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

#51
#51
cardvolfan said:
I, too, would love the ability to be able to predict the future. How did you acquire your psychic powers?
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You could also ask that of all the psychics predicting that Awaka will be a star. Either opinion could be right or wrong. When ON was a freshman, he showed flashes that made many think he would be a dominant player in a few years (me included). He’s about the same player now that he was then. Same with Plavi. Aidoo looks to be on the same path. I hope Awaka breaks the trend.
 
#52
#52
Clad in Big Orange said:
You could also ask that of all the psychics predicting that Awaka will be a star. Either opinion could be right or wrong. When ON was a freshman, he showed flashes that made many think he would be a dominant player in a few years (me included). He’s about the same player now that he was then. Same with Plavi. Aidoo looks to be on the same path. I hope Awaka breaks the trend.
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I think all of the players you mentioned have improved significantly since they were freshmen (even if some are not awesome/not playing that well right now). Awaka is starting from a higher baseline than them, imo. The rebounding skill will carry him through and give him easy points
 
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#53
#53
Clad in Big Orange said:
You could also ask that of all the psychics predicting that Awaka will be a star. Either opinion could be right or wrong. When ON was a freshman, he showed flashes that made many think he would be a dominant player in a few years (me included). He’s about the same player now that he was then. Same with Plavi. Aidoo looks to be on the same path. I hope Awaka breaks the trend.
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I wasn’t alluding to anyone else’s statements. I was specifically asking about your statement that “He’s another Barnes project THAT WILL be disappointing as a SR.” I’m just not sure how you an make a definitive statement about what WILL happen.
 
#54
#54
Lankykong said:
I think all of the players you mentioned have improved significantly since they were freshmen (even if some are not awesome/not playing that well right now). Awaka is starting from a higher baseline than them, imo. The rebounding skill will carry him through and give him easy points
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Improved, yes. None of Barnes’ big men have become go-to guys that can be counted on. Grant Williams is the only one he’s had here. You can’t run the offense through any of the others. Now that the guards are struggling, it’s a glaring weakness.
 
#55
#55
vol94 said:
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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This season is trending to be one of the most disappointing seasons in a long time in terms of getting our hopes up; We were battling for a 1 seed (possible #1 overall) and now we’re staring at a 5 seed and an early exit... This feels similar to Bruce’s last season when we started like gang busters and destroyed Pitt, only to have the wheels come off in SEC play and get absolutely embarrassed by Michigan in opening round of tournament… Hope I’m wrong!
 
#56
#56
TNVOLFN said:
This season is trending to be one of the most disappointing seasons in a long time in terms of getting our hopes up; We were battling for a 1 seed (possible #1 overall) and now we’re staring at a 5 seed and an early exit... This feels similar to Bruce’s last season when we started like gang busters and destroyed Pitt, only to have the wheels come off in SEC play and get absolutely embarrassed by Michigan in opening round of tournament… Hope I’m wrong!
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Did Barnes throw a BBQ back in August?
 
#57
#57
cardvolfan said:
I wasn’t alluding to anyone else’s statements. I was specifically asking about your statement that “He’s another Barnes project THAT WILL be disappointing as a SR.” I’m just not sure how you a make a definitive statement about what WILL happen.
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Same as one can’t know for certain that Awaka WILL be a star. Perhaps I should have used the word “likely”. It’s all speculation. Just message board talk. I like Awaka, hope he breaks through the Barnes big man ceiling.
 
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#58
#58
TNVOLFN said:
This season is trending to be one of the most disappointing seasons in a long time in terms of getting our hopes up; We were battling for a 1 seed (possible #1 overall) and now we’re staring at a 5 seed and an early exit... This feels similar to Bruce’s last season when we started like gang busters and destroyed Pitt, only to have the wheels come off in SEC play and get absolutely embarrassed by Michigan in opening round of tournament… Hope I’m wrong!
Click to expand...

I’m hopeful somehow this team can pull a Kansas and turn it around. I think we will be ranked b/t 15-18 tomorrow and a four seed. However, 5-1 down the stretch ( a huge task) and a win in the SEC tourney may be enough to give TN a three or four seed.

March is about match ups and guard play. My concern is our lack of athleticism and consistent guard play, which is “must” to advance in the dance.
 
