COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tennessee needed Brian Williams to beat South Carolina in Knoxville earlier this season, and they’ll need another big game from him tonight.
So says UT coach Bruce Pearl, who’s looking for more big things from Williams against the Gamecocks in the Colonial Life Arena (TV: ESPN, 7 p.m.).
“Brian had 11 rebounds in the last game (against South Carolina), and without him we don’t win,’’ Pearl said. “Brian is a dimension, and he’s a factor.”
The 6-foot-10, 267-pound Williams has been even more of a force of late, pulling down 22 rebounds over the past four games while hitting 9 of 14 field goals.
“Coach (Pearl) has demanded that from me, and we’re tired of losing,’’ said the sophomore center, who’s averaging 5.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. “I want another championship.”
The SEC Eastern Division lead is on the line. Both UT (18-10) and South Carolina (20-7) enter the game 9-5 in the SEC.
“This will be the most difficult environment we’ve played in all year,’’ Pearl said. “We’re battling a good team at their home, and we’re battling fate. They’re having that kind of season.’’
And, UT has yet to win three consecutive SEC games this season.
“This will be a more difficult win than Florida,’’ Pearl said.
The Gamecocks are expected to have their third sellout of the season — and only the fourth in the 18,000-seat arena’s seven-year history.
Williams is used to crowds having grown up in the Bronx, N.Y. — and he’s confident playing against the Gamecocks.
“I’ve played my best basketball against South Carolina,’’ Williams said. “There’s just something about them.’’
Or maybe there’s something about Gamecocks coach Darrin Horn.
Williams had his breakout game as a freshman against a then-Horn coached Western Kentucky team, scoring 16 points and pulling down 14 rebounds.
The Gamecocks, however, are a considerably bigger and more talented team.
South Carolina is 16-1 at home this season, including a convincing 77-59 win over Kentucky last week with the SEC East Division lead on the line. The Gamecocks blocked 16 shots in the win over the Wildcats.
There’s a good chance Pearl will use a bigger lineup at times tonight, putting Williams on the floor at the same time as starting center Wayne Chism, moving the 6-9 Chism to power forward and sliding 6-7 Tyler Smith to small forward.
“With our bigs being so mobile, and having good feet, it allows us to do some things,’’ Pearl said. “The way Brian is playing now is how I envisioned him progressing. But he’s still got a lot more to give.’’
Williams said watching film of South Carolina’s win over Kentucky gave him plenty of motivation.
“They had 16 blocks on Kentucky and dunked on (Patrick) Patterson four times,’’ Williams said. “Their bigs aren’t no slackers.
“We’ll need me to play physical.’’
Smith said when Williams is playing aggressively, the Vols are a different team inside.
“He’s a big body who really rebounds and can take charge in there,’’ Smith said. “Outside of the paint and off the court, he’s playful. But when he’s playing inside, he’s a terror.
“You can see the progress he has made this year.’’
Pearl is counting on it.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 122
NorthwestVol writes:
Willams is one of many who need to bring their "A" game. This team can be average to pretty darn good depending on energy and effort. Let's hope for lots of both.
WestTennVol writes:
'There's a good chance Pearl will use a bigger lineup at times tonight'
Wonder if Griffith knows the game isn't tonight?
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
OKEMO notice
last three defeats for scarolina.....
florida, ms state, vanderbilt
last three wins for tennessee
florida , ms state, vanderbilt
vols might be peaking at right time
OKEMO has spoken
utucla writes:
there's a reason why this team has not won 3 SEC games in a row....seems like after each second victory they get a little full of themselves...lets hope this isn't the case tomorrow night...we'll see.....
golfballs03 writes:
Brian might be my favorite player. He reminds me of the Dane Bradshaw, Jujauan Smith kind of guys. They came in and succeeded because they worked so hard at it. Brian goes out there and gives his all. He's only a sophomore. If he continues to progress as quickly as he already has, he will be amazing by the time he is a senior.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
UF is at Miss St and UK is at home against UGA tonight so it can still end in a 4-way tie. Everyone still has 2 games to play.
golfballs03 writes:
Well Vandy went to Baton Rouge and beat LSU. Georgia went to Rupp and beat Kentucky, and Florida got beat by Mississippi State.
schymtz writes:
Lordy, lordy! Florida Losers at Miss. St. - Vandy beats LSU and the Gawarga Bulldogs whipped Kentucky AT LEXINGTON. What a strange night in the SEC
Lean_and_Hungry writes:
Win v S.C., and Vols clinch the #1 Seed in the East...regardless of anything that happens this weekend!
