I Want...

[volsfan0156]

Because I know. There are a few folks on here who legit know basketball and are connected. Hat's one of them.

Well i'm just sayin his claim that Bruce will be gone in 2 years is complete nonsense. I'd be willing to bet my college education that Bruce is here for AT LEAST the next 10 years.

 

[volsfan0156]

Okay, I think we're forgetting how much some things take time. Especially when you start from nothing. Pearl came in here four years ago to take a program that honestly none of us probably even bothered to watch, and won with those players. We're all in shock, because hey to win more than 12-15 games was a major surprise. But we think, surely he can't do it again. And he does. And again last year with the most wins in school history. But this year, we lose some key puzzle pieces, replace them with players that are young, and expect them to just automatically do as well. Yeah, we have recruited well, and Bruce Pearl is an excellent recruiter, and IMO, an even better man, but recruits are still players, and they are still 18-19 year old kids who have to come in, and who have to improve their conditioning, take ego checks, learn some discipline, take on class work, learn new systems, compete for a position for possibly the first time in their lives, and coming to Tennessee, dealing with one of the toughest schedules there is. I mean, I will admit, defensive intensity has lacked this year. But we're dealing with a different team. There is no Chris Lofton to drill a three. But there is a Bobby Maze to drive to the hoop, and there is a Brian Williams to get a offensive rebound. I think these guys proved yesterday against Georgia that they have more than enough ability to be a great team. But they're not the same team as last year. Last year's team had been there before, they had gone through the NCAA tournament. This time last year, Hopson, Woolridge, Jurick, and Negedu were all in their high school games toying around with competition who obviously wasn't NCAA level. This time last year, Maze was playing Junior College, and Tatum was redshirted on the bench. This time last year, Tyler Smith had Duke Crews to help in the paint, and had Lofton to get him the assist. And this time last year, there was just barely a J.P. Prince. So I mean, a lot of things have changed for these guys, and for someone to say it's Pearl's fault is honestly plain dumb. We've got quality wins against Georgetown, and Marquette. We lost to Temple as a humility check. But what more can Pearl do? He's recruited players that CAN play, but he cannot make Wayne Chism have a 20-20 night like we know he can. He can't make Scotty Hopson drive to the basket like we know he can. I mean, he can only do so much. And he's given these young kids the mental edge of playing one of the toughest schedules in the country, and though we've taken some hits, we've been there, and had the chance to win the game when it came to the last 10:00 in every game. We're young, we're inexperienced, but we're winning. It's a process. It's gonna get a lot better before it gets back to what it was before, if it ever does.

agreed, thank you

 

[volsfan0156]

Also it very hard to win any game, home or away, when a team (Gonzaga) shoots %67 against you.

 

[hatvol96]

Well i'm just sayin his claim that Bruce will be gone in 2 years is complete nonsense. I'd be willing to bet my college education that Bruce is here for AT LEAST the next 10 years.

I'll give you a break on the bet. Just make it $5,000 he won't be here in 10 years. That's far cheaper than 4 years worth of tuition.

 

[Jewbaccah]

Also it very hard to win any game, home or away, when a team (Gonzaga) shoots %67 against you.

I do have to say teams shoot 67% when the D is bad not because they are that awesome. Our D has been streaky. When it is going we are a top 5 like team. However, lately it is not going enough or half the time. West was a huge loss and it is showing we needed him. We need someone to play D on the perimeter tons better than anyone is doing right now. We can survive on athleticism inside. It seems to me we are really out of sync and pushing on D. The cycle goes the opponent hits some jump shots/threes we over play the outside then and easy pass for a lay up. Instead of being so reactionary we need to just be in the right place to start. We need to stop the ball a lot earlier than we are. When we press our guys are making mental errors.

In the past, we had some guys who really got what Pearl wanted at guard we now are lacking. Since all are really first year guys out there it is not surprising. It is coming around every game one guy has a light bulb go off in some area. Negedu has made strides. Woolridge is coming along. They are looking to be a mighty future force. Hopson is in quick sand though. Pearl might need to baby him re build his confidence he has been broken down time to build back up. Hopefully Pearl has his ear now and his head is out of the clouds.

I am not sure what the deal is as far as the Nega Pearl parade. He does not play the style some here want to see from him. His style is very effective. In fact, I am not sure anyone in the SEC is going to stand up to us this year. Kentucky has the best shot but if the ball starts rolling we get some wins and confidence builds it is lights out for the SEC.

The tourney however is another ballgame in its entirety.

 

[BigPapaVol]

I am always amazed at the lack of basketball knowledge by a lot of posters here. Gonzaga is, and has been, a solid BB program for the last 10 years. They are a small school, but somehow knock of a few big boys a year while making a deep run every 2-3 years (2 S16 and E8 since 99).

I would be more concerned about a loss to South Carolina or Georgia at home than a loss to Gonzaga. A loss to the Zags is less devastating to RPI than losing to either of those 2 dogs.

The Vols don't have any "bad" losses on their schedule. Losing to Temple at Temple is not a bad loss, regardless of their record, ranking, etc. It is a tough place to play.

