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Tennessee Men's Basketball
Coach Bruce Pearl said it wasn’t his intention for the Tennessee basketball team to add to the holiday stress for fans.
“But you had to enjoy some of that execution, and obviously a great deal of drama,’’ Pearl said. “For us, some questions get answered, but they are temporary.’’
The 19th-ranked Vols defeated Belmont 66-65 on Scotty Hopson’s soaring lay-in with 5.7 seconds remaining Thursday night before a crowd of 17,594 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Bruins (9-3) got off a final shot attempt, but Kerron Johnson’s leaner from the 3-point line clanked off the rim at the buzzer.
UT (8-3) was trying to avoid losing four games in a row for what would have been the first time in Pearl’s six-year tenure.
The Vols’ previous two losses — at Charlotte last Friday and against Southern Cal Tuesday — were both by one point after UT missed potential game-winning shots at the buzzer.
This time, Pearl dialed up Hopson’s number in the clutch, and the junior preseason All-SEC pick delivered.
Belmont’s Mick Hedgepeth scored a bucket inside with 18.1 seconds remaining to give the Bruins a 65-64 lead and complete the rally from a 35-23 half-time deficit.
Belmont coach Rick Byrd called timeout after the basket to set up his defense.
Pearl, meanwhile, was designing a play where UT center Brian Williams would seal the “help” defender while Hopson drove to the rim with hopes of making the basket or drawing a foul.
Hopson, who led the Vols with 19 points, said hearing his number called was a shot of confidence.
“It meant a lot that coach Pearl and my teammates believed in me and counted on me to come through in that situation,’’ said Hopson, who scored 11 of his points in the final 5½ minutes. “This means a lot to take a step forward, but we still have a lot of kinks to work out.’’
Closing out games, no doubt, will be one of the things Pearl has his team focus on when they return from Christmas Break.
Hopson’s game-winner was the Vols’ first field goal since Hopson drove and dunked on a three-point play with 3:50 remaining to give UT a 60-54 lead.
But Belmont — which fell to the Vols on Nov. 16 by an 85-76 count after pulling within one in the final minute — answered Hopson’s dunk with a 9-2 run capped by Hedgepeth’s basket.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,and obviously this hasn’t been a very good stretch for us,’’ Pearl said. “But a less talented team, and a team with less character and toughness, doesn’t win this game tonight.’’
UT’s issues at the wing were compounded when starter Cameron Tatum injured his ribs at the 4:30 mark after crashing over the Vols’ bench chasing a loose ball.
With Tatum out, freshman Jordan McRae played a season-high 19 minutes and Steven Pearl was forced into eight minutes on the wing.
“It felt like I was playing my first game all over again,’’ said McRae, who hadn’t played in four games and was 1-of-7 shooting but had three blocked shots and four rebounds. “I was shooting the ball too hard.’’
Pearl was efficient in his minutes, making both shots he attempted and igniting his teammates and the crowd with his defensive intensity.
“Steven Pearl is not a three man, got a news flash, his best position is the four,’’ Bruce Pearl said. “But tonight he had to play the three, and without him we don’t win.’’
Belmont out-rebounded UT 47-40, but the Bruins were only 8-of-35 shooting beyond the arc.
Hopson and Harris combined to shoot 16-of-19 from the foul line, but the rest of the team was a combined 6-of-18 shooting free throws.
Hopson and freshman Tobias Harris combined to shoot 16-of-19 from the foul line, but the rest of the team was a combined 6-of-18 shooting free throws. Harris finished with 17 points.
“I played one of my worst games,’’ said Goins, who still managed five assists and one turnover with three steals. “Maybe it was meant for me to be out of the game and have some of the other guys step up.’’
Pearl said he’ll be looking for more step up from his team when they return to practice on Monday.
“That was not a happy locker room,’’ Pearl said. “I want them coming back right and ready.
“Get ready to come back and make a decision: Do you want to act like a team that was picked to finish fourth in the SEC East? Because teams that get picked to finish fourth in the SEC East don’t make the NCAA tournament.’’
The Vols return to action at 7 p.m. Wednesday against UT Martin at Thompson-Boling Arena.
