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The recommendation means more than the stats when it comes to new Tennessee basketball signee Bobby Maze.
The recommendation comes from Ryan Swanson, Maze's coach at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. He's convinced Maze is a big-time talent who will make UT a better basketball team.
Is he prejudiced? You bet. Maze averaged 20.7 points and 6.7 assists for Swanson. So why wouldn't he present his former player as a future pro?
But Swanson's prejudice is balanced by his relationship with coach Bruce Pearl and the UT staff. He coached under Pearl at Wisconsin-Milwaukee and calls UT assistant coach Steve Forbes one of his best friends. He wouldn't jeopardize those relationships just to make a former player sound good.
The more Swanson discussed Maze on the News Sentinel radio show on Wednesday, the more excited UT fans must have become. At that time, Maze was only a potential signee. By afternoon, he was a Vol.
More significantly, he was the Vols' point guard.
Point guard is the position of question when you wonder if UT can repeat as SEC champion or have a shot at the Final Four. The question loomed larger last week when Pearl announced the departure of sophomore point guard Ramar Smith.
Now, it appears UT has not only filled the position but has improved it. In place of Smith and Jordan Howell, who both slumped in the second half of this past season, UT has added Maze and freshman Daniel West in the late-signing period.
Maze was good enough to start as a freshman point guard at Oklahoma two years ago. When Maze and coach Jeff Capel agreed to part, the Tulsa World quoted sources as saying Capel had issues with Maze's "practice habits and overall attitude."
That should have raised concerns with any coach recruiting Maze. But Swanson's assessment of Maze should help alleviate those concerns. Friends don't send friends problems. They send them solutions.
By signing Maze, UT won't have to rush West into the fray. He will have time to make the transition from high school to college basketball.
His signing also should help reshape UT's offense, which has been so 3-point oriented in the first three seasons under Pearl.
Swanson will be the first to tell you Maze isn't an accomplished 3-point shooter.
"And he knows it," Swanson said. But you won't have to worry about Maze trying to prove otherwise at his team's expense, Swanson emphasized.
Instead, Maze will drive to the basket or pull up and trigger mid-range jump shots, according to Swanson. Incoming freshman Scotty Hopson might do the same. So could Cameron Tatum, who was redshirted last season.
A stronger mid-range game will help compensate for UT's loss of 3-point shooters Chris Lofton, JaJuan Smith and Howell. And it will become more relevant when the 3-point line is extended next season from 19 feet, 9 inches to 20 feet, 9 inches.
You will have to wait until next season to see exactly how Maze will impact UT's offense. But you can get a preview when Maze joins other UT players in the Pilot Rocky Top League next month.
Until then, you can trust the recommendation of Maze's former coach.
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 Bigger_Al on May 7, 2008 at 11:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If this young man ever makes an off-court mistake, will Adams be calling for the head of his former coach?
Posted by volhoopsfan001 on May 7, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It sounds like Tennessee had help with this Maze.
Posted by TK on May 7, 2008 at 11:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome Bobby Maze...I look forward to watching you play. UT has needed a PG since Watson left. I hope whatever problems Bobby had in the past stay there.
Posted by King53 on May 8, 2008 at 6:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
good article...i believe he is right in that friends don't send friends problem kids. I think this will be a great fit for him and the team. This may be the piece that we have been looking for to take that next big step. Go Vols!!
Posted by pdhuff on May 8, 2008 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hoop it up, Bro.
Wear the Orange proudly. Compete every time out.
No one could will ask anything else.
Congrats.
Posted by GreerVol22 on May 8, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a compelling reference for Adams, but would be banned for writing it.
Once again a nice 8th grade attempt at reporting.
Posted by rrvolfan on May 8, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JOHN ADAMS BYLINE = IGNORE THIS ARTICLE
Posted by rrvolfan on May 8, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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JOHN ADAMS BYLINE = IGNORE THIS ARTICLE
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Posted by ccantrell on May 8, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It makes you wonder if Bruce had this worked out prior to letting Ramar go. I'm betting that he did. Again, smart coaching...
Posted by ccantrell on May 8, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It makes you wonder if Bruce had this worked out prior to letting Ramar go. I'm betting that he did. Again, smart coaching...
Posted by ccantrell on May 8, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It makes you wonder if Bruce had this worked out prior to letting Ramar go. I'm betting that he did. Again, smart coaching...
Posted by VenomousVol on May 8, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Once again a wonderful article by John Adams. He brings wit and wisdom to the unwashed masses of Big Orange Country. Congrats to the real "Big Fisherman" in K-town on ANOTHER All-American. The future of UT basketball is unlimited with a coach like BP. Tyler,Chism,Tatum,Hopson, and Maze, that is strong. With Bruce pushing the buttons this team could be the best yet. Can we just fast forward to November?
