Tennessee hasn't lost four games in a row in the Bruce Pearl coaching era.
But it could happen Thursday when the 19th-ranked Vols play Belmont (9-2) at Thompson-Boling Arena (TV: SportSouth and MyVLT, 7:30 p.m.).
"I worry about what I can control,'' said Pearl, a day after the Vols (7-3) lost their third consecutive game, 65-64, at home to Southern California. "I can't control what has happened in the past, I can only have influence on the future.''
Prior to Pearl's arrival six years ago, four-game losing streaks were an annual occurrence at UT.
Teams in each of the previous five seasons had four-game losing streaks, as did UT's eight previous coaches.
One would need to go back to the John Mauer era (1938-47) to find a coach that didn't lose four in a row during his tenure.
Pearl's teams have been a model of success, however, winning at a higher percentage than any SEC team over the past six seasons and establishing themselves as the only league team to make the NCAA tournament the past five years.
The current losing streak, coupled with Belmont's impressive depth and dangerous 3-point shooting, has UT players and coaches on edge.
"We need to focus on the things we want to get done,'' Vols senior point guard Melvin Goins said. "We need to recognize what we want to do and execute it.''
UT has had multiple issues crop up as it evolves with four new starters and four new players in its 10-man rotation.
"If you could fix one thing and one thing only,'' Pearl told his players at the start of Wednesday's practice, "it would be all five guys on the same page executing."
UT had 11 assists and 18 turnovers against Southern Cal, and that lack of offensive continuity has surfaced throughout the season as the Vols have looked to close out games.
The Vols' meeting with Belmont earlier this season, an 85-76 win in Knoxville on Nov. 16 in the opening round of the NIT Season Tip-Off, serves as one example.
Tennessee held a 17-point lead over the Bruins with 6:58 left in a physical game that featured 60 fouls between the teams.
But the Bruins, coached by Knoxville native Rick Byrd, cut the lead to one with 36.6 seconds left before UT closed out the game by shooting 8-of-8 from the foul line.
"It's not my favorite opponent because they are so well-coached and they play so hard,'' Pearl said. "They make almost 10 threes per game (9.73) and they have the third highest-scoring bench in the nation, averaging 43 points per game.''
UT's depth - in previous years under Pearl a strength of the team - has been uncharacteristically unproductive. The bench has been out-scored in six of 10 games this season.
"We're experiencing too much of a drop off there,'' Pearl said. "That's why my starters played 30 minutes (against USC).''
UT senior Steven Pearl, who moved from power forward to the wing with the addition of sophomore transfer Jeronne Maymon, didn't practice Wednesday on account of a knee injury and is listed as "questionable" for tonight's game.
Bruce Pearl said junior Renaldo Woolridge, recently back from a foot injury that sidelined him for a week, would be the most likely option to back-up starter Cameron Tatum at the wing.
Bruce Pearl said the Vols will continue putting the ball into the hands of shooting guard Scotty Hopson despite Hopson's recent shooting woes (8-of-31 over the past three games).
"I like the responsibility that's been placed on Scotty's shoulders by the team,'' Pearl said. "And I think he likes it better than last year when he felt like he was complimenting those seniors. This year, he's looking at being one of the dominant guys.''
Hopson said he's been under this type of pressure before.
"My junior year in high school we'd lost some senior veterans, we lost a couple games in a row and were battling adversity,'' Hopson said. "The guys were looking at me to step up more, and I took a no-holds barred approach, just like this team is doing right now.
"We know what we've got to do.''
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Comments » 59
KENVOL writes:
Looking at 4 in a row. I really had high hopes for this team but not now. This may be the worst team Pearl has had. Scotty Hopson is not our answer. He is either hot or cold and mostly cold. He has to be more dependable. I think we are in for a LONG season.
dwa7#337691 writes:
early predict:
UT 69
Belmont 74 (sorry but that is about right!)
RoadTrip writes:
So are you going to get your acts together or not? Not so sure from what I read. If its going to be like the last 3 I'm staying home. Think I'll mail it in like y'all did. Just chill in front of the tube. No point in sweatin' it, right? We can brag about our glory days back in high school with Bruce Springsteen on the radio, right Scotty?
No answers - just more we need to's. Hey Bruce, other coaches let their players have 35+ minutes if that is what it takes to win.
HtownVol writes:
I am willing to bet UT plays so much better for one main reason, NO STEVEN PEARL! Players wont worry about SP playing undeserved minutes.
BleedsOrangeinMO writes:
Could UT's next BB coach be in the house on Thursday evening? Byrd's teams are always tough.
HtownVol writes:
I wish someone could go count how many times in 3 years that Hopson has made some kind of comment about he will "step up". I think his conversion percentage is at around 1 maybe 2% on coming through.
