Barnes beat Vandy with halftime talk; Ziggy helped-west

[JohnWardForever]

westwords "Up-and-down Tennessee, an inconsistent stop-and-go team, managed to be bad and good in the same game." Jekyll Hyde? This team wrote the book.

Guards Zakai Zeigler #5 and Jordan Gainey #11 with forward Felix Okpara #34 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game with Vanderbilt on February 15, 2025, at Food City Center in Knoxville. (Photos By Elliot Walker/ Tennessee Athletics)

 

[LA vol7]

I love Barnes and I love this team, but we shouldn't need a halftime talk at home vs Vanderbilt

 

[tennesseeduke]

In the first half ZZ was basically not running the point. He was playing 2guard for some reason. Time after time in the first half he was on the wing. WTF???

 

[PACKERVOL]

I agree. Coaching motivation should not be required at halftime for a team loaded with upper classmen knowing what the ultimate goal is this year.

 

[orangemadam]

I think Barnes needs to really figure out how he is going to improve
on motivating ZZ prior to the game. In the first half Z looked almost lethargic or still
sleepy. The second half improved play of the Vols was 75% on ZZ
and his highly energized and motivated play.

Vol fans better appreciate the next few weeks enjoying the play of ZZ.
This guy is a phenomenal pg regardless of size and he will be sorely
missed next season. (sure hope he is awarded another year)

 

[BallsVolls1]

I love Barnes and I love this team, but we shouldn't need a halftime talk at home vs Vanderbilt

Vandy or not, this league is really goood and until some of you realize that, you guys are going to always come to this conclusion…

We have a great team, but the talent is so spread out this season… every game in this league has been a battle, some games has been lopsided…

And as much as I would love for this team to start every game like they played in the 2nd half, if Rick Barnes have to “use choice words” to get them going, then so be it!!

As long as there’s a “W” beside Tenn, then I'm good!! But I except these type games in such tough conference!

 

[tennrich1]

Vandy or not, this league is really goood and until some of you realize that, you guys are going to always come to this conclusion…

We have a great team, but the talent is so spread out this season… every game in this league has been a battle, some games has been lopsided…

And as much as I would love for this team to start every game like they played in the 2nd half, if Rick Barnes have to “use choice words” to get them going, then so be it!!

As long as there’s a “W” beside Tenn, then I'm good!! But I except these type games in such tough conference!

I was thinking basically the same way! I thought We’d said it all season about how strong this league is but CLEARLY some still haven’t understood every single game will be a dog fight. At this point Auburn has stayed at the top but any team in this league could beat them every night. SEC tournament should be up for grabs!

 

[djohnnyg]

These all star games with all the special games and old people playing for "fun" are so stupid. Hell, put 90 year old Sonny Jurgensen out there for "all timers pickle game." And they are all trying to be funny too. Hahahahahahaha. Andre Aggasi whining to the refs. How hilarious. Bring out Joe Namath to pole vault or something or Brett Favre to play tennis. Hahahahahahaha. What fun.

 

[ABtheVolsfan92]

Very important question for the board..... how do we simply stop what happened in the first half against Vandy in the future. It was really scary they looked better than us and they were locking up Z and not letting him in the paint. For whatever reason they didn't keep up the same intesity in the 2nd half but now you have to think teams will use that gameplan against us

 

[TNVOLFN]

Very important question for the board..... how do we simply stop what happened in the first half against Vandy in the future. It was really scary they looked better than us and they were locking up Z and not letting him in the paint. For whatever reason they didn't keep up the same intesity in the 2nd half but now you have to think teams will use that gameplan against us

What is really scary is that Vandy has dominated the Vols in 60-70 out of 80 minutes of actual game time... They are a bad match up for the Vols.

 

[Savannahbayvol]

What is really scary is that Vandy has dominated the Vols in 60-70 out of 80 minutes of actual game time... They are a bad match up for the Vols.

Really impressed with their coach. Wish we could get him when RB decides to retire. Doubt there is much hope though.

 

[ABtheVolsfan92]

What is really scary is that Vandy has dominated the Vols in 60-70 out of 80 minutes of actual game time... They are a bad match up for the Vols.

you have to wonder why they have dominated us? Our talent 1-9 is better than theirs. They have some guys with some fight but Lanier and Ziegler is the best backcourt in America

 

[OrangeVolMan]

What is really scary is that Vandy has dominated the Vols in 60-70 out of 80 minutes of actual game time... They are a bad match up for the Vols.

It’s their Super Bowl. They are down our list after KY, Florida, Auburn and Alabama. We always get their best.

