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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Tennessee's vulnerable defense has been a hot topic since South Carolina and Arkansas combined to scored 175 points on it in the SEC men's basketball tournament.
So it seemed like a pertinent question for American University coach Jeff Jones before their first-round game in the NCAA tournament. His answer lent perspective to the subject.
As he studied videotape in preparation for today's first-round match-up, he didn't see weaknesses. He saw strengths.
"I think they play a unique style," Jones said. "They put an awful lot of pressure on you with their offense and defense. I think what really shows through defensively is they just attack the ball.
"It's not a style that many people play. But if you have players willing to put forth that much effort with that much athleticism, obviously it can be very, very effective."
When you contrast UT's play in the SEC tournament with its regular-season dominance of the conference, you might assume a more critical stance. Jones can't help but see a bigger picture, one formed through viewing a season's worth of work for the Vols.
UT's flaws were obvious in the SEC tournament. Post defense was dreadful against Arkansas, and the point guards didn't remind anyone of Steve Nash.
Several things to consider if you're analyzing UT's NCAA tournament venture based on how it performed in winning once and losing once in the SEC tournament: (1) The Vols are capable of playing good defense, as evidenced by their regular-season victories over Memphis, Vanderbilt and Xavier; (2) They played great without great point guard play for much of the season; (3) NCAA tournament opponents don't have the same familiarity with UT that SEC teams do.
Jones addressed the importance of having experienced UT coach Bruce Pearl's unorthodox system.
"Tennessee has a very unique style," he said. "They put a lot of pressure on you offensively and defensively. It's not a style that many people play.
"If they're in your conference, your team gradually over the years becomes accustomed how to attack certain things. We've not had time to prepare for the nuances (of UT's system). It can be an advantage for Tennessee (in the tournament). … With a short time frame for preparation, you don't know the nuances."
In one respect, UT's unusual style hasn't been as unusual as the two previous seasons. The Vols haven't relied as much on their full-court press for a couple of reasons. Pearl doesn't believe this team is as adept at it; also, SEC opponents - many of whom are guard-oriented - are more capable of combating it.
Don't expect a full-fledged press revival for the NCAA tournament, especially since most tournament teams are well fortified at the guard position. But it still could be more of a strategic factor than it was in SEC play.
Said Pearl: "The thing I like about having pressure defense is that there will be a time in the game, or in the tournament, when we need to get either the tempo picked up or create turnovers.
"The fact that we have that weapon, and the fact that you've got to prepare for it, in and of itself makes pressing effective."
Playing effective defense - full-court or half-court - is often as much about effort as strategy. And effort is one of UT's attributes.
A first-time student of UT basketball picked up on that right away.
"The thing that sets them apart is how hard they play," Jones said. "Individually, but collectively as well."
Motivation and effort usually go together. UT was motivated to win the SEC tournament because the program had such a miserable history in it. But the motivation is greater and more enduring in this tournament.
If the Vols excel in this tournament, no one will remember the last one.
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 cdldoc on March 20, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I won't read this because it is from Adams. I am sure it questions our team's ability to beat American or anyone else? It certainly would not be a positive and interesting story about Out Team.
Posted by rockyknox on March 20, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No John, I don't judge you by this season. I judge you by the last 20. Time for Griff, Strange or Pennington to get a promotion.
Posted by knoxsingle on March 20, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, don't read anything by Adams. Waste of paper.
Posted by bmaples on March 20, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
John, good article. It's a shame that some on here feel the need to show their "loyalty" to UT by slamming you every time they get a chance. Loyalty and blindness are not the same thing.
As for the Vols unique style -- we'll see. If Roy Williams and Rick Pitino have any sense and any staff -- and they have plenty of both -- they've got some staffer already tearing down a year's worth of video on the Vols. Look at the bracket, and they both know they could easily see this "unique style." Don't know how unique it will be by the second weekend, at least on tape.
That said -- if the Vols play with the energy, passion, and focus that they can play with, they will beat both Louisville and UNC, preparation or not. Tennessee at its best is an amazing defensive team. Let's hope they are at their best for, oh, six games or so. Go Vols!
Posted by volfan_in_mississippi on March 20, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you don't want to read the article, don't bother to post a "response" to it. I am not an Adam's fan either, but there was nothing wrong with this article.
