2008 Rocky Top League Mock Draft

Okay, so this is not really a mock draft, considering I don’t even know who all the available players are or the order in which teams are picking. So this is really just a “best available” among the players on the current UT roster. We have been told that some former UT players will be out there again, including Ron Slay and Dane Bradshaw, but without knowing for sure I won’t factor them in.

Please feel free to share your opinions or criticisms. Here is my draft order for the returning and incoming UT players:

1. Tyler Smith

I think this is a pretty easy pick. Tyler was a borderline first round draft pick after last season and has shown the ability on both ends to be a difference-maker. He played well in the 2007 RTL and is a no-brainer to me.

2. Wayne Chism

This was a tough call to make, but we have all seen how impressive Wayne can be when he’s playing well. At 6′9″ with range and excellent defensive skills he will be a great pickup for any RTL team.

3. Scotty Hopson

I chose Wayne as the 2nd pick because he is more of a known commodity. Scotty is going to be a dynamic player for the Vols and is listed on the roster as 6′7″. If he has truly added an inch, that will make him that much more effective on both ends.

4. Bobby Maze

Maze could be a risky pick at 4, but everything we hear and read says he’s got a lot of ability, and if he’s quick and good in transition, which we’ve been hearing he is . . . well, the RTL will be fun for him.

5. Cameron Tatum

I wanted to take Tatum over Maze, but I like a dynamic ballhandler in the RTL. Tatum has the athleticism and shot to score points in bunches and more than likely he will in the RTL. It won’t surprise me if he’s one of his team’s top 2 scorers.

6. Josh Tabb

Tabb is known as a defensive specialist to UT fans but he put up nearly 28 PPG in last year’s RTL. Tabb is more skilled than we normally see in the course of a UT game, but understands his role and yields to scorers most of the time. In the RTL, he gets to shine.

7. Ryan Childress

Ryan didn’t have a great season for the Vols but was certainly a strong player in last year’s RTL and has the ability to make an impact, inside and outside. It should be interesting to see if he can get into a groove.

8. Brian Williams

I’m a big fan of what Brian Williams did this past season, but the RTL revolves so much around being aggressive and seeking points. Bruce Pearl has publicly said that Williams will show signs of being more determined offensively, and if we see that in the RTL then I have underrated him in this draft.

9. Renaldo Woolridge

It will be really interesting to see what Woolridge has. In my head, he’s a smooth wing like J.P. Prince, except with fewer ballhandling skills but a better shot. Many believe he’s the sleeper of this recruiting class, but I get the feeling that he and Daniel West may have the biggest adjustment from high school to college.

10. Daniel West

In the RTL guards are generally going to be favored, as it is an up and down game with a lot of points scored in the open court. West’s ballhandling and distributing skills will be valuable but like Woolridge, I think the speed and athleticism will be an adjustment. He is a winner, though, and will be a good pickup.

11. Phillip Jurick

Jurick is already a good defensive player and is “man strong.” He needs a lot of work on the offensive end, and that’s why he is last picked of the current roster for the RTL, which favors offense and transition above all. Jurick is not built for this game but it will be a great way for him to get a feel for the frenetic pace that UT likes to play.

Not playing: J.P. Prince (shoulder). I would have picked J.P. 4th or 5th overall if he were participating.

Chris Lofton wins SEC Sportsmanship Award

This is the inaugural year for the award, voted on by the SEC Athletic Directors. Congrats, Chris! What a great representative for the University of Tennessee and Volunteer athletics.

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/jun/10/lofton-gets-sec-sportsmanship-award/

Leslie McDonald commits to UNC

It happened a little earlier than expected, but it’s not all that surprising to see that highly touted Memphis-area guard Leslie McDonald has committed to UNC. As with previous recruits, I do not expect Bruce Pearl and company to drop contact with McDonald, but they will have to refocus their efforts on other players to a large degree. McDonald would have made a nice addition but there are still some very good available wings that have some interest in playing for the Vols.

Best of luck, Leslie. I wish you had come to Knoxville, but Chapel Hill beats Memphis and Calipari at least.

A tip of the cap to Hoopsville’s RockyTopHeel for breaking the news.

