This team isn't as good as everyone thinks

#1
M

mtvols

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#1
I've seen posts on VN about us having another Elite 8 or even final four team. Someone a while back said we would start 25-3 and as recently as this week talk about how deep we are.

This team will struggle in the pre-conference schedule. Hopson is up to his usual stuff. He will score 20 one night and 6 the next night. I don't see a leader on this team. We are suspect in the post in regards to offense with Williams and Fields. Our 2nd rotation tonight has no one that is an offensive threat. We continue to stuggle with teams that have two really good small guards.

Yes, they will win at least 20 games and make the tournament, but there are issues for sure.
 
#2
#2
Any zone team will give us fits. It isn't new.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#8
#8
Preseason basketball meltdown!!!! we will lose every game!!! omg the sky is falling...:lolabove:
 
#10
#10
We do need someone to step up and make some outside shots. This also shows how a good free throw shooting team can beat an athletic poor free throw shooting team.
 
#11
#11
I can't imagine they're completely disregarded, but it isn't going to affect our W/L record.
 
#12
#12
UT1794 said:
I can't imagine they're completely disregarded, but it isn't going to affect our W/L record.
Click to expand...

To tell you the truth this is great for the team imo. Doesn't hurt your record and on top of that it's a HUGE wakeup call. I take nothing but a positive from this game as far as the future is concerned.
 
#13
#13
"They continue to struggle against...." Wait, who and how are they continuing anything?
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#14
#14
Syracuse lost an exhibition game last year. They rebounded played well into the tourney. Pearl will work this out. He get big bucks to win.
 
#15
#15
No, this is not freaking out.

1. Who on our second team of Fields, Woolridge, Golden, Pearl, and McBee is going to hit shots? That is our second team right now. I know it is minus Maybin and Hall, but not sure what they have either.

2. Hopson has to be a consistent scorer this year. He can't disappear in games like he has in the past. Tatum does the same thing.

3. Do you really think teams are concerned with our post offense of Williams and Fields? Yes, Harris can score but we are going to miss Chism big time.

4. Why do we struggle year after year against the zone and teams with small good guards?

5. Who is the leader on this team? Williams or Goins? Weren't they in trouble last year!
 
#16
#16
We had better depth, talent, etc. NO reason for that loss. NONE.
 
#19
#19
No one, except for a few on VN who have a "feeling", think that the Vols will be great this year. That's why they are picked 3rd in the East. That's also why you gotta play the games.:mf_surrender:
 
#20
#20
Mullins2010 said:
Exhibition.......settle down
Click to expand...

This is exactly why we should worry. I agree it doesn't affect anything yet and our record is still 0-0 but you don't not freak out just because it doesn't count. There's no one on the schedule from here on out who's as weak as this team tonight that's why there's cause for concern for losing this game.
 
#21
#21
bowlinggreenvol said:
This is exactly why we should worry. I agree it doesn't affect anything yet and our record is still 0-0 but you don't not freak out just because it doesn't count. There's no one on the schedule from here on out who's as weak as this team tonight that's why there's cause for concern for losing this game.
Click to expand...

there's also not another game on the schedule where we will give less effort.
 
#22
#22
Those of you predicting the national title run this year might want to hold your horses. Here's a few thoughts I had after watching this disgrace.

1.) I'm not so sure that all of the controversy surrounding the program isn't going to have a major impact in how this team plays.

2.) That was the most pathetic zone offense I've ever watched at the college level.

3.) Scotty Hopson is not going to take any kind of step this year.

4.) We looked like morons not getting the ball to Harris in the middle of the 2-3. A middle school coach could have seen that that's about all it would have taken to destroy that zone.

5.) Looks like we've reverted back to the perimeter defense of 2008-09. McBee was utterly disgraceful defending D-II guards. The only bright spot was Tatum. I, like I did at the end of last year, think that he's clearly the best perimeter player we've got.

6.) While it's not time to give up on the season, I think tonight served as a clear reality check that barring some miracle improvement, this team is going to be mediocre at best. It's going to take more of an effort than that just to get fourth in the East.
 
#23
#23
LawVol13 said:
Those of you predicting the national title run this year might want to hold your horses. Here's a few thoughts I had after watching this disgrace.

1.) I'm not so sure that all of the controversy surrounding the program isn't going to have a major impact in how this team plays.

2.) That was the most pathetic zone offense I've ever watched at the college level.

3.) Scotty Hopson is not going to take any kind of step this year.

