What I saw in the Xavier game (if you care)

[MemphisCanes]

I'm posting this to have some constructive discussion, not to flame:

1. The substitution pattern from Martin was really weird last night. McRae was sitting at weird times; Cheivous played almsot 15 minutes after none in the exhibition. I'd have played Stokes late in the first half after Stainbrook was having his way, even with two fouls.

2. McRae was the only bright spot to this offense. He's the only one not standing around, besides Maymon, who was rusty and trying to do too much. Outside of Stokes, Maymon and McRae, Martin needs to find some contributors on offense.

3. Stokes looked unsure of himself and let a less talented big man dominate him. I did see some flashes of brilliance (that drive to the basket and dunk was nice), but this is a game that he should've put up double-double numbers in.

4. Richardson looked a step slow on offense but his shot was falling. He was the only one besides Maymon and McRae that played with any urgency on offense. I don't like his form on his jumpshot, but if he can keep hitting consistently from deep he'll become a much more valuable player.

5. Barton was ok. Much more the opportunistic scorer than the distributor, but he didn't turn the ball over and that's about all you can ask for.

6. Hubbs let the vastness of the game get to him. He made bad decisions but I think he'll be fine once he gets his confidence up.

7. The rest of the bench for the Vols was non-existent. Hubbs will be an asset, but there is no one else I see on the bench that is ready to contribute in high-level games such as this. The Vols are woefully thin in the depth department at this point.

8. I underestimated Semaj Christon. That guy made some mistakes, but it seems like he got to the basket at will. Also, Stainbrook is a giant ogresloth, but he knows how to use his size. Teams without a tall, heavy center will struggle with him.

9. Xavier may make some noise this season, they were down two starters in last night's game.

Just my two cents.

 

[Stoked]

I'm posting this to have some constructive discussion, not to flame:

1. The substitution pattern from Martin was really weird last night. McRae was sitting at weird times; Cheivous played almsot 15 minutes after none in the exhibition. I'd have played Stokes late in the first half after Stainbrook was having his way, even with two fouls.

2. McRae was the only bright spot to this offense. He's the only one not standing around, besides Maymon, who was rusty and trying to do too much. Outside of Stokes, Maymon and McRae, Martin needs to find some contributors on offense.

3. Stokes looked unsure of himself and let a less talented big man dominate him. I did see some flashes of brilliance (that drive to the basket and dunk was nice), but this is a game that he should've put up double-double numbers in.

4. Richardson looked a step slow on offense but his shot was falling. He was the only one besides Maymon and McRae that played with any urgency on offense. I don't like his form on his jumpshot, but if he can keep hitting consistently from deep he'll become a much more valuable player.

5. Barton was ok. Much more the opportunistic scorer than the distributor, but he didn't turn the ball over and that's about all you can ask for.

6. Hubbs let the vastness of the game get to him. He made bad decisions but I think he'll be fine once he gets his confidence up.

7. The rest of the bench for the Vols was non-existent. Hubbs will be an asset, but there is no one else I see on the bench that is ready to contribute in high-level games such as this. The Vols are woefully thin in the depth department at this point.

8. I underestimated Semaj Christon. That guy made some mistakes, but it seems like he got to the basket at will. Also, Stainbrook is a giant ogresloth, but he knows how to use his size. Teams without a tall, heavy center will struggle with him.

9. Xavier may make some noise this season, they were down two starters in last night's game.

Just my two cents.

Thanks MC, but I disagree with number 7. Moore can contribute too if CCM would give his minutes that he has earned back to him. Also DT. But out her than that yes we are lacking some depth.

 

[MemphisCanes]

Thanks MC, but I disagree with number 7. Moore can contribute too if CCM would give his minutes that he has earned back to him. Also DT. But out her than that yes we are lacking some depth.

I think he can too, but he only played 8 minutes. I'd like to see Martin give Moore the minutes he gave Cheivous. He doesn't need to be playing both guys at this tempo, and I think Moore is just the better player.

We'll see about DT. He had two good steals last night, I just don't think we was ready to stick Christon or Randolph.

