Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl decreed a day off for his SEC East Division co-champions Monday after their disappointing loss to Alabama on Sunday.
"It's the first day off in a while, and I really feel it will recharge our batteries heading into the SEC tournament,'' Pearl said. "LSU looks like the best team in the league, and you get beyond that, and every (SEC tournament) game could be closely contested.''
The Vols (19-11, 10-6 SEC) travel to Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday and open play at 7:30 p.m. Friday against the winner of Thursday's first-round game between Alabama (17-13, 7-9) and Vanderbilt (19-11, 8-8).
"We're not worrying about who wins that game,'' UT center Wayne Chism said. "We're just focusing on ourselves and trying to win the SEC tournament.''
The Vols haven't won the SEC tournament since 1979, the first year of its inception, and UT hasn't placed a player on the all-tournament team since 1996 when Steve Hamer was selected.
"This is a tremendous opportunity to continue to do things that we ourselves have not been able to do,'' Pearl said. "My teams have not played in the championship game of the SEC tournament. I'll put those things out there in the forefront of our players' minds.''
Pearl's Vols are 1-3 in the SEC tournament over the past three years, and four of the past five UT teams have failed to win one game at the tournament.
Yet in Pearl's four years, the Vols have won seven more league games (46) than any other SEC team (Florida, 39).
Tennessee, despite replacing five players in its rotation, won or shared the SEC Eastern Division title for the third time over the past four years.
It's a feat Pearl believes his players and UT fans should take pride in, despite the critics on talk radio shows and Internet chat boards.
"We cannot, and I will not, allow us to put our heads down just because all we did was win an East championship this year,'' Pearl said. "If we do that, we've lost touch with reality.
"Now, it's about where we go from here.''
Pearl didn't reveal a preference of who the Vols meet in the first round of the SEC tournament.
"Alabama, obviously, they'll have the confidence they can beat us,'' Pearl said. "Their size was a factor defensively. We turned them over 20 times, but we weren't able to speed them up.
"You can play that (Sunday) game over and over, but when you miss that many free throws (10 of 22) and baskets close in, you're just not going to win.''
Pearl pointed out the Tide has won four of its past five contests, but the Commodores are on a roll, too, having won three in a row.
"With Vanderbilt, it's can you beat a good team three times?'' said Pearl, whose Vols fell to South Carolina in the SEC tournament three seasons ago after sweeping the Gamecocks in the regular season. "Vanderbilt is playing really well, and (coach) Kevin Stallings has done a great job.
"He lifted that team off the mat. They started the SEC 1-5, they were 5-8 and have won three in a row.''
Pearl believes Tennessee played its best basketball of the year at Florida and at South Carolina before Sunday's last-second 70-67 loss to Alabama.
"Some teams never come together, and never get to a point of what it's supposed to look like,'' Pearl said. "We had that stretch, and we had it in March. We're not too far from knowing exactly what it looks likes.
"The focus and the sense of urgency are the two things this team needs to play its best basketball.''
Bracketology: UT is a No. 6 seed according to ESPN.com's latest installment of its "bracketology" NCAA tournament projections.
Tennessee's RPI fell to No. 24 with the loss to the Tide while its strength of schedule is No. 2 in the country.
ESPN's Joe Lunardi predicts if the season ended today the Vols would open in Portland, Ore., in the West Regional against 11th-seeded Minnesota.
LSU and South Carolina are the only other SEC teams Lunardi predicts would be in the NCAA tournament. The Tigers are a No. 6 seed and the Gamecocks are a No. 12 seed.
South Carolina is listed as one of the "last four in'' while Florida is one of the "first four out."
Sleep Well: The Vols deviated from their normal pregame routine by spending Saturday night in a local hotel.
"It was because it was an 11 a.m. (noon) game, with the clocks moving forward, and how often do you do that,'' Pearl said. "We hoped it would add focus. If it was an afternoon game, I wouldn't have done it. A lot of programs put their kids in a hotel before every home game.''
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Comments » 52
VolJunkie writes:
Still much can be accomplished this year, an SEC Championship would be special.
Looks like the state of Tennessee will be well represented: ETSU and UTC already in the NCAA.
Go Vols!
ncvol17 writes:
Let's hope the historical One and out takes a year off in 09. Win 1 or 2 at least Vols........go to the NCAA with 20 on our resume... or maybe 21....
VolJunkie writes:
Hey mocs, feeling pretty good tonight? Nice win in a pretty competitive conference. My daughter is a UTC grad and still lives in Chattanooga, lot of people here will be pulling for them unless of course they face UT ... what will you do if that happens!
Go Vols!
cobbwebb writes:
agreed! i hope ETSU, UTC,and TENNESSEE have a good showing in the tourney, and as much as it pains me to say this, memphis plays strong as well! it would be good for our state to make a strong run in the NCAA tourney!
VolJunkie writes:
yeah, in the past I have rooted for UM when they don't play UT. However given the UM posts of the past few weeks not so sure I can do that anymore. Not that it matters ...
