OUTLOOK PLAYERS STAFF REVIEW RESULTS
2 | Outlook
2 Roster 3 Schedule & Quick Facts 4-8 Season Outlook & Notes 10-30 Players 31-34 Game-by-Game Stats
35 | Staff
57 | Season Review
Results & Stats Box Scores SEC Standings & 2011 Honors Naismith Sportsmanship Award
71 | Results
Record vs. All Conferences All-Time Series Results Preseason & Holiday Tournaments Yearly Results In the Polls Against Ranked Opponents Milestones, Starts & Streaks
101 | Records
102-103 Team Game& Season Records 104-113 Individual Stat Category Records 114 Playing Experience 115 Attendance 116-117 Yearly Scoring Leaders 118-119 Yearly Team Stats 120-122 1,000-Point Club
138 139 140-141 142-151 152
SEC Tournament History NCAA & NIT History Postseason Records & Leaders NCAA Tournament Game Recaps NCAA FAQ
153 | Volmanac
154 Yearly Records 155-157 Coaching Records & History 158-159 All-Time Lettermen 160-173 All-Time Player Stats 174-175 Facilities 176 Historical Home Venues 177 Legend of the Volunteer 178 Traditions
179 | Media Information 180-181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188
MEDIA INFO
72-73 74-85 86-87 88-97 98 99 100
137 | Postseason
VOLMANAC
58-62 63-68 69 70
124-126 All-Americas 127 All-SEC 128-129 Various Honors 130-131 Vols in the NBA/ABA 132-133 SEC Champions 134 SEC & NCAA Statistical Champions 135 Team Awards 136 Olympics
POSTSEASON
36-37 America’s Top-Scoring Coaching Staff 38-41 Cuonzo Martin 42-47 Assistant Coaches 48-53 Support Staff 54-56 Administration
123 | Honors
HONORS
9 | Players
RECORDS
CONTENTS
Media Policies The Southeastern Conference 2011 SEC Tournament 2011 NCAA Tournament NCAA Tournament Selection Process Compliance & Area Information Vol Network TV/Radio Spotting Chart
The official 2011-12 University of Tennessee Basketball Guide is published by the Department of Athletics. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996. This guide has been edited and designed by the Tennessee Athletic Media Relations Office. The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. Editor - Tom Satkowiak Editorial Assistants - Bud Ford, Mike Harris, Andrew Lentz, Amanda Pruitt, Drew Rutherford and Jason Yellin Special Thanks - Tim Reese, Thompson-Boling Arena Director Photography - Patrick Murphy-Racey, Wade Rackley, Ruth Tedrick, Nick Myers, Elizabeth Olivier, David Coyle, John Karnes, Eric Reagan, William Ewart, Associated Press, Jeffrey Phelps, NBAE/Getty Images, Nathaniel S. Butler of NBA Photography, George Kalinsky of the New York Knicks, Garrett W. Ellwood, Sarah Burnley, Glenn James of USA Basketball, The Lexington Herald-Leader Cover Design - John Schaffhauser, Schaffhauser Design, Canton, Miss. Typesetting & Printing - Interstate Printing, Mobile, Ala. Publication number: E01-8610-01-001-12 On the cover: Tennessee’s lone seniors, Cameron Tatum (left) and Renaldo Woolridge (right), are pictured along with new head coach Cuonzo Martin.
UTSPORTS.COM
1
ROSTER
NUMERICAL
ALPHABETICAL
No. Name
Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl.
No. Name
0
Yemi Makanjuola
C
6-9
248
Fr.
2
1
Josh Richardson
G
6-6
186
Fr.
2
Galen Campbell
G
6-3
193
3
Renaldo Woolridge
F
6-9
215
4
Wes Washpun
G
6-1
11
Trae Golden
G
6-1
13
Skylar McBee
G
14
Tyler Summitt
15 20
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Cl.-Exp.
Galen Campbell
G
6-3
193
Fr.-HS
Knoxville, Tenn. (Fulton HS)
31
Quinton Chievous
G
6-5
201
Fr.-HS
Chicago, Ill. (Notre Dame College Prep)
Fr.
11
Trae Golden
G
6-1
209
So.-1L
Powder Springs, Ga. (McEachern HS)
Sr.
20
Kenny Hall
F
6-9
222
Jr.-2L
Stone Mountain, Ga. (Redan HS)
165
Fr.
21
Ryan Kilmartin
G
6-5
210
RS-So.-Tr.
209
So.
24
Brandon Lopez
G
6-1
179
Fr.-HS
6-3
199
Jr.
