The Official #8 Tennessee vs. #12 Kentucky Game Thread, 7:00 PM ET, ESPN

[87Vol]

That’s 3 losses in a row, but it could be several more, given our schedule. We almost definitely lose the next one to Florida. What a major disappointment this season is becoming after such a great start. Wish we had someone who could freaking shoot the ball !!!

 

[walkenvol]

I’d love for Barnes to hire an offensive minded coach to fix what seems to Be the problem
Every year.

I feel it’s a talent issue

 

[wmcovol]

I love Barnes but the criticism is earned right now. No one can suggest the decision to not fill out the roster with the remaining scholarship spots was a good one. The lack of adapting on the offensive end, late game management. There’s valid reasons for criticism right now.

He gave all his NIL money to returning guys.

 

[ColinS]

Barnes did not miss wide open shots. Players got to execute and shoot with confidence.
They don't! Earlier in the season they did now against tighter defense they don't!

Barnes has to take some blame on this. Team was not ready to play and he got outcoached plain and simple. Kentucky got a lay up after every timeout. We got nothing.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

We are spiraling

 

[whobethis16]

Shot selection wasn't terrible. Shots just didn't fall.

Said that against Florida, said that against Auburn, said that against Kentucky. The object of the game isn't to take pretty shots, it's to put the ball in the hole. At some point it has to happen.

 

[Vols till I fall]

What I don't get is why we were not driving to the rim AT HOME with Okpara, a very physical big?!?!

Seems like when Rick first got here, his playing style was pound people around in the paint, now he's transitioned to modern day basketball, chuck up a 3 every play.

What is going on here???

 

[vavolfan6]

This is an absolutely insane take. They were shorthanded and playing on the road. Also I promise you that shooting 50% from the field isn’t anything to be ashamed of.

They shouldn't be ashamed they shot 50% from 3. They should be ashamed they couldn't beat us any other way in any other scenario. That and they needed the refs to even up the foul count and free throw count after half time.

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

If those two guys play they take shots away from the guys who shot 50%. So no, they do not win.

I don't know what makes you think they aren't capable of catching fire with butler in?
Kentucky lives and dies by the 3. We let them live.

 

[KB5252]

We have no depth, our legs stay tired. The two scorers we have are cold on tired legs

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Bad Loss.
Typical Coach Barnes team, great defense, shaky offense and hot & cold post play.
At some point, you gotta recruit more than one scorer.

Note: The only Barnes team in 20+ years to make the final four had one of the greatest pure scorers in basketball history - Kevin Durant (personally can't stand the guy, but he can score).

Durant didn’t make the Final 4

 

[The Tall Gguy]

Think this is bad? Just wait until next year when Barnes is gone as well as everyone else except Phillips, Estrella, and Boswell. Are there enough players in the portal to fill out the roster?

 

[hUTch2002]

Shot selection wasn't terrible. Shots just didn't fall.

Disagree. Jacking 45 3s is awful shot selection.

 

[volsarelife1]

Good news is, we play them at Rupp after our midweek break. So we’ll be fresh & we’ll beat them.

Team has to get some rest in before Saturday. Hopefully Barnes recognizes that right now recovery is the main thing we need.

We shoot like this and we'll get beat by 60+ in Rupp

 

[tnvols72]

Pope put this team together from NOTHING and still punks Barnes.

That is the embarrassing part

 

[Raiford62]

I am sorry, but this is the same old offensive scheme every year. NO OFFENSIVE SCHEME and NO RELIABLE SCORERS. Dalton sure carried this team last year.

 

[wmcovol]

That’s 3 losses in a row, but it could be several more, given our schedule. We almost definitely lose the next one to Florida. What a major disappointment this season is becoming after such a great start. Wish we had someone who could freaking shoot the ball !!!

Not predicting a loss but Florida is better than Ky

 

[vavolfan6]

Said that against Florida, said that against Auburn, said that against Kentucky. The object of the game isn't to take pretty shots, it's to put the ball in the hole. At some point it has to happen.

Florida played good defense against us. Same with Auburn.

But today, we had wide open shots and were at home and could not hit.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Think this is bad? Just wait until next year when Barnes is gone as well as everyone else except Phillips, Estrella, and Boswell. Are there enough players in the portal to fill out the roster?

Folks who think DW can just go out and hire whoever he wants after Barnes retires is in for a rude awakening.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

it’s hard to beat teams with 4-5 scorers when you only got a couple.

Question: Where does Lanier play if he’d signed with Ky? I’m not sure he does. He was practically a non factor minus a couple shots tonight.

He had 15 points…Igor & Chaz brought offense tonight that wasn’t the issue. Both struggled with defense though.

 

[onevol74]

That's what happens when you settle for threes all night.

Why did they keep shooting them when it was evident they were not hitting them? Does this team even have an inside game? Just not a very good team.

 

[m_scott]

Who ever rated TN #1 did not know basketball. Our offense is TERRIBLE!

The same jack hole the ranked UNC #9

 

[tnvols72]

and only made 11..................at what point does Barnes say "Stop shooting the 3!!!!"...........we woulda probably won this game if we would have gone inside/driven just a bit more.

Barnes just lets them and never says nothing. It got me when he pulled Dubar for Gainey and he comes right in with a turnover.

 

[DeansRedHalo]

Last two minutes was just full-on panicked, irrational basketball. Only way I can think of to describe it.

 

[D3Athlete]

Kentucky got Tennessee to play they wanted them too. 45 threes is not Tennessee’s identity. Don’t matter how open they were or not. That is not Tennessee basketball.