 

[walkenvol]

you have to wonder why they have dominated us? Our talent 1-9 is better than theirs. They have some guys with some fight but Lanier and Ziegler is the best backcourt in America

Vandy’s #1 was the game’s high scorer and did it efficiently. Vandy’s #22 was the game’s high rebounder and missed the end due to fouling out. Vandy has more depth than us. You can have an argument that our 1-6 is better than Vandy, but it would be a tough argument to say their 7-10 guys aren’t better. Vandy has a competitive roster.

The question has to be why did Vandy bring more energy and hustle to the court in our 2 games. We overcame our awful first halves in both games by ramping up our intensity although we still came up just short in the first game. Why would that happen with such a mature team? JMO

 

[ABtheVolsfan92]

Vandy’s #1 was the game’s high scorer and did it efficiently. Vandy’s #22 was the game’s high rebounder and missed the end due to fouling out. Vandy has more depth than us. You can have an argument that our 1-6 is better than Vandy, but it would be a tough argument to say their 7-10 guys aren’t better. Vandy has a competitive roster.

The question has to be why did Vandy bring more energy and hustle to the court in our 2 games. We overcame our awful first halves in both games by ramping up our intensity although we still came up just short in the first game. Why would that happen with such a mature team? JMO

I heard Dawn Staley say the Gamecocks lost today with no hustle has to do with something off the court more than on the court. So maybe we are dealing with some off the court issues causing us to have a lack of motivation.

 

[1Big_Orange_Fan]

I think Barnes needs to really figure out how he is going to improve
on motivating ZZ prior to the game. In the first half Z looked almost lethargic or still
sleepy. The second half improved play of the Vols was 75% on ZZ
and his highly energized and motivated play.

Vol fans better appreciate the next few weeks enjoying the play of ZZ.
This guy is a phenomenal pg regardless of size and he will be sorely
missed next season. (sure hope he is awarded another year)

Is there a chance ZZ could get another year? If so, why? His injury was late in the year...

 

[Orange Navy]

Vandy’s #1 was the game’s high scorer and did it efficiently. Vandy’s #22 was the game’s high rebounder and missed the end due to fouling out. Vandy has more depth than us. You can have an argument that our 1-6 is better than Vandy, but it would be a tough argument to say their 7-10 guys aren’t better. Vandy has a competitive roster.

The question has to be why did Vandy bring more energy and hustle to the court in our 2 games. We overcame our awful first halves in both games by ramping up our intensity although we still came up just short in the first game. Why would that happen with such a mature team? JMO

Agreed. And why does Vandy have so many superstar freshman? What's wrong with our recruiting?

 

[walkenvol]

Agreed. And why does Vandy have so many superstar freshman? What's wrong with our recruiting?

Who were their “superstar freshmen”? Looked like a portal team to me. Oklahoma and Texas both have a highly ranked freshman but don’t remember Vandy having one?

 

[orangemadam]

Is there a chance ZZ could get another year? If so, why? His injury was late in the year...

NCAA is still considering allowing 5 years of play but I don't think a decision
will be made until at least Apr. I am just relaying info I am reading on other sites.

 

[JohnWardForever]

It’s their Super Bowl. They are down our list after KY, Florida, Auburn and Alabama. We always get their best.

Yeah well they beat Uk, and the Vols couldn't. Vandy is good.

 

[JohnWardForever]

Who were their “superstar freshmen”? Looked like a portal team to me. Oklahoma and Texas both have a highly ranked freshman but don’t remember Vandy having one?

Don't know their ranking, but they play like 4-5 stars.

 

[JohnWardForever]

I heard Dawn Staley say the Gamecocks lost today with no hustle has to do with something off the court more than on the court. So maybe we are dealing with some off the court issues causing us to have a lack of motivation.

Never thought I'd pull for UCONN! LOL

 

[Stoked]

It’s their Super Bowl. They are down our list after KY, Florida, Auburn and Alabama. We always get their best.

Eww you sound like a UK fan with the "it's their super bowl" talk.

They're a bubble team that's fighting hard for a spot in the tourney, so everyone left on their schedule will get their best.

 

[walkenvol]

Don't know their ranking, but they play like 4-5 stars.

Name them as I believe you are misinformed. I recall reading Vandy has a highly ranked HS guy committed for next season - could that be what you’re referencing?

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

I heard Dawn Staley say the Gamecocks lost today with no hustle has to do with something off the court more than on the court. So maybe we are dealing with some off the court issues causing us to have a lack of motivation.

No