SIAP, but I think I've found the most telling quote of the season

#1
Cheese Donkey

Cheese Donkey

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#1
"They made some big plays and defended us pretty well," Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun said. "Mainly they just dug, scratched and clawed. We thought on tape they played hard, and they played harder than we did. That's how they won the game."
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If that doesn't portray a well coached team, then I don't know what does. I would love a rational discussion on this subject, whether positive or negative because as always, one game doesn't make a coach or a team. But another coach saying on tape that we played tough is one of the best compliments in the world. It means you may not have the talent, but you have the will to accomplish better than what your talent dictates IMO.
 
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#2
#2
Cheese Donkey said:
If that doesn't portray a well coached team, then I don't know what does. I would love a rational discussion on this subject, whether positive or negative because as always, one game doesn't make a coach or a team. But another coach saying on tape that we played tough is one of the best compliments in the world. It means you may not have the talent, but you have the will to accomplish better than what your talent dictates IMO.
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I know what you're feeling, but you won't be able to convey your point to your target audience because they are not going to be posting anytime soon. Because we didn't lose. No other reason.
 
#3
#3
Cheese Donkey said:
If that doesn't portray a well coached team, then I don't know what does. I would love a rational discussion on this subject, whether positive or negative because as always, one game doesn't make a coach or a team. But another coach saying on tape that we played tough is one of the best compliments in the world. It means you may not have the talent, but you have the will to accomplish better than what your talent dictates IMO.
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Out clawing and scratching doesnt say anything about the talent level on the team. You can have the most talented team in the world and still "want it" more. We wanted it just as bad against Georgia, but the ball didnt bounce our way. Doesnt make the coaching any better either way IMO. I dont think it takes a good coach to make a 8-10 ball team want to win against the #11 ranked team in the country, at home. Im not really pro or anti CM, just trying to keep it rational.
 
#4
#4
Chris4Vols22 said:
I know what you're feeling, but you won't be able to convey your point to your target audience because they are not going to be posting anytime soon. Because we didn't lose. No other reason.
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Trolls may get the post count, but their points are easily negated to the dumpster bin. En masse they may seem like a problem, but any rational human being can see through the antics.
 
#5
#5
Cheese Donkey said:
Trolls may get the post count, but their points are easily negated to the dumpster bin. En masse they may seem like a problem, but any rational human being can see through the antics.
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I agree. My post was a knock on those posters because they only whine on VN after we lose.
 
#6
#6
KingtUT said:
Out clawing and scratching doesnt say anything about the talent level on the team. You can have the most talented team in the world and still "want it" more. We wanted it just as bad against Georgia, but the ball didnt bounce our way. Doesnt make the coaching any better either way IMO. I dont think it takes a good coach to make a 8-10 ball team want to win against the #11 ranked team in the country, at home. Im not really pro or anti CM, just trying to keep it rational.
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Of course, and this is the kind of discussion I want to invite. Not the Cuonzo sucks or is our savior kind of posts. I'm trying to highlight the fact that we play tough on tape to our opponents. Playing tough can negate some talent deficiencies. Even with those compliments, we've lost to many teams we should have beaten. Playing tough is a mindset, and mindsets are instilled by the head coach. Even if a head coach attempts to instill a mindset, players can take time to learn exactly what it means to play under that mindset.

It's almost like a sine function with hills and valleys. One moment you think you're doing good and arrived at the peak then you make a mistake and come crashing down. Martin has been steady throughout this entire season though, through both the wins and the losses. That's a positive IMO.
 
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#7
#7
I agree, it makes me sometimes wonder if they want Martin to fail or keep the seat warm for Pearl to return in 3 years. They are wrong on both counts, Martin will succeed, and even if he doesn't I doubt Pearl will get another coaching job at a major program ever again.
 
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#8
#8
Pearl also got his guys to play hard when he first came here. I remember the word relentless being thrown around several times with his first few teams. His teams lost that relentlessness as more "pre-madonnas" came into the program. Then Pearl made excuses. We can't press because we aren't fast enough. Really? I guess Lofton and Bradshaw were burners then right? No way Hopson could beat them in a foot race right? Cuonzo has done an outstanding job getting this team to play tough and relentless. The key now will be recruiting tough guys that fit his system and holding them to a higher standard or else. I have a feeling that if Hopson was still here playing his ole (oh-lay) defense that he would be sitting right next to McCrae on the bench, having his starting spot taken by a freshman and getting his minutes drastically reduced.
 
