[Quality88]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The media says Tennessee is the men’s basketball team to beat in the Southeastern Conference.

The coach of the favorite begs to differ.

Volunteers coach Bruce Pearl held court at SEC Media Days today, and proclaimed the University of Kentucky the team to beat in the East, despite a media vote in which UT received all 30 first-place votes.

“I think it’s going to be Kentucky,” Pearl said. “They remind me of my first year (at Tennessee). Their backcourt is terrific. It is deep. It is experienced. The frontcourt’s young, but Patrick Patterson has a chance to be the newcomer of the year in our league.”

Though he’s picking the Wildcats – and thereby deflecting the favorite’s role – Pearl didn’t praise all things UK.

In fact, he was critical of the discrepancy between the Cats and the rest of the league in CBS television appearances this season.

CBS, the highest-profile broadcaster of SEC games, will show UK seven times this season.

“When Kentucky has got seven CBS games and Tennessee has two CBS games, the torch has not been passed,” Pearl said. “This league is still about the Wildcats.”
Pearl isn’t so sure that’s a good thing.

“I think our league’s better off when we’re not just promoting Kentucky,” he said.
Pearl listed the discrepancy in CBS appearances as a factor in keeping his team “hungry and humble,” along with having lost a 17-point second-half lead in a loss to Ohio State last season in the NCAA tournament.

“Kentucky’s on CBS seven times, Tennessee’s on two,” Pearl said. “That’s not enough to motivate you? That motivates me right now. I want to go back to practice. Of course it does motivate us.”

Vols picked to win SEC basketball but . . .

[Lefty Noob]

“Kentucky’s on CBS seven times, Tennessee’s on two,” Pearl said. “That’s not enough to motivate you? That motivates me right now. I want to go back to practice. Of course it does motivate us.”

Man, I love this guy. Says what's on his mind and brings a whole new energy to that team. Wish there were more coaches like him.

[KENVOL]

I'm glad there's not, and we have him.