Tennessee sophomore Scotty Hopson plays like he's holding back at times, passing on shot opportunities and driving lanes.
Ask him about it, and he mentions things like "staying within the flow of the offense'' and "finding a teammate with a better shot."
This, even though Bruce Pearl runs as liberal of an offensive system as any coach in the business. If a player gets an open look within his range, Pearl is most often all about taking that open shot.
But how open is open?
And, "If you're gonna take 'em,'' savvy UT senior point guard Bobby Maze said, "you gotta make 'em.''
The Vols' ability to take and make shots from the perimeter will be one key in today's 1 p.m. tipoff, when 14th-ranked UT plays host to Florida at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The nation will be watching on CBS (TV: WVLT) to see if tattered Tennessee (15-4, 3-2 SEC) can hold its top 25 ranking and stay in the SEC East race with a win over the red-hot Gators (15-5, 4-2).
So will former UT players Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith, who use the Internet to keep up with their beloved Big Orange from their professional basketball posts in Spain.
"Tell 'em we don't lose to Florida at the crib,'' Smith said.
Lofton was more to the point; when asked what advice he would give UT's leading scorer, Hopson, he replied: "He's got to be willing to have the outcome of the game on him sometimes.''
That's the way it is when you lead your team in shots attempted and scoring potential.
Lofton lived it, through his schoolboy heroics in Kentucky, through his four years as the Vols' program savior and the SEC's all-time leading 3-point shooter.
Hopson admits he's still trying to learn to balance teamwork and unselfishness with his explosive scoring upside.
"I feel like my court awareness and my IQ of the game has stepped up,'' said Hopson, who is 9-of-16 shooting from 3-point range over the past three games while his teammates have gone a combined 3-of-30. "I've gotten better at splitting defenders and pick-pocketing people on defense, and I'm playing without the ball better.''
UT fans are growing restless; the Vols have dropped two straight games and need answers.
Pearl has tightened the screws on defense, but it's easier to get in position to make stops after converted baskets, and Hopson has shown flashes of the scoring abilities that made him a McDonald's High School All-American at University Heights in Hopkinsville, Ky.
He has yet, however, to step into the go-to-guy role.
Pearl has stood behind Hopson throughout, allowing him to grow into the game at his own pace and complimenting his careful shot selection.
"I admire his patience in some ways,'' Pearl said. "Against zone, it's hard to get the ball inside, and you've got to score in space. They are going to shade your best players.
"I've got to do a better job of getting him the ball, and he's got to be assertive.''
Hopson has taken his game up a notch in many respects already, improving his defense and dribble penetration this season.
Hopson has 20 steals through 19 games this season after getting 21 in 34 games as a freshman and has raised his scoring from 9.2 points per game as a freshman to a team-leading 13.8 this year.
His field-goal percentage has increased, too (.428 to .505), and so has his 3-point shooting touch (.357 to .425).
But there have been times Hopson has disappeared on the offensive end or defer - sometimes in the clutch.
In Wednesday's loss to Vanderbilt, the Vols trailed by six with 6 1/2 minutes left in the midst of what proved to be the Commodores' key run.
Hopson turned down two open looks from the top of the key, passing to a teammate who missed a 3-point shot from the wing.
"I have to do a better job of recognizing it when we're hitting a wall,'' Hopson said. "I have to take it upon myself to make those shots; I know I haven't done that enough. I may have to be more aggressive.''
Hopson's first-step off the dribble is so dynamic that no defender dare crowd him for fear of a drive by. Theoretically, that should give the 6-foot-7 Hopson the space he needs to shoot over any perimeter defender.
"In high school, my coach would just tell me to take over,'' Hopson said.
In Lofton's glorious Tennessee years, that was never so blatantly stated. Rather, it was understood by coaches and teammates alike that Lofton would do what he felt necessary to lead the team to victory.
As these new-look Vols continue to evolve, Hopson's roles both offensively and defensively figure to increase along with his minutes.
