There’s more than one way to interpret a calendar.
To the seniors, it was Senior Night.
To the coach, it was March.
Tennessee’s seniors were pleased with an 80-73 win over Arkansas at Thompson-Boling Arena on Wednesday night.
Coach Bruce Pearl? Not so much.
“You’ve got to be a little understanding on Senior Night,’’ pleaded J.P. Prince. “It’s not a normal game.’’
Prince was one of four UT seniors honored before the game. He was joined by Wayne Chism, Bobby Maze and walk-on Quinn Cannington.
You take a bow, your parents by your side. You are handed your jersey in a frame.
You know you’ll never play another game on your home court.
“There’s a lot of stuff going through your head,’’ Prince said.
“Did we play our best defense? No. Will we play better on Saturday? Yes.’’
What was going through their coach’s head was the fact that his team wasn’t playing with the purpose it summoned to upset Kentucky four days earlier.
“I was expecting more,’’ Pearl said. “I was hoping we could build on how we played Saturday.
“We did not. We didn’t play like you need to play basketball in March.’’
Historically, Tennessee hasn’t exactly been the nation’s most visible program in the month of March. That’s changing under Pearl’s watch.
This team has already done enough to lock up a fifth consecutive NCAA bid. Pearl’s first four years have produced five NCAA wins and a pair of Sweet 16 appearances. That’s as good as it’s ever been for UT men.
The Vols’ SEC tournament profile hasn’t been much higher over the years. A trip to the championship game last season was an important step forward.
So it’s understandable Pearl is thinking about what lies ahead for this team rather than be content to bask in the moment of Senior Night, which is, after all, honoring the past.
He declined to reflect on his seniors’ careers in the postgame analysis. There will be time for that later.
Considerably later, he hopes.
“March won’t last long if we play like that,’’ he said.
“That play doesn’t win an SEC tournament game. That play doesn’t win a first-round NCAA tournament game.’’
Speaking of SEC tournament games, the win over Arkansas helps clarify Tennessee’s agenda in Nashville next week.
The Vols clinched the Eastern Division’s No. 3 seed — regardless of what happens this weekend at Mississippi State (or in Rupp Arena, where Florida plays Kentucky).
“It’s very meaningful,’’ said Pearl. “What it means is that we’ve finished ahead of Florida for the fourth time in five years.
“We’re third, behind two teams (Kentucky and Vanderbilt) ranked in the top 15.’’
It also means will open against hapless LSU, by far the league’s worst team, at 3:15 EST on Thursday. Assuming UT avoids a monumental upset it will be back Friday against either Arkansas or Ole Miss.
If form holds, the Vols would then find Kentucky waiting on Saturday in the semifinals.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Next stop is Mississippi State in the regular-season finale. The Bulldogs are playing for their NCAA-tournament lives, especially after losing at Auburn on Wednesday night.
Emotionally speaking, Tennessee can’t play the same desperation card. The Vols know they’re in. They’re playing to solidify and even improve their seed.
At least Senior Night has been dispensed with, no major damage sustained. The Vols had fizzled on two of their four Senior nights under Pearl, including last year against Alabama.
“To me,’’ said Maze, “I was just glad to get the ‘W’ — I didn’t want to lose on Senior Night.’’
Saturday, any such distraction will be Mississippi State’s problem.
The Vols and their coach, meanwhile, will be on the same page.
“Everybody knows,’’ said Prince, “once March comes, you take it up another notch.’’
Strange may be reached at strangem@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6276.
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Comments » 27
MemphisVol writes:
win 11 in a row!
cdonsbach writes:
GO VOLS
richvol writes:
Prince needs to play like a senior...six careless turnovers on senior night is totally unacceptable.
justincredible369#357762 writes:
Again, thanks Bobby, Wayne , J.P., Cannigton, an Even T.smith for the past 3-4 years. We Wish you all the best GO VOLS!
77VolFS writes:
Unfortunately, it was not JP's best night - his sloppy play at the end and cavalier attitude after game helped cement Pearl's post-game rant. But I do applaud him for his career here - we don't win last Sat. against UK or against #1 Memphis in '08 without JP's stellar play. Wayne Chism - you will go down as one of my all-time favorites - what a warrior you have been this year! Bobby, you have really come on this year - strong guard play is a necessity to close out games at the Big Dance. Let's make a memory - Go Vols !!
volonthehill writes:
Have multiple sentence paragraphs been banned or discouraged?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
We don't really see many of those on GVX these days, do we? I guess it's just the new style--make the articles seem longer by double-spacing between sentences.
