The Official #6 [2] Tennessee vs. #11 [3] Creighton Game Thread, 10:09 PM ET, TBS/truTV

[gainesvol82]

Pearl did good but he had exactly zilch to do with what Barnes has done. Silly to suggest otherwise.

No but he did in increase our profile, especially showing other high level coaches what can be accomplished here with the facilities and fan support and the financial commitment and renovations came. Even Cuonzo benefited from what Pearl built.

So.... indirectly, Pearl did have some influence but Barnes rejuvenated the program after bad decision and did things the right way with a solid foundation and took us to a higher and more consistent level.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

Loyer is really the one that killed us in Maui. Had like 28 points I think. We have to disrupt their guards just like we did tonight and make it more difficult to get the ball into Edey. Jay Wright noted they almost always enter it from the wing on the right side and he said TN has the ability to disrupt that.

Not many coaches want to do this, but to me, you have to be willing to play Edey man to man without crashing down to double him. If he scores fifty on me, fine, but screw letting the supporting cast have career games. Let’s see if the NPOY can put the team on his back. Hound their guards, force them away from the basket. Make Edey do it all on his own.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

No but he did in increase our profile, especially showing other high level coaches what can be accomplished here with the facilities and fan support and the financial commitment and renovations came. Even Cuonzo benefited from what Pearl built.

So.... indirectly, Pearl did have some influence but Barnes rejuvenated the program after bad decision and did things the right way with a solid foundation and took us to a higher and more consistent level.

No he didn’t. Barnes inherited a program that was totally discombobulated after the firing of Donnie Tyndall. That’s evidenced by the fact that Barnes had to take mostly three stars in his first few recruiting classes. Pearl was very successful here, but his success is completely detached from RB’s success.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

No but he did in increase our profile, especially showing other high level coaches what can be accomplished here with the facilities and fan support and the financial commitment and renovations came. Even Cuonzo benefited from what Pearl built.

So.... indirectly, Pearl did have some influence but Barnes rejuvenated the program after bad decision and did things the right way with a solid foundation and took us to a higher and more consistent level.

Doug Dickey retiring probably increased our profile even more. The program was there for the taking - many competent coaches could have excelled at UT.

 

[Volfan1000]

Coach Barnes passed Coach Pearl for most NCAA tournament wins in Tennessee history with his ninth win tonight.

Pearl had 8 wins.

DeVoe has 5.

Martin and Green have 3 wins each as Tennessee coach.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Doug Dickey retiring probably increased our profile even more. The program was there for the taking - many competent coaches could have excelled at UT.

My memory may be off, but wasn’t Huggins wanting this job on 2005? He got WVU the next year or two after a year at K State so may have been a short term er anyway, but I seem to remember a lot of talk of him trying to get here, knowing Cincinnati was going to drop him soon. I can’t even remember other candidates at that time. I was thinking maybe Altman and I know Dickerson at Maryland was mentioned a lot as was Dawkins but not sure how serious any of them were at any time. Was trying to remember candidates that year.

I don’t know if other coaches would have done what Pearl did, but Jerry Greens sorry self came in and won 20 game 4 years in a row, so I think many coaches could have won here then. Maybe not in the way or timing Pearl did, however. He was fortunate to come in here with some players, and he had the ability to take it and run with it.

 

[Frozevol]

I have never got over that one. Worst call in the history of college basketball.

Just a few short years later and you can maul a guy and get a no call. Touch fouls are a thing of the past.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Coach Barnes passed Coach Pearl for most NCAA tournament wins in Tennessee history with his ninth win tonight.

Pearl had 8 wins.

DeVoe has 5.

Martin and Green have 3 wins each as Tennessee coach.

Regular Season Rick:

NCAA Record

1. Mears (3)(0-4)(0.00)
2. Wettig (0)(0.00)
3. Devoe (6)(5-6)(0.46)
4. Houston (0)(0.00)
5. O’Neal (0)(0.00)
6. Green (4)(3-4)(0.43)
7. Buzz (0)(0.00)
8. Bruce (6)(8-6)(0.57)
9. Martin (1)(3-1)(0.75)
10. Tyndall (0)(0.00)
11. Barnes (5)(8-5)(0.62)

1. Martin (75%)
2. Barnes (62%)
3. Pearl (57%)
4. Green (43%)
5. Devoe (46%)
6. Mears (0%)
7. No appearances (CW, WH, KO, BP, DT)

EDIT: I need to correct this. It looks like Green WAS only 3-4.

 

[Volfan1000]

Don’t know if I’ve ever wanted a win more in my fandom than Sunday’s game against Purdue, regardless of sport.

Purdue has been Tennessee's kryptonite lately in basketball.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

Purdue has been Tennessee's kryptonite lately in basketball.

Not just basketball. Music City Bowl in Heup’s first season. Officiating has always seemed to benefit Purdue in our losses to them, no matter the sport.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

My memory may be off, but wasn’t Huggins wanting this job on 2005? He got WVU the next year or two after a year at K State so may have been a short term er anyway, but I seem to remember a lot of talk of him trying to get here, knowing Cincinnati was going to drop him soon. I can’t even remember other candidates at that time. I was thinking maybe Altman and I know Dickerson at Maryland was mentioned a lot as was Dawkins but not sure how serious any of them were at any time. Was trying to remember candidates that year.

I don’t know if other coaches would have done what Pearl did, but Jerry Greens sorry self came in and won 20 game 4 years in a row, so I think many coaches could have won here then. Maybe not in the way or timing Pearl did, however. He was fortunate to come in here with some players, and he had the ability to take it and run with it.

It’s been a while, but I remember Kevin O’Neill and Bruce Pearl as TN’s #1 targets based on both making it to the Sweet 16.

Pat Kennedy at FL State was the first choice to replace Devoe. Houston and Leonard Hamilton (Oklahoma State) were the finalists after Kennedy turned down Dickey. Hamilton wanted the job. Lamar Alexander dictated the Houston hire over CLH.

Tennessee settled for Green, Buzz, and Cuonzo. Tyndall was a top candidate after his success at Southern Mississippi and Morehead. Highly paid administrators failed to vet Donnie.

 

[Volfan1000]

It’s been a while, but I remember Kevin O’Neill and Bruce Pearl as TN’s #1 targets based on both making it to the Sweet 16.

Pat Kennedy at FL State was the first choice to replace Devoe. Houston and Leonard Hamilton (Oklahoma State) were the finalists after Kennedy turned down Dickey. Hamilton wanted the job. Lamar Alexander dictated the Houston hire over CLH.

Tennessee settled for Green, Buzz, and Cuonzo. Tyndall was a top candidate after his success at Southern Mississippi and Morehead. Highly paid administrators failed to vet Donnie.

Rick Byrd was a finalist in 2011 when Martin was hired.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

Rick Byrd was a finalist in 2011 when Martin was hired.

I’ll always wonder how Byrd would have done here. Guy was an outstanding X’s and O’s coach and just as good at developing players, but could he have recruited at this level?

 

[OrangeInKy]

It’s been a while, but I remember Kevin O’Neil and Bruce Oearl as TN’s #1 targets based on both making it to the Sweet 16.

Pat Kennedy at FL State was the first choice to replace Devoe. Houston and Leonard Hamilton (Oklahoma State) were the finalists after Kennedy turned down Dickey. Hamilton wanted the job. Lamar Alexander dictated the Houston hire over CLH.

Tennessee settled for Green, Buzz, and Cuonzo. Tyndall was a top candidate after his success at Southern Mississippi and Morehead. Highly paid administrators failed to vet Donnie.

I remember the Green search and hire (the Stalkings thing, the Self thing), but have started to forgot some others. I also remember some of the names mentioned before Buzz, and I was disappointed. The Cuonzo hire is one that surprised me, as I thought after what Pearl had just done here along with the likelihood of not much NCAA damage due to firing him, maybe some better guys would have been interested. I also know things were messy admin wise in those days. Anyway, I was just mainly trying to remember the 2005 candidates. I’m pretty certain Huggins was lobbying for the job, but that wouldn’t have worked out for long.

 

[Baulder]

JJJ was sooooo good. He hit some huge shots in the 1H and played lock down defense in both halves. Cannot be overstated what he did for this team tonight.

I'm super happy for him having great games when we need him most and that this wasn't Santi's last game. Regardless of where this run ends I hope Santi and JJJ have great runs to end off on.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Rick Byrd was a finalist in 2011 when Martin was hired.

There are several that fell though the cracks. Possibly dodged a bullet when our AD pissed off Kevin Stalkings. We passed on a couple that became very successful. Bill Self.

