Man I was so disgusted with todays game and watched a little bit of the 2008 Memphis game for #1. How the mighty have fallen...Heck Wayne Chism could dribble better than anyone Martin puts out there!
I am glad stars, after a player's name dosen't matter.Next season we will be loaded with more two and three star players committed.
we all prefer stars but they may be overrated for a team sport like basketball
The Gonzagas and the Butlers get to the Dance regularly and beat the big boys and I'm sure they arent doing it with 4 and 5 star plans and maybe with not many 3s---they assemble pieces that work well together since they as small schools wont get the marquee players that can individually carry them.
UT Basketball is in the middle of another Hamilton-Hire meltdown. This team looks lost a lot of the time---almost like a playground team that has not practiced being in specified positions on either offense or defense.
Since this is not smellevision, we only know they look as if they stink. Players here during Pearl's last (worst) year have regressed. Nobody plays defense or goes toward the rim. UT stands for Unbelievable Turnovers. The # have been amazing, yet continue.
They do not know dribbling is best done with eyes open, or crashing boards works best near board, or 3-point shots are at least supposed to hit rim or backboard or net or something connected. Maybe they need a note in their mittens: "Winners take care of the basketball and play better defense than losers." Maybe somebody could show them and the coaching staff what defense looks like. Nobody in either group knows. UT has replaced Hall-of-Fame Fulmer with NACAAproblemsKiffen, Can'tWinInTheSECDooley, lost-to-Dooley-Jones, and replaced-Pearl-with-Martin---whose staff delivered horrible basketball once again today. Three people who orchestrated the demise of Athletics: PresOfTheWeek/Cheek/Hamilton. They became PresOfTheWeek/Cheek/Hart. A among them they have decimated what Dickey, Fulmer, Pearl, Delmonico & Summitt built. This group played Bruce Pearl, saying they would back him, but left him hanging with the NCAA; had a Swimming Coach w/morals problems, a baseball coach who replaced Del Monico, but was not SEC caliber; yet the replacement’s replacement had to apologize for last year's performance. . When Bobby Knight, himself a hall of fame coach, all but says this UT Basketball Team is poorly coached, you gotta wonder. But it is the same in almost every major sport. This is what almo$t $500-million dollars athletics budget spent have bought since Hamilton fired Fulmer on Homecoming Week Monday, knowing it would demoralize the team.
The governor needs to have the administration of the program investigated by a special master or panel.
The program is gasping for air, but most writers and reporters in Knoxville do not have business degrees or business experience, so do not understand how much trouble the program REALLY is in. These news people have no idea of accounting procedures. They cannot follow the money, because they do not understand financial books. They are reduced to being cheerleaders or excuse mongers to keep getting quotes. UT’s is a program whose peers are flush financially, yet borrows from its school to fix the fix that was supposed to be the fix for firing Fulmer. Fulmer's real problem was that Cutcliffe got a golden job, later in that season than this, when Dooley was fired---so Fulmer had to quickly find an OC, and those available were not good at all. Presto! Hall of Fame coach gets fired.
UT athletics needs to be looked at by people other than insiders and twenty-somethings with bachelors degrees in journalism.
I thought we should give Martin one more year but it may be better to cut our losses and get rid of him now.
He and his staff need to be sent home. This team is not SEC capable, in terms of talent. Those Pearl et al had coached have regressed. The new people are a mixed bag---and really have no discipline. The coaches are not able to teach defense---or offense. Maybe they can do special teams---no that's another sport in which we have tanked.
Really, the top people in the administration needs to be waxed, as well as the AD...and the caoching staffs, including Jones. He is just one more example of why an investigation needs to be made into what's going on at UT in Athletics.
He gets an $18Million guarantee, but lost to Derrick Dooley, and has to have Phillip Fulmer tell him that UT must recruit nationally to be competitive in the SEC. And his marquee coach is a guy whose people were walked on by Fulmer's, when Jones's guy was at Michigan.
UT is in more trouble than anybody knows...and it needs to be brought out, so it can be fixed. The only reason that will not happen is that the primary driving force behind UT sports is the governor's father.
But somebody needs to get to the bottome of this mess...and drain the sludge out of it...and fix it.
I watch Mcbee and his shots look good out of his hand but they just don't come close to going in. Its hard to describe our offense. We play with zero confidence and no plan. We never look to break out, we slow the ball down on 4 on twos. Its just a head scratcher trying figure out what our plan is on offense. I want Martin to succeed but I am starting to wonder. Arky was ready to get spanked today but you have to take the lay ups and dunks they give you and we just refuses to look at the rim until the end of the shot clock unless we get down (like today). I guess we never cover transition defense because in practice nobody every breaks out on a fast break.
