The Official Tennessee vs. #6 Alabama Game Thread, 1:00 PM ET, ESPN

[ColinS]

If and when you lower your shoulders it is a high percentage that it will be called.

It is a charge in that situation. What I've seen all year is charge after charge called for 30 minutes or so and then at the end you can bull in a China shop your way into the lane and it's a bock every time. The most agressive players end up with tons of free throws.

 

[EZE]

Looks like checkers would’ve beaten chess in this scenario.

You don’t know that. In fact, with the way Vescovi was getting abused in that spot in the second half, it could’ve been “game over” if Barnes had stayed with the status quo.

 

[Lurker]

Shooting a free throw is absolutely the easiest shot in basketball that anyone can be good at.

Shooting uncontested free throws looks easy. But, if it's so easy, why aren't all high school, college and pro rosters full of 90-100% FT shooters? If it's so easy in a game, why isn't everyone making mostly all of them? The very best FT shooters in history barely made 90% and most college and high schoolers average under 70%.

All I'm saying is it's a little different at the end of a a real game than in your driveway. The kid deserves a break.

 

[EZE]

Shooting a free throw is absolutely the easiest shot in basketball that anyone can be good at.

And it’s one of the things you can practice on your own....

 

[EZE]

Agree. But if you’ve never played the game and put your toe on that line in the last minute, then you have no clue what it takes.

 

[VOLnVANDYland]

I just disagree with your logic. For example, if Steph Curry has a wide open 3, shooting it is the right tactical move. That is true whether he makes it or misses it
Now, obviously this situation is not as cut and dry as that. But saying something wasn't the right strategic move just because the end result was not good... I just think thats not logical

Comparing steph curry shooting a 3 to playing Gaines in crunch time when he has barely played all game let alone all year is illogical imho. Look, it was a huge gamble to put in gaines in that situation, with little payoff. I think we all see what happened.

 

[BreatheUT]

I think that was a devastating loss.

 

[Vol49er]

Comparing steph curry shooting a 3 to playing Gaines in crunch time when he has barely played all game let alone all year is illogical imho. Look, it was a huge gamble to put in gaines in that situation, with little payoff. I think we all see what happened.

Cmon man, read what I said. The Steph curry comparison was to illustrate that bad result does not equal bad plan. Yes it was a gamble. A good one in my opinion. Just didnt work out. If you want to critique barnes id stick with that final possession, that really deserved criticism

 

[birdie74]

Looks like checkers would’ve beaten chess in this scenario.

Pretty simple. We just ran out of gas. You could see it coming late in the 1st half. The energy required to play 40 minutes of physical man defense and motion offense cannot be sustained in back to back games. Our starters played 37 minutes against FL. Alabama’s guys played about 20 in their blowout win. All season long when we had a short turnaround we struggled the following game. Lack of quality depth and style of play are problematic.
With NCAA tourney there will be a day of rest between games and no travel. This should help. I can see us winning 2 or 3 games...

 

[VOLnVANDYland]

And guess what would have been b***ed about had that happened?

Had we stuck with Santi, I guarantee no one on here would have retrospectively been b@tching about how we should have put in Gaines to save the day on defense. Its a thought no one really should have entertained.

 

[Lurker]

I think that was a devastating loss.

I hated that loss. But I don't think it has to be "devastating." Frankly, given the last 4-6 weeks of up and down, it gives me a little more hope.

 

[VOLnVANDYland]

Cmon man, read what I said. The Steph curry comparison was to illustrate that bad result does not equal bad plan. Yes it was a gamble. A good one in my opinion. Just didnt work out. If you want to critique barnes id stick with that final possession, that really deserved criticism

It was a bad comparison. And youre right, the Gaines insertion was not the only botch job, just the one that was most egregious.

 

[1Volnation]

It is a charge in that situation. What I've seen all year is charge after charge called for 30 minutes or so and then at the end you can bull in a China shop your way into the lane and it's a bock every time. The most agressive players end up with tons of free throws.

I agree with that.

 

[VOLnVANDYland]

I think that was a devastating loss.

I fear the devastating loss is yet to come. This was just frustrating because we were in position, just couldnt make the right moves to bring it home.

 

[1Volnation]

Maybe the refs. help one team the first half then the next team the second half, covers their f... ups.

 

[Vol49er]

It was a bad comparison. And youre right, the Gaines insertion was not the only botch job, just the one that was most egregious.

Dude. I feel like im talking to a brick wall. If Steph misses a wide open three, do you think it was the wrong move for him to shoot it?

 

[1Volnation]

Maybe the refs. help one team the first half then the next team the second half, covers their f... ups.

I'd rather be screwed over in the first half.

 

[Sudden Impact]

I'd rather be screwed over in the first half.

I think with the exception of one all the charges that were called in the game were on one end of the court....

 

[USAFgolferVol]

It was a bad comparison. And youre right, the Gaines insertion was not the only botch job, just the one that was most egregious.

You should be very thankful for the first amendment

 

[djohnnyg]

Shooting uncontested free throws looks easy. But, if it's so easy, why aren't all high school, college and pro rosters full of 90-100% FT shooters? If it's so easy in a game, why isn't everyone making mostly all of them? The very best FT shooters in history barely made 90% and most college and high schoolers average under 70%.

All I'm saying is it's a little different at the end of a a real game than in your driveway. The kid deserves a break.

No he doesn't. He shouldn't be on the floor playing for an SEC team in a heated tournament battle when he looks like he's never shot a free throw in his life. He looked like an idiot. Embarrassing. Blowing into his hands like it's 30 below zero...then lining up like he's shooting a free throw for the first time in his life....and of course the two absolute bricks when he did chuck it up there. I'll give him a break in that he shouldn't of even been on the court in the first place wearing an SEC uniform. A Bemidgi State uniform fits him much better.

 

[VOLnVANDYland]

You should be very thankful for the first amendment

Yes I totally am, I love all the amendments..... Thanks for your excellent contributions as always. Truly legendary status here. If you have any points to make, any at all please feel free to try to articulate them.

 

[USAFgolferVol]

Yes I totally am, I love all the amendments..... Thanks for your excellent contributions as always. Truly legendary status here. If you have any points to make, any at all please feel free to try to articulate them.

The only thing you articulate is your disdain for Barnes.

 

[VOLnVANDYland]

The only thing you articulate is your disdain for Barnes.

Nope, just my disdain for losing because of coaching malfeasance. Ill give you a pass because they are kind of hard to distinguish now a days. And you still havent made any points. Thanks

 

[djohnnyg]

This game is a microcosm of Rick Barnes teams and tenure at UT. Show promise for most of the season or game...get you hyped up for an improbable win...and then BOOM! Totally collapse in demoralizing fashion at the end. I would prefer he just get blown out from the get go instead of having to read "Tennessee blows big lead and loses to Alabama in SEC tournament." I don't need his continuous roller coaster rides that always end with the car coming off the tracks.

 

[1Volnation]

And it’s one of the things you can practice on your own....

All day long when smoking a bong.