2008-2009 Roster Preview: Ryan Childress

• Senior
• 6′9″, 235
• Cincinnati, OH (Moeller HS)
• Major: Communications

When Bruce Pearl came to Tennessee, he was questioned very early on some recruiting decisions; specifically he was blamed for losing Tyler Smith and Jamont Gordon and for pushing away Matthew Dotson, instead bringing in only one new player: a forward he had recruited to Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Ryan Childress. Childress, it was said, was a low D-I player at best, and some worried that the move foreshadowed an overall decline in talent level at Tennessee (it’s okay, go ahead and laugh: I did).

His freshman season didn’t do anything to persuade people otherwise. He played only a minute here and there subbing in for Andre Patterson, Major Wingate, and Dane Bradshaw in the post. Playing in 29 games, he averaged just 5.9 minutes, 1.2 points, and 1.2 rebounds per game. He did show some signs of toughness; though he played few minutes he led the team in offensive rebounding rate and was 3rd in defensive rebounding rate.

As a sophomore it was clear that Childress would need to play an expanded role. Patterson graduated and Wingate was dismissed, leaving only the 6′4″ Bradshaw and two freshmen, Duke Crews and Wayne Chism. Thankfully Childress really stepped up to the challenge, playing 15.7 minutes and contributing 5.6 points, 4 rebounds, and some much-needed toughness when he was on the floor. He was one of the team’s strongest rebounders (3rd in O-reb, 2nd in D-reb) and was clearly a very scrappy, gutsy player on both ends of the floor. Childress had a big surprise in store for us, though, exploding from behind the arc. He hit 24 of 64 threes (37.5%) and was the third most efficient offensive player on the team, behind Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith. He finished the season with a flurry against Ohio State and left Tennessee fans an offseason to wonder just how good he could be as a Junior.

Childress’s junior year just didn’t get off on the right foot. With Duke Crews sitting early due to suspension and heart condition it should have been time for Ryan to shine; unfortunately Childress was also suffering, with a flu bug and an ankle that just wouldn’t seem to heal up. It kept him from getting in sync early and he never really recovered. Instead, many of his minutes backing up Tyler Smith were taken by Wayne Chism, shifting from the 5 to the 4 with another big in the game. Childress just couldn’t get on track and never regained his 2006-2007 form. This was his least efficient season both in scoring and on the glass, and he played in just 25 games (and less than 10 minutes per game).

Childress’s role in 2008-2009 is largely up to him. There is plenty of room for his contribution, both from a senior leadership standpoint and on the floor. When Coach Pearl dismissed Crews it meant that someone was going to have to step up and provide post minutes. The other returning posts are Smith, Chism and Brian Williams, and the Vols have signees Renaldo Woolridge and Philip Jurick to work in as well. Williams and Jurick are true centers, while Pearl would like to play Chism at the 4 some if possible. Unless Jurick is ready to play substantial minutes, I see Wayne playing mostly at the 5, leaving 40 minutes at the 4 to be spread among Smith, Woolridge, and Childress. It’s sounding more and more like Tyler Smith will play some at the 3-spot to help him prepare for a career in the NBA, so there will be minutes at the 4 for Childress if he steps up and takes them. If he can’t regain his sophomore form, Pearl will have to lean on freshmen to fill out those minutes. I know what he would prefer. We all know what Ryan can do, and let’s hope he gets healthy and happy this offseason and has a very positive senior year. A strong season from him could help the Vols be a Sweet Sixteen type team again.

An apology to Tony Harris

After years of being off the radar, Tony Harris did two interviews yesterday, one on the radio with Tony Basilio and another with Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel. He talked about life, basketball, his days at UT, Bruce Pearl, and even about the possibility of playing in the Rocky Top League. Tony is back in Knoxville, attending classes full time to finish his degree, and working for Vision Athletics teaching and training young basketball players. He’s also working in Bruce Pearl’s basketball camp right now.

Tony said a lot of the right things– about returning to school, about what’s important in life, about Coach Pearl (who encouraged him to come back and get his degree, but that’s another story altogether), and about why he and his many talented teammates never made a dent in the NBA. I could say a lot about all these things but I recommend reading Griff’s article and listening to Basilio’s interview (end of segment 5 and beginning of segment 6). There is a lot of good stuff in there that UT basketball fans would enjoy.

