On Hopson's Last Shot

[Unimane]

I see a lot of people lacking basketball knowledge here regarding the situation and it's driving me crazy (By the way, I'm not being arrogant here, all this stuff is common knowledge for any basketball coach I've ever known)

1. It was a good shot at the right time. Scotty got an open look and took it. He didn't always wow me with his play yesterday, but I'm happy he wanted the shot.

2. You absolutely, positively take that shot at that time when you are down. I see a lot of people saying he should've waited until the last shot. I'm wondering where some of you learned basketball, but that violates every end game situation strategy. You wait to shoot with 3-5 seconds remaining when tied, not down. The idea being that, if Scotty misses, you foul and then still have time to, at worst, tie the game in one possession, a possession that would give you about 10 seconds to go full court.

If we wait until 5 seconds to shoot and then foul on a rebound, now you have 2-3 seconds to go full court. It's a matter of having two realistic end game opportunities as opposed to one. The idea of waiting to take the last shot down one, giving yourself just one opportunity to win the game is bad, bad basketball.

3. Not calling a timeout in that situation is always better, percentage-wise and Michigan State's last possession demonstrated why. Morgan got open in the scramble because Tennessee was not able to set its defense, which is always more important than setting up your offense. That's the reason neither Pearl nor Izzo called TO in the last seconds with the ball.

I guaran-damn-tee you Pearl would've called timout if Hopson made his second free throw in order to get his defense set.

 

[RoSmitty12]

Agree on everything. Wish we would have tried to pound it downlow but it happens

 

[arTfuldodger]

Spot on, with the exception that I think we would have benefited from a set to Chism, w/ or w/o them setting up. Given the no-to decision, the shot was as good as we could have asked for. He has been bashed for being hesitant. He had the look and he took it. Bottom line, if his miss bounces in our hands instead of bouncing to (basically an auto outlet pass) Lucious, we win. No sweat, well be back.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[SpringBokVol]

I agree with everything you said, except his last shot was a missed a FT. And a killer one at that.

Not saying we win if it goes in, but that is a must make. Especially for the above reason of calling a time out and setting up your defense.

 

[Heebs]

It wasn't that open.

 

[jrwvol]

I am not mad at his shot selection. I'm not mad he missed one of the free throws. What I am mad about his lack of hustle and focus. It's the freakin' Elite 8 and he's playing like its a meaningless pickup game. Even the geriatric commentators called him out when he half arsed attempted to go after a loose ball. He is probably UT's 2nd or 3rd best athlete, or could be, but he is lazy. Even Williams got in his face, to no avail.

 

[Bassmanbruno]

It wasn't the good of a shot - especially since he decided to do a mini-leaner/fade away - that was a very difficult shot and he still would have probably airballed it if the guy hadn't fouled him.

 

[tigervol9802]

I am not mad at his shot selection. I'm not mad he missed one of the free throws. What I am mad about his lack of hustle and focus. It's the freakin' Elite 8 and he's playing like its a meaningless pickup game. Even the geriatric commentators called him out when he half arsed attempted to go after a loose ball. He is probably UT's 2nd or 3rd best athlete, or could be, but he is lazy. Even Williams got in his face, to no avail.

This.

I've gone away from bashing a guy who misses a late free throw because there are usually 10 other just as of important plays in a game that are forgotten. What I cannot overlook is the number of times he gets caught behind screens, doesn't go after a lose ball, or stands there completely unaware of what is going on in front of him.

Only different decision I make in that game is that I throw it to half court on the final play and call a TO.

 

[utkCREW]

I am not mad at his shot selection. I'm not mad he missed one of the free throws. What I am mad about his lack of hustle and focus. It's the freakin' Elite 8 and he's playing like its a meaningless pickup game. Even the geriatric commentators called him out when he half arsed attempted to go after a loose ball. He is probably UT's 2nd or 3rd best athlete, or could be, but he is lazy. Even Williams got in his face, to no avail.

agree

 

[orange_blood]

I am not mad at his shot selection. I'm not mad he missed one of the free throws. What I am mad about his lack of hustle and focus. It's the freakin' Elite 8 and he's playing like its a meaningless pickup game. Even the geriatric commentators called him out when he half arsed attempted to go after a loose ball. He is probably UT's 2nd or 3rd best athlete, or could be, but he is lazy. Even Williams got in his face, to no avail.

There were only a few games this season that I noticed Scotty showing his potential. Scotty has let the Mickey D HSAA go too much to his head. He has used the 'name' that comes along with being a HSAA but hasn't shown his potential fully and might not ever while at UT unless someone is able to bring it out of him. I'm proud of what the Vols did this year like most others, but Scotty just didn't put forth the effort that he could have. Carrying around on the court some kind of 'arrogance' because he was an AA in HS, but not playing like one won't get it.

