Tennessee Vols turn focus to Mocs

KNOXVILLE — The Tennessee men’s basketball team toppled its two exhibition opponents last week in preparation for Saturday’s season opener at home against UT-Chattanooga, but coach Bruce Pearl is wondering whether the tuneups served their purpose.

“When it comes to our first regular-season game, how much did the exhibition help us get ready for that game when our personnel could be significantly different (on Saturday)?” Pearl asked rhetorically at Monday’s news conference.

Pearl may have cause for concern.

Heading into this season, the Volunteers have been plagued by injuries, eligibility issues and academic problems.

The latest setback was Pear’s announcement Monday that freshman backup point guard Daniel West will not be eligible this season. Pearl said he could not comment on the specifics of West’s situation, which has sidelined him for both preseason exhibition games.

Pearl said West, a native of Saginaw, Mich., can pay the out-of-state tuition to stay at UT this academic year and be eligible next year. Or he can transfer to a junior college, graduate there and be re-recruited.

“I’m very, very disappointed for Daniel to go through a very painful process and have to wait so long for things to be validated or not,” Pearl said. “We shall move forward.”

Junior J.P. Prince, who was being counted on to assume West’s backup role before injuring his right (non-shooting) shoulder during an Oct. 28 practice, participated in noncontact drills Saturday.

“He’s ahead of schedule,” Pearl said. “His arrival will really help our depth at point guard.”

Right now, junior college transfer Bobby Maze has secured the starting position at the point, though Pearl said Tuesday that Prince and junior Josh Tabb will likely challenge Maze for the job.

“Josh Tabb can play the position,” Pearl said. “Josh has had as good a preseason of basketball as any of our guys. We haven’t been able to see it yet because of some academic issues, and he’s making progress in that area. When we’re satisfied he’s where he needs to be, he’ll get out there. ... I’d say that’s a definitely possibility.”

In addition, center Brian Williams, who had a flare-up of knee tendinitis before last Friday’s game against Tusculum, was expected to be ready Monday.

But with UT’s lineup shuffles, Pearl said it’s important not to lose focus of UTC, which was picked to win the Southern Conference North Division.

In their last visit to Thompson-Boling Arena, the Mocs won 69-68 over the Vols, then coached by Buzz Peterson. Last season in Chattanooga, Tennessee defeated UTC by six points. UTC returns three starters from last year’s team.

“Chattanooga gave us all we wanted a year ago,” Pearl said. “They were very athletic; they were very aggressive; they were very confident, and rightfully so. They had a lot of seniors last year, and they have a lot of seniors this year.

“It’s a good first opponent because they’re going to make us get ready. It’s a team that if it was in the SEC it wouldn’t finish last, I can tell you that.”