Playing defense is the best way for players to make points with Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl.
In fact, in most all of Wednesday’s drills Pearl awarded points to teams for defensive stops — not baskets.
Pearl stopped midway through the one-hour practice to remind returning players and inform newcomers why that’s the case.
“We lost too many close games last year, and how many did we lose because we didn’t get a stop or a rebound?’’ Pearl asked his players rhetorically. “This is not a part of our identity. This is not a part of our makeup! Things have got to change!’’
With that, Pearl started three-on-three battles at both ends of the floor and bodies commenced to hitting the hardwood.
Senior Tyler Smith figures to be a preseason All-America candidate, but Smith has just as many floor burns as his teammates.
“You look back to last year, and we lost six or seven games because we didn’t make a stop or get a rebound,’’ Smith said. “That’s something we can control. You get those six or seven losses, and put them on the wins side of the standings, and we’re a No. 1 or No. 2 seed for the NCAA Tournament.’’
Incoming junior college point guard Melvin Goins, at 5-foot-9, will be the smallest player in the nine- or 10-man rotation.
But the combination of Goins’ ball-handling skills and defensive prowess could make him one of the most valuable.
“I saw how important defense is to coach (Pearl) on the first day,’’ Goins said. “That’s good, because I take pride in that. I think playing defense is one of my strengths.
“Coach Pearl keeps it pretty intense out there, but it’s also fun and exciting just seeing how pumped up he gets. It makes you want to keep working hard.’’
Freshman Kenny Hall said his high school program operated in much the same fashion when it came to defensive intensity and full-court basketball.
“That’s exactly why I’m here,’’ said Hall, a 6-9 forward-post. “I’m comfortable with the way we play.
“It’s tougher than high school, though, because you’re consistently going, going, going ... and everything is just moving so quick.’’
Pearl said 85 percent of the Vols’ team-individual workout Wednesday was geared toward defense, with the exception being an introduction to UT’s new multi-faceted fast break.
“We’re trying to teach, and defensively we’re working on not giving up dribble-penetration,’’ Pearl said. “We’ve got to get help on both sides of the ball.
“That means working on positioning, stance, vision ... the fundamentals, and all the while we’re getting them to compete.’’
Pearl divided up the group of 16 players into teams of three for one drill, teams of four for the next, and finally, limited five-on-five work.
It wasn’t a coincidence that players competing for starting spots often found themselves matched up against one another in the open court with the cameras rolling and Pearl in their ear.
“We played three-on-three in the halfcourt and the fullcourt, and you talk about getting exposed in a 94-foot game,’’ Pearl said. “The returning players have such an advantage at this stage because they understand the concepts I’m teaching.
“But I’m happy with all three (newcomers, including walk-on Skylar McBee). They could all contribute this season.’’
As long as they’re playing defense.
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 16
Huttdawg100 writes:
Is the 2009-2010 schedule available? I've gotta get tickets for the Kentucky game....
CoachFulmer writes:
Lets bring back the controlled chaos from years in the past where Lofton and JuJuan were dominant on both sides of the ball.
McMinnVol writes:
We play at Kentucky on Saturday Feb 13 at 9 pm (ESPN) and they come to Knoxville on Saturday Feb 27 at Noon (CBS).
Couchdummy writes:
I think the question is, "Does the potential for stopping dribble penetration and defensive speed that Goins brings outweigh the lack of rebounding ability and offensive boards that his size limits?"
alfrizzle097 writes:
So basically he will be good if...
a) He scores at a high percentage
b) Keeps his man from scoring at a high percentage
c)Creates an advantages in scoring opportunities
I'm not disagreeing, but this sounds like John Madden's keys to the game.
Stokes44yrs writes:
D E F E N S E !!! Yeah team. go vols
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Not too many PGs have heavy responsibilities as offensive rebounders anyway. In fact, they SHOULD be the guy who is nearly always back to defend against an opponent's easy run-out transition baskets. Even so, a quick guy on the perimeter has lots of chances to run down long rebounds on both offense and defense. If Goins can contain opposing dribble-penetrating PGs, not turn the ball over, find guys for assists, and make a few outside shots, I can live without a lot of rebounds from him.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You have a point, but there are lots of degrees of help defense. The players off the ball can help a LOT by just hedging half a step toward the driving lanes on either side of the primary defender. This is not selling out in a full double-team, merely narrowing the gap available to the penetrator. It also doesn't take an off-ball defender completely away from his man if he does get the pass. ALL good defense is team defense. The main point is always to make a guy do something BESIDES whatever his main objective is.
I'm also looking forward to seeing what Kenny Hall can do. If he can give quality minutes at the #4 spot, Tyler can play the #3 spot and Chism can work the #5, making for a pretty quick front court.
VolunteerLifer writes:
It all starts with defense. You can't get defensive rebounds if the opposition makes a basket. You can't run a fast break if you have to inbound the ball after a made opposition basket. It's that simple.
Last year our defense allowed way too much dribble penetration. Just look at the last play of the season, the dribble drive by the opponent guard that knocked us out of the tourney. I'm very glad Pearl is beginning his practices by trying to correct this flaw.
GO VOLUNTEERS !!
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
I hear Crompton is trying out for the bball team.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
If the players had shot better and played better D, there wouldn't have been as many close games, though I DO take your basic point.
CleverUserNameVol writes:
How can you say they've "never" played lock-down D? How many 5 second calls did the team force during Pearl's first three years at TN? They looked pretty darned awesome on defense up until last year when they, for some reason, instituted what I like to call the "After you, sir" defense. Which went hand-in-hand with the "I'm too preoccupied with my new house and hot girlfriend" offense. We do hear it every year, but I've got a feeling things are going to be way better this year.
Couchdummy writes:
Do you ever have anything positive to say?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Only that he POSITIVELY hates Pearl(;-P)!
Stokes44yrs writes:
At least Pearl never sits on the side chewing his towel or throwing a chair across the floor or hitting a cheerleader or coming to a game half nake...oh wait!!?? Ok Pearl's crazy no doubt!
BasketVols writes:
No, you definitely don't worship him, but you do post a bunch of really negative comments on every single last basketball article about a coach that you obviously can't stand. It's pretty weird. I've never seen a fan act like that. What do your friends and family think?
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