Finish Strong

[BleedOrange95]

I don't post much and I love watching the young men in orange ball. But was very disappointed that we could not close out the game against Kansas just like last after all the coaching and hard work the players put in all offseason. I thought Williams, Bone and Alexander showed their hard work paid off, but Schofield and Bowden played poorly all day. Schofield came on late, but it was just that, too late. They will do no better than last year if they do not learn to close out games, finish them strong. Its a mind set that I had hoped coaches placed in them over the summer, especially when these young men are so coachable. Don't take any of this wrong, I love these young men and loves watching how much heart and drive they have. GBO!!!

 

[daniel 85]

Solid points. I agree

 

[cncchris33]

I don't post much and I love watching the young men in orange ball. But was very disappointed that we could not close out the game against Kansas just like last after all the coaching and hard work the players put in all offseason. I thought Williams, Bone and Alexander showed their hard work paid off, but Schofield and Bowden played poorly all day. Schofield came on late, but it was just that, too late. They will do no better than last year if they do not learn to close out games, finish them strong. Its a mind set that I had hoped coaches placed in them over the summer, especially when these young men are so coachable. Don't take any of this wrong, I love these young men and loves watching how much heart and drive they have. GBO!!!

They played the #2 team in the country. Both teams played great, and both had lapses. Grant Williams fouling out was the turning point. No shame in falling in OT to that team. We might have two NBA players on our team. KU has a half dozen, at least. Teams like that don't get "closed out", often. They will be in to the end with the kind of talent they have. Overreacting to a loss to the #2 team in the country in November isn't worth it. Had we lost by 30, I'd be concerned, but we looked like we belonged on that stage, and if we played 10 times, I think we'd likely split 5 and 5 with them. It looked that evenly matched.

 

[Dr H Lecter]

Tough crowd.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

They played the #2 team in the country. Both teams played great, and both had lapses. Grant Williams fouling out was the turning point. No shame in falling in OT to that team. We might have two NBA players on our team. KU has a half dozen, at least. Teams like that don't get "closed out", often. They will be in to the end with the kind of talent they have. Overreacting to a loss to the #2 team in the country in November isn't worth it. Had we lost by 30, I'd be concerned, but we looked like we belonged on that stage, and if we played 10 times, I think we'd likely split 5 and 5 with them. It looked that evenly matched.

And add to that, I doubt anyone would say we played nearly as well as we can. And we still almost beat them.

I get people want to win, and I'm not directing this at the OP, but people need to relax. I mean we had people calling the Louisville win "ugly".....

 

[bleedingTNorange]

And add to that, I doubt anyone would say we played nearly as well as we can. And we still almost beat them.

I get people want to win, and I'm not directing this at the OP, but people need to relax. I mean we had people calling the Louisville win "ugly".....

These takes were predictable and I doubt they slow down at all

 

[njvols]

We only moved down to #6 which shows the respect we’ve garnered nationally. Anyone else surprised that SEC not getting the love in Polls?

 

[cncchris33]

We only moved down to #6 which shows the respect we’ve garnered nationally. Anyone else surprised that SEC not getting the love in Polls?

Not really. The SEC has been rather disappointing in the middle pack of the conference, Florida and LSU particularly. Tennessee and Auburn have lived up to expectations. Kentucky will improve, but got smoked in their only legitimate competition. Those 3 are ranked in the top 10. Outside of that, only Mississippi State has done enough to be ranked, which they are at 25.

 

[Volitourt]

I don't post much and I love watching the young men in orange ball. But was very disappointed that we could not close out the game against Kansas just like last after all the coaching and hard work the players put in all offseason. I thought Williams, Bone and Alexander showed their hard work paid off, but Schofield and Bowden played poorly all day. Schofield came on late, but it was just that, too late. They will do no better than last year if they do not learn to close out games, finish them strong. Its a mind set that I had hoped coaches placed in them over the summer, especially when these young men are so coachable. Don't take any of this wrong, I love these young men and loves watching how much heart and drive they have. GBO!!!

I agree - but Barnes called a spade when calling out guards for not driving to the basket but rather taking bad shots - Schofield hopefully learned he CAN score down low - as he did in overtime

 

[Volle]

Schofield needs to get back to his 500 shots/day routine... he's been way off on 3's this year....