0
Yemi Makanjuola
C
6-9
248
Fr.-HS
Lagos, Nigeria (Word of God Christian Academy)
G
6-1
180
So.
34
Jeronne Maymon
F
6-7
265
Jr.-1L
Madison, Wis. (Marquette University)
Rob Murphy
F
6-8
230
Jr.
13
Skylar McBee
G
6-3
199
Jr.-2L
Rutledge, Tenn. (Grainger HS)
Kenny Hall
F
6-9
222
Jr.
52
Jordan McRae
G
6-5
174
So.-1L
Midway, Ga. (Liberty County HS)
21
Ryan Kilmartin
G
6-5
210
So.
25
Dwight Miller
F
6-8
240
Jr.-Tr.
Nassau, Bahamas (Midland [Texas] College)
23
Cameron Tatum
G
6-7
193
Sr.
15
Rob Murphy
F
6-8
230
RS-Jr.-Tr.
24
Brandon Lopez
G
6-1
179
Fr.
1
Josh Richardson
G
6-6
186
Fr.-HS
25
Dwight Miller
F
6-8
240
Jr.
14
Tyler Summitt
G
6-1
180
RS-So.-Sq.
Knoxville, Tenn. (Webb School)
31
Quinton Chievous
G
6-5
201
Fr.
23
Cameron Tatum
G
6-7
193
RS-Sr.-3L
Lithonia, Ga. (The Patterson School)
34
Jeronne Maymon
F
6-7
265
Jr.
4
Wes Washpun
G
6-1
165
Fr.-HS
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Washington HS)
52
Jordan McRae
G
6-5
174
So.
3
Renaldo Woolridge
F
6-9
215
Sr.-3L
Sherman Oaks, Calif. (Harvard-Westlake HS)
PRONUNCIATION Quinton Chievous (CHEE-viss) Trae Golden (TRAY) Yemi Makanjuola (YEH-mee MACK-in-JEW-luh) Cuonzo Martin (kahn-zo) Jeronne Maymon (juhr-ON MAY-min)
STAY UPDATED Tennessee Volunteers Basketball Facebook.com/BallWithTheVols
@Vol_Hoops 2
Hometown (Previous School)
Charlotte, N.C. (Appalachian State University) Knoxville, Tenn. (Austin-East HS)
Brentwood, Tenn. (Lipscomb University) Edmond, Okla. (Santa Fe HS)
STAFF Name
Position
Year*
Alma Mater
Cuonzo Martin
Head Coach
1st
Purdue, 2000
Tracy Webster
Assistant Coach
1st
Wisconsin, 1995
Jon Harris
Assistant Coach
1st
Marquette, 2002
Kent Williams
Assistant Coach
1st
Southern Illinois, 2003
Houston Fancher
Director of Basketball Operations
3rd
Middle Tennessee, 1988
Marco Harris
Student-Athlete Welfare Coordinator
1st
Southwestern Oklahoma State, 1994
Mark Pancratz
Coordinator of Video Scouting
6th
UW-Milwaukee, 2006
Chad Newman
Athletic Trainer
17th
Tennessee, 1994
Troy Wills
Strength & Conditioning Coach
8th
Emory & Henry, 2000
Tom Satkowiak
Media Relations Director
4th
Tennessee, 2002
* indicates number of years with the Tennessee basketball program
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS BASKETBALL /// 2011-12 MEDIA GUIDE
SCHEDULE Site
Nov. 3
Thur.
Carson-Newman College (exhib)
Nov. 7
Mon.
Lincoln Memorial (exhib)
7 p.m.
Nov. 11
Fri.
1-UNC Greensboro
Knoxville
Fox Sports South
7 p.m.
Nov. 16 Nov. 21
Wed.
Louisiana-Monroe
Knoxville
UTsports.com
Mon.
2-Duke
Maui, Hawaii
Nov. 22
Tue.
2-Memphis or Michigan
Maui, Hawaii
ESPN/ESPN2^
Nov. 23
Wed.
2-TBD
Maui, Hawaii
ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU^
Nov. 28
Mon.
at Oakland
Oakland, Mich.
ESPNU
9 p.m.
Dec. 3
Sat.
3-Pittsburgh
Knoxville
ESPN
5:15 p.m.
Dec. 10
Sat.
Austin Peay
Knoxville
CSS
Noon
Dec. 14
Wed.
at College of Charleston
Charleston, S.C.
ESPNU
9 p.m.
Dec. 20
Tue.
