Admittedly a Possibly Dumb Question

#1
cbrown

cbrown

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#1
Is it possible to have the focus in defense that TN seemingly has without it negatively impacting offensive production? Good defense and struggling offense has become the norm with TN. We don’t ever seem to get anything in transition. We had zero transition points in the FL game - that’s inconceivable to me. We built up a good early record on bottom feeders, going 3-8 against the other top 7 teams in the league late. Something isn’t right, but I’m not sure if it’s the players being recruited or TN’s overall system/philosophy.
 
#2
#2
I think that the defensive philosophy has been altered to fit the abilities this year. With Fulkerson and Pons TN was disrupting the passing lanes all the time. This year it seems more focused on not having break downs, keeping the offense from getting past defenders, always helping, and getting rebounds.
 
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#3
#3
Yes this is a very dumb question considering in recent weeks the offense has been just fine and the defense has sucked a$$
 
#7
#7
cbrown said:
Is it possible to have the focus in defense that TN seemingly has without it negatively impacting offensive production? Good defense and struggling offense has become the norm with TN. We don’t ever seem to get anything in transition. We had zero transition points in the FL game - that’s inconceivable to me. We built up a good early record on bottom feeders, going 3-8 against the other top 7 teams in the league late. Something isn’t right, but I’m not sure if it’s the players being recruited or TN’s overall system/philosophy.
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Like the saying goes....the only dumb question is the one that goes unasked.
 
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#8
#8
Personally just don't think they have any consistent players on offense outside of Vescovi .

And they certainly don't have any alphas that other teams are really gonna focus on defensively.

Don't see the focus on defense impacting things much.
 
#9
#9
If you’re never pushing the ball you’re letting the defense get set every time. No transition baskets = no easy points. That doesn’t seem like a recipe for success in the NCAAT. This team isn’t good enough to never get any easy points.
 
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#10
#10
Tennessee is missing consistency on offense. We have no true post players (Awaka will get there). Having the number one defense in the country is great...but you still have to score points to win.
 
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#11
#11
The Tall Gguy said:
Tennessee is missing consistency on offense. We have no true post players (Awaka will get there). Having the number one defense in the country is great...but you still have to score points to win.
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I remember similar comments about ON and Aidoo. Bit of a crapshoot IMO.
 
#12
#12
It's frustrating to watch TN get a 10 pt lead early and then just lose concentration and become almost scared to shoot the ball. We bring the ball down, and it seems like they are told not to shoot until they've passed it around the perimeter. They pass the ball and run their set play until the clock forces them to take a shot. Nobody wants to shoot for lack of confidence or whatever reason. You won't win many games when you can only score in the paint every 3rd possession
 
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#13
#13
volfeeva said:
It's frustrating to watch TN get a 10 pt lead early and then just lose concentration and become almost scared to shoot the ball. We bring the ball down, and it seems like they are told not to shoot until they've passed it around the perimeter. They pass the ball and run their set play until the clock forces them to take a shot. Nobody wants to shoot for lack of confidence or whatever reason. You won't win many games when you can only score in the paint every 3rd possession
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You didn’t notice that Mizz was playing high pressure defense?
 
#15
#15
bleedingTNorange said:
Yes this is a very dumb question considering in recent weeks the offense has been just fine and the defense has sucked a$$
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This team, similar to last year’s, has too many scoring droughts which is an offensive problem. We can’t close a game b/c we don’t have a “go to guy.” I agree our defense has lacked recently, especially the last few possessions of the game(s).

Santi has too much on his plate w ZZ out as he is expected to play point, defend the opponent’s primary guard, and be our primary scorer. He needs help as he can’t do it all.
 
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#17
#17
cbrown said:
Is it possible to have the focus in defense that TN seemingly has without it negatively impacting offensive production? Good defense and struggling offense has become the norm with TN. We don’t ever seem to get anything in transition. We had zero transition points in the FL game - that’s inconceivable to me. We built up a good early record on bottom feeders, going 3-8 against the other top 7 teams in the league late. Something isn’t right, but I’m not sure if it’s the players being recruited or TN’s overall system/philosophy.
Click to expand...
Or it could be 30 games lost by starters to injury. Trying to get into a rhythm when your playing different roles isn’t easy.
 
