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LAHAINA, Hawaii — Tennessee finally found its shooting touch in Maui, raining down 15 3-pointers en route to an easy 86-60 victory over Division II Chaminade on Wednesday.
“It was good for the guys to shoot like that,’’ UT coach Cuonzo Martin said. “But more than anything, you want to come over here and play hard, and we did that.
“This was one of those games that’s tough to get prepared for, coming back with a 6:30 in the morning team meeting after you just go blow-for-blow in a double-overtime game, but the guys handled it well and I’m proud of them.’’
The victory by UT (3-2) came in the seventh-place game of the Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center and started at 9:30 a.m. local time.
The Silverswords (2-3) are 6-76 all-time in the Maui tournament, while UT’s all-time record in the tournament is 2-4, with its only other win coming against Stanford — 69-57 — in the season-opener of Buzz Peterson’s last season, 2004-05.
The Vols lost their first two games on the trip to No. 6 Duke (77-67) and No. 8 Memphis (99-97, double overtime).
Tennessee power forward Jeronne Maymon started but played only the first two minutes after tweaking his ankle during his 32-point, 20-rebound performance in the Vols’ loss to Memphis on Tuesday.
“I don’t remember anything happening; I woke up this morning and I was like, ‘damn!’ ” Maymon said. “It was 50-50 if I could have played. I didn’t play though, precautionary, I guess you could say.’’
Martin said Maymon will continue to get treatment on his ankle, and he expects Maymon to be able to play when UT returns to action Monday (TV: ESPNU, 9 p.m.) at Oakland (Mich.).
Tennessee, which will travel back to Knoxville tonight and into Friday morning, has a few days to feel good about its shooting against the Silverswords.
Duke held UT to an 0-for-8 shooting performance beyond the 3-point line on Monday, marking the first time in 461 games the Vols didn’t make a 3-point shot.
Tennessee warmed up to 7-of-21 shooting the three against the rival Tigers, but that was still well off the 26-of-53, 3-point shooting pace it entered the tournament with after playing two home games.
The Vols collectively shot 15 of 27 (56 percent) from 3-point range on Wednesday.
UT sophomore shooting guard Jordan McRae led the charge with a career-high 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including a 5-for-7 performance beyond the 3-point arc.
“It felt good making some shots and getting out there on defense,’’ said McRae, who also had a career-high five steals in the 24 minutes he played. “I didn’t play at the end of the Memphis game because Josh (Richardson) had got a hot hand and was getting after it on defense.’’
Trae Golden recovered his touch as well, scoring 17 points including 4-for-4 shooting the 3-pointer. Golden, who played nearly half of his 25 minutes at shooting guard on Wednesday, also pulled down five rebounds and passed out seven assists. Cameron Tatum scored 12 points, and Renaldo Woolridge had 11.
The biggest question against Chaminade was how UT would recover having to play the tournament’s first game on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. local time after their exhausting effort in the loss to the rival Tigers.
The Vols didn’t waste time answering the question, breaking out to a 14-2 lead in the opening minutes.
Chaminade, which trailed UCLA by only two points at the half of their first contest in Maui, cut the lead to 19-12 on a Lee Bailey 3-pointer, but UT came back with a 7-0 flourish and held a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game.
Martin cleared his bench starting at the 2:31 mark with the Vols up 85-56, allowing former Knoxville prep players Brandon Lopez, Galen Campbell and Tyler Summitt to play along with Ryan Kilmartin and Rob Murphy. Only Campbell registered a statistic in the box score, missing both of the 3-pointers he attempted.
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Comments » 63
TNVOLNTX writes:
Not much to take away from a win against Chaminade except that there was no let down after the emotional Memphis loss and they didn't miss a beat playing without Maymon. Moral victories mean nothing in the standings; however, I believe this team will leave Maui believing they can compete with anyone. I'd call that a success.
Stokes44yrs writes:
Good game guys. McRae in the zone. He let the game come to him. Makenjuola keeps getting better with more time. I don't remember Miller today!? Well it was sorta boring anyhow and I guess I didn't watch well. I hope Maymon is ok. sounds like he stressed his ankle yesterday and played in spite of it. Tough kid.