UNC Asheville
Knoxville
SportSouth
7 p.m.
Dec. 23
Fri.
ETSU
Knoxville
UTsports.com
7 p.m.
Dec. 29
Thur.
The Citadel
Knoxville
SportSouth
7 p.m.
Jan. 2
Mon.
Chattanooga
Knoxville
SportSouth
7 p.m.
Jan. 4
Wed.
at Memphis
Memphis, Tenn.
Fox Sports South
8 p.m.
Jan. 7
Sat.
Florida*
Knoxville
Jan. 12
Thur.
at Mississippi State*
Starkville, Miss.
Jan. 14
Sat.
Kentucky*
Jan. 18
Wed.
Jan. 21
Sat.
Jan. 24 Jan. 28
7 p.m.
ESPN2^
ESPN2^
5:30 p.m. 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. TBD
11 a.m. 9 p.m.
Knoxville
ESPN^
Noon
at Georgia*
Athens, Ga.
SEC Network^
8 p.m.
Connecticut
Knoxville
CBS
4 p.m.
Tue.
at Vanderbilt*
Nashville, Tenn.
Sat.
Auburn*
Knoxville
Jan. 31
Tue.
at Kentucky*
Lexington, Ky.
Feb. 4
Sat.
Georgia*
Feb. 8
Wed.
South Carolina*
Feb. 11
Sat.
Feb. 15 Feb. 18
ESPNU
7 p.m.
Knoxville
Fox Sports South^
8 p.m.
Knoxville
SEC Network^
8 p.m.
at Florida*
Gainesville, Fla.
SEC Network^
4 p.m.
Wed.
Arkansas*
Knoxville
SEC Network^
8 p.m.
Sat.
at Alabama*
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
SEC Network^
1:30 p.m.
Feb. 22
Wed.
Ole Miss*
Knoxville
Feb. 25
Sat.
at South Carolina*
Columbia, S.C.
Feb. 29
Wed.
at LSU*
Baton Rouge, La.
March 3 Sat.
Vanderbilt*
Knoxville
March 8-11
SEC Tournament
New Orleans, La.
March 13-14
NCAA First Round (Dayton, Ohio)
March 15 & 17
NCAA Second & Third Rounds (Albuquerque, N.M. / Louisville, Ky. / Pittsburgh, Pa. / Portland, Ore.)
March 16 & 18
NCAA Second & Third Rounds (Columbus, Ohio / Greensboro, N.C. / Nashville, Tenn. / Omaha, Neb.)
March 22 & 24
NCAA Regionals (Boston, Mass. / Phoenix, Ariz.)
March 23 & 25
NCAA Regionals (Atlanta, Ga. / St. Louis, Mo.)
CSS^
7 p.m.
Fox Sports South^
8 p.m.
CSS^
9 p.m.
ESPN/ESPN2^
4 p.m.
SEC Network/ABC
March 31 & April 2 NCAA Final Four (New Orleans, La.) Key 1-EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Opening Game 2-EA SPORTS Maui Invitational (Lahaina Civic Center in Maui, Hawaii) 3-Big East/SEC Challenge * Southeastern Conference Game ^ Streamed live on ESPN3.com All Times Eastern & Subject to Change
History First Year of Basketball: 1908-09 All-Time Record: 1,490-945-2 (.612) NCAA Tournament Appearances: 19 (1967, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 89, 98, 99, 00, 01, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11) Last NCAA Opponent: Michigan (3/18/11) Result: L, 75-45 National Invitation Tournament Appearances: 11 (1945, 69, 71, 84, 85, 88, 90, 92, 96, 03, 04) Last NIT Opponent: at George Mason (3/17/04) Result: L, 58-55 Team Information 2010-11 Overall Record: 19-15 Home / Away / Neutral: 10-8 / 5-4 / 4-3 SEC Record: 8-8 Home / Away / Neutral: 3-5 / 5-3 / 0-0 SEC Finish: 5th East Final Ranking (AP / USA Today): NR / NR Starters Returning / Lost: 1 / 4 Letterwinners Returning / Lost: 6 / 5 Scholarship Newcomers: 5 (3 walk-ons) Coaching Staff Head Coach: Cuonzo Martin (Purdue, 2000) Record at Tennessee: 0-0 (First Year) Career Record: 61-41 (3 Years) .598 Pct. Basketball Office Phone: (865) 974-1206 Basketball Office Fax: (865) 974-0097 Assistant Coach: Tracy Webster (Wisconsin, 1995) Assistant Coach: Jon Harris (Marquette, 2002) Assistant Coach: Kent Williams (Southern Illinois, 2003) Director of Basketball Operations: Houston Fancher (Middle Tennessee, 1988) Student-Athlete Welfare Coordinator: Marco Harris (Southwestern Oklahoma State, 1994) Coordinator of Video Scouting: Mark Pancratz (UW-Milwaukee, 2006) Athletic Trainer: Chad Newman (Tennessee, 1994) Strength Coach: Troy Wills (Emory & Henry, 2000)
MEDIA INFO
7 p.m. 6 p.m.
