University of Tennessee Athletics
INTERVIEW OF BASKETBALL COACH PEARL BEFORE MIDDLE TENNESSEE GAME
November 06, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 6, 2006
1. What have you learned about your team in two exhibitions that will help in the regular season?
A - "I learned that the exhibition teams we played weren't good enough to expose things we wanted exposed. We could get behind, and our guys won't have the needed experience."
2. How do the three point guard candidates shape up -- Ramar Smith, Marques Johnson and Jordan Howell?
A - "Jordan Howell has been out of contention with a broken hand. The freshmen are getting the experience. Right now Ramar Smith is leading. Two of those three you mentioned will play point."
3. Are you set with the starting lineup for the season opener with Middle Tennessee Friday (7:30E)?
A - "A few days before the game is played, the answer is, no. I think this is a team on which we'll be juggling the starting lineup."
4. How tough a test will Middle Tennessee provide in the opener Friday at Thompson-Boling Arena?
A - "You know me. I have that Lou Holtz thing in me. I'll tell you how tough it's going to be. They have two guys 6-10 starting and two guys 6-9 behind them. I don't have anybody 6-9."
5. What can the Vols expect from Fordham Monday (9:00E) in the NIT season Tipoff at Nashville?
A - "Fordham wants to return to New York for NIT games up there. They have a switching zone defense. I want to get our team to New York and that storied Madison Square Garden floor where former Vols Ernie Grunfeld, Bernard King and Alan Houston were among the all-time great Knickerbockers."
