The Mercer Postgame Report: NIT Edition

#26
#26
This just in...Kenny Hall burned on a pick and roll...again. Saved his worst defensive performance for last.

Our defense was abysmal. This was a carbon copy of the Alabama debacle. Poor defensive recovery, poor shot selection, a dozen missed layups, a dozen missed FTs, AWFUL clock management at the end (though the outcome was likely not in doubt).

The past two losses have been a synopsis of the struggles we have dealt with in nearly every loss this season.

I really question CCM's coaching ability in games like these, especially tonight, when the effort is missing. I don't care if it is the NIT, and they don't want to be there. There is personal pride to play for.

I won't judge the whole season, nor CCM's future as coach based on this result, as that is short-sighted. This pitiful effort just leaves a sour taste in fans' mouths for months as the last memory of this season.
 
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#27
#27
Vols4life said:
THIS!!! if we would have made the NCAA tourney it would have been different but with spring break next week and having to go to Utah...the guys choose spring break instead....oh well can't wait until next basketball season!
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I can, it will likely be more of the same. :banghead2:
 
#30
#30
Imo, CM has cost the Vols at least 4 wins each of the last 2 years by not playing a zone more when teams are slicing him up.

And that number is conservative.
 
#31
#31
zjcvols said:
1. It's obvious the effort wasn't there. That's inexcusable. They should all be embarrassed, starting with Coach Martin.

2. However, it's the NIT. If you overreact to this, you need to reevaluate some things.

3. Trae Golden, why didn't you attack the basket earlier and just in the last two minutes?

4. Jordan McRae mentally checked out. It's the first time he's done that all year. I'll give him a pass.

5. Bernard King Player of the Game: Jarnell Stokes. His rebounding is pure joy to watch. He played his ass off.

6. Josh Richardson did too. He's the glue of the team. Love watching him play.

7. Good luck to Kenny Hall, Skylar McBee, and Rob Murphy in your future endeavors. If you work hard and make good decisions, you can accomplish a lot of things in life.

8. You guys don't want to hear anything positive right now, but with Robert Hubbs, and (pray to the gods this happens) Jeronne Maymon, this team is going to make some serious noise. I promise.

9. The three things to improve on: Inside paint defense on pick-n-rolls, improvement of ball handling, and finding a consistent offensive rhythm.

10. It's very hard for me to classify this season as a success. It's also very hard for me to classify this season a failure with Maymon's injury. Every one of you guys knows that if Maymon was 100%, UT probably wins 23-24 games this year. However, it was highly disappointing not making the NCAA tournament, so overall, I think mediocre is the right word for this season. The recruiting class for 2013 is solid, a lot of experience returns, and I think UT has a good chance to make a lot of noise nationally next year. I enjoyed doing these and even though I come off as an ass most of the time, I love volnation, and spend most of my time in the basketball forum when I get online. Enjoy the NCAA tournament. See you guys in November. :hi:
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I'll add that I saw this coming after Sun. These guys were done if you read their interviews online. Is that an excuse to lay an egg tonight? No. They should be embarrassed and Martin should be embarrassed for the fans who pay their hard earned money and take their time to watch that garbage. I'd apologize to the fan base if I were him. As you said though, it's the NIT. I'm not going to overreact over a pretty meaningless game. I think Martin was more concerned in getting guys playing time and not having any injuries. He at least succeeded on that front.

The fact of the matter is that if Golden, McRae and Stokes don't have good/great games then we'll get beat by most good teams. There aren't enough players that take up the slack when those guys are having off nights. When this team doesn't show up on defense then they are usually toast. They took the night off on D for the most part. McRae had flat out checked out as you said. He's an emotional player and I think missing the NCAA pretty much crushed his spirits. Next year we'll have Maymon and Hubbs. That should give us 5 legitimate scoring threats.

I'd say Martin needs to also have this team improve on perimeter defense (JRich can't be the only defensive stopper) and shoot free throws every chance they get. He also has to get more speed at the guard position. We got beat countless times off the dribble this year only to have to rely on our posts on help defense and those guys just didn't do a good enough job in the paint. Memphis, Bama, UGA and even Mercer tonight schooled us. The ball handling will get better when Maymon comes back. Pray to the gods that you believe in for a healthy Maymon. He's a big key to next year if UT wants to get over the NCAA hump.

As for Hall and McBee, I'll just say this. If Hall had McBee's effort, he would've been a much better player. He didn't improve near enough after his first year like I thought he would. From what I've heard and read, Hall has become a better person off the court than he has on the court under Martin. That'll carry him further than his basketball career ever will.

I'll give McBee props for his effort during his career. We know Pearl took a chance on him. Sometimes you do that. I don't fault that. He played hard and gave it his all every time. I respect that more than a player with unbelievable talent who takes plays off and loafs. Good luck to both of them in whatever they do.

Also, thanks for doing these. I would usually come on here and read your write up after the game when I couldn't watch or listen to the game live and I could get a better synopsis of the game from you than the guys who are getting paid to cover the team.
 
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#33
#33
I can't post without a stream of expletives. Sucked.On to the dog days of summer. I may take a walkabout until basketball starts in the late fall. Not expecting much better from the football season.
 
