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New nickname reflects growth of Williams
'Da Neighborhood' making himself at home in Rocky Top
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The Tennessee player known as "Big Baby" last summer is just about all grown up.
So much so that Brian Williams has claimed a new nickname since arriving at Tennessee as a freshman last year: "Da Neighborhood.''
Williams, 6-foot-10 and 275 pounds, claimed his real estate under the basket in Ray's 108-60 win over the News Sentinel in the Pilot Rocky Top League on Wednesday night at Bearden High School.
Williams scored a game-high 20 points on 10-of-14 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds for Ray's E.S.G. (2-2).
Sure, most of his points against the News Sentinel (1-3) came on dunks, but that's progress for Williams.
"Last summer I couldn't get up for all the dunks I wanted,'' said Williams, who lost 100 pounds in the year leading up to his enrollment at UT. "I've actually gained eight pounds since last summer, but it's muscle weight.''
Vols' coach Bruce Pearl said one look tells the story.
"You can see how his body has changed and developed in the past year,'' Pearl said. "On the floor, he's scoring better with his back to the basket, and you know I love big men who can move.''
Williams, who grew up in the Bronx, N.Y., is no stranger to the up-and-down style played in the Pilot Rocky Top League.
"It's not a Big Man game; the streets are for guards,'' Williams said. "So I come out here looking at it like another workout. I'm using it to get in shape, running up and down the court in a hot gym.''
Williams averaged only 2.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season, but he flashed his potential with a 16-point, 14-rebound performance in a tight 88-82 win over Western Kentucky last season.
Pearl said the Vols will need more performances like that from Williams this season.
"Brian understands what it will take for our program to get to the next level with the North Carolinas and the Louisvilles,'' Pearl said. "Brian's ability to make a big leap will go a long ways toward determining how quickly we can compete at the next level.''
Williams said the absence of former Vol Duke Crews, who left the program after last season, has put pressure on him to develop.
"Duke gave us a lot, offensively, defensively and in the locker room,'' Williams said. "I've got to try to pick up the slack.''
Clutch Shots: The HT Group stayed undefeated when Michael Jenkins hit two free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining to top First Tennessee 96-94.
UT redshirt freshman Cameron Tatum, who entered the night the leading scorer in the PRTL (41 points per game) left the game early with a strained groin.
"I've been in the gym working all day and my knee and groin said 'hold on' when I came down on a wet spot," said Tatum, who scored all 13 of his points in the first half before sitting out most of the second half. "I don't know if I want to push it (in tonight's game). I'll see how it feels in the morning. It's nothing too big. No one needs to worry about me - I'm good."
Tatum came down awkwardly on a dunk midway through the first half.
Courtney Pigram led HT Group (4-0) with 31 points and Tyler Smith had 23.
Jon Higgins led First Tennessee (1-3) with 24.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by givim6 on June 26, 2008 at 1:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Williams is learning the game and is going to be a force this fall.
Go big Dude!
Posted by GreerVol22 on June 26, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
easy Bruce, "I love big men" can get folk started...
Posted by GreerVol22 on June 26, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
easy Bruce, "I love big men" can get folk started...
Posted by GreerVol22 on June 26, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
easy Bruce, "I love big men" can get folk started...
Posted by mparker on June 26, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep, figured Brian to hit the weights....he should really do a football workout. With his frams, he can carry the 275, but just imagine if it's muscle.
I agree with what Brian said about Duke. You know the kids really liked him. I don't get the sense Ramar was quite as tight with the team as Duke was.
Posted by TurboFan on June 26, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"football workout"? heck, Fulmer should borrow him for a few games to play DT. j/k
Posted by brownsvillevol on June 26, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
big brian williams will be a force to reckon with come november.
Posted by 2kevin on June 26, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
what about rocky top scores where are the results was there a game wed night
Posted by WVVOLFAN on June 26, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
any idea when the '08-'09 schedule will be out?
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 26, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
probably late July or August.
