Vols coach on thin ice
By RYAN WOLSTAT, QMI Agency
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Bruce Pearl’s time at Tennessee might be up.
Already on shaky ground due to a scandal that forced him to forfeit $1.5 million US of his pay and due to a late-season slump by the Volunteers, it would be a shock if Pearl stays on.
Despite his 462-145 record (10-8 in the tournament), the fact Tennessee lost 8-of-12 down the stretch and Pearl has admitted to lying to NCAA investigators likely will cost him his job.
He had earlier served an eight-game suspension, but nevertheless led the Vols to their sixth appearance in a row at this event.
Michigan became the first team to win a tournament game without hitting a free throw Friday, annihilating Tennesse 75-45.
It was only Michigan’s second tourney appearance since 1998.
Earlier in the weak, Tennessee’s athletic director Mike Hamilton had declined to give Pearl a vote of confidence in a radio interview and it seemed the team — and likely NBA-bound freshman Tobias Harris — was mentally drained by all of the turmoil.
