With Tennessee's margin of error reduced by a depleted roster, the last thing Bruce Pearl needs is one of his players getting tagged with two technical fouls.
Still, after watching the videotape, Pearl somewhat defended J.P. Prince's two technicals in an 85-76 loss to Vanderbilt on Wednesday night.
Of more concern is looking ahead to Florida's 1 p.m. visit on Sunday as the Vols (15-3, 3-2 SEC) try to snap a two-game losing streak.
The Gators (15-5, 4-2) are fresh off an 87-71 rout of Georgia, the team that routed the Vols last Saturday.
Tennessee struggled in transition defense against Vanderbilt. The transition game was a huge weapon for the Gators in their win over Georgia. Florida scored 33 points off 19 Bulldog turnovers.
Prince, meanwhile, was UT's best player against Vandy, scoring 22 points. He made nine of 10 shots and even hit a pair of 3-pointers.
The senior earned his first technical with 16:37 to play during a sequence in which he attempted to drive to the basket on Vandy's Andre Walker.
Both players were hit with a technical by official Doug Shows.
"I think (Prince) did lose some composure,'' Pearl said Thursday on the News Sentinel's Sports Page radio show, "but I think the call on the double technical was the right call.''
Little more than a minute later, Prince earned a second technical for hanging on the rim after a dunk.
A player can be ejected after a second technical foul. Prince wasn't because hanging on the rim is a Class B technical and is not also counted as a personal foul.
Ejection comes after two Class AA technicals, a combination of one Class A and two Class B technicals or three Class B technicals.
The game was televised by ESPNU and commentary mostly focused on Prince's smacking at Walker with his right arm.
"Nothing was made,'' said Pearl, "of the fact that when (Prince) put the ball down on the floor, the whistle blows. Walker fouled him.
"Now (Prince) goes and tries to finish the play ... and on the way to the basket Walker fouls him again and grabs his jersey. Then comes the flail.
"He flailed and made contact. I'm not a mind-reader (as to whether Prince intended to make contact with Walker), but not one word was made of Walker fouling him, fouling him again and grabbing his jersey.''
Pearl theorized that Prince was not ejected at that point for making contact because the officials realized Walker was playing rough, too.
"I think because Walker fouled him and grabbed his jersey, I think they forgave him the flail,'' Pearl said.
Pearl believed Prince hanging on the rim 63 seconds later "was a function" of the previous play.
The dunk gave UT a 44-39 lead, but Vandy quickly reduced it to 44-41 on the technical free throws that Jermaine Beal hit.
"He made a double clutch on the rim,'' Pearl said. "I think they would have let him make one clutch, but once he pulled up the second time ...''
Pearl pointed out that Walker was also the Commodore involved in a double foul with UT's Kenny Hall in the first half.
"Walker drove, missed a shot and thought (UT's Josh) Bone fouled him,'' Pearl said. "He said something to the referee and banged Kenny Hall three times coming down the floor. Finally, the third time, they called the double (foul). Interesting.''
Each team was whistled for 23 fouls in the rough-and-tumble game.
Look for Goins: Pearl said that after three games in which Josh Bone has not played particularly well, Melvin Goins could rejoin the rotation as back-up point guard.
Goins returned from suspension last week. He has appeared in only one of three games since his return.
ESPN2 at LSU: Thursday's visit to LSU has been designated for television on ESPN2.
Tip-off is 9 p.m.
OUTLIVE Event: Florida coach Billy Donovan joins Pearl for the OUTLIVE fundraiser Saturday at the Knoxville Marriott at 6 p.m.
All proceeds directly benefit the OUTLIVE initiative and the UT Medical Center Cancer Institute.
Attendance is limited to the first 100 couples who register at $1,000 per couple.
Fans are encouraged to purchase and wear orange OUTLIVE t-shirts at the UT-Florida game on Sunday.
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Comments » 37
asleep#212036 writes:
UT won seven in a row by playing great defense, holding all those teams under 40% FG. Georgia and Vandy both shot over 55% from the floor. Enough said. Go Vols!!!
Fryinpansvols writes:
I hate to be politically correct but UT's record is 15-4 (3-2). GBO!
illorangevol writes:
This team must challenge every shot, every pass, every position closely. They must be attached at the hip at every opponents position to win.
LiveFaith writes:
I was a little disappointed by the team and the fan's energy. This is Vandy! Just seemed a little lackadaisical 2 me.
