Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl served up a healthy reminder for this year's basketball team during Thursday's practice: They haven't won anything yet.

The Vols were working a half-court drill when Pearl stopped play, noting the defense had given up three offensive rebounds on "game-point.''

Pearl circled the players and delivered the message with emotion, using UT's football team as an example to be followed.

"Our football team went down to Georgia and there were five guys playing that couldn't even walk,'' Pearl told his players. "They played their (rears) off; the offensive line didn't allow a sack, and Georgia had two defensive ends that are going to play in the NFL and we got a big win.

"That's the kind of effort we need out here every day,'' Pearl continued. "We haven't done anything yet. We haven't won anything -- do you understand? I'm not seeing the kind of improvement from two days ago I need to see.''

Tennessee junior preseason All-American Chris Lofton said such messages get the team's attention.

"Like the other day, the team I was on in a scrimmage lost after having a big lead, coach compared us to the Arizona Cardinals,'' Lofton said, referring to the NFL team that lost to the Chicago Bears Monday night. "Coach puts it into better perspective so that we can relate to it.''

Pearl said he's truly inspired by what he has seen from the Vols' football team this season.

"I am that impressed, and I was at the Georgia game,'' Pearl said. "I knew half the offensive linemen were having a hard time moving, and their play was inspiring.

"That's a hungry football team, and I need us to be hungry like that. If we don't fix things, we won't be as good as we need to be.''

One player who continues to stand out is incoming freshman Josh Tabb, the least hyped of the five players from the recruiting class.

"Lofton can't get a shot off against him, so all that does is make me have to play him (Tabb) more,'' Pearl said. "With prep school, Josh is a year older. He's a good individual defender and team defender, and he doesn't try to do too much on offense so he's not turning the ball over.''

Lofton said it's good to have someone like Tabb to compete with.

"When you have a guy like Tabb, with his athleticism and strength, it really gives me something to go against,'' Lofton said.

Freshman point guard Ramar Smith has had his moments, too.

"Any time I need a basket, all I need to do is call for a ball screen,'' Pearl said. "Ramar will get to the basket or make the pass.''

Smith said Tennessee has been the challenge he was looking for.

"It's the fastest (tempo) I've played at, and I'm learning to play under control a lot more,'' Smith said. "But it's easy in another way that I have all these great players around me that can make shots.

"Right now, I'm focusing on learning the system. I know I can score when I need to.''

Scrimmage: Pearl said the Vols will play a 40-minute scrimmage at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Pearl said he will split the squad and coach a team, and the players will dress out in uniforms with referees.

Pearl encourages the public to attend.

Groundbreaking: Pearl and women's coach Pat Summitt will be at the formal groundbreaking ceremony for UT's new practice facility, Pratt Pavilion, today at 5:30 p.m.

The event will take place on the southeast corner of Phillip Fulmer Drive and Lake Loudon Boulevard, adjacent to Thompson-Boling Arena.

Walk-On: Former Oak Ridge High School standout Rick Daniels-Mulholland, who was a first team All-Prep Xtra selection in 2004-05, has walked on. Daniels-Mulholland was a walk-on tight end with the football team last year.

"He got hurt the first day with an ankle sprain, but he's 6-foot-4 tall and 6-4 wide,'' Pearl said. "He has a nice big frame. He'll certainly help us in practice.''

Pearl said he expects Daniels-Mulholland to be out a few more days with the ankle injury.