"Before,'' Hopson said, "we all knew we could go to Tyler (Smith) in those (clutch) situations.''
But the multi-dimensional Smith is gone, dismissed on Jan. 8, a week after a well-documented traffic stop.
That leaves one interior threat in senior Wayne Chism. Teams are playing zone and collapsing on Chism, challenging the Vols' perimeter shooting in the process.
Time will tell if Hopson is capable of taking on that challenge like UT's last shooting guard from Kentucky, a guy who entered every game knowing the outcome of the game was largely on him.
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Comments » 52
reidtownriverrat writes:
hopson is not agressive. one or two times a game he shows what he CAN DO. SKYLAR has the big head now he wants to shoot the 3 every time he touches the ball. Hes not Lofton, and never will be.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Scotty should not feel he is the go-to guy. That is Chism's role.Scotty or Maze should be the outlet if Chism is doubled. He does need to be more aggressive shooting as well as defense.
stayingorange writes:
Scotty take the ball to the hoop. You've proven unstoppable driving. Make the D stop you before you give up on that.
bullit writes:
The team played better without Goins and Tatum. Should have gotten rid of them when we could have. Not playing as a team like we were before these guys were reinstated.
kti5783 writes:
It would be nice if your go to guy was a ball handler who could create off the dribble. At the beginning of the year I felt that for the team to be successful, Scotty would need to step up and be the #1 option.
Chism is our most reliable scorer inside, but I'm scared he'll get called for a charge or turn it over when he puts the ball on the floor.
Just because Hopson could be the go-to-guy, doesn't mean he had to take the shot. Lofton often had the ball in his hands and then passed it to Tyler Smith in the post.
All_Vol writes:
He needs a shot of "alpha male" before the game.
Step up Scotty, the scouts are watching.
Fryinpansvols writes:
I agree totally! Chism is the Senior and needs to take the responsibility on his back. GBO and beat Florida!
eduardo writes:
Totally agree!! Would have told those guys to stay out of trouble until next year, and then there would be a reevaluation of their situation. No way should they have been brought back this year!!!
UTfan4life2 writes:
Scotty is by far our best player. If he was in Calipari's offense he would put up 25 a game and be a top 5 pick. However, in CBP's offense its alot of pass it around stuff. Hopson can become the greatest player UT has had since King, that kind of dominance unlike Chris Lofton. He has #1 pick potential, just needs to be more aggressive. If draft boards are high on him now, wait till he starts being aggressive. WOW.
lbrjohn3 writes:
maybe he would be a top pick and have more points if he didnt drop every ball passed to him or lose the ball half of the times that he drives to the basket
rockytopatl writes:
I like All_Vol's comment about a shot of "alpha male." I went to school with Ernie Grunfeld and nobody ever had to urge him to take it to the hoop. He did it with a passion that hasn't been seen before or since in Big Orange Country. Hopson has the potential to be that good. He needs to put this team on his shoulders and carry it. Do it, Scottie. Just do it!
vol_4_fan writes:
The people on here that post the reason for the 2 loses are having Tatum & Goins back are just making excuses! First of all they did not play untill the end of the GA game & Goins did not play against Vandy. To win you have to play defense & rebound. We need these guys playing there best with our support. Who ever thought we could continue winning with such a thin roster. With Hall the better player, missing Williams still hurts as far as inside foul trouble (see Vandy game). Let the past go!! Go Vols
huntined#565710 writes:
Right now we need every player to step it up..Chism needs to get back to making shots under the basket and Maze needs to drive the ball ALL THE WAY IN. We are just starting to feel the missing players like Smith and Williams. If every player don't do their part in the game we will lose. Fla playing good right now and have some players starting to score big.
Today will be a BIG WIN or a BIG LOSS. We have a lot of games to go and can't lose at home and stay close to the top in the SEC.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
I would much rather Scotty take the 3 pt shots than Skylar. McBee has been totally overrated on his 3 pt shooting ability. How many air balls did we ever see Lofton shoot?
volusherG writes:
Does anyone know where I might find the game today on the radio in Atlanta?
