Possible Pattern Emerging...

#1
All Vol!

All Vol!

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#1
My quick take. It's early, but I'm looking at 8 games + exhibition, and for me, the thing that glares more than anything else at this point is - again - a lack of consistency. I understand all the basic truths...trap games, deflation, etc., but I swear I hardly know what to say about a team that drums the likes of Nova and Pitt but loses to Indianapolis (exhib.), struggles mightily with Belmont and then loses to unranked Oakland at home. Yes, I know...Oakland is better than their record and lack of ranking indicates, and we're all scrambling this morning to point that out as we self-soothe this loss to the back of our minds. And I agree..in fact, I know it! They are good. But we are too, aren't we? In fact, many inside and outside the Volnation were saying "great" after the Nova and Pitt wins. I'm calling Oakland very good. I'm also calling them a team we should have beaten. Dangerous but beatable, especially in our house.

The loss in itself is forgiveable and forgettable. What I'm getting to is that, to this point in the season, we have followed a pretty clear pattern of not being able to get up for some of the teams we should beat. I suppose one encouraging thing is that, once we hit conference play, the risk of playing flat will become less and less. It's not too hard to get up for conference games, not hard at all to get up for tourney games, and no motivation worries whatsoever at the dance. But this pattern of only finding our real intensity as underdogs doesn't bode well. Dare I say it? Championship teams usually find a way to beat the Oaklands.

I think we're virtually assured another very good season. Heck, it's been very good already!! But unless the team improves the psychology and work ethic that allows them to stop sleepwalking through the non-marquee games, it will come back to haunt us, and we'll be crying the same old tired laments in March..."so close"..."should have..."..."almost..."

That said, I am nowhere close to writing this team off. They've shown some incredible stuff to this point, and I believe in their ability to get even better. Now and forever...GO VOLS!!!
 
#2
#2
Sometimes i think the substitutions actually hurt this team. Last night was one of those times. I just don't see a scenario where you have Pearl , McBee and Hall on the floor together. I know they have injuries and some eligibility problems. That rotation cost them dearly last night. They give up way too much offensively with those three on the floor together.
 
#3
#3
This pattern is indicative of a teamnot used to large scale, national success. UTK mens team wins a big game and then lays an egg against a lesser opponent. UTK doesn't stay focused nor is disciplined enough to sustain elite success.

Fans can talk about how this loss isn't as bad in seeding for NCAA because of wins vs nova and Pitt. Simply not true, a home loss to a 100+ rpi team us devastating. Plus, what if nova and/or Pitt turn out to be middle of the pack BE teams?
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#4
#4
I do not know why your calling TBA "our house". It is clear some of the lazy overweight vol fans need to get off their couch and head out to the game. I could have bought a 6 pack of Krystals and used that to get into the game to sit in the 5th row. TERRIBLE and PATHETIC!
 
#5
#5
2 things.
#1- I'd say Oakland's RPI will be higher by seasons end.
#2- Every team that doesn't go 35-0 is inconsistent then, right?
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#6
#6
I was very disappointed when I saw all the empty seats. Yes, it was Oakland, but come on! This teams deserves more support from the fans! Other elite programs DO have a better support from their fans come game time no matter who the opponent

There is plenty of blame to go around for this loss. From the coaches, to the players, and lack of support for the home team. IMHO.

GO VOLS!
 
#9
#9
I would say this is the most consistent we ve been in years. Theres been really good defense in every game. The thing that killed us last night was 1) Not making free throws down the stretch and 2) Look at how many 2nd and 3rd chance opportunitys Oakland had the basket. This was the perfect trap game, just came off a huge win on the road and we re playing an underrated Oakland team. It wouldnt shock me at all if UT runs off 8 or 9 wins a row! GBO!
 
#11
#11
Again, beating the big teams and losing to the small-fries is not a picture of consistency in my book. And take another look at my op, where I explain the lack of consistency concern...my fear is that it is an indication of imbalance, a precedent of looking ahead that almost always comes back to bite. I'm not arguing we haven't started very well for Pete's sake, but do you think coach Pearl is telling the team that beating Nova and Pitt while losing to Indy and Oakland is consistency? I doubt it. I doubt he's satisfied, and I bet he sees concern in it.
 
#12
#12
lack of hustle and rebounding is why we lost that game. Plain and simple. Goins was gassed at the end. Goins is my new favorite player, he plays so incredibly hard, I just wish the rest of the team would have brought that mentality to TBA last night.
 
#13
#13
trend i am seeing here is, we are not playing well at home for some reason. no excusses blowing a 14 point lead at home to oakland. thopugh oakland is a better team then their record indicates. still.
 
#14
#14
Cartervol said:
Sometimes i think the substitutions actually hurt this team. Last night was one of those times. I just don't see a scenario where you have Pearl , McBee and Hall on the floor together. I know they have injuries and some eligibility problems. That rotation cost them dearly last night. They give up way too much offensively with those three on the floor together.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on that.
 
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