"This is our chance, right here .... right now, we can prove something to people, and to ourselves.''Senior point guard Bobby Maze
Men's Bracket
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Tennessee has defeated SEC champion Kentucky, Big 12 kingpin Kansas, Atlantic Sun winner East Tennessee State and Mountain West Conference victor San Diego State.
But the Vols still seek a special achievement of their own, something worthy of inscription or hung from a rafter.
"This is our chance, right here,'' UT senior point guard Bobby Maze said. "Right now, we can prove something to people, and to ourselves.''
The Vols (26-8) play yet another league champion, Ohio (22-14) in the Dunkin' Donuts Center today (TV: 3:30 p.m., WLVT) with a trip to the Sweet 16 regional in St. Louis on the line.
Tennessee is an 8-point favorite, and by virtue of its No. 6 seed and No. 15 ranking, enters the contest with the Mid-American Conference tournament champions as the perceived heavy.
The national storyline, as dictated by the cover of Friday's USA Today, is Cinderella No. 14 seed Ohio after its 97-83 victory over Big East titan Georgetown.
UT coach Bruce Pearl can appreciate the angle, but that's not the way he or his team approaches the game.
"It doesn't matter what seed they are,'' Pearl said. "It's Ohio University, they're MAC champions, and they're standing in our way of advancing to the Sweet 16.
"Our motivation is to try to make history. We lose, it's over.''
The Bobcats enter the game on a six-game win streak, largely thanks to what ranks as one of the most dynamic backcourts in the country.
Junior Armon Bassett, a 6-foot-2 transfer from from Indiana, has averaged 29.6 points over the past five games and was the MAC tournament MVP.
D.J. Cooper, a 5-11 freshman, has set the school record for assists and steals and scored 23 against the Hoyas.
"We had about 20 minutes of film...it didn't take long at all for our guys to have their eyes completely wide opened,'' Pearl said, "and to understand the abilities of this team and what a very, very tough cover it's going to be.''
Junior center Brian Williams said he and fellow front line teammate Wayne Chism will need to be light on their feet.
"Ninety-nine percent of their offense is ball screens,'' Williams said. "So me and Wayne have to slide our puppies, and guard the guards until our guards get back and defend.''
UT guards Maze and Melvin Goins said they're aware they are in for a challenge, and they anxiously await it.
"Ball screen coverage will be the key if we're going to win this basketball game,'' Maze said. "But they're going to have to play a lot of defense on us, too.''
Goins, hearing how the multi-dimensional Cooper has been compared to Kentucky's John Wall, isn't intimidated.
"Cooper's a good player who's confident in his game, but I'm feeling pretty confident, too,'' said Goins, who scored a career-high 15 points in UT's 62-59 win over SDSU. "You just try to disrupt them and keep them out of their flow; you want to limit their touches.''
Ohio second-year coach John Groce is a disciple of Ohio State coach Thad Matta, whom he coached under at Butler, Xavier and Ohio State. He runs the same sort of motion-ball screen offense.
Groce is no stranger to Pearl's style of basketball, either, having faced the Vols while an assistant at Ohio State.
"When you think of Tennessee, you think of them attacking you for 40 minutes,'' Groce said. "And you better be ready to swing when the bell rings.''
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 91
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
Don't EVEN mention that now, one game at a time. It's all about Ohio now....
TommyJack writes:
Nice piece, Griffith.
tenacjim#211887 writes:
Take nothing for granted. Come out focused and play hard for 40 minutes. Brian: while "sliding your puppies", see if you can hit a layup or two.
mm29680#645909 writes:
Guys, go with the flow and you'll win. GO VOLS.
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
Lady Vols at 12:16, men ay 3:30. That sounds like a good Saturday afternoon to me. Too bad Florida and Bama fans have nothing to do....
winbigvols14 writes:
Go Vols, play team ball and we get the "W". Play smart stay out of foul trouble and we have a good chance of advancing. Chism and Hopson need to bring their "A" game and play smart. It's funny, this team can look unbeatable one minute and look like a junior-high team the next. Play smart and we advance. Go Vols.
Laydbakvol writes:
Slide those puppies!
Fryinpansvols writes:
One game at a time. Lets come out and play solid ball for the full 40 minutes like we did against Kansas and Kentucky at home and Miss. State on the road. If our guys play up to their potential and give hustle and heart they can go as far as they want. GBO and beat Ohio!
osbymartin#581730 writes:
I agree 100%. Or better yet how about throwing it down! I love his board work just wish he could finish better!!
dwa7#337691 writes:
predict:
UT 67
Ohio cats 62
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Get 'em Vols.
Watch the T/O's and hit those lay-ups!
osbymartin#581730 writes:
True! He does attack the rim violently! Off-season training will benefit him tremendously..He needs to work on his lateral movement as well. He has tremendous upside and potential!
brown-bag-vol-fan writes:
Take it to the Hoop!!!
GO VOLS!!!
brown-bag-vol-fan writes:
Dont start that....Last time we all did that we got took behind the woodshed!...Some kind of jinx.