All_Vol writes:
Well, to be fair they are not in the same sentence.
DRAGtheWATERS writes:
Griff since the day Hopson signed you have said he would be a NBA player guess you didnt know he is one of the softest players we have had since Yarbrough. At this level of play you either have that toughness (Lofton) or you dont. Scotty just needs to get stronger physically and mentally or he will never be the player we all hope he can be. For all the critiscm I see Maze get he is the only guard we have thats not scared to drive the lane or take any kind of punishment to get a shot. Chism and Maze are the leaders of this team and we will see where they take it hopefully to the big dance.
GO VOLS!!!
schymtz writes:
Play Ball! GO VOLS!
wildcatbasketball writes:
Plasticman---I agree with you. Calapari's offense is not designed for any one player to average big time points. It is designed to get everyone involved. It may be a different player any given night. Just like yesterday, Dodson got 18 and he came off the bench.
Big win against Vandy yeasterday---UT win today gets UT back in the hunt. GOOD LUCK VOLS!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
I agree with most of the points that most of you have stated. In saying that, I would like to remind everyone that Chism is our most consistent player and has been all season. He played the last two games injured, even though he pulled down 16 rebounds in the Vandy game. He does need to stay under the basket. He is a beast and he should, this year, be our go-to player. He Will be a GREAT NBA player, just wait and see. Hopson does need to drive to the basket more and take his open shots whenever he can. He does have the potential to be a GREAT player and play in the NBA...that is, if he continues to grow and improve and stay through his senior year. We have not seen the best out of Maze yet, but he has the potential to be another GREAt player and hopefully they will both come around in time, and of course, we need that sooner than later, but that just might not happen. Prince is another....if he WILL mature and calm down like he says he will, oh well, we shall see at the game today. Hall is going to be another great post player in time. Hoping he will put on alot of muscle and some weight in the off season. I agree about Skylar and Pearl. Don't know why they are getting so much PT for the life of me!!!
Guess CBP has his reasons. Think for now we do have to depend on Prince, Hopson, and Maze stepping their game up and I think we can WIN if they do!!!! As for next year, the SEC better watch out...with what we have coming in and what we will have left, we really could go far! As for how many times did we see Lofton shoot air balls, I myself saw alot thru his years, however, the tons of 3's that he did hit, especially in game deciding situations, he more than made up for them. Now get them Gators!!!!
VOLS.....TCB.......KOKO......GBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
schymtz writes:
Questionable shot selection! Increasing aggressive play does not require the sacrifice of discipline; increased intensity does not require a loss of focus!
schymtz writes:
CBS is really praising FLA. Let's Go! What a pitiful 3 shot to end the half. CBP or the team did apparently make a positive adjustment on the offensive boards that paid off. Could have been a lot worse.
schymtz writes:
I believe cbs is streaming it at cbssports.com
Don't retire from the field before the battle is done!
HtownVol writes:
Is there any one on here that believes that Tennessee is better with Steven Pearl on the floor?
WHY IS STEVEN PEARL PLAYING SO MUCH?
There is a reason he didnt play when we won our first 15 games. Now he plays 15 minutes a game and we have got beat in 2 and a half games that he has been out there. He got lucky on his steals.
He gets a lay up and never makes it. Look at his free throws. WORST I have ever seen. He makes Shaq look good at shooting free throws.
