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#1
orange+white=heaven

orange+white=heaven

VN GURU
Joined
Feb 16, 2005
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3
#1
I need a break from the gloom and doom...

Somebody give me a refresher course on how Pearl and the boys will look this year..
 
#2
#2
OWH, I posted this a couple of days ago in the countdown thread. It's mainly just a bit to get the juices flowing:

I'm getting pumped. Here's a couple of tidbits to get the juices flowing again:
Tennessee is entering it's 100th season this 08-09 year.
We have had back to back sweet 16 appearances.
Last year was Tennessee's most successful year ever with 31 wins.
This was accomplished in the face of the most difficult schedule in the nation.
We rank fourth nationally in attendance with an average of 20,267.
A record 16 national tv appearances last year with at least another 15 this year.
Returning to Tennessee will be Tyler Smith, whom of the returning players, leads the team in Scoring, Field Goals, Field Goal %, 3 point fg%, Free throws, FT%, Rebounding, Assists, Steals and Minutes Played. He led the team overall in -07-08 in Field Goals, FG%, Free Throws, Rebounding and Assists. The man is an animal - best part is, he's our animal.
Pearl had this to say about Tyler when asked who the new team leaders would be:
“I think Tyler is the best candidate we have to fill
the role of being our leader. He made a very difficult
decision to come back to Tennessee. It was something
that he gave that a great deal of thought. It seemed to
be very fashionable to throw your name in the draft
but Tyler did what was not fashionable and that was to
throw himself into the weight room, into Pratt Pavilion
for individual
workouts to work
on his game. The
things that he has
done have put him
in a position where
he is going to be a
leader for us.
2287243859_bcc194083d.jpg

When Pearl was asked the following question, he was filled with praise, once again:
Tyler Smith established himself as one of the best
players in SEC and nation as a sophomore last year
while leading the Vols in rebounding (6.7 rpg), assists
(3.4 apg) and field goal percentage (.536) while
ranking third in scoring (13.6 ppg).
“Tyler has really helped change and evolve his
game. He has improved his guard skills, his ability to
shoot the ball from the perimeter and handle it. This is
the first offseason that he was not transitioning into
another program for a couple of years. After high
school, he played one year at Hargrave Academy then
one year at Iowa before transferring here. This is the
first offseason where he has been home and he has
taken full advantage of it.
“Tyler is one of the most productive players I have
ever coached. He can do it inside and out. He makes
his teammates better. He will absolutely stuff the stat
sheet as well as any player in the country.”






A look at some of the newcomers. I'm gonna include Tatum since he's been so plagued with injuries. The following is an interview with CBP for the 08-09 preview found at www.utvols.com

Cameron Tatum missed most of last year with a knee
injury but showed some signs early in the season that
he can contribute to the success of the team.
“Cameron has waited two years for this. He spent
a year in prep school and then redshirted last year. He
has been preparing for this for a long time. He is ready
to show he belongs. The key now is his experience. I
think he got a lot from being on the bench last year
and watching our team and learning what it took to
win.”
Scotty Hopson is the first McDonald’s All-America
selection to play for the Vols since Vincent
Yarbrough in the 1998-99 season.
“My hat is off to Scotty for making the decision to
come here. He could’ve gone anywhere in the country
but he chose to come to the University of Tennessee
when he saw the need and the opportunity after the
graduations of Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith. Scotty
also recognized how passionate our fans are.
“Scotty can make you go ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ with his
ability to score and play above the rim. His strength
training, conditioning and maturity are the key things
he needs to work on to play on a very high level.”
Philip Jurick averaged almost 16 rebounds and eight
blocked shots per game in high school and will bring
needed depth to the post.
“Philip is a really big guy. He’s got the size and
ability to block shots that you just can’t teach.”
Bobby Maze earned junior college All-America honors
last season after averaging 20.7 points, 6.8 assists
and 1.7 steals from his point guard position.
“Bobby is what’s required. He is hungry. He can
lead a team and make other guys better. He is a passfirst,
score-second guy but he definitely knows how
to score.”
Emmanuel Negedu is a 6-7 athletic big man who is
ranked among the top 40 players in the Class of
2008.
“Emmanuel plays really hard. He is active and athletic.
Our style of play fits him perfectly.”
Daniel West is used to success, leading Michigan’s
Saginaw High School to a state championship and a
No. 4 national ranking.
“Daniel plays with a chip on his shoulder. He is a
two-time state champion. He is a tough guy. He is
good with the ball and an active defender.”
Renaldo Woolridge is a versatile big man who was
rated as one of the top players in the state of California
last year.
“Renaldo is very talented. He has a great body and
ability to shoot the ball for a big man. He’s got a
tremendous upside.”

