The Official “Regular Posters of the Basketball Forum” Thread

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I hate to even draw attention to this, but some of you calling for Kellie's head may want to review her winning percentage and postseason record, and then perhaps reassess your stance on her and/or Rick Barnes.

Looking at their individual records (both overall and in conference) and postseason success/failures, it's tough to go to bat for one of them and demand better, or else, from the other.

I consider LV BB and the men’s BB program to be as different as the football and basketball programs. Except I will say that Holly, Jolly, and Barnes have all recruited and added great representatives of my UT. Pat’s graduation rate was as impressive as was her winning.

 

[walkenvol]

I consider LV BB and the men’s BB program to be as different as the football and basketball programs. Except I will say that Holly, Jolly, and Barnes have all recruited and added great representatives of my UT. Pat’s graduation rate was as impressive as was her winning.

The giant difference to me between the men’s and women’s bball programs is the historical level of success for each. The LV’s are the UCLA version of women’s bball and doing “well” is still a big step backwards compared to the Summit era. The diehard LV fans are expecting final fours and NC’s. Men’s bball has never been a blue blood in the sport and at times they’ve been pretty bad. The Barnes era has been a step forward and many fans celebrate the progress to the “well” level. A final four would be great and barring some bad luck, we’ve had 2 or 3 teams capable of making a final four. A NC would a whole other level of success.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

The giant difference to me between the men’s and women’s bball programs is the historical level of success for each. The LV’s are the UCLA version of women’s bball and doing “well” is still a big step backwards compared to the Summit era. The diehard LV fans are expecting final fours and NC’s. Men’s bball has never been a blue blood in the sport and at times they’ve been pretty bad. The Barnes era has been a step forward and many fans celebrate the progress to the “well” level. A final four would be great and barring some bad luck, we’ve had 2 or 3 teams capable of making a final four. A NC would a whole other level of success.

The LVs have also never had to be in the shadows of football.

Pat Summitt is the GOAT. There will never be another LV coach that will come close.

It’s easier to get the ladies to buy in. UT LV BB is bigger than the WNBA. Managing a men’s roster is very different since the elite players don’t usually stick around. How many one-and-done players has the NCAA ever had in women's basketball?

It will be interesting to see if Danny will break the bank and go after an elite coach for the LVs. I could see him do that for Kara, but otherwise I doubt that there’s a lot of options to upgrade over Jolly/Holly.

 

[Vol49er]

The LVs have also never had to be in the shadows of football.

Pat Summitt is the GOAT. There will never be another LV coach that will come close.

It’s easier to get the lady’s to buy in. UT LV BB is bigger than the WNBA. Managing a men’s roster is very different since the elite players don’t usually stick around. How many one-and-done players has the NCAA ever had in women's basketball?

It will be interesting to see if Danny will break the bank and go after an elite coach for the LVs. I could see him do that for Kara, but otherwise I doubt that there’s a lot of options to upgrade over Jolly/Holly.

Kara Lawson looked to be trending up, but she had a bad offseason. A lot of good players transferred away from Duke. It’ll be interesting to see how this season goes

I wish we didn’t wed ourselves to the idea that only Lady Vols could be the coach

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Kara Lawson looked to be trending up, but she had a bad offseason. A lot of good players transferred away from Duke. It’ll be interesting to see how this season goes

I wish we didn’t wed ourselves to the idea that only Lady Vols could be the coach

She also made some dumb comments.

You almost can’t help to pick from Pat’s coaching tree. It is extensive. Like Johnny Majors’. But that still doesn’t need to be a limiting factor and I doubt that Danny would give it much weight.

Men’s BB has made a lot of hires connected to the Blue Bloods. After Mears, Devoe was Knight/Indiana. Wade was Crum/Louisville. KO was Lute Olson/Arizona. Jerry/Buzz were UNC. Not a BB, but Bruce came from the Dr Tom Davis/Iowa tree. Barnes was kind of unaffiliated, although he was an assistant on Wimp’s staff for one year.

 

[IndianapolisVol]

Are you a Lord of the Rings fan? Because you're giving me Return of the King vibes frfr.

Never seen any of them. But happy to be back!!!!

 

[omghulkhands]

We looked well prepared and well coached. We were basically able to dribble penetrate against Wisconsin at will. And that’s not a hallmark of UT basketball the last few years, so I assume that came about from the scouting report.

we scored 80 with only 10 assists

We played very consistent from tip to the final horn. Controlled the game and anytime Wisconsin got close, we pulled away.

Incredible road performance.

 

[i2amavol]

Our experience and our depth were major factors in this game, as I expect that they will be for the whole season. We also seem to be able to go without the major scoring droughts that have plagued as during Barnes tenure.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

We looked well prepared and well coached. We were basically able to dribble penetrate against Wisconsin at will. And that’s not a hallmark of UT basketball the last few years, so I assume that came about from the scouting report.

we scored 80 with only 10 assists

We played very consistent from tip to the final horn. Controlled the game and anytime Wisconsin got close, we pulled away.

