Credit to Rick Barnes

#76
#76
VolGee4 said:
I’ve never said that he shouldn’t shoulder the blame for some of what has happened this year. I have never provided an excuse. In fact, I think most would actually say that he deserves blame. But I also expected an up and down year with being a fringe NCAAT team. The goal is to always go to the NCAAT, but it wasn’t a given this year. I am fine with this the blip with reinforcements coming next year. We are simply not a blue blood that can turn over talent like that. Never have been and probably never will be.

But the very reason why we had high expectations last year was because the coach created them. I stated this a few weeks ago: Duke had 3 lottery picks and made the EE. Gonzaga had 2 higher draft picks and made the EE. UK had 3 first round draft picks and made the EE. UNC had 3 first round draft picks and made the SS. These are all HOF coaches. Our team last year had a mid to late first round pick and two late second round picks and were 2 seconds from an EE. Sure, I was disappointed, but these results simply don’t necessitate the belly aching over what was perceived to be “underachieving.”

It just amazes me the criticism of these things after how far the program had fallen. The grass is not always greener.
Click to expand...
Wait I’m confused earlier you were advocating that because he had 4 nba guys on last years roster that are gone we can’t expect a lot this year, but in this post you are saying that we didn’t have some of the nba talent on the team last year that teams advanced past us had? This is the backtracking I’m talking about. If we didn’t lose a bunch of super studs then why do we suck this year? Also how many NBA guys did Auburn or Texas Tech or Virginia have from last years team? And yes we were a shot away from the elite 8 last year, we were also a shot away from not even making the sweet 16 with a team far far far superior to Iowa... what other delicious facts do you have for me brother?
 
#77
#77
Alex10 said:
Wait I’m confused earlier you were advocating that because he had 4 nba guys on last years roster that are gone we can’t expect a lot this year, but in this post you are saying that we didn’t have some of the nba talent on the team last year that teams advanced past us had? This is the backtracking I’m talking about. If we didn’t lose a bunch of super studs then why do we suck this year? Also how many NBA guys did Auburn or Texas Tech or Virginia have from last years team? And yes we were a shot away from the elite 8 last year, we were also a shot away from not even making the sweet 16 with a team far far far superior to Iowa... what other delicious facts do you have for me brother?
Click to expand...

I can’t bold on mobile but surely you can see that the two points in your first question aren’t mutually exclusive. Yes, any team that loses 4 players to the NBA is most likely going to take a step back. Heck, they don’t have to be NBA players. Any team that loses that kind of college production (regardless if they play pro ball) will take a step back. Sorry, man, those don’t have to be related. If you think so, then I can’t help you. Logically, your statement doesn’t make sense.,

Texas Tech and Virginia have both taken steps back this year. Tech has a one game better record than UT. Virginia is 14-6 with their only quality win in FSU, who we played relatively tight. Auburn’s schedule was terrible, and Bruce even publicly said the OOC teams weren’t as good as they expected. Auburn is not as good as last year, and it will certainly show as we get later in the year. Not sure what the point is. I like all 3 of those coaches as well.

But I agreed that Barnes mismanaged the roster a bit this year. That’s on him, but next year’s class gives us hope. The fact that people are bitching about last year is just comical. I wonder what it would be like if we had sealed Mike White as coach. He’s doing a stellar job with all that 5 star talent at UF.
 
#78
#78
VolGee4 said:
I can’t bold on mobile but surely you can see that the two points in your first question aren’t mutually exclusive. Yes, any team that loses 4 players to the NBA is most likely going to take a step back. Heck, they don’t have to be NBA players. Any team that loses that kind of college production (regardless if they play pro ball) will take a step back. Sorry, man, those don’t have to be related. If you think so, then I can’t help you. Logically, your statement doesn’t make sense.,

Texas Tech and Virginia have both taken steps back this year. Tech has a one game better record than UT. Virginia is 14-6 with their only quality win in FSU, who we played relatively tight. Auburn’s schedule was terrible, and Bruce even publicly said the OOC teams weren’t as good as they expected. Auburn is not as good as last year, and it will certainly show as we get later in the year. Not sure what the point is. I like all 3 of those coaches as well.

