Pearl on Defense

[Unimane]

We had good talent this past year. Do you think we would have made it to the Elite Eight playing gimmick ball?

"Gimmick ball" is running a triangle and two or some crazy defense designed for a specific game, not for a team who simply presses.

But, no, last year's team would not have went to the Elite 8 as a pressing team because their personnel did not suit that game. Just the same as if the style we played last year was used against Oden and co. in 2007 would've led to a sequel to Deliverance.

 

[JZVOL]

Completely disagree with your first statement.

Completely agree with your last statement and have said so on this very site lots of times including in the last few days.

When you play a team without elite guard play, it can help you rest your starters to get up 25 points. In tournament play, it can really be a benefit to be able to blow out teams with weaker guard play by scoring loads off turnovers and then resting your horses.

TN has its deepest team of Pearl's tenure.

How many tourney teams have crappy guard play and how many blowout wins has UT had in the tourney under Pearl using the press?
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[mtt2d]

How many tourney teams have crappy guard play and how many blowout wins has UT had in the tourney under Pearl using the press?
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UK had two of the best guards and big men in the nation and didn't make the final four. This lets me know the importance of depth during the post season.

 

[MikeHamiltonFan]

How many tourney teams have crappy guard play and how many blowout wins has UT had in the tourney under Pearl using the press?
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I remember a few. We have never had this depth before
West Virginia had crappy guard play
If Cal had convinced his NBA backcourt to work on defense They could have had double digit steals that game
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[thededicatedvol]

I guess since Pearl has signed lanky, long, and bigger players as of late, we just don't have the speed or quickness that we used to in order to full court press consistently.