Pearl: 2 of 3 to play in NBA

[Pardner]

Which two of the Three Amigos, oh Sweaty One?

Pearl: Schedule getting 'progressively more difficult'
UT continues run of 'three-game seasons'
By Mike Griffith (Contact)
Originally published 10:35 p.m., December 8, 2008
Updated 10:35 p.m., December 8, 2008

'Tis a new basketball season of sorts, according to Tennessee men's coach Bruce Pearl.

"We've had a series of three-game seasons so far,'' Pearl said at his Monday press luncheon, "starting off with the three Tennessee teams, going to Disney to play three in four days, and now we have two more three-game seasons coming up.

"Each one of them is progressively more difficult.''

That is precisely the reason Pearl has made practices progressively more difficult for his young Vols (6-1), even as they move up in the polls.

Tennessee jumped to No. 8 in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll on Monday, but Pearl's not buying into it as he readies the team for its trip to Philadelphia to play Temple on Saturday.

"For me, the national rankings don't mean a whole lot,'' Pearl said. "If we are 10th right now, I'll guarantee you there's more than 10 teams in the country better than us.

"I just know last year's team was much further ahead than this year's team.''

Last year's Vols opened their regular season with an impressive 80-63 victory over the Owls in Thompson-Boling Arena.

Pearl expects Saturday's contest - and the two that follow - to be much more challenging.

"We play at Temple, (against) Marquette in Nashville and then Belmont at home, all good teams,'' he said. "Temple just had a real nice win at Penn State against a Penn State team that won at Georgia Tech.

"Marquette returns three 1,000-point scorers, two of the three will be in the NBA . . . and Belmont is able to play its best basketball against the best competition, as evidenced by their play in the NCAA tourney when they gave Duke and UCLA all they wanted.''

The Vols' next home game is against Belmont at 3 p.m. on Dec. 20.

Other than point guard Bobby Maze and Tyler Smith, who earned SEC player of the week honors for his triple-double, Pearl said the starting lineup could look different by the time the Vols play another home game.

"The positions at (Nos.) two, three and five are much closer, and there's room for growth and adjustments in the lineup based on how they are playing,'' Pearl said. "The other thing that comes into play is where the (classroom) grades are, especially when it's close at a position.''

Sophomore Brian Williams is pushing junior Wayne Chism for the starting position at the post (5), while J.P. Prince and Renaldo Woolridge are competing on the wing (3) and Scotty Hopson is trying to hold off Cameron Tatum at shooting guard (2).

The Vols' next three-game stretch takes place from Dec. 29 through Jan. 7, beginning with a tune-up against Louisiana-Lafayette at Thompson-Boling Arena before a trip to play at Kansas (Jan. 3) and then a rematch with No. 4 Gonzaga (Jan. 7).

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/dec/08/pearl-schedule-getting-progressively-more/?partner=RSS

[TallTitan34]

Here's hoping the three amigos show Pearl why they will all be in the NBA.

[77ncaachamps]

Nah, Jerel and maybe Wes will be suiting up for an NBA or NBDL team.

[THEGYMBAR]

Pearl is throwing that out there in case he loses to MU. Any good con man coach covers themselves before they play a game they can lose.

There is a very good chance that none of the Big 3 ever play in the NBA. Hope I am wrong, but would not bet any money on any specific one making it.

[TallTitan34]

I think the three could fill a bench spot somewhere. 

[Silky]

I heard Bo Ryan on his presser yesterday say the only reason Jerel McNeal is back is to improve his position in the draft. 
When the Zenmaster speaks, all must bow in Madison.

[77ncaachamps]

I heard Bo Ryan on his presser yesterday say the only reason Jerel McNeal is back is to improve his position in the draft. 
When the Zenmaster speaks, all must bow in Madison.

^^^ You forgot the teal.

[Pardner]

I heard Bo Ryan on his presser yesterday say the only reason Jerel McNeal is back is to improve his position in the draft. 
When the Zenmaster speaks, all must bow in Madison.

Excuse Bo, he is used to six year seniors.

[rugbydrummer]

^^^ You forgot the teal.

Nice catch -- couldn't have said it better myself.

Now, everyone does realize that Bo might be a tad bit bitter and is again, doing a little CYA;  sure blame jerel mcneal that you lost; clearly he is violating some NCAA rule for staying for his senior year instead of selling out early to the NBA; shame on him!! 

Does that mean Wade should have stayed one more year? Can someone ask Bo if he's a Wade fan? and finally, someone who watched  Wade play @ MU, what was our record vs. the rodents during Wade's 2 years of playing?

[larrym]

Nah, Jerel and maybe Wes will be suiting up for an NBA or NBDL team.

Jerel has the best chance.  Heard on the radio yesterday that a team stated they would draft him in the second round last year, but that's no guaranteed contract, so he came back.  Then DJ because of his tremendous physical gifts and good instincts.  Think of how many more assists he would have if we had big guys the past three years that could catch and finish.  I really don't see Matthews playing in the NBA, although he could definitely play in the NBDL. He plays too off balance, not very explosive, and not a good outside shooter.  He is a good college player though.  Good mid range pull up when he uses it, and hits his free throws.  (Go out and prove me wrong Wesley.)

[dsfire]

Does that mean Wade should have stayed one more year? Can someone ask Bo if he's a Wade fan? and finally, someone who watched  Wade play @ MU, what was our record vs. the rodents during Wade's 2 years of playing?

1-1, as I recall.  For the game in Madison, Wade apparently committed several fouls before tipoff and the officials weren't able to catch up on calling them all until a couple minutes into the first half.  We were down pretty heavily for most of that game until we made a run late in the second half, but by that time it was too little, too late.  Got 'em back at the BC the following year.

[RawdogDX]

I thik you are correct, MU won at home after losing to Jim Burr the year before.

[mviale]

1-1, as I recall.  For the game in Madison, Wade apparently committed several fouls before tipoff and the officials weren't able to catch up on calling them all until a couple minutes into the first half.  We were down pretty heavily for most of that game until we made a run late in the second half, but by that time it was too little, too late.  Got 'em back at the BC the following year.

That game was so painful and refs were atrocious.