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Comments » 152
SummittsCourt writes:
A win, but feels like a lose. Maybe it's time for Coach Pearl to step down. This team is lost and doesn't seem motivated. No way this team should be struggling like this against inferior teams. Just my opinion.
VOLDoll writes:
Please get rid of Pearl's non coaching, cheatin azz now. The guy is a flat out horrible. Belmont for goodness sakes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank goodness his cheatin, non coachin azz will not be on the bench when SEC play begins.
We may have a chance.
My freakin goodness.
VOLDoll writes:
I dont want him to step down. I love all the negative attention he and his players bring to Knoxville.
james#216392 writes:
We won. Scottie is the hero even though he didn't play all that well. He did take leadership at the end scoring the last 9 points.
midnite__VOL writes:
A one point win is better than a one point loss.
huntined#565710 writes:
At least they drove to the basket when they were down 1 and not throw up a 3..SEC really bad this year and not just TENN. GA beat Mercer by 3 in the last few min. There may be 3-4 teams that make it to the NCAA from the SEC this year.
LEXKYVOLS writes:
VOLS have two more games to get it together or it is going to be a very long season.
huntined#565710 writes:
True midnight as we have had 2 of them!!
VOLDoll writes:
Not really! Remember we do get a reprieve from Bruce Pearls atrocious coaching. We may just have a shot at winning these games.
LEXKYVOLS writes:
Ohio State beat Oakland by 30 tonight!
VOLDoll writes:
Please ignore any post by Plasticman. He is in love with Bruce Pearl. Do you realize how many refs have it out for the Vols? LOL!
He reminds me of a little kid who idolizes a player he has never met.
Poor Plasticman, you have to feel sorry for people that just are plain stupid!
TheOpinion writes:
I got Pearl's back all the way. Think about this: we've been ranked #1 more recently in basketball than in football. That's right. When was the last time we were ranked #1 in football? 1999? Coach get those boys looking like they did to start the season and watch these losers shut their mouth. Love and Peace only to the TRUE fans.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Wow! bunch of haters on the board tonight!
Scotty showed a little more life tonight. Why haven't we set more screens and run more interference for him in the past 3 games? Hope improvement continues with him or we will be a 10 loss team this yr. Good thing we didn't play Memphis tonight.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
Yes, a lot of us are disappointed and frustrated.
Those who follow the game could see the struggle and it shouldn't be this way.
Scotty won it shooting his free throws very well at the end and the floater that won it..........even though in the first half he dribbled a bunch off his knees. We could have had an 18/20 point lead in the first half if someone could hit a free throw.
Steven was not supposed to play, yet he's in there with less than 5 minutes remaining. Belmont was he** bent to shoot 3's at the end, and we knew it, but still they got the looks.
It was the quietest crowd I think I've ever heard in the place. Biggest cheers came when we did hit a free throw.
AirForceVol2786 writes:
WOW! How quickly Vol fans forget coming off of the best season in TN Basketball history. Do yourself a favor and stop posting. If it wasn't for coach Pearl, we would still be going 14-16 every year. Coach Pearl made a mistake, we all do. Get off of your high horses.
VOLDoll writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
lomas98 writes:
I didn't play college basketball, but in high school everytime we won a game we never thought it felt like a loss. Wins are special and it doesn't matter how it looks. As far as Pearl stepping down, to say that after 3 bad losses when the last 5 years have been fantastic is asSi9. Lets get rid of every coach in college sports after they have a 3 game losing streak. I'm glad you people are not my sales manager. After 9 successful years in sales, I had a horrible Nov. and Dec this year. Guess I should step down or I may get fired.
HtownVol writes:
OK, here we go again.
SP is on the bench for 34 minutes, UT is up 10 the whole time.
SP enters, he makes a couple GREAT plays but then he gives up a wide open 3 (it happens), then commits a horrible foul, then loses a rebound out of bounds, then gives up a few more baskets.
Point is without UT is up 10. In the 5 minutes SP is in UT is outscored by 11!
SP sits with 35 seconds to go and guess what, WE WIN!
Now before I get the "he had a lay up and a steal", I admit he made a couple great plays. But his role is not to play the last 6 minutes in a tight game. He is needed for a couple minutes at a time. The way he was used tonight was a horrible decision.
