Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl can relate to the challenges first-year UT football coach Lane Kiffin is going through.
Not just in playing a heavily favored national championship program in Florida, but also in having to build a scheme around new players.
The basketball Vols won the SEC East Division last year only to bow out of the NCAA tournament in the first round for the first time in Pearl's four-year tenure.
"The bottom line was we had five new guys, and it was such a new team you had to make choices as far as what you could do,'' said Pearl, who shelved his vaunted press much of last season. "It related to how much time I had to teach, and teach effectively, what we wanted done.
"With the limited amount of time you have, it's a factor in what you can put in.''
Pearl said now that the newness has worn off, the Vols can work to get back up to full speed beginning with the first team workout Friday.
Practice doesn't begin in earnest until Oct. 16, but from now until then the Vols will be allowed by NCAA rule to have their full team present for two hours of work per week.
Pearl said UT was more limited last season than at any other time in his tenure, and that led to the Vols not being the difficult match-up for opponents that they had been in past years.
"One of the decisions I made last year was not to be as multiple defensively because there were so many new people,'' Pearl said. "We'd lost four guards from the year before, and those were the guys who we had up front in our pressure.
"We anticipate last year's new players come back with an understanding of our system.''
That means Pearl won't have to show the same amount of patience as he did last season, and that translates into tougher, more demanding workouts.
"We have a completely different learning curve,'' Pearl said. "That should allow me to reintroduce our system, instead of having to teach it, and it gives me the ability to start making the changes in our transition fast break and our pressure defense.''
Even without the press, the Vols led the SEC in scoring for a fourth consecutive season.
Pearl doesn't expect that to change this year.
"If you want to shoot it quicker, we better create more turnovers,'' Pearl said. "Even if we're not as quick as I'd like to be at some positions, you can still extend the defense and mix pressure because it can be disruptive. Even if we're not off the charts producing turnovers, we'll still be harassing and forcing a faster tempo.''
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Comments » 30
cdonsbach writes:
I can't wait for October 30.
Go Vols!
Slystone writes:
This team is deep and loaded. Expectations should be high. It will be interesting how they do this season. Another let down season and not getting beyond the Sweet 16 will catapult Pearl to the hot seat. Also, if several of the seniors are drafted (Smith & Chism) will help dispell rumours of Pearl not being a coach that can get players to the next level (NBA). On paper this team should be fun to watch. But it all begins with the point guard play and perimeter shooting with tenacious/relentless defense to top it off. Do those things and this team will go far.
LiveFaith writes:
Sweet 16 and no higher putting Pearl on the "Hot Seat" could only reveal that the UT BB fan base is the most ignorant and short sighted in NCAA history.
How many seasons in the history of UTBB were we EXPECTED to even reach the Sweet 16, much less surpass it? Not many. Who is the obvious common denom in that equation?
Pearl made it abundantly clear before the 08-09 season that the team was not as good as 07-08, and people still freaked out when all we did was win the East and make it to the finals of the SECT. Coach knew the weaknesses and told us. Not real surprising to lose the all-SEC backcourt and drop off a bit in the pressure department. Surely people that buy tickets are not that dense.
The year before he takes us to #1 in the nation and to the Sweet16. First time back to back in school HISTORY! All while having a future convict dis-functioning at the point at season's end and the best player battling cancer!!!
I actually heard several nut jobs at the UCLA game booing CBP. What rock have these people been living under for the past 40 years? Unreal.
Hamilton, please don't replace Coach Pearl, just pay these chronic complainers to become Vandy fans. Give them $20K a piece if you have to. We'll easily make the final 4 without their negative influence.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
Thank you for the coherent comment. I wish more UT fans thought like this. Sadly, most think like the Beverly Hillbillies. Here's to another great year as a VOL FAN. Keep CBP! Go Vols Go!
mkil5 writes:
CBP was not getting booed, they were saying "Bruuuuuuuuce". It does sound like a boo, but not the case.
EnglewoodVol writes:
i agree...bruuuuuuce dumb a$....butt
richvol writes:
Glad to see Pearl getting back to pressing because that's what he knows. He is not a half court coach and it showed last year.
Recruit to your strengths as a coach and he will succeed...
utvols420 writes:
Bruce Pearl on the hot seat.....that's funny. Pearl is the best!!!
mogreer_tn#213464 writes:
Your post I believe and hope are shared by most volfans, unfortunately there are some that don't or won't ever get it.
It's sad that the few fans who have short-time memory can't truly appreciate what the volnation is creating with all its sports teams. Mr. Hamilton, I hope realizes what he has in Coach Pearl and Coach Kiffin.
Those who usually complain will probably do so if we win.
Through the struggles or victories, I am a proud vols fan. We all get upset at times with some bad performances or games lost.