But I agree, it would be nice for Tennessee to get some bb props with a strong showing.
ncvol17 writes:
Oh yeah I keep forgetting Memphis is actually in Tennessee (and I grew up there). They consider themselves part of the Mid South and not Tennessee. It wasn't until I left for UT and settled in Nashville afterwards I really felt part of the state of Tennessee..Phooey on Tiger High...lose quick and often is my hope for the kitties....
1982_35_28 writes:
It was funny yesterday, but it has gotten stale...pull it back out in September when we need a laugh.
UTmooboy writes:
I have 2 tickets for every session of tourney, but I'm not going to be able to make it because of business obligations. Looking to sell them at face value if anyone is interested.
GO VOLS.
bmvolfan writes:
Can anyone explain why we're sharing the east championship? I know we have the same league record as Carolina, but we swept the season series. It doesn't make any sense at all!!
lomas98 writes:
Because it was technically a tie with TN winning the tiebreaker against SC. The east was a tie in football 2 years ago, but with the win over GA, TN won the tiebreaker. I think it is also so SC can claim something as well. Almost like one of the SEC Eastern division crowns that Fulmer claimed he won when there was a 3 way tie with GA and FL in 2003. Yes, we won a share of the title but did not win the tiebreakers.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Yippie!!!! Go Mocs (and Vols)
reasonablevol writes:
Tie breakers are only used for seeding. UT and SC have the same record so they share the title.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Wouldn't that be great?!!!
Lookout UT because I think the Mocs may want it more...oh and their best players no longer hurt.
I should be ashamed being a UTC grad but I'm leaning towards UT. I've been a UT fan since I was 14. I switched over from being a Georgia fan after moving up north (Cleveland Tn.) I haven't pulled for Georgia since against Tennessee.
It's hard not to pull for Chattanooga but I would honestly be torn in two.
abnermc writes:
No tie. Just Fla envy. Head to head is tie breaker. The #2 seed says it all.
beachvol1 writes:
For once, wish Chism would just walk the walk and not just talk the talk.....he is full of excuses, but never performs consistently nor does Smith....Chism more than Smith, sick of hearing how this is not Tennessee basketball...phooey man, you been here for 3 yrs, be a leader and not an excuse maker....
utucla writes:
that's all you'll ever get out of Chism..except for his 1 out of every 5 good game...inconsistency is his middle name....also, you are asking him and Smith to be something that they are not....leaders....but who knows....miracles happen every day...we'll see....
Vol_Jokes writes:
Vols battery isn't in need of a recharge. You need a new battery.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
the bama game was just freakin' painful. of all damn ways to lose, and by that I mean the FT's, not the last-secnod shot.
I can't stand when these guys play like slop. I think they felt they'd walk over Bama.
I go back to my main theme of the year: Tyler, you gotta quit shooting and spend all your time on setting up your team and playing D.
We don't really have a setup point guard, and if Tyler and JP don't fill at role, we lose. it's pretty simple...why cant' those two understand that????
Slystone writes:
Joe is a 2010 guy who has UT on his list of schools, but he also has Memphis on there also. Pearl has yet to grab that markee player from the Bluff City yet. Joe will be tough to get, but not impossible.
schymtz writes:
"Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl decreed a day off for his SEC East Division co-champions Monday after their disappointing loss to Alabama on Sunday." Why? I make no claim on being a good enough armchair coach to second-guess Pearl, but after Sunday's performance but I wouldn't have been surprised to hear that the team was shooting free throws from about 4 pm until midnight Sunday.
schymtz writes:
We are fortunate to be sharing the east with THREE home court losses to Bama, KY, and LSU. In this league, that is usually fatal. A divison co-championship with six league loses is suprising. Never-the less, Tennessee's chances for next year look good and this season ain't over quite yet. When this team plays like they played against SC and Fla on the road, they are hard to beat. When they play like they did in both games with Ky and versus Bama...squat...ETSU or Chattanooga would beat them.
MidTennVol writes:
"This is a tremendous opportunity to continue to do things that we ourselves have not been able to do,'' Pearl said.
Huh?
rocky_topper writes:
they should've taken that day off and spent it on the free throw line!
murrayvol writes:
The nefarious NCAA Selection Committee could orchestrate a 2nd round meeting with a #2 Memphis and a #7 Tennessee. They love that stuff.
Don't think it'll happen but it could.
murrayvol writes:
Pearl really needs to pay more attention to critics on radio talk shows and internet message boards. That's where Coach K, Roy Williams, et al get most of their great ideas.
VolJunkie writes:
CBP mentioned earlier last week that he was concerned about the AL game because of the road game at FL, a Thursday road game at USC and a quick turnaround on Sunday with AL ... then add the time change into the mix. IMO, UT showed a lot of effort on Sunday, but they made a lot of mistakes that could be attributed to being tired, mentally and physically. Hopefully a day off will help them recover and refocus, a good showing in the SECT (win at least 2) and all of this will be forgotten.
Go Vols!
Volumni writes:
Let the naysayers talk. This team played tired Sunday. A very emotional Thursday night road game with huge implications followed by basically a Sunday Morning game. The legs weren't there, and we didn't make shots. Tyler shoots better than 3-15, or we make more than 10 free throws, we win. For the doom and gloomers, anyone want to make a bet that Tyler shoots 20% from the field again this year?
