The "I don't wanna go to school tomorrow" Postgame Report

[SJAVol32]

I just want to beat UK at Rupp. It's long overdue. I'm smelling an upset. Plus we play with a different energy when we play on CBS. I think we may be able to do it

 

[OrangeBalls]

I agree there's no shame, but because of the bad losses many are saying 1 of those is a must win, when IMO it's not.

It would definitely be nice, but I think we can still have a successful year without winning either of those games.

We need to get the Ark win. I think beating Fla this year is going to be tougher than beating Ky. I think Ky is beatable even in Rupp. Fla looks tough. I think we would've beaten Ky at home, but we seem to play pretty well on the road so who knows.

 

[MphsBlues]

I'm expecting much of the same the next 2 weeks.

I'm predicting 2-2. Will provide plenty of ammo for both sides to continue the ongoing arguments lol.

Agreed. Should be fun to watch. Can someone explain to me why there are 'sides?' We DO have a common interest, all of us, in this.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Agreed. Should be fun to watch. Can someone explain to me why there are 'sides?' We DO have a common interest, all of us, in this.

You would think.

Unfortunately it has actually gotten to the point where we have Tennessee fans openly rooting against the Vols in hopes of getting a new coach.

 

[OrangeAllDay]

You would think.

Unfortunately it has actually gotten to the point where we have Tennessee fans openly rooting against the Vols in hopes of getting a new coach.

To quote Stevan Pearl and add my own flavor they need to just shut up and back the team

 

[VinylVols]

The biggest positive I can take so far, is that last year we started 0-3 in SEC play, and this year we're 2-1. I know there's some negative things going on, but we're 2 games ahead of this team last year and as long as we don't go on a slump, they should be in a better position than last season where we had to basically win out.

 

[cncchris33]

We shot over 50% and needed to shoot that well to win. Truthfully, this team struggles to win games when they shoot less than 50% (which isn't the norm, as they shoot 45.7% as a team). In fact, they are 4-5 when they don't shoot 50%. By comparison, Florida is 9-2 when shooting less than 50%. UK is 7-4 (losses to Mich. St., Baylor, UNC, & Ark).

Some surprising numbers...
-We are tied for 2nd in the SEC in FT% at 70.3%
-We are tied for 3rd in the SEC in 3-pt FG% at 36.2%
-Not a major surprise, but given our general lack of size in the post, we still rank 4th in the SEC in rebounds at 39.4 per game (2nd in ORB at 14.4/gm).
-101 of our 254 3-pt attempts have come in our 5 losses (20.2/gm) versus 153 attempts in our 11 wins (13.9/gm). 40% of our 3-pt attempts have come in our 5 losses.

What I see is a team whose success is predicated on shooting the ball well above the norm. We aren't good enough defensively on a consistent basis to rely on our defense to bail us out on an "off" shooting night. The increased TO% is not helping our cause either.

Bottom line, we need to get tougher defensively on a consistent basis, get more focused effort, take smarter shots, and minimize TOs. We can't continue to rely on making 50%+ from the field to win ballgames. That just won't happen.

 

[PagingDrVol]

We need to get the Ark win. I think beating Fla this year is going to be tougher than beating Ky. I think Ky is beatable even in Rupp. Fla looks tough. I think we would've beaten Ky at home, but we seem to play pretty well on the road so who knows.

When you have the type of lazy, whiny, laissez-faire, spoiled, and deluded home support that this team does, it's like every game on the schedule is a road game - the acoustics sound about the same when they make a basket regardless of where they play, so playing in Rupp or at Florida will be little different than at home against Auburn. I guess if there is a silver lining to the "I paid my $10, now impress me" attitude of orange fans it's that the team has become used to playing in foreign/hostile/ambivalent environments.

I saw this same entitled attitude play out for many years with Oklahoma football. Fans couldn't be bothered to show up for non-conference games versus North Texas, would leave at halftime when they were up big versus conference doormats like Iowa State (or would whine before leaving in the third quarter if they weren't up big versus Iowa State) and then would sit on their arses with their arms crossed saying "entertain me" when a Nebraska type would come to town, and if Nebraska would win, they'd all threaten to stop donating until coach Switzer, Gibbs, etc were fired after the 10-1 season.

Sometimes you just need to be a supporter. If you're not happy that Zo hasn't taken us to the dance yet, I can appreciate that, but just remember that there are dozens of candidates to replace him that would have us 10-21 and miss the NIT altogether, and that the types who would generally have us at 27-4 are not coming to a Tennessee when a Louisville, NC, Kentucky, Gonzaga, etc. job are available (or would use us as a stepping stone to get there). Support the team, wait and see how the story plays out, and take your blood pressure meds, is a much better approach for everyone, including the players.

 

[walkenvol]

Unfortunately it has actually gotten to the point where we have Tennessee fans openly rooting against the Vols in hopes of getting a new coach.

I don't recall anyone calling for a loss in hopes of a firing (you may have a post to quote...I just don't recall it), but I've seen plenty of "its because of the terrible coaching" over every little thing that happens in game (bad officiating is CCM's fault, missed FT is CCM's fault, etc). It appears some folks aren't satisfied unless UT wins every game like they did against UVA.

