Excuse my optimism

[getyopopcornready]

But from all reports from practice about Pearl pushing the tempo more, Chism being more vocal and intense, Hopson showing more aggressiveness, would it be safe to keep hope out for a 2nd game in week 2 of the tourney? I might be drinking a little aid, but it just seems that those were 3 main things that got our hopes up last year for a deep run.

I was dead wrong on this team last year, but if all the reports from practice turn out to be true during the course of the season I can see this team getting past the sweet 16. Big IF tho

[VolFan32]

Originally Posted by getyopopcornready

But from all reports from practice about Pearl pushing the tempo more, Chism being more vocal and intense, Hopson showing more aggressiveness, would it be safe to keep hope out for a 2nd game in week 2 of the tourney? I might be drinking a little aid, but it just seems that those were 3 main things that got our hopes up last year for a deep run.

I was dead wrong on this team last year, but if all the reports from practice turn out to be true during the course of the season I can see this team getting past the sweet 16. Big IF tho

Please, this team will do no better. I heard that the team was at the Race for the Cure Saturday for 45 minutes. Pearl called off practice that day because the guys told him they were tired from standing at the finish line.

[kiffincrazy28]

Originally Posted by getyopopcornready

But from all reports from practice about Pearl pushing the tempo more, Chism being more vocal and intense, Hopson showing more aggressiveness, would it be safe to keep hope out for a 2nd game in week 2 of the tourney? I might be drinking a little aid, but it just seems that those were 3 main things that got our hopes up last year for a deep run.

I was dead wrong on this team last year, but if all the reports from practice turn out to be true during the course of the season I can see this team getting past the sweet 16. Big IF tho

This team can and will compete just write it down and keep somewhere safe this team could easily make the elite 8

[tclowers23]

SHOULD be a successful season. Can't wait for it to get started...

[getyopopcornready]

Originally Posted by kiffincrazy28

This team can and will compete just write it down and keep somewhere safe this team could easily make the elite 8

We should find out soon enough. This team lacked discipline last season, but if they somehow find a way to tone down the mistakes and communicate better on the defensive end, they should be a force come March.

[emainvol]

Originally Posted by getyopopcornready

We should find out soon enough. This team lacked discipline last season, but if they somehow find a way to tone down the mistakes and communicate better on the defensive end, they should be a force come March.

If the players grew up, the coaches stressed defense and it took, and Melvin Goins can hold his own defensively then an Elite Eight isn't out of the question.

[getyopopcornready]

Originally Posted by emainvol

If the players grew up, the coaches stressed defense and it took, and Melvin Goins can hold his own defensively then an Elite Eight isn't out of the question.

I'll keep out hope IF these things take place. If we can win the Virgin Island tourney and go into the KU game undefeated, It will definitely make me a believer.

[kiffinator13]

Originally Posted by emainvol

If the players grew up, the coaches stressed defense and it took, and Melvin Goins can hold his own defensively then an Elite Eight isn't out of the question.

From what I read, Melvin Goins' strength is keeping people in front of him defensively. That makes me quite confident that he will be better defensively than Maze because Maze probably couldn't keep Shaq in front of him.

[zjcvols]

Originally Posted by getyopopcornready

But from all reports from practice about Pearl pushing the tempo more, Chism being more vocal and intense, Hopson showing more aggressiveness, would it be safe to keep hope out for a 2nd game in week 2 of the tourney? I might be drinking a little aid, but it just seems that those were 3 main things that got our hopes up last year for a deep run.

I was dead wrong on this team last year, but if all the reports from practice turn out to be true during the course of the season I can see this team getting past the sweet 16. Big IF tho

I understand your optimism because there is a lot of talent, but wait to see if they decide to play defense. Don't bank anything on this team except 20 wins until you see that.

[MikeHamiltonFan]

Originally Posted by emainvol

If the players grew up, the coaches stressed defense and it took, and Melvin Goins can hold his own defensively then an Elite Eight isn't out of the question.

Emain I agree with you. Glad to see you are going to be one who after an early tournament victory and lots of blowouts will be on board and give Pearl his due.

[kiffinator13]

Originally Posted by MikeHamiltonFan

Emain I agree with you. Glad to see you are going to be one who after an early tournament victory and lots of blowouts will be on board and give Pearl his due.

After your statements regarding multiple national championship team's lack of half-court defense, I can hardly take your prognostications on this year seriously.

[7thgroupvolfan]

Pass the kool aid I'll drink some. Here's to a successful season

[Griffmann]

There's a lot of time between now and March, but I definitely like where this team sits compared to the start of last season

[MikeHamiltonFan]

Originally Posted by kiffinator13

After your statements regarding multiple national championship team's lack of half-court defense, I can hardly take your prognostications on this year seriously.

Reading comprehension...

Saying that an emphasis on halfcourt D was not the hallmark of some of the greatest offensive NCAA champions is not the same thing as saying they could not play defense.

Memphis under Cal and the recent Kansas teams would not be the first 5-10 you talked about when you were asked about the best halfcourt defenses...

Nolan Richardson, good or bad defensive coach? Great defensive coach. Claiming that they were different from what Pearl aspires to do is idiotic. Pressing leading to lots of turnovers and easy baskets.

[MikeHamiltonFan]

UCLA and Pitt, great halfcourt defenses, always will be better than what we end up doing at TN. But some breakdowns on switching screens and some dribble penetration allowed is not going to kill you if you have 15 steals leading to 24 points.