State of the Vol Program

#1
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Wise-Vol

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#1
If you don't like long, skip to the next thread. :wavey:

1. Outstanding. Bruce Pearl just took his team to the Elite 8 and lost by 1 point to the greatest Elite 8 coach in our time. And Pearl did it without his top preseason player (Tyler Smith) and with Steven Pearl getting minutes that were supposed to go to physical freak, Emmanuel Negedu. Pearl should be coach of the year in the NCAA hands-down. Now, just a bit on some key contributors for next season.

2. Center. Brian Williams. Who would have thought that Brian Williams would finish with such a flurry? He scored the winner against OSU and he almost landed a rebound off of Hopson's FT miss against MSU. His defensive footwork last against Turner in the OSU game was superb. Williams has a new lease on life. A guy I thought would be backing up Kenny Hall next season at Center has shown a burst. His two aggressive dunks in St. Louis in the post is what we've been looking for at the Center position. Kenny Hall has unlimited potential. Some more beef on him and we are gonna have two really solid big men at Center. Kenny's offensive and rebounding skills and potential are off the charts.

3. Power Forward. Tobias Harris. The kid will replace Chism's scoring. He has range from the three point line to the rim. Chism had game at the three point line and at the rim, but seldom in between. Harris is the guy who beats teams with the last shot. He won't have Chism's low post beef, but the kid is going to be a special PF, perhaps the best PF fit ever in the Bruce Pearl system. Remember all those 6'6 to 6'8 250 pounders for MSU? Think Jeronne Maymon. The kid is not a big, at 6'6, but he is a "big" at 240. He was top 50 last season, rated higher than Leslie McDonald, Derrick Nix (MSU), and Kahwi Leonard. He will be a very athletic change-up at PF.

4. Shooting Guard. Cam Tatum. Developed as our go-to shooter late. I believe he'll be our starter at Shooting Guard in 2010-11. Needs to work on his FT shooting and continue to develop his drive to the tin offense. Trae Golden. Brings a great handle at 2G and a nice outside shot. Skylar McBee needs to work on his consistency. It'll be nice to have your 3rd team SG with as much game experience as Skylar got in 2009-10

5. Point Guard. Melvin Goins. Showed a very consistent mid-range jumper and some pop from three point range late. Very good defender. Needs to work on his decision-making. Look out for Josh, but I'm not talking about Bone. UT is very much in the thick of things with Josh Selby. This kid would be the final piece to make UT a top 10 preseason pick and on the short list for the Final Four in 2011. Josh Bone is a great ace to have in the pocket as a utility player.

6. Small Forward. I see Hopson making the move from 2G to Small Forward. He has freakish athleticism, but needs some N.O. Xplode before each game. Needs to work on FT shooting, ball handling, and intensity. If he improves his handle, he can't be stopped getting to the rim. Could be a shut-down defender if he gets the "want to". Jordan McCrae is silky smooth and brings wingspan, outside shooting, and a mid-range game to the table. The Vols are really upgrading their offensive game with this recruiting class. He gets in the rotation at SF. If Woolridge sticks around, I think he is a SF/PF utility.


7. The Bruce Pearl late surprise. Bruce always has a way of pulling one out. The the Vols' pull-back on Moses Abraham wasn't a coincidence? There is another big out there that has UT's interest. Look out for a Spring surprise. It isn't Luke Cothron, but he is in the game as well.

8. The future. Bruce has got this thing rolling. Kevin Ware and Chris Jones are as dynamic a pair as you'll find in the backcourt. 2011 looks bright indeed for the Vols. Bruce has a real talent for identifying talent. I was reminded of that as I watched many players in the Dance that came down to UT and the team they were playing for. With Harris, Maymon, Hopson, Hall, Tatum, Golden, McCrae, Jones, and Ware, along with a couple of others on the 2011 team, the Vols are in good shape to be playing in late March for the next few years.

