The Official #5 Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt Game Thread, 1:00 PM ET, SEC Network

[volinbama256]

If we beat A&M and Alabama, we have good chance at 1 seed

we are not doing that unless something major changes in the next few days and we all of a sudden decide or learn how to play at a high level consistently throughout an entire stretch of games.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

First half was terrible. That’s the worst defense and rebounding half of the year. It was frustrating to watch. I think losing that game might’ve been hard to recover from.

I am hopeful the team seeing that they can get back into games like that if they dial it up helps them moving forward, but I also hope they realize if they are dialed in from the opening tip they will never be in a whole like that to begin with.

10 rebounds in the first half and ZZ having 0 points, both are inexcusable. Both completely changed in the 2nd half.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Well, Vols may not be great this year. They do have great games in them. Just have to hope they can string some together in the tourney.

Most our guys have a wide range of success game to game. Where they are in their cycles as a group makes it risky. Too many on the low end is trouble. Like it when their range is much narrower even if the top is not as high.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

we are not doing that unless something major changes in the next few days and we all of a sudden decide or learn how to play at a high level consistently throughout an entire stretch of games.

We have the week off going into A&M, so that might help us after the LOOOONG stretch we've had with no breaks. Team gets some of these nagging injuries sorted and I like our chances going into A&M Saturday.

 

[walkenvol]

We have the week off going into A&M, so that might help us after the LOOOONG stretch we've had with no breaks. Team gets some of these nagging injuries sorted and I like our chances going into A&M Saturday.

Wonder if it’s one of those times Barnes should consider giving the team a few days off to for a mental and physical recovery. The SEC is a grind like never before and a team with a short bench needs some consideration. JMO

 

[BreatheUT]

I didn’t say teams don’t lose at home. We were down 16 to a team likely to miss the NCAAT. So criticism during the first half is totally normal.

Vanderbilt is a tournament team as of right now. This was a good win. However, you have to win these games at home. That's what we did today. I still think we will struggle against teams that can score.

 

[joevols89]

Vanderbilt is a tournament team as of right now. This was a good win. However, you have to win these games at home. That's what we did today. I still think we will struggle against teams that can score.

They’re right on the bubble. I think they’ll be one of the last teams out based on their remaining schedule. Their last 2 games will determine it as they have Arkansas and UGA who are fighting for those same few spots.

 

[YankeeVol]

 

[Tnphil]

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Wonder if it’s one of those times Barnes should consider giving the team a few days off to for a mental and physical recovery. The SEC is a grind like never before and a team with a short bench needs some consideration. JMO

If I was guessing they won't have a "formal" practice until Tuesday. Of course many of them will be in there shooting tomorrow and Monday

 

[The Tall Gguy]

If Tennessee would play both halves, nobody could even come close.

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

I am hopeful the team seeing that they can get back into games like that if they dial it up helps them moving forward, but I also hope they realize if they are dialed in from the opening tip they will never be in a whole like that to begin with.

10 rebounds in the first half and ZZ having 0 points, both are inexcusable. Both completely changed in the 2nd half.

I'll put that first half on the back-burner to say I am very proud of how the team showed heart and fight the second half.
It's nice to see they are capable of getting stops and making a run if they have to.
Now to put them back on the front-burner, we have got to quit starting out so dang slow!
That's a recipe to go home quick in March.

 

[n_huffhines]

Zeigler really brought it

 

[Redheads]

Went to the game today. Worst half I’ve seen a Barnes coached team have that I can remember. Vandy had plenty of luck (banked in 3s, ect) but also totally out hustled us for 50-50 balls and rebounds. Barnes was so frustrated you could tell he couldn’t wait to get to the locker room. He stopped yelling and just sat in disbelief for the last 4-5 minutes it seemed like. At the half rebounds were 21-10. Tennessee didn’t come out of the locker room until it was just about time to start the second half. I think there was a serious come to Jesus meeting. Totally different 2nd half. Biggest shot to me was the Maishack corner 3 toward the end. He shot it with confidence. So happy for him and maybe he’ll get some confidence back. He’s such a great teammate and everyone loves to play with him because he is like Dennis Rodman back in the day. Doesn’t care about scoring. Covers the other teams best player. He can hurt our offense because his man can lay off and play a one man zone in the paint which clogs things up driving the ball. If he can make those open 3s it opens everything up. Very happy for him.