But I agreed that Barnes mismanaged the roster a bit this year. That’s on him, but next year’s class gives us hope. The fact that people are bitching about last year is just comical. I wonder what it would be like if we had sealed Mike White as coach. He’s doing a stellar job with all that 5 star talent at UF.
Click to expand...
I'm more concerned about what we hear after games in the Barnes pressers.
After every game, especially the losses he talks about players not doing what they are supposed to do. Why aren't they/ who's coaching them?
Example: Vescovi not bringing the ball up faster. Why isn't he/ who's coaching him?
Players passing the ball around the perimeter and not working for shots. Why? who's coaching them?
Not rebounding the offensive boards. Why? Who's coaching them?
Doesn't sound like the Barnes in years one and two who would sit all the starters and say I'll watch them lose until they do what I say. where did that Barnes go?
The last loss wasn't about talent. It was about veterans taking the night off. Who's coaching this squad?
 
#79
#79
VolGee4 said:
I can’t bold on mobile but surely you can see that the two points in your first question aren’t mutually exclusive. Yes, any team that loses 4 players to the NBA is most likely going to take a step back. Heck, they don’t have to be NBA players. Any team that loses that kind of college production (regardless if they play pro ball) will take a step back. Sorry, man, those don’t have to be related. If you think so, then I can’t help you. Logically, your statement doesn’t make sense.,

Texas Tech and Virginia have both taken steps back this year. Tech has a one game better record than UT. Virginia is 14-6 with their only quality win in FSU, who we played relatively tight. Auburn’s schedule was terrible, and Bruce even publicly said the OOC teams weren’t as good as they expected. Auburn is not as good as last year, and it will certainly show as we get later in the year. Not sure what the point is. I like all 3 of those coaches as well.

But I agreed that Barnes mismanaged the roster a bit this year. That’s on him, but next year’s class gives us hope. The fact that people are bitching about last year is just comical. I wonder what it would be like if we had sealed Mike White as coach. He’s doing a stellar job with all that 5 star talent at UF.
Click to expand...
Believe it or not I at least would not be bitching about last year or any year if we were in Florida’s shoes because they have actually won championships in the last 20 years. As for white specifically I can’t say. I brought up auburn, Texas tech and Virginia because those were 3 of the final 4 teams last year ( don’t remember the fourth honestly.) you were giving statistics of nba talent on teams that only made it as far as we did or a little further but your list didn’t include nba talent on those teams. I don’t think NBA talent on a college team is the sole reason for success, you are the one that started giving the NBA numbers I didn’t even bring it up.
 
#80
#80
Alex10 said:
Believe it or not I at least would not be bitching about last year or any year if we were in Florida’s shoes because they have actually won championships in the last 20 years. As for white specifically I can’t say. I brought up auburn, Texas tech and Virginia because those were 3 of the final 4 teams last year ( don’t remember the fourth honestly.) you were giving statistics of nba talent on teams that only made it as far as we did or a little further but your list didn’t include nba talent on those teams. I don’t think NBA talent on a college team is the sole reason for success, you are the one that started giving the NBA numbers I didn’t even bring it up.
Click to expand...

Deandre Hunter from Virginia was the 4th pick. Ty Jerome from Virginia was a first round pick, and Kyle Guy was a second round pick. Jarret Culver from Texas Tech was the 6th pick, and they had several seniors. Okeke from Auburn was a first round pick.

There is a big correlation with NBA talent and going deep in the NCAAT. Anyway, it’s been fun. Don’t get too upset. Next year should be fine.
 
#84
#84
bleedingTNorange said:
Yup, best 2 year regular season run in school history, can’t believe how crappy things have been.
Click to expand...
Hey I’m with you in part. We had a couple of really good regular seasons and I credit Barnes for that. I don’t want Barnes fired or anything, I don’t think he is immune to criticism though. Also best team we may have ever had last year... ranked 1 in the country for a month yet didn’t win the sec regular season champ, didn’t win the sec tournament champ and didn’t make it past the sweet 16 in ncaa.... with that team how they couldn’t accomplish one of those things is beyond me.
 
#85
#85
Were we not #1 for 30 days last season? For a school that does not recruit 2 or 3 5 star players each year thats pretty good. Its easy to see that the inside strength of Admiral and Grant made those 3 point shots much easier to hit! Now we have to manufacture those shots and hit them while guarded. With 3 freshmen in the rotation this season I don't expect much. Barnes has done more coaching this season than last.
 
#88
#88
walkenvol said:
Alex - After you Fahr Barnes, who you hiring that’s going to reach your expectations?
Click to expand...
Not sure how many times I have to state I don’t won’t Barnes fired, just saying he isn’t beyond criticism... but keep on with your redundant rederict, it’s all you know how to do.
 
#89
#89
Alex10 said:
Hey I’m with you in part. We had a couple of really good regular seasons and I credit Barnes for that. I don’t want Barnes fired or anything, I don’t think he is immune to criticism though. Also best team we may have ever had last year... ranked 1 in the country for a month yet didn’t win the sec regular season champ, didn’t win the sec tournament champ and didn’t make it past the sweet 16 in ncaa.... with that team how they couldn’t accomplish one of those things is beyond me.
Click to expand...
Hate to beat a dead horse, but speaking of history, that is the Barnes history. That's why he was asked to leave Texas. His history is doing less with more.
If his history remains true there will be even more disjointed fans next season.
Fire him? No, but I do have a feeling he's enjoying the game a lot less with the added pressure he's encountering because of his financial success.
Like it or not performances like the last one are going to produce questions and a lot of groaning. Very few people these days are allowed to live on their laurels.
 
#90
#90
calban said:
Hate to beat a dead horse, but speaking of history, that is the Barnes history. That's why he was asked to leave Texas. His history is doing less with more.
If his history remains true there will be even more disjointed fans next season.
Fire him? No, but I do have a feeling he's enjoying the game a lot less with the added pressure he's encountering because of his financial success.
Like it or not performances like the last one are going to produce questions and a lot of groaning. Very few people these days are allowed to live on their laurels.
Click to expand...

LESS WITH MORE? You mean like last season when he turned a hodge-podge lineup of players no one else wanted into the #1 ranked team while beating 5 star laden UK 2 out of 3? Did they under achieve or over achieve? They could have won it all, of course, but considering what he started with I think they over achieved the last 2 seasons.
 
  • Like
Reactions: walkenvol
#91
#91
IPleadInsanity said:
LESS WITH MORE? You mean like last season when he turned a hodge-podge lineup of players no one else wanted into the #1 ranked team while beating 5 star laden UK 2 out of 3? Did they under achieve or over achieve? They could have won it all, of course, but considering what he started with I think they over achieved the last 2 seasons.
Click to expand...
Now, which is it? A hodge podge of players or 4 guys that went to the NBA? I'm confused.
 
#92
#92
calban said:
Hate to beat a dead horse, but speaking of history, that is the Barnes history. That's why he was asked to leave Texas. His history is doing less with more.
If his history remains true there will be even more disjointed fans next season.
Fire him? No, but I do have a feeling he's enjoying the game a lot less with the added pressure he's encountering because of his financial success.
Like it or not performances like the last one are going to produce questions and a lot of groaning. Very few people these days are allowed to live on their laurels.
Click to expand...

Yea, I think we all understand his history. Sure, we all want to make deep NCAAT runs, but we have one EE in our program's history. I am sure someone will say that I am just "accepting mediocrity," but there is a reason for that history. We have made bad hire after bad hire and haven't really given ourselves many chances to make a deep run. Then, one great hire gets in trouble and is never coming back.

In hindsight, I am guessing Texas fans would like to reconsider that decision. He doubled their NCAAT appearances, which allowed him to go to their first FF since the 1940's. The grass is not always greener. He is just like Fulmer in that he was somewhat a victim of his own success. Fans saw what could be done at Texas (by him) by going to consecutive NCAAT's and a FF and when he "underachieved," he was out. Now, they can barely get to the NCAAT and never beyond the first round.

I believe it's unfortunate it has come to this with some fans. I believe he was and still is the right hire for this university, and I am really excited about next year.
 
#93
#93
calban said:
Now, which is it? A hodge podge of players or 4 guys that went to the NBA? I'm confused.
Click to expand...

As I told Alex, it's not mutually exclusive. He took all 3 star players and got one drafted in the first round. They were prolific college players who were very important to the team, but they are not elite professional players. If you had to compare them to a Duke, UK, UVa, UNC, and Gonzaga teams from last year, they would be the 6th of 6 in talent every single time. Barnes beat two of those teams (3 wins).
 
#94
#94
calban said:
Now, which is it? A hodge podge of players or 4 guys that went to the NBA? I'm confused.
Click to expand...

They were hodge-podge when they came in, NBA level on the way out. Thats the point. Stole Grant from Harvard! We are never going to be a blue blood basketball school. This is as close as we will ever get so try to enjoy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: walkenvol
#95
#95
VolGee4 said:
Yea, I think we all understand his history. Sure, we all want to make deep NCAAT runs, but we have one EE in our program's history. I am sure someone will say that I am just "accepting mediocrity," but there is a reason for that history. We have made bad hire after bad hire and haven't really given ourselves many chances to make a deep run. Then, one great hire gets in trouble and is never coming back.

In hindsight, I am guessing Texas fans would like to reconsider that decision. He doubled their NCAAT appearances, which allowed him to go to their first FF since the 1940's. The grass is not always greener. He is just like Fulmer in that he was somewhat a victim of his own success. Fans saw what could be done at Texas (by him) by going to consecutive NCAAT's and a FF and when he "underachieved," he was out. Now, they can barely get to the NCAAT and never beyond the first round.

I believe it's unfortunate it has come to this with some fans. I believe he was and still is the right hire for this university, and I am really excited about next year.
Click to expand...
I was as excited about the hire as any one on the board, I also understood that he was a program builder and not much beyond which he proved his last 7 years at Texas.
I was hoping he might have something left and a little extra from now til retirement, but it is very possible that 18-19 was his swan song.
You can turn a blind eye to TAM and a few other games this season or you can wonder if the guy is past his prime.
Guess we'll have to wait til next year(TN's motto) and see the reaction if he doesn't make it out of week 2 of the NCAA.
 
#96
#96
calban said:
I was as excited about the hire as any one on the board, I also understood that he was a program builder and not much beyond which he proved his last 7 years at Texas.
I was hoping he might have something left and a little extra from now til retirement, but it is very possible that 18-19 was his swan song.
You can turn a blind eye to TAM and a few other games this season or you can wonder if the guy is past his prime.
Guess we'll have to wait til next year(TN's motto) and see the reaction if he doesn't make it out of week 2 of the NCAA.
Click to expand...

Losses like one against A&M happen all the time in college basketball. All the time.

You can gloss over wins over UK his first two years as well where he had no business winning. I’m sure UK fans were wondering how a UT roster like that could beat Cal. It happens. A reaction after one game is silly. This team was always going to be up and down.

You expect a FF next year? Seriously, these overreactions are ridiculous. This place is turning into the Football Forum.
 
  • Like
Reactions: miket4god
#97
#97
Th
calban said:
Now, which is it? A hodge podge of players or 4 guys that went to the NBA? I'm confused.
Click to expand...
this all day, these guys keep going back and fourth between these two things according to which one helps there specific argument at that particular moment. I give up on trying to talk with them. You can’t win arguments with people who just go all over the place with their arguments.
 
#98
#98
Keep in mind if this years team was playing in last years SEC conference we might not have an SEC win. I am enjoying watching Barnes work this youthful team. Future looks bright. My expectations are to compete for the SEC title nothing more.
 
#99
#99
Alex10 said:
Th
this all day, these guys keep going back and fourth between these two things according to which one helps there specific argument at that particular moment. I give up on trying to talk with them. You can’t win arguments with people who just go all over the place with their arguments.
Click to expand...

Can’t win with people who don’t understand.
 
#100
#100
Bottom line....the UCLA fiasco soured about a third of the fan base. Then he has the audacity to not even make the NCAA tournament the following year🙄
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement





Back
Top