Guitar Shots To The Head: Lofton Time

With a showdown with the Cards on the horizon and a berth to the final four at stake I am somewhat surprised that inspiration for guitar shots is not coming that easily this week. After all this is a historical time for the Tennessee basketball program. Perhaps like the majority of the board, I have spent so much time of my life focused on the sport of football, that the success of our basketball program is too novel for me to approach intelligently.

Now, am waiting for most of you to say, “When have you ever taken an intelligent approach to anything?” I say, Touch’e.

So, without further ado, allow me to aim my guitar and take a few swings at the state of the Vol’s basketball team.

First things first: This team is not imploding. Chicken little has no room at the inn this week. The first two games of the tourney were against two teams that slowed the tempo of the game. Tennessee has been notoriously inept at times this season when facing such opponents. Kentucky did it with great success in Rupp.

Without a true point guard, a half court offense relies heavily on shot creation. When JuJuan Smith and Chris Lofton are hitting from the outside, it frees up passing lanes on the inside. When that happens, it doesn’t take Jason Kidd to find the open man for the easy basket. When the threes are not falling, the Vols struggle.

All in all, the fact that the Vols haven’t shot particularly well from the outside, and yet still survived the first two rounds of the tourney we should all be counting our blessings that the Final Four is still on the radar. This team has done what it takes to win against a very exploitive pair of opponents.

Now what: UT will now face a pair (hopefully) of similarly talented teams that like to run the floor. Before we get too excited about the potential pace of our match ups you should know that Pitino is beginning to work his magic once again.

This Louisville team is talented and scrappy. I have watched enough basketball this year to warn you of one more point. I haven’t seen the press used with as much efficacy as it has in Louisville’s current tourney run. It could be that their opponents simply were not prepared for the full court game. Regardless of the situation, the Cards are beginning to pour it on when it matters most.

In order to beat Louisville, beating the press is only the beginning of the task at hand. Ball security will be at a premium on Thursday night. Making the most of every offensive trip will be paramount for the Vols as well. Louisville will play a much more demanding style of half court defense than the boys at Carolina.

Long story short: JuJuan Smith and Lofton will have to set the nets on fire to alleviate interior defensive pressure and free up the inside passing lanes against a stingy Louisville defense. We are at the place in the tourney where it is hit your shots or go home.

More to the point, even if JuJuan is raining in the threes, Lofton will once again be the x factor to this basketball team. It is time to take Lofton to take the bull by the horns in this tourney and find his stroke. If it doesn’t happen none of us are going to sleep well Thursday night.

The Good News: On the edge of such an historical point for this basketball team, I expect Lofton to live up to the hype. Why? Because that is what pure shooters do. Until next time, Go Vols! Beat Louisville!