Tennessee’s lost four of its last six games. The most recent, a 91-78 home loss to College of Charleston, was an example of poor play that steamrolled into a lackluster defensive effort – and a humiliating loss.
As a result, Pearl says he’s no longer using everyone on the bench, but just the guys who give the Vols the best chance to win.
“That was a factor for our new basketball team. It shouldn’t have been, but it was,” Pearl said Monday. “With each game the drop-off became greater and greater as far as the slippage of how to defend as a team. It came tumbling and crashing down against Charleston as we got terribly exposed.
“It’s fixable. Unfortunately, it’s fixable as we start to get into the teeth and some of the more challenging parts of our schedule.”
That’s an understatement. Tennessee plays host to Memphis Wednesday night, then opens its SEC slate without Pearl, who’ll begin his 8-game SEC suspension for his role in lying to the NCAA. He can still coach practices, but won’t be anywhere near the sideline during games.
And Ken Davis thinks that’s an absolute joke.
Our college basketball expert spent his latest column examining Pearl’s suspension, firing, lying and future with Tennessee and concluded that Pearl remaining with Tennessee is bad for the team, bad for the school and bad for the sport.
Yeah. He’s pissed.
What about you, dear reader? Do you think Davis Pearl should still be coaching Tennessee after all of this?
Want more? I’m also on Twitter @BeyndArcMMiller.
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- lessonswithlaura - Jan 5, 2011 at 3:17 PM
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“Do you think Davis should still be coaching Tennessee after all of this?”
Don’t you have editors at NBC Sports or have they cut that out of the budget?
Pearl’s termination would destroy the morale at UT- we love him. It would also probably conclude with the masses rioting with pitchforks and demanding Mike Hamilton’s head on a platter.
Side note: You’re NBC- I should be allowed to comment without having to create a wordpress account.
