Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl said the three players who remain indefinitely suspended won't practice today and likely won't play against Auburn on Thursday night.
Pearl said he's still in the information-gathering stage of the process, and he doesn't expect to have a decision on the length of the suspensions for Melvin Goins, Cameron Tatum and Brian Williams, until Friday at the earliest and early next week at the latest.
UT All-SEC senior Tyler Smith was dismissed from the team Friday while the other three players have remained indefinitely suspended as a result of the misdemeanor weapons and drugs charges they face as a result of a Jan. 1 traffic stop.
Pearl said he can't confirm or deny a CBSSports.com report that Goins and Tatum passed a drug test, and that Williams has taken responsibility for the baggy of marijuana that was found in the car the players were in when they were stopped on New Year's Day in Knoxville.
"There's a process that has to play out, and we're still gathering information,'' Pearl said. "This isn't something I can stop and deal with every day, the players are indefinitely suspended. We have three games to get ready for in a very short period of time, and there's no more information to put out there at this point.''
The Vols play host to Auburn at 7 p.m. Thursday before Ole Miss comes to Knoxville for a game at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The 9th-ranked Vols then travel to play at Alabama at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Smith has hired an agent. He signed with former Bearden standout and Belmont player Jared Karnes, an attorney with Hagood, Tarpy & Cox law offices in Knoxville and an agent with the A-3 sports agency.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 108
winbigvols writes:
Pearl should throw off Williams. He is a cry baby and we are better off without him. Goins and Tatum should sit at the end of the bench and not be allowed in the game unless we are down to 4 players the rest of the year. If they don't practice hard and hit the books hard they should be shown the door also. Enough said.
Vol86 writes:
Why was Smith kick off so quickly? There is a reason but I do not know it.
CoverOrange writes:
I thought the Auburn game was Thursday.
lomas98 writes:
If Tatum and Goins are able to return they should have to earn their minutes back. If Tatum deserves a starting spot or 6th man spot, he needs to earn it. If he just showed up and started cutting minutes from Woolridge or Prince, I would be pretty upset if I were those 2. The other players should see that even though Tatum and Goins may be cleared, they should still see a thorough discipline. Maybe the first 4 SEC games??? That would be a total of 6 games.
41_14gbo writes:
Not for sure, however, I suspect the firearms were or brought to the car by Tyler Smith
volinky writes:
Smith hired an "agent?" It seems he needs a lawyer more than an agent. I suspect he is facing federal charges with the guns, and I know little if any law, but I would think there is a possibility of mandatory jail time.
JamminVol11 writes:
The guns were his....
ProfessorFalken writes:
According to UTSports.com, the game is in fact Thursday.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
Based on our play, I would prefer that these guys get booted off immediately. I have never been more proud of a group of guys as I have these new-look Vols. They've persevered and have done the right thing, and to let these others back on the team is a slap in the face, IMO.
CoverOrange writes:
Don't tell me, tell Griff (or Jack Lail or Jigsha) to correct his copy.
topgun writes:
"A young volunteer named Tyler Smith grew restless on the team. A VOL filled with wonderlust..., Don't take your guns to town, son. Leave you guns at home.., don't take your guns to town." Sorry Johnny, rest in peace.
But, the Vols do need more bodies in case of foul trouble or injuries, etc. SO...., if the other three meet the criteria for reinstatement--they should be put back on the team. I'll let CBP figure out when and where to actually put them in a game--muchless start any of them. GOVOLS!!
86VolRocDoc writes:
Tatum and Goins should be suspended for the next 3 games, this would equal a total of 5 games for showing poor judgement. Williams should sit for total of 10 games or the remainder of the year depending on his drug test results.
I agree, all should have to earn their minutes before they are allowed back on the court. This team is finally showing some hustle and diving for loose balls. Effort means a lot.