GO VOLS!!!
vol_4_fan writes:
Half court D & strong rebounding, with that we can score enough to win! Go Vols
peerlessvolfan writes:
I like this one! Go Vols!
TDTN writes:
Fla and Bama have plenty to do..watch the Vols play while they sit on their couch.
schymtz writes:
"When you think of Tennessee, you think of them attacking you for 40 minutes,'' Groce said. "And you better be ready to swing when the bell rings.''
Sounds like he's remembering another team from another year. I miss that pressing full court excitment, but that was different personel with different strengths and vulnerabilities. SDSU's coach made a similar comment before seeing this year's scouting reports and watching replays of this year's games. Pearl is quite flexable as a motivator and coach. Thursday's game had some of the best guard play so far, including Maze and Goins playing at the same time. Good thing, too! Even with a height advantage, the collapsing zone limited UT inside. I think I agree with those calling for more aggressive moves and dunks inside, but there is just so much space in there and fouls can be problematic.
The player I most want to see inviting more contact and drawing more fouls is Scotty! Maybe Smokey or the pep band could start blowing a bugle charge when he drives inside!
Ohio shot with deadly accuracy from the peremiter in their upset win over Georgetown. UT's defense should be able to add more pressure (unless fouling three-point shooters becomes a bad habit or the team starts trying to match 3-pointers.) Chism and company are usually UT's strength.
UT can beat these guys! GBO!
RoadTrip writes:
CBP knows what to do and the guys are motivated for this game. Message time.
GBO!
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
Good, glad the sports you care about that you can't play involve the Vols! Tennessee sure is in you guys' heads!
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
I know none of the VOls fans on here will be reading about those losing teams.
GerryOP writes:
Lil' zzgataboy, don't forget to wear your "Tied For #33 -- 2010 NCAA Basketball Tournament" t-shirt.
You could also go over to the Gata football practice facility and see which lil' Urbie shows up! Also let us know how JBtheIIIrd is coming along with mastering the "3rd and Timbow" play.
orangeinbama writes:
If Scotty can shoot & hit the continental US, (thats the lower 48 states for you bama trolls) with a ball tomorrow then its a blowout.
stevefrommemphis writes:
Bama fans will spend all day lobbying their buddy Mike Slive to change all football schedules so that no SEC team has an open date the week before they play the Tide. Don't worry, Bammers. Mike will take care of you.
By the way, an LSU friend informs me that their schedule will probably be changed to cut out the open date before Bama, even though it is just evening out what happened last year, when Bama had an open date before the game and LSU did not.
Oh, and Bama was not penalized for holding in their last SEVEN conference games last season! Incredible.
orangevolz writes:
Kenny may attack the rim, but he is does not produce anything from attacking it. I would much rather have Steven Pearl on the court than Kenny. He may turn into a good player, but right now he is a liability on the court.
volscantball writes:
I love the eternal optimists on here. The Vols don't play defense and therefore will not "make history" as they hope. When will the Vol nation realize that CBP is only going to get you to the Sweet 16 and not beyond? That is the best he has.
hcjournals#206623 writes:
Screw it. Final Four. There. I said it. Just stay focused. Get your sleep. Eat right. Stop thinking about chicks, paper, and light. Think about the basketball court. Every second counts.....
NYvolFan writes:
It's simple...take Ohio...then THE Ohio State Prison, I mean, University...we OWE them!
LiveFaith writes:
Uhhhh, I'm confused. The statement is "Sweet 16 opportunity". What other opportunity would they be after?
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
I hate to say it but at this point Hall is a bust..He can't handle the ball and doesn't a signature move..Another year in the SEC will fix that but we need him to produce NOW!!!
Ringside writes:
Don't get caught watching the paint dry. No surprises. You know what Ohio is capable of.
GBO!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
now how can you call the freshman a bust all ready without putting that same label on Scottie the sophomore who performs so much lower than expectation coming in?
tennrich1 writes:
and maybe stop that little twrilling motion on your shot and shoot the ball with some authority...man you're one of the tallest guys on the floor...ram the ball with force or put in on the backboard, but dont spin it out of your hand...it's going to rotate out more than in..
crappieking writes:
If a trailer trash idiot like you is in RI, then I'm Bill Gates. Go Vols! Go get them Bruce!
VolsFanInNC writes:
I'd like to see him actually dunk....I can't remember when he has....He's 6'10", just reach up and put it in...What would he have to jump? 8"?
straightshooter writes:
So which team shows up? The one that shoots decently, plays scrappy defense and rebounds well 100% of the time? That team can compete against anyone. Or the one that misses layups and loafs on D? I know they can control the effort on D, but the brick shooting slumps, well that will be luck of the draw for the game I suspect. Let's hope they can string together a few good shooting games. The effort has to be there as all know the stage doesn't get any more high profile than this.
straightshooter writes:
It's all mental for Brian. Plays like a 5'10" guy in a 6'10" body. And actually there are many 5"10" guys that play a lot more aggressive around the basket than Williams.
mrvol2u writes:
I hope we come out and play really good defense. It has been the deciding factor thus far. I like the way Maze and Goins play tight on the opposing guards. Maybe a little J.P. on Bassett because that would make it tough for him to shoot or pass.
