University of Tennessee Athletics
INTERVIEW OF COACH BRUCE PEARL BEFORE MEMPHIS GAME
December 04, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 4, 2006
1. How successful have the Vols been in creating turnovers with defensive pressure?
A - "I think we are doing a good job. It's a team that can create turnovers, especially the experienced guys like JaJuan Smith and Chris Lofton. The younger players are learning how to do it, also. I think our press has been good."
2. How important is it for the fans to fill all 24,535 seats when Memphis comes to town Wednesday?
A - "It's vital. Memphis looks at itself as a national program. And it is. They look at Tennessee as a regional program. We are trying to become a national top 25 program. There is no program in the country that respects us less than Memphis, and that's because we haven't done enough to earn their respect. That should bother our fans enough that we should try to show Memphis we are indeed a national program. But we have to do it on the floor."
3. How does the future look for the Tennessee-Memphis rivalry, certainly a favorite with fans?
A - "It's a good rivalry because it is a favorite of fans. The players like it, too. It's good for basketball in the state of Tennessee."
4. What qualities does Memphis possess, bringing a high national rank to the Tigers?
A - "They are very athletic and pretty deep and as good a team as we'll play in driving and attacking the basket with spacing."