Also I may not listen to the ESPN anouncers again on any game. They forget about the game and talk about Pearl and everything else. It's a gossip station. I'll watch it when I have to but no more listening.
lomas98 writes:
The exhibition team the vols played earlier was better than Chaminade, but the Vols did what they were supposed to do today and I'm sure it wasn't easily mentally to get up for it. Some so called fans will discredit it by saying they should have done this and Chaminade is a division II team, but they would be on here like hawks if it was the least bit close.
Didn't realize the Oakland game was so soon after this tournament. I know Oakland lost its big man from last year who was a thorn in our side, not sure who else they return from an NCAA tourney team. Regardless, I don't think that will be an easy game, especially with all of the flying across time zones, holidays, etc.. Oakland probably doesn't have too many BCS conference teams play in their arena and they will be excited to have an opportunity to beat us two times in a row.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
chaminade...didn't steely dan do a song about that?
vols find a team they can beat...
BodeaneVol writes:
What does the 7th place trophy look like?
Orange_Scooter writes:
Your mom.
azorange writes:
Wow. Only beat them by 26? Is that all? Slackers.
Just kidding. Even though the Vols lost, I really enjoyed watching their games with Duke and Memphis games b/c TN showed discipline, displayed a very nice inside game and were very competitive. Heck, they almost beat Memphis. They even had players step up with strong performances.
To me, the thing that stood out most was that the Vols are still learning their schemes and roles while Duke and Memphis are both established systems with very talented [and returning] players and lead by smart coaches. The Vols kept fighting, got leads and made things happen. Both games were winnable. Who thought that a few months ago?
Time will tell if CCM is the right man but right now, it's obvious he's a quality coach. I'm excited to see how the Vols will fare against Oakland and Pittsburgh. GBO!
TNVOLNTX writes:
They will definitely be worn out from all the travel, but CCM will have them ready to play. I love what he is doing with this team. From an X's and O's standpoint: the movement without the ball, the rebounding, the free throw shooting, the team defense, these guys are way better coached than under Pearl. I'll get ripped for that comment by some and that's okay. While It remains to be seen whether or not CCM will be able to recruit like Pearl, the guy can flat out coach and I believe that once recruits see that everything has settled down and is okay in K-town, CCM will pull in his fair share of talent.
STLVOLS writes:
Chaminade beat Georgetown in Hawaii years ago. It was a stunning upset at that time because Georgetown was #1 preseason ranked in USA.
tennrich1 writes:
Miller made one outstanding midrange move to hit about a 5' jump off the board....He may come along nicely...
tennrich1 writes:
Not in to responding to the site moron but if ya gotta that's a great one....Hahahahahah
tennrich1 writes:
Did it to Virginia with R. Sampson if my memory serves me...which often times it doesnt..
deputy658 writes:
Coach Martin is the real deal. Bright future for VOLS BB and Football programs . Our baseball program has taken a step up with the new coach and we all know our girls BB program is the best coached anywhere. GO VOLS !!!!!!!!!
wigmeister writes:
Kept their heads high and took care of business. Like what the coaching staff has done with this team.
movinonup writes:
The trophy is new
HtownVol writes:
Tenn got better each game. Not because the level of competition but the way each player played.
I have been upset with McBee's defense but he did ok today and showed the nice jumper although he has a problem not pulling the trigger when he is open. He needs to learn to shoot as soon as he catches the pass if he is open.
I reallt was impressed with McRae. He is easily the most talented player on the roster but he is selfish most times, not today. He played great today.
Golden has a long way to go. He is young and not very experienced so he can do it but he has a lot of moments where he is not focused at all (not watching his man on D and forcing horrible quick shots).
I am still worried that teams can exploit our lack of size. When teams have posted us up they usually have success.
I just cant help but wonder how dumb Hopson feels. Coach Martin would have helped Hopson so much.
Also, I would love to see UT get some of the top recruits. CCM is going to be a very good coach at UT (hopefully) for a long, long time. I think he will take UT very far once he gets some more talent asnd size.