Court Facts: Thompson-Boling Arena Capacity: 21,678 Record in Arena: 280-100 (.737) 24 Seasons Largest Crowd: 25,610 vs. Kentucky (1/21/89) at current capacity: 22,326 vs. Gonzaga (1/7/09)
VOLMANAC
ESPNU ESPN2^
The Basics Location: Knoxville, Tenn. Founded: 1794 Conference: Southeastern Enrollment: 27,523 Colors: Orange & White Nickname: Volunteers Mascot: Smokey Band: Pride of the Southland Chancellor: Dr. Jimmy G. Cheek Faculty Representative: Dr. Dan Murphy Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics: Dave Hart Athletic Department Phone: 865-974-1220 Ticket Office Phone: 1-800-332-8657
POSTSEASON
ESPN/ESPN2^
 QUICK FACTS
HONORS
7 p.m.
UTsports.com
RECORDS
UTsports.com
Knoxville
RESULTS
Knoxville
REVIEW
Time
STAFF
Television
PLAYERS
Day Opponent
OUTLOOK
Date
Media Relations Basketball SID: Tom Satkowiak (Tennessee, 2002) Office: 865-974-7501 Cell: 865-696-2897 E-mail: tomsid@utk.edu Twitter: @TomSatkowiak Media Relations Fax: 865-974-1269 Press Row Phone: 865-974-0110 SID Mailing Address: Overnight Address: P.O. Box 15016, 1720 Volunteer Blvd. Knoxville, TN 37901 Room 255 Knoxville, TN 37996
UTSPORTS.COM
3
Q&A WITH CUONZO MARTIN
TOUGHNESS, TENACITY TO POWER VOLS' ATTACK Blue collar. Smothering defense and imposing physicality
are among the mantras accompanying the dawn of the Martin Era on Rocky Top. However, as his teams at Missouri State proved, those principles do not prohibit the prevalance of a powerful offensive attack. Discipline and effort will lead to productivity on both ends.
Q:
As you assess your roster as a whole, what do you envision as Tennessee’s style of play this year on both ends of the floor? Cuonzo Martin: “I always want great defense to be a constant for us. Year one, year five, whatever—we have to be solid defensively. Offensively, if we’re able to get scoring in the paint—through post production or dribble-penetration in the paint—and also get some transition scoring, we should be fine. That’s one of my biggest concerns (in the preseason) offensively. We’ll definitely put ourselves in position to score effectively, it’s just a matter of making plays and making shots.”
Q
:As you look at your personnel for this season and then look back at last year's stats, what are some of your biggest concerns heading into such a challenging schedule? CM: “On the offensive side of the ball, it’s shooting and scoring. We want to shoot the ball at a good percentage. That’s really ‘team’ shooting, not just individual guys. If we’re shooting a good team percentage, that means we’re taking quality shots and making good shots. We definitely want to be somewhere above 45 percent as a team. And for 3-pointers, you want to be around the 40-percent mark. You always want to be better, but those are good gauges. And then you want to get to the free-throw line and shoot 70-75 percent from the line. So the biggest thing for us, offensively, is taking quality shots. “Defensively, I want to see us being aggressive and creating some scoring from our defense. “A couple other points of emphasis would be our ability to rebound and being sure to limit our turnovers offensively.”
player. As a staff, you’re putting a lot of new things in—a lot of concepts the players have to learn—and it takes some guys time to adjust. But if you simplify things and you slowly introduce those new concepts, then guys have time to make that adjustment. But again, it’s an individual gauge; some guys pick things up more quickly than others.
