Let's get back to basketball on the court.......

[zjcvols]

1. Through the first three games, you can tell what this team's strength is: Defense. Who would think that with a Bruce Pearl team? Anyways, our on-ball defense with our PG's have never been better, our wing D seems to have improved, and we have two good defensive centers. It's not going to be pretty, but it should be effective.

2. The halfcourt offense stinks. How to fix it? Ball movement. UT has never, ever had good ball movement under Pearl, for whatever reason. The Vols need to run more kick-and-drives, and more off ball screens, especially for Scotty. The whole offense needs to run through Tobias, where he can drive, or get doubled and kick it out.

3. The FT's have been shaky. The 2nd game we won because of them. The 3rd we won in spite of them. Need more consistentcy.

4. Trae Golden can play basketball. He doesn't have a natural position, but it doesn't matter. He reminds me of a bigger, not as good shooting Eric Bledsoe. I hope Pearl gets him some more minutes at the 2 also.

5. Next week is a BIG week. I honestly think that it can define the team somewhat. Coming off adversity, going to a big-time place, against good opponents. Win the tourney and you are sky high. Beat VCU and lose to Nova and you can build on it. Lose both games and the season could be in danger. I'm excited to see how the team performs. I honestly think they are going to play really well in the tourney.

Go Vols! :hi:

 

[whocaresgobobcats]

I want to complain about the offense. I want to offer my opinions. I want to hope it will change.

But it hasn't for the last 6 years.

 

[zjcvols]

I want to complain about the offense. I want to offer my opinions. I want to hope it will change.

But it hasn't for the last 6 years.

I take it for what it is. And because Melvin isn't a PG who can lead a break consistently, we can't run teams out of the gym.

 

[CAVol]

This team will improve regardless of the resuts this week. And the season will not be completely lost. This is a team with several players having to step up into new roles while throwing in some young freshman talent still trying to find their way in college basketball. This team, right now, is not as good as the team last year. Can they be better? Time will tell. Once they have time to learn to play together on the court (which can take some time with so many new pieces), we can make a fair assessment on how good the team is.

I do agree that defense is a strong point. Coaches always say that if you can defend with great intensity you will win a lot of games. Offensive problems are generally much easier to fix than defensive problems.