 

[thehardknoxlife]

Great teams typically don’t go down 16 at home in the first half either. The reaction in the thread was warranted. It was almost as bad as Florida first half.

Sure they do. Reigning current back to back NCAA tournament champs and most dominant team in a long while UConn got absolutely destroyed by Creighton last year. It was near a 20 point loss that wasn't even competitive. The year before they lost at home a few times. I think 4(iirc). It's not that uncommon. It's basketball.

 

[Kas232323]

Hopefully TN will find a way to play 40 min. It takes five consecutive wins to reach final four.

We will need much better (more consistent) play from ZZ, Chaz, & Igor to get to Elite 8 and beyond.

Takes 4 consecutive wins

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

we are not doing that unless something major changes in the next few days and we all of a sudden decide or learn how to play at a high level consistently throughout an entire stretch of games.

Literally every top ten ten team can say that. Auburn is the closest to that standard right now

 

[joevols89]

Sure they do. Reigning current back to back NCAA tournament champs and most dominant team in a long while UConn got absolutely destroyed by Creighton last year. It was near a 20 point loss that wasn't even competitive. The year before they lost at home a few times. I think 4(iirc). It's not that uncommon. It's basketball.

It’s fairly uncommon for a top 5 team to be down 16 at half at home. Creighton was a top 15 team and that was a road game. All I’m saying was a negative reaction to such a poor half is understandable. Not that good teams don’t **** the bed on occasion.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Literally every top ten ten team can say that. Auburn is the closest to that standard right now

Right. There aren't many teams that put together two halves of solid shooting and defense. Those teams/games are rare and there are many teams whose season would look much differently if they could do that. We aren't the only one.

 

[thehardknoxlife]

It’s fairly uncommon for a top 5 team to be down 16 at half at home. Creighton was a top 15 team and that was a road game. All I’m saying was a negative reaction to such a poor half is understandable. Not that good teams don’t **** the bed on occasion.

...and you would be wrong. Great teams lose and struggle at times. It doesn't matter if it's home away or neutral. It happens, all it takes is a good run for that to happen. 5 possessions can have a great team down 15 points very fast

 

[joevols89]

...and you would be wrong. Great teams lose and struggle at times. It doesn't matter if it's home away or neutral. It happens, all it takes is a good run for that to happen.

Care to show me how many times a top 5 team was down 16 in the first half at home this season? I’d say less than 5 times? That’s fairly uncommon.

Home court advantage is probably more pronounced in CBB than most any other sport.

 

[thehardknoxlife]

Care to show me how many times a top 5 team was down 16 in the first half at home this season? I’d say less than 5 times? That’s fairly uncommon.

Off the top of my head #1Auburn was down 16 @ home right before half to Fla. I don't remember the score at half but Iowa St lost by nearly 20 at home to unranked KSU. They were #3 iirc

Let me guess, your argument. It doesn't count bc it was a ranked Fla blah blah. It happens. If you go look, it happens all the time.

 

[joevols89]

Off the top of my head #1Auburn was down 16 @ home right before half to Fla.

Let me guess, your argument. It doesn't count bc it was a ranked Fla blah blah. It happens. If you go look, it happens all the time.

So 1 other time? Sounds “fairly uncommon”.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

It’s fairly uncommon for a top 5 team to be down 16 at half at home. Creighton was a top 15 team and that was a road game. All I’m saying was a negative reaction to such a poor half is understandable.

BUT it is how one posts that is in play. I doubt a player put up a shot intending to miss! I doubt a player purposely made a turn over! They don’t get a chance to hit or not hit a button. It is out there forever.

Players can make it up on the floor ( see ZZ) not a dang thing can make up for a crappy post. Contrition does not get it done. Justification attempts are worse! You not only can’t win, you can’t break even.

I am just proud they had the character to dig down and pull it off.

 

[The Tall Gguy]

Right. There aren't many teams that put together two halves of solid shooting and defense. Those teams/games are rare and there are many teams whose season would look much differently if they could do that. We aren't the only one.

It has seemed that our opponents have, for the most part shot the lights out against us.