Fantastic four freshmen make Vols better now and later
Mark Wiedmer Commentary
KNOXVILLE Here came trouble. Big trouble. The kind of trouble that turns anticipation into anxiety. Already down four points to Mississippi State nearly nine minutes into Sundays second half, Tennessees Big Orange Nation was nervously watching States Barry Stewart race in for a lay-up on the visitors end of Thompson-Boling Arena.
Only UT freshman guard Ramar Smith was having none of it. As Stewart was about to kiss the ball off the glass, Smith soared in to block the ball from behind. A few seconds later, fellow freshman Wayne Chism scored in close to pull the Vols within two.
But that was just the beginning for the Vols fantastic four freshmen. The game clock now down to 9:12 and UT still behind by two points, Vols coach Bruce Pearl sent freshman forward Duke Crews into the game with instructions to, "Make a play."
Standing on the foul line was UT senior Dane Bradshaw, who was about to shoot the back end of a one-andone. Bradshaw missed, but Crews did not. He grabbed the rebound, kicking it out back outside to JaJuan Smith, who drilled a 3-pointer.
From two down the Vols suddenly led 68-67. They ultimately won 92-84, a win sure to bump them up from the No. 19 Associated Press poll ranking they held at Sundays dawn.
"If he doesnt make that block," said Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury of Ramar Smiths swipe, "were up six. Then the rebound on the missed free throw gives them three more. Thats at least a five-point swing. Those were two huge plays. I think thats why theyre better. Theyve just got more players. Theyre deeper."
When you play the way second-year coach Bruce Pearl plays, playing all out all the time, deeper is always better. Deeper lessens the severity of foul trouble. And starters shooting slumps. And, wince, injury.
Without the gifted Ramar Smith, UT would have much more trouble overcoming point guard Jordan Howells broken hand. Without Chism and Crews, the season-long suspension of post player Major Wingate would have left the Vols as the SECs most obvious doughnut team, its middle a giant hole.
Instead, the Vols have their fantastic four of Chism, Crews, Ramar Smith and Josh Tabb, who combined to produce 42 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists, four steals and two blocks. Instead, the Vols have now won nine in a row heading into a risky three-game road trip against Vanderbilt, Ohio State and Auburn.
"The freshmen are definitely growing up," said Chris Lofton, who led the Vols with 21 points, 11 of those coming in the final 6:20. "Theyre learning their roles. Theyre learning not to get too up or too down."
Heres how fast theyre learning: Crews missed all three free throws he took in the opening half, each of them the front end of a 1-and-1. He hit all six freebies he attempted in the final half.
"Three And ones and I couldnt hit any of them," said Crews, rubbing his long goatee. "I couldnt let that happen the second half."
What the Fantastic Four is likely to do is not let the same thing happen to these Vols that happened to last years Vols in the second half of their SEC East championship run.
Despite that division title, those Vols wilted down the stretch, losing five of their final eight, including their opening SEC tournament game and their second-round NCAA tournament game.
This team should be just the opposite. Now 13-2 on the season, it is almost impossible not to see them winning at least nine more before the SEC tournament, despite having to play at Ohio State, Kentucky, Florida and Arkansas.
"The best thing may be they dont think theyre freshmen and they dont play like freshmen," Bradshaw has said more than once. "They play like juniors. When they get to be juniors, theyre really going to be scary."
Check the averages and theyre scary now. Crews is averaging nearly 11 points and 6 rebounds a game. Ramar is averaging 7 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds. Chisms contributing nearly 9 points and 6 rebounds. Tabb 3.5 points and 3 rebounds.
Said Pearl of his rookie classs first Southeastern Conference game this season, "Last year in the opener at South Carolina, our players were nervous, but they were not nervous today."
No, the nerves theyll leave to the rest of the league, which must now find a way not only to contend with the longrifle Lofton, but also the Vols Fantastic Four.
