After win Pearl says Prince will start at point guard

#1
True_Fan

True_Fan

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In the aftermath of the Vols’ laborious 72-57 victory over American University on Friday, UT Coach Bruce Pearl confirmed that he is entrusting the point guard position — essentially the team’s offensive quarterback — to 6-foot-7 sophomore J.P. Prince until further notice.

This is a gamble. The Vols have run up a gaudy 30-4 record entering the East Region quarterfinals against No. 7 seed Butler on Sunday. UT has been able to mask point guard play by Ramar Smith and Jordan Howell that has been somewhere between inconsistent and ineffective all season.

But after watching the Vols struggle through much of the game with American, Pearl felt he could avoid this move no longer.

Why?

“Jordan and Ramar are just not playing well enough to win a tournament,” Pearl said. “… We need better play at the position to advance.

“If this decision doesn’t work, so be it.”

With that, Pearl is opening himself to second-guessing. If Prince doesn’t handle the responsibilities of the position and the Vols wash out in the tournament, Pearl will have to answer for it.
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After win Pearl says Prince will start at point guard | www.tennessean.com | The Tennessean

WOW!!!
 
#2
#2
I just read this, amazing, but he's right Ramar and Jordan aren't playing well enough to win us a title
 
#3
#3
Wow is right. This is a heck of a time to make a change at PG.
 
#4
#4
Worst case scenario:

We lose because of his inability to distribute the basketball...He comes back next season with an understanding of how to play the position at the ultimate level.

Best case:

He comes out and plays 5 games at the point guard position that would make Earvin "Magic" Johnson pee a little, and we win a Championship.

How could you second guess CBP at this point...I am all for any plan that keeps Jordan Howell on the bench next to his brother from another mother, Ryan Child's dress. CBP is putting his best 5 on the floor for the run....GO VOLS!
 
#6
#6
At least Jordan't out of the rotation. I hate that he's a Senior and is pretty much done now withe ever seeing the court, but it's for the best of the team. I don't think JP is the answer, but maybe that will allow Ramar to get into more of a rythym and maybe JP will gain confidence getting the starting spot. We get a WHOLE lot taller though
 
#7
#7
JP Prince hasn't shown that he can play pg at a level to win the tournament either. Does he expect him to improve at the position rapidly enough to avoid elimination? I am really shocked by this. If this was how he felt, why did he not do this weeks ago?
 
#8
#8
I'm all for this

PG:Jordan Howell
SG:Tanner Wild
SF:Steven Pearl
PF:Rick Daniels Mulloholland
C:Ryan Childress

We may just have a winner with this group
 
#9
#9
Ramar could be very good if he'd learn what to do with the ball around the rim.
Jordon howell, lets face it anything we got out if him was a bonus. Now that were getting nothing, thats exactly how much playing time he will be getting from now on.
Prince gets to the rim, hopefully he can create more shots for our guards. Sounds like a good and safe move at this point.
 
#10
#10
I'm still not sure if I buy that Ramar didn't break any rules... This just seems too weird...
 
#15
#15
I'm still at a loss for words...I hope this is some sort of very temporary attention getter move on CBP's part...
 
#17
#17
Yeah this is a big deal, but if JP screws up early we'll just insert Ramar and things will be back to normal. I'm pretty surprised, but not too terribly worried.
 
#18
#18
tvolsfan said:
If the team makes a good showing the rest of the tourney, no. If the team loses to Butler and Prince turns it over 46 times, yes.
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He would get him out after he was 1/4 of a way to 46...I just cannot second guess the man, who gets to see his men practice everyday....Its easy to use hindsight in a situation like this, but its not fair. He is rolling the dice and trying to win a Championship and I can respect that. We will not beat Butler if Ramar and Jordan are allowed to continue to play poorly.
 
#19
#19
I was kind of criticial toward JP in another thread moments ago, but I can tell he's working and improving. He's been hitting his FT's lately and his on ball defense has improved. It seems like he's finally found his roll on the team and hopefully he'll play within himelf and distribute the ball well
 
#20
#20
tvolsfan said:
I am simply stunned.
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stunner.gif
 
#23
#23
I'm a huge fan of Coach Pearl, but this is dangerous.

Prince, at least in transition, is a horrible ballhog.
 
#24
#24
VolinArizona said:
I'm a huge fan of Coach Pearl, but this is dangerous.

Prince, at least in transition, is a horrible ballhog.
Click to expand...

Well it seems he just wants someone who won't turn it over a lot, can take it to the hole (and finish), and can (so it seems now???) hit free throws. I imagine Tyler will do most of the distribution.
 
#25
#25
Well, Bruce Pearl is right. The point guard play is not good. So it is either go on the way it is (awful), or shake it up.
 
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