VolunteerLifer writes:
At this point this team cannot put themselves in a position to depend on Scotty. He is undependable. I know he is working hard at practice and all, and I know we all go through slumps. But he does not have the personality to carry a team on his shoulders. He is not competitive and is not driven to succeed or to win. He does not have a killer instinct. However, he is a good enough wing player to keep in there in case he gets hot. He plays pretty good defense. But it is folly to look to him for leadership. It's not in his DNA. The team needs to look to others for leadership and inspiration.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
WTH??? CBP's still gonna keep the ball in Hopson's hands???(8-31 past three games) PLEASE LET HARRIS BE YOUR DOMINANT PLAYER!
"My junior year in high school we'd lost some senior veterans, we lost a couple games in a row and were battling adversity,'' Hopson said. "The guys were looking at me to step up more, and I took a no-holds barred approach, just like this team is doing right now.
WTH Hopson??? YOU have taken a no-holds barred approach these last three games?? YOU have stepped up? The team has stepped up? Harris is the only player who has consistently played well all season!!!
From reading this article, it looks as if we are going to lose to Belmont if that is the conculsion that CBP has reached. I too believe that this NCAA stuff is causing some major interference. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE CBP but REALLY???
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it". We're broke and we NEED fixing....just saying! GBO!!!
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
The lurker/stalker strikes again.
Z1, the stalker.............AKA a sorry troll..........
Ironcity writes:
It doesn't bother me that Scotty has been in a shooting slump. That will come. Its the passing and ball handling that is shockingly bad at this time in his career. He has got to take better care of the ball and start delivering the ball to the right player in the right spot when teams double him. What holds this team back on offense is none of the guys in the back court other then Golden throw a pass that leads to an easy bucket. That has got to change. When USC of all teams outscores you big on fast breaks you better look in mirror and figure out why.
LSG410EC83 writes:
Harris should be our leader, unless Hopson steps up and becomes cosnistant(talking more than two games) I think we will be ok. Think this is going to be a bigger game for the team than it should be. Sad to say this game may be a prelude to what the remainder of the season will be like. Please Big Orange, Play the way we know you can. Go Vols.
toldyouthatspsuckedfor3years writes:
Steven Pearl is not going to play. The losing streak will come to an end.
CoverOrange writes:
All this talk about Scotty needing to step up. Seems to me if opposing defenses are draping themselves all over him, one of the other 4 need to step up. He's not the only one out there.
TommyJack writes:
A very astute post. The mantle of leadership not intended for everyone.
Titan writes:
What's a "conculsion"?
TNORANGEDOGDAD writes:
I was wondering that myself. Even googled it and came up with nothing. Maybe it defines what state of mind this team is at the moment. And we are all still trying to figure that out.
eduardo writes:
Wake up Scotty...Conculsion is nigh!!!
sidwalkvol writes:
this all started when Maymon began playing. They are looking for chemistry and cohesion. The knee-jerk jerks are so amusing--two Saturdays ago we were the best, now we are the worst. Get a grip, guys. It is still early. I saw them last Friday against UNCC and they were awful over the forty minutes--the same team that lost to Indiannapolis, not the one that beat Pitt--but they showed flashes of brilliance even then. I think they will find themselves. And I have confidence in CBP. It is a long season. And anyone who knows ANYTHING about sports knows that slumps are a part of it. We are in a slump. That does not mean we are a bad team. Far from it.
rclarkvols#224537 writes:
Glad to see somebody has a clue
bspurlingcac#225603 writes:
This post is point on! Everyone need to stay calm. They will be great at the end of the season. GBO!!!
cwbytruckers writes:
Let me just say. Bruce Pearl is the sexiest man in Knoxville. I want him to be my daddy. Then i could play for the University of Tennessee. I cant jump. I used to be a decent shooter. Now im just clumsy and disoriented trying to walk and think at the same time. But if he was my daddy i would be able to play for one of the best teams in the country. I cant wait to tell my kids how great of an athlete i was while in school. And i played for your grand dad. I was the leading scorer when it came to taking minutes away from the guys who really mattered on the team. I was the leading scorer when it came to not being guarded the most when actually being on the floor with four other guys. But when i was on the floor. I HAD MY GAME FACE ON. Just call me the Pearl. Someday they will retire my number 22. You will see it in the rafters at TBA. Along with all the banners that i alone was responsible for.
rocky_topper writes:
Who cares! So, who is going to the Music City Bowl?
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
That's what you get for leaving your computer unlocked in the office.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
A very good point!
cloudodust writes:
It's a conclusion reached on day 2 of a mild concussion.
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Funny, I didn't see anyone making plays on Skylar's name after the Kansas game last season. He was an All American after that game wasn't he?