I'll assure you that this Gonzaga team is awful and losing to them in our gym was an atrocious loss. I understand that I have very limited basketball knowledge, but this is one of the few things I do know.

 

[volsfan0156]

I'll give you a break on the bet. Just make it $5,000 he won't be here in 10 years. That's far cheaper than 4 years worth of tuition.

also you said he'll be fired within 2 years. you do realize that Selby is coming in 2 years, right?

 

[Jaytrain5]

Well i'm just sayin his claim that Bruce will be gone in 2 years is complete nonsense. I'd be willing to bet my college education that Bruce is here for AT LEAST the next 10 years.

These days, it's really unwise to wager that any coach will be with his current university for the next 10 years.

I can't think of any coach, off the top of my head, who I'd feel comfortable making that claim about.

 

[hatvol96]

also you said he'll be fired within 2 years. you do realize that Selby is coming in 2 years, right?

Where did I say he'd be fired? You probably should brush up on reading comprehension before you start gambling away your college education.

 

[TNHopeful505]

IMHO, we have the potential for a top perennial power here. Obviously, we are not there yet. We aren't mentioned in the same breath as: Duke, North Carolina, UCLA, Arizona, Kansas, Texas, etc. Those teams are consistent year in and year out (with very few exceptions). And the thing that is pretty common about them is that their coaches have been there a while, and even before the coach that is there now, the coach before had a successful program. NC was good before Roy Williams was there, Kansas was good before Bill Self took over. Coach K has been at Duke for eternity. If you want to build Tennessee into a powerhouse, then you know....it takes time, and it takes tenure.
In football, players want to come to the SEC because it's the powerhouse. Not so in basketball. Recruits aren't walking around with dreams of playing SEC basketball, in comparison to ACC or Big East basketball. But you have those few programs that are beacons in their conferences. You have Xavier in the Atlantic 10. You have Memphis is Conference USA. You have Gonzaga in WCC. I mean, these are sucky conferences, but those teams are STILL bringing in top recruits that wouldn't think of playing for another team in those conferences. Reason why is that they have proven year after year that they can dominate their conference AND compete at a national level. Memphis's weak conference is not counted against them. Gonzaga is always a national power.
Tennessee has dominated the SEC now the past 3 years, but they're still not a power that can bring in the major recruits year after year. We're certainly doing better, and Pearl is an EXCELLENT coach, and a great recruiter, but Tennessee is still proving itsself on a national level. That's why Pearl scheduled such a hard schedule this season. The quality games and exposure and never back down attitude is the attitude that will get recruits in there, and will get us playing as a powerhouse.

I have full confidence in Pearl, I do not see us getting rid of him, unless he changes his name to Phil Fulmer.

 

[therickbol]

I'll assure you that this Gonzaga team is awful and losing to them in our gym was an atrocious loss. I understand that I have very limited basketball knowledge, but this is one of the few things I do know.

If you are claiming that on your list of things that you "do know" then that list just got smaller. You claiming Gonzaga is awful lets me know I never need to read any other posts from you that includes analysis of basketball. Period. We will check back in with you in March and see how your "knowledge" of Gonzaga talent level ends up.

 

[UTGRADnNC]

Where did I say he'd be fired? You probably should brush up on reading comprehension before you start gambling away your college education.

"Pearl will be done within 2 years."

What was he supposed to come away thinking after this statement? It may be somewhat vague, but I for one, can clearly see how the poster came to this conclusion.

 

[BigPapaVol]

If you are claiming that on your list of things that you "do know" then that list just got smaller. You claiming Gonzaga is awful lets me know I never need to read any other posts from you that includes analysis of basketball. Period. We will check back in with you in March and see how your "knowledge" of Gonzaga talent level ends up.

That'll be fine. I clearly know nothing of the game and can't evaluate basketball teams. I'll talk to you in March.

 

[hatvol96]

We will check back in with you in March and see how your "knowledge" of Gonzaga talent level ends up.

March? You mean the month when all the people trying to look "smart" talk about Gonzaga as a "sleeper" for the Final Four, then watch them lose to Wyoming/Nevada/Davidson?

 

[therickbol]

March? You mean the month when all the people trying to look "smart" talk about Gonzaga as a "sleeper" for the Final Four, then watch them lose to Wyoming/Nevada/Davidson?

I was really just using March to refer to the time when the final regular season record can be examined and we see what type of team Gonzaga looks like. He was arguing that Gonzaga was awful. I was arguing they are a very talented team. Gonzaga has been an enigma with some of their losses. No doubt. But you can't argue with their talent. They had Connecticut beat and did not finish the game. Anybody arguing that Connecticut is not one of the best teams in the country? Gonzaga is not an awful team. The loss is not as bad as he wants to make it sound. We both agree that UT is nowhere near where it should be right now as a team. But trying to claim Gonzaga is an awful team in order to support UT's struggles is ridiculous.