 

[Vol4ever]

I'm posting this to have some constructive discussion, not to flame:

1. The substitution pattern from Martin was really weird last night. McRae was sitting at weird times; Cheivous played almsot 15 minutes after none in the exhibition. I'd have played Stokes late in the first half after Stainbrook was having his way, even with two fouls.

2. McRae was the only bright spot to this offense. He's the only one not standing around, besides Maymon, who was rusty and trying to do too much. Outside of Stokes, Maymon and McRae, Martin needs to find some contributors on offense.

3. Stokes looked unsure of himself and let a less talented big man dominate him. I did see some flashes of brilliance (that drive to the basket and dunk was nice), but this is a game that he should've put up double-double numbers in.

4. Richardson looked a step slow on offense but his shot was falling. He was the only one besides Maymon and McRae that played with any urgency on offense. I don't like his form on his jumpshot, but if he can keep hitting consistently from deep he'll become a much more valuable player.

5. Barton was ok. Much more the opportunistic scorer than the distributor, but he didn't turn the ball over and that's about all you can ask for.

6. Hubbs let the vastness of the game get to him. He made bad decisions but I think he'll be fine once he gets his confidence up.

7. The rest of the bench for the Vols was non-existent. Hubbs will be an asset, but there is no one else I see on the bench that is ready to contribute in high-level games such as this. The Vols are woefully thin in the depth department at this point.

8. I underestimated Semaj Christon. That guy made some mistakes, but it seems like he got to the basket at will. Also, Stainbrook is a giant ogresloth, but he knows how to use his size. Teams without a tall, heavy center will struggle with him.

9. Xavier may make some noise this season, they were down two starters in last night's game.

Just my two cents.

Nothing I disagree with here

 

[Rudy123]

I think he can too, but he only played 8 minutes. I'd like to see Martin give Moore the minutes he gave Cheivous. He doesn't need to be playing both guys at this tempo, and I think Moore is just the better player.

We'll see about DT. He had two good steals last night, I just don't think we was ready to stick Christon or Randolph.

This is what I see


(1) We get invited to the N.I.T. once again.

(2) Martin will retain his job after this season, but will be fired after the 2015 season.

(3) This season, we will lose to some team that is obvious not as good as us. Either, U.T.E.P., Morehead State, Tusculum, Citadel, USC UpState, or Tennessee State University. Chalk one of those games up as a loss for us.

It is indicitave of a Martin team that we lose to a team such as those. We lost to Austin Peay & we lost to College of Charleston.....

With this team, Pearl or Jerry Green could get us to the NCAA, but Martin won't be able to do it.

However; he is a good recruiter!!!!!

 

[cncchris33]

I think McRae, Barton, and Richardon were bright spots offensively in a game that struggled for them, so I'd take exception to saying McRae was the only one.

Barton hit open shots, got in the paint, and played really intense on-ball defense (which was one of your criticisms/concerns with him in other discussions).

I agree with pretty much everything else. Armani has to play more (no pun intended). Chievous had no business in that game last night for 13 minutes.

 

[Stoked]

This is what I see


(1) We get invited to the N.I.T. once again.

(2) Martin will retain his job after this season, but will be fired after the 2015 season.

(3) This season, we will lose to some team that is obvious not as good as us. Either, U.T.E.P., Morehead State, Tusculum, Citadel, USC UpState, or Tennessee State University. Chalk one of those games up as a loss for us.

It is indicitave of a Martin team that we lose to a team such as those. We lost to Austin Peay & we lost to College of Charleston.....

With this team, Pearl or Jerry Green could get us to the NCAA, but Martin won't be able to do it.

However; he is a good recruiter!!!!!

Pearl lost to C of C, Oakland, Charlotte and to a D2 Indy team. I guess you forgot though.

 

[Spartacavolus]

Pearl lost to C of C, Oakland, Charlotte and to a D2 Indy team. So lol.

he coached the winningest years of the program going back a few decades and took the team to heights it appears we aren't going to see for awhile. If you want to focus on losses like that rather than wins against Durant, Kentucky, or at #1 Memphis, it is your choice of course.