I would like to think S. Hopson could have a big, big game against these guys. He is taller and faster than his Ohio's counterparts. Time will tell.
I have a big old pitcher of Orange Kool-Aid mixed and ready drink. Remember, "Drink the Kool-Aid it works".
GO LADY VOLS & VOLS WIN AND ADVANCE!!!!
golfballs03 writes:
We aren't the best team at coming off of ball screens. But if we can beat them, it should give us good preparation for a potential match-up vs. Ohio State
kdaff51 writes:
But they do have something to do.....reminisce!
VolJunkie writes:
Like many of you have noted, Williams can be frustrating with his play around the basket. However, since his return he has been playing with much more energy. He's moving down the court well, I recall he finished a runout with a jam, going to the floor after loose balls, etc. Still the occasional "doh!" play, but they are all capable of that.
Vols take care of business today and prepare for an assault on the Elite 8.
Go Vols!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I noticed that, too. JP and SP are others who put more spin on the ball than necessary. Just lay it up straight on the right spot on the board and let it drop in. And, for Pete's sake, POWER the ball up when you get in traffic and don't worry so much about getting your shot blocked! GBO!!! TCB!!!
VolJunkie writes:
There's no doubt in my mind that Clark Griswold was referring to all the incarnations of BOL when he said:
"I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, d!ckless, hopeless, heartless, fat-azz, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey sh !t he is! Hallelujah! Holy sh !t! Where's the Tylenol?"
Go Vols!
VolJunkie writes:
That's incarnations of BOK ... my bad.
Go Vols!
txvolsfan writes:
Wish he wrote football pieces also
johnlg00#206211 writes:
As hard as many of us have been on Brian, he really HAS played much better lately. His problem is not so much his relative lack of quickness as his lack of, shall we say, definiteness. When he sets a screen, he has to stay rigid and rely on the ball-handler to run the defender into him and not give the guy the hip all the time. When he gets the ball inside, he needs to get his feet under him and explode toward the rim. When he is playing post defense, he needs to hold his position on his man, stretch his hands up, and not sweep his hands down. Just those three little adjustments--along with his current strengths such as court vision, passing, and defensive rebounding--will keep him out of foul trouble and make him much more effective.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You have no idea what you are talking about. The Vols have kept the majority of their opponents under 40% from the field. They are one of the best half-court defensive teams in the country. If you're going to talk trash, at least do a LITTLE research first!
John_10065 writes:
Can you post your personnal information and a valid credit card number or two with a high limit?
I am sure some would be happy to accept your gracious generosity helping get the Vol fans to the game!
HtownVol writes:
If you watch Steven Pearl close when he plays how can you say that Kenny Hall is a liability on the floor? I swear some of you fall in love with SP because the name on his back. He is the worst ball player I have ever seen in college basketball. I thought Dane was bad, until SP got his playing time.
I am telling you that Kenny can hold his own in the post 100 times better than SP. I am not saying Kenny is great either.
And on the other end if any of you think SP helps on offense than you do just like the name. He does one thing. Cut to the free throw line catch and pass right back. Other than that after a rebound SP walks to the other end every time ( I doubt that is by design every time) When he does try to drive to the rim the other team gives him the lay up (b?c they know he will pass) and he usually turns it over or does some crazy reverse lay up ( yeah he has made 3 all year, buy KH has what 20 dunks? )
Now b/c I say this does not make me no VOL fan. In fact, I understand why he plays...at least 4-5 minutes per game. But when SP plays 10-15 and KH plays 5 minutes I honestly believe that is Bruce being a father before a coach (which is fine unless it is during a game)
I will never be sold on SP and Heart or Hustle. It does not make up for him looking worse than a 55 year old wanna be ball player getting a chance at the local Y. You all know when SP handles the ball he looks like the last kid picked at a pick up game.
I hope that one day Hopson will play a full game of 100% effort. He is the laziest player ever. It is obvious that when he asserts himself he can score at any time. If all of our roster played to their potential there is no doubt that UT can WIN the national championship.
GO VOLS!
I am ready for you Steven Pearl fans. A UT fan does not have to like every player that gives his all. While I appreciate it I want to WIN. And you all need to want that also.
GO VOLS. Ohio ( Vols by 12 ) then Ohio St - Will be a GREAT game!
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
Wow, I don't get you at all. I am thrilled and thankful that you had the privilege to go the games in R.I. After all, we are fans for the SAME TEAM...and I want them to have folks like you in the stands to be their 6th man. So thank you. BUT that does NOT in ANY way make you a bigger, better fan. It makes you a fan with a bigger bank account maybe...and more vacation time. But your attitude toward your fellow Vol fans suggest that you...oh, never mind. I refuse to step to your level and criticize you. Thank you so much for being there to support our guys. I'm so glad you got to go. The rest of us are cheering just as loudly and authentically in front of our TV's and computers.
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