So easy for some of us to come on here and tell the coach how to coach and the players how to play. I'm disappointed too, and am looking for better days ahead, but I know my 62 year old body and mind couldn't handle the rigors of coaching or playing, and those of you much younger than that couldn't either. Be disappointed in the Vols' performance...that's normal as a fan. But how 'bout cooling it with the pretense of knowing more about playing and coaching than you really do. It really just makes you look right silly.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MY BIG ORANGE BRETHREN!
GO VOLS, AND GO COACH PEARL!!!
JUGHEAD
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
You are totally correct..Hopson is in a shooting slump partly due to other teams playing shut down defense on him.To his credit hopson added some nice moves off the dribble to his game but shots that are practically going down just seem to rattle out..His frustration is evident and he will return to be the leading scorer..Goins and Tatum aren't taking up the slack because their shots aren't dropping either..It takes at least 2 guards to score 15 PPG to win and it's not happening!!!Goins was pretty clutch on FT's but his misses now are costing us games..If Williams and Goins FT's fall late against USC it would have been a 4 point win!!!
brentrod writes:
reality check time. tennessee has lost three in a row. two teams were lucky and i mean very lucky to beat them. i didn't see the charlotte game. i'm hearing that ut didn't play well enough to win anyway. belmont will not be so lucky. ut will win big.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
I agree..Right now they really look dysfunctional..Lost their intensity on defense;Williams all of a sudden turning over nice feeds inside and missing on his patent hook shot;Goins and Williams missing FT's to ice the game;All guards shooting less than 30%;Easy put backs that just won't fall!!It basically goes back to our guards shooting better and playing shut down defense;Our bread and butter!!Give our opponents credit for getting back on defense fast and really defending well on our transition game which has cost us 10 PPG.Iam sure our players know that it takes all 5 on the floor to play as a team rather than depend on Chism and Prince to take over to get the big wins..Slumps come and go!!
wigmeister writes:
They developed a swagger from the 7-0 start. Now, that is gone, and they are questioning who they are. Unless they all commit to playing championship basketball right now, no exceptions, and play like it in every game, the season will be lost.
informedintennessee writes:
Tennessee "fans" are like the weather in East Tennessee.....sunny and warm one day..."negative" below the next! I'll be there tonight, cheering on my alma mater. I'll be disappointed if they lose, but I won't call for anyone's job or talk trash about a 20 year old if they don't win. I recognize it is a foreign concept for most that post on this site, but it's called loyalty! GBO!
amyinsparta writes:
They don't look any worse than they did last year in several of the games. They have always made too many fouls,they have always missed lay-ups,and they have always missed foul shots. They are much better on the foul shooting this season and the lay-ups, but they still need to improve. The reason they lost these games is because they have no outside shooting accuracy,two or three pointers. Last season they did, so they could make up for all those fouls and lay-ups missed. How to fix it? That's the coach's job. I do agree that perhaps Coach should re-think playing his son so much. He's scrappy, but he seems not to be playing smart enough this season. And thank you for listening. I'm sure Coach will take my and others advice to heart. After all, armchair coaches are the bomb! lolololol! Merry Christmas!
VOL1972 writes:
Maymon didn't play against Oakland (he was ineligible). I don't think he's the problem and I'm not sure he's the answer but a 3 guard offense generally doesn't work when none of the guards can hit a 3.
Ironcity writes:
You forgot to mention a three guard offense doesn't work when none of the guards can make a decent pass and only one can dribble while being covered.
punkin writes:
You bring nothing to the table, at least that's what your wife says. How does it feel to be known as nothing more than a troll?
hikerdude writes:
Exactly
Biggie writes:
You're a dufus. Pearl has no offense, granted but his defensive spark is obvious. When he comes in, the whole team steps up a notch defensively. Hey, Hopson is not an offense threat either and he's just average on defense, Why don't you slam him?
lgilbert writes:
Be right there with you till the Waltz is played whether we win or lose. Oh yeah, for those that have no idea what I mean by "till the Waltz is played", the band plays the Tennessee Waltz after the game is over and all the students and Alumni that stay for the whole game, which are few and far between, lock arms and sway back and forth in unison. If everyone would stay instead of heading for the gates with 5 minutes to go, these close games may have been wins. Whoa, I better not say that the fans can make a difference. That would take all of the fun out of bashing the young men that are on the court. Hope Steven is doing ok. Need to get off of here and get ready to make the 100 mile trip to see my VOLS. Go Big Orange.
SECProudUT writes:
Come on Bruce!!! Enough already with the I am going down attitude. Be the FIRED UP Bruce of the past. Your Whimpy after game interviews now bore me.
I can not believe you let USC run that weave the last game. Why didn't you go into a high 2-1-2 and put a stop to that BS. They were tired and you didn't get after them. I know it, you know it, and Kevin O'Neil knows it. They only played 8, you played 11, our guys still were fresh...So get the thumb out you arse and get us to the tourney!!!
