Checking In On Lofton

[orange+white=heaven]

The Ankle vs. Vandy...

Lofton ran the floor during a fast-paced open scrimmage Thursday, the first step toward an increased role Saturday. Pearl called it Lofton’s best practice while overcoming the sprained ankle.

"I’m glad to see him get up and down (the court)," Pearl said. "It certainly makes that fastbreak look a little better when he’s at the end of it."

In his first game back, Lofton played 21 minutes and scored eight points on 1-of-5 shooting during Tuesday’s home victory over LSU. The SEC’s leading scorer said his ankle still hurts.

"The only thing I can do right now is just shoot a 3," Lofton said. "I feel like I can’t really drive to the hole. I’m just not where I want to be right now."

"The only thing I can do right now is just shoot a 3," Lofton said. "I feel like I can’t really drive to the hole. I’m just not where I want to be right now."

...Now I'm just guessing, but I think ole Chris is sandbagging Vandy a bit with that line...


The Pearl on Dane's shooting woes...

"Dane is a good enough passer that he can try to make offensive plays for himself and still make a good pass," Pearl said. "Right now, he’s just trying to make a good pass, and it’s affecting him."

Bradshaw has made only five field goals in the past six games and hasn’t reached double figures in points since scoring 11 at Ohio State on Jan. 13. "He’s passing up shots," Pearl said. "And the shots he’s taking are shots he’s taking at the last minute. Hey, go score. If the defense takes it away, then make the pass."

One more, Pearl on Brady...Howell.. and Pistol Pete...

The sarcastic Pete Maravich reference made by LSU Coach John Brady when discussing Jordan Howell's late 3-pointer to all but finish the Tigers on Tuesday night didn't go unnoticed by the Vols.
"We missed better shots down the stretch than the 3-pointer their guy made, and it's not like that guy is Pete Maravich running around out there," Brady said.
On Thursday, Pearl was quick to point out that Howell has made seven of his last 11 3-point attempts and shrugged off Brady's comments.
"We may not beat LSU if late in the shot clock Jordan Howell doesn't make that shot," Pearl said. "Jordan will always be able to look back and say, 'I made that shot. I was compared to Pistol Pete Maravich — even though it wasn't so favorable — and we won the game.' "

The Pearl will be in the Orange Blazer tomorrow...
Go Vols!!!

 

[OWB]

Thanks for the notes.

 

[MphsBlues]

Thanks, OWH. Yeah, sounds like Chris is trying to pull somebody's leg a bit.
Go Vols!!

 

[tidwell]

Good stuff. Glad to hear Lofton is getting better and better and didn't have a setback.

 

[utvol0427]

After seeing him make the one crossover move that he made on the LSU player in the first half of the game I find it hard to believe that he is having trouble getting to the basket.

 

[ut 4 me]

same here