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#59
#59
Clad in Big Orange said:
You could also ask that of all the psychics predicting that Awaka will be a star. Either opinion could be right or wrong. When ON was a freshman, he showed flashes that made many think he would be a dominant player in a few years (me included). He’s about the same player now that he was then. Same with Plavi. Aidoo looks to be on the same path. I hope Awaka breaks the trend.
Click to expand...

Awaka seems more aggressive and attacks the rim. Plus he goes after every rebound and loose ball.
Uros should see minimal minutes. He chirps too much, slow, can’t defend or finish at the rim, and doesn’t rebound as well as he should. He is a good teammate but thrives on conflict and stirring the pot instead of learning how to JUMP and rebound. I’ve never seen a 7’1 player get outrebonded by a 6’6- 6’8 player.
ON doesn’t bring it every possession and struggles to maintain control of the ball which leads to turnovers.

We need Awaka to develop and find an inside post move. Plus, he must make foul shots. But I love his attitude and grit thus far. Idk what to think about Aidoo as he has been inconsistent, too.
 
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#60
#60
vol94 said:
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.
Click to expand...

Barnes knows the gut punches this team just took and that they need encouragement now, not criticism. This is a pivotal time in the season and I think Barnes is handling it the right way…with positivity.
 
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#61
#61
More bright spots = We made Sportscenter top 10 plays ( #3 )
And now we don't have to have the March Madness let down
 
#62
#62
GregAmsler said:
Barnes knows the gut punches this team just took and that they need encouragement now, not criticism. This is a pivotal time in the season and I think Barnes is handling it the right way…with positivity.
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Agree. Fans focus on him chewing out ZZ after his fifth foul. He told ZZ numerous times to layoff the pressure and NOT put the official in a situation to call a foul. Stupid fouls allowed Mizz to hang around. I love JJJ, ZZ, and Vescovi so hoping we can turn it around. I had hopes for a final four appearance two weeks ago. But I don’t see it now as we are too easy to defend.

Edit- so I have no problem W Barnes being animated with ZZ. But Barnes is focusing on the Positives as we are 15 sec away from being top five in the country.
 
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#63
#63
GregAmsler said:
Barnes knows the gut punches this team just took and that they need encouragement now, not criticism. This is a pivotal time in the season and I think Barnes is handling it the right way…with positivity.
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“We all hurt for Santi,” Barnes said. “He’s hurting. I hurt for him, because he knows he had a chance, two games in a row, to put a game on ice. But he’s won a lot of games for us. I hate it for him. I do, because where we are today and where we’ve been, he’s had a lot to do with it.”
 
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#64
#64
Orange. said:
“We all hurt for Santi,” Barnes said. “He’s hurting. I hurt for him, because he knows he had a chance, two games in a row, to put a game on ice. But he’s won a lot of games for us. I hate it for him. I do, because where we are today and where we’ve been, he’s had a lot to do with it.”
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Yep. Good example. Teams pick each other up. Barnes knows that. Mashack’s comments about Santi were exactly what you want to see.
 
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#67
#67
We had a favorable conference schedule to begin with and I think this team played well even though the victories over Kansas #9 and Maryland (unranked) were not quite as big as we thought. Texas #5 was certainly a big win and it seemed like we were finally getting well physically and beginning to click as a unit when fate turned against us.

Since the loss to Florida, it is clear that these guys were not as invincible as we hoped or that the sports press thought. Now the injuries to 2 starters have added to the misfortune. But it was a noble effort yesterday considering the 17 point comeback and only the worst of luck (last second 3 pointer) sank our ship. Two games in a row losing last second 3 pointers seems almost unbelievable. No excuses though. Injuries happen and the team lost composure in closing out those games.

The pressure should be off. Not going to be an SEC title. Don't worry at all about SEC tourney (meaningless if you aren't needing it to reach NCAA tourney). So play loose and have fun these last stretch of games. Don't hurry back James or Phillips until they are physically ready.

Lastly, don't dwell on being down on Vescovi. He has given us a ton of production since arriving on campus. His effort has always been 100% and none of the last 4 teams would have been nearly as good without him. Awaka? He made a lane violation and he learned from it.

I think these last 3 losses have been harder on those of you who believed the press hype and ranking. Some of us just weren't convinced enough that the talent level was going to sustain us as a top 10 team or a low seed. I still believe James is a fine player when completely healthy and Phillips has a chance to be in another year of growth. But most of the rest are not NBA caliber players featured on top 10 teams and I don't know that those 2 really are either.
 
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