 

[zknott03]

It was an obvious ball screen to get Hopson a shot. I'm a big Hopson fan, but do we really want him taking the last shot in our Elite 8 game? Why is Maze not on the floor? Why isn't JP driving to the basket (he was 5-for-5)? I understand not goin down low because their bigs dominated us with blocks, but I'd rather Chism, Maze, Goins, or Prince take such a big shot (especially with Hopson's confidence problems)

But all in all, we had a good run. And I do appreciate their run. They looked dog tired by the end of that game and I genuinely felt sorry for them. I'm gonna miss the senior class like I haven't missed a senior class in a long time (basketball or football). GO VOLS

 

[LawVol13]

I see a lot of people lacking basketball knowledge here regarding the situation and it's driving me crazy (By the way, I'm not being arrogant here, all this stuff is common knowledge for any basketball coach I've ever known)

1. It was a good shot at the right time. Scotty got an open look and took it. He didn't always wow me with his play yesterday, but I'm happy he wanted the shot.

2. You absolutely, positively take that shot at that time when you are down. I see a lot of people saying he should've waited until the last shot. I'm wondering where some of you learned basketball, but that violates every end game situation strategy. You wait to shoot with 3-5 seconds remaining when tied, not down. The idea being that, if Scotty misses, you foul and then still have time to, at worst, tie the game in one possession, a possession that would give you about 10 seconds to go full court.

If we wait until 5 seconds to shoot and then foul on a rebound, now you have 2-3 seconds to go full court. It's a matter of having two realistic end game opportunities as opposed to one. The idea of waiting to take the last shot down one, giving yourself just one opportunity to win the game is bad, bad basketball.

3. Not calling a timeout in that situation is always better, percentage-wise and Michigan State's last possession demonstrated why. Morgan got open in the scramble because Tennessee was not able to set its defense, which is always more important than setting up your offense. That's the reason neither Pearl nor Izzo called TO in the last seconds with the ball.

I guaran-damn-tee you Pearl would've called timout if Hopson made his second free throw in order to get his defense set.

1) No, it wasn't.

2) He should have shot the ball with enough time to get a putback. You don't shoot it with enough time for the other team to come down and make a couple passes to get a shot.

3) This is correct but only when it's in a transition type situation like Michigan State had not when you have 30 seconds to work with. They were easily able to set up their defense because we didn't push the ball up the floor.

 

[Heebs]

If you disagree you have NO basketball IQ, apparently.

 

[Unimane]

1) No, it wasn't.

2) He should have shot the ball with enough time to get a putback. You don't shoot it with enough time for the other team to come down and make a couple passes to get a shot.

3) This is correct but only when it's in a transition type situation like Michigan State had not when you have 30 seconds to work with. They were easily able to set up their defense because we didn't push the ball up the floor.

Yes, Hopson had an open look. It was a good shot.

You are still missing the point on #2. You don't allow the team another shot only when you are tied. There are few coaches in the world that would use the logic that you give your team only one opportunity to win instead of two. By shooting with just a few seconds left on the clock, you are limiting your team's opportunity to win. Again, the key is we were down one, not tied.

On #3, setting up a successful defense in the final seconds is much easier than setting up a successful play in the final seconds. There are so many disruptive things you can do on defense out of a timeout. You can change to a man/zone, set up traps, give your players keys, etc.

Can you tell me how many times you've seen a coach call a timeout and set up a successful winning play? I don't get the fascination with fans that coaches are able to call up some magical play that will guarantee a good look. It's far, far easier to get a shot in the flow of the offense or in the choas of the final seconds. I guess people just prefer some kind of (illusory) control on the situation.

I can tell you numerous more times that coaches didn't call timeout and had a successful play. Hell, look up Bobby Knight (Who always has stated that he never calls timeout in such a situation) in the 1987 NCAA championship game. There were about 30 seconds left, Knight didn't call time and ended with Smart getting a 10 foot baseline shot.

So, yes, I stand fully behind all of my statements, particularly #2. Letting the clock run down to get just one shot and, hopefully, a put back to win at the buzzer is a ridiculous strategy. The only time I've ever seen it tried is by an inferior opponent that felt they couldn't get a stop on defense or a team completely unwilling to chance overtime. Other than those rare times, I've yet to meet a coach that would run the clock while losing.

 

[lylsmorr]

If you disagree you have NO basketball IQ, apparently.

