The Official #10 @ #17 North Carolina Game Thread, 7:15 PM ET, ESPN

[VolunteerCeltic]

Literally the number one defensive team in the country, per KP, before tonight. After facing the nations number 4 offense and 2 other top 30 offenses. Wild to make a judgment on us being a bad defensive team off one REALLY bad half of basketball.

They have lost 3 in a row versus top 20 opponents, clearly the defense wasn't good enough for them to win in any of those games. Vols have also been out rebounded by a large margin in those 3 contests. Rebounding is a stat associated with defense and a big reason why they have been losing

 

[Vol423]

NC 36- UT 14 free throws and we lose by 8. All you bitchers can trash our coach and players, but a reasonable fouls called and we win.

38 to 16 in free throws actually. Knecht shot 8 of UT’s 16 free throws.

 

[BreatheUT]

Got to attack the basket to get fouls

We can't even throw it inside to Jonas. They know he won't catch it. He can't set a good post up.

 

[Tenacjim]

Knecht did and honestly they didn’t call anything.

Just a tie up when he got raked and was bleeding….

 

[D3Athlete]

At least we know this offense can be really good tho. Put up 92 while only getting 13 from the line and freakin 0 from Santi. It showed it’s potential tonight

 

[Vol423]

Knecht did and honestly they didn’t call anything.

He shot 8 free throws, half of UT’s total. He’s the only guy that attacks the rim.

 

[D3Athlete]

Just a tie up when he got raked and was bleeding….

Exactly…

 

[JMSqb11]

They have lost 3 in a row versus top 20 opponents, clearly the defense wasn't good enough for them to win in any of those games and have been out rebounded by a large margin, rebounding is also a stat associated with defense.

Tonight the margin is about what I’d expect for a loss on the road. Maui was neutral court and the Purdue game went about how I expected as well in a loss. I think overreaction to 3 game losing streak on paper will be dumb but I really like this roster for the season. Yeehaw

 

[berryvol]

They have lost 3 in a row versus top 20 opponents, clearly the defense wasn't good enough for them to win in any of those games and have been out rebounded by a large margin, rebounding is also a stat associated with defense.

You think the defense wasn’t good enough to win against Purdue and Kansas? lol

 

[CAVPUT]

Its not coming

Wish there were a way to bookmark a post, but I'll save a screen shot for next season when that day arrives.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

At least we know this offense can be really good tho. Put up 92 while only getting 13 from the line and freakin 0 from Santi. It showed it’s potential tonight

Knecht carried the offense. If he’s out for an extended period of time, this team is going to have defend like its life depends on it and ZZ and Vescovi are going to have to start playing like they’re capable of playing. Offense will be a struggle without him even with ZZ and Vescovi playing well.

 

[therealitytheory]

This team is not a a good defensive team at this point, which is surprising for a Rick Barnes team.

Great take, genius. We're a tip 5 defensive team nationally.
Why are you here?

 

[D3Athlete]

They have lost 3 in a row versus top 20 opponents, clearly the defense wasn't good enough for them to win in any of those games and have been out rebounded by a large margin, rebounding is also a stat associated with defense.

Defense wasn’t really an issue those 2 games. It was making open shots. Tonight complete opposite

 

[VolunteerCeltic]

You think the defense wasn’t good enough to win against Purdue and Kansas? lol

They lost both games, so yes. Perhaps they not get out rebounded by 10+ in each game would have helped as well.

 

[KeyVol14]

Really surprised to see Vescovi with such a bad start to the year.

 

[berryvol]

They lost both games, so yes. Perhaps they not get out rebounded by 10+ in each game would have helped as well.

You get a lot of grief in here and… lemme tell you it’s absolutely justified. What a take.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Tonight the margin is about what I’d expect for a loss on the road. Maui was neutral court and the Purdue game went about how I expected as well in a loss. I think overreaction to 3 game losing streak on paper will be dumb but I really like this roster for the season. Yeehaw

I’d rather lose to these three teams in November as opposed to March. Has anyone played a tougher stretch? Probably not. If this game is in Knoxville it’s a completely different game. There’s a lot of ball to be played and even though there are 3 L’s in the column these game experiences can go a long way when it counts .

 

[VolunteerCeltic]

Defense wasn’t really an issue those 2 games. It was making open shots. Tonight complete opposite

If they could have controlled the defensive boards and got a few more stops then yes, but they didn't.

 

[TheBigOne10]

They lost both games, so yes. Perhaps they not get out rebounded by 10+ in each game would have helped as well.

You’re not a bright one.

 

[D3Athlete]

Knecht carried the offense. If he’s out for an extended period of time, this team is going to have defend like its life depends on it and ZZ and Vescovi are going to have to start playing like they’re capable of playing. Offense will be a struggle without him even with ZZ and Vescovi playing well.

What even makes worse about the knecht injury. He grew up that game,especially second half. Stronger with the ball, made the right passes, and double teams weren’t near an issues. He was creating for himself and others. Just depressing he got hurt honestly….

 

[volsarelife1]

Hopefully this is the inverse season. Getting the bad games/no shows out of the way in November instead of March

 

[TooLegit2Quit]

So glad we get almost a week off before George Mason. Get back home, get back into our routine, and work.

 

[D3Athlete]

If they could have controlled the defensive boards and got a few more stops then yes, but they didn't.

That’s were Awaka is needed. Aidoo just can’t rebound consistently.

 

[VolunteerCeltic]

You get a lot of grief in here and… lemme tell you it’s absolutely justified. What a take.

Which part of what I said isn't fact, and I enjoy the debates. At the end of the day, we are all Vols who love basketball.

 

[7maxims]

But at least coach gainey has his div3 level son playing the whole game