NASHVILLE - When Bruce Pearl was asked about his success in changing the culture of Tennessee basketball Wednesday, he revised the question before answering it.
His mandate was to restore the culture, not change it, he said at the SEC basketball tournament press conference. The difference tells you as much about Pearl as the program.
He's intent on promoting the program more than himself.
There's a fine line between the two, but it's not too fine for him to ignore. So he dropped the names of former UT coaches Ray Mears and Don DeVoe to remind his media audience that UT had a storied basketball history before he began turning out 20-plus-win seasons or before his predecessor, Buzz Peterson, began losing 15 games per season on a regular basis.
UT's SEC tournament history is more about Peterson than Mears or DeVoe. It's more about quick goodbyes than championship runs. From 1994 through 2007, UT was one-and-done in nine SEC tournaments.
That alone is incentive enough for the Vols to play their best at Bridgestone Arena, beginning with this afternoon's 3:15 game against LSU. But it doesn't alter Pearl's priorities.
"If you could offer me a choice between the tournament championship and the regular-season championship, I'd take the regular-season championship every time and not even blink," Pearl said. "That said, we got to Saturday (in the SEC tournament) a couple of years ago, and that was progress.
"Last year, we got to the championship game. That was progress."
Never mind Pearl's preference for the SEC regular season to its post-season, or the greater NCAA tournament to come, his commitment to progress makes this tournament important.
"Yes, I'm aware that Tennessee basketball has not had great, great success in the SEC tournament," he said. "And yes, I would like to improve on that."
Why not? He has improved on everything else.
Thompson-Boling Arena had all the atmosphere of a vacant warehouse when Pearl arrived. Now, it's a roaring home-court advantage, as victories over No. 1 Kansas and No. 2 Kentucky would attest.
UT basketball is as much of an attraction for recruits as fans. Sophomore Scotty Hopson was UT's first McDonald's All-American signee in 10 years. Tobias Harris, another McDonald's All-American, will join Hopson at UT next season.
The transfers say almost as much for the program as the high school All-Americans. J.P. Prince transferred from Arizona. Jeronne Maymon is sitting out this season after transferring from Marquette. Remember when UT basketball was a program to flee, rather than see?
If you want more evidence that UT basketball is headed in the right direction under Pearl, check the fine print. It reflects the thoroughness of his commitment.
Last year, when the final SEC standings were published in a press release, South Carolina was listed ahead of UT in the East, even though they had the same record, and UT had the higher seed based on two victories over the Gamecocks.
"That bothered me," Pearl said.
It bothered him enough to check with the SEC office, whose policy is to list teams in alphabetical order when tied during the regular season. But the final standings are supposed to reflect the seeding. So the conference corrected the error following UT's inquiry.
Consider it another successful attempt at restoring UT's basketball culture.
John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Tennessee Lady Vols 82, Auburn Tigers 64
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Comments » 13
volsoutwest writes:
Whether you like Coach Pearl, or even if you don't, surely we must give credit where it's due. This program is light years ahead of where it was before he came. Keep up the good work Coach and win us the SEC tourney this weekend.
Bogytrain writes:
AAAAAAAAAAMEN.
RoadTrip writes:
In Bruce we trust. Building a great Vol legacy one day at a time. Paying attention to detail in everything. Thanks CBP!
go_vols_go writes:
BRRUUUUUUUUCCCCEEEE!!!!
hodocka writes:
Suffering through the Wade Houston and Peterson years does make one very thankful for Pearl. I give props to O'Neal for cleaning up Houston's mess and for recruiting some very good players but he was not much of a bench coach. Green had no discipline and it really showed come tournament time.
volvann writes:
For all you CBP 'nay-sayers' out there, find a new board. I read this site frequently and post infrequently, but the last 5 years has been wonderful. I can now turn on the TV or a radio broadcast with the vision of knowing we have a chance to win. What a great feeling, even if the Vols don't have one of there better days. It is still great. I would like to thank CBP for making this happen....
vol boy...
w4tey#282182 writes:
As far as I am concerned CBP is coach of the year in the SEC. If Calipari wins it the award will be as meaningless as the Heisman and Nobel peace prize have become.
Bogytrain writes:
Bruce Pearl is the freakin man! Awesome 5 years and no one can say they expected what he delivered.
Scary part is -- the best is yet to come.
MidTennVol writes:
Only fools ignorant of our program history for the last 40 years would criticize BP. He ain't perfect but I would be proud to let him coach my sons.
vol_4_fan writes:
UT was very lucky that we needed a coach and BP needed a chance at the highest level at the same time! It has worked out well for all involved! It is truely great to be a Tennessee Vol! Go Vols
JACK8254 writes:
Bruce is the man. He has skills comparable to Pat Summitt , he just doesnt have the quality of talent to work with. UT is very fortunate to have them both. The basketball future is bright.
hueypilot writes:
Give credit where credit is due. Nice job Bruce and nice article, Mr. Adams.
murrayvol writes:
Can't think of another coach I'd trade CBP for....not a one.
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