There’s one thing Tony said in particular I want to talk about though. He talked about the mistakes he made and the reputation he had at UT– of being a “jerk” or a “thug” as Gary Lundy called him in an infamous column from the time. Just after that, Basilio asked him about coach O’Neill, why he committed here, and what things would have been like if O’Neill had remained his coach.

He said he committed to Coach O’Neill because he knew he had a lot to learn about playing basketball and becoming a man. He knew he had the skills but knew he needed someone to guide him and help him grow. First of all, that’s keen insight for a kid that age– to admit his own shortcomings and seek help instead of someone that would make him comfortable. Second, think about this some more. He chose Kevin O’Neill and Tennessee because he knew O’Neill wouldn’t put up with anything and would be a good leader for him, personally and for his basketball game. He knew he needed that.

A coaching change later, Tony had Jerry Green. Tony tried hard in these interviews not to badmouth Green but it’s obvious that he knew what a bad, bad change that was for him. He said he didn’t have a father figure growing up and that choosing a college coach was very important for that reason.

And yet he got Jerry Green. What a cruel twist of fate. A kid looks inward, knows he needs guidance and leadership, and has the rug pulled out from under him instead. He gets a soft coach with an anything goes attitude, which is absolutely the last thing he needed.

Tony needed help, and he got Jerry Green. At last I think I can understand and forgive Tony Harris’s shortcomings. I will admit to being a Tony Harris “hater.” I thought he epitomized all the problems we had during Green’s tenure, on the court and off. Undisciplined, selfish, and no improvement on or off the court. And you know what– that still holds. He still epitomizes those things as a basketball player at UT under Coach Green. I will always tie Tony Harris to that exciting yet infuriating era in Tennessee basketball.

But to Tony I have to say I am sorry for this. I’m sorry for the last 10 years I’ve spent thinking ill of him when I didn’t know him at all. I knew little about him except what I saw on the court, and it was unfair for me to judge. After hearing him talk with Tony Basilio, he is a mature man now and is completely honest about the way his life has gone.

What kills me is that those shortcomings we saw from him– the immaturity and sometimes selfish play– Tony knew them, or if not them in specific, he knew of his shortcomings in general. And he tried to find a way to grow. He sought out a coach that would help him mature, and instead he got Jerry Green.

I feel bad for Tony now. It never clicked with me quite like it has after listening to Tony today and yesterday. Tony had some problems, before and during college, and he simply did not get the guidance that he knew he needed to help him through them. He sounded like a great guy to me, someone with good intentions, intelligence, and an honest view of his own life. He doesn’t deserve his legacy with UT fans, and hopefully many of you will have your eyes opened as I have.

Tony, I am sorry; sorry for judging you without knowing you, sorry for associating you with a tarnished and embarrassing period in UT basketball, and most of all sorry that you did not get what you sought when you came to Knoxville to go to school and play basketball. You deserved more than you got and more than you’ve gotten since you left. Best wishes to you in getting your degree and in your future career endeavors, and it’s good to have you back in the fold in the UT basketball family.

Jasper asks for release from Kentucky

First there were rumors. Then it was confirmed that Derrick Jasper was toying with the idea of leaving the Kentucky basketball program. The consensus was that he wanted to be close to home (California). Now he has officially asked to be released, so it seems certain that Kentucky will be without his services in the future. Jasper is a very good athlete and defender and Kentucky will miss him for depth if nothing else.

Jasper is the third Wildcat to transfer since the 2007-2008 season began. Freshmen Alex Legion and Morakinyo Williams are also leaving the team.

Recruiting may not be finished

UPDATE: Arizona has granted Negedu and unconditional release, so he is free to sign with another school and be eligible for the 08-09 season. Now we just have to wait and see what he decides.

Reportedly Emmanuel Negedu, an undersized forward with freakish athleticism, has asked Arizona coach Lute Olsen to be released from his LOI. Tennessee and Coach Pearl were involved in his recruitment before he committed to Arizona and it appears that they will be a player again if Negedu is able to obtain his release.

Negedu is a 6′6″/6′7″ (depending on who you ask) forward with amazing hops and the ability to finish strongly around the basket. Comparisons have been drawn to Duke Crews coming out of high school, but the word is he’s a little bit smoother with better ball skills, meaning he would probably be able to play the 3 or 4 instead of being an undersized 5. He’s a fierce rebounder and does most of his scoring in the paint.

