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

[Tshotdan]

I can't believe they got ranked #1 lol

I can see us having a losing record in the SEC. Can’t trust anybody on this team to step night in and out.

 

[Majors]

Igor took 10 shots & 8 were 3s. Dubar 9 shots, 7 3s. Gainey 9, 8 3s.

Maybe attack the rim???

 

[Namorto1]

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.

Agree with you, but still. Losing both Estrella and Carr was unexpected. Especially for a coach who really only plays 7-8 guys. He probably didn't think he needed anyone else. It was a mistake nevertheless.

 

[first time caller]

How many times can ones heart break?

 

[Vol737]

Other than Igor, the rest of the team was 7-37 on threes.

Why???

Because we don’t have legitimately consistent shooters. Gotta have em’ to really make a run. We will be on the bubble to get into the NCAA tourney.

 

[volfever007]

And we shot 12 to their 2 in the first half. With us jacking up 20 3s. We got the better whistle by far in the first half. And Kentucky got the better whistle the second half

Uh, we shot 10 more than them in the first half, they shot 17 more than us in the 2nd half, that's the difference in the game. We had it down to 1 point and KY's last 7 points were FT's. Either way, I agree that just jacking up 3's is what got us in the hole.

 

[hUTch2002]

It was a team effort of missed 3s. ZZ, Chaz, Gainey all shot a ton of 3s. They all had open shots.

But sure, maybe Dubar shouldn't have shot 7 3s.

They did. At some point they should’ve tried something different. You and I clearly don’t see this game the same way and that’s fine. We do both appreciate the effort at least.

 

[Vols till I fall]

Is there not anyone on campus or in Bearden, cedar bluff, Farragut or lenoir city that can shoot a basketball?

Like, I have seen white guys around here shoot the paint off of the ball, like draining them.

Can we not find someone that wants to walk on?

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

I feel it’s a talent issue

The issue is what he values in a player. He’d rather get a great defender and teach them offense than vice versa. And for the most part it has worked pretty well, but it puts a ceiling on a team and it also leads to some difficult basketball to watch.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Welp 17-4, 4-4…gotta work through these offensive struggles.

We’re still in the mix, but this game was the first where I felt our lack of a roster showed up.

Gotta get ready for the Gators, who are going to be well rested with no midweek game.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

I can see us having a losing record in the SEC. Can’t trust anybody on this team to step night in and out.

Then we might be the dreaded 11 or 12 seed

 

[vavolfan6]

Sign me up for that kind of shame then.

The real shame for Kentucky comes in March, where that style of basketball will not win you anything. They can beat anyone and lose to anyone.

Losing this game sucks, but it doesn't change anything about what I think.this team is capable of during March. This team can win shooting poorly. They always have a chance. Butbif we catch fire and start hitting we are unstoppable.

 

[GiveHim6InSC]

Outside of the men's Florida debacle, the men's and women's teams have now lost 8 games this month against mostly ranked teams by an average of like 2.875 points per loss. Absolutely brutal.

Only consolation I have with that is that it builds character come tournament time.

 

[D3Athlete]

Will say. This game does temper my expectations for this rest of the year. Not being a Nega but it’s just majorly concerning. You are supposed to build off what happened Saturday at Auburn. Not take steps back

 

[patrick]

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.

Exactly.

 

[Volizona]

What if Kim Caldwell and Barnes trade places for a month? Caldwell can coach offense for the men’s team and Barnes can coach defense for the Lady Vols.

 

[VOLifornia]

I’ve revolved myself to the fact this team just is what it is at this point. Love them, but I’m not letting a group of 20yr olds dictate my mental health anymore.

Agreed and this is a typical Barnes team. For all the heart and soul that is Z, Mashack and Gainey. The best, and I mean best this team will do is Sweet 16 so it tracks. Until Boswell, Phillips & Dubar can provide quality minutes we are what we are.

 

[patrick]

Uh, we shot 10 more than them in the first half, they shot 17 more than us in the 2nd half, that's the difference in the game. We had it down to 1 point and KY's last 7 points were FT's. Either way, I agree that just jacking up 3's is what got us in the hole.

TN had 22 more shots in total. Abysmal offense.

 

[Majors]

44 3s attempted. I can hear the clank of the rim 30 minutes later.

 

[joevols89]

We are looking at 9-9 conference finish.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

The issue is what he values in a player. He’d rather get a great defender and teach them offense than vice versa. And for the most part it has worked pretty well, but it puts a ceiling on a team and it also leads to some difficult basketball to watch.

I'm not surprised you actually believe you know what Barnes thinks. In addition, many offensive minded players have come to play here to learn defense. I'll take our ceiling here while Barnes is HC

 

[patrick]

The issue is what he values in a player. He’d rather get a great defender and teach them offense than vice versa. And for the most part it has worked pretty well, but it puts a ceiling on a team and it also leads to some difficult basketball to watch.

It’s worked ok I would say.

 

[Freak]

30 is an exaggeration but several times but he deserves to wear it.

I have been defending the Bball Vols all season. I call a spade a spade. No excuse for this loss - it’s on Barnes and his team. 40+ three balls. I’m sure Barnes going to talk about Defense.

Equal praise equal criticism.

It's not much of an exaggeration, if at all.

31 counting this one.

Criticize away. Team deserves it.

 

[hUTch2002]

Igor took 10 shots & 8 were 3s. Dubar 9 shots, 7 3s. Gainey 9, 8 3s.

Maybe attack the rim???

We’re not a great dribble drive team either so we have to move the ball by passing, which is the better way anyway. For that to be effective we need better off the ball movement. We stand around way too much and the. Settle for jump shots we could get at any point. Even if open, those aren’t good shots. Maybe for someone like Lofton.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

Igor took 10 shots & 8 were 3s.

Maybe attack the rim???

When you hit 4 of them, nah. Igor was the only thing keeping us in this one.