Another thing that is disturbing is how weak we are when we are down by a couple of points in the final minutes. We just have no way to turn anyone over. Its just foul or hope the team misses after 35 seconds, Other teams press, they get in guys faces they take chances, not UT we just do what we do no matter how unsuccessful it has been. We don't seem to play to win we just play to play.
Ironcity,
Agree 100% with you.......especially your last paragraph. Not being able to turn the other team over etc. I watched Arkansas closely on defense. When Tennessee had the ball, defenders were almost standing on our shoes..........hardly any space, and reaching, slapping at the ball........they got the turnovers. Tennessee? We were sort of like the football team was known to be doing..........playing a prevent defense. In other words, quite a bit of spacing between the Vols on defense and Arkansas' guys with the ball. Not too hard to see who would come up with more turnovers as a result.
Hate to be picking on certain players but in my very amateur opinion, McRae seems to be regressing.......missing front ends of free throws etc, plus the turnovers. McBee.....it was troubling to watch him observe a Razorback as the guy glided by on the way for a layup without much effort to stop him. Pretty much everyone knows McBee's role is to shoot 3's and he makes a few of them occasionally.
Bottom line guys is athleticism and raw talent..........mainly ball handlers and someone who can shoot better than 20% from the floor. These things we need in my humble opinion.
Agree 100% with you.......especially your last paragraph. Not being able to turn the other team over etc. I watched Arkansas closely on defense. When Tennessee had the ball, defenders were almost standing on our shoes..........hardly any space, and reaching, slapping at the ball........they got the turnovers. Tennessee? We were sort of like the football team was known to be doing..........playing a prevent defense. In other words, quite a bit of spacing between the Vols on defense and Arkansas' guys with the ball. Not too hard to see who would come up with more turnovers as a result.
Hate to be picking on certain players but in my very amateur opinion, McRae seems to be regressing.......missing front ends of free throws etc, plus the turnovers. McBee.....it was troubling to watch him observe a Razorback as the guy glided by on the way for a layup without much effort to stop him. Pretty much everyone knows McBee's role is to shoot 3's and he makes a few of them occasionally.
Bottom line guys is athleticism and raw talent..........mainly ball handlers and someone who can shoot better than 20% from the floor. These things we need in my humble opinion.
Perhaps this team can also use a few one-and-done freshmen and two-and-done sophomores. Have the juniors and seniors caught on yet??
He and his staff need to be sent home. This team is not SEC capable, in terms of talent. Those Pearl et al had coached have regressed. The new people are a mixed bag---and really have no discipline. The coaches are not able to teach defense---or offense. Maybe they can do special teams---no that's another sport in which we have tanked.
Really, the top people in the administration needs to be waxed, as well as the AD...and the caoching staffs, including Jones. He is just one more example of why an investigation needs to be made into what's going on at UT in Athletics.
He gets an $18Million guarantee, but lost to Derrick Dooley, and has to have Phillip Fulmer tell him that UT must recruit nationally to be competitive in the SEC. And his marquee coach is a guy whose people were walked on by Fulmer's, when Jones's guy was at Michigan.
UT is in more trouble than anybody knows...and it needs to be brought out, so it can be fixed. The only reason that will not happen is that the primary driving force behind UT sports is the governor's father.
But somebody needs to get to the bottome of this mess...and drain the sludge out of it...and fix it.
Is "SEC caliber" and "SEC capable" worse than/as good as/better than "[any other conference] caliber" and "[any other conference] capable"??
UT Basketball is in the middle of another Hamilton-Hire meltdown. This team looks lost a lot of the time---almost like a playground team that has not practiced being in specified positions on either offense or defense.
Since this is not smellevision, we only know they look as if they stink. Players here during Pearl's last (worst) year have regressed. Nobody plays defense or goes toward the rim. UT stands for Unbelievable Turnovers. The # have been amazing, yet continue.
They do not know dribbling is best done with eyes open, or crashing boards works best near board, or 3-point shots are at least supposed to hit rim or backboard or net or something connected. Maybe they need a note in their mittens: "Winners take care of the basketball and play better defense than losers." Maybe somebody could show them and the coaching staff what defense looks like. Nobody in either group knows. UT has replaced Hall-of-Fame Fulmer with NACAAproblemsKiffen, Can'tWinInTheSECDooley, lost-to-Dooley-Jones, and replaced-Pearl-with-Martin---whose staff delivered horrible basketball once again today. Three people who orchestrated the demise of Athletics: PresOfTheWeek/Cheek/Hamilton. They became PresOfTheWeek/Cheek/Hart. A among them they have decimated what Dickey, Fulmer, Pearl, Delmonico & Summitt built. This group played Bruce Pearl, saying they would back him, but left him hanging with the NCAA; had a Swimming Coach w/morals problems, a baseball coach who replaced Del Monico, but was not SEC caliber; yet the replacement’s replacement had to apologize for last year's performance. . When Bobby Knight, himself a hall of fame coach, all but says this UT Basketball Team is poorly coached, you gotta wonder. But it is the same in almost every major sport. This is what almo$t $500-million dollars athletics budget spent have bought since Hamilton fired Fulmer on Homecoming Week Monday, knowing it would demoralize the team.
