Pearl says UT seniors have talent for a great ending

The Tennessee men's basketball team met with the media Wednesday afternoon offering up no excuses.

There's plenty of experience, size and talent for the Vols to accomplish their goals this season according to the players.

"The seniors, we've seen it all, been up and down and No. 1,'' said J.P. Prince, one of four projected senior starters joining Tyler Smith, Wayne Chism and Bobby Maze. "Last year was a learning year. It was my first time starting, Tyler's first time being the No. 1 option and the first time Wayne had to shoulder the load without Duke (Crews) behind him.''

"And it was the first time we had to play without Chris (Lofton) and JaJuan (Smith), two of the greatest shooters in UT basketball history. It changes the game when they're not on the court.''

The Vols won 21 games last season against the second-rated schedule in the nation, captured the SEC East Division and appeared in the SEC tournament championship game for the first time since 1991.

And yet, UT coach Bruce Pearl found himself apologizing for what the Vols didn't do last season rather than getting pats on the back for what the team accomplished with five new players in the 10-man rotation.

"Somehow, the expectations do change,'' said Pearl, who became the first coach in UT history to finish ahead of Kentucky four consecutive SEC seasons. "And we felt that, although last year was another (East Division) championship season, we had the ability to go a little farther than we did and accomplish more than we did.

"We left some unfinished business on the court.''

Chism was more blunt.

"Last season was very unsuccessful, to us,'' Chism said. "We had five new players, but now, you can see they're all grown up.

"This year's team can do a lot, but we have to take one step at a time.''

The Vols have baby-stepped through the limited individual and team workout sessions since mid-August, practicing the NCAA-allotted two hours per week.

Pearl said those limited workouts have prepared the team for the start of full-scale, 20-hour practice weeks which begin Friday and will lead up to the opening exhibition game at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 against North Alabama.

"We've been able to do a great deal of conditioning, a lot of weight training and player development,'' Pearl said. "Last year, we spent a great deal of time competing for positions ... it took us too long to come together as a team.

"We didn't play our best basketball until late February; this group has been together an entire season, and we're closer.''

It's Pearl's most experienced team since he took over the UT job nearly five years ago, but he said he's not sure he can call it the most talented team he's coached here - yet.

"It's too early to tell,'' Pearl said. "C.J. Watson was our point guard and he was in the NBA. ... Chris Lofton is playing in Spain and set a record in the NBA summer league for his 3-point shooting. ... JaJuan Smith made it to the last cut with the Dallas Mavericks.

"Tyler, Wayne, J.P. and Bobby have a chance to put up some numbers and win some championships and be regarded with the all-time great players at Tennessee because of what they accomplish as a team.''

Prince said that's the goal.

"We want to leave a legacy,'' Prince said. "Our story isn't done. We aren't going to have any excuses.''

Orange Slices: Juco point guard Melvin Goins said he's ahead of schedule rehabilitating from arthroscopic knee surgery and hopes to be ready to play in two weeks. ... It's the first time Prince (shoulder) has been healthy at the start of a UT season. ... Pearl said walk-on Skylar McBee is the hardest worker on the team ... Sophomore Scotty Hopson said one of his goals is to earn All-SEC recognition this season.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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