Scotty Hopson's game-winning shot went in and the light has gone on for the Tennessee sophomore sharpshooter.
"People have been telling me that I need to do this,'' Hopson said. "Now that I've got one, I feel a lot better about doing this in the future.''
Hopson's clutch jumper with 16 seconds left in Sunday's game lifted the Vols over Florida, 61-60, and enabled UT to hold its No. 14 ranking in the Associated Press poll released Monday.
Tennessee (16-4, 4-2 SEC) plays at 9 p.m. Thursday at LSU (9-12, 0-7).
Coach Bruce Pearl said Monday he wants the ball predominantly in the hands of Hopson and senior Wayne Chism, and has told his team as much.
"I told our team we've got to recognize a few things,'' Pearl said. "News flash: Scotty Hopson and Wayne Chism are our best offensive players ... we need to recognize that's where the ball needs to go.''
And that's primarily where the ball has gone since a well-documented New Year's Day traffic stop resulted in the dismissal of All-SEC forward Tyler Smith and forced UT to change its lineup prior to the start of SEC play.
Hopson and Chism each are averaging 13.2 points per game in SEC play, with Hopson taking 68 shots from the floor and Chism getting 64 over those six games.
Hopson's .435 shooting percentage from beyond the arc ranks third in league games, while Chism is second in SEC play with 10.7 rebounds per game.
UT senior point guard Bobby Maze, tops in the league with a 3.1 assist/turnover ratio, said Hopson's first game-winner could be a big step.
"There was never a doubt in my mind he could hit those shots; it was a matter of it being his time,'' Maze said. "I think he's been ready. We've had Tyler Smith, who had proven himself, and he was the go-to guy.
"(Hopson) could have easily passed that ball away, and who knows what would have happened, but he chose to take that leadership and show that confidence.''
Hopson had Maze and Melvin Goins in his ear during the final timeout against Florida, when Pearl called for him to take the pivotal shot.
"After Coach had called up the play for me, Melvin stopped me and said, 'Big players make big shots,' " Hopson said. "That was just another confidence-booster for me that my teammates are behind me.''
Maze had already told him the same thing in the huddle.
"I was talking in his ear, I told him 'I don't care if you come off this screen and you're not open, you're gonna shoot this basketball,' " Maze said. "It's what he worked hard for all summer.''
Pearl said that even with Chism and Hopson working as an inside-out scoring tandem, it's important others continue to step up.
"Wayne and Scotty are our best offensive players, but that doesn't mean J.P. Prince might not have been the MVP of the (Florida) game,'' Pearl said. "J.P. makes plays all over the place, taking the ball to the basket and getting offensive rebounds, and he creates turnovers. He has more deflections than anyone, and he drew two charges (against Florida).
"Getting Wayne and Scotty shots is a huge function of what J.P. does.''
Pearl said he expects Maze, Skylar McBee, Cameron Tatum and Renaldo Woolridge will get hot hands on the perimeter, too.
"It really helps your offense when you can spread out a little bit, and I'm comfortable with the guys shooting the ball,'' Pearl said. "I know what the percentages are, but I know they are getting good shots.
"The 3-ball . . . is important in my offensive system.''
Role Player: Pearl was concerned at the start of the season when Emmanuel Negedu was sidelined by a medical condition and Josh Tabb withdrew from school to be with his ailing mother.
"Emmanuel and Josh were great role players,'' Pearl said. "Sometimes, less is more.''
Hence the recent emergence of his son, walk-on forward Steven Pearl.
While Steven Pearl isn't any kind of an offensive threat, he recorded four steals in 12 minutes against Florida and has proved effective as an interior defender drawing offensive fouls.
"Some people ask why he's on the team,'' Bruce Pearl said. "But he has shown he belongs. Yes, he has his limitations, but he's a part of our chemistry, and he's part of what's keeping us alive.''
Schedule Concern: Pearl's displeased with the Vols' quick turnaround in games this week, particularly with the way South Carolina's schedule sets up.
UT plays LSU on the road in a 9 p.m. game Thursday before returning to face South Carolina at home at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
"South Carolina played Georgia on Saturday and is idle this week, so we'll have played two games since they last played,'' Pearl said. "It puts us at a real disadvantage.''
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Comments » 26
sandiegovolunteer writes:
SC will be a tough game! But we have to win now because Feb is rough!
rockytopatl writes:
No news may be bad news with Williams. He may be gone.
VolunteerLifer writes:
You're right on, Coach.
richvol writes:
Wayne needs to be told to stay inside and quit farting around at the top of the key.
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Williams is back practicing with the team this week. No word yet on when he'll play. But, with the murderous stretch UT has coming up, it looks like as early as this Thursday or Saturday...
