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1. Tennessee played really inconsistent basketball, but came up with a win, something they didn't do against Texas A&M. It's a win. It's progress. Tennessee did what they had to do.
2. Jarnell Stokes' interior defense in the last four minutes of the game was the best defensive performance of his career. He altered five shots at the end of the game. He did not play a good game (for him) but he did a great job making sure Tennessee got the victory.
3. Antonio Barton had some nice moments today, and handled the press better than he has and zero turnovers against Arkansas deserves some praise, but when you have two free throws in a four point game with less than a minute to go, you must hit them. If you don't, your team loses confidence, especially since you are the senior point guard of the team. That could be a concern.
4. Do you know what a senior does however? Suck in the first half, then take over the game in the second half when the team looks to him. That is what Jordan McRae. I have no idea why but I got nostalgic seeing him at the free throw line at the end of the game about watching him throughout his career and just was happy for him. It was a wonderful job by him.
5. We all ***** about the offense and whine and moan and complain and yada yada yada. Tennessee won on their defense in the final ten minutes of the game. Offense is fun to talk about, but when Tennessee plays defense hard and aggessive, they win games.
6. What did Tennessee do with their defense? They stopped switching so much and started showing more. The switching gave Arkansas too much room to drive. It was a good adjustment by the coaching staff, and Arkansas really struggled to get to the paint. They also added a little more ball pressure near the end, which I have been somewhat against. It worked tonight.
7. Bernard King Player of the Game: Jordan McRae. My thoughts were mostly in number 4, but it should be mentioned some more. He got his ass back on defense, he crashed the boards, and he attacked the basket to get to the line. His shots were in rhythm.
8. Armani Moore should get more minutes. He had four blocks, a steal, and four boards. Watching him in the first half and it's clear he's ready to play ball.
9. Turnovers were not too bad tonight. 15 is high, but against a team like Arkansas, and Tennessee initiating a more uptempo style tonight, it could have been worse. The one that got away from Jordan McRae and lead to a bucket in the final minute cannot happen.
10. Cuonzo Martin is 3-0 against Florida for his career. It's a good omen. However, tonight's performance would not have gotten the job done. The good news? The game is not till Saturday. If UT attacks the basket, rebounds, and stays in front of their man, they will win. This is a really good Florida team, but Tennessee can beat anyone when they are on their game. This is the biggest game of the year. If UT wins, we can talk seeding for the tourney now. This team must get this victory Saturday.
Go Vols!!! :hi:
2. Jarnell Stokes' interior defense in the last four minutes of the game was the best defensive performance of his career. He altered five shots at the end of the game. He did not play a good game (for him) but he did a great job making sure Tennessee got the victory.
3. Antonio Barton had some nice moments today, and handled the press better than he has and zero turnovers against Arkansas deserves some praise, but when you have two free throws in a four point game with less than a minute to go, you must hit them. If you don't, your team loses confidence, especially since you are the senior point guard of the team. That could be a concern.
4. Do you know what a senior does however? Suck in the first half, then take over the game in the second half when the team looks to him. That is what Jordan McRae. I have no idea why but I got nostalgic seeing him at the free throw line at the end of the game about watching him throughout his career and just was happy for him. It was a wonderful job by him.
5. We all ***** about the offense and whine and moan and complain and yada yada yada. Tennessee won on their defense in the final ten minutes of the game. Offense is fun to talk about, but when Tennessee plays defense hard and aggessive, they win games.
6. What did Tennessee do with their defense? They stopped switching so much and started showing more. The switching gave Arkansas too much room to drive. It was a good adjustment by the coaching staff, and Arkansas really struggled to get to the paint. They also added a little more ball pressure near the end, which I have been somewhat against. It worked tonight.
7. Bernard King Player of the Game: Jordan McRae. My thoughts were mostly in number 4, but it should be mentioned some more. He got his ass back on defense, he crashed the boards, and he attacked the basket to get to the line. His shots were in rhythm.
8. Armani Moore should get more minutes. He had four blocks, a steal, and four boards. Watching him in the first half and it's clear he's ready to play ball.
9. Turnovers were not too bad tonight. 15 is high, but against a team like Arkansas, and Tennessee initiating a more uptempo style tonight, it could have been worse. The one that got away from Jordan McRae and lead to a bucket in the final minute cannot happen.
10. Cuonzo Martin is 3-0 against Florida for his career. It's a good omen. However, tonight's performance would not have gotten the job done. The good news? The game is not till Saturday. If UT attacks the basket, rebounds, and stays in front of their man, they will win. This is a really good Florida team, but Tennessee can beat anyone when they are on their game. This is the biggest game of the year. If UT wins, we can talk seeding for the tourney now. This team must get this victory Saturday.
Go Vols!!! :hi:
