University of Tennessee Athletics
INTERVIEW OF COACH PEARL BEFORE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
March 05, 2007 | Men's Basketball
March 5, 2007
1. How ready are the Vols for postseason competition, starting with the SEC tournament?
A - "I think we are ready. I believe we are in a little better shape than at this time last year. We are a little deeper, and because of that we are more rested. That's how I feel, and in talking with some of the players, that's how they feel, too."
2. Give an analysis of what you expect from the overall field in the SEC tournament.
A - "Our opening opponent has been getting ready for the SEC tournament for two or three weeks. The only way LSU gets into the NCAA tournament is to win the SEC. This is a Final Four team that lost only two players from last year. That is a very tough opening opponent."
3. Name some teams you feel have come on strong as the regular season wound down?
A - "We are playing as well as any team in the conference. Florida is dangerous because they have far and away the best talent in the conference. They are good enough to turn the switch on and off. Vanderbilt, tied with us for second place in the conference, also has been playing well."
4. When you credit JaJuan Smith for doing the "little things," what does that entail?
A - "JaJuan is the most underappreciated player in the league. He flat out carried us when we were without Chris Lofton. The little things I'm talking about are rebounds, steals, loose balls, not turning the ball over. His shooting percentage is way up. He does a lot of things off the court with his leadership that go unnoticed."
5. Give a summation of the difficulties of playing LSU, the Vols' Thursday opponent.
A - "They are talented. There are several guys on the roster who will play in the NBA. LSU's play will depend on how they are shooting the basketball. Glen Davis, who was held to five points earlier, will be much more assertive at the post this time."
