University of Tennessee Athletics
Basketball Vols Already on the Grind
August 27, 2010 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 27, 2010
Tom Satkowiak
UTsports.com
The Tennessee basketball team started fall individual workouts in preparation for the 2010-11 season this week. The Volunteers, led by sixth-year head coach Bruce Pearl, are coming off the program's first-ever NCAA Elite Eight appearance and are the winningest team in the Southeastern Conference over the past five years.
Classes began at UT Aug. 18, and veteran strength and conditioning coach Troy Wills spent the latter part of last week conducting strength and agility testing before turning the Vols over to the coaching staff for on-court skill work.
Assistant coach Jason Shay administers the workouts, which are conducted in four groups of four players--two groups of guards and two groups of "bigs."
Once again this season, the Tennessee roster boasts great depth. The quantity of talent makes for a competitive atmosphere that should foster improvement at every position.
According to sophomore guard Skylar McBee, the team's crop of newcomers nicely complements the 10-man core of returners--which includes just two starters--from last season's 28-win squad.
"The new guys have really added to the team chemistry; they're all great guys," McBee said. "And we've got a real strong core of returning players. Everyone gets along, and we're all friends.
"It's good to have that feeling that your teammates are your friends--like brothers--and not just some guys who happen to play on the same team as you."
McBee, whose play as a true freshman last year earned him a scholarship in the off-season, welcomes the competition that comes along with a deep, talented roster.
"I think when you have a bunch of people who can play, that creates competition and everyone is fighting for a spot," McBee said. "But when you're fighting for spots, you can't let that affect team chemistry.
"It's more about the team winning than it is about you winning a spot. I think the competition this fall will make everyone a lot better."
Tennessee begins official team practice in mid-October.
