Bruce Pearl says Tyler Smith's decision to return to Tennessee for his senior season should keep the Vols in the talk about the SEC's top teams.
The coach, entering his fifth year with the Vols, thinks the league has the potential to be much stronger during the 2009-10 season because of all the players like Smith who chose to return.
"For us last year, we had very few senior players in the league that were the best players in our league. It was a league that was dominated by underclassmen and young players. The vast majority of the kids that (considered the NBA draft) came back to school," Pearl said during a Monday teleconference of SEC coaches.
"Obviously our league is due to experience a cycle up."
Graduation, early defection to the NBA, transfers and injuries left the SEC teams young and inexperienced last year. Only three SEC players - Kentucky's Jodie Meeks, LSU's Marcus Thornton and Florida's Nick Calathes - were taken in last Thursday's NBA draft.
Smith, a forward, made himself eligible for the draft but withdrew after analysts projected him as a second-round pick.
The Pulaski native was tasked last season with leading a team that was the youngest Pearl had ever coached. Though there were growing pains, the Vols finished 21-13 with a share of the SEC East title, their third in four seasons.
Pearl said his players understand the entire SEC will be better this year and are working hard during the offseason to stay in shape and improve their games. Many of the Vols are participating in the Rocky Top summer basketball league with former Tennessee players and Knoxville area high school graduates.
"We basically bring everybody back from a team that had young guards and a lot of experience in the back court. I think this team has learned a lot about what it can and can't do," Pearl said.
Having Smith return has helped improve the perception of how good Tennessee could be this year, Pearl said. Plus, with leadership help from fellow seniors Wayne Chism, J.P. Prince, Josh Tabb and Bobby Maze, Pearl thinks Smith has a chance to "do some special things."
"If you look at Tennessee's team without Tyler Smith, I think there are those would have us picked somewhere in the middle of the (SEC) East. Now we're back in discussion of being in the upper half of the league," he said.
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Comments » 17
rclarkfork#639958 writes:
I think they will bring another SEC championship to Knoxville.
Slystone writes:
This is their year to move beyond the Sweet Sixteen. To not do so would be a Major Disappointment.
orange_glory writes:
We won one in 2008
I_AmDumbAzz___I_MeanGaytorzz writes:
Shouldn't you be able to make a grammatically correct sentence before posting thoughts to the world? Nope, apparently you're not capable of doing such.
rdgshackelford writes:
UT should dominate again so long as we limit bad 3 points shot attemps (here is looking at you prince), and do a better job at creating turn overs. the long ball and creating turnovers have been a staple of bruce's teams ever since he arrived at knoxville, and those were two key aspects that were mising last year. hopefully we get back to that or learn how to play a diffrent brand of basketball effectivly.
BolivarBob writes:
It will be fun watching the early season, anticipating our New Year's Day bowl game. TS does look old and I think Oden was in his 50's when he graduated. lol
GreerVol22 writes:
Without a decent point guard to stabilize the shooting, the fun and gun will again come up short, even with Tyler
b_neas writes:
Hopefully Goins and McBee can help fill the poor 3pt shooting, plus i look for Scottie to be much improved from the 3.
DC_Vol writes:
Thanks for staying Tyler. This is sure to be a great year for Vol fans.
The most interesting part of the story is that only three SEC players were selected in the NBA draft. All were mid second round picks. "Only three SEC players - Kentucky's Jodie Meeks, LSU's Marcus Thornton and Florida's Nick Calathes - were taken in last Thursday's NBA draft." I wonder who was advising them they would be first round draft picks. Probably an unscrupilous agent. These guys can easily not make an NBA team and find themselves playing overseas preety quick.
Tyler used his brain and returned to school, he will have a much better chance of becoming a 1st round pick next year. Even if he ends up in the second round, he will feel comfortable that he did his best to improve his draft day status.
If Meeks, Thornton and Calathes had stayed in school they could have played themselves into the first round and recieved the security of a guarenteed contract. As a second round pick they could be left with nothing. Now they will never know if they could have become a first round pick next year.
Chris4Vols22 writes:
To make a smart alec remark, don't you have to be RIGHT?
TommyJack writes:
Coach Cal is taking applications for designated A.C.T. takers. They will be paid with Jolt Cola and Cheetos.
b_neas writes:
Really? He seemed to win against him while he was at Memphis, but please continue the hating, it only makes you look stupid when the games are played.
utallvol writes:
Doesn't Thug U have a web site for u to post, or are they to busy and dumb to read.
utallvol writes:
That was for TiggerASS.
utallvol writes:
Don't you have to know what you're talking about before u make a dumb statement.
FLAVOLS writes:
Where is Tardheel? On vacation or busy cutting lawns and can't find a router to steal their signal.
The_the writes:
UK wins the SEC this coming year, and the next, and the next, etc.
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