University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Hoops Report: Oct. 28
October 28, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 28, 2011
SEC Basketball Media Day Photo Gallery
"The thing that I like more than anything is the effort, the way the play and how they compete. That has been impressive. Now, we have to execute on the offensive side of the ball, but the toughness level has been there so far. We have to do a better job of rebounding as well."
(On defying expectations)
"You just got to go out there and compete. One word coach Martin uses every practice is competing. Don't wait till the lights come on to go out there on the floor and compete with other teams. It starts in practice. You compete with your fellow big men. You compete with your fellow guards on the other end. So if you do it in practice on an everyday basis, it will translate onto the floor."
(On Cuonzo Martin)
"Cuonzo Martin is outstanding. I think he's a leader of men. He's handled adversity in his life. He's a terrific family man. If I was a player for Cuonzo Martin, I'd absorb all I can from him--how to be successful as a husband, as a dad and as an employee.
From a basketball standpoint, he's outstanding. His teams are always going to guard. They're always going to rebound. They're always going to have a toughness about them. They're always going to be well-disciplined and well-prepared. Tennessee is a big-time job. He was a terrific hire. "
CLASS IS IN SESSION
Tennessee head coach Cuonzo Martin and his wife Roberta, along with the rest of the Volunteers coaching staff and their wives, hosted a Basketball 101 Clinic for Women Friday at Thompson-Boling Arena and Pratt Pavilion.
More than 75 participants enjoyed close to four hours of activities that included a presentation on the history of the sport, six different stations--each manned by a member of the coaching staff and his wife--dedicated to on-court action, lunch, a Tennessee-themed fashion show and a Q&A session with the staff and their wives.
"I thought it went great," Cuonzo Martin said. "Everyone who helped organize the event did a fantastic job, and I think all the women who attended had a wonderful time but also learned some new things about the game of basketball. I'm all about creating a family atmosphere around the program, so it was fun being able to spend those few hours with our wives while also letting the fans get to know us as real people.
"The fan support here at Tennessee is something that separates us from a lot of other schools. So anytime we have an opportunity to interact with our fans on a personal level, it's a win-win."
BRADSHAW STOPS BY
Former Tennessee guard Dane Bradshaw (2004-07) stopped by Pratt Pavilion for a portion of Friday's practice.
The Memphis, Tenn., native who now resides on Rocky Top was impressed with what he saw out of the Vols.
"I expected to see the players working hard," Bradshaw said. "But I was really impressed with how hard the guys were competing in every drill. You can tell everyone's fighting for a spot and can't afford to let up for one second."
Bradshaw helped lead the Vols to back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths during his junior and senior seasons, appearing in the Sweet Sixteen in 2007. A fan favorite throughout his Big Orange career, Bradshaw also is remembered for clutch, game-winning baskets in memorable Tennessee triumphs over Oklahoma State and Florida (twice).