VOLinGA writes:
No more excuses. #1 seed in the SEC East on the line. Who wants it more...that's the bottom line. If you can't be at your best for this game, then you don't have "it". Time to step up.
Stokes44yrs writes:
We need this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TooLegit2Quit writes:
The article is for tomorrow there sweetheart....
WestTennVol writes:
didnt know they printed verbatim whats posted on web site, not all of us are from knoxville and get that paper, sweetheart
kingwoodtx_vol writes:
Not after tonight! UF and UK both go down. If UT wins, they clinch the East due to the sweep of USC. IF USC wins, they clinch at least a tie; I don't know the tie breakers if UT wins and USC loses this weekend so that both teams end up 10-6. USC would be 6-4 against the east, UT 7-3.
GahLee writes:
We will win in knock down drag out, they are tough at home, as the 16-1 record shows, but Pearl has a way of getting his teams fired up for the big ones, and this is no doubt a big one. UT 74 USC 69. We pull away hitting our free throws for a change, Go Vols!!!
halloffamebowler writes:
This article is for the Thursday edition of the paper.The article is posted on govolsxtra the night before.This is not an error by Griff.
GahLee writes:
Why do so many of you feel the need to correct others on typo's and other minuscule errors, calling people idiots cause they accidentally put an extra letter in a word or what have you, really just uncalled for. Post about sports and your opinions on such and leave the English major in the plaue where it belongs. Also, avoid the loopers.
GahLee writes:
Wow, plaque, that is embarrassing, probably get grilled for it. LOL.
teedub writes:
Just to clarify...this is for Thursday print.
rockytop#413695 writes:
If SC wins and then loses their last game, TN will still win the east because their record against the east is better. But, lets not leave it to that. Win Thursday and it's locked!
ballewville6 writes:
from the begining of sec play people have said ut had no chanch to win sec east but if they beat south carolina they clinch the division,after loseing 5 key players off last years team especially the loss of chris and jujuan the expectations were way to high ,but a win and we clinch the east.they had 3 or 4 that should have been wins instead of losses.
trl_x writes:
I don’t know what to expect. Every time I think the Vol’s have turned the corner they throw out a clunker. Controlling Downey will be a difficult task for our guards, although they’ve made strides lately. I know it’s generally more difficult to penetrate a zone than man to man…although he can really shoot.
I believe this game will have major ramifications for the teams play down the road. Win this game and I think we can make it to the SEC Finals and maybe to the Sweet 16. Lose and I think we are one and done in the both tourneys...SEC and NCAA.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
we gotta come out knowing USC will be sky-high. we have to be able to take their early shot and keep plugging.
I'm very worried about the officiating. you know how bad it can be on the road in the SEC. if we get mauled underneath, like we did at UK, forget it.
Stokes44yrs writes:
uhhh that's "'lopers" with one "o".
Tonights the night!!! Do or die. in or out. make it and takeit? sink or swim, do it now or suffer the consequences, this is for all the marbles, the whole enchilada, 1oo bottles of beer on the wall uhhh does that fit? It will for some of you.
Beat South Carolina!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
One will throw it in the basket, one will not be able to throw it in the ocean.
Which will it be, Vols or Roosters? They're excited at The State.com.
VolJunkie writes:
Maybe playing on Thursday night has turned out to be a blessing after all. The dust has settled from last night (wow, UK, FL, LSU all losing!), the road is clear. Nothing better than to have your destiny in your own hands. No one has to lose (except USC!), UT just has to keep winning to wrap this up.
Good article on Brian's impact (that one's for you Marc!) ... I think this game will be won or lost inside.
Go Vols!
golfballs03 writes:
So is this timing just coincidence:
Mark Richt makes the revelation that he is religious and prays that his recruits make the right decision:
http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-football...
Oh, and it just so happens that Orson Charles, the last recruit on Georgia's board is deeply religious and is praying for the right school:
http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-football...
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Understood. If some people seemed short with you, it is because that question has been asked and answered any number of times on here in just the past month or so. Still, you are far from the only person who didn't understand this.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
It IS silly to twit someone for a simple spelling error or some such, though I have been guilty of it myself. Sometimes, though, if a wrong word is used, it may cause someone to SEEM to say something he/she did not intend, or their meaning is unclear. I DO try to comment when I suspect that might be the case, asking for clarification.
