Is this year Bruce Pearl's worst coaching job?

by kidbourbon on Feb 8, 2011 7:50 AM EST in Rocky Top Talking Points

I began pondering this question today after seeing this tweet from Wes Rucker:

Vols scout team today has 4 4-star players — Kenny Hall, Jeronne Maymon, Renaldo Woolridge and Jordan McRae.

Mr. Rucker's above tweet served to further embellish a previous quote from Jim Calhoun, University of Connecticut's head coach, which I had been deeply pondering:

"I thought they were as athletic as any team," Calhoun said. "They have terrific size ... I would consider them - we've played Texas, we've played Michigan State and Kentucky - they certainly would stand equal to any of those teams as far as the athletic ability and the way they play defense and offense. They're a terrifically athletic team.

In view of the above alone, is it not quite fair to conclude that we are a basketball team comprised of very, very talented young men? Indeed some of the most talented young men in the country? And yet we've only played like one of the best *teams* in the country on a couple of occasions. I'm a big fan of Bruce Pearl, and I want him to stick around and be our coach for awhile, but when a really talented basketball team is consistently mediocre, occasionally great, and occasionally terrible...well that's not really what you want. And I do think that comes back to the coach.

Scotty Hopson may or may not play against Kentucky. Smart money says he's playing, if you want my humble opinion. And we need him.
Jordan McRae's indefinite suspension is definitely in the rearview. Or maybe just kinda. He is back practicing with the team, but is not making the trip to Lexington and thus misses the always-golden opportunity to shake hands with World Wide Wes.
Bruce Feldman reports that "the school expects [Janzen] Jackson to return for the 2011 season." From the context of the article, it is difficult to tell whether this is a source reporting on the school's expectations, or the school itself opining on their expectations. I am assuming the former just because school administrators are generally reluctant to opine on their "expectations" in matters such as these.

We need some positive momentum and a win against the Wildcats would be a nice step in that direction. So I really hope that the Vols play "lights out'.

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Florida has had tremendous talent over the last couple years.

So has UNC. Both have struggled mightily. Do you think that is a reflection of the coaching?

To a certain degree, I think so. Our lineup has gone through a decent amount of turnover – and considering that Pearl plays so many players, I think it makes chemistry on the court a lot harder to accomplish.

by golfballs03 on Feb 8, 2011 8:23 AM EST reply actions

I actually do think so

Billy Donovan hit lightning in a bottle with a recruiting class, but I wouldn’t call him a great coach.

With Roy Williams, I think the drop-off was almost to be expected. but I do think that there are definitely coaches that would have been able to more successfully deal with the departure of a national championship winning nucleus, given the pure (but inexperienced) talent that was available the very next year (and that is available every year for UNC). So, yeah, Roy has a nice resume, but he deserves some criticism for sure.

...just apologize for not thanking me.

by kidbourbon on Feb 8, 2011 9:43 AM EST up reply actions

I think we lacked consistency not just from game-to-game, but in the middle of each game

We took our foot off the gas at halftime against Oakland, and it cost us. It was nice to see us grow against inferior competition during the LSU-Ole Miss-Auburn stretch – the team that lost to Charlotte and played UT-Martin close appears to be behind us.

Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Feb 8, 2011 9:23 AM EST reply actions

If it's his worse coaching job...

it’s still better than at least 95% of the rest of college coaches.

I’ll take that.

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti

by sddbaker on Feb 8, 2011 12:03 PM EST reply actions

I'm not so sure about that

In his career, Bruce Pearl has done great things at UT. But this year, it’s hard to argue that he’s been above average at all. Obviously, there have been plenty of distractions. And he can still close strong. But relative to expectations, this year has been disappointing so far.

by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 8, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

I think it's relative to expectations after the Pitt game

which is still a fair criticism.

Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Feb 8, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

Relative to expectations after the Pitt game, it's a disaster

But relative to preseason expectations, it’s still a disappointment. We were ranked in the preseason (which we aren’t now), and nobody expected more than 3 non-conference losses.

by Incipient_Senescence on Feb 8, 2011 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

In a word YES

The string of losses after Pitt was inexplicable when viewed in total.
Oakland, Charlotte, Charleston, and USC were basically inexcusable given our talent vs theirs. One loss to those four would have been bad and losing them all was just plain nuts. Add in the close calls v Belmont and Martin and it’s the worst stretch of basketball I know given the early success v Pitt and Nova. MELTDOWN is the word that comes to mind.

I don’t mind the losses to UF Bama Uconn and Arkansas but that post Pitt stretch was a disaster and it’s on Pearl.

by aurabass on Feb 8, 2011 3:45 PM EST reply actions

Obviously it is impossible to quantify what this season can be blamed on coaching/Pearl

But when you simply look at expectations versus results, I think it is obvious that this has been Pearl’s worst coaching job since he arrived at Tennessee. And that’s without factoring in the NCAA investigation/troubles. I don’t think there’s any question about it.

Lou Brock loves Lamp.

by birdjam on Feb 8, 2011 4:24 PM EST reply actions

The season up to this point, maybe

But I’d hesitate to call this his worst coaching job until the season is over. In 2006-07 we started 3-5 in conference play and finished the season with a 1 point loss in the Sweet 16. Expectations and attention to each game have been higher than ever so it certainly feels more dissapointing. But, if theres one thing I’ve learned about watching Pearl’s Tennessee teams its that its going to be a rollercoaster ride. So that aspect of it has certainly met expectations.

Bring it across, shape it down

by Getoffmyvols on Feb 8, 2011 4:53 PM EST reply actions

No floor leader

With Bruce’s issues leaving a leadership void on the bench, the lack of a solid leader or core of veteran leaders like the other teams have had is killing this team.

Hopson still hasn’t shown me any reason why he expect to have a successful NBA career or an NBA career at all.

by phil g on Feb 8, 2011 5:16 PM EST reply actions

The first half of this is where I stand, too.

I need to put more out about that subject, but: this may be Brian Williams’ team sooner rather than later (if only because he’s been the guy acting like he wants it), and he’s got the stats to back it up now.

Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.

by Chris Pendley on Feb 8, 2011 5:54 PM EST up reply actions

after last night's game

I’m concluding that no coach can be successful with our atrocious point guard play. Is the point guard play due to poor recruiiting or poor coaching or is it on the players? Regardless, between lack of team leadership and point guard play this team is doomed.

Put C.J. on this team and we’d run away with the SEC.

by phil g on Feb 9, 2011 9:52 AM EST reply actions