Heartbreaking loss, but some real bright spots....

#26
#26
Namorto1 said:
We didn’t hang our heads and showed some grit tonight. ZZ and Vescovi made some bad decisions again down the stretch. ZZ had several really bad decisions in a row, poor 3 pt shot, going too deep in paint and got his shot blocked, followed up by really bad foul in which he picked up his 5th. Vescovi had 3 poor fouls in a row in a very short span that put them on the line, threw up a bad 3, had an u forced turnover which went right through his legs, and finally missed the FT. Key was our best option tonight but Vescovi tried to play some hero ball a few too many times.

We really could use another PG in transfer portal next year. Edwards did okay, but he isn’t comfortable handling when the pressure is tight.

At least we showed some offensive life in 2nd half. Our press bothered Missouri and got to out of sync and we actually played aggressive offensively. Need a huge effort against Alabama and stop making some dumb plays. Playing dumb has beat us two games in a row more than anything.
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need a guy that can score 15 pts a night in night out. Have a guy score 20 and then 5 and then 7 etc. is not helping when you try to win games defensively every game. Can not be done defensively every game and we are not consistent offensively for those games when they occur.
 
#28
#28
mtvols said:
Needs to be an adjustment to who starts and minutes played.































1. Awaka needs to play more and maybe start instead of ON.















2. Uros doesn’t need to play.















3. Since ZZ can’t stay out of foul trouble maybe he needs to start the game from the bench and Key start again.















4. Mashack needs some of Phillips minutes since he at least will take the ball to the whole and Phillips is unwilling to.















5. No more two bigs on the floor at the same time.















6#6. Santi needs some breaks. Playing too many minutes and maybe a factor in the 6late FT misses.
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#6 That depends on the pace of the game. Two bigs at the beginning was working until we started playing Missouri's game.
 
#29
#29
ClockworkOrange said:
- Awaka needs more minutes. We don't make that run without him. Would love to see him start and set the tone.
- Mashack got after it and made some good plays on both ends of the floor
- Key FINALLY showed up, right when I was ready to write him off
- Got Edwards some quality minutes at last, and he held his own while under the gun. Would like to see more of him.
- 50+ points in the second half when we could have folded our tents
- Showed grit and hustle. This team has some fight left in them. Maybe we recover from the shock and make a decent run
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Hope you’re right, Bama will come try to make a statement
 
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#31
#31
ClockworkOrange said:
- Awaka needs more minutes. We don't make that run without him. Would love to see him start and set the tone.
- Mashack got after it and made some good plays on both ends of the floor
- Key FINALLY showed up, right when I was ready to write him off
- Got Edwards some quality minutes at last, and he held his own while under the gun. Would like to see more of him.
- 50+ points in the second half when we could have folded our tents
- Showed grit and hustle. This team has some fight left in them. Maybe we recover from the shock and make a decent run
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I was as crushed after that game as I've ever been after a basketball loss (at least regular season). And the reason is, you are so right about all of these things. Had Tennessee been able to close that out, it would have meant SO MUCH to the team going forward. Coming back from 17 down, after being in a 2-week slump would have generated so much momentum. Key becoming a scoring threat. Awaka keeps growing. Barnes' decision to go small ball might've been a discovery. But when Missouri hit that crazy shot, it was like the team just got slapped back down and none of those things mattered. It has to be deflating.

Maybe those things will still move us forward in spite of the loss, but a victory would have made me feel so much better about things going forward.

This team is in the middle of a huge character test. We'll see how they handle it.
 
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#33
#33
Clad in Big Orange said:
Awaka is only a bright spot because how totally inept the other 3 bigs are. His missed FTs were very costly. He’s another Barnes project that will be disappointing as a SR just like ON/Plavi.

Mashack gives great effort, defense and rebounding but is a total liability on offense. Another project, common with Barnes recruiting. The roster just isn’t very talented.
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I, too, would love the ability to be able to predict the future. How did you acquire your psychic powers?
 
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#34
#34
GregAmsler said:
I was as crushed after that game as I've ever been after a basketball loss (at least regular season). And the reason is, you are so right about all of these things. Had Tennessee been able to close that out, it would have meant SO MUCH to the team going forward. Coming back from 17 down, after being in a 2-week slump would have generated so much momentum. Key becoming a scoring threat. Awaka keeps growing. Barnes' decision to go small ball might've been a discovery. But when Missouri hit that crazy shot, it was like the team just got slapped back down and none of those things mattered. It has to be deflating.

Maybe those things will still move us forward in spite of the loss, but a victory would have made me feel so much better about things going forward.

This team is in the middle of a huge character test. We'll see how they handle it.
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All good points. I think they will bounce back, and if you don’t learn anything from a loss, then you’re dead-in-the water. I think they will take a bunch of things from this loss, even though it is painful now. Missouri had a great game plan, and they hit shots. You‘re never as good as your best shooting nights and never as bad as your worst shooting nights. We were due to have some teams go off on us from 3.
 
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#36
#36
TennesseeFan07 said:
Judging by the posts here the past few days, I would say Vescovi.
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No way. Absolutely love Vescovi. Would not even be in that game without him (or ranked high the last few years)

Don't even hate Uros. I think he allows his temper to get the best of him, and I'm not sure where that came from? When he first appeared he seemed almost timid, as I recall. One thing that annoys me--as big as he is-- there is no strength. The other team just takes the ball away. Compare that to the smaller stature Awaka--who fights like a pit bull for those balls, but does not lose his temper.
 
