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Adams: Pearl sounds good, don't quit your day job
UT men's head coach Bruce Pearl provides color commentary with Bob Kesling during the Lady Vols' game against Arkansas Thursday at Thompson-Boling Arena Thursday.
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Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl had a simple explanation for his role as color commentator for MYVLT2's telecast of the Tennessee-Arkansas women's basketball game Thursday night.
"I'm usually at the (Lady Vols') games, so I might as well be working," Pearl said with a smile before the game at Thompson-Boling Arena.
As you probably remember, Pearl has worked women's games before. He shed his shirt and painted himself orange for last season's UT-Duke game at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Pearl adopted a more conventional look for his television work - a peach-colored sports coat and no paint. But there was nothing subdued about his commentary.
Three minutes into the game, he delivered his first Dick Vitale impersonation: "You better get a T.O., baby," he said at Vitale volume.
By then, it was obvious that Arkansas coach Tom Collen needed more than a timeout. The second-ranked Lady Vols raced to an 18-0 lead, as freshman sharpshooter Angie Bjorklund scored 11 points in the first four minutes.
"That's not a good sign for Arkansas," Pearl said after Bjorklund hit her first 3-pointer.
The scoring barrage that followed proved him right. The Lady Vols were on their way to a 98-55 victory.
Pearl also was right in his pregame analysis.
"I look for Tennessee to go inside early and often," he said.
On UT's first possession, it quickly worked the ball inside to All-American Candace Parker, who responded with a left-handed layup.
Pearl didn't have to be right to win over his audience. He only had to be himself, which he was with the exception of the Vitale impersonation.
Lady Vols fans might have been surprised with his knowledge of the Lady Vols. Of course, he has a great source - his friend, coach Pat Summitt.
"He knows our team," Summitt said. "We talk basketball all the time. I think it's great. A lot of people have so much respect for Bruce and what he's done for Tennessee basketball."
Bob Kesling, who did the play-by-play alongside Pearl, asked the Lady Vols coach what she anticipated from Pearl as a color analyst.
"I hope you get to talk," Summitt told Kesling. "You think you will get to say anything?"
Kesling didn't have to worry about dead air. Moreover, Pearl demonstrated his usual enthusiasm, which never seems to ebb - regardless of the occasion. And he couldn't always resist showing his colors.
"I've got to stop saying 'we,' Bob," Pearl said midway through the second half. "That's not very professional."
It was professional enough for his local audience, which would have been taken aback if Pearl hadn't interjected an occasional "we." After all, they don't love him for his objectivity.
He's not just an outstanding coach. He's a great pitch man for UT. You saw that in his earlier television work.
Pearl worked on-air with CBS during its coverage of the NCAA tournament the last two years.
"That was more about credibility for Tennessee basketball," Pearl said.
Pearl admitted being a little nervous before his live appearances on CBS, especially after he was reminded the telecasts were "going all over the world."
There were no jitters Thursday.
"I was working with Bob, who is such a pro," Pearl said. "And here in the confines of the arena. I think they (UT fans) would have been pretty forgiving if I had messed up."
They didn't have to worry about that.
"He did really well for his first time," Kesling said. "He's a natural. I think he's serious about wanting to do this for a living one day."
But Pearl is more concerned about his day job right now. And his day wasn't done after the telecast.
"I've still got a lot of Georgia tape to watch," he said.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by Titan on January 24, 2008 at 11:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How fortunate we are to have BP on our side.
Posted by lempga on January 24, 2008 at 11:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Have you not packed yet! The moving van is coming soon.
You headline was terrible and then paid tribute to BP. I know! The headline got me to read your darn article.
I just like to read what jack asses say.
Posted by why36knot on January 25, 2008 at 1:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
On the other hand it would be ok with me if John Adams quit his day jpb and moved closer to New Orleans.
Posted by anthony on January 25, 2008 at 1:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You have finally got it right, John, we don't want objective reporting!! We've already got everything figured out. If we want information, we will say, please inform us. People who read newspapers and watch the media are the only customers who are abused, made fun of, disrespected, and looked down on daily!!!! That's why we like people like Coach Pearl and critisize morons like you!!!
Posted by alfrizzle097 on January 25, 2008 at 6:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A bit harsh? Ah well, the truth hurts...
Posted by Basketball_Jones on January 25, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The one thing I really like about this is that he did it. Imagine Thad Matta, Coach K, Roy Williams, or any other high profile coach taking time away from their day to do something like this. What about John Brady hahaha. They should get Brad and Matta together and throw in some sideline reporting by Kevin Stallings, now that would be the driest crew ever. Thanks for being our coach Bruce.
Posted by dirtdobber1 on January 25, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
16-2
Posted by volguy on January 25, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I tried to watch the game. Sorry, but not even the great Bruce Pearl can make the Lady Vols exciting.
Posted by pdhuff on January 25, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TDTN - 9:00 a.m.- Almost all. Purt nearly all. Up to the brim all. Not all.
Posted by nickperkinsalc on January 25, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One of the best collegiate coaches in the nation in any sport!
Posted by murrayvol on January 25, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
pdhuff: What do you mean "not all?" Why of course he can. Loser, hater, basher. LOL
Posted by raleighncvolfan on January 25, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can we get rid of Bob during football and replace him with BP?
Posted by bugman on January 25, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Get some class people. John Adams does a good job. If you don't like his articles then don't read them. Pretty simple huh?
Posted by Orangeblood13 on January 25, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
gimmie a break, Adams has downed Tenn for years, good job is a little pushin it.
Posted by romevol on January 25, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BP for VP of UT
Posted by VolnFlorida on January 25, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Should he be doing this or teaching his team not to choke?
Posted by whymelord on January 25, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bruce needs to be studying film!!! We are 16-2, how dare he take time off to do a broadcast!!
Posted by whymelord on January 25, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
John Adams....The absolute worst voice I have ever heard on the radio!! Gary Lundy's was pretty bad, God rest his soul.
Posted by 4jerry on January 25, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Would trade Gottfried for BP. We suck at bball.
Posted by JAJUAN on January 25, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wish it would have been Bertelkamp and Bruce. That would be the greatest duo of all time.
PEARL/BERTELKAMP '08
Posted by redneckerson on January 25, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen Jajuan - MONEY!!!
Posted by OrangeAndWhite4Life on January 25, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the positive reinforcement Mr. Adams...as always.
Posted by maples on January 25, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
don't quit any time soon Adams, you still owe me two t-shirts. I bet I get them about the same time Eric ainge becomes a running QB.
Posted by volguy on January 26, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Summitt is an excellent ambassador for UT & the women's game(although I'm starting to question her whining recently). I think she knows the game and coaches it better than many of her male peers. I also want the Lady Vols to win every time they take the floor, and think that the championships they've won for UT have been phenomenal.
That being said, it's painful to watch.
Posted by wewhite on January 26, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mickey Dearstone needs a color man, uh... person to do LV games. There are few people at UT more colorful than Pearl. Here's what'cha do for the LV games: Put D & P on TV, simulcast it on radio, and look forward to the day Kessling and Bertelkamp won't be doing men's games.
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