The Official #4 Tennessee vs #14 Alabama Game Thread, Saturday 8pm/ESPN

[TheMookieMonster]

Defense has to play better in the 2nd half. If Alabama scores 41 again, will be hard to win. Need Mashack out there as much as possible. He’s been great.

 

[volplaya8]

We did however miss a ton of open shots still have 39

That’s because we shot more Ft’s than Bama,,,think we get that luxury in 2nd half?

 

[spyfish007]

Barnes called a TO with 1:34 up 2 points.

He usually only likes to take 1 TO in the first half

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Need to hit 3s. Gainey was 0-4, DK 0-3. ZZ 1-5

That’s the line that tells the story. Lots of great open shots missed.

 

[utvolpj]

6 points for a senior playing in a huge game. Wtf are you talking about

He had 8pts 7 reb. Are you actually watching this game?

 

[Tenacjim]

JJJ has 8 and DK with 7.

Gainey leading scorer with 9.

Should probably check the stats

I guess CBS had some faulty stats at the time.

 

[GAVol]

Both teams have some foul trouble. Who can keep their stars in there?

Yep… that’s going to be the key. Got to be careful the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half. No cheapies.

 

[chuckb1448]

Defense has to play better in the 2nd half. If Alabama scores 41 again, will be hard to win. Need Mashack out there as much as possible. He’s been great.

Defense played Well, Bama threw up crap and it went in, I seen like two times we weren't in position

 

[vol94]

He did hit a few but he also looked really bad on several shots and turned the ball over. Looked nervous.

I will take his nine points in a half on any given night. He kept us in the game as he drove to the rim to get on the foul line.

 

[Score50]

Need to have a big half and play extremely good in the second half to have a chance. Alabama is extremely talented and can score in bunches. We can’t have a five minute stretch without scoring in this one.

 

[VolunteerCeltic]

Need to come out at half and punch them in the mouth

 

[Volstylexx]

True but at least get in there and make it difficult. A couple of those missed 3’s we didn’t have an orange jersey anywhere near the paint and it would have made a difference on one of them JJJ put up - Bama didn’t have anyone close either.

It’s not as simple as “get in there and make it difficult.” If you’re undersized on the glass and you crash the boards an opposing team is going to grab the rebound and push a fast break against you for an easy 2 points. Bama is going to destroy you with that approach. You sink back to ensure you protect against the breakaway, and hope your guys make the open shots.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

I’m still baffled how Knecht was called for a charge when the Bama player flopped.

 

[ndubvols]

Settled for way too many 3’s and jump shots those last 5 minutes. Need to attack the rim and make the refs keep calling it.

 

[JCP201]

I’m ecstatic to only be down two at the half.

Knecht has been held in check. Aidoo and Awaka only played 4-5 minutes. Gainey has nine points and gave us some offense.

We have 20 min of basketball and it’s anyone’s game. Aidoo and Awaka should be well rested which will open the perimeter for Knecht.

Let's hope the whistle happies don't call instant fouls on Aidoo/Awaka and they can get in there and play. We are so much better when one of them is out there. (both even better)

 

[volplaya8]

James has played well…should have took that trail 3 right after he hit one though..he then settled for a wing 3 later in possession and missed

 

[SonOfGodVolforlife]

If we let Alabama get out and run, they’ll score 40 again and win the game.
If we keep them to 25 and slow the game down we win. Let’s go vols! Come out stronger!

 

[Delmar]

Some of these posters have zero knowledge of anything.

That’s a regular problem around here.

 

[Namorto1]

Aidoo really can't get a cheap foul early in 2nd half.

 

[VolBalls33]

I think it might be telling if Nelson or Aidoo get their 3rd foul early. Praying DK goes off big time again. He seems to never have 2 bad halves in a row. Like others of said with Awaka and Aidoo playing a combined 10 minutes and out for the last 10 plus minutes and only down 2. I will take it. GBO!!

 

[Putbacks]

Our physicality belies our physical reputation that the announcers always trumpet. They are so non observant—just trite. We no longer dress out Grant Williams, Admiral Schofield, and Uros Plavsic. Other teams are getting the benefit of the doubt and getting away with the physicality—reach ins, body blocks, wrist slaps, over the back, moving screens, holding, knocking players off their cuts. Because of our previous reputation, we are held to a different standard presently.

 

[SGMVols]

Defense has to play better in the 2nd half. If Alabama scores 41 again, will be hard to win. Need Mashack out there as much as possible. He’s been great.

It will be very hard to keep them under 80. Their 71 in Knoxville was their season low. We need to plan on scoring in the 80s if we want to win. Good news is we’re pretty much halfway there.

 

[GAVol]

Oates called a time out in front of the under 4 to calm his team down, then reset at the under 4 timeout, not using time outs is coaching malpractice and the inability to stop a run or a shift in momentum has been a Barnes trademark which usually bites and draws blood in tournament play, when you have to coach your resources through in game troubles and adjustments, you can't just roll the ball out there and scream at the referees,

They both burned the timeout that they can’t carry with them to the 2nd half.

 

[charleyhorse]

I’m still baffled how Knecht was called for a charge when the Bama player flopped.

Adams

 

[vol94]

Aidoo played 5 and Awaka played 4.

Typo on my part.