The governor needs to have the administration of the program investigated by a special master or panel.
The program is gasping for air, but most writers and reporters in Knoxville do not have business degrees or business experience, so do not understand how much trouble the program REALLY is in. These news people have no idea of accounting procedures. They cannot follow the money, because they do not understand financial books. They are reduced to being cheerleaders or excuse mongers to keep getting quotes. UT’s is a program whose peers are flush financially, yet borrows from its school to fix the fix that was supposed to be the fix for firing Fulmer. Fulmer's real problem was that Cutcliffe got a golden job, later in that season than this, when Dooley was fired---so Fulmer had to quickly find an OC, and those available were not good at all. Presto! Hall of Fame coach gets fired.
UT athletics needs to be looked at by people other than insiders and twenty-somethings with bachelors degrees in journalism.
Agree 100%. The overall athletic program is such a big mess. We have everything for winning, but winning. Huge stadiums, huge following, top facilities--and yet we lose in almost every sport. I like Butch Jones and hope we have success, but a up and comer will have difficulty winning in the SEC. You have to go after the best and has a winning reputation. Having 1 bad recruiting year in the SEC will kill you. You have to be top 10 year in and year out in recruiting.
It's not even fun to talk about anymore. I don't even see them making the NIT this year. Yes, losing Maymon didn't help but this bunch just looks bad all around. Even on the few occasions when they decided to drive the lane it typically loked like they had no idea how to shoot a lay up. It's just weird.
I continue to be amazed at how we can shoot a 2-footer and miss everything. We must have the lowest shooting percentage in the nation (the world?). Free throws are always an adventure, even when we make them. Our post players get the ball and just stand there and wait for the double-team to take it away from them. We make a dozen passes from 20-25 feet without even looking toward the basket, then rush to take a bad shot. We appear to be instructed to wait until both teams (particularly the defense) is set up before starting our offense. When the game is on the line in the last couple of minutes, we look like a grade school team. Other than these points, we have a great team . . . NOT!
i could have gone to the game. the hogs are as ordinary as dishwater, so it seemed likely to be a decent game. i glad i didn't waste the money. the vols have got a way to go to reach mediocrity.
It wouldn't surprise me if Tennessee plays its best game against the Gators. Seems like they always do. The problem is, I wished they could play everybody else as tough as they play Florida. It seems like everybody gives the Vols their best game, no matter where they are in the standings. I'm behind these guys 100%, but I just don't know what to expect in any game they play these days.
Ive also noticed that for whatever reason most teams do play over their heads against us..First time against Rebs they were struggling to shoot 60% on FT's..Out of the blue the Rebs shoot 30 FT's at 85%..Yesterday Young gets benched for poor play; then Bam he comes up with a career game..As far as the Gators go a win would be a big bright spot on the season but the Gators defense is the best Ive seen in years..Watched the Gators play GA and the defense was so intense that GA literally could not even get a shot off..I lost count of GA shots that were blocked; never touched the rim or where desperation tosses..Bordered on insanity
Did not get to watch it but listened to the last half. You are pretty much spot on from what I heard. Wished Moore could get more confidence to shoot. He has a nice looking shot. Will come with time. Good to see Stokes have another decent game along with Hall. Guess Golden's presence was a lot more missed than many think. Thanks for a well thought out post unlike many. Hate to see my Vols loose just as much as anyone else. Still behind them this year along with full support for Martin. Guess I am an old alumni that loves my Vols no matter. IT IS GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL. GO BIG ORANGE. Class of 83
Too many absurd comments so far. Confidence is the key to this team and they just don't have it. The talent is there. The ability is there. The confidence is not. Don't know how coach gets it in em, but whatever they are doing is just not working. Personally, I think coach focuses on one stat - turnovers - and nothing else. If they could play a game without double digit turnovers, they win.
I think CM knows the game, the question is can he coach it and can he bring in quality players? Watching the Arky game was difficult. Concerns are mounting.
This is one of the better Tennessee teams I have seen in a long time and of course they are still horrible. The Bruce Pearl years didn't count because they completely cheated
This is one of the better Tennessee teams I have seen in a long time and of course they are still horrible. The Bruce Pearl years didn't count because they completely cheated
Just Saying
CHEATED?? What the heck u talking about?? He got bad legal advice from whomever in the univ. A chancellor who is a gator alum and an athletic dir who was on his way out. CHEATED! Why dont you go up I75 N and look up the definition of CHEATING! MORON!!!!!!!
