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Adams: Vols have talent to make up for personnel losses
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You knew Tennessee's most recent basketball recruiting class was significant. You didn't know how significant until coach Bruce Pearl announced Friday that point guard Ramar Smith and backup forward Duke Crews would not return next season.
An already-depleted backcourt is now virtually void of college experience. A team seemingly blessed with strength in reserve no longer looks as deep.
The departure of Smith and Crews creates a greater challenge and opportunity for incoming freshmen Scotty Hopson, Daniel West, Philip Jurick and Renaldo Woolridge. It does the same for reserves Brian Williams, Ryan Childress, Josh Tabb, and Cameron Tatum, who was redshirted this past season.
Pearl and his staff will be challenged, too.
They have lost four guards, and three 3-point shooters from their SEC championship team. The losses might be measured more in points given up than scored.
All-American Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith provided a formidable one-two 3-point punch on the perimeter. On his best days, which became less frequent as the season wore on, Ramar Smith could drive through the very heart of a defense.
But the Smiths didn't need the basketball to impact a game. They had the necessary strength and athleticism to match up defensively against the strongest guards in the SEC. For example, take JaJuan Smith's play against Mississippi State's Jamont Gordon in early February. Now, you have to wonder who will fill that role.
Crews also will be missed. He was sidelined by a heart ailment early in the season, but despite that setback, he boosted UT's defense and rebounding in the second half of the season. And when starter Wayne Chism's playing time was limited by foul trouble, Crews' presence was crucial.
The attrition might hurt the Vols. It doesn't have to devastate them.
Never mind their contributions. Neither Crews nor Ramar Smith proved to be as good as their recruiting billing.
Crews struggled to develop an offensive game. The 6-foot-10 Williams will give the Vols more size and a better offensive alternative inside. His challenge will be to improve defensively.
Ramar Smith occasionally capped his drives with athletic scores. But too often, those drives fizzled at the basket. Moreover, he was unreliable at the foul line.
Still, how can you expect freshman West to play such an important position on a team that aspires to defend its conference championship and make a deeper run in the NCAA tournament?
Maybe that's why Bobby Maze's name has come up in connection with UT. The 6-2 Maze, who excelled in one junior college season at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, is a former starting point guard at Oklahoma.
Ironically, Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel spoke similarly about Maze's departure as Pearl did about Crews and Ramar Smith.
"They did a lot of good things, but they also failed to do some things," Pearl said. "We just felt like - both the University of Tennessee and these student-athletes - we'd be better served to move on."
When Maze left Oklahoma, Capel said in a prepared statement: "Bobby and I met last week and came to an agreement that he and our program will part ways. This decision is best for Bobby and our team."
The Tulsa World quoted sources as saying Maze's problems involved "practice habits and overall attitude." Maze was benched against both Oklahoma State and Tulsa but started five of the last six games for Oklahoma in 2006-07.
He apparently had no problems at Hutchinson, where he averaged 20.7 points and 6.8 assists this past season. He committed to Maryland last December, but coach Gary Williams recently rescinded the offer, according to ESPN.com., which reported that Maze "will now consider offers from St. John's, Kentucky, Wichita State, Southern California and Cincinnati."
If UT can't beat out the competition for Maze, there's always J.P. Prince.
After watching Prince's emergency stint at point guard last month, I had a two-word assessment: "never again." My updated assessment; "Never say never."
In fairness to Prince, he assumed the position under the worst of circumstances after Pearl lost confidence in Jordan Howell and Ramar Smith. Prince certainly has the athleticism and confidence to handle the job. At 6-7, with long arms and exceptional jumping ability, he at least would pose problems for perimeter shooters.
Despite the uncertainty at point guard and the unexpected loss of two players, UT still will be difficult to unseat as SEC champion. Tyler Smith and Chism will be All-SEC candidates; Hopson, who figures to start immediately, is the most highly rated player Pearl has signed at UT.
Just a couple of weeks ago, UT didn't know if it would have either Tyler Smith or Hopson. Smith's decision not to go pro and Hopson's decision to sign were huge pluses for UT.
In fact, in its quest for back-to-back conference championships, UT needs Tyler Smith and Hopson more than it needs Crews and Ramar Smith.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by bamacheats on May 3, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
John Adams - poor reporting as usual. Do you have too much of a life that you couldn't do a little more resarch on Maze?
Jeff Capel has an attitude problem, he thinks he is coach K and is suprised when a player doesn't pay him the same admiration that the kids give K at Duke.
He is the only coach that has claimed that he has an attitude problem.
Gary Williams got gun shy and took back his offer because he needed summer school to qualify, he went after another pg...didn't get him and has gotten blasted by Terp fans who think his best days are long gone.
See...that didn't take that much effort.
Posted by eefor10c on May 3, 2008 at 6:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
John Adams, Why aren't you on your high horse? Where is the rant, the indignation about a sports program at UT out of control. TWO basketball scholarship players off the UT basketball team at one time? How many would that be off of an 85 scholarship football team. I think you should be calling for Pearls head so we can continue to call for yours!
Posted by TommyJack on May 3, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good article.
Posted by doctorvol on May 3, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
can't argue with that
Posted by eb502us on May 3, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Truthfully, both of these guys were expendable because neither had a true position. Crews was undersized and couldn't play facing the basket, and Ramar had limited point guard skills and no jump shot whatsoever. I hate to see anybody kicked off the team, but in a way, if it had to be somebody, Ramar would be my choice. I said all season that Ramar was the worst starting point guard in the SEC even though others disagreed. As for Duke, hate to see him go as he's a likable guy who played hard all the time. His depth on the bench will be missed.
