That was then. This is now.
And Pierce says he's learned from what he did not do between his freshman and sophomore years. He's also happy the hype machine has been turned off. Still, he was quite popular at yesterday's Temple Media Day.
"It was a little disappointment," Pierce said of 2010. "It was mostly the hype [from 2009] that I was getting that kind of [set him off in the wrong direction]. I was thinking more about what I need to do for the people, the whole crowd, my audience, instead of what I need to do for me, my goals, what I set out to do for the season."
What he did not do between his first and second years was work hard enough.
"I wasn't as really prepared for the season," Pierce admitted. "I was just caught up in the hype and everything else. I wasn't getting ready to my full capability."
New coach Steve Addazio did not hide his admiration for Pierce. Sounds like he has every intention of giving the junior the ball - early and often.
"He's had a great winter, great spring and he's had a great training camp this summer" Addazio said. "His attitude is phenomenal, not that that was ever in question. His work ethic, he's become stronger. I think he's got a little different approach mentally right now.
"He's older. He's a junior. He's not a sophomore anymore. I think he's enjoying just going about his business without all these expectations. Which is all very normal.
"I would expect that he would have a great start to the season. I'd be surprised if it was different."
Pierce certainly had his moments in 2010. He rushed for 169 yards on 26 carries in the Owls' win against eventual Big East champion Connecticut. What he did not do was have a stretch of games where he looked unstoppable.
