Vols vs. Butler

#1
odbowles

odbowles

Volaholic
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Aug 15, 2006
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#1
I know everything I have read Pearl is really talking them up but I can't tell if it is just talk to be "nice" and try to keep us focused or if they really are that good and going to give us a hard time. Vegas has us as a 5 point favorite which makes it seem like they see is as a close game as well. Any thoughts?
 
#2
#2
Close but the boys pull away at the end and win by 10-12......Lofton needs to have a good night...And so does Smith.....GO VOLS!!!
 
#3
#3
Butler came back from 10 down or so to be Indiana. I wish I had watched more of that game...
 
#4
#4
General Jack said:
Butler came back from 10 down or so to be Indiana. I wish I had watched more of that game...
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IU went on about a 10 minute field goal drought. You guys are supremely more talented than them, but these early season games are hard to judge. They are experienced and run their sets pretty well. They also have quite a few guys that can shoot the three. Two starting guards have played pretty well, but the white boy at PF/SG is streaky. He was having an awful shooting game against IU and then nailed a couple threes at the end to seal it. Good luck! I think it is going to be a tough battle but you will pull it out in the end.
 
#5
#5
HoosierVol4 said:
IU went on about a 10 minute field goal drought. You guys are supremely more talented than them, but these early season games are hard to judge. They are experienced and run their sets pretty well. They also have quite a few guys that can shoot the three. Two starting guards have played pretty well, but the white boy at PF/SG is streaky. He was having an awful shooting game against IU and then nailed a couple threes at the end to seal it. Good luck! I think it is going to be a tough battle but you will pull it out in the end.
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Good deal, thanks. Their experience versus our inexperience sounds like the greatest obstacle to victory.
 
#6
#6
If Butler keeps it close, we will lose. We do not have the experience to pull out a close game with a bigger game on the horizon...
 
#8
#8
General Jack said:
So little faith in Pearl?
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It has nothing to do with Pearl. It has to do with the fact that we lost our leader on the court, C.J. Watson, and have replaced him with an extremely talented yet inexperienced freshman. We also have an extremely inexperienced front court. Lofton and JaJaun Smith are great shooters, however, if they go cold (which would lead to the close game) then I doubt the other 3 players on the court will be able to pull out the win.
 
#9
#9
I saw in a game preview on ESPN where Butler only beat an NAIA team by 6. I wouldn't be surprised if we run away with this one IF, and that's a big if, we can keep turnovers down.
 
#10
#10
therealUT said:
It has nothing to do with Pearl. It has to do with the fact that we lost our leader on the court, C.J. Watson, and have replaced him with an extremely talented yet inexperienced freshman. We also have an extremely inexperienced front court. Lofton and JaJaun Smith are great shooters, however, if they go cold (which would lead to the close game) then I doubt the other 3 players on the court will be able to pull out the win.
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I hear you, but after what Pearl was able to do with our group last year I have little doubt in what they can accomplish.
 
#11
#11
General Jack said:
I hear you, but after what Pearl was able to do with our group last year I have little doubt in what they can accomplish.
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I think UT will definitely be a perennial Top 10 team, if Pearl stays, starting next season. However, I think a lot of people are getting their hopes up for a season in which we could quite possibly end up with a #9 seed in the tourney, an early exit, and out of the final Top 25.
 
#12
#12
therealUT said:
I think UT will definitely be a perennial Top 10 team, if Pearl stays, starting next season. However, I think a lot of people are getting their hopes up for a season in which we could quite possibly end up with a #9 seed in the tourney, an early exit, and out of the final Top 25.
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This is a real possibility considering all of the young talent that we have. Then again, we could just as easily take off like we did last year.
 
#13
#13
therealUT said:
I think UT will definitely be a perennial Top 10 team, if Pearl stays, starting next season. However, I think a lot of people are getting their hopes up for a season in which we could quite possibly end up with a #9 seed in the tourney, an early exit, and out of the final Top 25.
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I agree that this season's expectations should be somewhat tempered by our youth. But what I love about Pearl is how he gets 110% from his guys - after last year I feel like we always have a legit shot at the win under his direction.
 
#14
#14
utvol0427 said:
This is a real possibility considering all of the young talent that we have. Then again, we could just as easily take off like we did last year.
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I predict several exciting wins and maybe a few unexpected losses. But it should be fun... its so nice to be able to say that about Tennessee basketball!
 
#15
#15
therealUT said:
I think UT will definitely be a perennial Top 10 team, if Pearl stays, starting next season. However, I think a lot of people are getting their hopes up for a season in which we could quite possibly end up with a #9 seed in the tourney, an early exit, and out of the final Top 25.
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I feel the same way... think it'd be silly to really expect a lot when you're depending on so much inexperience.

With that said, my only tangible thought about this game is... GO VOLS! :rock2:
 
#16
#16
utvol0427 said:
I saw in a game preview on ESPN where Butler only beat an NAIA team by 6. I wouldn't be surprised if we run away with this one IF, and that's a big if, we can keep turnovers down.
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We are averaging over 20 turnovers a game - 14 vs. MTSU, 26 vs. Fordham, 21 vs. UNC-Wilm., & 22 vs. Coppin St. While you are going to have some turnovers just because of the fast-paced style of play that we like, we definitely need to cut those down against Butler. I think they will prefer to play a half-court type of game, which will cut down on how many times we have the ball - so we need to take better care of it when we have it.
 
#17
#17
Butler is a very well schooled team that has two very good shooters in Green and Graves. I think it'll be a dog fight for most of the game but our tempo and depth will wear them out late. We win by around 10 points.
 
#20
#20
Is something wrong with Musberger? He sounds like he hasn't slept for about 3 days. He's really sluggish and not saying much.
 
#21
#21
GAVol said:
Is something wrong with Musberger? He sounds like he hasn't slept for about 3 days. He's really sluggish and not saying much.
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I want more Stacey Dales. They should do an insert of her in the lower corner of the screen.
 
#24
#24
As poor a half as Tennessee has played under Bruce Pearl. 14 turnovers against a team exerting no real ball pressure is inexcusable. The Vols are extremely lucky the brackets fell the way they did. Carolina or Gonzaga would have them down 15+.
 
#25
#25
Not a good half with the to's and the missed free throws. We could have almost put these guys away.

Willie Kemp makes Ramar Smith look like Gannon Goodson at this point in their careers.

Lofton has to find a way to stop getting the offensive fouls. I don't think we have enough plays with him coming off of a screen for three.

We need more activity inside in the second half.
 
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