Q:
Cameron Tatum and Renaldo Woolridge are your only two seniors, but they represent your most experienced player and arguably your most versatile player, respectively. Talk about your impressions of that duo. CM: “Anytime you have guys who are seniors, you expect those guys to lead your program—both on and off the court. I think those two guys have done a good job of working hard, representing the right way and doing the little things necessary for our team to be successful. By their actions, they’ve been teaching the younger guys. When you look at quality programs, you see that
WHAT RETURNS? Returning Statistics Category Scoring Field Goals 3-Pt FGs Free Throws Rebounding Assists Blocked Shots Steals Minutes Starts
Total Return Lost % Return 2,376 605 1,771 .255 837 200 637 .239 175 64 111 .366 527 142 385 .269 1,279 276 1,003 .216 443 175 268 .395 126 23 103 .183 250 81 169 .324 6,850 2,095 4,755 .306 170 35 135 .206
Returning Statistical Leaders Category Scoring Field Goals Field Goal % 3-Pt FGs 3-Pt FG % Free Throws Free Throw % Rebounding Assists Blocked Shots Steals Minutes
No. Player 8.8 Cameron Tatum 97 Cameron Tatum .528 Kenny Hall 34 Cameron Tatum .324 Skylar McBee 70 Cameron Tatum .882 Skylar McBee 3.1 Cameron Tatum 78 Cameron Tatum 12 Cameron Tatum 30 Cameron Tatum 857 Cameron Tatum
Q:
With a new coaching staff and a new system in place, could your roster's lack of collective experience actually be a good thing, given that your players may not be pre-programmed to a different style of play? CM: “The thing to keep in mind is that they all came from somewhere, and they all played under a system. Not one guy has played in our system. I think the adjustment time depends on each individual 4
the
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS BASKETBALL /// 2011-12 MEDIA GUIDE
Point guard Trae Golden posted a 2.2 assist/turnover ratio as a true freshman last season while playing 13.3 minutes per game.
Q&A WITH CUONZO MARTIN OUTLOOK
SEC WINS SINCE 2005-06
PLAYERS
65 62
STAFF
62
REVIEW
56
Regular-season games only
Q:
Q:
You’ve also got a versatile and diverse group of five walk-ons at your disposal. CM: “When you have walk-ons who love to play the game, enjoy the competition side of the game and want to be a part of Tennessee basketball, they have a chance to really help you be successful because those guys represent what the coaches are looking for. This group that we have will do the things that are necessary to represent the program in the right way, on and off the court.”
Q:
MEDIA INFO
What have you seen out of sophomore guards Trae Golden and Jordan McRae that has impressed you? And how do you see each of them fitting into the rotation this season? CM: “I think both Trae and Jordan have a chance to be good scorers in this league—not just in the preseason—but during SEC play. They have all the necessary skills and tools to be good scorers. They can make shots, they can put the ball on the floor and get to the basket, they can score it in transition and also get to the free-throw line. It’s our job as a staff to put them in position to be successful, but they do have the tools.”
Q:
You also signed three freshmen guards who each seem to possess very different skills sets. Talk briefly about what Wes Washpun, Josh Richardson and Quinton Chievous bring to the backcourt. CM: “Wes is a natural point guard who pushes it fast in transition. He’s a really good athlete. He finds guys in transition and loves to penetrate and find guys for shots. He also loves to attack the basket and score. He should be a really good onball defender because he loves to get after it. He’s also pretty good when it comes to blocking shots around the basket—he’s not bad at that. “Josh is a guy who can play multiple positions around the perimeter. He’ll be a good defender for us. He’s very active and gets in passing lanes—just has a great feel for the game. Right now, he’s a guy who attacks the basket off the dribble as opposed
to being a spot shooter. “Quinton Chievous is a guy who’s been really tough, really physical... every loose ball, it seems like Q is the guy coming up with the loose balls on the floor. He makes shots from the perimeter, and he’s pretty good putting the ball on the floor. He’s more of a perimeter guy than anything, but he will be down there banging in the post as well.”
VOLMANAC
Q:
Most fans don’t know what to expect from the two post players you signed in Dwight Miller and Yemi Makanjuola. Can you give a brief scouting report on your two newest big men? CM: “Yemi is a defensive guy first. He’s a physical rebounder. He’s tough around the basket. He plays extremely hard—loves to battle. He blocks shots. He’s not a bad offensive player, but we’re continually working on his offensive skills to help him get better and better. But he definitely puts time into it. “Dwight’s more of an inside-out guy. He can face up and knock threes down, he can put the ball on the floor and he can also post up around the basket. He’s probably more of a face-up, off-the-dribble guy. Dwight’s suited to do a few more things (offensively than Yemi can). Dwight and Renaldo are in the same category—guys who do a lot of different things on the floor. “Going back to Yemi... I think Yemi is probably our only ‘true’ center on this team.”