CoverOrange writes:
Shooting the 3 ball, steals, press on the inbounds. I miss the good ole days of Pearl-ball. Whatever became of Bruce?
magicbyswh#221420 writes:
Quit taking up for the show boat Prince. He is a liability to the team. He is a senior and is cocky and he cost the vols in more ways than one. He should be benched for 2 Tech fouls Ridiculous
dvols writes:
glad you aint the coach... truth is JP is a great player on this team....would be nice if we had players that could shoot the ball, perhaps BP will finally get some... last i can recall the teams that shoot the ball best usually win..as for discipline in college bball, them days are long gone as long as the one and done exist! go vols
rjrich#235198 writes:
I'll probably be bashed for being a novice or for not having enough posts, or being critical - but I wonder if you ever actually played with any basketball players at this level. I was fortunate enough to have been good enough to play numerous pickup games with UT players when I was on the Hill ('73-76, long before most of you were around). That included Ernie Grunfeld, Mike Smithson, Rodney Woods, Mike Jackson, Lloyd Richardson, football players like Mickey Marvin, Stanley Morgan and Larry Robinson and others. Did they have attitudes? Sure. Egos? You bet they did! That's just one reason they were as good as they were. Most nights I limped back to Reese Hall or Any Holt, bruised all over, wondering why I went through that. But I knew they wanted to win - even if it was just a pickup game in ole Stokely Athletic Center late at night. And from my seat, I would have loved to play with Prince. He brings everything he has, challenges every drive, goes for every ball. He has to to play that way because as you note he doesn't have a great shooting touch. Only two guys who have never gotten mad or displayed an "attitude" that I've watched have been Alan Houston and Chris Lofton - both both of those guys could shoot like assasins. Guys like Ernie Grunfeld and Mike Jackson fought and pushed and worked to win. So decide what you want - pretty, calm gentlemen, or tough hard working basketball players. Having played the game, I would go to battle with JP. He wants to win. And he plays with an attitude of controlled fury at times. But I would pick him for my team's next game.
Go Vols!
tan007 writes:
Prince played his best game of the season against Vandy & both technicals were tacky calls. The referees let the game get too rough to begin with & if you are a basketball person, you know once it gets out of hand, you can't rein it back in fairly. I was there & saw it take place & then the replays on the Jumbo-tron. We have had some bad officiating but this was the worst crew I have seen yet. They had to huddle for a long time just to figure out some of the calls after they blew their whistles. If they don't know what they are calling...keep the whistle out of the mouth!
99bubble writes:
Right on RJ. Played at a relatively high level as well and you nailed it. I'm almost 40 now and still want to win anything I am involved in, although it rarely goes my way now! Good post.
tulelakevol writes:
Well said rj.
tulelakevol writes:
I will gladly take Prince's liability and cockiness everyday over dope smoking and gunslinging.
tulelakevol writes:
I know you are disappointed, but he was not in the car, he is with the team, unlike your boy Tyler, who decided to screw the team over by putting his desire to be a dipstick over his desrie to lead the team.
newtonrail writes:
I know what you are referring to, especially if you were actually at the game like I was. However, what we don't know is what happens behind closed doors. From some things Pearl has said recently, I think he is tightening down. I noticed for example after halftime, Prince drove the lane and laid one up, instead of trying to dunk. I figured he got some words at halftime.
Slystone writes:
Has to be the dumbest post ever. How quickly we forget Prince was the main person instrumental in beating Memphis two years ago which crowned the Vols #1. Prince has had injuries that have had him playing inconsistent during his career. But wishing he was in that car with the others is just a comment you really need to keep to yourself. I'd choose Prince on my team over a guy blazed up on weed and liquor.
Bigger_Al writes:
I love the way Bruce protects his players. He has their back (as long as there are no guns involved!).
2s6cutt writes:
Played juco b-ball along time ago. J.P. Prince has alot of ability, but he is a punk. I wouldn't expect a coaches son to be like that. In reality I'm not sure he's worth it. He had a great game against Vandy, but he had a lot to do with the loss. I'll be glad when he's gone.
2s6cutt writes:
Each time he dunks or even just scores, he automatically goes into his homerun trot.
bigdisbig writes:
I totally agree. JP Prince needs to grow up and be a man and a leader. Many times while he is standing there screaming after he dunks the other team in on their way down the court. He is a showboat and needs to learn to play team ball.
hueypilot writes:
Didn't play basketball with Ernie Grunfeld, but I want to win, if it's money, marbles or chalk and I say Prince is a preening, look-at-me punk. When your antics, like hanging on the rim, to draw attention to yourself, hurt your team, or when you slap (flail, that's a new word for it) another player in the head and should have gotten thrown out for it, thus reducing your already shorthanded team to further disadvantage, your are not playing the kind of ball I want on my team. Sorry, but Pearl needs to rein in these guys. There's only room for one boss on the team and it needs to be Pearl.
kiddtigger#228291 writes:
Prince had a dunk earlier in the game and I thought then he hung on the rim too long. Seems like Pearl would see that and caution/warn Prince
to just slam it and be done with it. I guess dunking the ball and then swinging around to the front of the rim is the "vogue" dunking style because I've seen in in a few games lately.