Posted by GoVol on May 8, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Getting anyone would be an improved over Ramar Smith - he was terrible.
Posted by TheVolMan on May 8, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Weenies, good job boycotting JA's articles! LOL...
John, great job as usual.
Posted by GreerVol22 on May 8, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Vol Man who's boycotting?
Posted by ImAllVol on May 8, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maze will be gone in a year or less....and not for the NBA. Our next Hutchinson C.C. thug will be Bud Mackey. He has to deal with an upcoming drug dealing sentence first.
Why in the world would Bruce bring in these players that do not represent the team and the university with character and integrity?? We are becoming just like Memphis for crying out loud!! This is going to come back and bite us.
I just wonder if Bruce is taking such high risk chances for short term gains to help him get that NBA job he is looking for.
Posted by ktownvol on May 8, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If IMALLVOL is truly as advertised, you wouldn't be bashing Bruce's decisions and accusing him of wanting to go to the NBA -- so you might want to change your "name" to IMAFAIRWEATHERVOL. Most of us trust Bruce to know what is going on and what he can expect--it's worked out fine so far! If Bobby doesn't work as he should or gets an attitude, Bruce will deal with it -- 'nuff said! Welcome Bobby -- we're expecting big things from you!! GO BIG ORANGE!
Posted by VenomousVol on May 8, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lamarcus Toker
Mondre Dickerson
Gerald Jones
Brent Schaffer
Jamal Lewis
Dwayne Goodrich
Otis Colquitt
Tony McDaniel
What could a Bruce Pearl recruit possibly do to hurt the UT image when we have had this group of mug shot allstars thanks to Phil Fulmer.
Posted by VenomousVol on May 8, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
IMALLVOL isn't fair weathered. He is a card carrying Fulmerite. It shows that he is trying to bash on Pearl because he is stealing Fat Boy's thunder. We didn't get the moniker UThug from the basketball program.
Posted by Ironcity on May 8, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Venomous you could create that list on any team in the country including Duke! Half the players you listed weren't even at the school when thy got into trouble. Give it a rest now.
As for Maze I questioned Smith coming back and we saw how that worked out. I will put my trust into Coach and look forward to good things next year.
Posted by RunRunPassPunt on May 8, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
IMALLIDIOT - Has Bruce shown he can't control his program? Have they mentioned they are pursuing Bud Mackey or is there something you know that would convince us all that Maze will be gone in a year other than the completely moronic statements and unfounded speculation you offer? No, your just another idiot spouting off at the mouth who doesn't know jack about sports, talent, or the team you are supposedly a fan of. Ramar and Duke didn't go to class, smoked dope, and helped create some bad team chemistry. He dealt with that and kicked them off the team. Furthermore, Bruce Pearl has already talked numerous times about not being a NBA caliber coach. He ADMITTED he is not the x's and o's guy that you have to be to succeed in the NBA. He's a game-planner and motivator and if you watch any basketball you would know that works only at the college level. Everyone talked about the problems of Josh Tabb before he came in and he has been nothing but a team player and exemplary student-athelete.
Posted by johnlg00 on May 8, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
IMALLVOL, I think Adams made a good point. If Maze is really a "problem child", CBP's friend Swanson wouldn't have recommended him so highly. CBP is, and will likely remain, such a hot commodity in the coaching profession that no JUCO coach, let alone a long-time friend, is going to jeopardize a close relationship with him for the sake of a player with a bad attitude. As for Maze's bad experience at OU, I can easily see how an ex-Dookie like Capel would feel compelled to bad-mouth a player who didn't fit Capel's image of what a college basketball player should be.
Posted by UTfan4life on May 8, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maze will be fine
Posted by WD40plusVol on May 8, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lamarcus Coker - kicked out for drugs
Mondre Dickerson - kicked out for drugs
Gerald Jones - Tagged for being in the vicinity of drugs
Brent Schaffer - academics
Jamal Lewis - post UT, drugs
Dwayne Goodrich - post UT, alchohol
Otis Colquitt - who? Britton suspended for DUIs
Tony McDaniel - thug
Leonard Little - post UT, alchohol
Duke Crews - drugs
Ramar Smith - drugs
Major Wingate - drugs
Once read that Knoxville, being the crossroads of I-40 and I-75 is a major conduit for drug trafficing from the south to the north and west. More than anything UT athletics appears to have drug issues.
Posted by VOLstuckINky on May 8, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thug U ????
Posted by VenomousVol on May 8, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For the record Jamal Lewis was in trouble for not paying for clothes at a department store before he set foot on campus and Dwayne Goodrich had dicipline problems while he was at UT.
Posted by WD40plusVol on May 8, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, I forgot, Jamal was a member of the Georgian fashion mafia and got riden out of town on a rail.