SCIENCETCHR writes:
Now that Tyler Smith has joined the cast of:"The Departed," is there ANY justifiable reason why U.T. can't divert his scholarship funding to Skylar McBee? I know it's only one game, but in my not-so-humble opinion, McBee has joined some elite company alongside Dane Bradshaw and Chris Lofton with his display of HEART, GUTS, and CHARACTER! Any response, U.T. Athletic Department??
InertGas writes:
These guys should be done for the year if not permanently. UT has got to put an end to this type of bad behavior.
jacksonvol writes:
THUG-O-MATIC!
jmr68ut writes:
It was implied that the guns were his, at least the one missing ser. no -stolen!!
lomas98 writes:
You say based on the play. What if we lost the last 2 games and looked bad doing it. Then what would based on the play mean? Either you want them kicked off or not, you can't just switch opinion on if the team is playing well. I love this team and glad they are playing together, but Tatum and Goins will help this team progress further. We can't continue riding 3 walkon players and expect them to contribute. Otherwise this past game is the pinnacle of the season. If Tatum and Goins have negative drug tests, the only thing they are guilty of is putting themselves in a bad situation. They should be able to return after a suspension that Pearl sees fit. Luckily the SEC schedule is not as tough during the first half, but they are still SEC games. These walkons will struggle if they are relied to do that every night.
BigBadVol writes:
I agree with you on this to some extent; however, if Tatum and Goins did not test positive for drugs then they deserve a second chance. You can't be too harsh. But they need to learn better judgement. A senior can have a lot of influence on younger players. Williams deserves to get booted. Pearl took a chance on him when no one else would and he let everybody down.
BigBadVol writes:
Skylar deserves a scholarship, period. Good kid that gave up a scholarship because he loves TN.
BigBadVol writes:
By the way, has anyone seen Williams momma? I would hate to be him.
keepitreal4vols writes:
I am a forgiving person and would welcome these kids back if they took and passed weekly drug tests. Bump up their community service hours. Give them a 2nd chance on life and an opportunity for success.
Goins is the one I worry about. He is already in a huge mess and hasn't been here half a season.
tulelakevol writes:
I would hope that after the enormous ruckus generated by Tatum, Goins and Williams, that they would take the second chance if offered to them. I feel they deserve a second chance, based on the very little I know about their involvement. God knows I have learned things the hard way a few times too.
bobbarbilly writes:
This team will need more than 9 players to get through the SEC and tournament play but if the 3 do come back, they should come back in backup roles and earn their playing time. The players who have carried the load in the absence of the quad four should continue to start and receive the most playing time.
RoadTrip writes:
I would sit Goins and Tatum for 4-6 games. Williams would go, however, I defer to CBP and MH on that one. If he came back it would not be this year for me, although they will probably let him slide in the door before tourney time. Williams needs a real wake-up call in life and on the court. When someone that big and athletic plays like someone who is a foot shorter and 5 years younger - it is past time to grow up and get the job done. We don't need his Roberto Duran Hands of Stone throwing bricks at the backboard on lay-ins.
A full ride scholarship to the University of Tennessee to play for THE Coach Bruce Pearl and staff should make you want to give your all for Tennessee today and every day. It hasn't in the past for some of these guys. School's out on them.
Brillovol writes:
Where ya been WD?? Suffering from the post-Chikin Bowl blues like myself? Handn't seen a post from you in a while.
About the suspensions, if Tatum and Goins are cleared by the student conduct board, they will probably be back on the team immediately. As for Williams, he is officially on the University's 4-strikes-and-yer-outta-here mary jane list. In fact, possession of the stuff on a traffic stop oughta count for 2 or 3 strikes by itself (points system, a la suspended drivers license).
mnvol writes:
I'm not the UT Athletic Department, but in Division I, scholarships cannot be diverted. (They can in Division II.) We'll undoubtably see McBee on scholarship next year, but it's not going to happen this year.