I am glad stars, after a player's name dosen't matter.Next season we will be loaded with more two and three star players committed.
I'm sure you are much more knowledgeable on this subject but I was under the impression that we signed a very good guard named Robert Hubbs. Hopefully we will be able to compete on a regular basis next season. With Maymon, Stokes, and McCrae coming back I think our offense will improve.
Perhaps, BB "someone who can stick it in these guys' faces with discipline and tough love," and, as it is a university, maintain satisfactory grades or one, no matter how skilled or popular, is not allowed to play in games.
My 15 year old son walks in the room while I am watching the game and says, "TN losing again." I reply, "Of course." My son, "Why do TN's teams suck so bad?" My reply, "Poor leadership. Sports is like any business. Poor leadership, poor results. Great leadership, generally means better results." My son, "TN must have had some bad leadership for quite some time. I don't ever remember them being good at anything." I reply, "It's been a while and it is painful to endure being a TN fan." My son, "HMMMM, seems like they need new leadership."
My goodness, I'll bet the players are really feeling the support of fans after reading these comments! It seems 99% of the comments are critical of players and coaches. Interesting because people commenting are sitting home in their easy chair watching the games and looking for something to be critical of. How many of you negative "fans" have played basketball at this level or coached at this level? Very few if any. I hope the team and coaches know there are those of us, uneducated as we may be about the sport, who support them and their efforts. This team will win more, though it may be next year, when players with injuries return. Try walking in CM shoes before you critize something you know litte about.
This is one of the better Tennessee teams I have seen in a long time and of course they are still horrible. The Bruce Pearl years didn't count because they completely cheated
Just Saying
Give it a rest, loser..UK famous for racism under Adolph "Hitler" corRUPPt, ironically now welcomes AA players because they knew they couldn't win without them. Joe BB Hall never met a rule he couldn't break, and now you have the Squid..The most obtuse JA charlatan to ever roam the court at Lexington. Not to mention cheating with worldwide Wes and the D-Rose stunt SAT taker, as well as paying athletes at Memphis & UMASS..Yes sir, that splinter you talk about in UT's eye are tree trunks in UK's orbital socket.
Just looked at the box score. What jumped out to me was not the turnovers but the steals. Arky had 13 steals UT had 1. I can give it to Arky for smothering our offense. Every team does it so I am use to the result. What I have a hard time understanding is how we can only cause one steal when our coach professes to being a defensive specialist. Steals lead to easy baskets. UT hasn't had more then one easy basket in a game in weeks. The next three games are big. One at home against a poor UGA team thats kind of hot and two on the road where we are winless against crappy teams. At this point I think its 50-50 we make the NIT.
Everyone says this is an NIT team. That's pretty arrogant and unrealistic given their level of play. This team's season will end after the first round of the tournament. Bring Back Bruce!!!
Everyone says this is an NIT team. That's pretty arrogant and unrealistic given their level of play. This team's season will end after the first round of the tournament. Bring Back Bruce!!!
Are you stupid?? The NIT isn't difficult to get an invite to. It's not worth watching, but UT could certainly still make that tournament.
One more year and there better be improvements in both play and recruiting or the Cuonzo train may be leaving the station.
yeah, lets not be proactive and run this loser now, lets give him the coffin-nail 3rd year (see fball program) to run this program completely into the ground
My goodness, I'll bet the players are really feeling the support of fans after reading these comments! It seems 99% of the comments are critical of players and coaches. Interesting because people commenting are sitting home in their easy chair watching the games and looking for something to be critical of. How many of you negative "fans" have played basketball at this level or coached at this level? Very few if any. I hope the team and coaches know there are those of us, uneducated as we may be about the sport, who support them and their efforts. This team will win more, though it may be next year, when players with injuries return. Try walking in CM shoes before you critize something you know litte about.
I played basketball, sat on bleachers all over the country watching my brother play basketball, make my annual contribution to UT, purchase season tickets in football as well as basketball which totals several thousand dollars and will say what I please about the state of this basketball program. I do not blame the players, I blame this group of obvious poor coaches. They do not have what it takes to get the job done. I would love to walk in CM's shoes because I believe I could coach these boys up 100% better than he has. Also, I do not contribute money and buy tickets for "effort". I contribute money and buy tickets for positive results (translated = WINS).