10SCVOL writes:
OMG! I can't believe you would even mention JP in the same paragraph as Ernie, Mike Jackson, Alan Houston, et. all. He isn't in their class talent-wise or discipline-wise. Yes they had attitudes of competition, but they kept in check during the game and channeled it into playing the game and respecting the game. It wasn't about them, it was about the team. JP on the other hand is all about him (chest pounding, rim hanging, snow-birding). Plasticman is right on with his assessment of the lack of discipline. I still wouldn't trade CBP for any coach in the country, but it does pain me to watch JP play.
mogreer_tn#213464 writes:
You are right on all counts...although Prince is there most atheltic playmaker, his actions always piss me off.
He could become a cancer for this team, in my opinion he jeopardizes the chemistry of this team.
I look forward to Prince and Chism moving on and taking their attitudes (issues) with them.
I am surprised that CP allows this and takes the disrepect he often receives from Chism.
It's embrassessing.
dvols writes:
i apologize for talking the sport of basketball to the folks of east tennessee...
Ayres_Hall writes:
I challenge all of you. Next game, watch Prince on the court (away from the ball). He is lazy and stupid. Prince has long arms and legs... and that's about it. For his size and ability (i.e. born gifts) he mostly stands around watches the game. He does not block out to rebound, does not move his feet to defend, and he cannot shoot or dribble.
For some of you guys, I'll agree he's great against inferior players at the student rec. center.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I respect rjrich's point of view, but, like you, Plas, I also have played with a wide assortment of UT basketball and football players before, during, and since the era rjrich was talking about. There is competitiveness and ego, and then there is JP. I appreciate players who play with a fury, but JP channels only a portion of that fury into his game; too much of it spills over into all manner of behavior that does not contribute to winning basketball games.
If JP were on my team, I would probably defend him, too, but if I were contemplating playing him, I would go in knowing that if I could frustrate and annoy him enough, he would eventually blow up and do something stupid to cost his team the game. The thing I loved most about Bernard King on the court was that when he was being muscled and hassled, he just PLAYED harder; afterwards, the most demonstrative thing he would ever do was either point to the scoreboard or call out, "Next!". I never saw him pout and posture and just generally carry on as much in his whole time at UT as JP does in nearly every game.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
No problem; you haven't talked enough of it that I have seen to offend anybody.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I would prefer to see a bit of a happy medium between JP's demeanor and that of Woolridge and Hopson. JP needs to tone it down a little and the other two need to pick it up some. Then we and they would all be happier.
To continue what I was saying earlier about Bernard King, if you messed with him, he would punch your ticket in a hot second, but he WOULDN'T stand over you and gloat the way JP does. He would just go back down the court for the next play. If JP could learn to do that, we wouldn't be having these discussions and we MIGHT have won another game or two.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
The funny thing about THAT is that, IIRC, JP didn't really do much in that game. I don't recall his stat line, and maybe I'm wrong, but I remember thinking during the game that HIS game was not living up to all the jawing he was doing just before the opening tip-off, which WAS shown on TV.
tulelakevol writes:
When you are a punk, and your team wins, everybody loves you. When you are a punk, and your team loses, see above comments.
Ayres_Hall writes:
We accept your apology. Now, go back to the student rec. center and sniff some (more) jocks.
KevDVol writes:
How many technicals does Kenny Hall have for hanging on the rim? I would assume, since he dunks quite a bit and is a true freshman (immature), that he has several. How many other top scorers on our team have thrown a punch (slap/flail) at someone during a game when they were fouled a bit roughly? I would assume that Tyler Smith, Scottie Hopson and Bobbie Maze have all struck a defender. Because Smith,Hopson and Maze have all encountered more ball pressure than Prince has on his appearances as a key contributor.
Why shouldn't Skylar McBee just start jacking up crazy threes when he sees senior "leadership" setting the bar at crazy? A leader can be agressive without fighting and passionate without being ridiculous.
I can somewhat understand Bruce defending JP. He wants J.P. to continue with the good and eliminate the stupid. I just hope Bruce does not become JP's enabler or apologist because both of those technicals showed immaturity and hurt the team. Also, JP will be ejected the next time he does anything like that "flail". For the rest of the season, J.P. Prince needs to show up, step up and grow up.
greyrdr#636541 writes:
JP Prince is an excellent b-ball talent and an awesome defender, that being said- JP Prince isnt as good as JP Prince thinks he is.
VolWoman writes:
Wayne was mad at Maze for not screening off his player like he was supposed to, not mad at Coach Pearl.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
A line that I think perfectly sums up JP is that if he were half as good as he thinks he is, he would be twice as good as he really is.
nextyear writes:
The bball program will be better off without Prince and Chism next year. I'm glad they are seniors. They seem to only play hard when they think they 'have to' - which is not near often enough. Somehow, they're good players, but not winners. I hope I am proven wrong and we make it to the final 8 this year (or maybe win 2 games at the SEC tourney). I hope they prove they are winners. But, Chism taking 3's is a way to try and win 'easy', when what is called for is hard work underneath. I remember Michael Jordan used to say that anybody can shoot a three, but you have to work hard to get the lay-up (a better shot).
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
You Sir, are an azz! I wish you had been in the car instead of Tyler.
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