 

[Stoked]

he coached the winningest years of the program going back a few decades and took the team to heights it appears we aren't going to see for awhile. If you want to focus on losses like that rather than wins against Durant, Kentucky, or at #1 Memphis, it is your choice of course.

Well CCM has great wins too and he was saying CCM was going to lose to another Austin Peay. Just reminded him that Pearl wasn't perfect.

 

[MemphisCanes]

This is what I see


(1) We get invited to the N.I.T. once again.

(2) Martin will retain his job after this season, but will be fired after the 2015 season.

(3) This season, we will lose to some team that is obvious not as good as us. Either, U.T.E.P., Morehead State, Tusculum, Citadel, USC UpState, or Tennessee State University. Chalk one of those games up as a loss for us.

It is indicitave of a Martin team that we lose to a team such as those. We lost to Austin Peay & we lost to College of Charleston.....

With this team, Pearl or Jerry Green could get us to the NCAA, but Martin won't be able to do it.

However; he is a good recruiter!!!!!

I don't think UT is headed to the NIT this season.

Not to be callous, but this is a make or break year for Martin. If by the end of the season the powers that be are not convinced that he's the man for the job, you may as well make a change in 2014. 2014 will be a rebuilding year anyway.

Not that Martin still won't prove himself this season. He's only coached one game so far.

 

[Shaun1985]

I don't think UT is headed to the NIT this season.

Not to be callous, but this is a make or break year for Martin. If by the end of the season the powers that be are not convinced that he's the man for the job, you may as well make a change in 2014. 2014 will be a rebuilding year anyway.

Not that Martin still won't prove himself this season. He's only coached one game so far.

I agree 100000000 %. I just don't see our AD getting rid of him even if he misses the tournament.

 

[MemphisCanes]

Well CCM has great wins too and he was saying CCM was going to lose to another Austin Peay. Just reminded him that Pearl wasn't perfect.

He's gotta prove he can win games like this on the road.

UT may be able to get a bid based on the strength of home wins, but it won't be a good seed.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Well CCM has great wins too and he was saying CCM was going to lose to another Austin Peay. Just reminded him that Pearl wasn't perfect.

No, but he was a winner. I guess you can (barely) say that for Cuonzo. Kinda.

 

[Shaun1985]

Also, great OP. I agree with pretty much everything. #1 still shocks me. I have no idea what Martin was thinking.

 

[Stoked]

I was a huge Pearl fan too, but his offense was not a fun one to watch his last few years.

 

[orangeluvr]

I saw our bigs get freaking out played and piss poor FT shooting. :yes:

 

[papatomany]

I think he can too, but he only played 8 minutes. I'd like to see Martin give Moore the minutes he gave Cheivous. He doesn't need to be playing both guys at this tempo, and I think Moore is just the better player.

We'll see about DT. He had two good steals last night, I just don't think we was ready to stick Christon or Randolph.

DT didn't get beat on defense, picked up the two steals overplaying the passing lane, made some nice passes and no mistakes that I saw. The missed three didn't look that bad, but the free throws were atrocious.

 

[Fullfillmer]

I don't think UT is headed to the NIT this season.

Not to be callous, but this is a make or break year for Martin. If by the end of the season the powers that be are not convinced that he's the man for the job, you may as well make a change in 2014. 2014 will be a rebuilding year anyway.

Not that Martin still won't prove himself this season. He's only coached one game so far.

I think we will turn it around this year - we just have too much talent not to. Barton will get more minutes at the point which will help - Stokes and Maymon will get more comfortable and adapt to the new rules --- next year will be Martin's defining year imo. I don't see where the scoring and defense will be coming from next year. Is there a point guard coming in with the next class?

 

[cncchris33]

MC,

What did you think of Barton's defense? I thought he looked better than you seemed to think he would (albeit one game), and infinitely better than Golden ever dreamed.

 

[AlaskaVol]

If he does not develop these bench players and get this team in the NCAA, I absolutely dread what next season will bring. I would predict 12 wins max next season.