AncientVol writes:
I agree. I hope the 3 guys are not allowed back on the team for any time period. All 4 players were in the speeding car knowing they had two loaded pistols, illegal dope, and an open alchohol container in the car. All 4 could have chosen to avoid that situation but none did. Dump them all.
mrvica#308650 writes:
Let's be clear. Pearl is the only true walk-on. McBee and Bone chose to walk on because there were no scholarships available. Bone had a D1 scholarship at So ILL and McBee had offers from several D1 mid-majors so don't confuse their abilities with the normal walk-on. Also FYI Smith's scholarship cannot be transferred to one of these due to the number limitations. As I understand it, Smith still counts against the scholarship numbers until the year is over, the same for Tabb's. I may be wrong in this, but I do not think I am. I am confident that both Bone and McBee will go on Scholarship next year.
vol98champ writes:
From what has been published, which I will say isn't much, would you prosecutors please tell me what Tatum and Goins have done, that we know about, other that exceeding the speed limit by 15 mph like everyone in Knoxville has done in their lives and being in the vicinity of pot and alcohol like 99% of everyone in this country have done? Has anyone checked the credentials of our last 3 presidents regarding pot and alcohol?
Volumnus writes:
WD, I think they all deserve a second chance, maybe in Memphis Blue, or SC Maroon or even Alabama Crimson, but not in TN Orange. Second chances with this situation need to be in a new auditorium.
Check the Bones again, you may have mis-read them.
Volumnus writes:
I don't know what the NCAA rule is on picking up Walk-ons in the middle of the school year is, but there are a couple of kids they looked at not playing anywhere. One point guard they were looking at to run the practice team (Tanner Wild's old spot), got hurt last May in a work out and lost his two D-1 opportunities to play, has a walk-on invitation at a Sunbelt school and is enrolled there and completely rehabed and working with the team in pickup games and such. There are a couple of other kids who opted to not play in 2009 for academic reasons(wanted to get through the 1st year). These are not just kids off the street, but fairly accomplished ballers. They won't be at D-1 speed and level, but they might be inserted for 2 or 3 minutes at a stretch and give you some depth for the long run. If NCAA rules won't permit that then we really need to go with what we have to regain our program's image. I can support out current team in losses rather than bring the other 3 back this year. Just my thoughts.
SoddyVol writes:
Your post was the first I thought about racism... You a bleeding heart Liberal???
Orangeblood13 writes:
nah thats Morristownloser's girl
LCfastball writes:
Need more bodies before March gets here.... If not, they'll have no legs for the Big Dance......
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
WD...I agree"witch" you on this. Everyone deserves a second chance, especially if they had did not have a positive drug test. However, if the other 3 do come back, I think it would be best to let them ride the bench the remainder of the year and fill their butts with splinters, UNLESS, enough foul out that we have to use them. Then next year, they can fight for playing time with all the new great recruits or transfer to another school. This current team is playing with
heart and chemistry and I think it would be an insult to them and the fans if CBP played them sooner than later and it would destroy what our boys "got going on" right now! They did not do anything wrong, that we know of, so they DESERVE the playing time they have earned.
VOLS...TCB...KOKO....GBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tonyvick#213307 writes:
That is so complicated, let just give the kids who have played in the system a second chance. I bet they would be most grateful and give there all (positively) for the length of their eligibility.
Hounddog writes:
What Witch Doctor said.
UT will play without three suspended players; however, they will be playing with respect.