Spreading hateful comments to and about these young men and women doesn't and will never help anyone get better.
If we can't support them as vols fans, why don't we wear the visitors colors when attending games.
It is refreshing to see positive post, as well as it is to see constructive criterism; I appreciate them both. I can learn from the pro and con of all of our bench/spectator viewer analysis of games play.
That is refreshing, but I just ignore the haters and the fair weather fans.
Go Vols
Madkels writes:
I can't believe anyone would complain about Bruce. The BB program has never had this much consistent success. The man can coach, runs a clean program(good luck with that UK), and creates a ton of excitement. Not to mention, he owns the Gators. Go Bruce! Go Vols!
VOLsince68 writes:
Preach on Brother!!
These so-called UT fans that keep bashing our coaches at the slightest little blip are just fair weather fans. They are going to complain no matter the outcome. We have the most upside to our BB program that we've had in many years. These so-called fans have already forgotten that CBP took the same team that Buzz had and beat the defending NC's two years in a row and made it to the Sweet 16. Go complain somewhere else.
GO VOLS!!!!!!
Phowell23 writes:
Even if we don't get to the sweet 16 or get past the sweet 16 I'll still be happy with another NCAA bid. I just want them to win the SEC tournament for once.
Rockygrass writes:
Without CBP, Tyler would have been gone last year...you can beat on that. Can't wait until tip off!
Slystone writes:
Live - the talent on this team dictates the expectations being high. Let this team faulter like last season and Pearl will hear from Vol fans. I agree Pearl has done well, but this team can and should go higher than the Sweet 16. Either way they will be fun to watch.
keowee3718#379181 writes:
Thank you for stating the obvious because a lot of people on here don't get it. CBP has been the best thing to this program in the last 25 years and these idiots want him gone! 3 out of 4 divisions, 1 SEC Championship, and 4 straight NCAA's. Who cares if they haven't made it past the Sweet 16? No other Tenn. coach has. At least he gets them there. Now every March this team has a shot. I don't understand what these people expect? Have they already forgotten 2002-2005 and the disaster that Buzz was and still is! Why don't you haters get a life and start rooting for Appy State.
tenncorncob writes:
I resent your abuse of the Beverly Hillbillies, they deserve better!
NeylandWest writes:
At first, I thought your post was intended as a joke. Now that I realize that you truly feel this way, I'm laughing even harder. Dude - Pearl knows his stuff. Go back to counting your crayons and strap on your helmet so you don't injure yourself while sitting at circle time.
VOLinATL writes:
Maybe I read the article incorrectly, but was CBP referring to last year's team when he spoke about "five new players"? Obviously, with Prince, Chism and Tyler Smith, we did not have five new starters...
asleep#212036 writes:
Agree mogreer, too many fans' memories have been erased by a few good seasons. Never in the history of UT basketball have expectations been so high for so long. Pearl is the reason, not just from X's and O's but all the intangibles: enthusiasm, ability to relate to the kids, commitment to a long-term plan, etc... I'm also glad you put Kiffin in there. Pearl had a slight advantage when he arrived - the cupboard was not bare. Kiffin had no such luck but shares many of BP's intangibles, not the least of which is a dream that UT football will once again be elite. To put Pearl on a hot seat for missing the Elite 8 is unthinkable, which is likely why those things get posted by some of our less insightful fans. Go Vols!!
TigerAndVolFan writes:
I don't agree with the assesment that if the Vols don't make it to the Sweet 16 that he will be on the hot seat next year, but I do see your point that it is time for UT to make the next step and become one of the elite programs in the country. But, it would be a huge mistake to let CBP go next year if they don't make the Sweet 16. It is waayy to early to even think that way.
Bigger_Al writes:
Makes a lot of sense. Guys in year 2 of the system (Hopson, Maze, Tatum, Woolridge, Negadu) will be a lot more fluid, play faster, and be more multiple.
That is why year 2 can be special. In Football, look at Saban at Bama and Meyer at Florida. Hopefully, Kiffin at Tennessee as well.
CoverOrange writes:
While CBP is obviously better than the last 4 coaches we had, that does not mean he doesn't have chinks in his coaching armor. Like, what to do when your opponent consistently beats your press. What to do when there is 6 seconds on the clock and you are down by 1. Those two things kicked us out of three tournaments.
And if 5 new players took CBP out of his scheme last year, why was he able to turnaround a team of 15 new players to his scheme his first year?
Lack of guard play is my answer not lack of experience with the press.
