Coach Martin and the future

#1
Chris4Vols22

Chris4Vols22

GBO or GTFO
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#1
Hey guys, just wanted to share my thoughts on Martin and his immediate future at UT. You probably know that I'm a pretty big Martin fan. I think he's done a pretty good job with what he's been given, and when all the circumstances are considered.

We definitely surprised ourselves a bit last season with our strong finish in conference play. I think the most impressive thing about last season was our improvement and development. Based on his brief history as a HC, it seems like Martin knows how to coach players up, and use their abilities the best of our advantage. When he got the team to buy into the motion offense, we looked like a really great team. Of course, his emphasis on defense will really round out his teams, and when he gets the offense running the way he wants it, we should be close to unstoppable.

Now, the fact that Martin's recruiting has not been impressive cannot be overlooked. With the exception of Stokes, our commits/signees are a little underwhelming. I will always feel that Martin still did a good job with his first class considering he had a very short time to put it together. What concerns me more are our commits since then. We just haven't yet landed a true impact player. Granted, Martin still has plenty of time with the '13 class, but everyone knows we have to land some better recruits to be competitive in the SEC.

Having all of that said, I truly believe Martin has what it takes to up his recruiting. Since we're not hurt with the roster turnaround from last year, Martin has a very good chance to put together a good season, and sway some of those recruits our way. All in all, if we play up to expectations this season, I don't think we'll have a problem snagging at least 2 or 3 of those recruits that are high on our lists. We SHOULD be competing for the SEC this season (I probably wouldn't put my money on us at this point, but we'll be in the thick of it), so I really think this upcoming season is what could break Martin's recruiting ceiling. IMO, this season will set the tone for Martin's reputation and prestige.

I could be way off base here, but this is what I've been thinking for the past few days. CAN'T WAIT FOR BBALL SEASON!! GO VOLS!!
 
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#4
#4
The only bit of a Catch 22 in your analysis is, "how many of these prospects Tennessee is pursuing will make up their minds BEFORE the season?" This season should have a lot of influence on the 2014 class. Not so sure it will have much impact on the 2013 class.
 
#5
#5
Well, I'm still on the fence with CCM. I do support him and the team. I've always been All Vol. I like the effort that the team showed (most of the time) last year. I like the tough defense that we play. Defense will always win championships. I liked what I saw with Maymon's and Golden's development. I didn't see the same developmental strides with Hall, McBee, and Jordan Mc., Tatum, and Woolridge. So, is Maymon's and Golden's development credited to CCM or to Maymon and Golden's desire to be the best and work their ass off during the off season? Only time will tell as we see more players come and go.

I'm not bought in on CCM ability to game plan or substitute players. I saw some crazy lineups last year. Some with absolutely no scorers on the floor.

And definitely not sold on CCM ability to recruit. Not that I expect him to just go out and bring in the 4* players at this point and his career. I mean I wouldn't come play for him until he has actually showed me that he can make me a winner and put me in a position to make some money playing ball. I think he's going to have to have some court success before any of the 4* jump on board. Pearl had immediate success in year one and only then was he able to get the 4* recruits. I'm afraid that if he doesn't have a big year this year, then it could be a long road for CCM and the vols. Again, I hope that CCM makes it big here and is our coach a very long time. But this next year will probably determine our future.
 
#6
#6
Chris isn't it about time for you to call John and Jimmy?
 
#7
#7
we're in the running for some very good players in 2013. all we have to do is show that u t basketball is on the upswing again, and some of the 4 star players will come here. yeah, next season is very big for us. a 22 or 23 win season, and we will see a lot of players wanting to come here. i think we can win at least that many next year, if not more.
 
#8
#8
johnnybravo said:
Well, I'm still on the fence with CCM. I do support him and the team. I've always been All Vol. I like the effort that the team showed (most of the time) last year. I like the tough defense that we play. Defense will always win championships. I liked what I saw with Maymon's and Golden's development. I didn't see the same developmental strides with Hall, McBee, and Jordan Mc., Tatum, and Woolridge. So, is Maymon's and Golden's development credited to CCM or to Maymon and Golden's desire to be the best and work their ass off during the off season? Only time will tell as we see more players come and go.

I'm not bought in on CCM ability to game plan or substitute players. I saw some crazy lineups last year. Some with absolutely no scorers on the floor.

And definitely not sold on CCM ability to recruit. Not that I expect him to just go out and bring in the 4* players at this point and his career. I mean I wouldn't come play for him until he has actually showed me that he can make me a winner and put me in a position to make some money playing ball. I think he's going to have to have some court success before any of the 4* jump on board. Pearl had immediate success in year one and only then was he able to get the 4* recruits. I'm afraid that if he doesn't have a big year this year, then it could be a long road for CCM and the vols. Again, I hope that CCM makes it big here and is our coach a very long time. But this next year will probably determine our future.
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This is fairly difficult to avoid at times, when you only have 3 scorers on the team and one of them has had about 2 weeks of college level conditioning.
 
#9
#9
dlw4n said:
This is fairly difficult to avoid at times, when you only have 3 scorers on the team and one of them has had about 2 weeks of college level conditioning.
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I remember one lineup of Washpun, Richardson, Tatum, Miller, and Yemi.

I do not think Stokes and Maymon should have ever both been off the floor at the same time. They were too many times I thought.
 