Did not get to watch it but listened to the last half. You are pretty much spot on from what I heard. Wished Moore could get more confidence to shoot. He has a nice looking shot. Will come with time. Good to see Stokes have another decent game along with Hall. Guess Golden's presence was a lot more missed than many think. Thanks for a well thought out post unlike many. Hate to see my Vols loose just as much as anyone else. Still behind them this year along with full support for Martin. Guess I am an old alumni that loves my Vols no matter. IT IS GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL. GO BIG ORANGE. Class of 83
if u "loved 'em", you'd demand better, otherwise ur just another sucker who pays for filet and receives a happy-meal...oh well, i guess i "love 'em", enjoy your $30 happy-meal, sucker
help is on the way! thay didnt play that bad and probably wasnt going to win anyway, give hogs some cred
just wait till maymon back next year !!! with hubbs, stokes richardson!!! and mcrae..
there is a sleeper pg out there as well
TN will be fine!
oh, so, help is on the way!!!? i guess if u put enough exclamation points after it it has to be true, u live in dooley-land, cuonzo cant coach, thats why hes never been to the tourney and why he'll never go, dont be so naive!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It wouldn't surprise me if Tennessee plays its best game against the Gators. Seems like they always do. The problem is, I wished they could play everybody else as tough as they play Florida. It seems like everybody gives the Vols their best game, no matter where they are in the standings. I'm behind these guys 100%, but I just don't know what to expect in any game they play these days.
u dont know what to expect in any games they play? well, maybe i can help, what we've seen in cuonzo's previous games shld be an indicator, u can expect LOTS of ut turnovers, very little offense, another loss, and an unblemished record of NEVER gettin to the tourney...hope that helps u, the gators will kill cuonzo
OK here it is.. Why has C Martin not recruited a PG yet? Lopex really makes me mad. He was under the rim yesterday with no one around and he passed the ball out. He will not take a shot no matter how open he is. Is he that bad??
Am I the only one who sees that if Jarnell Stokes holds the ball for more than 2 seconds he will get a charge or turnover?
WHY IN THE BLANK do the UT players seem to almost always let the double team close on them? I see a chance for them to pass the ball but they dont and the double closes and it ends bad. I have been saying it since Martin started, UT players are the worst at simple passes. That is so frustrating.
Up until recently I thought C Martin was the right choice, I am not sure now (how long til the show-cause is up?) I dont give him a pass on the PG situation. He should have recruited one.
OH... The offensive woes, why is the team always in slow mode? Take their time with the inbound pass, take 9 seconds to get it pass the timeline then swing the ball 10' outside the arc until 8 seconds left to rush up a bad shot.
I know C Martin is the coach and I am nobody but it seems that this team has SO MANY issues that are BASIC coaching issues.
AND BOB KNIGHT IS A MORIN!!!!
Bob Knight "I think the turnover margin usually reflects the team that has less turnovers"... SERIOUSLY???? Everything that moron says makes me wonder why he is not in a retirement home. Pat Summit is far more well spoken than him and she was forced out.
Are you stupid?? The NIT isn't difficult to get an invite to. It's not worth watching, but UT could certainly still make that tournament.
My point exactly. They can't even play to NIT level. Not the players fault. Talent level is much better than they show. Martin deson't have a clue. This team has absolutely no identity because they have no leadership.
I played basketball, sat on bleachers all over the country watching my brother play basketball, make my annual contribution to UT, purchase season tickets in football as well as basketball which totals several thousand dollars and will say what I please about the state of this basketball program. I do not blame the players, I blame this group of obvious poor coaches. They do not have what it takes to get the job done. I would love to walk in CM's shoes because I believe I could coach these boys up 100% better than he has. Also, I do not contribute money and buy tickets for "effort". I contribute money and buy tickets for positive results (translated = WINS).
My point exactly. They can't even play to NIT level. Not the players fault. Talent level is much better than they show. Martin deson't have a clue. This team has absolutely no identity because they have no leadership.
Apologies are in order then..I didn't catch the cynicism the first time around.
CHEATED?? What the heck u talking about?? He got bad legal advice from whomever in the univ. A chancellor who is a gator alum and an athletic dir who was on his way out. CHEATED! Why dont you go up I75 N and look up the definition of CHEATING! MORON!!!!!!!
you sound ignorant with your chacellor and AD comment----------only someone with no ethics themselves could think others would undermine the company/institution they represent and get a big paycheck from. Like suggesting BP as Tenn coach would throw a game against his own alma-mater------would never want an employee as you who obviously has no concept of basic loyalty
Just looked at the box score. What jumped out to me was not the turnovers but the steals. Arky had 13 steals UT had 1. I can give it to Arky for smothering our offense. Every team does it so I am use to the result. What I have a hard time understanding is how we can only cause one steal when our coach professes to being a defensive specialist. Steals lead to easy baskets. UT hasn't had more then one easy basket in a game in weeks. The next three games are big. One at home against a poor UGA team thats kind of hot and two on the road where we are winless against crappy teams. At this point I think its 50-50 we make the NIT.
you are right on in your observation and last nites game was further indication of the entire season--------again below are SEC stats and we are dead last in steals and not even close to out of the cellar-----the most glaring deficiency on the stat board and as you said from a team than has a defensive emphasis---never see smothering by us as we saw from Arky and others
TN athletics has sunken to a new low. Martin seems to be a good man, but he has to win to stay. He will get next year, because we can't afford anymore buyouts. If this team doesn't make some serious noise next year, he's out. Then Pearl just might be back in.