Or you would hope for a more open shot. I'm not complaining about the shot, but I can see where they are coming from. There were, what, 12 seconds left? He could have gotten to the rim or drove and dished out. There were surely better options than a contested midrange jumper with that amount of time left.

 

[Unimane]

If you disagree you have NO basketball IQ, apparently.

Not on this matter, no. It's stupid basketball.

 

[LawVol13]

Yes, Hopson had an open look. It was a good shot.

You are still missing the point on #2. You don't allow the team another shot only when you are tied. There are few coaches in the world that would use the logic that you give your team only one opportunity to win instead of two. By shooting with just a few seconds left on the clock, you are limiting your team's opportunity to win. Again, the key is we were down one, not tied.

On #3, setting up a successful defense in the final seconds is much easier than setting up a successful play in the final seconds. There are so many disruptive things you can do on defense out of a timeout. You can change to a man/zone, set up traps, give your players keys, etc.

Can you tell me how many times you've seen a coach call a timeout and set up a successful winning play? I don't get the fascination with fans that coaches are able to call up some magical play that will guarantee a good look. It's far, far easier to get a shot in the flow of the offense or in the choas of the final seconds. I guess people just prefer some kind of (illusory) control on the situation.

I can tell you numerous more times that coaches didn't call timeout and had a successful play. Hell, look up Bobby Knight (Who always has stated that he never calls timeout in such a situation) in the 1987 NCAA championship game. There were about 30 seconds left, Knight didn't call time and ended with Smart getting a 10 foot baseline shot.

So, yes, I stand fully behind all of my statements, particularly #2. Letting the clock run down to get just one shot and, hopefully, a put back to win at the buzzer is a ridiculous strategy. The only time I've ever seen it tried is by an inferior opponent that felt they couldn't get a stop on defense or a team completely unwilling to chance overtime. Other than those rare times, I've yet to meet a coach that would run the clock while losing.

I completely disagree with that. If you ever watch a game, no one, and I would imagine Pearl would agree, that you don't crank up a bad shot with 12 seconds left. It was a similar situation as the Florida game, and we were just lucky enough that he hit the shot and they had a shot roll out.

If you don't prefer that strategy, that's your prerogative. But don't act like that that's the go-to strategy for every coach because it's not.

 

[Unimane]

Or you would hope for a more open shot. I'm not complaining about the shot, but I can see where they are coming from. There were, what, 12 seconds left? He could have gotten to the rim or drove and dished out. There were surely better options than a contested midrange jumper with that amount of time left.

It wasn't contested. Green was late, which is why he fouled Scotty. In that instance, with 12 seconds left and down one, you don't wait for another open shot. The decision was a good one by Scotty.

 

[lylsmorr]

It wasn't contested. Green was late, which is why he fouled Scotty. In that instance, with 12 seconds left and down one, you don't wait for another open shot. The decision was a good one by Scotty.

I'd have to watch it again, but I could swear he had a hand in his face. There's nothing we can do about it though. Hopson was as adept as anyone to take a last second shot, as he has proved before

 

[Unimane]

I completely disagree with that. If you ever watch a game, no one, and I would imagine Pearl would agree, that you don't crank up a bad shot with 12 seconds left. It was a similar situation as the Florida game, and we were just lucky enough that he hit the shot and they had a shot roll out.

If you don't prefer that strategy, that's your prerogative. But don't act like that that's the go-to strategy for every coach because it's not.

No, Bobby Brown, it's not a "perogative", it's dumb basketball. Tell me which of these coaches use their "perogative" to limit their team's opportunity to win?

Hell, the Florida game shot was much more contested than yesterday's shot and Pearl used the same philosophy then as well. I'm just curious as to who these brilliant coaches are that would actually run down the clock while losing and pin their hopes on a shot in a window of 1-2 seconds. That's simply ridiculous.

Sorry, but talk to a basketball coach. Any coach. Trust me, they'll tell you it's much more than a "perogative".

By the way, did Donovan call a timeout to set up a play to win that game in January? Of course not.

 

[LawVol13]

No, Bobby Brown, it's not a "perogative", it's dumb basketball. Tell me which of these coaches use their "perogative" to limit their team's opportunity to win?

Hell, the Florida game shot was much more contested than yesterday's shot and Pearl used the same philosophy then as well. I'm just curious as to who these brilliant coaches are that would actually run down the clock while losing and pin their hopes on a shot in a window of 1-2 seconds. That's simply ridiculous.

Sorry, but talk to a basketball coach. Any coach. Trust me, they'll tell you it's much more than a "perogative".

By the way, did Donovan call a timeout to set up a play to win that game in January? Of course not.

