The Official #8 Tennessee vs. Tarleton State Game Thread, 6:30 PM ET, SEC Network+

[OrangeBeachVol]

No one will care about this game come March. A win is win.

 

[Jimmyandjoes]

Won by almost 20 at the end. Looks like the team is ready for a long break

 

[ColinS]

Nope. Just miserable coupled with low basketball IQs.

You have no ability to discuss basketball because you are in a constant nothing is wrong mode. Sometimes nothing is wrong and sometimes it is. You can only join half the conversation and get offended by the other half.

 

[Grude_Awakening]

This team is damn good. Even a struggle bus second half like this and they win by 19 and hold them to 46.

Need this rest & recovery time, can’t play that poorly on offense in SEC play.

Give me some of what you’re smoking buddy. We SHOULD be damn good. We are no where close to it.

 

[adam.vol]

I think he’s gotten in Knechts head too

Guys like Knecht need the freedom to take some bad shots to get going. We all know how well he plays when he’s in his groove.

I get mad every time I see Gainey hold the ball to take a bad shot at the end of the half. Why is he allowed to think he’s one of our go to scorers? I’d truly rather see any of our starters and Mashack taking shots over him.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Your reading comprehension is.

Swing and a miss

 

[JoeMiltonsAgent]

Take the win and move on to the next. Need this break to cure some of our woes, whatever they may be.

Still, even when we are playing bad, there’s nothing better than watching our University play some hoops. I’m thankful.

Hope all of you and yours have a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas to you all!

Same to you buddy.

Hope everyone has a great holiday season..even the trolls lol

 

[ColinS]

If beating an 8-3 team by double digits is considered a “poor game”, then we’ve came a long way than where we were before.

We have come a long way from the old days of Tennessee basketball. That's probably why we are picky.

 

[GBO18]

I really hope they are limiting Knechts minutes until conference play. He needs to play 30+ minutes and stay in a rhythm.

 

[JCP201]

I need Knecht to play more. I hope he's just battling a flu bug and he starts scoring like before. Awaka continues to be impressive. Go VOLS.

 

[Hbg]

Things that are concerning to me(I love UT but I don’t wear orange colored glasses)

1. Tn was not the stronger more physical team

2. Tn got out hustled

3. The regression of DK(I know he has been hurt but he’s still playing isn’t he)

4. Lack of post presence

5. Offensive woes

We were playing Tarleton State, not Purdue, Kentucky, etc

Roast away

 

[Jimmyandjoes]

Guys like Knecht need the freedom to take some bad shots to get going. We all know how well he plays when he’s in his groove.

I get mad every time I see Gainey hold the ball to take a bad shot at the end of the half. Why is he allowed to think he’s one of our go to scorers? I’d truly rather see any of our starters and Mashack taking shots over him.

I'm hoping coach is keeping minutes minimal for some guys, getting other guys in to get PT, and is ready to commit to a core rotation in SEC play so this group can gel, find their groove, learn how to play with each other, and take it to the next level. I hope

 

[NOLACHUCKEYTOM]

If beating an 8-3 team by double digits is considered a “poor game”, then we’ve came a long way than where we were before.

I think KenPom, the Ap and the Coaches polls think we are pretty good! So do I!

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

You have no ability to discuss basketball because you are in a constant nothing is wrong mode. Sometimes nothing is wrong and sometimes it is. You can only join half the conversation and get offended by the other half.

Your schtick is tired and stupid. For give me for not encouraging your brave takes.

 

[BreatheUT]

Knecht looks dejected on the end of the bench. If we are this bad offensively, we may as well run iso for 3 on offense like the 2nd half in Chapel Hill.

Don't say that man. He is the best offensive player the team has.

It seems just a few years ago we had a high flying, 3 point shooting, speedy team.

Now we are below the rim and lack overall athleticism and the old style has been replaced with a grind it out style.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

DK’s ankle ain’t 100%, they are letting him play through it a bit but also keeping his minutes low.

He’s gonna benefit the most from this 12 day break.

 

[Doctrippin]

At least he didn't say Mouses Ear.

Is that place still open? I remember blowing some strategically placed matches out there back in the day

 

[calban]

So why are we tired and need rest? This is our only game this week. I agree with the rest of what you said.

Lingering Jet Lag.

 

[JohnWardForever]

Don't be surprised if Tarleton keeps it under the 22-23.

19. Nostradamas.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

The Force is strong with the trolls and the Legion of the Miserables tonight. We played horrible. It’s not exactly what the doctor ordered, but it’s only one game in a 30~ game season. Don’t make more of it than it really is.

 

[Doctrippin]

Take the win and move on to the next. Need this break to cure some of our woes, whatever they may be.

Still, even when we are playing bad, there’s nothing better than watching our University play some hoops. I’m thankful.

Hope all of you and yours have a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas to you all!

It's just a recurring theme with Barnes teams. Consistent play out of our stars is not there. Last year we won or lost based on Santi being hot or cold. He's a 6 year senior and should be double digits every game

 

[Doctrippin]

Don't say that man. He is the best offensive player the team has.

It seems just a few years ago we had a high flying, 3 point shooting, speedy team.

Now we are below the rim and lack overall athleticism and the old style has been replaced with a grind it out style.

We were that team against WI! Where did it go?

 

[NOLACHUCKEYTOM]

I think Ken Pom had Tarlenton 190th in the country tonight! Woohoo throw a parade, my god some of you are so ridiculous it’s pathetic. Absolutely pathetic. I love the Vols as much as any of you but I am not a mule eater. You lick all over it. Rim it and such. This was a horrible game and should be treated as such. Can’t imagine the excuses you make for yourselves in your real lives while you swallow this load of trash wholeheartedly.

I would think that someone that has been around since 2012 would have seen enough to not be as shallow of thought and mind as you seem to project. I remember well when Tennessee basketball was unwatchable and am thankful for the program we have today.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

Don't say that man. He is the best offensive player the team has.

It seems just a few years ago we had a high flying, 3 point shooting, speedy team.

Now we are below the rim and lack overall athleticism and the old style has been replaced with a grind it out style.

Huh? This team is lacking in a few areas, but athleticism ain’t one of them. It’s not the most athletic team Barnes has had here, but it’s far from his least athletic.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

It's just a recurring theme with Barnes teams. Consistent play out of our stars is not there. Last year we won or lost based on Santi being hot or cold. He's a 6 year senior and should be double digits every game

He’s a 5th year senior and scored double digits.