Thats pretty harsh..Defense was okay in the second half and the Vol bench looked pretty fired up to me..We have players like Moore;Lopez ;Yemi and Reese that just are not SEC ready..Arkansas did not have that problem and ran their regular rotation with one freshman
This attitude kind of sums up why we lose so much in sports. There are always excuses. The bottom line is that this team loses a LOT because they aren't prepared, they aren't talented enough, and they don't have any leadership.
I like Coach Martin. I think that he's a quality, character guy, but with every game it becomes more and more apparent that we can't win with him. The SEC is a weak BB conference and he is struggling.
Still, I don't think you fire him. We can't afford it. Let his contract run out then Jimmy Cheek and Dave Hart can hire...oh that's right...those guys are in charge. Hell, just keep him on staff. We won't win, but at least he won't bring the NCAA down on us.
Just a few improved basketball fundamentals will improve this teams W-L record. Stokes is constantly doubled and tripled teamed. Just pass the ball back out(quickly) and you will then be open for another pass and a better situation with opponents defense. Never try to dribble through a trap or double team. See it coming and pass the ball and move without it towards the basket and you can usually get open shots. Never, Never get beat down the floor. If the point guard takes the ball to the basket, someone has to rotate and assume the position at the top of the key to play defense on a run-out. Pass the ball and move. Shoot it and follow your shot for a possible rebound. Now these are really fundamentals that are taught at the Jr. Pro level. All these kids play a lot of AAU ball and it is really surprising to me that we continue to see mistakes made regarding these fundamentals. Sure, Ark has great athletes who get into you (isn't getting into you a foul)? Alabama also has such athletes with quickness and leaping ability. Georgia has often had this type athlete and they have all three given UT fits when they have been allowed to get into you. That is how UT lost to Bama earlier this year and how Vandy lost to Bama yesterday. We need the quick defenders. We either don't have them or they are not giving good effort. Stokes and Hall want to put the ball on the floor around the basket and there are just too many sets of hands working against them. Is this coaching or is this lack of understanding or ability on the part of the players. I reall do not know.
I played basketball, sat on bleachers all over the country watching my brother play basketball, make my annual contribution to UT, purchase season tickets in football as well as basketball which totals several thousand dollars and will say what I please about the state of this basketball program. I do not blame the players, I blame this group of obvious poor coaches. They do not have what it takes to get the job done. I would love to walk in CM's shoes because I believe I could coach these boys up 100% better than he has. Also, I do not contribute money and buy tickets for "effort". I contribute money and buy tickets for positive results (translated = WINS).
Boy do you have an inflated opinion of your abilities and intelligence!!! I for one am glad your not in CM shoes or anywhere near the coaching staff. I say, support the players and staff. Why in the world would anyone contribute money (as they say they do) and then try to tear down the program. Makes no sense.
I thought we should give Martin one more year but it may be better to cut our losses and get rid of him now.
He definitely needs another year. UT doesnt need another buyout. Besides,he hasn't even been here two full seasons. Pearl had some teams that were atrocious on the road as well.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Dan Proctor draws Tennessee Football…
Cordarrelle Patterson drafted by the…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 122
halloffamebowler writes:
I am glad stars, after a player's name dosen't matter.Next season we will be loaded with more two and three star players committed.
eduardo writes:
Man I was so disgusted with todays game and watched a little bit of the 2008 Memphis game for #1. How the mighty have fallen...Heck Wayne Chism could dribble better than anyone Martin puts out there!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
we all prefer stars but they may be overrated for a team sport like basketball
The Gonzagas and the Butlers get to the Dance regularly and beat the big boys and I'm sure they arent doing it with 4 and 5 star plans and maybe with not many 3s---they assemble pieces that work well together since they as small schools wont get the marquee players that can individually carry them.
CoverOrange writes:
It wasn't the press that beat us.
Trae Golden would have made little difference in the end result.
What Mike Anderson could have done with the Pearl talent if we had hired him instead.
samvol writes:
no one on this team knows their role and this is a problem that the coaching staff has to fix.
volthrunthru#658770 writes:
UT Basketball is in the middle of another Hamilton-Hire meltdown. This team looks lost a lot of the time---almost like a playground team that has not practiced being in specified positions on either offense or defense.