DRAGtheWATERS writes:
In 29 minutes of play, going 5-14 from the field, 0-1 free throw attempts, 4 turnovers, 3 assists, 2 personal fouls, and 10 points. How do these numbers show Hopson has turned the corner. Its great he hit the game winner but Maze and Goins had to threaten him practically for him to take the shot. When he only gets one free throw attempt in a physical game it shows he is still soft.
budd#207344 writes:
You make a valid point but he has to start somewhere. Watching him play it was obvious that he was defering to Tyler and Wayne. This bit of limelight may push him to want and go for more. He has the skills He just needs the confidence. That said I would have a play like the Florida for each of the shooters
vol_4_fan writes:
I have thought that even before the TS situation. Now we need those 2 taking good shoots (Hopson / Chism) & I really believe that Camron & Melvin will play big roles in certain games, we are going to need them all! Go Vols
Fryinpansvols writes:
He's still a Sophmore! Give the kid some time. He'll turn the corner soon enough. GBO!
Fryinpansvols writes:
This could be a big week for us or could be a bust! We have a chance to win three game in one week. This is tournament like. Winning all three could get our cohesiveness and chemistry back. I know, I know, one game at a time. So far 1-0 this week with two to go. Baton Rouge is a hostile place despite LSU's record of 9-12 and 0-7 in SEC play. We need to bring our "A" and win in style! GBO!
stayingorange writes:
Hopson hitting the winner could be a great spark for his offense. But the 2 biggest plays in the game for me were McBee hitting Chism under the basket as the shot clock ran out and Chism's left-handed runner in the lane off the pick and roll. Big baskets that kept UT rolling.
DRAGtheWATERS writes:
I think he will turn the corner by his senior year its just all the media hype about him being NBA talent. I dont mean to take a shot at him mainly the media going overboard again and again.
GO VOLS!!!
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
For this yr. it would be tough for him to get back up to speed before tourney time and as far as next yr. the future looks bright for Kenny and Tobias to handle most of the action under the goal. Brian would be a nice backup next yr. if things progress for him and he comes back, but as you say, it is looking doubtful.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
I posted my comment on Williams before I saw PoochPunts comment. Maybe williams is on his way back into the rotation late next week.
tennrich1 writes:
I wouldnt be expecting Tobias to camp out down low..he's not that type of a player...he will remind you more of Tyler Smith, just a little taller, than say a Kenny Hall! You will love this guy!
MidTennVol writes:
Wayne is coached to do that -- draw his man out on the wings, open up the lane and, if the 3 is there, take it. And he's one of our better 3-ball shooters.
TommyJack writes:
Unless Williams is a serial bonger, he should be back with this team immediately.
spcw101#621225 writes:
This past week has been like a new beginning for the Vols. They found out that they are not the number 8 team in the country (Just yet) and they may have found their identity. It is hard to start over mid season but that is what they have had to do. Pearl has got to continue getting everyone to accept roles that help the team define what kind of offense they are going to run. The mini losing streak and the narrow win over a team they should have beaten by 20 proved that they were just mixing it up. They were playing without a plan. Well now may be just may be they have that offensive plan and will go about making it work. This team though short handed is still very talented but needs to grow up a bit. Right now is the time to do it. Time to stop thinking about what might have been and go from there. This ain't Football and you can't win championships only playing defense.
VolJunkie writes:
Agreed ... though it would be nice if he did not continue to play like a serial bonger. I like how Hall is coming along.
Go Vols!
Brillovol writes:
I'm kind of afraid that may be the case.
In any regard, we DO need his size and fouls in the lane.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Unlike some recent games, FIVE different players hit threes against Florida, IIRC. I'm pretty sure Chism, Woolridge, McBee, Tatum, and Hopson hit at least one each. True, the percentage isn't what we would all like to see, but this team can't score enough to beat good teams consistently if at least the threat isn't there.
Of course, it would ALSO be a big help if they could get and MAKE more free-throws. The trouble with THAT is that only JP takes the ball to the basket often enough to get fouled a lot and Hall battles enough inside to get fouled a fair amount, but they are our two worst free-throw shooters. Hopson has to get more than ONE free-throw per game, too. It is just WRONG when Steven Pearl takes more free-throws a game than Hopson does!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I will issue to you the same challenge I have given to all the others who gripe about how much Steven is playing: Who would you put in his place? It is not enough to say "Anyone"; tell us who you would play and how you would use him. Steven's plus/minus is lower when he is on the floor because he is usually replacing Chism or Hall, who are better players, but who still haven't learned how to keep their hands to themselves when they are at a defensive disadvantage, and I'll bet Woolridge's plus/minus is lower than Steven's. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't just ignore this question the way you usually do when someone asks you a question the answer to which would get in the way of a perfectly good rant.
darandkat writes:
Enough is enough! It's time to reinstate Tyler Smith and Brian Williams! How long will they have to suffer for the mistakes of the former football team members?
LagunaVol writes:
This wasn't a football issue it was a basketball issue. We went on a winning streak because of integrity and passion for a team that could face adversity. Take away integrity and all that's left is showboating and the concept of win at all costs. I didn't graduate U-T to be without pride and ethics. Coach Perls is a mench. Look up the word in a yiddish dictionary!
schymtz writes:
Who is BOK? Why give such a genuine response to a guy why really needs a basic PE course in coaching, has serious projection issues, or else has a kidney stone he needs to pass?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Going pro in what? He is not nearly ready for the NBA, skill-wise, and the rough-and-rugged European pros would jump on him like a grizzly bear on a baby calf.
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