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1. One of the five biggest victories of the Cuonzo Martin era. This was a much needed victory over a decent SEC opponent on the road to get this team a good win and get a huge road victory. The "Tougher Breed" mantra Coach Martin has been preaching this year rang true for the Volunteers tonight.
2. Jeronne Maymon is a damn warrior. He battled a more athletic, taller, stronger man tonight in Johnny O'Bryant, a fantastic player, and gave him everything he could handle and some, with not much help. He should be commended for the job that he performed today. Holding O'Bryant to 11 points on 11 shots is an incredible job by him.
3. Tennessee won because of the first half shooting barrage by Mr. Barton and Jordy Mac, but the defense was the main reason. When you hold a team to 37% shooting at THEIR FLOOR, you win ball games. It's that simple. That was a great team effort on defense.
4. Tennessee downed the action (as Jimmy Dykes repeatedly mentioned) and it worked. Tennessee's bigs were quick to cover the guards penetration, and Tennessee's length on the perimeter gave the smaller LSU guards (Hickey and Stringer) problems all night. It was a great defensive game plan.
5. One more thing about the game plan. I loved the call to make O'Bryant beat you. LSU over forced their hand to O'Bryant and killed their rhythm in the first half. Tennessee mixed up their coverages on O'Bryant in terms of angles on their doubles, which was a very nice wrinkle LSU didn't expect.
6. Antonio Barton and Jordan McRae made really smart decisions with their shot selctions. I was really impressed that every shot was in the flow of the offense. This is important for Tennessee. They only shot 15 three's tonight, hitting 8. That's a great number.
7. Bernard King Player of the Game: Happy birthday to the big man, Jarnell Stokes! I know this is the best birthday present you can get, the Bernard King Player of the Game, sponsored by "Homemade Taco Night at Z's!" Jarnell was a monster on the board, created an extra 10 possessions, not just with offensive rebounds, but with tip backs and fighting for the ball also. He was everywhere on defense as LSU struggled with his paint coverage, and had four steals. He dominated the baseline when LSU tried to attack them their. He didn't shoot the ball well, but he got seven free throw attempts and helped with the trapping aggressive defense of LSU. Great job by him.
8. Tennessee must get a better press break. Barton played well tonight, but as a PG, your first job is to protect the ball. He didn't do that tonight. He has to learn to move the ball better. Martin didn't help him a lot (only thing he didn't do well tonight), but as a senior, you must do a better job.
9. Jordan McRae showed his improvement tonight. He was feeling it, but instead focused his energy on getting the ball down low, playing defense, helping on the press, and making winning basketball plays. 19 points on 7 shots? From Jordan McRae? That just goes to show that McRae is not just a scorer, he's a basketball player.
10. A HUGE victory for the Volunteers tonight. This was a must win game and UT got it. They came out hot from the gate, played great defense, and Tennessee was flat out tougher than LSU as their place. This team looks to have turned the corner. Once the bench gets set, this team could become very dangerous. They are peaking at the right time.
Go Vols!!! :hi:
2. Jeronne Maymon is a damn warrior. He battled a more athletic, taller, stronger man tonight in Johnny O'Bryant, a fantastic player, and gave him everything he could handle and some, with not much help. He should be commended for the job that he performed today. Holding O'Bryant to 11 points on 11 shots is an incredible job by him.
3. Tennessee won because of the first half shooting barrage by Mr. Barton and Jordy Mac, but the defense was the main reason. When you hold a team to 37% shooting at THEIR FLOOR, you win ball games. It's that simple. That was a great team effort on defense.
4. Tennessee downed the action (as Jimmy Dykes repeatedly mentioned) and it worked. Tennessee's bigs were quick to cover the guards penetration, and Tennessee's length on the perimeter gave the smaller LSU guards (Hickey and Stringer) problems all night. It was a great defensive game plan.
5. One more thing about the game plan. I loved the call to make O'Bryant beat you. LSU over forced their hand to O'Bryant and killed their rhythm in the first half. Tennessee mixed up their coverages on O'Bryant in terms of angles on their doubles, which was a very nice wrinkle LSU didn't expect.
6. Antonio Barton and Jordan McRae made really smart decisions with their shot selctions. I was really impressed that every shot was in the flow of the offense. This is important for Tennessee. They only shot 15 three's tonight, hitting 8. That's a great number.
7. Bernard King Player of the Game: Happy birthday to the big man, Jarnell Stokes! I know this is the best birthday present you can get, the Bernard King Player of the Game, sponsored by "Homemade Taco Night at Z's!" Jarnell was a monster on the board, created an extra 10 possessions, not just with offensive rebounds, but with tip backs and fighting for the ball also. He was everywhere on defense as LSU struggled with his paint coverage, and had four steals. He dominated the baseline when LSU tried to attack them their. He didn't shoot the ball well, but he got seven free throw attempts and helped with the trapping aggressive defense of LSU. Great job by him.
8. Tennessee must get a better press break. Barton played well tonight, but as a PG, your first job is to protect the ball. He didn't do that tonight. He has to learn to move the ball better. Martin didn't help him a lot (only thing he didn't do well tonight), but as a senior, you must do a better job.
9. Jordan McRae showed his improvement tonight. He was feeling it, but instead focused his energy on getting the ball down low, playing defense, helping on the press, and making winning basketball plays. 19 points on 7 shots? From Jordan McRae? That just goes to show that McRae is not just a scorer, he's a basketball player.
10. A HUGE victory for the Volunteers tonight. This was a must win game and UT got it. They came out hot from the gate, played great defense, and Tennessee was flat out tougher than LSU as their place. This team looks to have turned the corner. Once the bench gets set, this team could become very dangerous. They are peaking at the right time.
Go Vols!!! :hi:
