The Official #14 Tennessee @ #19 Alabama Game Thread, 9:00 PM ET, ESPN2

[Rickyvol77]

I also remember the days when the Vols were ranked, a lot. Jerry Green took us to the top 10 and 4 straight NCAAT with a Sweet 16 in 4 years. I remember a coach named Bruce Pearl that took an under .500 team and went to the NCAAT every year he was here, including our ONLY Elite 8. Don’t act like Barnes is the “ savior” or UT basketball.

No one said that but keep strawmanning

 

[calban]

We really do have the dumbest fans in America.

Nah. Just good at Trollin. Some just keep bitin and feedin.

 

[SGMVols]

I also remember the days when the Vols were ranked, a lot. Jerry Green took us to the top 10 and 4 straight NCAAT with a Sweet 16 in 4 years. I remember a coach named Bruce Pearl that took an under .500 team and went to the NCAAT every year he was here, including our ONLY Elite 8. Don’t act like Barnes is the “ savior” or UT basketball.

Green and Pearl inherited loaded rosters. Barnes had to build the whole thing himself. Apples and oranges.

 

[VolArmy74]

Green and Pearl inherited loaded rosters. Barnes had to build the whole thing himself. Apples and oranges.

Saying Pearl inherited a loaded roster is asinine. Pearl had to start a 6'2 guy at PF. Lofton looked good as a freshman and CJ was very good. That's the known commodity Pearl inherited. He vastly and incredibly developed those guys and masterfully coached them in a way that played to their strengths. Green inherited good players but signed better ones. Buzz took over the best roster of any new coach in a while. It was actually loaded.

 

[ColinS]

Saying Pearl inherited a loaded roster is asinine. Pearl had to start a 6'2 guy at PF. Lofton looked good as a freshman and CJ was very good. That's the known commodity Pearl inherited. He vastly and incredibly developed those guys and masterfully coached them in a way that played to their strengths. Green inherited good players but signed better ones. Buzz took over the best roster of any new coach in a while. It was actually loaded.

That team was so short handed. What Pearl did was a miracle. His second team had a bunch of talent but it was freshman oriented. I'm gonna assume he is mixing them up.

 

[Peyton Berry]

The problem with BHH is lack of effort at times. He gets so lost on defense and rotations. Doesn't know when to help or when stay on his guy. Barnes preaches effort and accountability. If he plays BHH, who wants to take plays off, how does that look to the rest of the team? I believe he can be a great player but it is more up to him than it is Coach Barnes.

I didn’t really see any plays taken off, I did see him out of position couple times defensively and not go aggressively after a rebound. If Barnes sits him for that then so be it. In my opinion the gap between BHH and Uros defensively is out weighed by BHH’s positives offensively. What he brings offensively might have been the difference in the game last night.

 

[1985Vols]

Green and Pearl inherited loaded rosters. Barnes had to build the whole thing himself. Apples and oranges.

What are you talking about? Do your research. Green inherited an 11-16 Kevin O’ Neil team and Pearl inherited a 14-17 Buzz Peterson team. Barnes inherited a 16-16 team left from Donnie Tyndall.

 

[1985Vols]

Go back and quote me where I said that.

Here was your quote. You made it sound like TN in the Top 20 was a dream before Barnes was the coach here.
”I remember the days when Tennessee being ranked in men's college basketball was the stuff of dreams.”

 

[lostsheep]

Here was your quote. You made it sound like TN in the Top 20 was a dream before Barnes was the coach here.
”I remember the days when Tennessee being ranked in men's college basketball was the stuff of dreams.”

The dark era between DeVoe and Pearl still resonates heavily with long time UT bball fans.

Green was successful on paper during that time but anyone following closely wasn’t disappointed when he was shown the door.

Pearl, imo, was a much better floor coach and motivator and provided fans something we hadn’t had in a long time.

I for one am glad we have Barnes and appreciate the consistency of his program and his character. However, it doesn’t mean he is above criticism.

 

[southgatevol]

I didn’t really see any plays taken off, I did see him out of position couple times defensively and not go aggressively after a rebound. If Barnes sits him for that then so be it. In my opinion the gap between BHH and Uros defensively is out weighed by BHH’s positives offensively. What he brings offensively might have been the difference in the game last night.

If you go back and watch you will see him standing around. I do not mean to be overly critical of him as I like him and believe he will be a good player. Just needs to mature and I have high hopes he will.

 

[LadyinOrange]

Here was your quote. You made it sound like TN in the Top 20 was a dream before Barnes was the coach here.
”I remember the days when Tennessee being ranked in men's college basketball was the stuff of dreams.”

And you interpreted that as Rick Barnes is the "savior" of Tennessee basketball. Gotcha.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I do think this team has extreme talent and the potential to make a Final Four run, I just have concerns about the inconsistency of the offense.

I’m not ready to make a final judgement or anything, but it’s hard not to draw parallels to last year’s team. Extremely talented. Pretty much as elite defensively as it comes. But, struggling to find an offensive identity and no true alpha that is always a threat to score.

There is still plenty, plenty of time to find those things, but it’s just slightly concerning at this point and I hope we can change it.

It starts with blowing out the Rebels next week!!

 

[RavinDave]

It absolutely was. And it was a great play call. Great execution. And you run it for YOUR WORST shooting guard. Mind-boggling! Barnes coached with VB's mom at Texas. His mom must have incriminating evidence against Barnes. It's the only explanation. He is too good of a coach to think VB gives us a better opportunity to make that shot than Santi or Powell. I am most screaming about BHH so much because Uros actually played big best half of basketball and BHH looked lost on defense in the first half. But playing VB is inexcusable

Funny your mention VB's mom. I did not know about that but a few hours ago the following thought crossed my mind: Bailey must have something on Coach Barnes...