Incredible road performance.

I believe we had a drought of 4 minutes without scoring at one point and still put up 80. And this is with ZZ and Santi basically giving you almost nothing. If those two get going, look out.

 

[ColinS]

I believe we had a drought of 4 minutes without scoring at one point and still put up 80. And this is with ZZ and Santi basically giving you almost nothing. If those two get going, look out.

We were getting to the basket and not settling for jump shots. I don't think we even made a three in the second half.

 

[IndianapolisVol]

We looked well prepared and well coached. We were basically able to dribble penetrate against Wisconsin at will. And that’s not a hallmark of UT basketball the last few years, so I assume that came about from the scouting report.

we scored 80 with only 10 assists

We played very consistent from tip to the final horn. Controlled the game and anytime Wisconsin got close, we pulled away.

Incredible road performance.

And did it all in a very hostile atmosphere too!!

 

[TheMookieMonster]

An eye-popping stat in just our 2nd game of the season. I also saw that we scored 80+ points just 9 (!) times last year. 2/2 to start the season.

 

[omghulkhands]

How sick was that take by Santi last night where he left his defender looking for his shoes?

Knecht also had a sick one where he looked absolutely covered in the post but he just slipped out for an easy layup. Defender was like “how’d that happen?”

 

[cardvolfan]

Tennessee now 6th in KenPom and 3rd in Barttorvik.

 

[berryvol]

One thing that stuck out to me last night was how JJJ attacked the paint with ferocity multiple times and came up with that huge and 1 finish through contact when we were in a small scoring drought. Can’t say enough good things about how he has started this season, praying he can stay healthy all year.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

One thing that stuck out to me last night was how JJJ attacked the paint with ferocity multiple times and came up with that huge and 1 finish through contact when we were in a small scoring drought. Can’t say enough good things about how he has started this season, praying he can stay healthy all year.

JJJ has looked really good so far. I said it in another thread, but if he can stay healthy I think he is going to have a big year and be an under-valued piece to this team.

 

[berryvol]

JJJ has looked really good so far. I said it in another thread, but if he can stay healthy I think he is going to have a big year and be an under-valued piece to this team.

That’s always the key with him. Coming into the season, I thought he’d be able to bring his minutes down some with the added wing talent, but the way he’s playing we are going to need him out there a lot. A double edged sword with his injury history.

 

[Vol49er]

One thing that stuck out to me last night was how JJJ attacked the paint with ferocity multiple times and came up with that huge and 1 finish through contact when we were in a small scoring drought. Can’t say enough good things about how he has started this season, praying he can stay healthy all year.

That and 1 finish was seriously maybe his most impressive play at UT, and that’s not a diss at all. Idk how that went in but he got it to, and in a big moment as well

 

[berryvol]

That and 1 finish was seriously maybe his most impressive play at UT, and that’s not a diss at all. Idk how that went in but he got it to, and in a big moment as well

Yessir, knocked down the FT as well. Another obvious, yet huge thing from last night was the FT shooting on the road in game 2. Knocking down 80%+ in that environment was very impressive.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

Yessir, knocked down the FT as well. Another obvious, yet huge thing from last night was the FT shooting on the road in game 2. Knocking down 80%+ in that environment was very impressive.

And a big contrast to Wis missing so many FTs down the stretch with tired legs. We looked like the more well-conditioned team by a wide margin. I wouldn’t be surprised if that alone (plus our depth) wins us a few games this year.

 

[Lefteye]

To the str8 negative, I’m sorry to be that guy.., but I can’t help but think What a blessing to know that despite the football teams 3rd loss we have this basketball team and the baseball team to look forward to.

 

[ColinS]

One thing that stuck out to me last night was how JJJ attacked the paint with ferocity multiple times and came up with that huge and 1 finish through contact when we were in a small scoring drought. Can’t say enough good things about how he has started this season, praying he can stay healthy all year.

I have been his harshest critic but have nothing but praise for the way he is playing this year. I honestly was just ready to move on after last year when the talk of his possible return started. I said that the only way it helps is if he returns to his Junior year form. He has actually been better than that so far. He is perfect in his role on this years team.

 

[IndianapolisVol]

To the str8 negative, I’m sorry to be that guy.., but I can’t help but think What a blessing to know that despite the football teams 3rd loss we have this basketball team and the baseball team to look forward to.

Yeah idk dude, I want all the teams to win.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

I’ve got 2 in Section 311. Due to conflict of schedule, I’ve got several games available.

 

[BreatheUT]

It's almost time to move on once again to our next hope to be champions. Football is out.

Edit: Don't get me wrong. I've been waiting for basketball anyway but after last nights effort you can almost stick a fork in me. It was hapless.