I am ready!
 
#3
#3
I am excited about how they will get up and down the court. With Negudu, Hopson and hopefully Wooldrige they will be a bit more athletic than last year.
Although I am a little concerned about the trey.
 
#4
#4
Incidentally, the info came from the season preview . I just took bits and pieces to highlight Tyler and some of the newcomers. If I had included Prince et al the article would still be going. I'll wait for a season preview from Hat. I think he said he would post something after practice started.
 
Last edited:
#7
#7
I am using my 1000th post on something that is worthy of it. UT Basketball baby :eek:k:

Do you think West is starting PG by the game 1?
 
#9
#9
abvol said:
I am using my 1000th post on something that is worthy of it. UT Basketball baby :eek:k:

Do you think West is starting PG by the game 1?
Click to expand...

Good choice, Abvol! :salute:
I hear West is the real deal, but I haven't seen him and don't know much about him. Maybe some of the recruiting guru's will have some insight.
 
#11
#11
My buddy went to the open practice on the day of the UF game, and he said we look really good along with TB arena
 
#12
#12
VolsNSkinsFan said:
My buddy went to the open practice on the day of the UF game, and he said we look really good along with TB arena
Click to expand...

you sure he just wasnt comparing them against the fball performance?
Just kidding I really wanted to to go to that. I was surprised utsports.com didnt publish some video of it.
 
#13
#13
velovol said:
I am excited about how they will get up and down the court. With Negudu, Hopson and hopefully Wooldrige they will be a bit more athletic than last year.
Although I am a little concerned about the trey.
Click to expand...

I would love to see woolridge out there but as of right now the only way he would see any significant PT is if Pearl didnt play Tabb and/or Prince
 
#14
#14
getyopopcornready said:
I would love to see woolridge out there but as of right now the only way he would see any significant PT is if Pearl didnt play Tabb and/or Prince
Click to expand...

true. Tabb is a solid defender. Woolridge will most likely have to prove his defensive ball before he gets serious pt.
 
#15
#15
velovol said:
true. Tabb is a solid defender. Woolridge will most likely have to prove his defensive ball before he gets serious pt.
Click to expand...

He will have to do some serious proving to play this year there are already 10 guys that are more important than Woolridge right now..

Tyler
Maze
Chism
West
Tatum
Williams
Hopson
Prince
Negedu
Tabb

I believe Childress has played his last significant minute at UT
 
#16
#16
Wouldnt you just list the small forwards and 2 guards?
He really wouldnt compete for pt with some of those guys you listed.
West, Maze, Williams
 
#18
#18
yeah our 3 point shooting wont be what it was last year of course..
but it will still be good with Maze, Hopson, and Tatum. maybe wooldrige will knock down some trey's along with west.. Hopefully Tabb has improved in that area as well..

but our athleticism will be un matched in the SEC .. and possible one of the most athletic in the nation, if not the most..

we will have alot of Slashers, like what memphis had last year.. but we'll have better shooters than what memphis had last year too...

we have the final four potential, but with alot of young guys, u can never know how far you will actually go come march
 
#20
#20
k-sny-vol said:
yeah our 3 point shooting wont be what it was last year of course..
but it will still be good with Maze, Hopson, and Tatum. maybe wooldrige will knock down some trey's along with west.. Hopefully Tabb has improved in that area as well..

but our athleticism will be un matched in the SEC .. and possible one of the most athletic in the nation, if not the most..

we will have alot of Slashers, like what memphis had last year.. but we'll have better shooters than what memphis had last year too...

we have the final four potential, but with alot of young guys, u can never know how far you will actually go come march
Click to expand...
Everyone's 3 point shooting will be down from last year with the 3 point arc moved out a foot to 20' 9".
Teams like UT with more reliance on an inside game will benefit from the rule change.
 
#21
#21
that is an unbelieveable lineup, we can go 11-12 men deep that see decent playing time and with our style of play that is necessary. it doesn't seem like anybody could get too tired if that large of a rotation is utilized
 
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