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The tempo of Tennessee's practice Monday was decidedly more energetic than the Vols' first workout the day after the four men's basketball players were arrested on Friday.
"That first day, you could tell everyone was down,'' said sophomore Scotty Hopson, UT's leading scorer. "We didn't have Brian (Williams) there to joke around, or Tyler (Smith) to get us fired up.
"But we're keeping this team together as much as we can.''
The Vols (10-2) learned Monday they'll be facing Charlotte (10-3) at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Thompson-Boling Arena without the four suspended players.
UT coach Bruce Pearl announced at his Monday press luncheon that All-SEC forward Tyler Smith, post Brian Williams, wing Cameron Tatum and point guard Melvin Goins won't play against the 49ers.
That leaves the Vols with six scholarship players and four walk-ons.
"We'll play nine,'' Pearl said. "The six scholarship players will play the lion's share. We won't be wearing anybody out, we won't be pressing people.
"There will have to be some adjustments made, absolutely.''
Pearl said he is continuing to gather information about the incident from the suspended players.
"I don't feel any different after talking to them,'' Pearl said. "They're accountable. They're disappointed. They've embarrassed themselves and their families in how they have represented the university.
"When things like this happen, it tarnishes the image of our university.''
The misdemeanor drug and weapons charges that came out of Friday's traffic stop clearly affected the respect Tennessee received from Associated Press poll voters, too; the Vols slipped from No. 14 to No. 16 in the media top 25 poll released Monday.
UT is coming off its biggest win of the season, a 66-59 victory over Memphis on Thursday that snapped the Tigers' 23-game home-court win streak.
Sophomore Renaldo Woolridge, who Pearl announced will get his first start of the season in place of Smith, said the shock is starting to wear off.
"I was like everybody - shocked and disappointed - when I first heard about it,'' Woolridge said. "Especially the timing of it, coming off the Memphis win.''
Woolridge said it has been hard not to think about his teammates' plight.
"We're all human, we all make mistakes,'' he said. "But we are family, and we have to stick together and get through this. My heart goes out to them and their families.
"The conditions are tough, but it's a great opportunity to show what kind of men we are when adversity hits.''
The four suspended players have not been made available to the media since their arrests, but Tatum posted on his Twitter account Sunday.
"I am thankful for my strong faith in God, supportive friends,'' Tatum, from Lithonia, Ga., tweeted. "God will never put you through anything that you can't handle.''
Tatum's father attended Saturday's practice. The fathers of Williams and Smith are deceased, and Goins' family is in San Diego.
UT senior point guard Bobby Maze said he has stayed in contact with the suspended players since their arrests.
"Those guys are embarrassed, and it's very unfortunate,'' Maze said. "Just talking to them on a daily basis, they are hanging in there. They've told us they apologize, and whatever comes along with this, they'll take it.
"It has been tough, because of how important those guys are to our team.''
The suspended players account for roughly 40 percent of the Vols' minutes played (.396), rebounds (.389), steals (.410) and points (.397), and more than 45 percent (.456) of the assists, according to UT's updated statistics.
Hopson said it's up to the remaining Vols to step up under the pressures of being short-handed.
"We're going to have to bring the effort and play like men,'' Hopson said. "But I think our guys are confident in our ability to win.''
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Comments » 72
vet4ut writes:
Agent 0 getting a start...
Could be a disappointing game...week....month.
bspurlingcac#225603 writes:
Take the floor and play with heart. Go Vols!!!
King_Scuba writes:
Maybe all this can be a blessing in disguise...less substituting, more time for our streaky shooters to get into a rhythm...
Kenny Hall is much more aggressive than Bryan Williams and could be a force in the post...
Scotty Hopson might finally take the team on his shoulders like we all know he is capable of with Tyler Smith gone.
Time to get back to playing with a chip on our shoulder now that the team has something to prove
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
I understand the attempts at optimism, but TN will be very lucky to win the game against Charlotte, and we're gonna get blown out of the gym by Kansas. The hope I have is that we can finish the year at .500 in the SEC and maybe make the NCAAs. Tyler and Brian are finished. Cam and Goins may return next year, but probably no sooner. This is the reality...
I'm normally one of the biggest optimists and am still a big fan of Pearl, but we'll be lucky to avoid the NIT this year...
