cncchris33
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Such a difficult loss. The game was a difference in an athletic team that CAN shoot vs an athletic team that CANNOT.
1. The Call. I won't make this, yet another place to argue about it. I'll just say that it is the hardest call to make, maybe in all of sports. I initially disagreed with the call, yet after review and considering the bang bang nature, I can't fault the official for interpreting that call the way he did in a tenth of a second's time. In a 2 point game, I feel 6 missed FTs had a larger impact than a singular foul call, even at that juncture. We can't blame the refs without acknowledging that we lost the game in other areas as well. Enough about that call.
2. Pick and roll defense was about as awful as I can remember. Stokes and McRae really failed to communicate numerous times leading to multiple dunks for Morgan.
3. Derek Reese, I love your hustle and occasional tough rebound, but you are going to have to learn to defend. At worst, keep your man in front of you and give up a jumper. He was routinely abused off the dribble, and it has been a common theme for him much of this season.
4. Stokes probably feels like he let his team down, but you got us there, almost single-handedly at times. Hold your head high big fella.
5. McRae really tried to will this team to win, and darn near did. His 5 missed FTs were huge, and with every one, I told my wife that I had a sneaking suspicion that missed FTs would haunt us in a game when the opponent was as hot as UM.
6. It's a testament to our guys' will and pride to come back from being down 15 late in the 2nd half, and had a chance to win it. Be disappointed in defeat, but be proud of this team for not folding. That was a gutty effort.
7. We outrebounded, had more steals, had more blocks, had half as many TOs, shot twice as many FTs, only attempted 11 3-pointers, and nearly matched them from the field (52% to 55%)...and still lost. That almost never happens, but when your opponent shoots 11-20 from 3, you just throw your hands up, and give credit where due. Our perimeter defense wasn't all that bad, as many of their makes were contested, but at some point, you have to do something to take that shot away altogether. However, UM is difficult to dictate because they can drive and are pretty skilled off the bench.
8. Feel bad for the seniors to lose that way. Maymon and McRae have endured a lot in their career. Applaud their contributions, and I will always be greatful for the efforts this season. Both will be sorely missed from a leadership standpoint.
9. Coach Martin has some choices to make on his future. I think he is going to be presented with other opportunities, and I won't fault him for exploring them. I hope he returns, because I witnessed a coach grow up significantly in the last two months. I'd like to find out first-hand what we have in him, rather than watch Marquette, Wake Forest, etc, find outvthat he actually has some talent that he just needed some time to unearth. This is in no way a suggestion that we undoubtedly have John Wooden reincarnated in our midst, but I think he showed enough over the last 11 games to cause me to think that perhaps the light came on for him, and his team fully bought into his coaching.
10. Next year, we have a chance to be a really good team again. We also have a chance to be very average and inexperienced. A lot depends on the Stokes decision, and MJ Rhett's decision. Get those two guys, and we have a solid, if not excellent frontcourt lineup again, and perhaps deeper with the freshman additions. Larry Austin is also important, along with Hubbs' development. JRich will be the heart and soul of this team, and erased any doubt that he can lead and shoulder the scoring load (shameless self-acknowledged plug). A lot of decisions could swing the balance of our outlook next year. Let's get some breaks going our way, and come back strong!!!
Go Vols!!!
1. The Call. I won't make this, yet another place to argue about it. I'll just say that it is the hardest call to make, maybe in all of sports. I initially disagreed with the call, yet after review and considering the bang bang nature, I can't fault the official for interpreting that call the way he did in a tenth of a second's time. In a 2 point game, I feel 6 missed FTs had a larger impact than a singular foul call, even at that juncture. We can't blame the refs without acknowledging that we lost the game in other areas as well. Enough about that call.
2. Pick and roll defense was about as awful as I can remember. Stokes and McRae really failed to communicate numerous times leading to multiple dunks for Morgan.
3. Derek Reese, I love your hustle and occasional tough rebound, but you are going to have to learn to defend. At worst, keep your man in front of you and give up a jumper. He was routinely abused off the dribble, and it has been a common theme for him much of this season.
4. Stokes probably feels like he let his team down, but you got us there, almost single-handedly at times. Hold your head high big fella.
5. McRae really tried to will this team to win, and darn near did. His 5 missed FTs were huge, and with every one, I told my wife that I had a sneaking suspicion that missed FTs would haunt us in a game when the opponent was as hot as UM.
6. It's a testament to our guys' will and pride to come back from being down 15 late in the 2nd half, and had a chance to win it. Be disappointed in defeat, but be proud of this team for not folding. That was a gutty effort.
7. We outrebounded, had more steals, had more blocks, had half as many TOs, shot twice as many FTs, only attempted 11 3-pointers, and nearly matched them from the field (52% to 55%)...and still lost. That almost never happens, but when your opponent shoots 11-20 from 3, you just throw your hands up, and give credit where due. Our perimeter defense wasn't all that bad, as many of their makes were contested, but at some point, you have to do something to take that shot away altogether. However, UM is difficult to dictate because they can drive and are pretty skilled off the bench.
8. Feel bad for the seniors to lose that way. Maymon and McRae have endured a lot in their career. Applaud their contributions, and I will always be greatful for the efforts this season. Both will be sorely missed from a leadership standpoint.
9. Coach Martin has some choices to make on his future. I think he is going to be presented with other opportunities, and I won't fault him for exploring them. I hope he returns, because I witnessed a coach grow up significantly in the last two months. I'd like to find out first-hand what we have in him, rather than watch Marquette, Wake Forest, etc, find outvthat he actually has some talent that he just needed some time to unearth. This is in no way a suggestion that we undoubtedly have John Wooden reincarnated in our midst, but I think he showed enough over the last 11 games to cause me to think that perhaps the light came on for him, and his team fully bought into his coaching.
10. Next year, we have a chance to be a really good team again. We also have a chance to be very average and inexperienced. A lot depends on the Stokes decision, and MJ Rhett's decision. Get those two guys, and we have a solid, if not excellent frontcourt lineup again, and perhaps deeper with the freshman additions. Larry Austin is also important, along with Hubbs' development. JRich will be the heart and soul of this team, and erased any doubt that he can lead and shoulder the scoring load (shameless self-acknowledged plug). A lot of decisions could swing the balance of our outlook next year. Let's get some breaks going our way, and come back strong!!!
Go Vols!!!
