The Official #17 Tennessee vs. #5 Villanova Game Thread, 1:00 PM ET, ESPN News

[youcancallmeAl]

Do you need assistance with the Ignore function?

I don't need assistance. You are now ignored by me.

 

[HarsinVol]

I don't need assistance. You are now ignored by me.

I wonder if I can survive.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Duke is a nobody?

You aren't a nobody?

 

[HarsinVol]

You aren't a nobody?

I don't need assistance. You are now ignored by me. rofl

 

[LibertyVol]

Only positive for me coming out of this game is Mashack is a competitor who was playing hard at the end and he has elite athleticism.

He needs to get more minutes. Every time he comes in he plays well.

 

[87&91ALUM]

Listened to the game on Siruis XM in Georgia while traveling. Oh the sins of starting out slow and getting 20 behind. Getting a top team on the road early is a good way to get everyone’s attention. Not much that doesn’t need work. So, suck it up, work and practice harder. Show everyone this was a fluke game. Vescovi played well today and that was about it,

 

[Voljayton]

I'm usually 50/50 on how I feel about Vescovi but today he seemed like the only Vol that belonged on the floor. Everyone else looked intimidated or not prepared. This was a hard one to watch. Still love my Vols, though.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I'm usually 50/50 on how I feel about Vescovi but today he seemed like the only Vol that belonged on the floor. Everyone else looked intimidated or not prepared. This was a hard one to watch. Still love my Vols, though.

His international experience is paying off. He isn’t afraid to play against elite competition. Like you said, everyone else played scared. Vescovi competed all 40 minutes.

 

[BowlBrother85]

I'm usually 50/50 on how I feel about Vescovi but today he seemed like the only Vol that belonged on the floor. Everyone else looked intimidated or not prepared. This was a hard one to watch. Still love my Vols, though.

All true... and I don't think Villanova is that good.

 

[LibertyVol]

Scoring 44 points in a loss to Butler with Chris Lofton on the team.

Pearl won an SEC title, an elite 8, and was two points away from a final 4. Also won the preseason NIT. Tennessee’s first #1 ranking. Yes, Tennessee had some disappointments under Pearl, but plenty of highlights as well. After today I am expecting to see a season similar to last year. Tennessee has no front court. NCAA loss in first or second round. Hope am wrong.

 

[SGMVols]

Pearl won an SEC title, an elite 8, and was two points away from a final 4. Also won the preseason NIT. Tennessee’s first #1 ranking. Yes, Tennessee had some disappointments under Pearl, but plenty of highlights as well. After today I am expecting to see a season similar to last year. Tennessee has no front court. NCAA loss in first or second round. Hope am wrong.

The point was that plenty of past teams have overcome really bad games and gone on to have good seasons. This is not football where one bad day can ruin all your goals

 

[SGidds]

A one and done that wont be here next year. Has that been an excuse for Cal?

Yes, around this time every single year Calipari talks about his freshman having a lot to learn.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

A 10 point win by Purdue is about perfect. Barely losing or being humiliated might could be much more motivating for UNC.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

UNC is trying to make it interesting.

 

[BowlBrother85]

The point was that plenty of past teams have overcome really bad games and gone on to have good seasons. This is not football where one bad day can ruin all your goals

This is true as well, and there is room for growth with BHH, Mashack and Aidoo. Barnes didn't show any confidence in them. Why? Would giving those guys some minutes today, have made things any worse than they already were?

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

This is true as well, and there is room for growth with BHH, Mashack and Aidoo. Barnes didn't show any confidence in them. Why? Would giving those guys some minutes today, have made things any worse than they already were?

Barnes knows if they are ready. He attends practices.

 

[Sudden Impact]

Only comment, The officiating early in the game kinda set the tone

 

[calban]

UNC is a young team. Better match up. Ease the pain with a football win later.

 

[Volinnooga]

Only comment, The officiating early in the game kinda set the tone

So true. We would have won if the officials hadn’t screwed us

 

[volfan2024]

Only comment, The officiating early in the game kinda set the tone

% correct. It was over before it started . Took away our game.

 

[agVOL90]

The team was as flat as a pancake today. Not sure if it was intimidation or something else but someone forgot their motivation at McGhee Tyson,

 

[mr.checkerboards]

Yes, around this time every single year Calipari talks about his freshman having a lot to learn.

Yes. Which is why I'm concerned but not going to panic. I just wish they were more competitive today. A loss where it was close and Nova pulled away late and I would feel a whole lot better.

 

[VolArmy74]

While we're going down the list of Bruce Pearl's Greatest Hits, let's not forget blowing a 20 point halftime lead to tOSU in the Sweet 16, or getting absolutely humiliated in his final game in the first round of the NCAAT by Michigan.

Bruce is the best coach we ever had here and it's not really all that close imo. Take that as a sad take on the program as a whole if you will, but I personally loved the Pearl era. It was as fun as the Ernie and Bernie era with more post season success.

 

[TJVol95]

I thought we had a better team.

 

[vol94]

You wanted more threes this year. You get this when those threes aren’t falling.

Erik Ainge commented in this recently. They were discussing basketball and Ainge said he’d feel more comfortable if we had more of an inside game and/or transition game. I’m not sure what type of offense this team runs but the three ball identity will not allow us to go far during tourney time as we do have pure shooters, too inconsistent. But it’s one game so hopefully things change and we improve.