ST. LOUIS - Tennessee center Brian Williams wasn't in the mood for consolation or reflection following the Vols' gut-wrenching 70-69 loss Sunday.
"They didn't win the game,'' Williams said, "we lost it.''
Williams sounded ready to step into a leadership position next season as a senior with Wayne Chism, J.P. Prince and Bobby Maze departing.
So it figured Williams would be more critical of UT's Elite Eight loss to Michigan State in the NCAA tournament.
"We didn't get 50-50 balls or enough rebounds,'' Williams said. "We should have won this game by 15 or 20 points."
Williams scored 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds in playing a career-high 33 minutes.
"We're going to take a week off, and then everyone will get back to business,'' Williams said. "The seniors will be ready to take their leadership roles.
"We've learned from some great players in Wayne, J.P. and Bobby.''
Williams said he wished there was more time left Sunday for him to make amends for his 1-of-4 free-throw shooting performance, which included two misses with 4:24 left and the Vols trailing 66-64.
"If we had 10 more minutes in that game,'' Williams said, "people would have really seen me dominate.
"But overall they (Michigan State) out-worked us and they won the game.''
Williams returned from a nine-game suspension and wound up starting the last 11 games. He played more than 20 minutes, averaging 6.5 points and nine rebounds per outing over that span.
Freshman Kenny Hall, who figures to line up in the post with Williams next season, was just as hard on the team.
"We let them push us around a little bit and get a lot of loose balls that we should have got,'' said Hall, who had one rebound in the three minutes he played.
Williams and Hall will be joined on the front line next season by Renaldo Woolridge, Steven Pearl, sophomore transfer Jeronne Maymon and incoming freshman Tobias Harris.
Harris will play in the McDonald's All-American high school all-star game at 8 p.m. today.
The small forward and shooting guard positions will feature Scotty Hopson, provided he returns for his junior year, and Cameron Tatum, Skylar McBee, Josh Bone and incoming freshman Jordan McRae, who will take part in the Derby Classic high school all-star game festivities in Louisville on April 8-11.
Goins returns at point guard, and incoming freshman Trae Golden, just named Georgia's 5A high school player of the year, also will play the point.
Added Game: SEC commissioner Mike Slive confirmed that the league is looking at refining the SEC-Big East Challenge for next season.
UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said that there have been some talks of Tennessee playing at Pittsburgh next season, but nothing has been finalized.
UT coach Bruce Pearl expressed displeasure that UT's RPI schedule strength was "only" 19th in the nation, and said he wanted to add a "top-10 team" to the schedule.
UT drops Kansas next season and begins a home-and-home series at Connecticut.
The Vols also will take part in the preseason NIT with hopes of reaching its finals in New York in November.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 122
stayingorange writes:
The free throws Sunday were unfortunate but Williams played solid down the stretch to help the Vols get as far as they did. Should be a good push for him heading into next year.
vol_chaz writes:
I'll say this team really bounced back after the KY game. Goins is going to be a stud for us next year, IMO.
worldwideturd writes:
Jan. 1 might have been the best thing that happened to Brian. He looked like a man possessed on the boards. Hall will improve a lot in year 2 - He and Brian will give us solid post play next year.
chrisw2967 writes:
I think Brian is slowly coming into his own and I think he will be a force next year and I hope the whole team improves on their FTs.I know Brian missed some but the whole team missed them.
Hopson needs to man up and learn how to handle the basketball cause he cant dribble at all and that affects his whole game.Hopson has no choice but to come back.Where does he think he is going?
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
I was so impressed with Brian's play, especially in the OSU game. Without Brian Williams, UT doesn't advance to the Elite 8. All he did through that entire game was be at the right place at the right time. Whether it was to rebound, box out an OSU defender, slam one home in the paint, or give Chism an opportunity to tip it in for two...Brian Williams was an absolute beast under the basket.