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#19
#19
cbrown said:
Is it possible to have the focus in defense that TN seemingly has without it negatively impacting offensive production? Good defense and struggling offense has become the norm with TN. We don’t ever seem to get anything in transition. We had zero transition points in the FL game - that’s inconceivable to me. We built up a good early record on bottom feeders, going 3-8 against the other top 7 teams in the league late. Something isn’t right, but I’m not sure if it’s the players being recruited or TN’s overall system/philosophy.
Click to expand...
I thought I would never say this, and I am old school. Grew up, its all about the D. Football surely proved it this year ! Offense made us revelant again. Even in Basketball, the MIL is here, kids not worried about defense, they want to score and get out and RUN ! Passing it 5 times before anybody can shoot days left with the movie HOSSIERS ! NO fast break points in a game is nuts ! Barnes is not gonna ever get us far, in the big dance ! We dont run with 2 five star 1st round picks. Barnes is Fulmer, a great dude abd a coach that the game passed by. Who cares if you win 25 games a year and outed in the first 2 rounds when it counts ! We will have to watch VCU or someone else go deep in the big dance again this year. People dont want to hear this !!! Im 55 years old, we may not like it , WE got to change with the game.
 
#20
#20
volfeeva said:
It's frustrating to watch TN get a 10 pt lead early and then just lose concentration and become almost scared to shoot the ball. We bring the ball down, and it seems like they are told not to shoot until they've passed it around the perimeter. They pass the ball and run their set play until the clock forces them to take a shot. Nobody wants to shoot for lack of confidence or whatever reason. You won't win many games when you can only score in the paint every 3rd possession
Click to expand...

This narrative about being scared to shoot is ridiculous. Barnes has literally benched players for NOT taking shots….. and he definitely wants us to push the ball up the floor when it’s available. Not saying this at you per se but I just wonder if people that make those type of comments even watch the game or understand the game of b-ball.
 
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#21
#21
tvolms said:
I thought I would never say this, and I am old school. Grew up, its all about the D. Football surely proved it this year ! Offense made us revelant again. Even in Basketball, the MIL is here, kids not worried about defense, they want to score and get out and RUN ! Passing it 5 times before anybody can shoot days left with the movie HOSSIERS ! NO fast break points in a game is nuts ! Barnes is not gonna ever get us far, in the big dance ! We dont run with 2 five star 1st round picks. Barnes is Fulmer, a great dude abd a coach that the game passed by. Who cares if you win 25 games a year and outed in the first 2 rounds when it counts ! We will have to watch VCU or someone else go deep in the big dance again this year. People dont want to hear this !!! Im 55 years old, we may not like it , WE got to change with the game.
Click to expand...

Completely false narrative. Barnes loves pushing the ball when possible. And especially when we have the horses. Go watch Bone…..Chandler…. Etc…. Seasons. Crazy posts on this board after losses…..
 
#22
#22
tvolms said:
I thought I would never say this, and I am old school. Grew up, its all about the D. Football surely proved it this year ! Offense made us revelant again. Even in Basketball, the MIL is here, kids not worried about defense, they want to score and get out and RUN ! Passing it 5 times before anybody can shoot days left with the movie HOSSIERS ! NO fast break points in a game is nuts ! Barnes is not gonna ever get us far, in the big dance ! We dont run with 2 five star 1st round picks. Barnes is Fulmer, a great dude abd a coach that the game passed by. Who cares if you win 25 games a year and outed in the first 2 rounds when it counts ! We will have to watch VCU or someone else go deep in the big dance again this year. People dont want to hear this !!! Im 55 years old, we may not like it , WE got to change with the game.
Click to expand...

Barnes changes his approach every year. It’s going to be adjusted based on what he’s got on the roster and how the rules will be interpreted. This year the defense is based on not taking many risks and playing fierce through the opponent’s entire shot clock. There are going to be fewer possessions so there isn’t much room for error. There aren’t many scorers. There are guys that can play excellent team defense. Every possession is huge. Every mistake is amplified.
 
#23
#23
Kas232323 said:
This narrative about being scared to shoot is ridiculous. Barnes has literally benched players for NOT taking shots….. and he definitely wants us to push the ball up the floor when it’s available. Not saying this at you per se but I just wonder if people that make those type of comments even watch the game or understand the game of b-ball.
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I made my comments based on watching the game. When I see them pass the ball from player to player to player and each one was open but didn't shoot, it says to me they lack confidence or don't think they are capable of hitting.
 
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