MphsBlues
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Here is what Pearl had to say yesterday at the SEC Coaches press conference. Apologies if this has been posted already...
Tennessee Head Coach Bruce Pearl
"LSU is going to present us with a terrific challenge on Thursday night. We had a closely contested game the first time we played them at Thompson-Boling Arena and were successful. We as a team were very, very fortunate to hold Glenn Davis to five points. It is our anticipation that it would be almost impossible to expect that this time. LSU is playing good basketball right now. They had a great win over Florida and played Kentucky great at Rupp before finishing the season with a good win over South Carolina. Individually, we give away a great deal of size at every position on the floor.
(When asked which year was a tougher coaching job, this year or last year)
"I think in the regular season, this year was a little more challenging. Last year's team had a lot of veterans that had been there and done that. They were very accepting of their roles and the roles were pretty clearly defined because you knew what they could and couldn't do. This year, the loss of Major (Wingate) could have had a devastating effect on our team. Duke Crews and Wayne Chism had to come in and replace Major and Andre (Patterson), and that's a difficult thing to do. Ramar (Smith) had the most difficult transaction of anyone in the country. He got to school late and had to replace a two-year all-conference point guard (CJ Watson) after playing the two guard in high school. Of course, the injuries to Chris (Lofton) and Jordan (Howell) were significant, so all in all I think this year was a bit more challenging, and we weren't as successful in the SEC.
(When asked about his thoughts on the SEC tournament)
"I think Florida has demonstrated that they are the best team in the tournament, with their record, but I do think its wide open because I think one through 12 there has been a good demonstration that anybody can win. I think you have a lot of teams trying to play their way into the NCAA tournament and a number of teams trying to improve their seeding. We had a good regular season, but don't have anything to show for it, no championships.
Plus, Tennessee has the worst tournament record since 1992, so we have an awful lot to play for.
(When asked about the possibility of no SEC West teams making the tournament)
"I think they are all good enough to advance and there is not a team in the west that couldn't beat a team in the NCAA field of 65. I feel for a number of teams. I think we as coaches did a poor job in our attempt to get the field expanded. We have to play the tournament in the time frame CBS gives us. There are going to be more teams on the bubble this year than ever before. I think we could add eight teams and I hope we can figure out a way to get it done.
Tennessee Head Coach Bruce Pearl
"LSU is going to present us with a terrific challenge on Thursday night. We had a closely contested game the first time we played them at Thompson-Boling Arena and were successful. We as a team were very, very fortunate to hold Glenn Davis to five points. It is our anticipation that it would be almost impossible to expect that this time. LSU is playing good basketball right now. They had a great win over Florida and played Kentucky great at Rupp before finishing the season with a good win over South Carolina. Individually, we give away a great deal of size at every position on the floor.
(When asked which year was a tougher coaching job, this year or last year)
"I think in the regular season, this year was a little more challenging. Last year's team had a lot of veterans that had been there and done that. They were very accepting of their roles and the roles were pretty clearly defined because you knew what they could and couldn't do. This year, the loss of Major (Wingate) could have had a devastating effect on our team. Duke Crews and Wayne Chism had to come in and replace Major and Andre (Patterson), and that's a difficult thing to do. Ramar (Smith) had the most difficult transaction of anyone in the country. He got to school late and had to replace a two-year all-conference point guard (CJ Watson) after playing the two guard in high school. Of course, the injuries to Chris (Lofton) and Jordan (Howell) were significant, so all in all I think this year was a bit more challenging, and we weren't as successful in the SEC.
(When asked about his thoughts on the SEC tournament)
"I think Florida has demonstrated that they are the best team in the tournament, with their record, but I do think its wide open because I think one through 12 there has been a good demonstration that anybody can win. I think you have a lot of teams trying to play their way into the NCAA tournament and a number of teams trying to improve their seeding. We had a good regular season, but don't have anything to show for it, no championships.
Plus, Tennessee has the worst tournament record since 1992, so we have an awful lot to play for.
(When asked about the possibility of no SEC West teams making the tournament)
"I think they are all good enough to advance and there is not a team in the west that couldn't beat a team in the NCAA field of 65. I feel for a number of teams. I think we as coaches did a poor job in our attempt to get the field expanded. We have to play the tournament in the time frame CBS gives us. There are going to be more teams on the bubble this year than ever before. I think we could add eight teams and I hope we can figure out a way to get it done.