If Williams drops 15 pounds, focuses on his footwork and his accuracy...there's no reason he can't play in the NBA. He has a leader's attitude and now he he has a taste of success. If Harris, Golden, and McRae come in, sit down, shut up, and learn their rolls...we will be contending for a Final Four spot next year again.
joshvols writes:
Can dominate the paint next year if he keeps improving. As the year went on it seemed like he started taking the ball up stronger. If he works on his leg strength and gets a couple more inches on his vertical, watch out, hes a 15 and 10 guy every night.
SuckTheseVols98 writes:
"Scotty Hopson, provided he returns for his junior year" and where the hell would he be going, may I ask, back to high school? As for brian, hopefully he will learn to catch the basketball, shoot free throws, run/hustle, practice jump shots and dunk instead of throwing rebounds straight into the rafters and.....ya HERE WE COME FINAL FOUR!! I hope to God Tobias is all he is cracked up to be cause were in trouble! GO VOLS!!!
GoUTVols3 writes:
we are so far from being in trouble
PopsinCapetownSA writes:
If we had of had Tyler Smith on this team we probably would not have made it to the eight finalist. Agree? Let this be a reminder to us all that one man does not make a team. Tyler are you paying attention, with you on the team basketball would have probably been over a week ago in Knoxville even though you were thought of as the best player.
MidTennVol writes:
I don't really see a leader among these kids returning. Williams seems to much of a clown to lead anyone. Maybe he will mature.
Really hope BP can get us a terrific recruiting class because we are in a serious rebuilding phase now, it would appear.
richvol writes:
Pearl needs a dominating big man. He has not signed one and kept one since being here while Kentucky has three. Negedu would have been a terror this year and next but that is not a possibility now.
Williams can't do it all next year and Kenny Hall has too many developmental issues that must be addressed before he can be a full time SEC player. If Pearl had gotten Moses Abraham I would feel much better.
FeelVol writes:
Agree with your post Josh,B.W.impressed me as the year went on and especially at tournament time he really seemed to man up with his big body.I feel that we finally have a true center for next year and if Hall will develop over the summer he could back him up.I hope this Harris signee can immediately contribute and Woolridge will refine his game in the paint,already excited about next year.
rabidvol1998 writes:
Brian. You can practice those free throws. The attitude and effort you are now bringing are impressive. Be that leader next year!
Congrats Vols on an overachieving year, a fun season, a new milestone a some great seniors. Everything to be proud of.
doctorvol#211700 writes:
Agree. I was there, and really impressed by Brian's development. He is a good FT shooter in practice, where you can get in a groove with questionable form. His long stokre, however, is prone to fail him when tired or anxious, much like a short pitch shot in golf with a long backstroke - at risk for deceleration. This is exactly what happened on the air-balls. Can shoot confidently if he gets the ball out in front a bit and maintains a routine. Go get 'em!
Brillovol writes:
Were you watching the same games I was watching in this tounament?? A leader is someone who has the gumption to get in another player's grill and tell him what he needs to be doing. That's what Williams was doing to Hopson on Sunday. Shoot, Williams was a man possessed. The only knock on him was poor guy was so tired that he airballed 2 free throws. I for one am excited to see what he will do next year. Big man on campus, literally!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Sometimes it's the guys that experience the wrong side of the law that end up being the most mature... not always, but you may be right in this case.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Hopefully he'll drop a few more lbs. I imagine his minutes will go up now.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Is Negedu the one with the heart issue? I don't know, but it seems like CBP would be taking a big chance, as would Negedu himself.
JCJ1986 writes:
Can we send Steven Pearl off with the seniors too?
paradisetaxi writes:
your good Brian, but ten more minutes ????? And PLEASE BP get a BIG BIG MAN to help keep the paint ours
VolFaninTriCities writes:
I hate that Brian is being so hard on himself over the free throws. It was unfortunate but the boy was sucking wind because they were playing so freakin' hard. Two airballs at the free throw line is rough to watch but Williams was playing his heart out and was just about out of gas. Both teams were starting to get sloppy. Great game and great season. Can't wait till next year.
