University of Tennessee Athletics
Peterson Q&A - Xavier
December 09, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 9, 2004
INTERVIEW OF COACH Buzz Peterson BEFORE XAVIER GAME SATURDAYAT KNOXVILLE
1. This week, with final exams in progress, how will the Vols find the opportunity to work in some practice time?
A - "It's not easy; you have to pick and choose when you can find practice opportunities. It's most important, of course, that our players do well in their academics. We'll find some time, though, maybe some at night, some in the morning. They'll be shorter practices, and maybe we can get in some individual workouts."
2. What steps can be implemented to develop the inside scoring game from starters Brandon Crump and Andre Patterson?
A - "That's a concern. They're not getting the ball enough. Against Chattanooga, they were doubled and had to get the ball back outside. We're stressing we need to put the ball inside. Brandon is a fine player, and so is Andre. Their confidence needs to be up, and the way to accomplish that is to get the ball inside where they can score."
3. How can the Vols get scoring out of freshman Chris Lofton, who is swarmed under as soon as he receives the ball?
A - "Chris got off to a great start. People looked at the stat sheet and said, we can't allow that. So they are really going to focus on him. We will have to run him off screens and get him the ball on the break. He must keep on getting open looks because he can score. Chris is going to have to change his mentality because people are going to be on him. He's going to have to work a little harder to get the basketball."
4. You spoke of the need for defensive energy in your press conference this week. Explain what you expect in the way of "defensive energy."
A - "We want pressure on the basketball and to swarm it a lot. We need good, solid box outs. Our opponents have kept our two- and three-men from getting box outs, but we are improving on that. The energy comes from being focused and on concentrating. We need to make sure that on that third or fourth possession we are playing just as hard as on the first. If we get a little winded, we've got to fight through it."
5. Tell about the Xavier Musketeers, who come to Thompson-Boling Arena for a 4:30 p.m. game Saturday.
A - "Xavier's a very good team, with a new coach, Sean Miller. They have big Brian Thornton, a transfer from Vanderbilt, who does a lot of good things for them inside. It's an experienced team, a quality team, and I just hope we can bounce back on the right note."