Since this is not smellevision, we only know they look as if they stink. Players here during Pearl's last (worst) year have regressed. Nobody plays defense or goes toward the rim. UT stands for Unbelievable Turnovers. The # have been amazing, yet continue.
They do not know dribbling is best done with eyes open, or crashing boards works best near board, or 3-point shots are at least supposed to hit rim or backboard or net or something connected. Maybe they need a note in their mittens: "Winners take care of the basketball and play better defense than losers." Maybe somebody could show them and the coaching staff what defense looks like. Nobody in either group knows.
UT has replaced Hall-of-Fame Fulmer with NACAAproblemsKiffen, Can'tWinInTheSECDooley, lost-to-Dooley-Jones, and replaced-Pearl-with-Martin---whose staff delivered horrible basketball once again today.
Three people who orchestrated the demise of Athletics: PresOfTheWeek/Cheek/Hamilton. They became PresOfTheWeek/Cheek/Hart. A among them they have decimated what Dickey, Fulmer, Pearl, Delmonico & Summitt built.
This group played Bruce Pearl, saying they would back him, but left him hanging with the NCAA; had a Swimming Coach w/morals problems, a baseball coach who replaced Del Monico, but was not SEC caliber; yet the replacement’s replacement had to apologize for last year's performance.
.
When Bobby Knight, himself a hall of fame coach, all but says this UT Basketball Team is poorly coached, you gotta wonder. But it is the same in almost every major sport. This is what almo$t $500-million dollars athletics budget spent have bought since Hamilton fired Fulmer on Homecoming Week Monday, knowing it would demoralize the team.
The governor needs to have the administration of the program investigated by a special master or panel.
The program is gasping for air, but most writers and reporters in Knoxville do not have business degrees or business experience, so do not understand how much trouble the program REALLY is in. These news people have no idea of accounting procedures. They cannot follow the money, because they do not understand financial books. They are reduced to being cheerleaders or excuse mongers to keep getting quotes.
UT’s is a program whose peers are flush financially, yet borrows from its school to fix the fix that was supposed to be the fix for firing Fulmer. Fulmer's real problem was that Cutcliffe got a golden job, later in that season than this, when Dooley was fired---so Fulmer had to quickly find an OC, and those available were not good at all. Presto! Hall of Fame coach gets fired.
UT athletics needs to be looked at by people other than insiders and twenty-somethings with bachelors degrees in journalism.
volthrunthru#658770 writes:
He and his staff need to be sent home. This team is not SEC capable, in terms of talent. Those Pearl et al had coached have regressed. The new people are a mixed bag---and really have no discipline. The coaches are not able to teach defense---or offense. Maybe they can do special teams---no that's another sport in which we have tanked.
Really, the top people in the administration needs to be waxed, as well as the AD...and the caoching staffs, including Jones. He is just one more example of why an investigation needs to be made into what's going on at UT in Athletics.
He gets an $18Million guarantee, but lost to Derrick Dooley, and has to have Phillip Fulmer tell him that UT must recruit nationally to be competitive in the SEC. And his marquee coach is a guy whose people were walked on by Fulmer's, when Jones's guy was at Michigan.
UT is in more trouble than anybody knows...and it needs to be brought out, so it can be fixed.
The only reason that will not happen is that the primary driving force behind UT sports is the governor's father.
But somebody needs to get to the bottome of this mess...and drain the sludge out of it...and fix it.
orangecountyvols writes:
Ironcity,
Agree 100% with you.......especially your last paragraph. Not being able to turn the other team over etc. I watched Arkansas closely on defense. When Tennessee had the ball, defenders were almost standing on our shoes..........hardly any space, and reaching, slapping at the ball........they got the turnovers. Tennessee? We were sort of like the football team was known to be doing..........playing a prevent defense. In other words, quite a bit of spacing between the Vols on defense and Arkansas' guys with the ball. Not too hard to see who would come up with more turnovers as a result.
Hate to be picking on certain players but in my very amateur opinion, McRae seems to be regressing.......missing front ends of free throws etc, plus the turnovers. McBee.....it was troubling to watch him observe a Razorback as the guy glided by on the way for a layup without much effort to stop him. Pretty much everyone knows McBee's role is to shoot 3's and he makes a few of them occasionally.
Bottom line guys is athleticism and raw talent..........mainly ball handlers and
someone who can shoot better than 20% from the floor. These things we need in my humble opinion.
utvols420 writes:
My biggest gripe with this article is the misuse of the word "to" in the headline.
One_in_West_Knox writes:
Perhaps this team can also use a few one-and-done freshmen and two-and-done sophomores. Have the juniors and seniors caught on yet??
One_in_West_Knox writes:
Is "SEC caliber" and "SEC capable" worse than/as good as/better than "[any other conference] caliber" and "[any other conference] capable"??
One_in_West_Knox writes:
OOPS! "Are" instead of "Is" I should have used.