Carlitovol writes:
When asked about Negedu yesterday on the Sports Animal, CBP said he would not be playing for the Vols due to his heart issue. I'm sure it's a huge liability issue for the school. He said there are 2 options for E-Man:
1. Finish out his academics at UT w/out b-ball
2. Transfer to another school (likely DII or NAIA) that will allow him to play with a bad heart
IdahoVol writes:
I agree with everything you said except the parts about "learn to catch the basketball", "run/hustle" and "throwing rebounds straight into the rafters. To me Williams has great hands, I have seen him beat a lot of guys back down the court a number of times, and he has been a beast rebounding especially lately. He's gonna be fine and so will the team.
utfpmd writes:
Avoid the weed and work on free throws! We are rooting for you, Brian.
CrankE writes:
Agree.
Williams: "We should have won this game by 15 or 20 points." It is beneath championship level teams to talk like this of losses. Please stop it. You score points one made shot at a time. Not in groups of 15 or 20.
It seems to me that Williams lacks only the self-confidence to become a really great player. He has everything else. Example; when he stepped to the free throw line, his head was down. He looked like he dreaded it. Change only the attitude and everything else will fall into place.
I believe that this is Coach Pearl's #1 job for the 2010-11 season.
volntx writes:
I think Brian Williams will step up next year, he has improved every year.
Goins needs to be the vocal floor leader for obvious reasons.
Hopson returning? Is he considering transfering to a division 2 school? He has been an average player at best and a disapointment as an incoming high school all-american. 59% free throw shooter? Really? That is pathetic for someone with his ability.
And S.Pearl, No he is not going to the NBA but he plays hard and has contiued to improve and I have not seen anyone on this site doing any of the dirty work that he does on the floor.
IdahoVol writes:
I take it you didn't think much of Bradshaw either? As another poster said, Steven did a lot of dirty work that was needed, just like Bradshaw. I'm OK with him not being an offensive threat as long as he plays solid D and rebounds, which we was pretty good at. We don't need a lot of players like Steven or Dane, but having one on the floor from time to time is an a good thing.
orangecountyvols writes:
When we talk about needs, all of you are correct when you mention needing another big man, same as the need for a true point guard etc.
Seems if the need is obvious, wonder why it is not addressed more. Plenty of big guys around, plenty of point guards...........get em' and develop them.
Yes, getting Selby WOULD be great.........watched him in the McDonalds competion and man, could he get up around the rim. Missed seeing Harris though. how did he look, for those who saw him?
ArkyVol73 writes:
Carlito- I wasn't aware of Negedu's career being over. Correct me if I'm wrong,but I thought the doctors ok'd his return.
Alphafemale writes:
I'm really rooting hard for this kid. I hope he stays on the up and up and finds greatness on the court. He's come a long way in the last couple of years.
Would love to hear more about his story. Loved seeing him get in Hopson's grill.
I like the play and intensity of Melvin Goins too. My mammaw says, "that boy can really play ball." Love it.
cdtnladyvols931#663910 writes:
No, don't be so hard on Pearl.... Those boys all played hard.Their foul shooting is what hurt them. That big no foul that was called on the boys at the end of the game was why the boys lost. The game was given to Michigan they didn't win it.
Y10 writes:
See, here's the thing about Steven. When he's in the game it's like them playing 4 against 5 on offense. No doubt he plays hard, but you could just see the hesitation to pass the ball to him. The ONLY reason he gets any minutes is because his dad is the coach! Yes, he made a good pass or two in a couple of games, but the liability when he touches the ball is too much. He got no scholarship offers out of high school, none. Yeah, they needed him when they were down 4 players because of the suspensions, but come on, 15 minutes per game? It's painful to watch when he's in there....
volinSmyrna writes:
ummmm. Tobias Harris??? #1 rated PF and something like #4 overall. I think he is better than Kenny Hall right now. He is a perfect big man in Pearls system.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Can we send naffy to siberia??