They pin their hopes on trying to put their kids in an opportunity to get a good shot with the possibility of a rebound and putback not a bad shot that even if you happen to hit gives you the opposing team plenty of time to draw up a play to beat you.

You want an example. Try Gary Williams against Michigan State. Vazquez takes the go ahead shot with 6 seconds to go. That's what I think Tennessee should have done. At that point it would take a desperation shot that requires luck to hit, which Michigan State luckily did.

YouTube - Michigan State Buzzer Beater vs. Maryland 2010

Oh, and by the way, when you are constructing a horribly losing argument towards me and are trying to pretend that I misspelled prerogative, maybe you should read a little closer and notice that you're not only wrong that no coach uses the strategy you refer to but also I didn't spell prerogative incorrectly.

 

[Unimane]

They pin their hopes on trying to put their kids in an opportunity to get a good shot with the possibility of a rebound and putback not a bad shot that even if you happen to hit gives you the opposing team plenty of time to draw up a play to beat you.

You want an example. Try Gary Williams against Michigan State. Vazquez takes the go ahead shot with 6 seconds to go. That's what I think Tennessee should have done. At that point it would take a desperation shot that requires luck to hit, which Michigan State luckily did.

YouTube - Michigan State Buzzer Beater vs. Maryland 2010

Oh, and by the way, when you are constructing a horribly losing argument towards me and are trying to pretend that I misspelled prerogative, maybe you should read a little closer and notice that you're not only wrong that no coach uses the strategy you refer to but also I didn't spell prerogative incorrectly.

You still don't get it and you're venturing further off the path. I was making fun of your use of prerogative as if it's some judgment call.

And, thanks for providing the link to prove my case. How much time did Maryland have to set up their winning shot after the Lucious three? Hmm, seems like they would've been better off shooting the ball at 12 seconds like Hopson did, huh? They just didn't have the benefit of an open shot earlier.

Maryland did exactly what they should've done and how I explained it. They were losing and got the first good shot they could find. I guarantee you that Williams wishes that Vasquez could have shot the ball earlier rather than later. However, I'm sure Wiliams, Knight, Pearl and all these other coaches have no idea what they are doing.

By the way, did either coach call a timeout? And how did those offensive possessions turn out? Thanks again. It's amazing how you think you are providing some amazing argument while actually providing evidence for my arguments.

 

[LawVol13]

You still don't get it and you're venturing further off the path. I was making fun of your use of prerogative as if it's some judgment call.

And, thanks for providing the link to prove my case. How much time did Maryland have to set up their winning shot after the Lucious three? Hmm, seems like they would've been better off shooting the ball at 12 seconds like Hopson did, huh? They just didn't have the benefit of an open shot earlier.

Maryland did exactly what they should've done and how I explained it. They were losing and got the first good shot they could find. I guarantee you that Williams wishes that Vasquez could have shot the ball earlier rather than later. However, I'm sure Wiliams, Knight, Pearl and all these other coaches have no idea what they are doing.

By the way, did either coach call a timeout? And how did those offensive possessions turn out? Thanks again. It's amazing how you think you are providing some amazing argument while actually providing evidence for my arguments.

There's no evidence that supports your argument. First, you start the play at about 10 seconds. Second, you drive the ball at the basket that makes it easier to offensive rebound instead of taking a contested shot. If you make the shot, you force the opposing team to take a desperation shot. Maryland's strategy was perfect; Michigan State just got lucky.

My use of prerogative was to say if you favor that strategy, good for you; however, that is not a majority view. So, your little arrogant assertion that your knowledge of basketball is so much greater than the multiple other posters that pointed out that the shot was taken too early is why you have no credibility on this board.

 

[Unimane]

There's no evidence that supports your argument. First, you start the play at about 10 seconds. Second, you drive the ball at the basket that makes it easier to offensive rebound instead of taking a contested shot. If you make the shot, you force the opposing team to take a desperation shot. Maryland's strategy was perfect; Michigan State just got lucky.

My use of prerogative was to say if you favor that strategy, good for you; however, that is not a majority view. So, your little arrogant assertion that your knowledge of basketball is so much greater than the multiple other posters that pointed out that the shot was taken too early is why you have no credibility on this board.

An open three at the top of the key is not lucky.

I also clearly addressed the arrogance issue at the beginning of the thread. You really need to start reading what you are commenting on. Plus, any cries of arrogance from you is awfully rich.

 

[LawVol13]

An open three at the top of the key is not lucky.

I also clearly addressed the arrogance issue at the beginning of the thread. You really need to start reading what you are commenting on. Plus, any cries of arrogance from you is awfully rich.

It was a desperation buzzer beater. I like my chances in that situation, but maybe you don't.