POSTSEASON
Moving on to the returning scholarship juniors, what have you seen from guard Skylar McBee and post players Kenny Hall and Jeronne Maymon? CM: “The thing about Skylar... he’s tougher than I thought he was. He plays a really physical brand of basketball. His reputation... I think some people know him only as a guy who can shoot threes. But I think he’s more than just a 3-point shooter. On the defensive side, he attacks, he goes in there and gets rebounds, so it’s fun to watch him in practice. “Kenny Hall is a guy who can play inside and outside. He runs the floor well, and he’s one of those guys who can defend multiple positions. He can guard a point guard in spurts, he can guard bigger guys and he can guard out on the wing. He’s a guy who is capable of doing a lot of things. “Jeronne is just a physical presence. He’s been very physical in practice—really competing hard. He’s aggressive, tough-minded, he attacks off the dribble. He’s another guy who’s been fun to watch.”
Q:
HONORS
proper way of doing things passed down from the older players to the younger guys. Cameron and Renaldo have been doing that and showing that.”
“We know that coach Martin’s number one priority is us—his players. He’s always got our best interest in mind. Knowing that your coach has your back, no matter what... something like that gives you so much confidence.” — Kenny Hall
RECORDS
47
RESULTS
52
SPEAKING VOLUMES
You’ve talked about wanting a “starting five” as well as a “closing five.” Explain. CM: “When you have a starting five, those are the guys who earned it, understand what’s expected and really proved themselves over the course of the fall and preseason. But I believe there is a difference with who starts and who finishes. If you look at a lot of good programs, there are probably two or three different guys playing during the final minute of the game who probably didn’t start the game. They either know how to get a big stop, or they’re a guy who can make a big 3-point shot, or they’re a great rebounder--whatever the case may be. But there are certain guys who, in the last minute of a game, they find a way to get things done. More than anything, as a coach, you typically have a group of guys who you trust down the stretch to carry out the exact assignment—almost to a T—to get the job done.” UTSPORTS.COM
5
NOTES
NOTEWORTHY SEC TEAMS & NCAA APPEARANCES
The Vols have the longest active NCAA Tournament streak in the SEC, as they are riding a stretch of six consecutive bids to the “Big Dance.” All-time NCAA appearances: 1. Kentucky 51 7. Vanderbilt 12 2. Arkansas 29 8. Georgia 10 3. LSU 20 Mississippi State 10 4. Tennessee 19 10. Auburn 8 Alabama 19 South Carolina 8 6. Florida 14 12. Ole Miss 6
GRAND ACCOMPLISHMENT
Fifth-year senior Cameron Tatum is 194 points shy of becoming the 44th member of Tennessee’s 1,000-Point Club. Entering this season, the 6-7 guard from Lithonia, Ga., has averaged 7.8 ppg while appearing in 104 career games as a Vol.
BRING ON THE BEST
In keeping with recent tradition, Tennessee’s schedule will once again rank among the most difficult in the nation. According to head coach Cuonzo Martin: “This is the type of schedule that players want to play.” THE SCHEDULE: Numbers of Note 14 Games against 2011 NCAA Tournament Teams 11 Games against Dick Vitale’s Preseason Top 12 10 Games against top-50 RPI teams from 2011
80 = THE TIPPING POINT
In his previous three seasons as a head coach, Cuonzo Martin’s teams are 11-0 when they score at least 80 points. That’s not surprising given the emphasis Martin places on unrelenting defensive pressure, tenacity and technique.
FAMILIAR FACES FROM ABROAD
Tennessee head coach Cuonzo Martin was handpicked by USA Basketball to serve as an assistant coach with the 2011 USA Men’s World University Games Team last month in Shenzen, China. Several of the players who were members of that fifth-place squad will be taking the floor against Martin and the Vols this season. Those players include: Ashton Gibbs (guard, Pittsburgh), JaMychal Green (forward, Alabama), John Jenkins (guard, Vanderbilt) and Darius Miller (guard, Kentucky). Prior to the team’s trip to China, it spent a week training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. During that time, Miller and Jenkins spoke highly of Martin’s coaching style. “He does a really good job at teaching and explaining things,” Miller said. “If you mess up, he’ll stop. He does a good job at communicating with the players.” Jenkins appreciated Martin’s ability to teach. “The way he coaches is very unique,” Jenkins said. “If you mess up, he will tell you what you did wrong and how to fix it. This helps us out a lot, and it’s been keeping us trying to get better because most coaches don’t do it that way. His style is unique and I like it a lot.”
