Next Opponent - Mercer Bears

#28
#28
We just didn't give a damn about the NIT game last year.

There's a little bit more to play for this time.

We win by double digits.
 
#29
#29
Orange Daddy said:
Don't forget that Mercer spanked TN last year in the NIT at the TBA
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I don't think a true Vols basketball fam will forget that.... And I'm certain the players haven't.... But your point is well taken.... If we can control the flow of the game the way we did today and pound it down low we should be okay.... Stokes and Maymon operated today the way they should have all season... Having said all that I really think UMass was greatly overrated and seeded way too high...
 
#30
#30
We start 3 seniors and 2 Jrs that play better than most seniors.
No experience factor here.
I predict a knock down drag out fight and Vols pulling away at the end.
Been right so far.
 
#32
#32
We gonna whoop dey Azz! Stokes is going to eat lightning and crap thunder!
 
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#36
#36
I am a Mercer alum, but grew up a Vol, have Tennessee orange blood, and am a Vol first. Just like mentioned, it all comes down to Tenn's physical play down low. That will determine the game. Mercer is not a normal midmajor as they are very talented, especially Langston Hall. Mercer's bigs are not incredibly athletic, but get the job done. I think Tenn will win if they can be physical on the low post with Maymon and Stokes, but it could be a really close game. Mercer has been consistent all year and plays well as a team. Tennessee has to keep playing the way they have recently and not be streaky like some times in the season. It seems so weird to like a team going against UT, but Go Vols and Go Bears!
 
#37
#37
Hey, BTO! With the amount of direct passing that Mercer does, wouldn't the 1-3-1 be the perfect defense to throw in on occasion to stop any momentum. The thing still almost hasn't been scored upon. Massachusetts didn't score the couple of possessions they ran it. Cuonzo himself said it pretty much stops the direct pass and teams have to go over the top. He also said that is hard to do with our length.
 
#39
#39
Mercer is a perfect example of why one and done is hurting college basketball. These boys (who none will be in the nba) have played together their whole college career. They have gelled. They are not a good group of individual players, they are a good team. If we play tough/smart and forget the second half of the sec tourny game against the gators, this should be our game. A win against Mercer would be great. But how sweet would a win against Mercer and a Texas victory over Michigan be???
 
#40
#40
I think there's actually a chance you may see Langston Hall on an NBA roster.
 
#41
#41
SeniorDrill said:
Hey, BTO! With the amount of direct passing that Mercer does, wouldn't the 1-3-1 be the perfect defense to throw in on occasion to stop any momentum. The thing still almost hasn't been scored upon. Massachusetts didn't score the couple of possessions they ran it. Cuonzo himself said it pretty much stops the direct pass and teams have to go over the top. He also said that is hard to do with our length.
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I think you'll see it, but it's susceptible to corner 3s which mercer can kill you with, so they'll have to be on their toes.
 
#43
#43
if you are interested, or bored:

I'm watching the Mercer/Duke game now. Mercer does a great job clearing out and does a lot of 2 man game with the other 3 players out of the way or spotting up. Their type of offense gave us trouble last year and a couple of times this year. It's really all predicated on, wait for it, spacing. They spread it out after the 2 man game and give guys lanes to the basket, where help d is a concern due to their ability to drive and kick. We have been playing well on D, but think we'll need some successful 1-3-1 tomorrow to win. In the first 9 minutes, I've seen at least 4 different players drive and shoot the 3. They have a big man they like to clear out for and he'll go to his left hand almost every time.
On D, they are playing a lot of zone, including 3-2 and 1-3-1, so we will need to be in our spots to exploit it, and attack instead of aimlessly passing it around the perimeter before launching a 3 we don't want to take. Hit the weak spots early and attack the rim and/or get a good inside/out game going and those same "bad" 3's are in rhythm and go in. Gotta get them out of the zone so Stokes can go to work.
they are also playing a really saggy man d with switching that looks much like a matchup zone and could be a hybrid. If we walk it up and let them get it set, we won't get into our offense until 15 seconds or so on the shot clock and that's exactly what they want us to do. FT lane is wide open for Duke right now and not even the great coach K is able to get a player to flash to it.
On offense, these guys are simply driving past their man, drawing the big man and dishing
 
#46
#46
Mercer apparently excels vs teams that like to press/run/shoot the 3 like Duke. We are pretty much the opposite of that. Hopefully we continue with the defensive intensity and running the game through Stokes and then out, we should be okay at that point.
 
#50
#50
bleedingTNorange said:
I'm not disagreeing with that, just clarifying.
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I would like to see them use the 1-3-1 just enough to win the National Championship! It is becoming more possible with each game. After that first time, they gave Florida all the could handle the next two games. If Tennessee plays them again, I no longer think it would be a toss up.
:clapping:
 
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