Jarnell Stokes.... What are you waiting for? I am sure Stokes is a lock to have a starting spot at UT and could be a part of the begining of something great.
GO VOLS
etu_vol_fan writes:
Thanks for the chuckle! Is that with or without the apron?
STLVOLS writes:
You are right. I just looked it up. They beat Virginina in 1982 when Ralph Sampson played for VA. Final score 77-72. Chaminade is in that touranament every year.
STLVOLS writes:
I needed to do a spell check on previous post.
lomas98 writes:
Now that is funny. I vote for that response to every troll on here from now on, doesn't matter what they say. Just respond with that.
theoldbear writes:
Wonder what this bunch would look like if Tobias Harris had stayed? Hopson would have been helped by the present coaching staff. Harris would have helped the team.
Same bad advice Jason Whitten got when he came out early. Hope it turns out as well for that young man.
GerryOP writes:
Every basketVol fan with a pulse should be feeling positive vibes from this team. Nice to see the team getting great pub.
My prediction seems to be safe ... win more than they lose and better than 11th in the SEC.
Go Vols!!
BodeaneVol writes:
It must be ONE UGLY trophy because my mom has been dead almost 20 years.
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say Happy Thanksgiving Z. Witch Doctor say it look like the one you guys gonna get in Football this year, we got an orange dog!. lol
Bones never lie.
underthehill writes:
I have seen nothing but PURE CLASS from Coach Martin thus far..the way he treats his players and the way they respond..I have NO concerns about his ability to recruit..he has already proved he can coach his players up and I look forward to seeing them continue to get better..he and his players represent UT very well thus far..
GerryOP writes:
Well said.
cloudodust writes:
No she's not. She just abandoned you at an early age...
Its_Goooood writes:
I'm sure she would be very proud of you. Just because you are loser in our eyes,she would be thrilled knowing how her baby acts like an idiot. So every time you post, just remember moms watching.
NashvilleVolsincebirth writes:
(Kid) Charlemagne
HtownVol writes:
Hopson got bad advice..
Witten, there was nothing bad at all about him leaving early in his career path. He has been a top 5 TE for almost 10 years now.
There is no comparing Hopson leaving to Witten.
Hopson, if coached up could have been a 1st round pick. Now he will be hoping to play with Lofton in Turkey or some place like that. And he may never be able to fix his problem with inconsistancy, dribbling the ball of his feet and having the worst case of butter fingers ever.
From what I have seen from the UT basketball team CCM and staff can coach them as well as any staff out there.
Also, I really liked the stat that ESPN threw out today. UT's coaching staff has more combined points scored on their staff than ANY staff in the country. Dont mean much but it is impressive. And they do appear to be able to teach players to improve their shot.
Last year Golden was the last person (besides SP) that I wanted to take a shot, today he was 4-4 on 3's. Plus UT going 31 of 37 from the free throw line was pretty impressive yesterday.
Gotta be excited about UT basketball landing a great one in Cuonzo Martin.
GO VOLS
NashvilleVolsincebirth writes:
As for Coach Martin, I like his body of work with this sqaud so far. This man I just feel WILL get recruits from Memphis. I say that based just based on his demeanor on the court with those young men. Memphis' Pasner is in for big trouble when he comes callin' this winter, book it as Ol' Plaster likes to say on occasions here in Nashville on our local radio.
Late 60's my family and I moved from the 'ville to the Mempho across the street from Elvis. Moved back home in '73. I played a lot of ball back then and still do with some amount of success as a 50+ man with those type of kids at local gyms here. So, I think I know the type of people he has to go get. The kids with upside who are hungry to win are certainly all over the Memphis area and I believe they reside in Middle TN too. I think those types will respond favorably to CCM's style of coaching and game day presence. It may be premature excitement on my part but from what I've seen so far, I hope we can keep him.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
McRae indeed looked better at both ends today. He let the game come to him rather than forcing the action when the circumstances didn't favor him. If he continues to embrace the team concept and plays smart all the time, he could be a real key to a successful season.
