Worry Circle now open 24 hours a day

[CAVPUT]

You keep pointing to the problem but don’t want to call them out by name…vescovi and jjj.

Both are more complimentary pieces and not "go to" guys. JJJ has the physical tools and Vescovi has the shot, but both lack the assertive/aggressive personality to lead/carry a team. It's just not their personality. Maybe they both flip the switch come March and all our dreams come true?

 

[CAVPUT]

Complaining about Gainey last night when basically the entire team was shooting poorly is certainly a choice. Who else would you play? Gainey had 18 on Wednesday. We had to have some scoring burst out there and no one else was providing anything. Might as well see what Gainey can do.

I was really speaking more to his defensive game. He's not the most physical guy out there and aTm took advantage of him a good bit. Combine that with his shot being off last night, it kinda begs the question of why so many minutes....at least in my nega mind.

 

[sami]

It’s concerning that stamina is an issue with this team. If that’s the case, Barnes needs to play some of the younger guys more minutes in this upcoming stretch of games. You wouldn’t think a bunch of 21-23 year olds would be exhausted already, but the two terrible offensive performances in the last four games certainly suggests it could be a factor.

I made the comment in another thread but players other than Zakai and Knecht need to step up or we’re going to run them into the ground to the point that they’ll be toast by March. You shouldn’t need the two of them to be on the court for all 40 minutes just to have a chance to win games.

Aidoo has been bad since the scorching start to SEC play he has had. He needs to get his head out of his rear end. We basically had two guys show up on offense last night and it feels like that’s been the biggest issue this year when we lose games.

It seems the book on Aidoo is to beat him up, he just doesn't go strong to the basket or fight hard for rebounds. That's why Awaka played so much last night, he's a badass even if he doesn't have the offensive skill of Aidoo.

The main issue moving forward is that it's clear that SC set the template of how to beat us, which is to be extremely physical and drag the game into the mud. What killed us last night was that once all the 3's were falling, we had to stay at home on defense instead of doubling to stop the penetration, and it allowed them to go to that 'run the clock and iso' game because we had no one who could guard Taylor and Radford straight up. We can beat teams that like to run, but physical teams that can make 3's are going to be trouble.

I've been advocating all year for a bigger rotation now to keep guys fresher for the late season grind. If we can't sit ZZ and DK for 8-10 minutes a night and survive, then how good are we?

 

[TN-POSSUM]

*Worry circle

 

[sami]

Looks like all the recent talk of the Vols being projected as a No. 1 seed went to their heads.
They were reveling in the hype instead of taking care of business.

Nothing went to their heads, they ran into a buzzsaw, a physical group who rebound like demons and couldn't miss from 3. This kind of team is going to give us trouble, especially if they shoot like that.

 

[sami]

I think 2 big issues are front court getting out toughed on boards with the one TAM guy getting 17 boards and Barnes not realizing until second half this was a Mashack instead of Gainey game. Mashack is such an important piece in these slower half court games with his effort, rebounding, and defense. Gainey has his place especially in faster paced games like bama/kentucky.

Arkansas and Auburn will both be slower physical games and I think Mashack will be huge in those and probably needs bigger minutes to help ZZ too on defense.

Mashack and Awaka, as well. What you give up in offense you get back in tough, physical play.

I've been saying for the last few weeks that rebounding is going to kill us, and last night was Exhibit A. This group is going to have problems with physical teams that rebound the ball, especially if they hit their 3's like A&M was last night.

 

[GoodTimeVol]

Both are more complimentary pieces and not "go to" guys. JJJ has the physical tools and Vescovi has the shot, but both lack the assertive/aggressive personality to lead/carry a team. It's just not their personality. Maybe they both flip the switch come March and all our dreams come true?

It’s been the problem for 3 years they have capability to be consistent they have just never once shown it for a long stretch. We usually have one sure fire nba player sometimes two (springer, Keon, Chandler, and now Knecht) on the roster and guess who gets blamed during tournament time when we get bounced…hint usually not vescovi and jjj. I like vescovi and JJJ but this is their last year so if they want to be remembered for more than just a sweet 16 appearance then they need to put it all together during march mardness because Zekai and Knecht can’t do it all for them.

 

[Godfatha]

Our vets have to get involved on offense. I don't know what is going on in their heads, but they're pretty much dead weight offensively right now. You can't just stand there and watch ZZ and Knecht.

 

[knoxvol52]

Worried about whether to take over or under on Superbowl.

 

[CAVPUT]

It seems the book on Aidoo is to beat him up, he just doesn't go strong to the basket or fight hard for rebounds. That's why Awaka played so much last night, he's a badass even if he doesn't have the offensive skill of Aidoo.

The main issue moving forward is that it's clear that SC set the template of how to beat us, which is to be extremely physical and drag the game into the mud. What killed us last night was that once all the 3's were falling, we had to stay at home on defense instead of doubling to stop the penetration, and it allowed them to go to that 'run the clock and iso' game because we had no one who could guard Taylor and Radford straight up. We can beat teams that like to run, but physical teams that can make 3's are going to be trouble.

I've been advocating all year for a bigger rotation now to keep guys fresher for the late season grind. If we can't sit ZZ and DK for 8-10 minutes a night and survive, then how good are we?

Unless JJJ, Vescovi and Aidoo embrace the physicality and decide to return it instead of turtling, this is exactly what team will do if they are capable. Unfortunately, JJJ and Vescovi are fools gold. You'll get what you get and live with it. Leopards don't change their spots.

 

[Voltopia]

The only thing I really worry about is what will happen to Tennessee basketball after Barnes retires.