4.) We looked like morons not getting the ball to Harris in the middle of the 2-3. A middle school coach could have seen that that's about all it would have taken to destroy that zone.

5.) Looks like we've reverted back to the perimeter defense of 2008-09. McBee was utterly disgraceful defending D-II guards. The only bright spot was Tatum. I, like I did at the end of last year, think that he's clearly the best perimeter player we've got.

6.) While it's not time to give up on the season, I think tonight served as a clear reality check that barring some miracle improvement, this team is going to be mediocre at best. It's going to take more of an effort than that just to get fourth in the East.
Click to expand...

4 is spot on, Tobias didn't get near enough touches tonight. I don't think he got enough time either, seems like Pearl was out there longer. Tobias is perfect for breaking it though, sit him on the free throw line and let him either distribute or make a shot which he appears to be great at.

I agree on 5 as well. Tatum is our best perimeter player. He or Tobias needs to step up and be the leader. We need a go-to guy, and we need one quick.

I think it's a bit too early to say this team will be mediocre. That was an exhibition game. The effort was very obviously lacking. The play was very carefree, typical of a scrimmage/exhibition. Although I found it a bit worrisome we didn't pick it up all that much at the end. We had some bizarre lineups and I don't think we'll be seeing near as much Pearl/Mcbee as we did tonight. This did look like some Pearl performances of old on the offensive end but I think we can bounce back.

We got a terrible performance out of the way and out of our system and luckily it didn't even count. I expect(hope) for the complete opposite performance-wise on Friday.
 
#24
#24
LawVol13 said:
Those of you predicting the national title run this year might want to hold your horses. Here's a few thoughts I had after watching this disgrace.

1.) I'm not so sure that all of the controversy surrounding the program isn't going to have a major impact in how this team plays.

2.) That was the most pathetic zone offense I've ever watched at the college level.

3.) Scotty Hopson is not going to take any kind of step this year.

4.) We looked like morons not getting the ball to Harris in the middle of the 2-3. A middle school coach could have seen that that's about all it would have taken to destroy that zone.

5.) Looks like we've reverted back to the perimeter defense of 2008-09. McBee was utterly disgraceful defending D-II guards. The only bright spot was Tatum. I, like I did at the end of last year, think that he's clearly the best perimeter player we've got.

6.) While it's not time to give up on the season, I think tonight served as a clear reality check that barring some miracle improvement, this team is going to be mediocre at best. It's going to take more of an effort than that just to get fourth in the East.
Click to expand...

I agree with some of this. I think #1 is a maybe as I think it would affect the coaches more than the players. I just think that type of stuff doesn't weigh upon them as kids.

Otherwise, I also mentioned getting the ball to Harris as well, so a big agreement on that one. I've also voiced my displeasure with McBee on a number of occasions and hope he doesn't see many minutes. Hopson, I believe, is just who he is and will not be anything more. I know the coaches have tried about everything to motivate him, but it doesn't work and they're in a conundrum where he's good enough to where they need him to play anyway.

All in all, I think there will be a better distribution of minutes when the season begins and that will improve the product. I also think the fresman, Mcrae and Golden, look very green and I'm reminded it took Chism and Co. untio about February to hit their stride in their freshman year.
 
#25
#25
LawVol13 said:
Those of you predicting the national title run this year might want to hold your horses. Here's a few thoughts I had after watching this disgrace.

1.) I'm not so sure that all of the controversy surrounding the program isn't going to have a major impact in how this team plays.

2.) That was the most pathetic zone offense I've ever watched at the college level.

3.) Scotty Hopson is not going to take any kind of step this year.

4.) We looked like morons not getting the ball to Harris in the middle of the 2-3. A middle school coach could have seen that that's about all it would have taken to destroy that zone.

5.) Looks like we've reverted back to the perimeter defense of 2008-09. McBee was utterly disgraceful defending D-II guards. The only bright spot was Tatum. I, like I did at the end of last year, think that he's clearly the best perimeter player we've got.

6.) While it's not time to give up on the season, I think tonight served as a clear reality check that barring some miracle improvement, this team is going to be mediocre at best. It's going to take more of an effort than that just to get fourth in the East.
Click to expand...

Pretty much agree.

Re: #1, I don't think the controversy had much to do with tonight. I could see it snowballing if things continue to go poorly after tonight, though.

Another point is that Pearl isn't the only coach who is (usually) too stubborn to use zone (counterpoint: I'm sure it takes time to implement effectively, and perhaps that time is best spent elsewhere). I think we'll be OK on most nights.
 
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