As for Maymon's ankle, with the adrenalin flowing during the game, he may not have noticed when he tweaked it. After cooling down and sleeping on it, it tightened up on him. Glad they shut him down for this game; it gave the other posts more playing time and possibly prevented a chronic situation with that ankle. Makanjuola has a tremendous up-side, but right now Miller looks more like a three-minutes-at-a-time fill-in guy. Of course, I was thinking much the same about Maymon last year, so I guess anything is possible.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Game meant nothing and it showed on defense.Martin got to toy with the line up..Very different team without Pearl..Bruce hadset plays most possessions where Martin kind of freestyles.One thing I don't like is never putting pressure on inbound passes..we are very good at that !!Like the way that Martin is bringing along the less recruited players like richardson and Miller..Every player contributes to a degree;Never know who's got the hot hand!!Maui was a good teaching experience.. Win the games your supposed to win and upset some big boys and we just might go from predicted last place finish to tourney team..Midseason we should be a solid team
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Does anyone still wonder why Duke worked so hard to chase the Vols off the 3-point line? Three-pointers should nearly always be open shots for most players. Lofton was an exception; Duke's freshman star, Austin Rivers, may be another. The competition as such shouldn't make that much difference in how one shoots the three; if a shooter can make them, he can make them any time. The only difference is how the defense plays them, i.e., whether they allow them to be open or not. If Maymon and the other guys had made a few more of the layups they missed against Duke, the defense might have collapsed more and the outside shooters may have had more room and made a few of them.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Agree completely about the need to do better at pressuring the in-bounds pass. The Vols' personnel is very well suited for it--lots of rangy, long-armed guys like McRae, Tatum, Richardson, Hall, and Makanjuola. If they made it a priority, that could produce big dividends for a team that needs to have a little extra something strategically against quality opponents.
BodeaneVol writes:
Back at you Doc! Best of Turkey-Days to you and the Mrs. May you have a great Holiday Season (because football season for both of us has not been very good!)
volinuptonky writes:
Just wanted to say being a Vol fan living in KY the Ky fans attention has been gotten by the strong showing of the vols in Maui. I do not think they will over look us. I was watching the UK/Radford game tonight and it seemed all the KY commentators could talk about was Maymon against both Duke and Memphis. I think this team has some good times ahead this season. Should be fun.
junglevol1971 writes:
I am very encouraged by this team. I am seeing much more than I ever imagined. I'm predicting a 19-12 finish and a win or 2 in the SEC tourn. Should squeak into the big dance. Go Vols!
VolunteerLifer writes:
Steely Dan did a song about you - Third World Man.
tnoutlaw2001#228008 writes:
Did you say Jason Whitten the TE got bad advice?
You do know he is one of the best TE in NFL football, correct?
Not sure how he received bad advice, or if your just really high
iowavol writes:
BCS conference teams????
Regardless, Oakland is a good team and we aren't the first big name team to come calling. They will be ready. Based on what I've seen so far, Martin will have the Vols ready for them.
Stepchild_nFL writes:
and his mom is used.
IBAVolFan writes:
Looks like Pearl left Coach Martin some really good talent to work with. Got them playing pretty good.
Stepchild_nFL writes:
Oh my,I think I feel a tear comin on.
BodeaneVol writes:
If I were a Vol, I'd be bawlin too.
Stepchild_nFL writes:
If I were a Gator I would be bawlin for a long time, just like my friends down here. Once they get over the shock.
SIMSVOL writes:
Bodeane is such a bonehead, hanging on far too much on another team's board. What a loser - nothing else to do, right Bonehead...
wow -had the VOLS hit the 3-pointer like this in the last two games, Duke and Memphis would have lost by a wide margin. The VOLS are a good team! Go VOLS!
decades_vol writes:
Her name is Jethreene, I think.
NorthwestVol writes:
Bravo.
VolsFanInAfghanistan writes:
Ok for all you nah sayers out there, mark your calendars. Jan 4th starts the toughest part of the schedule for the VOLS. All those that doubt where we are with the basketball team right now should keep watching. Coach Martin has those guys running and scraping for sure. Proud to be a VOL everyday. Time is on our side with all our programs for sure. GBO!!!
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