Let's play SEC Basketball. Hounddog
Volumnus writes:
The rumor mill has it that there was a 5th team member present when the car was loaded and chose not to get into the car and be part of the entourage. He chose to find his own way home. If this is true and my sources say it is, then he made a choice based upon what he saw. Tatum and Goins had that same opportunity. I think "Long Vol" is just off base, whether it is liberalism or racism interjected into his hypothesis, neither Skylar or Stephen would make those choices, for that matter I don't think Scotty or Bobby would either. Eman would not have, neither would Chris Lofton! There are opportunities for everyone to screw up equally. Let's hold those that do accountable and if they deserve a second chance in Orange, fine. If they don't or they do with a price, for instance the dui that cost Colquit his scholarship and the 5 or so game suspension then so be it(personally I thought that action should have come sooner). I am in favor of second chances, I am also in favor of them being at someone's own expense, or even being in a new venue.
orangeman1 writes:
Man, you must have been a perfect angel growing up. The 2 who didnt have guns or test positive for drugs are only guilty of bad judgment. I would imagine all charges against them will be dropped so they have already paid enough consequences by being charged and booked into jail and having been convicted in the court of public opinion by people like you since the incident happened. I think they've suffered enough for not breaking the law.
DC_Vol writes:
With all the negativity surrounding the program as of late, everyone who is a Vol fan and follows the play of the Vols, has noticed a true team atmosphere building around this team. Almost an us against the world mentality. For one thing, this team is playing better than ever with missing parts. Pearl's coaching has been excellent and he has fully responded to the adversity of playing with only six scholarship players. This whole experience may prove to be the catalyst behind a trip to the Final Four.
asleep#212036 writes:
I would imagine the guns were his and felony charge from the Feds or not, it's just bad timing for a UT athlete. Even if the Feds decided to let it go, no way Hamilton and UT could handle any more bad pub about their athletes. Once the guns were his, he was gone. Imagine Williams is too over the weed. Normally that would just have been a lengthier suspension but in this environment, bad timing again. Goins and Tatum have served three games which is enough for bad judgment but will have to earn their playing time. From what I've seen the past two games, dressing out will likely not equal playing time for those two for quite some time.
newtonrail writes:
You are essentially correct. In D1 you have to be on scholarship at the beginning of the year. You can't be added in the middle of term or Spring Semester. McBee for Tabb or Bone for Smith won't work. They can be added next fall. Actually may be backed into summer if in school, but not sure about that. This is what Pearl put out at media luncheon yesterday. I had been wondering for awhile. Nothing has been said about Tabb, who as far as I know could come back next fall, if Pearl lets him. One other thing is that D2 and below schools can put players on scholarship mid year.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
I guess when I say, based on their play, my point is more about the effort expended by these guys, rather than the results. Of course I realize the results are in our favor now, but I would have felt the same had we lost to Kansas or Charlotte. In fact, I somewhat anticipated that we would.
My point is that these guys have earned the right to keep playing, not be placed back on the bench to sub in behind guys that put themselves ahead of the team.
Granted, I realize some of them may be in the old "wrong place wrong time" situation, but my patience for such a thing is wearing thin.
The attitude and hunger these guys have shown impresses me, and I would much rather have them getting those minutes than any of the currently suspended players, win or lose.
DavidB writes:
I have no problem with them getting a second chance. We need depth right now. If they do not pass the drug test then they set out for X amount of games, get cleaned up and lets see where they are at. My best guess is over 80% of kids in school will try some sort of drug. If the guns belonged to smith he has gotten his punishment. I will not try and speculate on what actually happened in that car as I was not there.
utfutbolfan writes:
I agree. However, I don't know if we cn pull off a trip to the final four. I would like us to win the SEC tourney, that'd be a GREAT start. At least we would be playing well at the right time. GBO!
ccVOLSdhf writes:
Nice try DC but It's not Sunday yet
Now click your heels togather three times and say i got to stay off the KNS i got to stay off KNS!!!!!!
Ironcity writes:
Would you pass up a scholly so they can give it to someone that may take minutes from you? If I am Skylar, I take it and run. He deserves it.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Dear a_NOise_returns
I think our team knows how to prepare for a game, despite off-the-court stuff. Don't you ever get tired of showing what an ignorant buffoon you are?
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
SuperMoron!? wow, now you're really reaching! How long did it take you to pronounce such a big word? and SUCH a mature attitude!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
agreed... CBP will do the right thing.
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