Posted by GerryOP on May 3, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What TJ said...
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 3, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yawn....Pearl will make this a positive and use it for motivation. We'll probably be better without them somehow. Pearl performs miracles. See 2005-06. Holla.
Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on May 3, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In 5 years, after Crews impregnates several different women and after Smith serves time on possesion/dealing charges, will we see an article blaming Pearl for their miserable lives?
Posted by GreerVol22 on May 4, 2008 at 12:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
not so fast lsu, this is an Adams article, blame is reserved for Fulmer only, show this special-ed itor some respect.
Posted by drakosben1 on May 4, 2008 at 2:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here again we are asked to believe that this man knows what he is talking about. Secondly we are to believe that this man is an authority in anything he writes about(this is why the people who always say "Great article John" , and who cannot understand why the rest of us dog John) can get away with persuading us that opinion is the same as knowledge. If this is not true, then why does he play politics and try to get rid of Fulmer?
Posted by danthemanwells on May 4, 2008 at 2:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
you people are ridiculous. john adams wrote an article saying the same thing that sports call in people had been saying for the last few years, and all of a sudden everything he writes is rubbish? there isn't one person who comments on this board that's a better journalist than john adams.
seriously people. get over it.
Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on May 4, 2008 at 6:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
From what you've written, John, this Maze kid doesn't sound like a Volunteer. Doesn't sound like a good fit.
Posted by DSaVol on May 4, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
baba - a little more research on Maze? Where are all your facts about the guy? Oh, you've never seen him either? Guess that leaves you with Adams.
dan - Adams and journalist should never be used in the same sentence.
eb - SSDD. I guess you previously expended both of your "new" thoughts for the year?
Has anyone considered that getting booted at OK and having to spend a year out of the spotlight just may have allowed Maze to mature and understand it ain't all about him? Smith/Crews obviously DIDN'T do this in two years so perhaps we should first let things play out and see if Maze even becomes a Vol and then judge him on what he does after arriving in Knoxville. Of course that would be a very illogical approach wouldn't it.
Posted by Ashley on May 4, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"there isn't one person who comments on this board that's a better journalist than john adams."
Somebody has been hitting the wacky tobacky with Crews and Smith.
Posted by TK on May 4, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My problem with Maze is that two schools backed away from him. Whatever the reasons. If he does come to UT I hope he has learned from his past and not become another problem for UT.
Posted by warriorman86 on May 4, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ashley, I'd like to see you write a better column than Adams.
Posted by KingsportVol on May 4, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Solid article Adams.
Posted by General_Fritter on May 4, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Vols problems at point just got worse unless you think JP Prince or some unheralded true Freshmen is the answer.
Posted by Beasty72 on May 4, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I will have to say that I have never been so embarrassed then I have been by my fellow Vol fans.A large number of our fans have to be the biggest babies in the world.ESPN hates us,the refs hate us,noone in the country respects us,and to make matters worse people cry like crazy bc a newspaper writer might say harsh things about our coach or any of our programs.I think alot of the VolNation needs to grow some Big Orange Balls.
Posted by budrhon on May 4, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Has anyone considered Josh Tabb playing some back up point? ...hmmmm He's pretty much a defensive guy so he's not always looking for a shot.
Posted by BigOrangeJeff on May 5, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Vols problems at point just got worse unless you think JP Prince or some unheralded true Freshmen [sic] is the answer."
Well, it looks like the bluebird of happiness just showed up. Never - ever - a positive comment. It must suck to be you.
BOJ
Posted by rootin4volz on May 5, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Vols have talent to make up for personnel losses"
That's great...I would tend to agree. Too bad the same can't be said for your loss of judgement, John Adams.
Posted by etsuvol99 on May 5, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm really surprised Adams has kept his tail between his legs and just shrugged off more drug problems on the basketball team. Pearl has a tenth of the players to account for vs. the football team and Adams wanted Fulmer's head.
Guess all the negative comments have had an impact after all.
Posted by TheVolMan on May 5, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good article John. Ignore the weenies who are having a hard time boycotting your articles. LOL...
Posted by LongtimeVol on May 5, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good article. The thing that amuses me about the Adams vs Fulmer debate is this: If you are a Tennessee fan you can ignore John Adams with little impact to your support for UT, but you cannot do that with Fulmer. It has been much more painful to watch some the football fiascos we have had over the past 7 or 8 years than it has been to read any of Adams' articles. If I found Adams as repugnant as so many on here claim, I really would just skip over his articles without even opening them. I am a die hard Volunteer, so I send my contributions, go the the games, and endure the decline in the program while hoping for a change. Either a changed Head Coach or a change of Head Coach, I don't really care which. I was a fan and supporter before Fulmer, and I will be one after he is gone. No one person, not even the General himself, is bigger than UT in my mind.
Posted by Bigger_Al on May 7, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tuscaloosa John and TheVolMan go out for weenies together.
Posted by Bigger_Al on May 7, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LongtimeVol - Here is where my point of view differs from your's:
What true Vol Fan would side with Adams, an LSU grad who got paid to go on Alabama radio (that's why he's "Tuscaloosa John") to slander our coach, and who seems to revel in needling UT and its fans after every loss, over Fulmer, a UT grad and football captain who spends every waking moment trying his best to sustain and improve our program, and who, like us, is in mourning after any loss?
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