If you are going to sit around like a scolded baby, then just go ahead and leave!!!
sec_fan writes:
You are so right Steven Pearl was not here last year and they made the elite 8. Now that he is here 3 losses to inferior teams. Oh wait he was here last year. The problem is no leader. Scotty Hobson should be that leader but he just plays when he wants to.
HtownVol writes:
Thank you for reading all of my comments, Wait.. You didnt!
"Hobson" has been the focus of many of my comments also. As a matter of fact I posted a comment yesterday about a issue I see with each player on the team.
In the past 48 hours 90% of the ones who got on me about bashing SP have come around to see him for what he is.
You really need to watch SP when he is in the game. Another poster said SP provides a defensive spark, and that clown has got to be kidding. I have pointed out (during games) to others watching with me how SP is way too slow to guard a #3, and he is way too small to guard a 4. You likely have never notice that almost every game SP enters, he picks up a foul within 2 minutes. In the Oakland game 22 may have made the two worst plays with back to back defensive fouls late in the game (on rebounds) that sent Oakland to the line.
Lets say he plays average Defense. Defense is NOT THE PROBLEM with this team. If you have not watched the last 3 games the UT offense is MIA!
Please tell me why SP is in a 57-55 game with 4 minutes to go. Dont answer anything but that!
The other team has no defender within 12 feet of SP, making it 5 on 4. We needed offense and SP is the worst offensive threat in the history of UT. I am not stepping on a limb making that statement. I should say "the worst offensive player, who plays 10 minutes per game, in the history of UT basketball".
So please tell me why SP was in that situation.
And, I know SP did not lose any of these games. I also have no doubt that Hall, McRae and Maymon would all be a better scorer than SP (when we need offense)
GO VOLS!
james#216392 writes:
We still do not post a man or flash a man to the free throw line. Until we do that, the 3's are going to be contested. Put a man there and the guards have to help on them and it fees up the three (against zones)
Play three bigs and two guards like the old days. We have enough bigs to do that. Scotty and Tatum can play the two, Goins and the Freshman at point and start Williams, Harris and Maymon. Sub with Hall, Fields and Woolridge. Leave everyone else on the pine.
Playing 12 players when you are not pressing is stupid. You aren't wearing anyone down and you aren't getting the chemistry you need. Pearl and McBee are both too slow to guard anyone and foul like crazy. I don't have a line on McCrae.
orangecountyvols writes:
Punkin,
You're wrong my friend. Anyone who is a troll.....
lurker.........stalker as is ZZ cannot possibly have a wife.
Since he's a creepy lurker on GVX daily, all bets are noone would want him around the house.
Just a pathetic lurker/stalker who is controlled by the Vols.
mytrifecta writes:
Hopson is not consistent enough to lead this team. At his best he's as good as anyone...at his worst he's as bad as anyone. Never seen a player go hot and cold like him. Hopefully Harris and others step up and salvage this season. Hopson has got to be driving Pearl completely nuts.
walt23tn writes:
Exactly what I was thinking. Okay, we lost three straight, two to slow, deliberate, conservative teams. We don't make the adjustments we should against those opponents, but we are still deep and athletic. It's a little disappointing our fans are down on this squad this quickly after posting two signature wins against the supposedly best conference in basketball.
texasvol73 writes:
Hate to say it, but we are going down to Belmont. 7-4 here we come...
Jesus1Family2Career3Vols4 writes:
This blog is very entertaining today. Did the mental institution close for the Christmas Holiday and allow all the inmates to have access to a pc? I do believe we win tonight. Scotty & His team mates have got to shot better than the last 3 games. Hopson has shot 25% over these last 3 games. Part of that has been caused by the other team's coach demanding that their kids play aggressive defense against Scotty. Scotty has to play harder and work more to get himself open. He will come out of this slump and when he does we will be able to compete with anyone. The only dominate team I have seen this year has been Duke. And, yet, Duke has not played as tough a schedule as U.T.. Now I am not saying Vols are going to be National Champs, but I still believe this team can win 25-30 games. If Pearl can get all 10-12 guys he has played so far involved and playing together this team can be very good. Possibly a Top 10 or an Elite 8 team just like last year. Go Big Orange!!!
orangecountyvols writes:
Hoping you're right my friend. We'll soon find about this Belmont game at least.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
We could very easily lose our 4th one, especially if we don't make several adjustments-starting with our substitution pattern. Would it hurt anything to let Scotty be the 6th man in and start McRae or Maymon on the wing? Or Put Maymon on the post and Tobias at the wing? Try something different!
AlWilsonFan writes:
y'all are crazy. :) UT is going to blow out belmont, and SP is not the problem with the team right now.
Btw HtownVol I'm not really looking at you with that, you definitely made some good points, just anyone who just simplistically thinks that playing Pearl is why we aren't winning is delusional.
But yeah anyway Go Vols.
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