I'm not sure anyone else could've won 30...

[StepCross]

...with that 2008 squad. That was a good coaching job, and a fun year.

OTOH, I think there are a dozen or so coaches who could have won 30 with this year's squad.

Pearl adapts fairly quickly considering his age and how many games he's won. He gets the game, and he's not one to be super-stubborn. He's already adapted his pace and defense philosophies. Given time, he'd probably figure out how to win with a larger lineup. And he needs to, because you can't win it all playing small and quick.

But the adaptation this year's team suggests isn't an easy one, and recruiting isn't exactly getting better given the current state of affairs.

This collapse couldn't have happened in a worse year, for Pearl. I think he's gone, and this year has made it an easy decision (unless things turn around, which I think they won't).

Appreciate the ride, and the memories. Crossing my fingers for the next hire. If they hire someone quickly, there's a chance next year could still be very good if we can keep most of our players.

 

[zjcvols]

This. Is it a risk seeing Pearl leave? Of course it is. He's a good coach for a program. But it's not the end of the world.

 

[munsterlander]

...with that 2008 squad. That was a good coaching job, and a fun year.

OTOH, I think there are a dozen or so coaches who could have won 30 with this year's squad.

Couldn't disagree with you more. This is the weakest lineup Pearl has had to work with. Just don't understand everyone expecting this team to be great. Wish it weren't so. Williams is a huge step back from Chism. Hopson can't dribble or play defense and is extremely inconsistent. Harris by far our best player, but he can't carry the team and isn't without issues (to be expected as a freshman). Our bench is extremely weak with at least 2 players that are total head-scratchers on a D1 team. Exactly where is the kick ass talent that makes some think this is Pearl's best roster? It's just going to be a long year.

 

[tvols75]

...with that 2008 squad. That was a good coaching job, and a fun year.

OTOH, I think there are a dozen or so coaches who could have won 30 with this year's squad.

Pearl adapts fairly quickly considering his age and how many games he's won. He gets the game, and he's not one to be super-stubborn. He's already adapted his pace and defense philosophies. Given time, he'd probably figure out how to win with a larger lineup. And he needs to, because you can't win it all playing small and quick.

But the adaptation this year's team suggests isn't an easy one, and recruiting isn't exactly getting better given the current state of affairs.

This collapse couldn't have happened in a worse year, for Pearl. I think he's gone, and this year has made it an easy decision (unless things turn around, which I think they won't).

Appreciate the ride, and the memories. Crossing my fingers for the next hire. If they hire someone quickly, there's a chance next year could still be very good if we can keep most of our players.

So are there more coaches who could win 30 with Roy's squad? Because I would take their talent over ours right now.

 

[LawVol13]

Couldn't disagree with you more. This is the weakest lineup Pearl has had to work with. Just don't understand everyone expecting this team to be great. Wish it weren't so. Williams is a huge step back from Chism. Hopson can't dribble or play defense and is extremely inconsistent. Harris by far our best player, but he can't carry the team and isn't without issues (to be expected as a freshman). Our bench is extremely weak with at least 2 players that are total head-scratchers on a D1 team. Exactly where is the kick ass talent that makes some think this is Pearl's best roster? It's just going to be a long year.

When the vast majority of the roster are highly rated recruits and you start 2 McDonald's All-Americans, it's tough to say you don't have any talent. Talent is the least of this year's troubles.

 

[vol1981]

When the vast majority of the roster are highly rated recruits and you start 2 McDonald's All-Americans, it's tough to say you don't have any talent. Talent is the least of this year's troubles.

This ^^^^^

 

[DaDuRkEr]

Look, we lose a good portion of our core this season am I right? Melvin, B-Will, and Fields IIRC. We are bringing in a scoring PG which has been compared to Sherron Collins by national recruiting experts in Chris Jones and a dynamic slasher and potentially shut-down perimeter defender(due to his off the charts athleticism. This is strictly a matter of if he "wants" to be a shut down defender and works at it) who has drastically improved his mid-range game in Kevin Ware. The roster we are going to be working with next year is something Bruce is much more comfortable with. He likes playing small ball and recruited out of his comfort zone to please the fanbase with highly rated players that just aren't cut for his system. I don't mind the attempt, and a healthy balance is going to be needed to get the program elevated higher than it is right now, but lets face it. Renaldo isn't cut out for this system. B-Will isn't either. Jurick sure as heck wasn't, and we have lost a ton of talent(star-wise) due to various reasons from Academics to death's in the family to toting guns around like morons and being total thugs. We have lost so many people that were talented players over the last few years. Overcoming all this is something Bruce doesn't get near enough credit for.

In short, Bruce has began to recruit more top talent that fills needs and fits his brand of basketball. We can survive with or without about anything with Bruce... but the NCAA is a whole other monster and I am crossing my fingers they don't drop the hammer on us and ruin what the past 5 years have done for this school's basketball program.

Go Vols!!!

 

[Hardwood_fanatic]

Couldn't disagree with you more. This is the weakest lineup Pearl has had to work with. Just don't understand everyone expecting this team to be great. Wish it weren't so. Williams is a huge step back from Chism. Hopson can't dribble or play defense and is extremely inconsistent. Harris by far our best player, but he can't carry the team and isn't without issues (to be expected as a freshman). Our bench is extremely weak with at least 2 players that are total head-scratchers on a D1 team. Exactly where is the kick ass talent that makes some think this is Pearl's best roster? It's just going to be a long year.

There is more than enough talent on the UT roster to make the same run that several top 10 teams will make this season.

 

[NYYVol]

This year's team on paper is much stronger than any Pearl has had. PG play is still the biggest problem and that's closely followed a soft post presence. The difference between this year's team and the previous teams is there are no Lofton's or JaJuan's to bail out the monstrosity of an offensive play-calling that is a signature of Bruce Pearl.

Couple that with a mentally weak group with a cloud of uncertainty and you have diagnosed a large part of the issues.
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