Memphis’ Chris Crawford, left, and Will Barton, right, defend as Tennessee’s Jeronne Maymon (34) goes to the basket in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)KNOXVILLE – Jeronne Maymon could focus on providing the consistent offense Tennessee needs from him every basketball game, but that wouldn’t jibe with his coach’s demands.
The Volunteers’ leading rebounder has identified otherwise where he thinks he best can help his team.
“I don’t think it’s so much being asked to score,” Maymon said. “I just think it’s about going out there and trying to lead, in a way. Play tough defense, talk and be vocal — that’s all Coach [Cuonzo] Martin really stresses. He really doesn’t stress point totals.”
If there was any Vol to whom the defensive-minded Martin would stress offense, it’s Maymon. Whether with an entry pass to him on the block or off a screen, the 6-foot-7 junior touches the ball as much offensively as any player on the team. That’s become especially true in SEC play, where the Wisconsin native and Marquette transfer has scored 12 to 15 points in all eight games.
There’s no reason to expect Maymon’s consistency and efficiency to end tonight when UT hosts South Carolina. The last time the Vols played an offensively challenged team that plays mostly zone on defense, Maymon scored 15 points and pulled down 19 rebounds against Auburn.