Posted by Hunter on March 20, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Adams has noticeably turned it down a notch since getting HAMMERED by CPF a few weeks ago. I like the new JA better than the old one. Some good points...
Posted by yemmusdarb on March 20, 2008 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
knoxsingle, cdldoc, rockyknox: I'm sure, due to your comments, John Adams is crying his eyes out that you dislike him. Actually he's probably laughing that 2 of you say you didn't read this column (I'm sure you did). He's also probably pointing out the fact that one of you actually has the name "knoxsingle", which is probably your user name on some internet-dating site too. AWESOME!
Here's a thought, why don't you 3 grow a set of testicles and stop acting like married women. Noone wants to hear your whining about something that happened months ago. So, if you don't like John Adams DON'T EVEN BOTHER CLICKING ON HIS ARTICLES!! Seriously, be men... don't be little immature girls.
Posted by rockyknox on March 20, 2008 at 11:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yemmusdarb, if you haven't noticed, most of the recent comments made after an Adams article have been about Adams and not about what he wrote. That truly shows that he has lost what little relevance he had as a journalist.
Posted by ect1983 on March 20, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yemmusdarb----thank you. As an aging member of AARP, I dont have the energy to respond to these girls @ length..But they continue to read our friend John's columns. I have to take my metamucil and go to bed now.thanks again.
Posted by cdldoc on March 21, 2008 at 12:19 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by volengr on March 21, 2008 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey children, go grab your blanky and cry to your mother because John Adams didn't compare the Vols to God.
Posted by LargeOrange on March 21, 2008 at 12:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We are so lucky to have Mr. John Adams as the leader of our beloved sports section. Remember, he has won several state writing awards.
Posted by anthony on March 21, 2008 at 1:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a casual reader, i see there are people who do not care for this journalist. Is that their perogative? Sure it is. Can they express this? Certainly. If we can critisize this administration(our opinion), we can certainly critisize a journalist? Can't we? Cannot these poor slobs with Orange on their chests have a little opinion? Without others saying to shut up?? Why don't we all unite and buy the newspaper and then we can fight umongst ourselves down at the office?? Great article, great team, great fans. great country, great state, great sport, great great great, great, great...great comments!!!
Posted by TheVolMan on March 21, 2008 at 2:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ah, the first three posts are from the boycott weenies. It's a night-time weenie-fest. Time for bed so you can dream of being tough guys who don't live with their heads in the sand and, who like JA, aren't afraid to tell it like it is. These WEENIES are too funny!
Great article John
Posted by nicksjuzunk on March 21, 2008 at 4:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Guys,
I'm not an Adams supporter but it seems kinda pointless to click on the article, not read it and then post about not doing it.
KNS monitors how many times a link has been hit and how many comments have been added to see if it is hot. When you click, you give him credit. When you post, you give him credit. They don't have anything that measures whether your eyes actually scanned the article so I suggest that you read the article or let it rest.
Just for the record, I love to blame Adams for everything because it makes me laugh and his article on Fulmer was tasteless but he is a journalist and you can't expect much more than that.
Posted by schymtz on March 21, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fans got a great team in the NCAA Tourneyment and the focus is on the writer, not the game? Talk about a distraction. I'm betting our team is better focused than this. GO VOLS! Beat 'em!Beat 'em! BEAT 'em!
Posted by GreerVol22 on March 21, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Adams is still a much more of a slanderous jerk than he ever will be a journalist. I don't boycott, but rather choose to treasure hunt his article for tidbits of information.
Much like Paris Hilton, his articles are pretty to look at, but no real substance behind the makeup..
Posted by eb502us on March 21, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Defense is definetly the key to how far this team can go. A repeat of the last two games and we could get beat today. Adams is once dead on..."dreadful" pretty much described it.
Posted by jasvol on March 21, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JA is only a journalist. I might like or dislike his articles but I do give him credit for actually writing the 'fire CFP' article. I didn't agree with it because JA didn't compare our 'arrest record' to the nations or to other BCS schools 'incident' rate. I'm a journalism major and it was beaten into our heads to report both sides of the story. If JA had done this the heat would be a lot less. Just my opinion...
Posted by HotlantaVol on March 21, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I never thought Paris Hilton was all that pretty personally. Plus I hate Yippee dogs.
