[b]Bruce Pearl inherited a bad situation at Tennessee, and it's only getting worse.
The Volsâ best recruit in years, incoming freshman Tyler Smith, is trying to get out of the National Letter-of-Intent he signed when Buzz Peterson was coach. Another player who would have been an even better recruiting coup, Jamont Gordon, orally committed this week to Mississippi State after leaning toward Tennessee until Peterson was fired.
The Volunteersâ best returning player, guard Chris Lofton, is considering a transfer after averaging 13.2 points and leading the SEC at 46.5 percent on 3-pointers.[/b]
Tyler Smith, Pulaski, TN, 6-7, 230
Smith, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward from Pulaski, Tenn., was selected as one of the top 10 high school players in the nation when Street & Smithâs named him a second team selection on the 2004 Boys High School All-America Team. As a junior at Giles County High School the first team all-state selection averaged 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists while leading the Bobcats to the state tournament. As a sophomore he earned tournament MVP honors after leading Giles County to a state championship. Rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, he was named the MVP of the all-star game at the adidas Superstar camp last summer in Atlanta.
[b]If there is one player you've gotta feel for in what has been another disappointing basketball season for the Tennessee Vols it has to be freshman Chris Lofton.
In a quiet, unassuming manner, Lofton has provided this team with a very solid rookie season highlighted by his outstanding ability to shoot the basketball. However, Lofton has proven to be more than just the marksman that led him to be Kentuckyâs Mr. Basketball at Mason County High School last season. Sure, Lofton leads the SEC in three-point shooting and ranks in the top-10 nationally in that same category, but the young man has also provided quality play with other parts of his game: Lofton is second on the team behind CJ Watson in steals (34); fouth in rebounding (3.5 rpg); first in free-throw shooting percentage (86.2%); and has dished out 38 assists to only 23 turnovers on the season. These numbers are not too shabby for a young man shunned by home state schools Kentucky and Louisville (Pitino has stated he regrets not taking Lofton) along with across river University of Cincinnati.
In an otherwise bleak basketball season Chris Lofton has been a bright spot and is truly the one element of hope currently on campus in regard to the future of the Tennessee program. My personal opinion is many Tennessee fans have not paid enough attention to the accomplishments of this unsung sharp shooter from Maysville, KY. The way Lofton approaches the game, itâs as though he wouldnât have it any other way.[/b]
Rumor amongst Memphis area coaches is that a certain shoe company is about to get exposed for steering recruits to certain schools. I canât remember who UT has their shoe deal with though.
[i]Originally posted by fsquid[/i]@Apr 11 2005, 02:31 PM
[b] Rumor amongst Memphis area coaches is that a certain shoe company is about to get exposed for steering recruits to certain schools. I can't remember who UT has their shoe deal with though. [/b]
It will be interesting to see if UT is implicated in that. Just a few weeks ago they had fans who didn't want Lutz because of "questionable" recruiting tactics.
Would be poetic justice if they were involved. :lol:
As a UT fan, thatâs no surprise to me. Itâs an unstated fact that the program is dirty, though itâs usually discussed on the academics side rather than the financial one.
UT is an ADIDAS school. Draw your own conclusions.
Tyler Smith the 6â7 F is NOT the same 6â2 G known also as Tyler Smith that we took a breif look at before he committed to Depaul. That T.S., I believe, either voluntarily left or was kicked off the team. Completely different players. This one is a true blue chipper. The Depaul kid was a borderline top 100 guard.
I wonder about Loftonâs attitude right now. heâs a good player, but I wonder what heâs looking for. If heâs just fed up with the âbig orange screwâ (as itâs called on campus), and is just looking for a change of scenery, then bring him on. Weâll take a look, Iâd expect.
Since Pearl took over and started meeting with these guys, heâs had one want out of his LOI, one verbal to Miss. St. after leaning towards the Vols, and a starter that wants to transfer. Heâs got 3 years, tops.
[i]Originally posted by fsquid[/i]@Apr 11 2005, 03:32 PM
[b] Since Pearl took over and started meeting with these guys, he's had one want out of his LOI, one verbal to Miss. St. after leaning towards the Vols, and a starter that wants to transfer. He's got 3 years, tops. [/b]
Don't say that on the scout.com hoopsville board for UT. Those jokers are saying he'll have them in the NCAA tourney next year.
It sounds to me like UT couldnât have any more visits without violating NCAA rules. It also sounds like Gordon is a head case with a major â'tudeâ.
Seriously though, are we gonna get this guy here at Charlotte? If we could I honestly think we could be an Elite 8 team several years in a row with that much talent.
[b]Jamont Gordon committed to the Bulldogs. Now he's taking a bite out of Tennessee.
The former Glencliff standout, long believed to be leaning toward playing basketball for the Vols, is instead headed to Mississippi State.
He said the main reason heâs snubbing the Vols is because new UT Coach Bruce Pearl didnât make Gordon feel wanted.
ââPeople should probably look at it as his first big mistake,ââ Gordon said.
ââThe week before they could come and see players, Coach Pearl told me he would come and see me,ââ Gordon said. ''He didnât ever come, and he didnât call to tell me he couldnât come.
ââLater he told me Tennessee used up all their visits with Buzz Peterson, but I think he was lying. He went to see Brandan Wright and Tyler Smith before me. It really made me feel like he wasnât worried about me coming. He didnât need me.ââ
[/b]
