Maybe it's time to bring back the press

#1
royboyvol

royboyvol

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#1
First, let me say that I do not think that losing these close games all of a sudden makes Pearl a bad coach. It seems that every time we lose a game or two in any sport, fans come on here calling for wholesale changes.

I am not going to diminish Pearl's ability because he has obviously done a lot for UT and has probably forgotten more about basketball than I will ever know, but here are a couple of reasons I think we might should dust off the Pearl press...

1) Our defense isn't bad, but it has become apparent that we need more transition opportunities. This team struggles in the halfcourt and seems to lack purpose.

2) If Pearl wants to keep the rotation as deep as he seems to want to, a pressing style would be a better fit.

3) I think I remember seeing where our average height is 6'6" or so. When we stopped pressing in favor of the halfcourt defense, it was because of a lack of length and speed. It seems that perhaps this year, we have at least the length problem solved.
 
#2
#2
If you are lazy, undisciplined, lack focus and effort at times and don't play consistent D in the halfcourt I don't think you are going start doing it fullcourt with 6 games left in the season.
 
#3
#3
JZVOL said:
If you are lazy, undisciplined, lack focus and effort at times and don't play consistent D in the halfcourt I don't think you are going start doing it fullcourt with 6 games left in the season.
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From a defensive perspective, I don't know that I would say we are all of those things you mentioned. Not only that, but a good press can sometimes disguise your man on man deficiencies.

You're right about the timing, though, but wasn't it late in the year when he made the switch before?
 
#4
#4
royboyvol said:
First, let me say that I do not think that losing these close games all of a sudden makes Pearl a bad coach. It seems that every time we lose a game or two in any sport, fans come on here calling for wholesale changes.

I am not going to diminish Pearl's ability because he has obviously done a lot for UT and has probably forgotten more about basketball than I will ever know, but here are a couple of reasons I think we might should dust off the Pearl press...

1) Our defense isn't bad, but it has become apparent that we need more transition opportunities. This team struggles in the halfcourt and seems to lack purpose.

2) If Pearl wants to keep the rotation as deep as he seems to want to, a pressing style would be a better fit.

3) I think I remember seeing where our average height is 6'6" or so. When we stopped pressing in favor of the halfcourt defense, it was because of a lack of length and speed. It seems that perhaps this year, we have at least the length problem solved.
Click to expand...

With your trust in Pearl, dont you think he would do what he thinks gives him is the best chance to win? I dont think we have the same caliber players we did during the controlled chaos days. Like you, I wouoldnt mind seeing more of it if possible.
 
#5
#5
royboyvol said:
From a defensive perspective, I don't know that I would say we are all of those things you mentioned. Not only that, but a good press can sometimes disguise your man on man deficiencies.

You're right about the timing, though, but wasn't it late in the year when he made the switch before?
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To me there is a difference in backing off a full-court press as the season goes along verses trying to press when you haven't all season.

Tatum, Hopson, Harris, McBee, Williams, Golden would be a disaster in the press.
 
#6
#6
I think that Pearl will go back to pressing next year with the players coming in and with what's returning.
 
#7
#7
Losing your post players and PG and replacing them with two freshman guards does not sound like a recipe for a pressing team.

Also, it's likely Pearl won't be coaching next year.
 
#9
#9
Would solve the last second losses.

Of course we'd be out of the running for aW half way through the second half.
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#10
#10
LittleDTO said:
Pearl hasn't done a good job coaching this year.
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Reduction in salary forced Pearl to make reductions in the offensive/defensive schemes....he can only afford to run a D2 package until his pay is reset to D1 standards.
 
#11
#11
Scotty Hopson and Cam Tatum trying to run a press makes me shiver.
 
#14
#14
There is a reason teams with fast point guards give Tennessee trouble, they don't have anyone fast enough to guard them(Florida point guard).. If they pressed, teams would get wide open layups on the other end.

This team has half court personnel, but their half court offense is a train wreck. They also have bad lapses on defense at the worst times. It's a train wreck guys. The basketball program may be about to go back through some rough times.

Pearl needs some players and can't even recruit off campus, likely won't be coaching here next year, suspended or canned, one or the other.

Here's the best part, Mike Hamilton might actually get to hire another coach, it just keeps getting better and better.
 
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