"I'm not particularly pleased with the quality of play," UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "I think it's dropped off. I don't see a lot of defense being played and the free throw shooting, as far as our kids are concerned, continues to be a problem." Don't get Pearl wrong. He's pleased with the Rocky Top league. This sort of organized summer effort has been a goal -- albeit one on the backburner -- since Pearl took over the Vols before the 2005-06 season. He didn't need much prompting by Whitehead to pledge the support of Tennessee's players, which in turn warmed other local coaches to the idea.
Pearl now sees a future for the new Rocky Top league similar to that of Iowa's Prime Time League, which has grown so popular in Pearl's old stomping grounds that games are broadcast on state-wide television. "I don't think there's any question that I could see that happening as soon as next year," Pearl said. "There are so many cable stations looking for good sports programming. Just look at how many times Fox has had to re-run my personal interviews (on the program "Head Coach")."
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NCAA rules permit Pearl to attend only summer league games involving his son Steven, a walk-on who redshirted last season for the Volunteers. Tennessee's coach has attended five nights and, by now, has viewed each of the six teams. Despite an obvious self-interest in the league's success, Pearl apparently has realized when to say when. With two weeks to go, Pearl is asking his guys to "taper off" remaining league appearances. The stated goal is to rest and prepare for next month's exhibition trip to Europe.
"I don't think there's any question it's going to help, but it's just one piece of the puzzle," Pearl said of the league. "It'll make being in summer school, and the first summer session, a little bit more enjoyable."