9. Make no mistake, the way this year played out looks really good for the Vols in the recruiting chatter. Calipari did less with more, Vandy was a flop when it counted, and Florida doesn't seem to know how to replicate (even close) its previous success in basketball. There was only one NCAA basketball game on at 2 p.m. yesterday for the world to watch and the Vols were playing in it and not just playing in it, but putting on a show with one of the heavy-weights of the last 10 years. Unlike Kentucky, which flopped, Bruce had his guys laying it all out there in one of the Elite games of the Elite 8. Bruce & Co. will waste no time in taking advantage of this year's success. Why Tennessee? Why not Tennessee? At half-time of our game, Kansas' Coach was in the studio talking about us -- and he should know because we beat his team this year.

10. One shining moment. When have the Vols ever appeared in that video? They will this weekend. Look for JP Prince and Wayne Chism to both make appearances.
 
#2
#2
Good info but i think tobias will be a 3 and kenny hall a 4. cam has played much better recently than scotty , so i think hel only get better, the future is indeed bright
 
#4
#4
BallerVol said:
Good info but i think tobias will be a 3 and kenny hall a 4. cam has played much better recently than scotty , so i think hel only get better, the future is indeed bright
Click to expand...

Harris is a 4. No getting around that. A hybrid 4, who can handle and move on the perimeter, but he will play the 4.
 
#5
#5
In our "bigs" lineup Tobias will play a 3. I think we'll see Brian, Kenny, and Tobias on the floor in some situations.
 
#6
#6
IMO:

1. Goins, Bone/Golden
2. Hopson, Mcrae, McBee/Golden
3. Tatum, Mcrae, Woolridge
4. Harris, Hall, Pearl, Woolridge
5. Williams, Hall
 
#7
#7
GoBigOrangeVols said:
IMO:

1. Goins, Bone/Golden
2. Hopson, Mcrae, McBee/Golden
3. Tatum, Mcrae, Woolridge
4. Harris, Hall, Pearl, Woolridge
5. Williams, Hall
Click to expand...

there is absolutely no way that mcbee gets in ahead of golden in any line up. I know we haven't seen what golden can do, but we have seen what mcbee can't do, which is most things
 
#9
#9
Nice write up Wise Vol. What have you heard in regards to Selby? Poster in another thread seems to know something, but he isn't talking.
 
#10
#10
Volman93 said:
there is absolutely no way that mcbee gets in ahead of golden in any line up. I know we haven't seen what golden can do, but we have seen what mcbee can't do, which is most things
Click to expand...

I expect a lot of improvement out of McBee this offseason. Keep an open mind about him. You have to remember this time last year he was just wrapping up playing very small time high school basketball and was forced this season into being a contributor on an elite eight team (as a walk-on).

He was overwhelmed, and it showed...but the experience he gained will prove huge. Hold out your judgement on him for a bit.
 
#11
#11
I am just as thrilled as anyone about the run we had...more thrilled than most. I've been a Vol fan longer than most, back to the Bill Justus/Billy Hahn/Ron Widby days.

I say this to bring some bona fides as a Vol fan...but, in my opinion, Scotty brings little to the table. His physical skills are undeniable; however, he cannot be depended upon to do anything. He's a dog. Not physical enough to rebound, not aggressive enough with the ball (the weakest hands I have seen in a while), does not work hard to get the ball. He is quite content to glide through a game, doing nothing more than exhibiting poor body language when things go wrong.

Sorry to be so hard on the young man, but we have Maize, Goins, Weezy, Big Brian, Kenny, Bone, everybody else busting their arse, and we have one guy who is not willing to pay the price. His unwillingness to go after the rebound in fear of bumping into a Michigan State player said it all.

EDIT: I apologize to dogs everywhere by calling Hopson a dog. A dog is loyal, and will run after a ball.

Bruce has pressure to play the McDonald's AA, or we won't get more. I'll be glad when the day comes that we are so established as a BB program that when we get someone on the floor who dogs it like Hopson does, Bruce can put his butt on the pine and not worry about recruiting repurcussions.
 