I see both the players' and CBP's points of view on this game, but no question they will all have to be on the same page to get past the 'Dogs on Saturday. You know they will give it everything they've got after stubbing their toes at Auburn Wednesday. A Vol win means MSU is most likely in the NIT and the Vols are still in the running for no worse than a #4 NCAA seed. BIG GAME! GBO!!! TCB!!!
Futurecoach16 writes:
Some people just can't leave well enough alone, can they? Just have to whine and complain about every minute detail. "Oh no, why isn't the KNS reporting on recruiting, even though there is nothing going on? Why don't they write about a football practice that hasn't started yet? Are you not good enough to write in paragraphs?" Get over yourself. As many people have said before, these articles are written for the paper first, and put online 2nd. If you have a problem with it, why don't you go and become the editor? What a joke that would be. On topic, it's tough to say goodbye to a great group of seniors. Especially good to see Cannington getting put in for his last home game. Go Vols!!!
Gumby#1381110 writes:
It wasn't fun for me either! I don't get CSS, couldn't watch the game last night.
vol88 writes:
Well said.
VOLinCO writes:
I live in Colorado and watched it on ESPN-360 for free
Gumby#1381110 writes:
Rub it in why don't you! *L*
wayoutwill writes:
I got to say that Bruce Pearl has put the Vols rite up there into the upper echelon of college b-ball programs and it's just a great feeling to have the b-ball team doing so well,I think back to our sweet sixteen showings and feel pride that we not only made the final 16 but that I was letdown on both occansions because I felt that we shoud have won those games and advanced even farther than we did!How exciting as a Vols fam to be making the dance and still mad that we didn't get farther,I think we all have the feeling that this team can and should and will get to the final sixteen this year and pull off an upset(maybe two upsets and if some other underdog pulls off and upset or two,we can get a lucky draw against them and make that revered final four!i know if it's possible,then Bruce pearl willl make it a reality!Go Vols!
John_10065 writes:
It's actually pretty close to even on multiple and single sentence paragraphs! I think I even saw a 3 sentence one in there....
Really, I feel like I am in 4rd grade and having to conjugate verbs again. Who REALLY cares?
volonthehill writes:
Future, you can't stand scarcasm can you? Go take a reading comprehension course.
And for the record, I've only complained once about the articles on here on the who don't you want us to write about poll. That time it was just that there aren't many positive articles on here. It is not the business of a newspaper to do a hatchet job on the local school; it is their job to do fair reporting.
You on the other hand, are just a weiner.
Not living in the area, I only have the internet to find out what is going on.
GreerVol22 writes:
do you get ESPN 360 on your internet? Every game is broadcast there..
Gumby#1381110 writes:
I don't have internet at home, only at work!
VOLFORLIFE writes:
4rd grade? Is that a grade above 3th?
C'mon, John. You're better'n that!
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
RockyTop1998 writes:
Hey I live in Memphis and they cut the game off before it was over so they could show the terrible Memphis state tigers.
Rick4UT writes:
This has been a very good year...We are 1 big man shy of having a great team....If we play our best in the NCAA tournament then we could make it to the elite 8. (could) GO VOLS!!!!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
It may be hard to believe, given how many cable platforms ESPN has these days, but there are lots of ISPs that don't carry ESPN360, including <sob!> mine! Even with all the games being carried somewhere on TV these days, sometimes some people are just out of luck!
jakethevolguy writes:
Yeah, what 77VolFS said.
halloffamebowler writes:
Your post and your post name are a good match.You are far out.We will be very fortunate if we win two ncaa games.But,I sure will be hopeing you are right.
JACK8254 writes:
I will settle for an appearance in the Elite 8- that is uncharted ground for the Vols BB team. When you think about it- that is a sad sad commentary on the mens program. Hopson is the first Big Mac AA in how many years? If anyone can get us over the hump- B Pearl is the man. He is a miracle worker and thats the truth even if we bomb out in the first round this year.
newportvol writes:
Im sure it wasnt fun The refs screwed us for 30 plus minutes than started making better calls.. after the crowd got on there @ss.. Who agrees? 5 on 8 and we still was up by 10.. imagine what it could of been if it was 5 vs 5
cobbwebb writes:
in other news, bruce, and coach forbes are in maryland tonight, to watch one mr. josh selby play in a tourney!!!! seems the selbys have reopened the communication between themselves and tennessee! that would be a nice get, to go along with harris, mccrae, and golden!!!!
Merrysmiles writes:
Just want to congratulate U. T. basketball seniors, including Tyler Smith for all the terrific memories. You all have made the Volunteer faithful proud! Here's wishing you all nothing but much success from here on out.
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