Posted by spam247buster on March 21, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
eb502us-- well put, although you're clearly breaking the "slam John Adams or support John Adams only" rule here on this message board.
Since you actually discussed the article, I'll join in, too-- American U's coach Jeff Jones' comments sounded like the kind of praise Lou Holtz would give to an upcoming opponent back when he was coaching. "Lull them into a false sense of security."
I definitely hope the Vols play better defense today than they did against Arkansas-- it looked like UT was just letting the Hogs score whenever they wanted. I think the Vols will need tough D to advance in this tournament.
GO VOLS!!! Beat American U!
Posted by johnlg00 on March 21, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Media people clearly have a limited capacity for self-reflection, so I guess JA got a rather strong talking-to by KNS management after the "Fire Fulmer" article and the "southern radio treachery tour". Either that, or he was frightened by the vehemence of some posts on his articles since. Most of his more recent articles have been rather more informative and less wantonly critical of all things Vol.
As for the team's defense, it definitely must step up in the NCAAs compared to that pathetic SEC display. Actually, much of the pressure is on the offense. If the Vols are able to score consistently, AU won't be able to slow down the game as much. Since fast-break opportunities may be limited, the emphasis needs to be on scoring effectively in the half-court offense.
Posted by drone on March 21, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a shame the same principles of reporting are not extended to one other particular UT sport. Hint, Hint.
Posted by General_Watermelon on March 21, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here are the questions I want answered:
1) Does Fulmer still read these Adams articles from his laptop at the local Krispe Kreme?
2) Is Adams really a closet Bammer fan who came out on the Finebaum Show?
3) Is TommyJack still watching Lifetime Movies and why?
4) Does Kingsportvol still promote fire flamed vodka induced flatulence?
5) Will sjt18 write a book out of his 5,000 plus posts called Sermon on The Hill?
6) Will TouchdownTN live in infamy? Will he ever come back to grace us with his presence?
7) Is LargeO not the coolest dude in town with his orange colored sun glasses?
8) Will GreerVol ever express how he really feels about Adams?
9) Is cdldoc really not reading Adams' articles or just saying he's not?
10) Where is a youtube song from pdhuff when you need one?
Posted by LargeOrange on March 21, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
General - compelling questions indeed. Thanks for the props on my shades! As far as Mr. Adams is concerned, I have reformed now partially based on your fine example with CPF, I hope you don't mind. Just like Mr. Adams says in this article, we should judge "a season and not a weekend", we should not judge this fine journalistic icon by one article and the unfortunate SEC radio tour, but rather judge him on his "body of work" (a little NCAA selection committee lingo). We are so lucky to have Mr. John Adams as the leader of our beloved sports section. Were you aware that he has won several state writing awards?
Posted by GreerVol22 on March 21, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
fire flamed vodka induced flatulence...I don't know about you, but thats talent.
Posted by VOLstuckINky on March 21, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Judge Adams on his agenda .. not his latest article
Posted by rootin4volz on March 21, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If that headline is meant to mean the same thing as "Judge by a writing career, not by a single idiotic and wrong article" then Adams STILL doesn't have a leg to stand on.
Posted by knoxsingle on March 21, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Adams can say whatever he wants within limits, but readers can react with their voices, too. I think anything Adams writes is a waste of paper, and I'll keep posting that thought again and again and again.
Special shout-out to yemmusdarb for speculating about my testicle size and marital status. I don't swing that way, but I'm flattered by the interest.
Posted by Bigger_Al on March 21, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
John Adams laughs loudly at his own jokes.
Posted by littleorange on March 21, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I stopped reading Adams columns several weeks ago. I'm sure many of you understand the expression " I am done with him".
Posted by yemmusdarb on March 22, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
special shout out back to knoxsingle:
that's not what your Eharmony.com profile says
Posted by Colliervol on March 22, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
bmaples used a key phrase in his post:
"if the Vols play with the energy, passion, and focus that they can play with"
All of those things have been MIA since the Memphis game and it showed yesterday. And they badly need to find them by tomorrow. Somebody posted this stat: We are 6 and 2 against teams left in the final 32. We can beat anybody in this tournament IF we play with what bmaples said. If not, we pack the gear for the year on Sunday. It's as simple as that.
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