 

[bigsteve13]

I shouldn't be surprised by the outcome of this game. We shouldn't expect out guys to show up until February because that is just how Cuonzo coaches his teams. Xavier didn't impress me at all. We let Napolian Dynamite smash the boards on us and Christon lit us up and we couldn't stop him. McRae found it at the end of the first half and then didn't do anything the rest of the game. Barton looked good. Richardson looked good. Our bigs are screwed with the new rules but it doesn't matter cause Stokes didn't look like he had a clue except for the one drive he took and Maymon looked like he hadn't ran since the end of the 2011-12 season. Unbelievably disappointed but hey, it's a Cuonzo coached team so we shouldn't have expected anything less than a slow start and horrible shooting

 

[OrangeBalls]

I'm posting this to have some constructive discussion, not to flame:

1. The substitution pattern from Martin was really weird last night. McRae was sitting at weird times; Cheivous played almsot 15 minutes after none in the exhibition. I'd have played Stokes late in the first half after Stainbrook was having his way, even with two fouls.

2. McRae was the only bright spot to this offense. He's the only one not standing around, besides Maymon, who was rusty and trying to do too much. Outside of Stokes, Maymon and McRae, Martin needs to find some contributors on offense.

3. Stokes looked unsure of himself and let a less talented big man dominate him. I did see some flashes of brilliance (that drive to the basket and dunk was nice), but this is a game that he should've put up double-double numbers in.

4. Richardson looked a step slow on offense but his shot was falling. He was the only one besides Maymon and McRae that played with any urgency on offense. I don't like his form on his jumpshot, but if he can keep hitting consistently from deep he'll become a much more valuable player.

5. Barton was ok. Much more the opportunistic scorer than the distributor, but he didn't turn the ball over and that's about all you can ask for.

6. Hubbs let the vastness of the game get to him. He made bad decisions but I think he'll be fine once he gets his confidence up.

7. The rest of the bench for the Vols was non-existent. Hubbs will be an asset, but there is no one else I see on the bench that is ready to contribute in high-level games such as this. The Vols are woefully thin in the depth department at this point.

8. I underestimated Semaj Christon. That guy made some mistakes, but it seems like he got to the basket at will. Also, Stainbrook is a giant ogresloth, but he knows how to use his size. Teams without a tall, heavy center will struggle with him.

9. Xavier may make some noise this season, they were down two starters in last night's game.

Just my two cents.

Don't really disagree, but will add.

1. No one understood it. Play Q that many minutes and Moore get hardly nothing? Whoever is doing his substituting for him ought to be fired. Jones used to do it for Pearl. I don't know if Martin does it or has someone remind him. Last night was awful. We had 10 different players in the game in the first 6 minutes. Unreal.

2. I thought Barton and J-Rich gave the offense a spark in the 2nd half. Barton is going to help this team once he gets some chemistry with them. I just hope it happens sooner rather than later.

3. Stokes was an embarrassment. He isn't the smartest player or a guy that gives great effort. Part of that is on him and part of that is on the coaching staff for not coaching him up.

4. J-Rich's defense wasn't that great. He can and will do better.

8. Christon was the best player on the floor and the one who has the best chance in the NBA.

9. That is the most troubling thing of all. We still couldn't get a W with 2 of their starters out. Let that sink in.

And my two cents, Martin was clueless with an offensive game plan. Kind of like the last 2 years. Zero in game adjustments to help his team out. If not for McRae, we get blown out. What happens when he's gone next year? I don't like to think about it.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

MC,

What did you think of Barton's defense? I thought he looked better than you seemed to think he would (albeit one game), and infinitely better than Golden ever dreamed.

There's no doubt about it, he's immediately our 2nd best perimeter defender behind Richardson.

 

[TNVolunteerGrad]

I'm just trying to take a deep breath and take solace in the fact that there are many more games yet to be played.

 

[cncchris33]

I'm just trying to take a deep breath and take solace in the fact that there are many more games yet to be played.

Thank you for having a rational perspective.