6
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS BASKETBALL /// 2011-12 MEDIA GUIDE
NOTES OUTLOOK
THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA TURNS 25-YEARS-OLD
PLAYERS
The 2011-12 campaign marks Tennessee’s 25th season of basketball in ThompsonBoling Arena. To commemorate the anniversary, the Volunteers have highlighted great moments in TBA history on this year’s tickets. Promotions during Tennessee home games also will look back on some of the great players and plays in the facility’s history. The Vols are 280-100 (.737) all-time in Thompson-Boling Arena, and the venue has hosted 71 UT men’s basketball games for which the attendance exceeded 20,000.
VOLS APPROACHING 1,500-WIN MILESTONE
STAFF
Tennessee enters the season with an all-time record of 1,490-945-2 (.612). The program needs just 10 victories to reach the 1,500-win milestone. Below is a list of UT’s previous milestone victories: Win Score Opponent Date Win Score Opponent Date 1 55-16 Tenn. School for the Deaf 1/27/1909 500 66-50 vs. Denver 1/2/1954 100 29-28 at Georgia Tech 2/19/1921 1000 83-59 Ole Miss 1/8/1984
REVIEW
TENNESSEE’S TV PRESENCE SIGNIFICANT ONCE AGAIN
RESULTS
Tennessee is scheduled to play 14 games on national television this season (on CBS and the ESPN family of networks). And another 15 contests will be telecast regionally on networks such as Fox Sports Net and the SEC Network.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
RECORDS
The Volunteers 2011-12 roster features 17 players (12 scholarship student-athletes) representing three nations and eight states. Five Vols hail from the state of Tennessee, while four are from Georgia. Tennessee has two seniors, five juniors, four sophomores and six freshmen. The roster includes 11 guards, five forwards and one center. Nine Vols stand 6-5 or shorter, and eight players are 6-6 or taller.
VOLS PREPARE TO WELCOME AGGIES TO SEC IN 2012-13
HONORS
On Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, the Southeastern Conference announced that Texas A&M is joining the league for the 2012-13 academic year. This season marks the Aggies’ final year competing in the Big XII Conference. Tennessee owns an all-time record of 4-1 on the hardwood against Texas A&M. The first meeting took place Dec. 15, 1951, in Knoxville (Vols won, 60-52). And the most recent meeting was a 108-84 Tennessee victory in Knoxville on Dec. 2, 2003.
Junior guard Skylar McBee led the Vols in steals seven times last season.
POSTSEASON
NOTES FROM THE WEIGHT ROOM
“Wes Washpun is one of the most athletic kids we’ve had in a while. He’s got a 41-inch
Use your smartphone to scan this code and watch a video of strength coach Troy Wills in action with the Vols.
VOLMANAC
Strength and conditioning coach Troy Wills on which Vols have made noticeable strides in the weight room: vertical and recorded a time in the pro agility test that is comparable to a lot of the better defenders I’ve had an opportunity to work with in the past seven years.
MEDIA INFO
“Trae Golden has put a concerted effort into his training, and the changes he’s made in his body and physical performance are evident. He’s lighter and stronger than he’s ever been, and he’s increased his vertical jump to higher than 35 inches, which is nearly three inches better than last year. “Jeronne Maymon is by far our strongest player, with a bench press well over 300 pounds. Renaldo Woolridge is the most well-rounded athlete we have from a physical standpoint, being a top-three performer in every test. Specifically, he bench pressed 275 pounds, vertical jumps 38 inches and he ran the 3/4-court sprint in 3.03 seconds. “I think every team is a reflection of its head coach. Therefore, the team is taking on a new and different identity. However, my job is still the same in regard to assuring that everything is done to decrease and prevent the likelihood of injuries for our players, along with helping them maximize their physical potential.
