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Smith's exit doesn't faze guard West

Tennessee signee ready to answer challenge

By Mike Griffith (Contact)
Originally published 09:49 p.m., May 4, 2008
Updated 09:49 p.m., May 4, 2008

Don't bother asking Tennessee men's basketball signee Daniel West about the added pressure he could face next season now that he's the only point guard.

West, a two-time Class A state championship point guard from Saginaw, Mich., doesn't see pressure as being a problem, even though Ramar Smith is no longer a part of the basketball team.

"The best things in life involve challenges,'' West said. "I was shocked to hear about Ramar because he was a big part of the team. Really, I was supposed to be coming in to take some pressure off of him.

"But this doesn't bother me; I still want to earn a spot, and I'm still going to play.''

West, whose Saginaw team finished No. 4 in the national (USA Today) high school rankings, said he knows UT is pursuing another option at point guard.

Bobby Maze, a former Oklahoma starter now at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, appears to be the top target.

But with Cincinnati and Kentucky also in the mix for Maze's services, there's no guarantee the Vols will start next season with two true point guards.

"That's fine; I can play however many minutes Coach (Bruce) Pearl needs me to play,'' West said. "Thirty-two minutes is high school minutes - I can play another eight.''

Although it's a safe bet that won't happen, Vols' fans must admire West's determination and confidence.

Jack Ebling, a former sportswriter at the Lansing (Mich.) State Journal who covered Michigan State and Big Ten basketball for 25 years, has seen West play and said UT fans are in for a treat.

"With opportunity, he will not disappoint,'' said Ebling, who hosts a daily radio show and served as the color analyst for West's high school state championship playoffs.

"He'll have an adjustment period, it will take him a while to have the strength you need against the physicality we see in the Big Ten and the SEC,'' Ebling said. "But he can run, he can defend, he can stroke the shot and he can pass.

"He is as well-coached as any high school player I have ever seen.''

West said his confidence and abilities come from Saginaw High School coach Lou Dawkins.

"My high school coach has prepared me for this,'' West said. "We do the same stuff here that Tennessee does. My coach (Dawkins) played college ball and made it to the NBA draft. He knows what it takes to get there.''

Ebling said an interview with Minnesota coach Tubby Smith revealed Dawkins' abilities.

"I asked Tubby to give me his top five players of all time,'' Ebling said. "With all those great players at Kentucky, I wasn't sure what to expect. But he gave me Lou Dawkins as one of them, and Lou played for him at Tulsa.''

Pearl said a few weeks ago that UT's answer at point guard likely would come from Ramar Smith, with West playing a complimentary role.

Even though West might not have the strength to assume the starting job, Pearl said that West has an important quality that will prove key to the team.

"Daniel is a winner,'' Pearl said. "There's no doubt in my mind he makes people around him better, and he's a winner, pure and simple.''

West said he's already getting a case of Big Orange fever.

"Everywhere I go, people up here are talking about Tennessee,'' he said. "My family, my friends, people in the community, everyone is looking forward to this season.

"So I do pushups and curls and work out, and I know when I get there, there will be more.''

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       42 Comments

Posted by jasvol on May 4, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

West: Please keep your head down and focus. Us fans desire to see yours and ALL UT athlete's potential fulfilled! Take us on a magical journey!

Posted by FWBVol on May 4, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Daniel, take the advice of a guy that remembers Ernie and Bernie...follow the example of Chris Lofton and learn from the mistakes of Ramar Smith and Duke Crews.

You can have it all at UT if you work hard and don't cheat yourself or your team by taking shortcuts or enjoying temporary pleasures that will lead to a slippery slope.

Good Luck Young Man. And GO BIG ORANGE!!!

Posted by drakosben1 on May 4, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

we just lost two pearl's, i guess that even's the playing field for the rest of the country.

Posted by VU on May 4, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder if he can roll a J as fast as Ramar?

Posted by jfg1980 on May 4, 2008 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's funny VU. Good stuff. I dont think Chong would stand a chance against Ramar though.

Posted by mparker on May 4, 2008 at 11:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DW, if you gotta copy a 'game', Derrick Rose is a pretty good place to start. As for how to approach the game, no one beats Chris.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 4, 2008 at 11:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yawn...oh wait a minute, I thought this was a football article.

Posted by dlobh on May 4, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, VU, your team lost in the 1st round by 21 to Sienna, and your ONLY player is gone now. We have plenty of options left. You'd better go back to the Tennessean websites where you can rejoice in Vandy's great baseball win or something pathetic like that with the other 'dore fans. Football will be here soon, and you know what that means . . .

Posted by eb502us on May 4, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This may sound cold, but I won't miss Ramar. IMO, he was a below average SEC talent who was way overrated coming out of high school with no jump shot and limited point guard skills. I'm excited to see West and the fact that Pearl won't have the obligation of playing Ramar I believe will help his development and this team. And from what I've read of this article, we've alredy upgraded our point guard position.