BigBadVol writes:
This kind of news is starting to wear me down. I love my alma mater and this kind of thing hurts. I feel embarrassed. I feel bad for the players, coaches, and fans.
King_Scuba writes:
Kansas probably would have blown us out of the gym whether this happened or not...
We will beat Charlotte
TennHillbilly writes:
Good luck to the remaining Vols. Everybody is rooting for ya. Now is your time to shine.
GBO
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
^^^^^^KING GATOR^^^^^^ :)
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
I really think it is up to the senior leader Chism to put the team on his shoulders and play with intensity. Scotty also need to step up and show more leadership, including playing with more hustle and desire. Don't know if it is in them, but we'll find out this week. We can finish strong with 22-10 or throw in the towel with 16-16. This week will tell.
cobbwebb writes:
dang witch, where did that come from?
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Let's Go Vols!!
Just gotta go out there knock down some jump shots, rebound, and not turn the ball over and they'll be fine. They are gonna have to be great against Kansas to have a chance so they need to find some rhythm tomorrow night.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Haha, I hear you Witch Doctor!
cobbwebb writes:
bad play on words there scotty, "we didnt have brian there joking around, or tyler there to FIRE us up"! chism, hopson, and maze, are gonna have to step it up, play smart, and play tough. it is now time for the likes of woolridge, mcbee, and hall to man up, and prove they belong in the sec. pearl will be a key body off the bench, and the white walk on pg whose name escapes me will be key as well! oh well lets get it on!!! GO BIG ORANGE!!!
cobbwebb writes:
when is the transfer from st johns, or wherever hes from eligible to play?
volsoutwest writes:
Well dog-gone-it Doc, did ole MorryVol get under your skin a little?
MTSUVOL writes:
To all the Vols fans calling for all four to be kicked off and get people with good charter, be carefully what you wish for. I'm ok if they all go if that what Bruce thinks is best, but don't come on here (female doging) and complaining when the Vols are not winning games and lucky to make the NIT. I don't care if the VOLS don't win another game, because I will still be pulling for them, but some people want it both ways. They want wins and good charter. And before people start to rip my post, think about it for a minute. You guys know what I mean.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Too funny!
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Kinda like you pretending to be a Vol fan?
volsoutwest writes:
Great one Doc, I fell out of my chair laughing. Do you think Ole Morryvol probably looks like Herbert?
volsoutwest writes:
Nothing like a little jocularity to liven the board now that football is over.
lomas98 writes:
Lets see. Maze, Hopson, Prince, Woolridge, and Chism will start. Hall would be the 6th scholarship player. McBee, Pearl, and Josh Bone will get some PT. Too bad Josh Tabb got let go over the summer. We are really down 5 players counting him from last year. Hard to lose that many players and stay focused. Chism and Hopson are good enough to carry the team, they are just inconsistent. It looked like Chism was taking a leadership role in the huddles against Memphis. Playing more of a halfcourt game is not this teams strengths so this will be interesting.
cobbwebb writes:
actually we fans should take a stand! i see these knuckleheads at west town mall, all the time. next time i see any of them, im gonna walk straight up to them and say, "ok scotty, wayne, tyler, give me all your drugs and guns, and get yourself back to your dorm, you have a big game tomorrow"! im just fooloing around because any of them would probably kick the shiite outta me. but seriously i have mixed emotions about this, cause i am mad, but on the other hand i feel bad for these kids(players). i want to win, but i want our guys to keep their noses clean as well. i guess i want my big orange cake, and i wanna eat it too.
GO BIG ORANGE!!!
cobbwebb writes:
josh bone, thanks lomas i couldnt think of his name. what about the walk on pg, white guy, micheal something? he played very early in the season. oh no, we will probably see more of the experiment gone bad... prince running the point, to give maze a rest!
volsoutwest writes:
Doc, you're at the top of your game tonight. Wish I could stay and chat but the bed beckons.
sluggovol writes:
I'm glad Mr. Tatum has faith in God but I have news for him. God did not put him in that situation. He did that on his own. Don't blame God for that one
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
You are going to hell for enjoying the fact that this whole mess happened. What kind of grown man takes solace in the misery and misfortune of others? I know the guys brought it on themselves, but no one else is happy this all happened except you...
