The key to our season is held by...

#1
tennesseefan31

tennesseefan31

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#1
Jordan Mcrae and Renaldo Woolridge.

They are the only unknowns other than the freshmen. Both appear to have tons of untapped potential. We know what were going to get from Golden, Tatum, Hall, Mcbee and Maymon. If both of those guys make big improvements they could take this team from a decent team to a pretty good one.

Thoughts?
 
#3
#3
Golden will be the key. We saw nothing of the real Golden last year! Also think Hall and McBee will be much better!
 
#4
#4
I think the biggest difference maker will be Tatum. He's the most experienced, but possibly the most inconsistent. If he can play decently and consistently, not even his A-game, I think that would make the biggest difference.
 
#5
#5
I believe Mcrae and Hall will be the most improved. We are going to need Hall to step up so we can have a inside threat. I think we will need Mcrae to pick up most of Hopson's points. I also hope, keyword HOPE, Woolridge will show us what hes got next year also. If we can get those 3 to play good, and get Golden to score a little more( he averaged over 25ppg in HS) we can have a decent run. Its all theoretical, and possible that they will all stink. Just my 2 cents.
 
#6
#6
The "bigs", Hall and Maymon have the opportunity to greatly improve with more playing time and taking on a starter's role. Who knows what talented but inconsistent Tatum will do. Golden should be improved with a year under his belt. McRae, McBee and Woolridge--who knows what the new staff can do with them? Don't expect much from the new guys, but maybe there is a diamond in the rough.
 
#8
#8
We seem to me to be about where we were before Pearl's first season here. There is enough potential there, but many of them are going to have to play much better than they ever have at Tennessee for us to have a great season. With the newcomers, maybe we can have adequate depth as well.

I have been around long enough to know that each season has it's own flavor to it. You can add up the numbers all you want to, but it is up to the coaches and players to either be focused and produce, or to just go through the motions. Also, chemistry is a factor that is hard to predict.

So, with that said, I will be happy with 17 - 19 wins. I am hoping that Mcrae, Woolridge, Maymon, Golden and a newcomer have great seasons. That is a lot to hope for though.
 
#9
#9
i2amavol said:
We seem to me to be about where we were before Pearl's first season here. There is enough potential there, but many of them are going to have to play much better than they ever have at Tennessee for us to have a great season. With the newcomers, maybe we can have adequate depth as well.

I have been around long enough to know that each season has it's own flavor to it. You can add up the numbers all you want to, but it is up to the coaches and players to either be focused and produce, or to just go through the motions. Also, chemistry is a factor that is hard to predict.

So, with that said, I will be happy with 17 - 19 wins. I am hoping that Mcrae, Woolridge, Maymon, Golden and a newcomer have great seasons. That is a lot to hope for though.
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We're a little worse off than when Pearl first got here, imo. We at least had a solid pg coming back and a freshman star in Lofton.

Oh, and a near 7 footer in Wingate, iirc.
 
#10
#10
I can't pick just one. Tatum can be huge and will find his touch if he is moved back to his more normal SG position. He is just not a SF. He does not move with the ball well accross the lane and feed others or create his own mid-range shot. Of course who could tell in Pearl's offense? If Tatum gets better at the SF and McBee learns how to shoot again, there could be some match-ups they could take advantage of.

I think Golden and Hall break out this year and do some good things. I hope McRae gets in the flow because he has the talent to be special. If they keep Woolridge down at the PF we will be better off as he has some quickness and hops. It's all up to the bench after that.
 
#11
#11
Vols4us said:
I can't pick just one. Tatum can be huge and will find his touch if he is moved back to his more normal SG position. He is just not a SF. He does not move with the ball well accross the lane and feed others or create his own mid-range shot. Of course who could tell in Pearl's offense? If Tatum gets better at the SF and McBee learns how to shoot again, there could be some match-ups they could take advantage of.

I think Golden and Hall break out this year and do some good things. I hope McRae gets in the flow because he has the talent to be special. If they keep Woolridge down at the PF we will be better off as he has some quickness and hops. It's all up to the bench after that.
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Offensively, I don't think it makes much of a difference. His game is going to be the same whether he's classified as a 2 or 3.
 
#14
#14
PG. Always will be. An average pg can make a good player look average, and a good pg can make an average player look good.
 
#15
#15
Going to get flamed for this, but I am actually confident about McBee. I think he can do well for us this coming year.
 
#16
#16
I was expecting McRae to hit hit the ground running as a freshman. He obviously had some maturity issues. He could be the slashing type player we have needed for the last 3 years. A guy who is a constant threat to go to the basket, score or get fouled.
 
#17
#17
be real man. the only thing that could have saved us next season was Harris and Hopson staying. I'm not jumping ship cause I'm a true fan and I love UT, but we have to face reality, and that is that next year is going to be rough.
 
#18
#18
bigsteve13 said:
be real man. the only thing that could have saved us next season was Harris and Hopson staying. I'm not jumping ship cause I'm a true fan and I love UT, but we have to face reality, and that is that next year is going to be rough.
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Sexist IMO.
 
#19
#19
a decent front court and 3-point shooters. we desperately need better outside shooters.
 
#20
#20
Woolrdige always get these unfair expectations heaped on him when people talk about how he has tons of talent. That is not even close to accurate. His problem is not that he is talented but doesnt work hard to get better. He works hard. His problem is that he does not have much talent. His athletic ability is below average compared to high level D1 basketball players.
 
#21
#21
coy moore said:
Golden will be the key. We saw nothing of the real Golden last year! Also think Hall and McBee will be much better!
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I believe Coach Martin might be the best thing for Hall and McBee's game :rock:
We still have one glaring problem next year, whos going to be our go to man?
 
#22
#22
I'd say it has to do with whether or not Tatum can step up and be the leader. This team will need someone to lead and he's the only one I see capable. Then agian, if he plays like he did down the stretch last year, we're in trouble.
 
#24
#24
It is going to be a lot bigger than just 2 players playing well. I do think you need that go-to guy that you can go to at the end of a game. But, to say two guys will make or break a season is a little out there. I don't think anybody has a starting job at the moment and i think it will push these new guys coming in. Can't wait to see how the season is going to unfold next year. Go Vols!
 
#25
#25
We need Hall, Golden and either Swiper Boy or Maymon to step up huge and have good years to field a good team. Tatum needs to be the leader and be consicent every game. All other players need to improve and be serviceable players. Id like to see one of the freshman to come in and tear it up and if that happend my bet would be on Richardson.
 
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