On the other hand, I've also seen some who dig for some form of CCM support no matter how poorly the games play out.

I'd like to think everyone is rooting for this team's success and for this coach to improve in the process.

 

[cncchris33]

I don't recall anyone calling for a loss in hopes of a firing (you may have a post to quote...I just don't recall it)

Sadly, it's happened. It happened yesterday as a matter of fact. And the poster didn't deny it when I called him on it. He said he'd sacrifice a few games this year if it meant a new coach next season.

 

[volforlife44]

Did anyone see the play with 4 seconds before halftime? WOW! I think this is an example of why people are so upset at CCM... It is his job to get his players prepared for situations like that one and the play last night was one of the worst things I have seen in a long time...

 

[Freak]

We shot over 50% and needed to shoot that well to win. Truthfully, this team struggles to win games when they shoot less than 50% (which isn't the norm, as they shoot 45.7% as a team). In fact, they are 4-5 when they don't shoot 50%. By comparison, Florida is 9-2 when shooting less than 50%. UK is 7-4 (losses to Mich. St., Baylor, UNC, & Ark).

Some surprising numbers...
-We are tied for 2nd in the SEC in FT% at 70.3%
-We are tied for 3rd in the SEC in 3-pt FG% at 36.2%
-Not a major surprise, but given our general lack of size in the post, we still rank 4th in the SEC in rebounds at 39.4 per game (2nd in ORB at 14.4/gm).
-101 of our 254 3-pt attempts have come in our 5 losses (20.2/gm) versus 153 attempts in our 11 wins (13.9/gm). 40% of our 3-pt attempts have come in our 5 losses.

What I see is a team whose success is predicated on shooting the ball well above the norm. We aren't good enough defensively on a consistent basis to rely on our defense to bail us out on an "off" shooting night. The increased TO% is not helping our cause either.

Bottom line, we need to get tougher defensively on a consistent basis, get more focused effort, take smarter shots, and minimize TOs. We can't continue to rely on making 50%+ from the field to win ballgames. That just won't happen.

Good post.

The turnovers in conference play are out of hand.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

The biggest positive I can take so far, is that last year we started 0-3 in SEC play, and this year we're 2-1. I know there's some negative things going on, but we're 2 games ahead of this team last year and as long as we don't go on a slump, they should be in a better position than last season where we had to basically win out.

STFU we are in the same spot as last year.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

We shot over 50% and needed to shoot that well to win. Truthfully, this team struggles to win games when they shoot less than 50% (which isn't the norm, as they shoot 45.7% as a team). In fact, they are 4-5 when they don't shoot 50%. By comparison, Florida is 9-2 when shooting less than 50%. UK is 7-4 (losses to Mich. St., Baylor, UNC, & Ark).

Some surprising numbers...
-We are tied for 2nd in the SEC in FT% at 70.3%
-We are tied for 3rd in the SEC in 3-pt FG% at 36.2%
-Not a major surprise, but given our general lack of size in the post, we still rank 4th in the SEC in rebounds at 39.4 per game (2nd in ORB at 14.4/gm).
-101 of our 254 3-pt attempts have come in our 5 losses (20.2/gm) versus 153 attempts in our 11 wins (13.9/gm). 40% of our 3-pt attempts have come in our 5 losses.

What I see is a team whose success is predicated on shooting the ball well above the norm. We aren't good enough defensively on a consistent basis to rely on our defense to bail us out on an "off" shooting night. The increased TO% is not helping our cause either.

Bottom line, we need to get tougher defensively on a consistent basis, get more focused effort, take smarter shots, and minimize TOs. We can't continue to rely on making 50%+ from the field to win ballgames. That just won't happen.

And that's why as a team we are inconsistent. Rely on shooting to win and you will never be consistent, that's why the turnovers and defense need to get fixed, we aren't always gonna shoot well.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Sadly, it's happened. It happened yesterday as a matter of fact. And the poster didn't deny it when I called him on it. He said he'd sacrifice a few games this year if it meant a new coach next season.

This right here Walken.

 

[sport3500]

I think Barbee and possibly Frank Martin are on the hot seat.

 

[iKrager]

When you have the type of lazy, whiny, laissez-faire, spoiled, and deluded home support that this team does, it's like every game on the schedule is a road game - the acoustics sound about the same when they make a basket regardless of where they play, so playing in Rupp or at Florida will be little different than at home against Auburn. I guess if there is a silver lining to the "I paid my $10, now impress me" attitude of orange fans it's that the team has become used to playing in foreign/hostile/ambivalent environments.

I saw this same entitled attitude play out for many years with Oklahoma football. Fans couldn't be bothered to show up for non-conference games versus North Texas, would leave at halftime when they were up big versus conference doormats like Iowa State (or would whine before leaving in the third quarter if they weren't up big versus Iowa State) and then would sit on their arses with their arms crossed saying "entertain me" when a Nebraska type would come to town, and if Nebraska would win, they'd all threaten to stop donating until coach Switzer, Gibbs, etc were fired after the 10-1 season.

Sometimes you just need to be a supporter. If you're not happy that Zo hasn't taken us to the dance yet, I can appreciate that, but just remember that there are dozens of candidates to replace him that would have us 10-21 and miss the NIT altogether, and that the types who would generally have us at 27-4 are not coming to a Tennessee when a Louisville, NC, Kentucky, Gonzaga, etc. job are available (or would use us as a stepping stone to get there). Support the team, wait and see how the story plays out, and take your blood pressure meds, is a much better approach for everyone, including the players.

Wow spot on.

 

[cncchris33]

And that's why as a team we are inconsistent. Rely on shooting to win and you will never be consistent, that's why the turnovers and defense need to get fixed, we aren't always gonna shoot well.

Yeah, I mentioned it a couple games ago, but never really looked into the numbers. I thought to myself then, "Surely, that can't be as accurate as it seems." As it turns out, when we don't shoot abnormally well, we will struggle to put opponents away unless we play above our mean defensively, take better care of the basketball, dominate the boards, and/or take better shots. We have to start doing some of those things consistently better, and not just sporadically.

We shouldn't have to rely on shooting 50% to finish off an opponent, especially a team like Auburn.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I think Barbee and possibly Frank Martin are on the hot seat.

Frank Martin is nowhere near the hot seat IMO

 

[tennesseefan31]

All 5 starters scored at least 10 points. We got a grand total of 6 points from our bench. Not a recipe for success. We need players off the bench to help with scoring.

42 boards is great stat. Only teams I see outrebounding us are UK and Florida. We continue to dominate the boards.

Jarnell's free throws really deserve it's own thread. I'm glad he's putting in the work at the free throw line. He didn't pick up his first foul until 5 mins left in the second half. When he doesn't have fouls. He plays with great confidence and it showed.

McRae missed 4 free throws and still ended with 20+ points. Getting it done when needed.

A win is a win. Now onto Rupp Saturday. Boys better be ready. Freshmen or not they're going to be pissed and ready to play.

And this is one of the biggest problems I see with this team. Nobody off the bench score at all. We REALLY need Reese and Edwards to be guys who can get us 6-10 points a night. If Thompson and Moore/Davis can chip in with a 3 or 5, we could be dangerous.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Yeah, I mentioned it a couple games ago, but never really looked into the numbers. I thought to myself then, "Surely, that can't be as accurate as it seems." As it turns out, when we don't shoot abnormally well, we will struggle to put opponents away unless we play above our mean defensively, take better care of the basketball, dominate the boards, and/or take better shots. We have to start doing some of those things consistently better, and not just sporadically.

We shouldn't have to rely on shooting 50% to finish off an opponent, especially a team like Auburn.

The turnovers are my biggest concern. Last night it was 16, we are averaging around 16 in SEC games versus 9 in OOC games. That's 7 possessions a game, which with our points per possession is around 8ppg we have lost out on. Against LSU it obviously wouldn't have mattered much, but it would've resulted in a W versus A&M and probably a 20 point win versus Auburn.

With the way we rebound and shoot free throws, if we limit turnovers we will have a very good chance to win every game we play.

 

[FleeceItOut]

I've criticized him, but I'm starting to feel bad for Maymon and I have to credit him for being able to still perform after losing the little bit of explosiveness and quickness he had.

He has played very well when you take his injury into consideration. He is already undersized for his position and no longer has any hops or speed. Not that he was the most athletic guy but he relied on what he did have and it shows now.

He makes some stupid mistakes that he can shore up but all of the players on this team have mental lapses. That's something the coaches need to get a handle on.

Just throwing that out there since he has been getting bashed some lately, especially after those free throws (although we should have never been in that position). I'm guilty of criticizing him as well.

Maymon has done everything the right way, works hard, has plenty of heart, and represents the University well. Thought I'd give him a little shout out. Need more players like him.

 

[cncchris33]

The turnovers are my biggest concern. Last night it was 16, we are averaging around 16 in SEC games versus 9 in OOC games. That's 7 possessions a game, which with our points per possession is around 8ppg we have lost out on. Against LSU it obviously wouldn't have mattered much, but it would've resulted in a W versus A&M and probably a 20 point win versus Auburn.

With the way we rebound and shoot free throws, if we limit turnovers we will have a very good chance to win every game we play.

I agree. That's one phase they can clean up and mitigate a sub-50% shooting night because it will limit the other team's possessions, and increase our opportunity to score.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I agree. That's one phase they can clean up and mitigate a sub-50% shooting night because it will limit the other team's possessions, and increase our opportunity to score.

Yup. Will be curious to see how we do in Rupp, not gonna get more hostile than that, can we focus and take care of the ball? Will be interesting.

 

[OrangeAllDay]

Yup. Will be curious to see how we do in Rupp, not gonna get more hostile than that, can we focus and take care of the ball? Will be interesting.

We gotta beat Kentucky and the refs in Rupp. It's going to be hard but maybe we do it