Men's and women's BB have some of the same issues-- inconsistent effort, a sporadic lack of intensity and the occasional no-show from key players. Some days, both teams feel like they can come out, give half-effort and still win-- and a less-talented opponent proves them wrong. The men's team has been fortunate to salvage some near-losses when that happens; the women's team generally has not.
That's what the players and coaches say. Barnes, GW and AD have been candid about it. If it continues to happen, they'll continue to have tough losses. But it doesn't have to happen and they know how to fix it. Learn from yesterday and flush it.
i get what you're saying here. it sounds harsh in regards to the men seeing as how they lost only 5 games, and none of them were "bad" losses. we lost to quality teams that are capable of basically playing with most anyone.
but your point is correct. we all saw the lull's during games that allowed big leads to get cut down, or the ability to not take advantage of an opponents own lull to put them away....
i'm not sure how much of it is lack of effort though. i do think sometimes that having 6-7 guys that can give you offense almost hurts us sometimes. i watch some games and i wonder what hte plan really is? is it to feature Grant or Kyle cause of an advantage inside? is it to feature bowden, bone and turner because we heave an advantage at guard? sometimes feels like everyone is wating on someone else to be "that guy" tonight, instead of just playing in the flow of the game.
and then other times, it looks like there's purpose in everything we do....and not accidentally, those have been the games we've generally played our best.
on effort, i will say this...there have been times where we get beat in transition and allow easy buckets. there have been times where we stand around too much and watch on offense, and there have been times where defensively we allow free runners....mental effort.
ok, so now that's all done...these things to me are nit picking things that culumatively can affect a game, and they have....fortunately, they didn't always cost us a game, and they've been few and far between.....
on the whole, i've said all year that this has been the most fun team i've ever watched for TN, and is one of the easiest teams you're ever gonna find to like. for whatever misgivings i have listed above, this team does two things exceptionally well....1. they have leaders that lead and 2. they make plays....
i hate this team didn't get a regular season or tournament championship, but this is still the best TN basketball team i've seen in my lifetime.....
hope they make run now.
