There's plenty of work to be done on the Tennessee men's basketball team, and coach Bruce Pearl figures that will show Friday night.
"We want to be exposed, and I expect North Alabama is capable of doing just that,'' said Pearl, whose Vols tip off their season with a 7:30 p.m. exhibition game at Thompson-Boling Arena. "Having been in Division II nine years, I'd rate its teams better than low major Division I teams.''
The Vols begin this season ranked No. 10 in The Associated Press poll and No. 11 in the USA Today/Coaches' poll. It's the fifth time in school history UT has started a season ranked No. 10 in the preseason. The 2007-08 team, which later rose to No. 1, started that year ranked No. 7.
"Obviously it's just the preseason, but this is exactly the position we'd like our program to be in,'' said Pearl, whose team brought a No. 14 ranking into last season. "We've considered ourselves a top 20 program, and now we're trying to move into consistently being ranked in the top 10.
"We recognize we have a lot of work to do, but at the same time, this team has been together for a while and is in position to have a really strong year.''
The Vols showed signs of needing to gel offensively and defensively in their Wednesday scrimmage.
Pearl has yet to settle on a starting five, and said he would start two different lineups in the exhibitions. The Vols play Lincoln Memorial Univeristy in an exhibition at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson-Boling Arena.
"I'll probably start Scotty (Hopson), J.P. (Prince) and Cameron (Tatum) at least once between the two (shooting guard) and the three (wing),'' Pearl said. "That's how close it is, and right now Skylar (McBee) is in the regular rotation.''
Pearl said McBee, a freshman walk-on from Grainger High School, has outworked the Vols' scholarship athletes.
"Skylar has been our hardest worker, he's gotten more shots than anyone on the team, and he has rated out highest with our strength coach and the assistants who oversaw the individual workouts,'' Pearl said. "He's been everything he's expected to be and shown a lot of hunger and improvement.''
McBee, expected to be a reserve shooting guard this season, was 4 of 4 beyond the 3-point arc and led the Vols with four steals in Wednesday's scrimmage.
Pearl said it's too early to evaluate the battle at point guard, where incumbent Bobby Maze is trying to hold off incoming junior college transfer Melvin Goins.
Maze was more impressive in Wednesday's scrimmage, but Goins is still recovering from the arthroscopic knee surgery he underwent earlier this month.
"It's definitely too early there,'' Pearl said. "Melvin is still getting his feet wet. Most guys are just now coming back from that surgery, but he came back a week early.''
Pearl hopes the UT fans in town for Saturday's football game with South Carolina will show up at Thompson-Boling Arena tonight.
"This is the first night we're allowed to have an exhibition, and we chose to do it because so many people are in town for the football game,'' Pearl said. "With $5 tickets, and several of our other home games already sold out, it's a good opportunity to see us.
"I hope the place is packed.''
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
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Comments » 36
MTSUVOL writes:
Go Vols!!!! Beat the KY Kitty Cats at every oppurunity!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Great news concerning McBee;If Pearl is praising a freshman walk on this early this kid must be the real deal..Inconsistent 3 point shooting hurt us badly last year..I saw a lot of average teams winning games last year because of a 3 point shooter having a hot game.. That Christmas guy is a perfect example; Meeks too.
volsunited writes:
I am eager to see this mcbee kid as well i have heard stories about him for about 2 yrs now but have never seen him play hope he can live up to the stories i have heard
Chris4Vols22 writes:
I CAN'T WAIT!!! GO VOLS!!
cdonsbach writes:
Can't wait for tomorrow night.
GO VOLS!
mytrifecta writes:
How cool is it to have a basketball team too? Sounds like Sklar may be our new Dane Bradshaw. A kid with some talent and heart will outperform plain talent every time.
We will be in the final four this year! Book it.
tdvol1989 writes:
Football will always be #1 in Knoxville, but you absolutely have to love Bruce Pearl and be proud of our basketball program...not team...program. Bruce represents UT so well and he is a character that the national media loves. To say, he wants our program to consistently be in the Top 10 makes me proud. Once Kiffin gets the ship righted, the sporting season will last 8 months instead of 4. What a great time for UT Atletics.
I wish Pearl had been there back when I was a student. And Mike, feel free to give him another raise. We HAVE to keep BP.
NCVOL09 writes:
Whoever said Skylar is the new Dane is a little bit off. Dane played the 4 under Bruce and couldn't shoot (don't get me wrong he was a sparkplug). He seems to be similar to another walk-on from Bruce's first team, Jajuan Smith. A local shooter with the ability to spark the offense through his D. If he turns out to be as good as Jajuan we should all praise Bruce for his recruiting acumen.
bigtimevol writes:
We were doing SOOO much better before he came here. We've won the sec outright, the sec east a number of times, beat FL consistently (while they were champs), beat Memphis, sold out arena's, inspired the fan base. Oh, how I long for the days of 5,000 people in the stands and losing seasons.
rab63 writes:
does anyone know if this is going to be on the radio?
hopalong writes:
I think that Coach Pearl is absolutely great for U T basketball! His intensity, drive and enthusiasm are enough to make any basketball fan want to be part of what is happening with the program now. However,it is stretching it a bit to say that North Alabama is going to "expose" any shortcomings the Vols may have. Walters State Community College would have as much chnce to expose the Vols as North Alabama.
If he is sincere about finding the weaknesses with this team, I would suggest a non-conference major Division I team that usually contends for post season tournament honors. At lease he is not opening with Marathon Oil.
cc623 writes:
You are a complete idiot...