VolunteerLifer writes:
Nonsense. Pearl will not be on the 'hot seat' unless this team has a complete melt down. If he doesn't make the sweet sixteen, it will be a big disappointment, as it has been every year I've been watching the Volunteers in the NCAA's. But his job will not be in danger as long as his program gives us hope that he'll get there one day. So stop with the hyperbole, please. Stop putting our coach on a 'hot seat' prematurely. Please.
volgrog#210164 writes:
Exactly. Maybe the haters would prefer Jerry Green, Wade Houston, or Buzz Peterson?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I have been and am a fan and, for the most part, a defender of CBP. That said, no one is saying CBP should be fired if he doesn't go past the Sweet 16 this year--well, some would but they are mostly soreheads anyway. What they ARE saying--what I WILL say--is that CBP will likely NEVER have a team that is both more talented AND more experienced than this year's team.
If he gets more talented players than, say, Tyler, Wayne, and Scottie, they will likely go pro long before they become seniors. The ONLY players who play four years anymore are guys that may NEVER be good enough for the pros and thus almost by definition are not good enough to compete against the BEST college players, since most of THEM these days ARE one-or-two-and-done.
Now, if CBP had shown that he was a CONSUMMATE bench and game coach, like a Don Devoe type, he COULD win with less-talented players. On the other hand, if he were a BRILLIANT recruiter, he could win just by having better players. Now, it is also possible that CBP is at his best with smart, hard-working, under-rated players who nobody expects much from. Although each still has some holes in their games, Tyler, Wayne, and Scottie ARE talented players, but they are, IMHO, a good deal better than most of their team-mates, and thus need a well-coached team around them.
As we speak, CBP does not have a particularly stellar or deep recruiting class lined up for a year in which he may have to replace SIX players, all of whom are among our most productive. So, yes, if CBP doesn't go to the Elite Eight with THIS TEAM THIS YEAR, I don't see it happening ANY time soon.
I will say that, as much as I love it, the whole institution of big-time college basketball has SERIOUS systemic problems, to the degree that it literally may not be worth all the compromises necessary for an educational institution to make to sustain such a program. In that case, DELIBERATELY recruiting STUDENT-athletes who CAN be expected to stay four years, and who MAY occasionally be good enough to compete for national titles, may not be a bad way to go, but the fans may not be willing to support a program that is not going all-out to win at the highest level, at least to the degree that UT currently does.
In that case, CBP is definitely our man. He loves college ball, college kids, and college life. I don't think he would be either happy OR successful in the pros.
So the real question for me is EITHER whether or not CBP is the man to take this program forward OR, perhaps even more importantly, whether or not the administration and fan base REALLY want some sheer mercenary to come in and do the sometimes unsavory things that seem to be necessary these days to sustain a winning program at the highest level.
FWBVol writes:
While it is true that Pearl has taken the team to never-before-attained heights, I can understand why some fans might want to see things go to the next level as far as the tournament goes.
Just about every program in the men's athletic department has played for a championship and made it to the final touranment of the respective sport except basketball. Sooner or later, and I would say sooner is within the next two years, the Vols will have to make it to the Elite Eight or Final Four. I'm not saying they have to win it all, but soon it will be time to put up or shut up....no questions asked.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Pearl plans to increase the pressure on his players? What's he going to do, take them to his house and show them how big it is and how much it cost and tell them he'll lose it if they don't play better for him this year. He can tell them that although he disappointed last season he still got two raises from a desperate university but he knows that since Fulmer is gone and all the hostilities that went with Fulmer have disappeared and he can't hide in those shadows anymore and some fans might start to figure out that all in all he's really not doing very much.
Univ Of Memphis - currently the 3rd ranked recruiting class for 2010 and looking very good for this coming season. Oh you have to win this one volies. Your main claim to fame is that you beat Memphis although in the last 4 years it's 2 to 2. Memphis wins this one it's 3 wins for Mem in the last 5 years. You'll have to find something else to try and boast about.
volfan2002 writes:
I think this team is gonna be a great one. A lot more experience and I think we'll get back to playing Pearl ball and turning people over.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well, because no one has provided any evidence yet. If CBP is caught doing dirty stuff, I'll be among the first to help run him out of town. All I can say for now is if he HAS been cheating, he's not real good at it, if the necessary evidence is a line-up of world-beating recruits. I'm not saying that just because I haven't seen it means it isn't going on, but I think the operative idea is "innocent until proven guilty", and until then CBP deserves as much benefit of the doubt as anyone.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
While the UNC champions of recent years are evidence for your argument, Carmello Anthony, a one-and-done was THE man in winning one for Syracuse. If not for Calapari's late-game brain-cramps, Derrick Rose could have been another for Memphis. For that matter, I think KU had a couple of that type; I know they had a couple leave after that season who were not seniors. Nearly every Final Four has at least one team, and usually more than that, led by such players. Personally, I STRONGLY prefer teams with upperclassman leadership and balanced classes throughout the roster, but that kind of championship team is not the only model.
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