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
You guys crack me up with your posts... theylack any originality whatsoever. Like it or not, Pearl is a part of the team, and however small his contribution, helped these guys to the E8.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
This should clear it up.
http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennes...
Stokes44yrs writes:
Maybe you've forgotten that we beat Kansas the night before Tyler's lapse in judgement. Sure we've done well without him and the ball went to him or through him too often but I believe we had a little more potential with him. I will say that our reserves will be much better next year because of his absence this year.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
dude, you lost me.... the Vols beat kansas on 1/10... the incident was New years day!
Stokes44yrs writes:
Next year we will have a much improved perimeter. Williams and Hall will dominate the paint on defense and Tobias (we hope) will dominate on offense with a new and improved Tatum and Hopson. I don't think we'll need to be as strong defensively to make up for a lack of offense...however if we've learned anything this year it's that we need to have a strong defense. That's final four attitude. Defense is how Izzo and Coach K have made it so many times. If you control the tempo you have to dominate defensively at this level. (JMO)
Stokes44yrs writes:
I think you are mostly correct except that they aren't always ready for the NBA right out of High School. Some players (Chism) develop in college and become very good NBA players.
It's said tho' that the best players in the country never play college and never get a shot at pro.
worldwideturd writes:
Actually, that was Tiger High we beat the night before his lapse in judgement. Wish him the best, but saw no leadership skills from him last year or part of this year. No big loss.
Stokes44yrs writes:
I'm an idiot! Who was the team that we beat the night before? I remember it was a good win but it was not Kansas. Memphis? I'm getting older and more forgetful as I type.
I still think there's an argument for being better with Smith. I'm not so forgetful that I can't remember our team rallying after losing Smith to beat several good teams, including Kansas.
We'll never really know I suppose.
Stokes44yrs writes:
Right. If you have time to look back at some of my earlier posts you'll see I've said the same thing. He was, inspite of failures an excellent ballplayer.
VolunteerLifer writes:
Moses Abraham will be a freshman next year with the same developmental constraints on him that you find wanting in Hall. Hall was a freshman this year, he got a year of seasoning, and he will be developing his talent this offseason and next year. He will back up Williams to start the season at the five spot. The way williams looked at the end of this season, that will be a very good one-two punch. The five spot looks awfully solid to me for next year. We need to recruit a big man this year to be ready the year after, when Williams has departed.
Y10 writes:
I guess you're right....shame we've only got Steven for 1 more year. Oh, but I think he's sister has some eligibility left!!! I mean, as long as we're making this a family thing.....
VolunteerLifer writes:
I don't see Woolridge staying in the post position. I see him moving back to the perimeter to back up Hopson at the three spot. We will have both Harris and Jeronne Maymon to handle the four. Steven Pearl will be around for insurance. The experiment with Woolridge at the four was pretty much a bust, I think.
Agree with you about Williams and Hall.
VolunteerLifer writes:
Negedu was diagnosed with an enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy). I don't know of anyone who plays D-1 college basketball with that diagnosis. Do you? The last one I heard who tried was named Hank Gathers.
buzz29 writes:
Mike, please stop adding to the stupidity by writing "Scotty Hopson, provided he returns for his junior year.........". He obviously did not have the ability to go pro straight out of high school, and he still doesn't. He would be eaten alive in the pro's.
CoverOrange writes:
Those 9 games off cleared the "smoke" from BW's head and he became a man among boys. Now to stay away from it for the next 12 months and maybe talk to Scotty about it. (No, I have no proof other than lethargic play on the court)
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
I think Williams certainly should be considered as UT's next leader, who else do we have? Scotty Hopson would be the logical choice, but with his inconsistancy he wouldn't be able to lead this team. Unless someone like Cam Tatum could step it up, I believe Williams is the best choice.
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