I know others made bad plays also (McBee cant play a lick of defense) but please BP do not ever play 22 for 6 straight minutes at the end of a close game. That nearly cost us the game tonight.
I hope so much that Scotty can start a great run after that play he made to win the game. Great ball control and made a great decision.
Come on Vols! get back to winning and lets go on a long winning streak!
GO VOLS!
orangeblood1128 writes:
S pearl actually gave them a spark tonight.
VOLDoll writes:
So Bruce Pearls coaching and myself have something in common? lol!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Please ignore VollDoll, not Plasticman. VollDoll is another one of KNS plants...this troll is best buds with BOK, TaterVol, Dog25,etc...most have changed their names except VollDoll, ie..CantStandSaban,etc...not worth our time!
sambad writes:
It was so refreshing to see McCrae as Tatum's sub rather than Steven Pearl that the closeness of the game didn't upset me as it usually would.
He did stick him late in the game and I was thankful he wasn't fouled. Steven would not be on any other roster in the SEC. It's amazing what kinship will do for someone. It's easy to guard him when he plays the three spot since he doesn't shoot bricks, he shoots concrete blocks.
Orangeblood13 writes:
vandygrad and all of his name
go play in the street
VOLDoll writes:
Damn, I'm so suprised that a former Vol athlete is on here again tonight. lol!
Thats OK PL3 I just left my reunion with the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. lol!
BankerVol writes:
You are an IDIOT
NorthwestVol writes:
Dang, even after a win over a likely tourney team folks are still diving off the wagon. It's December folks. It doesn't really matter. Let's see what happens in conference play before we burn the cross in Pearl's lawn.
AirForceVol2786 writes:
I don't care what anyone says, im with CBP! The man made us a relevant college basketball program and I will always appreciate it. Im tired of going to TBA and seeing 5000 fans sitting on their hands. ESPN wants to come here, we get a bunch of games on tv. None of this would have been possible without Coach Pearl. Go Vols!!
RockyToptoNeyland writes:
I think we need to hit the reset button on our gameplan, our execution is terrible on both sides of the ball. How many times did they do that backdoor to us?
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
I don't see who wrote this article, but according to the box score, Harris had 17 points, not 13.
Nice to see McCrae get some PT. Yes, some of his shots were rushed, I think he was a little tight. However, once he settles down, he will be a great addition to this team.
I liked the rotation much more tonight. All hail to CBP! Now if the team will just play with more intensity, we should be fine!
VOLS....TCB.....KOKO.....GBO!!!
VOLDoll writes:
So all the good things Pearl is responsible for but all the bad it is either the REFS, or Scotty Hopson or Stephen Pearl?
Plasticman, I pray for you and PL3 and the Vavy guy in Virginia that Pearl weathers this storm because it is obvious as hel! that none of you have ever had anyone in your lives before him to look up to. So, so sad!
HtownVol writes:
OK I went back we werent up by 10 when SP entered, it was 5 or 6. either way we were outscored with SP in the game. I will put all stats aside.
SP's role should NEVER be to playin a tight game with under 5 to go.
McRae has 100 times more offense and if you watched the game he plays just as good defense as SP. He had 3 blocks tonight.
I was very proud of SP when he finally realized he was not being defended and he made a lay-up. And then he had a great play on D, but thats as far as he went. The next 3 minutes he gave up a few baskets, lost a rebound and had a bad foul.
I know I focus too much on SP when others play bad but I only want to win and SP does not give a better chance to win in a close game.
Good job winning the game on the last play tonight.
GO VOLS
VOLDoll writes:
lol! You two might be fighting over Pearls affection. Dont get too chummy! lol!
Boogie writes:
Is your screen name really VOLDOLL? Are you a women or a dude? If you are a dude, does your wife know you are using her computer right now. We all see who has the job and wears the pants in the family. Stay off plasticman, and get your chores done before your wife get home and finds you on her computer.
VOLDoll writes:
Boogie, at least you tried! Dont give up and try again.
HtownVol writes:
Watch out Cat if you point out that better players give you a better chance to win then the talent challenged will take your fan card.