We've gone from being a perennial unranked basement dweller who almost always missed the tournament, to a yearly fixture who's a few lucky breaks away from the big one. It's a winning-record-in-Rupp kind of nice feeling. I've kind of gotten used to it. I am not looking forward to having awful years in shooty hoops again.

 

[CAVPUT]

The only thing I really worry about is what will happen to Tennessee basketball after Barnes retires.

We've gone from being a perennial unranked basement dweller who almost always missed the tournament, to a yearly fixture who's a few lucky breaks away from the big one. It's a winning-record-in-Rupp kind of nice feeling. I've kind of gotten used to it. I am not looking forward to having awful years in shooty hoops again.

Shooty team means no expectations and no heartbreak. Be positive.

 

[Voltopia]

Shooty team means no expectations and no heartbreak. Be positive.

lol nah, I did that for 20 years already. Between the pizza brawls, the Allen Houston Roadshow, and the Kevin O'Neill Smilesbright Hour, I already got my fill of lowered expectations.

 

[orangemadam]

I think maybe Barnes should consider Mashack starting at the 4
instead of JJJ and possibly Gainey start over SV.

I'd rather see Gainey shooting than to watch SV stare down a wide open
shot just to watch him drive at some 7 footers.

 

[Volfan1000]

Since I opened the Worry Circle earlier this year, many have asked if I could extend operating hours to include late nights, Sundays and early mornings. As of last night, the demand was so high, that I’ve changed our policy. We are now open 24 hours a day, for 362 days a year. We will be closed the day after the FCS championship game, the NCAA tournament final, and the final game of the CWS. This will allow Cav to take three showers a year and change his lightbulbs. Please feel free to share all your worries here. Only fire coaches if you can assemble a quorum of three, with a combined IQ over 100. Time travel worry is the only worry forbidden. You may worry about the future, but not the past. Third and Chavis is gone, Buzz Peterson will never make the NIT again, but the worry over our DB’s not turning their heads and Barnes not calling timeouts until after we lose in the first round goes on forever.
Welcome to The Worry Circle. Pull up a rocker and gather round. Pee off the porch. You don’t want to miss a minute. Let the worrying begin!

You forgot to mention that Todd Raleigh is no longer the baseball coach.

 

[Seattle Hillbilly]

Since I opened the Worry Circle earlier this year, many have asked if I could extend operating hours to include late nights, Sundays and early mornings. As of last night, the demand was so high, that I’ve changed our policy. We are now open 24 hours a day, for 362 days a year. We will be closed the day after the FCS championship game, the NCAA tournament final, and the final game of the CWS. This will allow Cav to take three showers a year and change his lightbulbs. Please feel free to share all your worries here. Only fire coaches if you can assemble a quorum of three, with a combined IQ over 100. Time travel worry is the only worry forbidden. You may worry about the future, but not the past. Third and Chavis is gone, Buzz Peterson will never make the NIT again, but the worry over our DB’s not turning their heads and Barnes not calling timeouts until after we lose in the first round goes on forever.
Welcome to The Worry Circle. Pull up a rocker and gather round. Pee off the porch. You don’t want to miss a minute. Let the worrying begin!

Nice job. And thanks for the support.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

You forgot to mention that Todd Raleigh is no longer the baseball coach.

That guy…

 

[VOLINVONORE]

For him to play Gainey so much despite his obvious limitations in a game like that combined with the minutes he got during his slump and that he continues to get, it's pretty obvious that he's doing Coach Gainey a solid. It is what it is.

He helped us win two very important games in the last two weeks. We likely would not have won those games without his offense and defense. He has earned his playing time and I want to see him played his minutes.

 

[vol94]

The only thing I really worry about is what will happen to Tennessee basketball after Barnes retires.

We've gone from being a perennial unranked basement dweller who almost always missed the tournament, to a yearly fixture who's a few lucky breaks away from the big one. It's a winning-record-in-Rupp kind of nice feeling. I've kind of gotten used to it. I am not looking forward to having awful years in shooty hoops again.

It’s definitely fun to know we will be playing in March. I recall years when I didn’t follow the season as we were so bad. Nobody attended games as TBA had 14k on a good night and a full house when 60 to 70% were clad in KY blue.

Barnes has done great things with our program and while I have concern, I’m still hopeful of a final four run and national title.

 

[CAVPUT]

He helped us win two very important games in the last two weeks. We likely would not have won those games without his offense and defense. He has earned his playing time and I want to see him played his minutes.

True. I'm not saying give up on him, but when it's pretty clear the shot isn't falling and he's hurting us defensively, you have to consider making a change at least for that game or even that half. No need to be stubborn about it.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Why worry? This team is not going to meet expectations.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Why worry? This team is not going to meet expectations.

Expectations were 22-9 and 3/4 seed, they sure seem on pace to, at the very least, meet that mark?

 

[LadyinOrange]

I think our guys were just worn out and Dalton Knecht looked like he didn't feel good at all. I am going to parrot one of the announcers at the end and say I still believe in Tennessee.

 

[CornbreadVol]

Why worry? This team is not going to meet expectations.

Uhhhh likely getting a 2 seed isn’t meeting expectations? wtf

 

[JohnWardForever]

Looks like all the recent talk of the Vols being projected as a No. 1 seed went to their heads.
They were reveling in the hype instead of taking care of business.

Welp, they got another loss coming at bama. And look for Tennessee to exit the top 10 Monday. So make them a 2 OR THREE seed. When EVERYONE shows up, Tennessee is unbeatable.......too fragile.