#9
#9
I like Martin for the very reasons the OP started the thread. I'll take tough, hard-working, unselfish players with average talent over lazy, entitled, selfish, and more talented players any day of the week
 
#10
#10
Hey, I'll take Martin over a bunch of coaches. However, I will say that they have played a lot harder since the announcement that Stokes will come. So I wonder if his showing up is helping with the motivation.
 
#11
#11
Cheese Donkey said:
Of course, and this is the kind of discussion I want to invite. Not the Cuonzo sucks or is our savior kind of posts. I'm trying to highlight the fact that we play tough on tape to our opponents. Playing tough can negate some talent deficiencies. Even with those compliments, we've lost to many teams we should have beaten. Playing tough is a mindset, and mindsets are instilled by the head coach. Even if a head coach attempts to instill a mindset, players can take time to learn exactly what it means to play under that mindset.

It's almost like a sine function with hills and valleys. One moment you think you're doing good and arrived at the peak then you make a mistake and come crashing down. Martin has been steady throughout this entire season though, through both the wins and the losses. That's a positive IMO.
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+1 for the math reference
 
#12
#12
Cheese Donkey said:
If that doesn't portray a well coached team, then I don't know what does. I would love a rational discussion on this subject, whether positive or negative because as always, one game doesn't make a coach or a team. But another coach saying on tape that we played tough is one of the best compliments in the world. It means you may not have the talent, but you have the will to accomplish better than what your talent dictates IMO.
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my cousin and i felt the same thing. well coached. if pearl had been coaching the last 19 seconds would have looked like a chinese fire drill. the thing i hear over and over is how they defend. btw those last two 3 pointers uconn hit were about half luck imho.

i liked pearl a lot and wish he was still here but he messed up and is gone. im backin martin until he proves he cant do it.
 
#14
#14
During the game last night, I started thinking about how many teams were forced to play the way the Vols want to play, and it was pretty much all of them. Florida rarely got a shot off before the shot clock was under 10. Same with UK, and now UCONN. This team is the toughest team I've seen play all year. Yes, the record sucks with some ugly losses, but when they do everything that Martin wants, they are in position to win. Sometimes talent prevails (the UK and Pitt games), sometimes it doesn't go your way (Miss. State and UGA), and when they fall away from what Martin wants, they get their butts whipped (the 2nd Memphis game). I think they see what they have to do to be successful.
 
#15
#15
I love the fact the scout on us is we play hard tough defense, and play physical. Then after the game your still shocked how tough of defense and just how physical we play. That's very telling IMO.
 
#17
#17
You have to love a team that plays hard. Win or lose, at least they don't quit! When the talent level gets better, I hope the focus on defense and team play stay the same.
CM has changed the starting five several times. The man is not afraid to sit a player. You can step up or sit on the bench and pout. So far, I've not heard any one complain.
Coach em up CM!
GBO!
 
#18
#18
On the other hand, the team also seems to play at the level of the competition. So it's difficult to argue that players are always playing hard.
 
#20
#20
I think the players might have felt they were playing for nothing after a few of those early season losses. (meaning the NCAAT was out of the question)

With Stokes being added, the selection committee may evaluate Tennessee on a different standard than other teams. I think the team might start to pick up the intensity against the UGAs, SCs, and Auburns of the league if we pop off another big win.
 
#21
#21
Shot0fClarity said:
I think the players might have felt they were playing for nothing after a few of those early season losses. (meaning the NCAAT was out of the question)

With Stokes being added, the selection committee may evaluate Tennessee on a different standard than other teams. I think the team might start to pick up the intensity against the UGAs, SCs, and Auburns of the league if we pop off another big win.
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I sure hope so!
 
#22
#22
Velo Vol said:
On the other hand, the team also seems to play at the level of the competition. So it's difficult to argue that players are always playing hard.
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I don't think it's that, I think it's more focus than anything.
 
#23
#23
What I love is the mental toughness of the team and coach.

We had two tough losses before our biggest wins. That says to me CCM can get his guys to regroup after a loss.
 
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