University of Tennessee Athletics
Maze's Mantra: Making His Teammates Better
February 03, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 17, 2009
By Josh Battle, UT Sports Information
Following the close of the 2007-08 basketball season, one thing was clear to Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl; he needed to find a new point guard. The departure of Ramar Smith and the completion of Jordan Howell's eligibility left a gap in a backcourt that also would be losing leading scorers Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith.
With the help of former assistant and current Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College coach Ryan Swanson, Pearl found the answer in Bobby Maze, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound point guard who had both the ability to score and distribute the ball. He had also just been named the Most Valuable Player of the Jayhawk's Western Division.
It only helped that Maze had starred for Swanson's Blue Dragon's, leading them to a 23-9 overall record while averaging 20.7 points, 6.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game as a sophomore. More, it helped that he had already spent a year in a system similar to what Pearl was running at Tennessee.
"It helped me a lot," Maze said. "Coach Swanson played some of the same systems that coach Pearl plays. They coached together at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, so it was easier for me to make the decision to come here because it was the same style of play."
The similarity in styles on top of Maze's unselfish approach to the game has brought consistency to the position and is paying dividends for the first-year point guard.
"Words can't describe it," Maze said. "It's great playing for a coach who's so smart and has so much knowledge of the game and is always willing to listen and willing to learn. If you see something on the court as a point guard, you can let him know... and for sure he's going to let you know (if he sees something.)"
Tennessee assistant coach Steve Forbes cites Maze's time in the junior college ranks as a big factor in his success so far at Tennessee.
"I think it probably made him more appreciative of his opportunity," Forbes said. "Being a former junior college coach myself, you go back to the basics when you go to junior college. You travel in a van, you eat at McDonalds, you play in front of small crowds but it's still good competition. And there's good coaching so it probably--more than anything, besides giving him a chance to play--made him appreciative of his opportunity here at Tennessee."
It's here on Rocky Top where Maze feels he is finally hitting his stride.
"I feel like I'm a great fit for what coach Pearl is trying to do," Maze said. "One of the reasons is because I'm playing with so many great and terrific basketball players. That's why I think this team is so special. One of my goals is to make sure that all the players besides me have the best opportunity, that I give them the best opportunity for success.
"I want to be able to help them out and make them the best players I possibly can so after we accomplish our team goals, they are prepared to go on to the next level. I want to contribute to that by distributing the ball.
"A lot of people may not understand, but I love passing the ball more than anything. I get more hyped for an alley-oop pass or a drive-draw dish for a three to Cameron Tatum than I do when I hit a shot myself. I just like to see other players do well."
Forbes agrees.
"Bobby has brought his own individual style to our team. He is a very unselfish player. He's a pass first; score-second type of point guard so his main attribute is he tries to get everyone involved. One of his most important qualities is his infectious attitude that carries over to his teammates. He loves to play the game."