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#12
#12
Great post!! Forgive my ignorance but who is Jeronne Maymon? Is that a transfer were getting that's expected to play next season?
 
#13
#13
Jerrone Maymon is a transfer from Marquette. He won't be eligible to play until December, once when he's eligible he'll receive a scholarship and he'll be able to play.
 
#14
#14
7. The Bruce Pearl late surprise. Bruce always has a way of pulling one out. The the Vols' pull-back on Moses Abraham wasn't a coincidence? There is another big out there that has UT's interest. Look out for a Spring surprise. It isn't Luke Cothron, but he is in the game as well.

who is it?
 
#15
#15
Tobias is definitely a 4 and Hall is a 5, for sure. Hall does not have the versatility to be a 4 in this offense. Hopefully, Hall will take whatever Brian took before this past weekend and learn to finish around the basket. However, he is, potentially, the type of player we need at the 5 in this offense, a big body, but very mobile.

I still have my doubts about McBee. I just think he's physically overmatched. I hope he proves me wrong and we don't have a wasted scholarship for three years. I hope Pearl doesn't need to pull out the Matthew Dotson speech.
 
#16
#16
It's post like this that I can't simply pass up.

1. As to what you said about UK, it was a SUCCESSFUL season. You are jumping around screaming UT is about to be the end all head honcho power because bruce pearl advanced through the sweet 16? In probably the worst Bubble and bracket in a long, long time. This was an odd year, and UT took advantage of who they played. But UK didn't come out to play that day and that's that. We have THIRTY ONE, 31, elite eights. You have ONE. We are about to sign at least 3 of the four between Brandon Knight, C.J Leslie, jones, and selby.

Knight is UK bound according to most. Selby to Kansas.

CJ Leslie is UK bound more than likely. Cal is trying to get both Jones and Leslie to come in together. If Kenny Payne from Oregon comes in we might have Jones in the bad for sure. And we have already signed soon to be 5 star stacey poole. Currently number 27 on rivals. To go with 5 star Turkish big man, Enes Kanter. Projected to be a lottery pick in 2011. We are rollin.

And it's funny because you are acting like UT is on a top level and the whole time you are flipping out on an elite 8. Hilarious.
 
#17
#17
GoBigOrangeVols said:
I expect a lot of improvement out of McBee this offseason. Keep an open mind about him. You have to remember this time last year he was just wrapping up playing very small time high school basketball and was forced this season into being a contributor on an elite eight team (as a walk-on).

He was overwhelmed, and it showed...but the experience he gained will prove huge. Hold out your judgement on him for a bit.
Click to expand...

If Williams can come as far as he did this season, there is no reason to think that McBee and Hopson can't come around. I think they got a taste of the big-time, and now can go into the off-season with a better idea of what it takes. I know Hopson has been here two years, but I believe we just need to have faith that Pearl can get the best out of him.

I also think that McBee can win a few more games for us. I thought he helped in the Kansas and Kentucky wins, and I believe he can bring that mental toughness the young Pearl brings. Sometimes that can be just as important as talent.
 
#18
#18
Meeks54 said:
It's post like this that I can't simply pass up.

1. As to what you said about UK, it was a SUCCESSFUL season. You are jumping around screaming UT is about to be the end all head honcho power because bruce pearl advanced through the sweet 16? In probably the worst Bubble and bracket in a long, long time. This was an odd year, and UT took advantage of who they played. But UK didn't come out to play that day and that's that. We have THIRTY ONE, 31, elite eights. You have ONE. We are about to sign at least 3 of the four between Brandon Knight, C.J Leslie, jones, and selby.

Knight is UK bound according to most. Selby to Kansas.

CJ Leslie is UK bound more than likely. Cal is trying to get both Jones and Leslie to come in together. If Kenny Payne from Oregon comes in we might have Jones in the bad for sure. And we have already signed soon to be 5 star stacey poole. Currently number 27 on rivals. To go with 5 star Turkish big man, Enes Kanter. Projected to be a lottery pick in 2011. We are rollin.