Byrd would have faced the same issue that Cuonzo was up against. Not a lot of personality after Pearl’s circus act.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I remember the Green search and hire (the Stalkings thing, the Self thing), but have started to forgot some others. I also remember some of the names mentioned before Buzz, and I was disappointed. The Cuonzo hire is one that surprised me, as I thought after what Pearl had just done here along with the likelihood of not much NCAA damage due to firing him, maybe some better guys would have been interested. I also know things were messy admin wise in those days. Anyway, I was just mainly trying to remember the 2005 candidates. I’m pretty certain Huggins was lobbying for the job, but that wouldn’t have worked out for long.

It seems like Bobby Knight was a shadow candidate somewhere in the history - but he was damaged goods and it didn’t gain traction. No idea if CBK had any interest. Possibly during the search to replace KO.

 

[OrangeInKy]

It seems like Bobby Knight was a shadow candidate somewhere in the history - but he was damaged goods and it didn’t gain traction. No idea if CBK had any interest. Possibly during the search to replace KO.

He was mentioned in 2005 and it had some kegs, and he even responded/shot down the rumor in a press conference, alluding to Tennessee rumors but not saying Tennessee. It was definitely 2005 because he was at Texas Tech at the time

 

[C-town Vol]

Not many coaches want to do this, but to me, you have to be willing to play Edey man to man without crashing down to double him. If he scores fifty on me, fine, but screw letting the supporting cast have career games. Let’s see if the NPOY can put the team on his back. Hound their guards, force them away from the basket. Make Edey do it all on his own.

Agreed… the biggest key to slowing down / stopping a dominant Big is to harass ball handlers. Make entry passes and getting to their spots for entry passes difficult with your ball pressure.

No matter how Santi feels, you start Mashack again and tell him and ZZ to make their guards miserable all night.

 

[gainesvol82]

I will. She had just found out I was indeed her biological son. Needless to say, it was a shock and an unpleasant reality.

How long had you been dating when she found out she was philandering with her baby boy (who was grown by then)?

Unless you're actually serious and then I'm really curious about that story, lol.

 

[gainesvol82]

I had on a plain black Hanes T during Texas , wore it tonight and will wear Sunday . It’s been clean each time so gotta wash it tomorrow

I'll wear black makeup on my face for the next game so I match your shirt. You think that will bring more luck?

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Elite 8 here we come! GBO!!!

 

[gainesvol82]

I hear ya. It’s been rumored that when I was born my mom asked the doctor if he could put me back in for a do over.

At least your mom didn't ask if it was too late to start drinking and smoking a bunch in an attempt to lose the baby.

 

[gainesvol82]

My Mom sued the hospital for malpractice. She insisted I was one of those babies that gets swapped in the nursery.

Did the hospital counter sue her for the staff's emotional trauma from having to deliver such a hideous "whatever the hell that was"?




For anyone reading this before or after church in the morning, apologies. No offense intended and just going along with the potter's schtick.....albeit more my type of dark humor.

As a husband of a wonderful wife who lost our third child...... condolences to any others who have been through the same. GBO we have a shot at a F4 and title!

 

[gainesvol82]

Edey will just move Aidoo backwards until he's 5 feet from the basket--then the little flip shot. That is not a good matchup for us, to say the least. I think we somehow need to keep our bigs out of foul trouble. You have to get a body on Edey early in possession, before he's in the paint-- make it hard for him to get into the paint. Big challenge.

Impossible to do with any player consistently so you have to be quick and decisive with doubles, rotate smartly and recover quickly. Awaka has been doing a better job with that recently and is much stronger. I don't like the lack of length but think he can frustrate Edey. Aidoo's length bothered Edey at times in Maui with altered or blocked shots but he will get pushed down low, especially after we miss shots.

If I'm Barnes then I double qnd practice rotating to the better 3pt shooters even if it means opening opportunities for penetration. Make Purdue beat us off the dribble to win. We have better athletes, great gap defenders and are great at collapsing on driving lanes and blocking or altering shots.

I think we have the athletes to shut their guards down and hold Purdeaux in the 50's to low 60's with Edey and FT's accounting for 40 of those points. We can win that type of game if we don't go completely cold. We won't beat them if we allow Edey and their shooters to get going so you take away the one you can and limit and frustrate Edey.

I don't want to see a repeat of Maui's high scoring game because that means their outside shooters contribute significantly and they are more consistently reliable than ours other than maybe Knecht and ZZ (usually).

We aren't winning the paint or FT line so we have to beat their shooters to win. Frustrate their guards & forwards by smothering them on D and on O being efficient shooting the ball, attacking the basket to draw fouls, finding cutters or open shots and we need to assist on a high rate of our FG's even when Knecht goes ISO.