It's the middle of the SEC season, but there's a championship on the line for the Tennessee men's basketball team this week.
"Vanderbilt and Kentucky are the two best teams in our league, and they're the two teams in front of us,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "So these are opportunities for us.
"We're the defending SEC East champions, and in order for us to win it again, we'll have to act like (champions) and play like it.''
The Vols' (18-4, 6-2 SEC) most difficult road swing of the season starts tonight at 7 (TV: ESPN) in Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville against Vanderbilt (17-5, 6-2).
Saturday's game at No. 3 Kentucky (22-1, 7-1) is at 9 p.m., and ESPN's College GameDay will be on site. Neither the Commodores (11-0) nor the Wildcats (14-0) have lost at home this season.
UT brings a new No. 12 ranking into tonight's game, while the Commodores slipped to No. 22 after their loss at Georgia on Saturday.
But Vanderbilt has the advantage over the Vols in the SEC standings, having dealt UT an 85-76 defeat on Jan. 27.
"We just weren't focused those last 11 minutes against them,'' senior post Wayne Chism said, referring to Vandy's pivotal 23-5 run in Thompson-Boling Arena. "It was on all of us.''
Chism had cause for his sub-par scoring performance (eight points), as he was coming off a sprained knee suffered the game before that forced him to miss a practice leading up to the Vanderbilt game.
UT point guard Melvin Goins also had yet to get back up to speed after serving a suspension and didn't play against the Commodores.
"Don't underestimate the importance of Melvin,'' said Vols assistant Steve Forbes, who specializes in half-court defensive coaching. "Melvin is one of the top on-the-ball defenders in our conference.''
Goins certainly might have come in handy against Vanderbilt's hot-shooting Jermaine Beal, who torched the Vols for 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
"I compare us having Bobby Maze and Melvin to having a really good fastball, and a really good change-up,'' Forbes said. "Bobby's not shooting as well as he can this year, but he ranks 16th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio.''
Pearl said Tennessee is a better team than the last time it played Vanderbilt.
"We've played three games and won three since then, and we've gotten back to playing better defense,'' Pearl said. "Our defense has been a constant for us.
"But Vanderbilt is probably the best offensive team in the SEC; it's (second) in field-goal percentage, second in 3-point (shooting) percentage and they run good stuff.''
The shooting percentages and tempo are worth watching: UT is 14-0 when its opponent shoots below 40 percent and 16-0 when the opponent scores fewer than 69 points.
The Commodores are 14-1 when they score at least 70 points and 11-0 when it shoots more than 50 percent.
More Defense: Pearl's UT teams are 48-4 all-time when holding opponents below 40 percent shooting. This year's team has held opponents below 40 percent 14 times, matching the previous season best set by the 2007-08 Vols.
UT has out-rebounded its past three opponents by six per game - Vanderbilt is 10-0 when it out-rebounds its opponent.
The Line: The Commodores opened as a 3-point favorite according to VegasInsider.com.
The Vols are 2-1 as an underdog this season, losing to Purdue and defeating Kansas and Memphis.
UT's new $45 million football…
Images from Larry Murphy's book on…
Smokey undergoes physical therapy at UT
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 93
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Git'r done Vols!!
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
I hope bobby brings his "A" game, we will need it. I would expect to win this game and lose at Ky. Hope I am wrong, but Ky is a big time team playing pretty good ball right now. They only get better as the freshmen get experience.
lomas98 writes:
Can't wait for this game. Vandy is such a hot shooting team at home and can get off to good starts. It is important for TN to start well and hopefully Chism isn't victim to the Memorial whistle from the refs. Defense on the perimeter is the key to winning this one.
By the way, how many posts before someone complains about the article saying tonight when the game is on Tuesday? I say less than 20.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
By the way, how many posts before someone complains about the article saying tonight when the game is on Tuesday? I say less than 20.
I'll take the 'under'.
wildcatbasketball writes:
Guys---They have to write the article tonight to post for tomorrow's paper...right? I am not a jounalist but think this may be right!!
Thad123 writes:
Why would they post a story and say its tonight when the game is tomorrow night am I missing something.
tnsportsman writes:
LOL, yeah write the article tonight and hit click/post to web site after midnight. Watching the Lady Vols now play Vaaanderbilt on the same floor, LOL.