Posted by BADGES0413 on May 8, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So what you are saying venon is Coach Fulmer has 9 players with discipline issues during the last 11 years and Pearl has 4 (Crews, Smith, Wingate, Passley ) kicked off the team for drug use in 3 years. Face it both coaches have discipline issues and are dealing with it the right way as far as I can tell.
Posted by VenomousVol on May 8, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No those were just the ones off the top of my head. There are many more, I just dont have the time right now to look them all up. I can later and give you a more complete list if you like.
Posted by QCVol on May 8, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Instead of calling them thugs, why dont you just write what you really mean. Most of us already know it is just a "code" word. Those of you posting that crap probably thought the same about Tyler Smith. You can't control what a player is going to do at all, so if you are a fan, the best thing you can do is let the coach do his thing, support the TEAM, and shut the *&^% up. If they get in trouble, thats on them, it doesnt effect you one bit. That is unless you are trying to live through a team or a program, and if that is the case, then you need to get a life.
Posted by BADGES0413 on May 8, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Venom.
Yes, I do require a complete list. Please go back to 1992 when Fulmer started coaching. After I review it I will post your grade on the 2nd Floor of Glocker just outside Dr Townsend's office.
Posted by itsme53792 on May 8, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
IMALLdummy: Memphis doesn't have your level of problems; the Tigers graduated 16 of the last 19 players that didn't go pro, and passed the NCAA APR with room to spare. You've already lost one scholarship with maybe 2 more to come. Your own poster here detailed the number of UT athletes who have been run off due to drugs/behavior. Little hints for you: Memphis only tied an NCAA record for wins over the past 3 years, had 2 #1 seeds and a #2 seed, 3 ELITE 8s, and a title game, but also has seen 4 assistant coaches become Head Coaches..and sent 8 players to the pros. This recruiting class is already 3rd according to Jerry Meyer...but will be #1 after Ebanks signs. How can we top this off? We've just signed the top assistant coach from Arizona (Pac 10) and will sign the top assistant at Oregon (another Pac 10). You idiots HOPE you become like Memphis...where the coaching IS NBA caliber...along with the players...who, at Memphis, go to class and graduate without being high on pot. Rocky Top High.
Posted by brownsvillevol on May 8, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bob byrd tigirl if cal was such a great nba coach why did he get fired?and those eight players have not proven anything in the league and most including cdr will ride the pine for most of their careers.only rose has a legitimate shot at being a superstar.and don't forget you still haven't qualified all your recruits.and i bet andre allen was high on pot everyday he was in class if he even went.idiot.
Posted by mempuss on May 8, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
College Athletes and Students often get into "trouble" all over the country. After all, these are young often immature people that you are talking about!!!! I for one, know that i have made bad decisions in my life, just less publicly. People are so quick to judge another man for their personal skeletons without first adknowledging their own. In the atmosphere of the world and college athletics in which we live, a college student smoking pot is small time. I am proud of the disciplinary decisions of most of our athletic staff. Bobby A Maze welcome to the Orange! Prove to all of the haters and doubters that a person can change their ways.
Posted by mempuss on May 8, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
itsme- you are absolutely dreaming if you seriously believe: "You idiots HOPE you become like Memphis".. Who ANYWHERE would want to be like Mempuss? Memphis tiger high has how many national championships? What conference does memphis tiger high belong to? Memphis tiger high dreams of becoming the athletic institution that is its BIG brother UT! Keep chasing Little brother, we realize its hard to keep up!
Posted by grvol on May 8, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
itsme Memphis also choked liked Tyson chickens in the final. Hope you sleep well at night.
Posted by grvol on May 8, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Itsme...NBA caliber? I thought Wade Houston was out there for Memphis against Kansas. Maybe it was the TN game 2 out of the last 3.
Posted by Raynoch on May 8, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Memphis is a goofy, urban, commuter school who happens to have a good basketball team.
Posted by askUncleMaze on May 9, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whats up Im the Uncle of B.Maze. Where do you IDIOT'S get your information from. Please show me one article on B.Maze being in trouble or getting arrested.I got one more thing B.Maze does not smoke anything....I think Ut has a good team and B.Maze will make it better...
Posted by General_Fritter on May 11, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All kidding aside, we are glad Bobby chose UT Uncle. He has a great opportunity to take the reigns and run with it. We hope he makes the most of it, gets his education, fulfills his goals and makes the team better while doing it. UT has lost a lot of fire power with the graduation losses of J Smith and C. Lofton and has been hurt by the selfish acts of Ramar Smith and Duke Crews. We are desperate for Bobby to be everyting you say he is. Tyler Smith is a great player. Chism and JP Prince are very athletic, we will be bigger inside next year, and the Parade All-American shooting guard should make for an exciting team.
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