2008 Tennessee Basketball Predictions & Season Preview
Written October 17, 2008 by Luke Knight
Tennessee Volunteers coach Bruce Pearl, whose team was 31-5 overall and 14-2 in the SEC last season, faces a daunting task of replacing last year’s backcourt, including SEC all-time leading 3-point shooter Chris Lofton. Five of the top 10 players in last season’s rotation have moved on so Pearl will have his hands full. Last season’s team after all lost to Louisville after making it to the Sweet 16. Of course, Pearl and company did a great job recruiting and look to be very competitive again, despite the different look. The real challenge for the Vols will be consistency, which is the case any time a team has new players. With a revamped team, the Vols are still +125 odds to win the SEC East at BetUS.
Tyler Smith assumes the role of not only the leader and anchor of the frontcourt, but as team leader. Smith bypassed the NBA Draft to return for his junior season. Smith is a versatile 6’7” forward who led Vols’ starters in field goal percentage, rebounds, and assists last season. Smith also spent the offseason working on his perimeter shot to impress NBA scouts and help the Vols compensate for the loss of Lofton. Senior power forward Ryan Childress had offseason knee surgery, but Tennessee is hoping he will make a full recovery, while Emmanuel Negedu, an incoming freshman power forward, will be expected to contribute on the frontline immediately. Wayne Chism, a junior post player, has improved the past two seasons and is known for his ability to run the floor and play defense, but he also has the ability to hit 3-pointers making him a tough matchup for opposing big men. Sophomore Brian Williams, a 6’10” big man who has lost over 100-pounds over the past three years, but is still slated at 167, will be expected to play a much bigger role than last season where he played well when called on.
Tennessee had a school record total of 312 threes last season, but 80% of their made 3-pointers were lost to graduation in Lofton, JaJuan Smith and Jordan Howell. Pearl doesn’t expect to match last season’s mark, especially with the 3-point line being moved back. This season the Vols will be longer and more athletic with J.P. Prince and Cameron Tatum on the wing and incoming McDonald’s All-American Scotty Hopson at shooting guard. Prince, who started his career as a point guard at Arizona, lacks an outside shot, but penetrates, elevates, and handles the ball well. Tatum, who took a medical redshirt last season, has good shooting range and can get to the rim. Scotty Hopson hits 3-pointers and mid-range jumpers, but an explosive first step makes driving and dunking his strongest asset. Tennessee’s incumbent point guard, Ramar Smith, was kicked off the team, but Bobby Maze, a former Oklahoma Sooner who earned All-America honors at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College last season, should be an upgrade. Maze has good size and handles and distributes the ball well. He also shoots better than Ramar Smith. Daniel West, a polished, athletic point guard with natural leadership abilities, signed with Tennessee also. He won two state championships t Michigan’s Saginaw High.
Final Analysis
The Volunteers lost a lot of experience, there is no doubt about that, but they will make up for it in talent and size this season. Added length and athleticism should make Bruce Pearl’s “Controlled Chaos” trap-and-press game even more effective. Pearl also has plans to implement a match-up zone that he picked up from Lady Vols’ coach Pat Summitt. Tennessee plays an extremely tough schedule which includes a trip to the Old Spice Classic and non-conference games against Memphis, Kansas, Temple, Gonzaga, and Marquette. The tough non-conference schedule should prepare the Vols to win their second straight SEC title. We expect them to finish at the top of the SEC East. The Vols should get their 4th straight NCAA Tournament bid and will be a dangerous team to play when March rolls around. BetUS has the Vols at +2000 odds to win the NCAA Tournament this season.
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