NOW? YES, NOW. TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER COACH BRUCE PEARL CHOOSES A NEW POINT GUARD

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 21, 2008 9:08 PM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Basketball

Bruce Pearl is a fantastic coach, but yikes, I hope he knows what he's doing here:

What happens if we mix this with that?
Photo credit: Lapor

JP's going to play point guard throughout the tournament. I'm committed to it. And Ramar Smith or Jordan Howell will play next to him. It's a little late to do it. We did it against Kentucky, and I got away from it with Florida. But Jordan and Ramar no longer will get 40 minutes (combined) at the point.

It's a position that we've not played well enough at. There's 40 minutes, and we're trying to play this tournament to advance. We need better play at the position to advance. If this decision doesn't work, so be it. I've got to get my best players on the floor. J.P. Prince deserves to be on the floor more than 10 minutes. We did it after we lost to Vanderbilt. I just didn't stay with it.

. . . .

As a coach, when I get done with the Arkansas game and I'm looking at J.P. Prince playing 10 minutes, I've got to do something. I've got to do something, and he's playing behind Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith. There's only 16 minutes there. And Josh Tabb is playing well defensively. I've got confidence in Josh. So that took, say, eight minutes away too. I decided I was going to play Josh Tabb, and either not play Jordan or Ramar as much. I just don't think they've played well enough to win a championship.

So Ramar Smith's absence during the first half of today's game against American was not due to a suspension or anything. It really was a "coach's decision."

But wow, did it work today? Sure, we won, but did we play well? Do you really fiddle with chemistry 30 games into the season, just when the team is beginning tournament play?

Of course you do, if you're Bruce Pearl and you think it's best. If this pays off, Pearl's standing in the eyes of Tennessee fans increases even above its already lofty height. If it doesn't, he may experience the first real criticism of his tenure. My guess, though, is that it will pay off. This is Pearl we're talking about.

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Wow.

You have to give Pearl this much: he's honest. There aren't many coaches who would express dissatisfaction with player performance like that in such a straightforward way.

Well, we can fall back on the "transitional" excuse for this game. By Sunday they better have it figured out. But there is one thing this might do for the team that's not so obvious (but could be tremendously valuable): shake off stagnation.

In retrospect, the team could have peaked during the Memphis game. Though the game wasn't the prettiest, it was the game where the team's play was most effective in stifling an opponent and creating the chances needed to win. Since then, there was the Vandy loss, the close UK and Florida games, the end-of-season-who-cares USC game, and the SEC tourney fiascoes. (Fiasci?) If they did hit their peak and are now on a stagnant downslide, they'll need something to break them out of that or they'll lose. It's risky to change working chemistry, but it could end up producing a better product - especially if they can make the Sweet 16 and gain an extra week of practice.

He knows coaching far better than I do. Sometimes you have to take risks without knowing what the end product is. But if he thinks this will produce a better end product, I'm all for the gamble.

Risk perfection; you just might get it.

by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2008 11:18 PM EDT reply actions

It can't fail

PG play has been poor the last month or so, at least. Whether it's Jordan's cold outside shooting or Ramar making a great drive and blowing the layup, it's just not been as good as it should be -- as it needs to be.

JP might be the answer (not THE Answer) ... just lay off the alley oops, please.

by wvvol on Mar 21, 2008 11:28 PM EDT reply actions

What's the worse that could happen?

Howell can't shoot, Ramar turns it over and can't finish at the rim. At least Prince can score, draw fouls, and can give us a boost with a big dunk. But seriously, how hard is it to run the point on this team? Get the ball to the open man whether it's Chris or JaJuan or Tyler or Chism, and play good defense.

JP better stay out of foul trouble though. He tends do get 3-4 nickle and dime fouls off the bench, let alone when he's going to be playing 25+ minutes.

Butler?! We don't need no stinkin' Butler!

by Volorado on Mar 22, 2008 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

Hmm.

I'm concerned that it could turn the chemistry of the entire team upside down. I know Prince can probably shoot better than Howell right now and probably drive better than Ramar right now, but there's more to it than that. Running the team is probably the PG's primary responsibility, and I don't know how well or how poorly Howell and Ramar have been doing with that.

Pearl knows, though, and so I trust him. I'm just jittery.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 22, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Chemistry

To me, it hasn't seemed like there is much chemistry since the Memphis game. We've struggled in every game minus senior day vs. SC. JP just needs to attack the rim, knock down open shots and not force anything. Changing things can spark something and hopefully, Jordan and Ramar can come off the bench and be productive, being benched is a pretty big motivating factor.

Butler?! We don't need no stinkin' Butler!

by Volorado on Mar 22, 2008 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions