VOLywood
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There are lots of great discussion points out right now on our b-ball program, so here's my take...
1. The end of the UM game was a joke (thanks Capt. Obvious), but I've seen a whole lot of people jump right back on the CCM-bashing bandwagon by saying that the choice to go to Stokes on the last play was "the wrong call". Give me a break. Stokes proved throughout the tourney that he's the most sure-handed player on our team. He consistently handled the ball, even putting it on the deck and driving, in the middle of double and triple teams. You go with your best odds in crunch time. McRae was miserable from the foul line, so why take the chance of putting him back there in an even higher pressure situation? Good play call by CCM. According to the rules the foul call should have been blocking. In Dec/Jan it would have been called correctly. Not sure why officiating reverted back to the "old way" all of a sudden in the tournament with no warning, but it's garbage.
2. For those saying UM was the "better team" and that we're lucky we didn't get blown out....I call b.s. UM played the game of their life and we were right there at the end with a chance to win. When the better team plays out of their mind and goes off from the 3-pt line, you get blown out, period. We didn't. Had UM had a "normal" game, IMO we would have won easily, meaning we are the better team, and I honestly believe that we are. They got hot and the shots were falling which opened driving lanes and made the offense unstoppable for a long portion of the 1st half. It wasn't our lack of defense, it was just a lucky hot streak from a team of good shooters.
3. In retrospect, this was a heckuva season. Yes, it got frustrating in Jan/Feb, but the team showed grit and character. They persevered even when a large portion of their fan base (who should be counted on to support them through even the worst of times) turned their backs on them. I believe this was all because of CCM. Great man of character and great role model and leader for those young men. Kudos to him for taking the high road and teaching them to do the same. It showed up big time in the tournament, down to the very last minutes of the final game.
4. Now, just as some predicted, CCM is likely to be recruited by some major b-ball programs (and no, UT is not a major b-ball program....yet). It's a shame to think that if our fan base had supported him the whole time, no program out there would even think they had a shot. I mean, why would a guy want to leave a place where he was supported and loved even in periods of adversity? Unfortunately, our fickle fan base (even if it is a minority, it's a very vocal minority that always gets picked up by the talking heads in the media) made sure that now we'll have to sweat it out. If CCM leaves it would be a crushing blow. I seriously hope it doesn't happen, but would completely understand if Martin chose to go elsewhere.
5. I honestly don't understand why people are already casting doubts of doom and gloom over next season. I'm personally very excited. I'd be shocked if JRich didn't surpass McRae's senior performance. Maymon held his own this year as a wily veteran, but his lack of mobility showed up big time in the tourney and getting some elite athleticism in the 4-spot like a more mature AJ Davis will be an upgrade. Barton played well at times, but a sophomore Darius Thompson is a better PG option than a senior Barton. Add in Reese and Moore, who will continue to develop and bring a veteran presence after a lot of meaningful minutes this year, plus at least some contribution from a freshman or two, and you've got a solid team. The only question mark is the 5, but if Stokes returns (which I think is a good possibility) and/or we get Rhett, I think next year's team will be better than this year's....more athletic, no loss of experience, still with an all-SEC player or two, and a more energetic defense.
Well, for those who stuck this long post out, let me know your thoughts. Here's to the inevitable lull until the O&W game, then a long and lazy summer.
Proud of our team. GoVols. #TougherBreed #VFL
1. The end of the UM game was a joke (thanks Capt. Obvious), but I've seen a whole lot of people jump right back on the CCM-bashing bandwagon by saying that the choice to go to Stokes on the last play was "the wrong call". Give me a break. Stokes proved throughout the tourney that he's the most sure-handed player on our team. He consistently handled the ball, even putting it on the deck and driving, in the middle of double and triple teams. You go with your best odds in crunch time. McRae was miserable from the foul line, so why take the chance of putting him back there in an even higher pressure situation? Good play call by CCM. According to the rules the foul call should have been blocking. In Dec/Jan it would have been called correctly. Not sure why officiating reverted back to the "old way" all of a sudden in the tournament with no warning, but it's garbage.
2. For those saying UM was the "better team" and that we're lucky we didn't get blown out....I call b.s. UM played the game of their life and we were right there at the end with a chance to win. When the better team plays out of their mind and goes off from the 3-pt line, you get blown out, period. We didn't. Had UM had a "normal" game, IMO we would have won easily, meaning we are the better team, and I honestly believe that we are. They got hot and the shots were falling which opened driving lanes and made the offense unstoppable for a long portion of the 1st half. It wasn't our lack of defense, it was just a lucky hot streak from a team of good shooters.
3. In retrospect, this was a heckuva season. Yes, it got frustrating in Jan/Feb, but the team showed grit and character. They persevered even when a large portion of their fan base (who should be counted on to support them through even the worst of times) turned their backs on them. I believe this was all because of CCM. Great man of character and great role model and leader for those young men. Kudos to him for taking the high road and teaching them to do the same. It showed up big time in the tournament, down to the very last minutes of the final game.
4. Now, just as some predicted, CCM is likely to be recruited by some major b-ball programs (and no, UT is not a major b-ball program....yet). It's a shame to think that if our fan base had supported him the whole time, no program out there would even think they had a shot. I mean, why would a guy want to leave a place where he was supported and loved even in periods of adversity? Unfortunately, our fickle fan base (even if it is a minority, it's a very vocal minority that always gets picked up by the talking heads in the media) made sure that now we'll have to sweat it out. If CCM leaves it would be a crushing blow. I seriously hope it doesn't happen, but would completely understand if Martin chose to go elsewhere.
5. I honestly don't understand why people are already casting doubts of doom and gloom over next season. I'm personally very excited. I'd be shocked if JRich didn't surpass McRae's senior performance. Maymon held his own this year as a wily veteran, but his lack of mobility showed up big time in the tourney and getting some elite athleticism in the 4-spot like a more mature AJ Davis will be an upgrade. Barton played well at times, but a sophomore Darius Thompson is a better PG option than a senior Barton. Add in Reese and Moore, who will continue to develop and bring a veteran presence after a lot of meaningful minutes this year, plus at least some contribution from a freshman or two, and you've got a solid team. The only question mark is the 5, but if Stokes returns (which I think is a good possibility) and/or we get Rhett, I think next year's team will be better than this year's....more athletic, no loss of experience, still with an all-SEC player or two, and a more energetic defense.
Well, for those who stuck this long post out, let me know your thoughts. Here's to the inevitable lull until the O&W game, then a long and lazy summer.
Proud of our team. GoVols. #TougherBreed #VFL
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