And it's funny because you are acting like UT is on a top level and the whole time you are flipping out on an elite 8. Hilarious.
Click to expand...

What did UK do this year.. Oh yeah that right, you guys got put out in the ELITE 8, SAME AS UT. Your guys (4NBA TOP 20 PROSPECTS) COULDNT GET FARTHER THAN OUR UT TEAM You come on here acting big and bad. LMAO
 
#19
#19
VolsFan4Ever-11 said:
What did UK do this year.. Oh yeah that right, you guys got put out in the ELITE 8, SAME AS UT. Your guys (4NBA TOP 20 PROSPECTS) COULDNT GET FARTHER THAN OUR UT TEAM You come on here acting big and bad. LMAO
Click to expand...

The fact that Kentucky had "4 NBA top 20 prospects" is considerably downgraded by the fact that they built up a brand new program in one year. Elite 8 for this squad is definitely not a failure, nor is it for Tennessee. The difference is, Kentucky will probably be in the same spot next year as well.
 
#20
#20
Meeks54 said:
It's post like this that I can't simply pass up.

1. As to what you said about UK, it was a SUCCESSFUL season. You are jumping around screaming UT is about to be the end all head honcho power because bruce pearl advanced through the sweet 16? In probably the worst Bubble and bracket in a long, long time. This was an odd year, and UT took advantage of who they played. But UK didn't come out to play that day and that's that. We have THIRTY ONE, 31, elite eights. You have ONE. We are about to sign at least 3 of the four between Brandon Knight, C.J Leslie, jones, and selby.

Knight is UK bound according to most. Selby to Kansas.

CJ Leslie is UK bound more than likely. Cal is trying to get both Jones and Leslie to come in together. If Kenny Payne from Oregon comes in we might have Jones in the bad for sure. And we have already signed soon to be 5 star stacey poole. Currently number 27 on rivals. To go with 5 star Turkish big man, Enes Kanter. Projected to be a lottery pick in 2011. We are rollin.

And it's funny because you are acting like UT is on a top level and the whole time you are flipping out on an elite 8. Hilarious.
Click to expand...

Awesome. I see you are well on your way to becoming a revolving door program with seasons ending in Calipari's panic-face. Hopefully, someone will have a program handy to identify the forgotten former Kentucky rent-a-players when the NCAA comes calling.
 
#21
#21
Meeks54 said:
It's post like this that I can't simply pass up.

1. As to what you said about UK, it was a SUCCESSFUL season. You are jumping around screaming UT is about to be the end all head honcho power because bruce pearl advanced through the sweet 16? In probably the worst Bubble and bracket in a long, long time. This was an odd year, and UT took advantage of who they played. But UK didn't come out to play that day and that's that. We have THIRTY ONE, 31, elite eights. You have ONE. We are about to sign at least 3 of the four between Brandon Knight, C.J Leslie, jones, and selby.

Knight is UK bound according to most. Selby to Kansas.

CJ Leslie is UK bound more than likely. Cal is trying to get both Jones and Leslie to come in together. If Kenny Payne from Oregon comes in we might have Jones in the bad for sure. And we have already signed soon to be 5 star stacey poole. Currently number 27 on rivals. To go with 5 star Turkish big man, Enes Kanter. Projected to be a lottery pick in 2011. We are rollin.

And it's funny because you are acting like UT is on a top level and the whole time you are flipping out on an elite 8. Hilarious.
Click to expand...

Get over it, man. That's the best talent you all have ever had, and the bottom-line is, you went no farther than we did. So suck it.
 
#22
#22
sohsdragon said:
The fact that Kentucky had "4 NBA top 20 prospects" is considerably downgraded by the fact that they built up a brand new program in one year. Elite 8 for this squad is definitely not a failure, nor is it for Tennessee. The difference is, Kentucky will probably be in the same spot next year as well.
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter, when you have the caliber of players they had, and 4 of them, they should have gotten further than UT did.
 