Bruce better see that Steven is killing us.
kman29 writes:
Dont be too hard on UT. While Florida has had games in which they have struggled this year on the same end they have beat Michigan State, Florida State and NC State. Then played Syracuse and Kentucky down to the end with chances to win both those. Its just stupid losses like to Richmond and South Alabama that cause their 15-5 record to look not as good.
schymtz writes:
Good 2nd half start. Now let's play basketball!
wildcatbasketball writes:
And UT beat Kansas and played Purdue really close. Fact is they need to hold court at home. Florida is playing good BB now but UT has to win at home if they have a chance in the SEC East. No offense Vol fans.
schymtz writes:
Much better D so far. JP [I pray I do not speak too soon} is playing with some discipline!
schymtz writes:
Inside, Chism needs to put the ball down the hole! [duh]
schymtz writes:
Just like that!!!!!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
I agree about JP...playing and not hotdogging! Good for him! Chism is trying to put it in the hole and is rebounding and fighting his arse off! Gators are all over him under the basket! Team is hustling again, which is GREAT!!! WHOOOOHOOO! Chism put it in the hole on that one!
TN 55 FL 50....Great game so far but it is a MUST home win for the VOLS....if they keep this up...we WILL get it!!!!GBO!!!!!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
And just like the sweet one with his left hand he just put in!! schymtz...are you still there? Looks like you and I are the only ones posting during the game. Its getting down to the finish line, we are up, but I'm still nervous!! GBO!!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Well, we spoke too soon...JP just fouled a guy on a 3pt shot!!!??????? Good, he only hit 2 out of 3! We're tied at 57!!!!! Come on Chism, hit your FTs! 41.7sec left! Hit both of them...WHOOOHOOO !
chrisw2967 writes:
wow what a shot
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Oh noooooooo! FL just hit a 3! FL 60 TN 59! Can we do it???? I sure hope so!!!! We have 24.2 sec left! Come on guys!!!! a 3 by Hopson!!! FL shots and misses!!!! WE WON!!!! WHOOOOPPPPPEEEE!
VOLS.....TCB......KOKO......GBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
schymtz writes:
AHHH! LIFE IS WORTH LIVING AGAIN!!!! This is BIG! it is so much harder to start over on the road and UT faces a long one.
HtownVol writes:
HOPSON! WOW!!!!!!!!!
wildcatbasketball writes:
WHOOOO...got a break on the Tyus miss at the end..he had a good look!!! CONGRATS VOLS!!!
All_Vol writes:
That a boy Hopson!
Fryinpansvols writes:
Hero of the day, Scotty Hopson! GBO!
HtownVol writes:
HOPSON!! MONEY!
WOW, He was going to take the shot no matter what.
I am very happy for him. Bruce must have said "I want Scotty to take the last shot". And he DELIVERED!
This may finally get Scotty going. He has as much talent as anyone in basketball. He just needs confidence, and this will do it.
SCOTTY HOPSON YOU ARE THE MAN!!!!!
schymtz writes:
Yes [though that just not have been the shot CBP wanted] Atta' boy!...atta' man!!!
rockytopatl writes:
Hopson from the corner .... BOTTOM!!!
tenacjim#211887 writes:
I thought Scotty's shot was a 3. Shouldn't it have been 62-60?
Fryinpansvols writes:
Man, we got to hit our Free Throws! Kenny Hall is a terrible FT shooter! Good game today. GBO!
schymtz writes:
Timely name for the article!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Thanks wildcat! Congats on your win! I sure am glad that KY beat Vandy!!!!! BTW, KY is my 2nd fav BB team behind the VOLS. I have always watched them and are always for them, unless they are playing TN!!!!....So I'm a VOL BB fan that actually loves KY BB too! For all the VOLS fans, don't hate on me, I just have always loved watching KY play through all these years!
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
That challenge by BP apparently did not fall on deaf ears..UT needed this win in the worst way..HBTV!!!
wildcatbasketball writes:
LADYKNOWSSPORTS---THANKS...I have some ties to UT basketball as well!! My wife is a UT alum so I have to pull for them when they do not play the Big Blue..
Again---CONGRATS to all UT fans!!
kman29 writes:
Good game. As a Gator fan we have been on the winning end of those last second shots a couple times and almost thought Parsons made his 3rd GW shot of the season there near the end with his 3. But cant be too disapointed with them losing by 1 point on the road against a top 15 team.
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