Posted by Laydbakvol on May 5, 2008 at 12:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Leave Fulmer alone!

Posted by Hunter on May 5, 2008 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

eb, I have to agree. Ramar Smith's idea of offense was to drive as far as you can until you have a 0% chance of dropping a shot, then throw it up on a prayer and essentially turn it over every time you try to "create." I hope West will be a selfless facilitator a la Jordan Howell, but without the headcase shooting slump at the end of the season.

The future looks bright on the Hill in roundball. Go Vols!

Posted by pdhuff on May 5, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Step on, stepper!

Bring it.

Posted by ehudgin1 on May 5, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

West seems likes he's going to be a great true player. He may not be the flashy 20 ppg player but I think he will be a key contributor for 4 solid years. This class, although not as highly touted as the Chism, Crews, Smith class seems like it could be big.
I think it would be a big help to get Maze but West will be able to play I'm sure.
I know it's saying alot already but I just picture in my mind him being a Dane Bradshaw type of guy who is a good leader/ scores neccesary points/ makes the clutch plays.

Posted by GerryOP on May 5, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How refreshing! Welcome aboard young man!

Posted by 55Vol on May 5, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

yawn...WorkinlikeHeck is istill staying the course. BORING

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 5, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff, wake up, I think you're talking in your sleep.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on May 5, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

10 years with no SEC title in football (we have 2 this decade in basketball) is boring and staying the course.

Posted by utfan15govols on May 5, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

well, as far as the Maze kid, I would be really shocked if he goes to UK, because that have a heavy guard line up already.

Posted by johnlg00 on May 5, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm hoping this kid turns out to be another C.J. Watson. They are about the same size and seem to have similar games from what I have heard so far. IIRC, Watson pretty much led the SEC in minutes played from his first year on. For some reason, point guards seem to be able to handle extended minutes on the court better than most other position players. Most important, he seems to have a true point guard's mentality for the game. If he is the real deal, we will be fine at that position. I think Tabb and JP will be able to fill in for a few minutes when West needs a break or gets in foul trouble.

Posted by pdhuff on May 5, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WD40, you may be right. Doldrums. Interesting but troubling article at tennessean.com - click on- Blinders on loyalty come off- in sports.

Posted by marc_ash on May 5, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ok, so why should Smith's departure faze Daniel West? If anything, this should make him happy...he has one less person he has to compete with.

Posted by UTfan4life on May 5, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

losing Ramar is a blessing in disguise, why? Well here is why, West is a point guard, ramar is a SG, West can shoot free throws, Smith cannot, West can stroke the 3, yea you know...
The thing is that we will be young next year with 2 freshman starting but look to a good year.

Posted by Ashley on May 5, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

119 days till Football Time In Tennessee!!!!!!!

Posted by General_Fritter on May 5, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

119 days before Ashley hooks up with Kingsport's goat.

Posted by WD40plusVol on May 5, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope Daniel has a hill in Saginaw to start running. 32 minutes in Pearl's game is a killer.

Posted by UTfan4life on May 5, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

we want Maze!

Posted by murrayvol on May 5, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff: Thanks for the heads up on Tennessean piece. I've been considering some of my options lately.

Posted by marc_ash on May 5, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bflynn2,

Go back to sleep.

Nobody gives a rats @ss what you think anyway.

Posted by TommyJack on May 5, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash 9:54 : Seems logical. What did you do to bflynn2?

Posted by Ironcity on May 5, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Does anyone know why Maze left Oklahoma? Sounds like he may have worn out his welcome there. That said we really need him. I don't think I could stomach Prince and Tabb trying to brake UF 's press.

Posted by tennisvol on May 5, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It sure sounds as though West will be up to the challenge.

Posted by General_Fritter on May 5, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hurry! Bring in another thug. We only have a true Freshmen Point Guard.

Posted by General_Fritter on May 5, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll have a cold glass of mile with my fritter!

Posted by marc_ash on May 5, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tommy,

There are always 1 or 2 yo-yo's out there. You've read my posts for a long time, you know I don't attack folks personally...so there is no telling who's grounded him this week to make him mad.

Posted by TommyJack on May 5, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc: too true

Posted by ETownVol on May 5, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Looking forward to watching you play and contribute to this team, Mr. West.

And WorkingLikeHeck... would you get me a beer, please?. Mine's "half empty."

Posted by Michael1204 on May 5, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well think about it this way; at least we don't have to worry about Ramar throwing bricks as free throws anymore...

Posted by BigOrangeVol on May 6, 2008 at 2:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like a Johnny Darden without the sweet shot. Yes, Johnny could bury it; Coach Mears, Wettig and DeVoe just didn't let him.

Posted by BillVol on May 6, 2008 at 11:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just hearing Daniel described as a "winner" means a lot. A lot of guys have skills, but true "winners" are few and far between. Daniel West is our most intriguing recruit IMO. I can't wait to see him play.

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