#23
#23
Wise-Vol said:
10. One shining moment. When have the Vols ever appeared in that video? They will this weekend. Look for JP Prince and Wayne Chism to both make appearances.
Click to expand...

Fantastic post! I really enjoyed reading it, but one mistake about one shining moment. The Vols have been in it a lot with Bruce:

YouTube - 2006 One Shining Moment
2006- Lofton buzzer beater and a Wingate jam.

YouTube - 2007 One Shining Moment
2007- Caution, this one is not fun. Ramar blocked by Oden.

YouTube - One Shining Moment - 2008.m4v
2008- Smokey right at the start, Jujuan diving out of bounds, and Duke hugging Wayne.

YouTube - One Shining Moment 2009 - NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament HQ
2009- Also painful, Eaton blowing by Tabb and finishing over Tyler.

Re-watching all these made me realize how much I love the tournament and how proud of this team I am. Well worth it to go to the games (first tourney game ever was loss to MSU) to anyone considering traveling with the Vols next year.

I also love one shining moment now and I used to hate it. HAHA... I have been hoping ESPN gets the rights to the tourney, but I'm worried that might mean the end of one shining moment.
 
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#24
#24
Meeks54 said:
It's post like this that I can't simply pass up.

1. As to what you said about UK, it was a SUCCESSFUL season. You are jumping around screaming UT is about to be the end all head honcho power because bruce pearl advanced through the sweet 16? In probably the worst Bubble and bracket in a long, long time. This was an odd year, and UT took advantage of who they played. But UK didn't come out to play that day and that's that. We have THIRTY ONE, 31, elite eights. You have ONE. We are about to sign at least 3 of the four between Brandon Knight, C.J Leslie, jones, and selby.

Knight is UK bound according to most. Selby to Kansas.

CJ Leslie is UK bound more than likely. Cal is trying to get both Jones and Leslie to come in together. If Kenny Payne from Oregon comes in we might have Jones in the bad for sure. And we have already signed soon to be 5 star stacey poole. Currently number 27 on rivals. To go with 5 star Turkish big man, Enes Kanter. Projected to be a lottery pick in 2011. We are rollin.

And it's funny because you are acting like UT is on a top level and the whole time you are flipping out on an elite 8. Hilarious.
Click to expand...


LMAO -- it's called forward looking. Typical UK fan, living in the past. Your POS Coach just flopped in the Elite 8 with the most talent UK will ever have, regardless of who is signed this season. Pearl got to the Elite 8 without his top player.

Next time you want to pooh-pooh someone's bracket, you might want to do it in a year when your team didn't face ETSU, Wake, and Cornell to get to the Elite 8. We beat a 2 seed in the Sweet 16 to advance, not a 12 seed. :birgits_giggle:
 
#25
#25
sohsdragon said:
The fact that Kentucky had "4 NBA top 20 prospects" is considerably downgraded by the fact that they built up a brand new program in one year. Elite 8 for this squad is definitely not a failure, nor is it for Tennessee. The difference is, Kentucky will probably be in the same spot next year as well.
Click to expand...

I know enough about KY and their recruiting to know that they have a very good chance of flopping in the Elite 8 again next season.

But if you are going to come on here and shoot off, you need to educate yourself about Tennessee lest you look like as big of a fool as you do.

It's true that KY will have Miller, Dodson, Liggins, and Orton back next season. Four guys who played some basketball for them. KY will also sign some more rookies. It is always instructive to look at facts, rather than Blue Dreams:

1. UT will return Goins, Hopson, Tatum, Williams, and Hall, guys who played a lot of basketball for the Vols, in addition to 4 other guys who played a lot of basketball.

2. KY will still suffer from freshman mistakes and disappointment, because rather than having a guy like Goins who has been there, KY will again have a "me" one and done kid as its "go-to" guy.

3. Calipari will still be coaching KY and Pearl will still be coaching the Vols.

4. UT is bringing in just as talented a recruiting class as Kentucky.

Sorry to rain on your blissful ignorance.
 
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