The Official #5 Tennessee @ Mississippi State Game Thread, 7:00 PM ET, SEC Network

[Creeker]

Well that stunk. Miss St used up a lot of energy, but we let them push it a little too far out. We’re gonna have to get really hot in the second half.

 

[ColinS]

They have had dunks, layups, and wide open threes the whole half.

 

[Ernest T. Vol]

He's in Starksville.

Thats about all I can tell you lol

He's 0-1 with only 5 minutes. Can't make any from the bench.

 

[Jimmyandjoes]

6 stops. That's all we need over a half. We stop them 6 times and we score 6 more buckets than them and we're back in it. This team can do it with their D. They've gotta find a way to match MS intensity

 

[Mightyvol]

The refs aren’t Final Four caliber. MSU‘s physicality is being enabled a lot here.

Yep, very physical game.

 

[Orangeslide]

Both are true. Happy we usually make it. Always expect to drop early with Barnes. I’d rather have Barnes and make it. Although tonight is really tough to watch. May as well turn it off at this point

We have a run left in us. We will put some pressure on them this half. Need to figure out how to deal with smith down low. Might want to double him but don’t leave Hubbard.

 

[hUTch2002]

Some of ya'll need to chill out. Any team would beat up on Tennessee like this if the refs decided traveling (of all things) wouldn't be called both ways. Things will level out in the second half. State doesn't have the dogs to finish this fight.

Traveling or fouls. They mugged us several times.

 

[Doctrippin]

Not a good half. Cold streaks are going to happen. If we lose, what can you say. We had a few just go around the rim and out. Hard to overcome when you are playing away and the other team start believing in themselves.

Just gotta focus on getting better at handling these environments when the shots aren't falling.

They happen every game with this team. Even at home against OM we miss 12 3's in a row

 

[vol94]

I’m concerned about Knecht. Vol fans had high hopes for him and he came out strong, esp UNC. But he is turnover machine and struggling offensively. Hopefully he will find his game but the SEC is a different level than he is used to.

 

[JoeMiltonsAgent]

They’re talking about Saban on the halftime report???? LOL. Yeah we’re not winning.

It's a conditioned response that I immediately turn the channel anytime Finebaum pops on the screen.

 

[Caz]

FK Ms State. Everything they shoot goes in. Our guys just off the mark. Second half better change things

They’re kicking our ass down low too

 

[Redheads]

Offense is almost always better second half because we play in front of our bench. Defense has got to get better. Double the post when he gets it just like they do us. Every pass to Aidoo gets stolen and he ends up on the ground. Not his style of game.

 

[sportsnut624]

if aidoo doesn’t want to play physical then sit his ass. He only shows up against these finesse big men like ole miss had. At this point try Estrella and take your chances

 

[hatingbamaisawayoflife]

Same people on here whining about how physical they are and getting away with it. Love it when we ply that way

 

[mattdingus2002]

This team just isn’t good away from home, Barnes teams never are. It’s ok considering the program isn’t really a national power without him. Just sucks but that’s Tennessee sports, having big wins and disappointing losses

 

[markus]

Someone better put Finebaum in suicide watch

You can tell he is in depression mode

 

[GoodTimeVol]

Not a good half. Cold streaks are going to happen. If we lose, what can you say. We had a few just go around the rim and out. Hard to overcome when you are playing away and the other team start believing in themselves.

Just gotta focus on getting better at handling these environments when the shots aren't falling.

Starts with defense get some steals and easy buckets off that and tire them out hopefully that is the strategy

 

[VolunteerVFL]

Here we go? Tn has not had consistent shooters in years right or wrong? Dont come with 1 player

I can think of a few, but you have to define consistent first.

I mean this genuine. Not as an a$$hole

 

[Orangeslide]

Yep, very physical game.

Just as we knew it would be. Not surprised at all. I knew the officials would let both teams maul each other. Just the way college basketball is now.

 

[knoxchief]

Everybody see where Saban is retiring? Wow!

Kiffin will be the next AL coach.

 

[hUTch2002]

If you think they can shoot then you are watching a different game than I am. If they play like this I will call them out and if you dont like it then sorry Skippy

They can shoot, they just have nights where it doesn’t seem to go well, generally due to settling too much for bad outside looks.

 

[BreatheUT]

Maybe it’ll be a tale of two half’s

We can only hope.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

Gainey and Aidoo have to sit the rest of the way. Gainey is a liability right now and Aidoo just doesn’t have it tonight. Barnes is a man to man guy, but might need to consider mixing some 1-3-1 to make the post entry pass more difficult.

On offense, gotta on ball screen the hell out of MSU in the second half and drive it hard to the basket. If they’re going to get up in our shirts like that, get low and drive the ball.

It’s not over yet. Odds definitely aren’t in our favor, but MSU isn’t an offensive juggernaut either. There will likely be a window for us to get back in this one if MSU hits a cold spell like they’re capable of doing.

 

[hUTch2002]

Everybody see where Saban is retiring? Wow!

Who?

 

[markus]

Apparently we did not steal their signals