It is so hard to get clowns to understand when you agree that SP is a good ROLE player however that role should never include playing in a 2 point game with under 5 to go.
We will get "I guess you know more than Bruce" but those people dont realize that Steven is Bruces son, and they must think that never comes into his decision to play 22.
midnite__VOL writes:
>Who is the only UT basketball coach suspended by the SEC CBP
>Who is the only coach UT basketball coach likely suspended by the NCAA CBP
eduardo writes:
Step up Scotty!!!
Ironcity writes:
They are trying to find there way and I think they will. I liked seeing Golden at the end. Goins once again disappoints at the end with a terrible overplay on defense and gives up yet another lay up in the final minute. He has tremendous talent on defense but he plays as dumb as any player on UT in the Pearl era. It would not surprise me if by the end of the year Goins sits at the end of the bench during crunch time. Once this team rediscovers its identitry and confidence they will be a tough team to beat.
Until then every game will be tough on the heart!
AirForceVol2786 writes:
Do you have any basketball knowledge to add to the conversation? If not you should probly comb the cheetos out of your beard put some pants on. Find your mom's car keys, climb into her hatch back geo, and go find a job. Im sure she is sick of you taking up all the space in her basement. You sir are a pretty tough screen name warrior. Be proud, be all that you can be. All 408lbs of it.
huntined#565710 writes:
There has been a lot of big teams in the SEC that have lost to lower schools
S.C lost to FURMAN
FLA lost to JAX
M.STATE lost to FAU and ETSU
LSU lost to NICHOLLS ST. and N. TEXAS
BAMA lost to IOWA
AUB. lost to JAX and CAMPBELL
So the SEC is weak and other then KY. there is no other strong teams..
VOLDoll writes:
I'm not the one that is infatuated with a man that I have never met.
Plasticman, I am as serious as hel! when I say this. I really do feel sorry for you.
At least PL3 is normal. We all dream! PL3 just hasnt woke up yet. lol!
Good nite all,I've wasted enough time on here already.
Have a merry Christmas and everyone be safe!
TopTenn writes:
We'll take it. A win. GBO!
HtownVol writes:
Did someone think I said we were up 10 with 1 to go???
I made a mistake, but we were up until 22 came in. He is not the entire reason we were down but I guarentee that it is no coincidence that when he plays 5 straight minutes we go down and when he sits we win the game.
But still people wont read all my comments and they will think that I just hate 22 and wish UT would lose every game.
He does not belong in a tight game with 5 to go!
VOLDoll writes:
PROBLY?
lol! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
He came in with 7. something left. That is when he made those 4 points and played good defense. He sat back down with 5 something left, however, he WAS on the floor with 3:45 to go, this DID bother me. However, at the next TO, CBP took him out for good. So, except for him being in the game until the last 1:30 min, I thought CBP utilized his minutes much better tonight, IMHO.
HtownVol writes:
You will never be taken serious if you mean that. WHY?? He made two baskets then after that (once again) he gave up a wide open 3, lost a rebound out of bounds, had a bad foul and gave up a couple more baskets.
He made a couple great plays...yes, but he has AS MUCH to do with us losing the lead as anyone.
BTW, SP is white (not a racist). That was Scotty Hopson that made the game winner.
AirForceVol2786 writes:
Yeah, "probly"! No clever remark? No stupid troll garbage to say? You are nothing but an internet warrior hiding behind your computer screen. It is pretty sad that you have nothing better to do than find opposing team's sites and attempt to attack people. You should PROBLY go find a rock to live under.
HtownVol writes:
VDoll and Plastic... Take it easy. it is fun to make comments back and forth but you two need to settle down.
I love to argue on here but it is about sports. Have fun and just make your point.
Dont take it personal.
Cant we VOL fans all just get along? Even if some of us agree with Steven Pearl playing and others know that he shouldnt...JK
halloffamebowler writes:
You are the stupid one.Plasticman was right on with his post.We are experienceing the best Tennessee basketball in many years.
If you don't like what Bruce has done or will do,I would suggest you find another team with a coach you like.No one is forceing you to watch our team.If you don't like what is happening at Tennessee ,you can always choose a team you do like.You want be missed here.
HtownVol writes:
Why would he "want be missed"?
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