GBO!
tnsportsman writes:
So confused??? LOL
wildcatbasketball writes:
Yes---tomorrow's newspaper....U think these jounalists write an article and print 2 minutes before it is printed and delivered to your front door...Not trying to be a smart__....but think about it...
wildcatbasketball writes:
That would work too....just saying...no offense
lomas98 writes:
Winner winner, chicken dinner
Fryinpansvols writes:
Good article and good stats by the KNS. I think we all understand two things: We have to start fast at Memorial (Vandy shoots well at home and plays very consistent) and we have to out rebound Vanderbilt (No easy second chance points for Vandy). I say UT brings its "A" Game against Vandy and loses at Kentucky. It would be nice to win both but we have to split the two. GBO!
Thad123 writes:
It s pretty simple to post the story latter. Probably would not have noticed if the past month had not been a total mess by the KNS.
bluetick writes:
I wish the team was playing KY prior to the Vandy game. They're going to put out a lot of energy on the Vandy game to make sure it's not a sweep. Hope they have the focus and stamina for KY because they're going to need it.
CoverOrange writes:
But then you would read the story in the paper tomorrow morning and not come to this website tonight and read all the advertisements! Lail knows which side his bread is buttered.
Laydbakvol writes:
If they waited and posted the story after midnight so the "tonight's game" would be correct we'd be complaining and wondering why they hold on to stories they could be releasing early to us e-fans. Oh well, are we up to 20 yet?
lomas98 writes:
With 4 of the next 5 being on the road against eastern division opponets, it will hurt to go 0-2 this week. I think 11-5 will get a bye in the SEC tournament. That will be tough to do from 6-4 with the road games coming up. TN must beat GA at home and find a way to win 2 road games in the next five. Might as well start Tuesday night.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Oh well, are we up to 20 yet?
Yours' was #16 by my count.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
I think Tuesday would be an excellent night to start.
bigorange61 writes:
I think Williams needs to get some playing time this game. We are going to need bodies on Cousins in the next game or he will eat our lunch. You know Kentucky will come at Chism to get him in foul trouble.
oldorange writes:
Really looking forward to watching this game.....GO VOLS
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Bruce is probably thinking the same thing; Only way to beat Vandy is shoot at Least 50% without the usual slow start..The defense will take care of itself
eduardo writes:
poor candy!
Gumby#1381110 writes:
We will beat Vandy tonight and Chism will have a career day IMO. Kentucky I'm not so sure about.
cloudodust writes:
Road games at this point of the season are tough, especially against what we're going against the next two times out. That being said, all things are possible. We get a real good idea this week as to what the chemistry of this team is going forward. CBP has been trying to organize the good ship Volunteer ever since 01JAN. Prior to that day, I think he had it working pretty darn good and after that day he and this team have pulled together good enough. But it must get better. May the team have success at Vandy and may CBP get a tight grip on what hits the floor here on out. Their immediate future depends on CP getting this hammered down. Here's to a week that defines greatness recovered. Go Vols
schymtz writes:
There is an old story once told by John Ward about the road swing to Vanderbilt and Kentucky. I believe this was about one of the early Mears squads back in the day when Rupp coached in the old Kentucky gym. In any event, feeling the need of some intelligence, the Tennessee coach had the opportunity to send a spy into the Kentucky practice session just to see what kind of preparations were being made for the Tennessee game. As Ward told the story, the spy reluctantly reported back to the coach and when he was asked, replied: "Didn't find out nuthin' Rupp was practicing for their big game against LSU next week." Since that time, it's my guess that there have not been too many games where the Vols or the 'Cats took their annual endeavors so much for granted. I don't know what particular game that story is all about, but I do recall that Tennessee was the last SEC team to beat Kentucky in their old gym and the first SEC team to beat Kentucky in Rupp Arena. These games are NEVER without hope and possiblity for Tennessee. BEAT VANDY! BEAT KENTUCKY!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Ok everyone..Let's just give up on the Vandy game and not watch it because we aren't gonna win anyway according to biggunzz!!!(major sarcasm) This person NEVER has anything good to say about the Vols and never thinks were gonna win no matter who we play.
Anyway, I personally think that we will split the road games, win @ Vandy and lose @ Kentucky and beat GA at home because we will be mad about losing to them on the road earlier this year. Then again I wouldn't be surprised to see us with ALL three because you just never know.
GBO!!!