For example, what did you mean by using the word "plaque" in your post? Did you mean that someone should be content looking at their plaque for excellence in English and not inflict their "knowledge" on this sports board? If so, a bit awkward and unclear, but understandable(;-P)!
golfballs03 writes:
Accuscore gives Tennessee a 45% chance of winning. With a final score of USC 80 Tennessee 78
Of course they gave us a 30% chance against Florida...
golfballs03 writes:
We need to let our bigs dominate this game. They won't be able to watch up w/ Brian, and then Wayne @4 and Tyler @3. If Hopson and Maze can hit their open 3's... I could see us dominating USC like Vandy did this weekend.
golfballs03 writes:
Interesting...
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You got it. A couple of quick, cheap fouls against a couple of our key guys could derail us early. At the start, at least, they have to move their feet on defense and KEEP THEIR HANDS TO THEMSELVES until they see how the game is being called. As always, they have to be smart about how hard and how deep they try to penetrate on offense to avoid the cheap, "flop" charge.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I can see why someone might say that, but for whatever weird reason, SC has often played us tougher than UF, no matter the relative success each team has had. SC has, IIRC, beaten us more often and worse than UF has since CBP has been here.
Vol_In_Ohio writes:
Good for Brian - improving.
Still, the whole season comes down to Maze, Hopson, and Tatum in my opinion. If they shoot well and drive to the hoop aggressively, then Williams, Smith, and Chism will be able to do their thing well.
Vol_In_Ohio writes:
If we beat USC then we win the East, right? After the UK and UF losses, they are all two losses behind us and a sweep of USC would lock us in.
I wouldn't mind lining up opposite LSU in the brackets.
By the way, how did UK kill us TWICE???
GR82BAVOL writes:
I don't think there's any question that Scotty is going to have to take control at the 2 guard for anything to happen inside. If he hits a couple of 3's early, opening it up for the bigs, it'll be "on like Donkey Kong"!
On the spelling/grammar issue; Alot of that is due to the format here. Reading, then editing, reading, then editing again just gets boring. I'd rather read the board than spend half of my life reading the small font in the goofy box. However if a "Loper" isn't correct with their grammar/spelling, they deserve everything they get, LOL!
VolJunkie writes:
If you are looking for something to make you laugh this morning (besides UK and UF losing), this is a great piece of advertising on Craigslist. Sorry to get off topic but this was too much fun not to share:
http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/1...
Go Vols!
Hudro writes:
How does this alcohol rumor persist after all this time? The author of "Meat Market "spent close to two years with Coach O and was with him in all kinds of situations. He states that Coach O had an alcohol problem years ago in Miami, recognized it and has been sober since. What are your facts about the alcohol? Or are you just repeating something you saw that someone else said etc.
1volk-nowi-tall writes:
Williams may well be the best passer on this team. He certainly has great potential...
THE_VOL writes:
FOUR SIMPLE KEYS TONIGHT:
1. Keep SC guards OUT OF THE PAINT!
2. EVERYBODY TO THE BOARDS!!! REBOUND AND RUN! MUST PUT BODIES ON THEIR GUARDS TOO CAUSE THEY WILL REBOUND IF NOT!
3. DO NOT fall in love with the 3-ball!!! POUND THE INSIDE and MOVE THE BALL IN THE PAINT!! Half of those blocks against KY were fouls, almost all were from weakside help. If they try it again, ball fakes and interior passing will create easy scores.
4. BE POISED THE FIRST 5-8 MINUTES!!! The house will be rocking at the start but SC fans are INFAMOUS for going quiet and even leaving when things don't go their way!!! IT'S A 40 MINUTE GAME - DON'T LET THEM WIN IT WITH ENERGY EARLY!!!
All that said - VOLS WIN THE EAST TONIGHT!!!!! Just like I've been telling you for the last 2 months!!!!!
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
We will find out tonight what this team is made of.
golfballs03 writes:
you are an idiot
givehim6 writes:
A lot of SEC east teams are burning out at season end, just hope USC is the next east team to burn out.
richvol writes:
Agreed...if the officials call this game equally and fair then we have a real chance.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
If we beat SC and lose to Bama, wouldn't we still win the east?
cmoore7 writes:
We have to want it more. Tom Eades and crew will give SC some calls, but our reaction to and play after those calls will determine how much we want it. Perserverance will be key in what is going to be an extremely hostile environment. Let's go Big Game Brian!
the_1_don#407478 writes:
It probably wasn't the right time or place but I am glad that you decided to go against the grain. Chuckled throughout and think the guy will probably sell it--and for far too much I might add!
richvol writes:
Thanks for that...priceless.
NorthwestVol writes:
Interesting stuff. Thanks for the insight.
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