The spring signing period ends Wednesday, so I suspect we’ll know what is happening with Negedu by that time. Stay tuned.

Duke and Ramar will leave in good standing

There has been some concern among Vol fans that in addition to hurting Tennessee on the hardwood, the departure of Ramar Smith and Duke Crews would hurt us in the NCAA’s APR, a measurement of academic progress for student athletes in each sport. This was especially a concern since academics had been mentioned as a cause for their dismissal/transfer.

According to Bruce, we shouldn’t be worried about this. The choice was his, and both players will leave UT in good academic standing:

“There’s a perception that I had to dismiss Ramar and Duke,” Pearl said. “That’s not accurate. There was nothing mandated for anything academic or anything with drug testing that mandated my not having those guys back. This was my choice. These guys are leaving us academically eligible.”

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/SPORTS0601/80515119

The rest of the article talks about potential changes to the APR and the way the NCAA views transfers. I happen to agree with Bruce that transfers happen for many reasons, a lot of them positive for the kids and the schools. We should be careful how we view them.

On the one-and-dones, the saga with O.J. Mayo at USC is showing us that the new rule is going to mean trouble. The potential for agent manipulation, $1,000 handshakes, and the like will be higher than ever. This has largely been seen as a good change, allowing us all to watch the Odens, Beasleys, and Roses of the world before they get to the NBA, but we are starting to see the dark side. I’d prefer two years, minimum, perhaps with an option to go pro straight out of high school reintroduced.

2008-2009 Vol roster is set; summer schedule

With Bobby Maze signing on as UT’s 5th and final incoming recruit for 2008, the roster is set for next year (barring any unforseen Ramar/Duke type announcements). Here is the depth chart as I see it:

PG: Bobby Maze (Jr), Daniel West (Fr)

SG: Scotty Hopson (Fr), Cameron Tatum (So*), Josh Tabb (Jr)

SF: J.P. Prince (Jr), Renaldo Woolridge (Fr)

PF: Tyler Smith (Jr), Ryan Childress (Sr)

C: Wayne Chism (Jr), Brian Williams (So), Phillip Jurick (Fr)

* possible medical redshirt would make Tatum a RFr

Note that there’s a lot of flexibility in this depth chart; with the right lineups you could see Hopson, Tatum, or Tabb playing the 3-spot, J.P. Prince playing the 1, and Chism or Woolridge playing the 4. With Duke Crews we could speculate Tyler seeing time at the 3, but without him I don’t see that happening, at least not for significant minutes.

If the rotation is settled to 10 players, I think Jurick and Woolridge are the odd-men out as it stands now; if it is cut to 9 Josh Tabb may not see many minutes.

I now have a goal for the summer, and present you a schedule that I plan to stick to, providing at least a post a week between now and football season for your offseason basketball fix:

June: player previews for Ryan Childress, Wayne Chism, Josh Tabb, and J.P. Prince

July: player previews for Tyler Smith, Bobby Maze, Brian Williams, and Cameron Tatum

August: player previews for Phillip Jurick, Scotty Hopson, Renaldo Woolridge, and Daniel West

Hopefully that will give me time to incorporate impressions from the Rocky Top League into the previews for the new guys, since we have not seen them play at the college level yet.

Once September rolls around, many of us will be in full football mode . . . but that doesn’t mean the work stops around here. I’m going to crank up team and season previews to get us primed and ready for the 2008-2009 season, which will tip off in early November.

Stay tuned, guys. Another exciting season of BruceBall is a mere 6 months away.

Bobby Maze to be a Vol

On the heels of some really bad news in the form of a dismissal/transfer announcement for Ramar Smith and Duke Crews, we learned that Bobby Maze, a JUCO All-American point guard, was back in the recruiting picture for UT. According to a Govolsxtra report, Maze has now given a verbal commitment to UT and Coach Pearl.

http://govolsxtra.com/news/2008/may/07/bobby-maze-says-hes-coming-ut/

Since we are already in the signing period, I would expect this to become official pretty quickly and for Maze to ink with the Vols soon.

For what it’s worth, a Terp fan was kind enough to link this article on Maze. Sounds like a good kid to me.