Rivals mail bag article on Vols Bball

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Xanny

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#1
Sounds good. Anybody got an update on Ramar?




As a Tennessee fan, I was very encouraged with the Vols' play last season. People have them projected to be very good again next season, but I am afraid they are going to miss C.J. Watson quite a bit. I think he was an underrated point guard. How worried should UT fans be about losing his leadership.
Kevin in Nashville (volquest.com)

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This may be the most in-depth question I've ever been asked about the men's basketball program at Tennessee. Perhaps there is room for three sports in Knoxville.
My short-and-sweet answer: Don't lose your optimism, but you should be concerned. If five-star point guard Ramar Smith gets into school, ignore any concern and feel free to start boasting and making bold predictions to friends who make fun of your orange-laden wardrobe.

Bruce Pearl has more than twice as much talent as he did last season – that's a scary thought in the SEC, where he already engineered a remarkable one-season turnaround. More importantly, his team is much deeper. That is key when playing his intense, breakneck style of basketball. Remember how the Vols wore down in the final weeks last season? That won't be happening again.

Pearl does need to find a replacement for the underrated Watson, who was a great decision maker. Smith is actually quicker and more athletic, making him a better fit for Pearl's system. But, he has academic problems and hasn't passed NCAA requirements yet. Incoming freshmen Marques Johnson or Josh Tabb could replace Watson, so could returning junior Jordan Howell, but all would be a significant downgrade from Smith. Without Smith, the Vols are a dangerous team capable of duplicating last year's success. With him, they can realistically dream about the Final Four.

 
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:dance2: :dance2: :dance2: :dance2: :dance2: :dance2: :dance2: :dance2: :dance2: :dance2:


That is a great article. Gets me excited for next year.
 
#3
#3
The last update was that Ramar made the score and his stuff is at the clearinghouse. The next thing we will hear about Smith is that he is either in or that he is out. No telling when we will find that out. Hopefully, it will be in a week or two.
 
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#4
good article. Its always a good article when they are talking about any possibility of us being in the final four
 
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(volsfan711 @ Jul 5 said:
good article. Its always a good article when they are talking about any possibility of us being in the final four
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But it does take some getting use to,lol.
 
#6
#6
well that's nice....hope it turns out that way.....
 
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(volsfan711 @ Jul 5 said:
funny how high our hopes were that year
http://www.volnation.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=203
we saw that team could play just were poorly coached. Now we are less talented (up until this class) but well coached.
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Why did you have to dig that up. That's stand up comedy material in that thread. :yuck:

We still thought Buzz might get it done.
 
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I'm just happy that I was able to buy a Tennessee Road to the Final Four tee shirt this year in Greensboro..

Maybe in the next few years I'll be able to purchase a Final Four tee with an orange T on it somewhere.
 
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(Xanny @ Jul 5 said:
Without Smith, the Vols are a dangerous team capable of duplicating last year's success. With him, they can realistically dream about the Final Four.
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Its amazing in one year this program went from finishing last in the SEC to a realistic dream of the Final Four.
 
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#12
We are gaining some great talent and some needed depth, but we lose the element of surprise and an experienced point guard.

It will be interesting to see how Tennessee fairs in basketball next season considering those things.
 
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#13
funny how high our hopes were that year
http://www.volnation.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=203
we saw that team could play just were poorly coached. Now we are less talented (up until this class) but well coached.
Click to expand...

I also find it interesting how Patrick said that team was "so fun to watch" and that "this team seems to be different". That's not a knock on you Patrick, but seeing Pearl's version of our team play made me realize how much "fun" I was missing out on with Buzz's teams. I suppose I was also guilty of believing at the beginning of each season of Buzz-ball that "this year will be different". :focus:
 
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(oklavol @ Jul 6 said:
there's a lot of that optimism for the football program. Optimism springs eternal for the Fulmer supporters.
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Never been a big Fulmer supporter, but DANG I wish they'd edit your post on a b-ball thread
I really like Jordan Howell at point. Rarely a mistake...lots of experience. And 5 stars or not, a freshman point guard in the SEC has a huge learning curve. I guess that's the perfect scenario though, huh? A veteran as an anchor with the gifts that Ramar will bring.
 
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(volbreaker @ Jul 6 said:
Never been a big Fulmer supporter, but DANG I wish they'd edit your post on a b-ball thread
I really like Jordan Howell at point. Rarely a mistake...lots of experience. And 5 stars or not, a freshman point guard in the SEC has a huge learning curve. I guess that's the perfect scenario though, huh? A veteran as an anchor with the gifts that Ramar will bring.
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Playing Jordan Howell significant minutes will act as an anchor. It will anchor UT firmly to the middle of the SEC standings and the NIT.
 
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(oklavol @ Jul 6 said:
there's a lot of that optimism for the football program. Optimism springs eternal for the Fulmer supporters.
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You never miss an opportunity do you Okie?
 
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(VolBeef88 @ Jul 6 said:
You never miss an opportunity do you Okie?
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You never miss an opportunity to ask if someone never misses an opportunity, do you beef?
 
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(hatvol96 @ Jul 6 said:
Playing Jordan Howell significant minutes will act as an anchor. It will anchor UT firmly to the middle of the SEC standings and the NIT.
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I think it will be interesting when you see how well Jordan Howell will play next season. Did he look solid last season? No. But, he is more talented than you think. Look at his rankings coming out of high school and the production he put up in high school. And more importantly, he is finally putting in the work ethic this summer that has been non-existent since he graduated from high school. Him being an anchor might be an exaggaration, but he will be a solid PG who might even get the start if his experience is valued as a commodity. Either way he will contribute this season.
 
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(therickbol @ Jul 6 said:
I think it will be interesting when you see how well Jordan Howell will play next season. Did he look solid last season? No. But, he is more talented than you think. Look at his rankings coming out of high school and the production he put up in high school. And more importantly, he is finally putting in the work ethic this summer that has been non-existent since he graduated from high school. Him being an anchor might be an exaggaration, but he will be a solid PG who might even get the start if his experience is valued as a commodity. Either way he will contribute this season.
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I've seen more than enough of Jordan Howell over the years to make me confident in my assessment. I watched him used as a pinata by elite players in summer tournaments when he was in high school. I've seen him perform at a level at UT that is semi-competent at best. If Howell averages more than 20 minutes a game next year, UT will be trying to break South Carolina's two year grip on the NIT at the end of the season.
 
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I'm not saying he won't play, but Pearl likes Johnson alot and Tabb will come in for defensive stops.
 
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The great thing about Pearl's sytem is that a lot of people get to play. My guess is, if they're capable enough to play, they'll see some minutes. The rest will work itself out.
 
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Jordan Howell did a good job at being a steady fill in at point when CJ needed a rest last year. He's a good role player coming off the bench, I think the best way to describe Jordan Howell is he won't win games for you, but he won't get you beat either. Steady bench performer, but not a starter.
 
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#25
Howell is the kind of guy I'm comfortable coming in as a scrappy 6-10 minute guy. 10 tops, btw. I just don't think he has the athleticism to play 30+ in the SEC.
 
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