#34
#34
1985Vols said:
Vols had a decision, of Spring Break next week or play in Provo, UT against BYU. It's obvious what they wanted more.
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This x 100!!!!

They didn't throw the game, but obviously had no energy after the letdown on selection Sunday. Nothing that getting some strange on a warm FL beach won't cure :dance:
 
#35
#35
OrangeBalls said:
I'll add that I saw this coming after Sun. These guys were done if you read their interviews online. Is that an excuse to lay an egg tonight? No. They should be embarrassed and Martin should be embarrassed for the fans who pay their hard earned money and take their time to watch that garbage. I'd apologize to the fan base if I were him. As you said though, it's the NIT. I'm not going to overreact over a pretty meaningless game. I think Martin was more concerned in getting guys playing time and not having any injuries. He at least succeeded on that front.

The fact of the matter is that if Golden, McRae and Stokes don't have good/great games then we'll get beat by most good teams. There aren't enough players that take up the slack when those guys are having off nights. When this team doesn't show up on defense then they are usually toast. They took the night off on D for the most part. McRae had flat out checked out as you said. He's an emotional player and I think missing the NCAA pretty much crushed his spirits. Next year we'll have Maymon and Hubbs. That should give us 5 legitimate scoring threats.

I'd say Martin needs to also have this team improve on perimeter defense (JRich can't be the only defensive stopper) and shoot free throws every chance they get. He also has to get more speed at the guard position. We got beat countless times off the dribble this year only to have to rely on our posts on help defense and those guys just didn't do a good enough job in the paint. Memphis, Bama, UGA and even Mercer tonight schooled us. The ball handling will get better when Maymon comes back. Pray to the gods that you believe in for a healthy Maymon. He's a big key to next year if UT wants to get over the NCAA hump.

As for Hall and McBee, I'll just say this. If Hall had McBee's effort, he would've been a much better player. He didn't improve near enough after his first year like I thought he would. From what I've heard and read, Hall has become a better person off the court than he has on the court under Martin. That'll carry him further than his basketball career ever will.

I'll give McBee props for his effort during his career. We know Pearl took a chance on him. Sometimes you do that. I don't fault that. He played hard and gave it his all every time. I respect that more than a player with unbelievable talent who takes plays off and loafs. Good luck to both of them in whatever they do.

Also, thanks for doing these. I would usually come on here and read your write up after the game when I couldn't watch or listen to the game live and I could get a better synopsis of the game from you than the guys who are getting paid to cover the team.
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Good post. Lot of good points in there.
 
#36
#36
??? ...when will they have the ceremony to hang the 2013 NIT appearance banner in the rafters? ..anybody heard?
 
#38
#38
Boca Vol said:
It absolutely amazes me that these D1 coaches don't demand 75-80% from the line.
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It's a lost art anymore and it drives me nuts. Of course I grew up on a team that usually had more FT's made then the other team had attempts. Even in today's higher octane games your free throws are the difference between winning and losing.
 
#39
#39
Z, this season was a failure. Can't ride the injury on every loss. Most losses this year were from pretty sad performances by the team/coach/whatever.
 
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#41
#41
Next year's team still won't have a PG and they still won't have a consistent outside shooter. Zone defenses will give this team fits and quick guards will again score at will.

Maymon (if healthy) will make a difference and Hubbs will be a nice addition but he's like every other player on this team (with exception of Stokes), he's long, lean, quick, and a good jumper but not a good outside shooter.

UT will be on the bubble again next year and hopefully, they can fall into the NCAA tournament and lose a first round game in a meaningful tournament.

The lack of pride shown tonight by the players and the coaching staff is unforgivable.
 
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#43
#43
You gotta love the disclaimer in point # 2
 
#45
#45
StoVol said:
You gotta love the disclaimer in point # 2
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Why? If you truly give a sh*t about the NIT then you're the biggest USCjr fan ever.

UT fought like hell for weeks to make the dance and then came up short. It's not hard to figure out that they didn't give two sh*ts about this game.
 
#47
#47
zjc thanks for the write ups this year, awesome job and well thought out!!! Yes today was hard, but right on for next year. I hope CCM learned a few things that will help with next year. Little zone to change things up would be welcome!!!!! On to next year!!! GBO
 
#48
#48
I know some people are thinking Hubbs will start but I have been really excited about Richardson's offensive improvement. He might just be slowly turning into a star.
 
#49
#49
Slydell said:
Or, some of the others they played this year.
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Name some others because I don't remember any other game where they came out this flat. The UGA game at home they didn't show a lot of energy, but they were also missing Golden. Every game he missed or didn't play well we struggled like hell.
 
#50
#50
OrangeBalls said:
Name some others because I don't remember any other game where they came out this flat. The UGA game at home they didn't show a lot of energy, but they were also missing Golden. Every game he missed or didn't play well we struggled like hell.
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Yeah, we struggled when Golden was out. And, sometimes when he was in. I only meant that there were more than a few games where 100% effort wasn't put on the floor the entire game. It's nothing new. It's happened the last 3-4 years.
 
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