#10
#10
Coach Zo did the best with what he had to work with and they were in shape other than Jarnell, for obvious reasons. I think they will do well this next season - NCAA appearance and possibly win the SEC or the tourney. The top recruits thing will come as he continues to build his program and prove they will be dancing each year. I love what he does with a defense/rebounding first approach. The other team's runs are stopped earlier with that approach. You rarely blow out another team, but you can clearly control the game and make an 8-10 point lead feel like 20. Nothing but good times ahead IMO.
 
#11
#11
Vols4us said:
Coach Zo did the best with what he had to work with and they were in shape other than Jarnell, for obvious reasons. I think they will do well this next season - NCAA appearance and possibly win the SEC or the tourney. The top recruits thing will come as he continues to build his program and prove they will be dancing each year. I love what he does with a defense/rebounding first approach. The other team's runs are stopped earlier with that approach. You rarely blow out another team, but you can clearly control the game and make an 8-10 point lead feel like 20. Nothing but good times ahead IMO.
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That's a very good point. Case in point the 2nd UF game, we won 75-70 but it sounded like we were up by 20.
 
#12
#12
I think Martin will turn out to be a great hire. I think his recruiting will turn out just fine. I think he may have pulled the trigger a bit early on some 2012 guys but he is just in his 4 year of coaching so there has to be some expectation of growing pains. Also, Martin also seems like he is honest with his players and much like the Washpun and Stanton situations, if it isn't going to work out, he is up front about it and both parties can move on. Hopefully, Martin will be able to confince the big name guys that he is recruiting to either sign early at UT or wait and see what product the Big Orange put on the floor in 2012-2013 before signing elsewhere.

I also like that he is willing to look at playing some zone defense, which means he is willing to grow as a coach.
 
#13
#13
I am a big Martin fan. I also would like to point to this thread as the epitome of why the bball forum is the best sports forum on VN.
 
#17
#17
PoochPunt3rdDown said:
We should put up a fence now to keep the bandwagoners out when we start kicking tail again next year...
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THIS x1,000,000

Do you remember what this forum was like the last week of the regular season? I'd never seen so many new members popping up, and talking out of their ass. Then starting brand new threads every 30 seconds about stuff already on here.

It got insane for awhile there, as you said lets put up a fence.
 
#18
#18
bleedingTNorange said:
THIS x1,000,000

Do you remember what this forum was like the last week of the regular season? I'd never seen so many new members popping up, and talking out of their ass. Then starting brand new threads every 30 seconds about stuff already on here.

It got insane for awhile there, as you said lets put up a fence.
Click to expand...

I gotta say, next to my Moon Team partner, z, you are a font of info and a damn rip to read when you're OCD-ing on an argument. Kudos!
 
#19
#19
I just have a really good feeling about landing Austion Nichols, anyone else feel that way?
 
#20
#20
EastT said:
I just have a really good feeling about landing Austion Nichols, anyone else feel that way?
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Him and Hubbs, plus a top 20 PG would solidify this class.

I believe in him as a recruiter. He was the best recruiter on Purdue's staff. He was in on a few top 150 players at Mo State. His 2013 class has the potential to be top 10.

I don't think his coaching acumen is questioned. It's the recruiting.

Here's the good news. We aren't going back to the abyss. Martin might not get to Pearl's success (though I believe he will and I actually think he might be able to succeed it), but he's at minimum going to keep the basketball program relevant.
 
#21
#21
EastT said:
I just have a really good feeling about landing Austion Nichols, anyone else feel that way?
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Like ZJC said below, I feel good about Nichols and hubbs, and that's a great starting point. As he said, add a solid PG(hopefully Newkirk) and a big man Agau/Rimmer and you have a very good class.
 
#22
#22
bleedingTNorange said:
Like ZJC said below, I feel good about Nichols and hubbs, and that's a great starting point. As he said, add a solid PG(hopefully Newkirk) and a big man Agau/Rimmer and you have a very good class.
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If that happens, I will feel much better about zo has our program headed.
 
#23
#23
I dont think he cant recruit he has a different style of recruiting. The players he recruit are 3-4 year players who are crazy athletic with a huge up side. He enjoys developing players to fit his system. He's never going to recruit like Kentucky so forget it. Unlike a lot of college coaches he's more of a coach than a recruiter. He Will get better as a recruiter cause he can relate with a lot of recruits win and they Will come.
 
#24
#24
Chris4Vols22 said:
Now, the fact that Martin's recruiting has not been impressive cannot be overlooked. With the exception of Stokes, our commits/signees are a little underwhelming. I will always feel that Martin still did a good job with his first class considering he had a very short time to put it together. What concerns me more are our commits since then. We just haven't yet landed a true impact player. Granted, Martin still has plenty of time with the '13 class, but everyone knows we have to land some better recruits to be competitive in the SEC.
Click to expand...

I disagree with this part. Stokes was the very definition of an impact player. You cannot judge the recruiting in any sport until they play. I believe his first class wasn't highly ranked but Richardson and Yemi have already proven that they are capable players.
 
#25
#25
GBOVOLS said:
I dont think he cant recruit he has a different style of recruiting. The players he recruit are 3-4 year players who are crazy athletic with a huge up side. He enjoys developing players to fit his system. He's never going to recruit like Kentucky so forget it. Unlike a lot of college coaches he's more of a coach than a recruiter. He Will get better as a recruiter cause he can relate with a lot of recruits win and they Will come.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. The first two seasons it seems like he took the best he thought he could find that also fit his system. With success on the court, he will garner the attention of better players that also fit his system.
 
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