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#37
#37
It was good to see the team show an ability to come back when down double digits. And Mizzou was on fire from 3! But that’s who Mizzou is - they are a good offensive team.

The Vols are in the toughest part of their schedule . . . And everyone is giving their best shot because it’s almost tourney time.

This is a good team . . . But not a great team.

I think we spilt the Bama / UK games. Texas AM / Auburn / Arkansas? Hopefully they can go 2 for 3. I think they lose at Auburn and a good chance of losing at TAMU.
 
#39
#39
Maybe things are getting back to normal. Tennessee football back to being good and basketball sucking.
 
#42
#42
One bright spot is against Bama they won’t lose on a buzzer beater because they will lose by 20+
 
#43
#43
This team should play much more relaxed now.
The SEC regular season title is a long lost dream.
The only thing that matters now is tournament games.
 
#44
#44
ClockworkOrange said:
- Awaka needs more minutes. We don't make that run without him. Would love to see him start and set the tone.
- Mashack got after it and made some good plays on both ends of the floor
- Key FINALLY showed up, right when I was ready to write him off
- Got Edwards some quality minutes at last, and he held his own while under the gun. Would like to see more of him.
- 50+ points in the second half when we could have folded our tents
- Showed grit and hustle. This team has some fight left in them. Maybe we recover from the shock and make a decent run
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Don't get me wrong I like Awaka, but he's the one who was 1 of 6 from the FT line down the stretch. Uros actually hit three in a row during this game which is a small miracle.
 
#45
#45
1. Mizzou is one of the most dangerous teams in the country. They're defense is getting better and their offense is absolutely one of the best. Dark horse to go deep in the tourney.
2. They were hitting ridiculous shots. They shot I think around 53% from 3 and those were pretty much all guarded. We had perfect defense on at least 5-6 3s that they made.
3. There is plenty to critique, BUT the second half was the best we have played as a team (Texas win notwithstanding) in at least 3 weeks, if not since December.
4. First time in a while that it felt like we were aggressive
5. I wish Barnes would make faster in game adjustments based on match ups, but I will give him credit for switching to small ball in the second half. It is obvious that can work with Awaka at the 5 (and if we get Phillips & JJJ back, we can play that for extended minutes)
6. We came back from 17 down against a dangerous tourney team who couldn't miss, without 2 starters. I liked the fight and grit.
7. Key has had 2 really good games recently
8. Maschack has looked better (forcing fewer shots, still driving)
9. Awaka is already decent in both ends-- not as much offensive potential as mercurial ORN but he has post moves, and defend better than Aidoo who is a blow by layup waiting to happen if he had to guard more than 10 feet out. He's already the best rebounder on the team. He deserves a many minutes as possible.
10. Edwards scored 4 pts and did not look lost. I wouldn't mind giving him more minutes

I'm curious to see if the emotional impact of losing twice this week to buzzer beaters affects our confidence or if we come back angry. If we play aggressively like we did in the last 15min yesterday, every remaining game is winnable
 
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#48
#48
GregAmsler said:
I was as crushed after that game as I've ever been after a basketball loss (at least regular season). And the reason is, you are so right about all of these things. Had Tennessee been able to close that out, it would have meant SO MUCH to the team going forward. Coming back from 17 down, after being in a 2-week slump would have generated so much momentum. Key becoming a scoring threat. Awaka keeps growing. Barnes' decision to go small ball might've been a discovery. But when Missouri hit that crazy shot, it was like the team just got slapped back down and none of those things mattered. It has to be deflating.

Maybe those things will still move us forward in spite of the loss, but a victory would have made me feel so much better about things going forward.

This team is in the middle of a huge character test. We'll see how they handle it.
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Yes. Let's just hope we catch fire at the optimal moment.
 
#50
#50
GregAmsler said:
I was as crushed after that game as I've ever been after a basketball loss (at least regular season). And the reason is, you are so right about all of these things. Had Tennessee been able to close that out, it would have meant SO MUCH to the team going forward. Coming back from 17 down, after being in a 2-week slump would have generated so much momentum. Key becoming a scoring threat. Awaka keeps growing. Barnes' decision to go small ball might've been a discovery. But when Missouri hit that crazy shot, it was like the team just got slapped back down and none of those things mattered. It has to be deflating.

Maybe those things will still move us forward in spite of the loss, but a victory would have made me feel so much better about things going forward.

This team is in the middle of a huge character test. We'll see how they handle it.
Click to expand...


Agree 100%. I was crushed Wed nt sitting in Memorial Gym l, and my heart sank when Mizz made the last three. Two games in a row with the exact same outcome. We should have NOT been in that situation.

Barnes had a positive attitude after the loss, discussing the play of Awaka, Key, Mashack, Edwards, and Santi. He agreed certain players should be more consistent. I assume he meant ON and possibly ZZ.

I don’t think TN will beat Bama but winning the next would do wonders for this team’s confidence. I have us going 3-3 but hoping 4-2, which would put us at a five seed in the dance.
 
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