Before that, this team was, and still is, peaking at the right time. They are playing as a team, getting the ball inside, and most importantly, taking care of the ball well. They will be in the SEC C'ship game, and go Sweet 16 again, IMO.
Ironcity writes:
This is not a great team. Its prone to make mistakes and lacks the proper personnel to run what coach Pearl has run his whole life. That said they did win 19 games and appear to be a lock for the NCAA. Really this has been an interesting year and one that we as fans are not use to.
When was the last time everyone complained because we were going to be a 6-8 seed? Never!
bleed_orange writes:
Ok, the VOLS are now up against the wall. It's win or go home. Now, let us see what this young TN team is made of. They are no longer Freshman. No reason why they cann't win 3 games in 3 days. I hope it is ALA, AUB, & LSU. It would be really hard to beat Vandy or FL 3 times in one season. On the other side, I think KY would have a hard time beating the VOLS 3 times as well.
Right now I like the Bracket on ESPN with TN #6. I would love to play MN(Tubby Smith)then Washington(3),Memphis(2), and Louisville(1) to go to Detroit and the Final 4. Hey, we should dream big. WA won the Pac 10, but I think we can beat them. We know we can lay with Memphis. Now, Louisville and Rick P. is another story. However, anything can happen in MARCH MADNESS. GO VOLS!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Gettin' nervous there jokes?!
Too many rival Tennessee teams for you? If you play Tennessee again You're out, O U T ! ! If not, I'm pulling for Memphis against anybody but ETSU, Belmont (are they in), and UTC of course. Oh, I'd want to see any SEC team win over Memphis, oh and any team from the southeast area, Oh and maybe Louisville or Michigan State or well I'll be pullin' for ya! Maybe.
halloffamebowler writes:
What trophy did your team get?
jasonn1970 writes:
Memphis wouldn't be a bad matchup for this team. I think Kansas or Gonzaga would be teams they wouldn't want to be bracketed with.
givehim6 writes:
And so what is your wimpy gators mascot? Wait I know, my dogs were just out in the back yard and I think they left your mascot in the yard.
tan007 writes:
I would never point out Wayne Chism for criticism. He has carried this team on his back several games. You can see the frustration on his face quite frequently & I think he HAS been one of our team leaders..the problem this year has been that we really didn't have one single person who handled that role. We had to rely on them working as a team & sometimes that just didn't happen. Whatever they do in the SEC tourney, I plan on enjoying being in Florida! GO VOLS!!
LifetimeVolFan98 writes:
I'd like to see you handle these two on the court - shut up and crawl back into the hole you came from - idiot
LifetimeVolFan98 writes:
The 2 or 3 brackets I've looked at (haven't seen ESPN's), UT is in the same bracket as UNC....again. If both win their 1st round game, they would match up in the second round, again....somebody on that @$#%# committee has a man crush for Hasbeenboro
Volunatic writes:
All I ask is that the Vols win the next nine games in a row.
reachkim00 writes:
...and a course on Free throws 101.
Surfingvol writes:
Hmmm, Florida "first four out"....ya
BigHouse_of_IceGulp writes:
First thought is I'd rather face Bama again than a Vandy team we've beaten twice. They are feeling good about themselves now and Stallings may figure out how to get their big guy to finally be successful against Chism. Possibly a hack-a-Vol strategy would do it.
Saw an early projected bracket having us out west in the same bracket as Duke. Even though they're much better on the perimeter, our size would give them trouble. Wouldn't mind getting a shot at them!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Lady Mocs lost in their tourney game. First time in a long time. Maybe they'll make the NCAAs. Maybe not.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
How could anyone ever disagree with me?!!!!
Go Middle and Eastern Tennessee! Secretly I sorta maybe hope I guess that Memphis doesn't do too awfully bad.
If you disagree with any of my football statements then don't. I haven't made many and I'm getting(a little)excited about next year.
Tiger_Jokes writes:
Tiger Dust: Readily available and frequently snorted, smoked and injected in miserable memphis.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Tiger_Jokes I appreciate Your defense of UT. However you don't have to hit the "reply to" button to make your point.
That way makes too much trash to have to sift through. You could use the "suggest removal" but kns doesn't pay much attention unless you use some awful word like "cra_". They change that to a word of the same meaning such as "phooey"(ha ha). Just a reply to them gives them what they want. I don't know? Maybe you're looking for a fight too? I do waste space on here myself trying to make peace. I'm sure it's a waste of time and site space. It's something to do on a slow night. If you read all this then you get the frustration I feel having to read or rather sift through all of the garbage I see on here.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Much better read than most posts on here tonight.
Tiger_Jokes writes:
Mocsandvolsfan, good point ... understood.
Tiger_Jokes writes:
It was still pretty funny ...
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Agreed. Don't forget that Bama does have talent. They played a tough zone and stuck with it. We missed our foul shots and 3s. We looked very tired on D.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
OK! This "reply to" WAS necessary.lol
mocsandvolsfan writes:
I know.lol
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