Posted by alfrizzle097 on June 26, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It will be nice to have a true center again. The last time we really had one was CJ Black or Charles Hathaway. You know, a guy who can create room in the center of the lane. Chism is good, but at 6'9", he doesn't have the shoulders to clear people out of the way.
We should have a number of different looks to match up with anybody this year.
Posted by adamsck on June 26, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You have got to love Bruce. He's got more b-ball talent in Knoxville than enybody since Ray Mears. The future is certainly bright for Vol b-ball.
Posted by General_Watermelon on June 26, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Da Neighborhood - You can do it!
Posted by mparker on June 26, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
always felt bad for hathaway. he was doing well until the blood clot thing.
as for CJ...hard to forget how Ron Slay took a critical shot against UNC, when it shoulda been CJ. Kind of like Ramar instead of Chris against Ohio State.
Posted by iowavol on June 26, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Send a BB guy to a FB workout? Why you want to take it easy on him? And the comment on Chism not moving people out - when he wants too, WC can move anybody. Besides, isn't he the same size as CJ?
Posted by b_neas on June 26, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Williams will be important to success this year, against certain team especially depending on how we match up against that team. More importantly tatum needs to get healthy. He does not need to come back to soon and tear that groin!
Posted by WVVOLFAN on June 26, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
workin do you have the dates on the orlando trip by chance?
Posted by alfrizzle097 on June 26, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Chism has narrower shoulders. CJ could get that shoulder around you and that was it!
Posted by DenmarkVol on June 26, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For me, jury is still out on this kid. His game is not even good yet.
He lacks maturity on the court when he gets his minutes, he's very foul-prone, he's not a leaper/shot blocker or intimidator, and he doesn't seem to be a banger/glasscleaner inside (e.g. compare his RBs/minute with Chism's).
Maybe he needs to work on these things instead of worrying about some (unearned) nickname.
Yes, he's got a couple of moves. But far too often he just seems to be taking up space in the middle on his way to quick foul trouble.
Best thing to happen to him will be Jurick breathing down his neck for minutes. Maybe BP will have both of them sit down and watch film of a guy named Moses Malone ... if they really want to learn how to play center.
Posted by givim6 on June 26, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DenMark: Don't you think he will gain skills and experience in the summer league? That's why he is in it!
Give the kid a chance this fall to show how he has improved.
Hold your negative remarks until he gives you reason after he plays this coming season.
Geez!
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 26, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
alfrizzle, don't discuss player siaze with iowavol. He was the one that after all managed to say that Duke Crews looked "considerably smaller" with his warmup shirt/jersey in the neck area while watching on television. He is an expert (moron) that is.
Old Spice Classic is Nov 27th - 30th
http://www.oldspiceclassic.com/
Posted by VOLS85 on June 26, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What Denmark said...
I could deal with this kid shutting his mouth when he does something stupid on the court. Seems like every time the camera goes to him he is cussing up a storm, not exactly an ambassador for the school. If he shows improvements, shuts up, and stops fouling people, then we'll worry about giving him a nickname.
Posted by ncvol on June 26, 2008 at 9:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Show us you are "da neighborhood" for Good Old Rocky Top and make us proud.... Go Vols !
Posted by DenmarkVol on June 27, 2008 at 1:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
VOLS85 -- you remember that too, eh? That's what I meant by immaturity on the court. He shamed me as a Vol a couple of times on national television with his obscenities and playground juvie attitude after having a foul called on him.
I really do hope to see a new Brian Williams this fall. All a part of growing up.
Posted by yeavols on June 27, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ATTENTION: UT license plates available in GEORGIA, however we need 380 more applications. Know anyone in Georgia?!?! click on link and then click on the license plate. GO VOLS in DAWG land!! YAHOOO GOOD OLE ROCKY TOP!!
http://www.utalumni.com/atlanta/
Posted by General_Watermelon on June 27, 2008 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Denmark - give the kid a break. He was just a Freshmen last season and he played pretty well considering. It often takes big men longer to develop as they usually need work in the weight room in addition to learning the college game. If his game does not improve this year (highly unlikely) I'll share your concern.
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