The Vols wore weighted vests during numerous preseason workouts. UTSPORTS.COM
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NOTES
EXAMINING THE SCHEDULE EA SPORTS Maui Invitational - Nov. 21-23 Already boasting a reputation as the premier holiday tournament in college basketball, the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational ramps it up another notch by putting together arguably its most challenging field ever in 2011. Tennessee joins perennial host school Chaminade, along with Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Memphis, Michigan and UCLA. The Volunteers previously competed in the Maui Invitational in 2004, finishing fourth at the event after defeating Stanford and falling to North Carolina and Texas. Cuonzo Martin has coaching experience at the Maui Invitational, as Purdue joined the field in 2006. The Boilermakers, with Martin on the bench just months before being promoted to associate head coach, fell to Georgia Tech before logging wins over Oklahoma and DePaul for a fifth-place finish. It was during that year’s tournament that Martin’s son, Chase, celebrated his fifth birthday. Now, in 2011, Chase Martin will celebrate his 10th birthday in Maui as well. Tennessee faces Duke on the opening day of the championship round. The clash with the Blue Devils serves as a tiebreaker of sorts for both programs, as the all-time series is deadlocked at 7-7, dating to the first meeting 100 years ago (Duke defeated the Vols 48-25 in Durham on Feb. 20, 1911). The programs have not met since UT posted a 90-69 win at the Sugar Bowl Classic in New Orleans, La., on Dec. 29, 1980. Memphis or Michigan awaits the Vols on the second day of action in Maui. The Tigers are well-known, as the programs meet annually. And Michigan ended Tennessee’s 2011 season with a second-round NCAA Tournament win in Charlotte, N.C. During his collegiate playing days as a point guard at Wisconsin, current UT assistant coach Tracy Webster was a starter on the 1991-92 Badgers squad that convincingly defeated Michigan and the heralded “Fab Five” 96-78 in Madison, Wis., on Feb. 26, 1992. Webster’s 13 assists in that 18-point victory tied the Wisconsin single-game school record (has since been tied but not broken).
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Pittsburgh - Dec. 3 (Big East/SEC Challenge) Tennessee shocked third-ranked Pitt at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., last season. It was the Panthers’ first non-conference loss in their home city in nearly six years. The Vols’ only other previous appearance in the event previously known as the SEC/Big East Invitational, resulted in an 80-68 win over 24th-ranked Marquette in Nashville, Tenn., in 2009. The Vols own a 39-41 all-time record against current members of the Big East and have won five of their last six games against Big East opposition. Tennessee holds a 4-1 all-time advantage in head-to-head meetings with Pitt, dating to 1961. First-year Vol Dwight Miller, a forward from Nassau, Bahamas, spent his first two collegiate seasons at Pitt. Miller redshirted in 2008-09 before playing in 16 games off the bench in 2009-10. Miller attended Midland (Texas) College last year before enrolling at Tennessee in the summer. at Georgia - Jan. 18 Barring an appearance in the NCAA Atlanta Regional in March, this game marks the final time redshirt-senior guard Cameron Tatum will play in his home state as a collegian. A native of Lithonia, Ga., Tatum attended Tucker High School in Tucker, Ga., and then spent a year at The Patterson School in Lenoir, N.C., before enrolling at UT in 2007. This game also serves as a homecoming of sorts for fellow Peach State natives Kenny Hall (Stone Mountain), Trae Golden (Powder Springs) and Jordan McRae (Midway). UConn - Jan. 21 The Volunteers fell to the Huskies 72-61 at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn., last season. The all-time series between UT and UConn is deadlocked at 1-1. Interestingly, Tennessee has won each of its last three games against opponents who were the defending national champions. The Huskies, led by guards Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier, landed at No. 8 in ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale’s national preseason rankings.
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS BASKETBALL /// 2011-12 MEDIA GUIDE
The Vols have won four straight home games against opponents ranked in the top 10 of the Associated Press national poll. at Vanderbilt - Jan. 24 As SEC Eastern Division rivals, the Vols and Commodores meet twice each regular season—once on each team’s homecourt. If recent history continues, this first meeting of the year could go a long way toward determining which program takes in-state bragging rights into the offseason. This series has been swept in each of the last three years. Tennessee won both meetings against Vanderbilt in 2008-09 as well as last season. The Dores claimed both contests in 2010-11. South Carolina - Feb. 8 When the Vols and Gamecocks tipoff for the first of this year’s two regular-season meetings it will have been 1,817 days since South Carolina last defeated the Big Orange (81-64 on Feb. 17, 2007, in Columbia, S.C.). Since that game, Tennessee has reeled off nine straight wins in the series. Additionally, Gamecocks head coach Darrin Horn was an assistant coach at Marquette when current Vols assistant coach Jon Harris was playing for the Golden Eagles. at Alabama - Feb. 18 This game took on added significance when Dave Hart was hired as Tennessee’s vice chancellor and director of athletics. Hart came to UT after working since 2008 as executive director of athletics at Alabama, where he led the day-to-day operations of the Crimson Tide athletic department. A 1971 Alabama graduate, Hart played basketball for the Crimson Tide under legendary head coach C.M. Newton and earned a master’s degree from UA in 1972 while working as a graduate assistant basketball coach with the men’s program.