Guards push UT by scrappy Hilltoppers

Tennessee commanded Saturday’s game against Western Kentucky but the never dominated it. The Vols got 32 points from Chris Lofton and 21 from Lofton’s backcourt running-mate JuJaun Smith as they expanded a 47-36 halftime advantage, eventually pulling away to a 93-79 home win. “We beat a really good basketball team tonight,” said second year head coach Bruce Pearl. “ “They’ve already beaten Georgia and UAB...Western Kentucky is a well coached team. They are smart, and they’re going to win a lot of games.” Saturday’s game was the second straight 30 point game for Lofton. He continued to build his reputation as one of the most potent scoring threats in the Southeastern Conference. ‘The Shooter,’ as appropriately dubbed by the Western Kentucky coaching staff made long-range shots with little to no space all evening. JuJuan Smith also had a good game offensively, but more importantly, the McMinn County native played a big part in limiting the Hilltopper’s highly-touted guard Courtney Lee with a relentless defensive effort. After conservatively testing the waters in the first ten minutes of the game, Tennessee finally jumped in and established rank. The Vols were never able to extend their lead to a comfortable margin, but did just enough to counter each successful move that Western Kentucky made. Tennessee’s speed seemed to be a problem for the Toppers’ man to man defense, but offensively Western Kentucky had no problems with Tennessee’s size. Tennessee jumped out to a 35-25 lead with just under eight minutes to go in the first half. The streaky ‘Toppers’ defense would then take over the game and only allow one Tennessee bucket during the next four minutes. Western Kentucky’s pesky lineup dropped the margin to five at one point, but Tennessee regained their poise and took a 47-36 lead into the locker room for the half. The second half showed a promising Volunteer effort. The Vols maintained an upper single digit lead for the first eight minutes of the second half, occasionally spreading it to 11 on a Lofton or Smith three. Consecutive Western Kentucky 35 second violations on back-to-back offensive possessions seemed to awaken the home crowd. The Hilltoppers were not done though. The lead was down to four with under eight to play when Lofton scored underneath and forced an offensive foul on the ensuing possession. Not only did his play get the ball back into Tennessee’s court but it reversed the momentum that was beginning to lean in favor of the visitors and the small but vocal group of Kentuckians that had made the trip to Knoxville. Lofton scored his 30th point with a minute and a half remaining to spread the Vol margin to 85-73. One of the biggest shocks of the game came with two minutes left when Lofton missed two free throws. Lofton came into the contest with a percentage in the high nineties from the charity stripe. Freshman point guard Ramar Smith had his second good game in a row off the bench. He finished the game with 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists. “It’s good to see him thinking about scoring. He took some shots and got to the free throw line tonight. He had a few turnovers, but he is getting there,” said Pearl of the rising point guard from Detroit. Western Kentucky’s guard play was a huge concern for Pearl entering the game. The youthful Hilltoppers brandish the most recent Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year in Courtney Lee. The 6-5 Junior averaged 17.4 points per contest to go along with 6.5 boards in his Sophomore season. Lee was held in check until the final minutes of the game, where he scored several buckets with the outcome already determined. He finished with 17 points on 7-13 shooting. “To limit him to 13 shots is good, said Pearl of the unpredictable Lee. “He got a lot of attention,” the Vols’ coach continued. “We played great team defense on him. He was double teamed, he was trapped. You saw (Dane) Bradshaw on him, Childress on him, everybody. We were not going to let him get his.” added Pearl. Butch Jointer made his first career start as a forward against the Big Orange. He along with Benson Callier were the only two seniors to get the nod in the starting lineup. Former Tennessee player and recurrent highlight reel participant Elgrace Wilborn was one of the two starters that the Toppers lost to graduation last year. Wilborn and the Vols parted ways two years ago after an altercation involving fellow big man of the 2004-05\' season, Brandon Crump. Wilborn transferred to Nebraska for the following season, but finished his collegiate career as a Hilltopper. Tennessee’s next two challenges will be even more demanding. The Vols travel to Nashville to play a physical and undefeated Oklahoma State team tonight in a game that will be nationally televised by ESPN2. The Cowboys dominated Tennessee down low last year and will look to do the same in front of an anxious mid-state audience. “They’re brutal,” Pearl said of the Cowboys. “We try to figure out ways to beat people. It will be different than it was against Western Kentucky. We have weapons, we have strengths, and we will try to identify what they’re going to do against us and we’ll try to take that away.” The sore spot on the win was the play of Tennessee’s young front-court. Duke Crews struggled to box out at times and became frustrated with his play. Fellow Freshman Wayne Chism was held scoreless. “If those two don’t get it going, then we’re in trouble,” Pearl added