Gumby#1381110 writes:
I agree, I think we will beat Vandy. I know Chism doesn't always play well against Vandy, but he wasn't 100% last game against Vandy, but he is hot right now and I predict a big night for Chism and the Vols. GBO!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
That's just it; an amazing number DON'T think about it, they just look for things to slam the KNS for. As far as they know, the paper just materializes in the box each morning by magic!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
And how many posts did you see during that period of people complaining that such-and-such a blog "scooped" the KNS: "Oh, come on, KNS; so-and-so had this HOURS ago." Since I live WAY outside the KNS delivery area, I am glad to see the articles as soon as they are written, since it does me no good to wait for the paper anyway.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Halftime score tonight: UT- 28 Vandy-16, 2 games in a row we have held opponent to 16 pts, tonight will be 3
johnlg00#206211 writes:
IIRC, Chism has nearly always played well against Vandy EXCEPT for the last game. He has always eaten Ogilvy's lunch. That's why I was so mad Ogilvy was chosen 2d-team All-SEC over him. The rest of the guys have to hit a few to prevent Vandy from ganging up him on in the middle.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I would love to see it, but Vandy has a good deal more firepower and overall depth and talent than LSU or SC!
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
I believe Chism will humiliate Ogilvy tonight, payback! I would say it will be a close game though. Anything can happen in the SEC. I'm still shocked that the SC team we blew out is the same team that beat Kentucky.
Gumby#1381110 writes:
Thats football, not basketball! Great offenses win in college basketball.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
I think we can take Vandy if Chism stays out of foul trouble and Maze plays like he did the last game. Vandy is already PO'd about losing to GA and I hope we can use their frustration to our advantage. The officals will play a major part in the outcome of this game, as usual. Lets take care of Vandy first and then worry about KY. It will be hard to win in their horrible "so called" court but we can do it! I'm like the rest of you....can't wait until tip-off!!!!!!
VOLS.......TCB.......KOKO.....GBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gumby#1381110 writes:
But your talking about football. I know to win a NC you do have to have a team that plays good D. But if your team can't hit a 3 or score down low then that D won't be good enough. High octane offenses who play smart D win NC's
crappieking writes:
Prince has to play good defense and for goodness sakes don't foul people shooting a three. GBO!
P.S - BIGGOOFBALL44 is an idiot.
Gumby#1381110 writes:
no but your mom does
Gumby#1381110 writes:
crappieking: since I dont know poop, and im assuming from your name you do, could you please give some direction to super_dooper_know_it_all_vol_fan?
thanks dude!
VolJunkie writes:
Griffith makes a good point in this article that no one has commented on: Goins return. While Bobby has been playing solid ball, defensively Goins has been a huge lift, hopefully he will be able to help keep Beal from going off again. Williams I am not so sure about, I love how Kenny Hall has been playing, at this point I am not in favor of trading his minutes for BW.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Go Vols!
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Dang Skippy let's keep Williams on the pine!
Hall plays with a refreshing p'off attitude that you need to bring to SEC play. As an added bonus, he knows how to put back HARD a 1 foot rebound.
Williams plays like a Twinkie, please don't repeat that to him, he'll get the munchies.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I agree with you and VolJunkie that Hall is a better player than Williams, but I will bet you right now that both Chism and Hall will have two fouls in the first ten minutes tonight. Woolridge doesn't have the stomach--or to be fair, the size, strength, and build--to play the post and Steven Pearl is fatally limited in offensive skill. I for one am glad Williams is back for these games this week. From what the announcers said Saturday and a shot of him on the bench, he seems to have lost weight during his suspension. Maybe he will be so glad to be back that he will play with more energy and aggression tonight. At least we can all hope!
Gumby#1381110 writes:
I'll bet you thought that up all on your own, so your a big boy now. I hope you have a wonderful day and thanks for the compliments, you really shouldn't have.
VolJunkie writes:
Have a great time and say hello to my son ... he'll be the conflicted one wearing a Vandy t-shirt and have a UT cup filled with Jack and something. Smart kid, graduates this May; not all Vandy kids are how they are portrayed on this site.
Go Vols!
schymtz writes:
GO DOC GO! Beat Vandy!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
You are not wrong about Hall...Keep his minutes! Play Chism and Hall if you have to. Yank Woolridge out as soon as he puts up a missed 3 w/o looking inside. Give Hall his minutes...well there's got to be a way to get Williams in and Hall. Maybe play Hall and Williams together when Chism's resting?
Ironcity writes:
Guys when I see the term give so and so his minutes I get PO. Each player earns his minutes no one needs to be given minutes. Based on the way some of the guys have played tonight we might want to start taking minutes away from the guys. Woolridge is playing with zero confidence he barely made the lay up. Pearl plays hard but he is a liability on the floor. We sure could have used a healthy Tatum. Its a bad week for Hopson to lose his game. I hope the second half is better.
volsn3 writes:
Steven Pearl is a good story but that is it....I hate this rotation phooey....better get the best players in the game...They are getting killed in every aspect of the game....and I will add one more thing...VOL FANS...are you listening to the crowd noise...It really makes the difference
jerseydevilvol writes:
They're playing like s***. It does't help that the refs are garbage too.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.