I have a new nickname for you - MoronVille - b/c that's where you live, MoronVille...
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
LMAO!!!!
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Is it past your bedtime, little baby? Let me go warm some milk... P***Y
VOLinGA writes:
It is what it is. Time for those left to step it up and make a name for yourselves. Here is your chance. Chism needs to take over. Scotty needs to step up and be the player advertised. Maze needs to be the leader a point guard should be and Prince needs to get focused and play his game without running his mouth. Woolridge, McBee, and Hall...here's your shot guys...step up and be somebody. I personally like fewer subs. Play ball. Time to come together and bo up. These guys that screwed up just handed you the opportunity of a lifetime. Make something of it and give us something to be proud about. And Pearl...do what you made a name for yourself with and coach these guys up.
MtownVolFan writes:
Not to make light of the situation but these guys surely didn't think they knew how to properly handle a gun. Heck they spent most of their lives trying to learn to shoot a basketball and look at their shooting percentages. Seriously they are very lucky they got caught before they shot themselves or accidently shot someone else. If they put themselves in situations that they feel they need the protection of a gun then they are obviously in the wrong place involved in activities that are inappropriate for student athletes. Something else alot worse could have happened then getting caught with guns, beer and pot. Just my opinion.
volpreacher writes:
I have to go with the doctor on this one.
eduardo writes:
I thought these embarrassing days and nights for UT Bball were over!! oh boy!!
khelton657 writes:
"Just *talking to them on a daily basis*, they are hanging in there. "....sounds awfully sympathetic, understanding..hope they aren't actually identifying with them...
khelton657 writes:
Exactly, acting like he is some sort of victim
Volumnus writes:
You read my mind! These idiots are acting like it was a God sent plague or a bout with a disease or a chance natural disaster. Hell, a bunch of knuckleheads with one of the best free ride gigs in major collegiate athletics made some extremely stupid judgements, that were dangerous and CRIMINAL! Fortunately there were no deaths and/or injuries involved. Family??? I wouldn't bail out my brother if he did something that stupid! The whole bunch should be kicked to the big orange curb!
khelton657 writes:
The remaining players should be distancing themselvses from Smith, Williams, Goins, et al...not calling them every day..just doesn't sound quite right..hope it isn't "birds of a feather"
sidwalkvol writes:
this gets my vote as silliest post of the year... uh, ever heard of vacation time?
Why don't we put them all in ankle bracelets?
Coaches have players for 20 hours a week. The calendar, the Constitution, and common sense dictate that a given week has much "free time" built in. Anyone who thinks a coach of any sort or sport can monitor players all the time--and have no right to free time themselves--are living on another planet.
volfalcon writes:
Way to go W_D. I don't post often but I was
wondering were you been. Hope all is well and glad you're back. GO VOLS! Morristown is clueless, ""poor thang.''
volfalcon writes:
Sounds like Doc and Coach Pearl are both in your head. What a pity.
FWBVol writes:
My thoughts exactly.
I same to recall a verse that says God can't tempt any man. And another that says God will give us a way out when we are tempted.
volfalcon writes:
You ought to try being someone else. It would be a hell of an improvement.
Orangeblood13 writes:
"I am thankful for my strong faith in God, supportive friends,'' Tatum, from Lithonia, Ga., tweeted. "God will never put you through anything that you can't handle.''
Easy card to play when things are bleak.
This whole thing still sickning
Orangeblood13 writes:
Keep youo class Witchy, something they dont have in Morristown
byrd4vols writes:
Its time we all come togeather Vol nation! The only way to get through this is a good kick in the azz, gangster rap song. KICK IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
byrd4vols writes:
Gettin ink dunnnn......Get back wit cha!
byrd4vols writes:
No more B.S. This is a serious matter. The only way through this, is recruiting players with enough brains to know right from wrong..............for example,....tattooing your face.
richvol writes:
They did assume that Tyler was a positive leader and he was not. In fact he was terrible in this instance.
byrd4vols writes:
Everyone that is looking for blame reminds me of the busch admin............there is no Dems. to blame this on!
byrd4vols writes:
Hope you get terminal rush.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
WD....That was hilarious! You go Doc!
VOLS....TCB...Keep on keeping on.....GBO!!!!!
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