 

[BigPapaVol]

I was really just using March to refer to the time when the final regular season record can be examined and we see what type of team Gonzaga looks like. He was arguing that Gonzaga was awful. I was arguing they are a very talented team. Gonzaga has been an enigma with some of their losses. No doubt. But you can't argue with their talent. They had Connecticut beat and did not finish the game. Anybody arguing that Connecticut is not one of the best teams in the country? Gonzaga is not an awful team. The loss is not as bad as he wants to make it sound. We both agree that UT is nowhere near where it should be right now as a team. But trying to claim Gonzaga is an awful team in order to support UT's struggles is ridiculous.

I fully stand behind my assessment that Gonzaga is an awful team. No D, limited athletically, no killer instinct at all, rely on Bouldin to take over games. That's all the makings of a fizzle. Allowing that outfit to win in our gym is absolutely pathetic, regardless of how badly you want to feel good about it.

 

[TennNC]

March? You mean the month when all the people trying to look "smart" talk about Gonzaga as a "sleeper" for the Final Four, then watch them lose to Wyoming/Nevada/Davidson?

2008 NC Kansas was about 6 inches from also losing to Davidson.

 

[TennNC]

I fully stand behind my assessment that Gonzaga is an awful team. No D, limited athletically, no killer instinct at all, rely on Bouldin to take over games. That's all the makings of a fizzle. Allowing that outfit to win in our gym is absolutely pathetic, regardless of how badly you want to feel good about it.

I don't know if I'd state is as emphatically as you did, but I agree with your take on that game - it was disappointing and inexcusable. To say Gonzaga is "awful" is pretty harsh, and to say they're limited athletically is just false, unless you're comparing them to about 3-4 select NCAA teams. Gray, Bouldin, Downs, Pargo, Day at least are all athletically gifted, for sure.

 

[BigPapaVol]

2008 NC Kansas was about 6 inches from also losing to Davidson.

but they found a way (and Davidson was legit tough to handle last year). Do you see this Gonzaga squad finding a way on the night that they don't bring their A game?

 

[BigPapaVol]

I don't know if I'd state is as emphatically as you did, but I agree with your take on that game - it was disappointing and inexcusable. To say Gonzaga is "awful" is pretty harsh, and to say they're limited athletically is just false, unless you're comparing them to about 3-4 select NCAA teams. Gray, Bouldin, Downs, Pargo, Day at least are all athletically gifted, for sure.

There is no way that you can tell me that Bouldin and Day are gifted athletically. They have great skills, but they aren't athletic enough to play D.

My use of "awful" was the typical hyperbole we use in describing things on this site. Gonzaga is nowhere near the team those on this site are trying to paint them as. That loss in our house was absolutely atrocious.

 

[TennNC]

but they found a way (and Davidson was legit tough to handle last year). Do you see this Gonzaga squad finding a way on the night that they don't bring their A game?

I strongly dislike the Zags and think they're a bunch of whiners, but don't use a loss to Davidson as proof, especially when that Davidson team went on to beat GTown and then thump a very sound Wisconsin team.

If I were a betting man, I'd anticipate the Zags to get no further than the Sweet 16, which actually ain't that bad. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if they exited in round 1 either.

 

[TennNC]

There is no way that you can tell me that Bouldin and Day are gifted athletically.

I disagree. They were athletic enough to put up 20 and 26 pts against our boys.

As for defense, remember, that's all about pure heart and effort.

 

[BigPapaVol]

I disagree. They were athletic enough to put up 20 and 26 pts against our boys.

As for defense, remember, that's all about pure heart and effort.

that's the point. There is no way that JP Prince, if paid a large sum of money to keep Bouldin from scoring 10, would allow Bouldin to score 10. It's definitely an effort issue.

 

[therickbol]

I fully stand behind my assessment that Gonzaga is an awful team. No D, limited athletically, no killer instinct at all, rely on Bouldin to take over games. That's all the makings of a fizzle. Allowing that outfit to win in our gym is absolutely pathetic, regardless of how badly you want to feel good about it.

I appreciate your attempts at putting words into my mouth. I do not remember saying I felt good about the loss. In fact, I am not sure you can find any post from me where I make any comments about how good UT is right now. My arguement has to do with Gonzaga and Gonzaga only.

You claiming that Day and Bouldin are not athletic is again proof that I will not put any stock into your basketball evaluation.

 

[BigPapaVol]

I appreciate your attempts at putting words into my mouth. I do not remember saying I felt good about the loss. In fact, I am not sure you can find any post from me where I make any comments about how good UT is right now. My arguement has to do with Gonzaga and Gonzaga only.

You claiming that Day and Bouldin are not athletic is again proof that I will not put any stock into your basketball evaluation.

then you have no idea how to evaluate basketball. On the floor, at all times in our game against them, they were 2 of the 3 least athletic players in the game. When Williams was in, they had competition. When Williams went out, they were hands down the least athletic players out there. I'm not counting Lerch from Gonzaga, as nobody is going to confuse him for an athlete.

I don't care if you ever buy my opinion, just do yourself a favor and have some third party provide them for you.