No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers (28-9, 11-5 in the SEC)In: G Trae Golden, F Tobias Harris, G Jordan McRae, G Tyler Summitt, F John Fields (gradute student transfer), Jeronne Maymon (transfer), F Rob Murphy (transfer)
Out: F Wayne Chism, G Bobby Maze, F J.P. Prince
The last thing Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl wanted to deal with in the offseason was another scandal. After he suspended four players in January after they were hit with drug and gun charges, a quiet, trouble-free period would have been just what the doctor ordered.
Then in August, the school announced the NCAA was investigating its recruiting practices and admitted that Pearl had lied during the course of the investigation. Tennessee took action against Pearl and his coaching staff, reducing pay and restricting the staff's ability to recruit. But as details emerge, the program remains in disarray. Athletic Director Mike Hamilton made it known that he wants the Volunteers to be known for their top-notch basketball program and not for off-the-court errors, but with the NCAA findings at least another month away, focus may be at a premium.
However, If the Volunteers can put everything behind them and zero in on basketball, they have an excellent chance of competing for an SEC title. From top to bottom this team may be the deepest Pearl has even coached at Tennessee, and his freshman class, led by five-star recruit Tobias Harris and four-star recruits Trae Golden and Jordan McRae could see plenty of playing time from game one.
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/02/fanhouse-top-30-no-17-tennessee/
No comments:
Post a Comment