University of Tennessee Athletics
INTERVIEW OF COACH BRUCE PEARL BEFORE GAME AT TEXAS SATURDAY
December 12, 2005 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 12, 2005
1. What special problems will be presented by Texas guard Daniel Gibson when the Vols and Longhorns clash Saturday (2 p.m. Eastern) at Austin?
A - "The first problem is he's probably upset about the way he played against Duke. No doubt he'll try to get it fixed. Duke is one of the better defensive teams in the country and did a good job against Gibson. He can take you off the balance. He uses ball screens real well to turn the corner, and he can shoot from a good distance. He's a great guard. We also have a great guard in C.J. Watson so it should be a great matchup."
2. What should be the effect on Texas of the school's disappointing loss to Duke last week at a time the Longhorns were ranked second in the nation?
A - "I think the biggest thing for Texas will be to work on things defensively. They scored against Duke, better than 50 percent, and Duke is a real good defensive team. Texas didn't dominate Duke on the boards, although that is something that Texas has been doing. They want to pound the ball inside again, and they will step it up in a big way defensively."
3. What are the upsides and downsides of the Vols' long layoff before swinging into action again Saturday against Texas?
A - "You can't always control that as far as the schedule is concerned. I like the schedule, and I just wish we didn't have quite that long a layoff. One thing we are doing is having a scrimmage in a game-like situation, with officials. This is finals time, and it has been an opportunity for players to focus on their papers and their academics. I look at the glass as half full, and I like to think of the positive side. Yeah, we might be a little sluggish starting out, but I'm okay with the schedule."
4. What do you expect to accomplish by lifting the competition level to the degree that sends the Vols against nationally ranked Texas Saturday?
A - "I think Texas and Oklahoma State are a barometer for us to find out exactly where we are. Texas is 43 and 1 in their last 44 games against non-conference opponents. It doesn't get much tougher than going to Texas. Let's see where we are right now and how far we have to go. How we respond will be important."
5. Explain the value of giving playing time - even in limited amounts - to Vols like Justin Howell and Ryan Childress.
A - "It helps get them ready for when you have an injury or have somebody in foul trouble. It keeps Chris Lofton, C.J. Watson and Major Wingate fresh by giving them some rest to have them in there at the end. You've got to play your bench, and I'm trying to do that."