Go root for your team on their site and don't come here to talk shiat since you are obviously mentally challenged enough to make that difficult.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
By far leading SEC with 46 SEC wins in 4 seasons;4 straight NCAA tourney teams..I'll take that everyday of the week..Enough Said!!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well, suffice it to say that coaches look at things differently than casual fans. Even a scrimmage like this can show some of a team's strengths and weaknesses. If a guy has trouble defending one-on-one or getting his own shot against this competition, he will know what he has to work on. CBP will also want to know who will play hard every time out; that shows the players' habits and mental approach to the games.
CBP's point about Div-II teams is also well taken. First, think about how many tens of thousands of guys play HS ball. Then consider that many of these guys might have been academic risks coming out of HS, been late-bloomers, not live up to the "metrics" for their positions at big-time programs, or come from small schools that had little exposure and suspect competition. None of that means they can't actually play when given a chance. In fact, it probably means that they have chips on their shoulders for wanting to prove that all the big boys were wrong about them. This may be the biggest game they will play all year. They may well play harder than our guys because it will be more than "just a scrimmage" to them.
D-II teams are not likely to have as MANY good players as a UT, and would no doubt struggle in a full season of D-I-level competition, but that doesn't mean they can't hang for a while. No one should read too much into the final score in such a game. Whether the Vols win by 50 or 10 will be immaterial to the objective of finding where the team is in its development. Of course, if they LOSE, that will carry its own special message!
Major_Magilicutty writes:
Just a little CatScratch! But we'll get you guys this year!
rab63 writes:
I say again....is this game going to be on the radio? Surely Kesling and "Money" Bertlecamp
will be there......
Ironcity writes:
You can only play so many D one schools a season. This is an exhibition game. What Pearl is saying is this is one of the best teams at there level. They have some talent they will probably have the ability to bring the ball up the floor thus exposing some of the weaknesses of the press at this time.
A 40 point win can still expose issues. Lets not hang on every word the coach speaks and lets enjoy the games.
kyvol98 writes:
Pearl and Calipari will be like the days of Mears and Rupp.
Get tickets yet Cat?
tfortennessee writes:
Lets hope Cal does for you what he did for UMass and tiger high ----- PROBATION!!!! Ha, Ha, Ha!
murrayvol writes:
Bob Kesling would know. Don't see why it wouldn't be broadcast.
murrayvol writes:
Not at all. After about 48 we were numb.
VolJunkie writes:
Agreed. Passion was an element sorely missing from last season. The talent is there, if UT matches that with energy and heart, this could be a great year.
Tonight's game is just a chance to see how you play against someone you don't see in practice every day. Regardless, it's basketball time in Tennessee.
Go Vols!
doctorvol#211700 writes:
pretty sure the answer is no. the ut radio station in chattanooga begins with the apsu game on 11/13.
volsunited writes:
No tv but will probably be on the utsports website.
Down_The_Field writes:
i'm impressed! a troll who writes beyond a 2nd grade level. nice statement at the end. it's sad that you must trash a population of kids and adults who live daily with a mental handicap.
you're just mad because he beats grease head every year.
Baryon writes:
Yeah, you can catch it on the Vol Network. Bob Kessling covers it.
mm29680#645909 writes:
Excuse me, but I attempt to teach English in South Carolina. However, I have had to resort to methods of teaching English as a second language. Where is South Carolina in the nation as far as scores go? Blame me? Go ahead, but you have never met the illiterate parents of my students. Uneducated? Look around you, Gomer.
TopTenn writes:
Good news may be coming soon with some of the recruits, Harris, Pinkston and Black.
kyvol98 writes:
Cat,
Got my tix for UK in Knoxville.
Nobody gettin 54 in our house this time!
Game is on the web, check utsports.com
Nice day in the Bluegrass today, but WINDY. Rain all weekend.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
My old Alma Mater, but I still gotta go for the Vols!!!
Slystone writes:
I feel the Vols will do as expected which is second or third in the East. Next year is the biggest concern I have and I'm surprise fans haven't voiced an opinion with the losses in personnel after this season and the returning guys. Not a lot of talent there and a lot riding on Harris (Tobias) after losing Selby on whether Harris commits.
eduardo writes:
Yeah watch him play for the all time most corrupt program in NCAA History!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
We need some good news; recruiting has been below average at a time when Kentucky is building an unbeatable team; We have a hard enough time beating them without the signing of 50 McDonalds All World players..I really hate John C....He's dubbed the all time greatest coach; with the players he has I could coach them to the final 4
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I see the Vols finishing 1st or 2d in the East, depending on whether UK meshes in Calapari's first year. I don't see anyone other than UK finishing higher than UT. As for your comment about next year, several of us have expressed that concern; I have done it myself several times. No question, CBP will have to do his best recruiting and coaching job ever for the Vols finish as high as 3d NEXT year.
dma38256#264746 writes:
Yeah, right there, "opponant." You tell 'em how uneducated they are.
wayoutwill writes:
Bruce Pearl has won at every school that he has been at.The Vols are possibly the hottest new power in college b-ball;the Vols are lucky to get Bruce Pearl and he seems to belive that he's lucky to be here.I belive that's called a perfect fit!The Vols are on their way to a Nat. Champ. and they are picked to be one of the top teams in the nation in the pre-season polls!Exactly,what is your major mal-function,Punk?
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