigh in, make some relevant conversation.
old_number1 writes:
Welcome Chris to the board. As far as I know, the only ACC 'fan' is tarheelsdrool. Don't hold your breath waiting on 'relevant' comments!!
Hounddog writes:
Actually you make sense. I did say he had never been to NC or has seen the campus. I did say usually NC fans have class. I am a Memphian and your point about his possible Memphis roots only justfies his lack of class.
Good call.
TommyJack writes:
Positive attitude by Tatum is all good. Best of luck.
TommyJack writes:
Hasn't worked yet.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Tatum showed flashes of talent last year, but they were too few and far between. His self-diagnosis of his problems--lack of concentration and slightly sub-par conditioning after his off-season surgery--was pretty close to my own. I always thought he had a tremendous up-side. He and Scotty could be a strong one-two punch at the shooting-guard position.
My only problem with what Scotty, Cam, and Renaldo have been saying this off-season is that we have heard much of the same before. Of course, they WERE all freshmen last year and it is said that players make their biggest steps forward between their freshman and sophomore years. If they each greatly improve in just one area of need, which is slightly different for each, the team COULD be a whole lot better next year. We'll see. GO VOLS!!!
vol4gzus writes:
Curious...did you mean walk the talk? vocabulary never lies...
On topic,Rocky Top league apparently is all run n gun and little defense. I guess it is there to keep players in shape and to work on particulars in the off season.
knoxnewsuser writes:
Watching Tatum play on Monday was painful. He literally shot the ball every time no matter how many people were guarding him. Jalen Steele is better than Tatum right now and if he were 6'4" UT would be all over him. Skyler McBee is probably also better than Tatum, but he's only 6'3". Look for Tatum to transfer after this season.
golfballs03 writes:
Cam Tatum sees straw men
sportsgirl writes:
Really? I mean do teams you like not have anything going on right now that you can participate in or read about... Or no? You decide to be a Tennessee follower/stalker instead. Get a life... and a job!!
bkgunter writes:
I take it your diaper needs changing and you're grumpy again.
BasketVols writes:
I'm sorry. I know I'm supposed to be good now, but... The saying is... "if you talk the talk, you better be able to walk the walk." Witchie D was referring only to the second part of that saying in reference to the fact that Tatum and Co. are doing some talking right now.
There's nothing pejorative about his comment, he is just stating the truth. That was why you were calling him out, right?
WWJP - What would Jesus post?
Volin68 writes:
I'm sorry the UNC fans won't talk to you. But pathetic losers such as you should expect that. Now, you've received the attention you're seeking; crawl back under your slime covered rock.
murrayvol writes:
Think what you will of Carolina Hounddog. This guy is no Tar Heel.
Compare time story was posted and when he arrived: 9:43 & 9:48. KNS born and bred.
murrayvol writes:
I remember Crompton talking last year BB. In fact I can't get it out of my head.
Volin68 writes:
The word is the're as in... they are...like I said you, personally, are a loser. Props to UNC as an institution which you never attended nor graduated from.
murrayvol writes:
Tatum has the tools to make a difference. Not yet sure he has the work ethic ala Lofton. This year will tell the tale.
OrangeMan_86 writes:
Why do you guys even respond to the Tarhole?
Also, if you haven't figured it out.... he isn't a NC fan. He just hides behind their school because he cheers for a garbage school like Memphis or Kentucky. Probably Memphis. It's a lot easier to talk phooey while claiming you cheer for NC. If he admitted to being a Memphis fan we'd all just laugh at their team that's about to go on probation and has nothing going for themselves. As for their football team... lol.
OrangeMan_86 writes:
Haha. You're clueless and a liar. First you tried telling me that Kentucky only had two division one players. Proved you wrong every way imaginable on that one. Now you're claiming to be a NC fan with nothing better to do than talk phooey Tennessee. What connection does Tennessee have to North Carolina? They don't play each other. They are in different conferences. You're butt hurt with no life. It's truly pathetic that you spend more time here than Tennessee fans. You have no life. Your parents must so proud of raising a pos. Have fun pretending to be a NC fan. Off to lunch with the girlfriend. Maybe you should get one..... too bad you never leave this site for that to happen.
OrangeMan_86 writes:
For the record... it takes a pretty big wuss to talk phooey on another teams website. Come down to Tennessee fans and tell us how you really feel to our faces. See what happens pal. You'd get the three teeth you have left knocked out of your mouth. You don't have the fruit basket to do it though. That's why you're on this computer touching yourself to the color orange. Later b****.
smyrnavol writes:
holy bat gas bk, that were funny!
Volin68 writes:
no reply to "Tarhole" the memphis loser, that does makes sense. There I've repented.
VOLDoll writes:
Everyone in Tennessee that knows basketball realizes that the talent at UK has been down for a long time.
UT had a great chance the last few years to really stick it to Kentucky but blew our chance.
But my question to you is why are you on a UT board?
Go play on a Duke board.
I think you like to start chit on here to get the dumbarses to respond to your childish as*
VOLDoll writes:
You are as immature as he is.
vet4ut writes:
Um...in a word, no. Cameron is not athletic, thus his inability to play Bruce's style of defense or score anywhere from inside the 3-point line. Tall plus a chip on your shoulder does not equal athletic.
His continued in ability to create his own shot Monday night does nothing but contradict your statement as well.
givehim6 writes:
If you want to hush the critics shoot constantly, hit your 3 point shoots, and they will stop.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Sorry, but the word is "they're"! If you are going to correct someone, at least make sure YOU are right. There is no such word as "the're". What educational institution did you graduate from? And please don't tell me it was my alma mater, UT! But I agree with you that THR IS ignorant, provoking trash.
vet4ut writes:
Wow. Have you looked at his stats? He blew by no one. His 2 good games were all perimeter shots. Going to the hole is one thing. Smashing into the opposition's low post player without scoring or drawing a foul doesn't count as a good thing.
Steele is much quicker and can handle the ball like a perimeter play should be able. His downfall is his size.
Skylar may not be a pure athlete but he knows how to create a shot.
Seriously, don't fool yourself. If Tatum was all you cracked him up to be then, he would start, score more or at least get minutes as a Defensive stopper. 1 out of 3 makes an athlete. 0 out of 3 makes a scrub.
vet4ut writes:
If nothing else, we can both hope that he improves as does the entire squad.
I'm all about screaming my approval if he can get it done.
Hounddog writes:
I am sorry. I live around many Memphians with class. None are UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS STATE, (or what ever they are calling themselves) FANS That... is what I meant to imply. Thanks for correcting me.
Hounddog writes:
Sorry you have that opinion as a true Vols fan I very much consider us part of the Vol nation. As a lifelong local i would bet season tickets I could show a person a different side of Memphis that would give you a more favorable opinion. Around the music influence in Memphis all my life (thus the name). Don't worry not offended...sometimes we don't do things that would give visitors a better impression. BUT the Tiger High people are really bush league...Go Vols.
Ironcity writes:
Great insite. We as a fan base expect way to much from our Freshman. We see guys like Rose for Memphis take over and we don't hope our guys will perform These guys come in and rarely understand the conditioning and defense necessary to compete at this level. We will see a big jump in performance from Woolridge, Tatum and Hopson. What will determine wether UT is a serious team is if we can start pressing again. If our guys getit then we may have something.
Orange_since_84 writes:
I hope you meant "consistently", rather than "constantly". Unfortunately, several of the Vols shot constantly last year and they consistently missed. Oh well, you can't score if you don't shoot, but hitting more consistently is a must.
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