TheFuj writes:
Agree 100%. The overall athletic program is such a big mess. We have everything for winning, but winning. Huge stadiums, huge following, top facilities--and yet we lose in almost every sport.
I like Butch Jones and hope we have success, but a up and comer will have difficulty winning in the SEC. You have to go after the best and has a winning reputation. Having 1 bad recruiting year in the SEC will kill you. You have to be top 10 year in and year out in recruiting.
ronburgundy (Inactive) writes:
It's not even fun to talk about anymore. I don't even see them making the NIT this year. Yes, losing Maymon didn't help but this bunch just looks bad all around. Even on the few occasions when they decided to drive the lane it typically loked like they had no idea how to shoot a lay up. It's just weird.
AlpharettaVol writes:
I continue to be amazed at how we can shoot a 2-footer and miss everything. We must have the lowest shooting percentage in the nation (the world?). Free throws are always an adventure, even when we make them. Our post players get the ball and just stand there and wait for the double-team to take it away from them. We make a dozen passes from 20-25 feet without even looking toward the basket, then rush to take a bad shot. We appear to be instructed to wait until both teams (particularly the defense) is set up before starting our offense. When the game is on the line in the last couple of minutes, we look like a grade school team. Other than these points, we have a great team . . . NOT!
crmcm44#321757 writes:
They're hard to watch. Lack of skill and basketball smarts combined with poor coaching; a deadly combo.
arkyvol writes:
i could have gone to the game. the hogs are as ordinary as dishwater, so it seemed likely to be a decent game. i glad i didn't waste the money. the vols have got a way to go to reach mediocrity.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Ive also noticed that for whatever reason most teams do play over their heads against us..First time against Rebs they were struggling to shoot 60% on FT's..Out of the blue the Rebs shoot 30 FT's at 85%..Yesterday Young gets benched for poor play; then Bam he comes up with a career game..As far as the Gators go a win would be a big bright spot on the season but the Gators defense is the best Ive seen in years..Watched the Gators play GA and the defense was so intense that GA literally could not even get a shot off..I lost count of GA shots that were blocked; never touched the rim or where desperation tosses..Bordered on insanity
chipmurphy461 writes:
Headline should read "Again the Vols played terrible and lost to another team they should've beaten. A reoccurring theme this season."
iowavol writes:
Too many absurd comments so far. Confidence is the key to this team and they just don't have it. The talent is there. The ability is there. The confidence is not. Don't know how coach gets it in em, but whatever they are doing is just not working. Personally, I think coach focuses on one stat - turnovers - and nothing else. If they could play a game without double digit turnovers, they win.
Sir_Spanky writes:
I think CM knows the game, the question is can he coach it and can he bring in quality players? Watching the Arky game was difficult. Concerns are mounting.
SevenT writes:
This is one of the better Tennessee teams I have seen in a long time and of course they are still horrible.
The Bruce Pearl years didn't count because they completely cheated
Just Saying
eduardo writes:
CHEATED?? What the heck u talking about?? He got bad legal advice from whomever in the univ. A chancellor who is a gator alum and an athletic dir who was on his way out. CHEATED! Why dont you go up I75 N and look up the definition of CHEATING! MORON!!!!!!!
kennypowers writes:
I'm sure you are much more knowledgeable on this subject but I was under the impression that we signed a very good guard named Robert Hubbs. Hopefully we will be able to compete on a regular basis next season. With Maymon, Stokes, and McCrae coming back I think our offense will improve.
One_in_West_Knox writes:
Perhaps, BB "someone who can stick it in these guys' faces with discipline and tough love," and, as it is a university, maintain satisfactory grades or one, no matter how skilled or popular, is not allowed to play in games.
DC82_Vol writes:
My 15 year old son walks in the room while I am watching the game and says, "TN losing again." I reply, "Of course." My son, "Why do TN's teams suck so bad?" My reply, "Poor leadership. Sports is like any business. Poor leadership, poor results. Great leadership, generally means better results." My son, "TN must have had some bad leadership for quite some time. I don't ever remember them being good at anything." I reply, "It's been a while and it is painful to endure being a TN fan." My son, "HMMMM, seems like they need new leadership."
VinylVols writes:
Does no one remember Tobias Harris?
If he were not one and done he'd be a junior this year, and we'd probably have one of the best teams in the SEC.
jopad writes:
My goodness, I'll bet the players are really feeling the support of fans after reading these comments! It seems 99% of the comments are critical of players and coaches. Interesting because people commenting are sitting home in their easy chair watching the games and looking for something to be critical of. How many of you negative "fans" have played basketball at this level or coached at this level? Very few if any. I hope the team and coaches know there are those of us, uneducated as we may be about the sport, who support them and their efforts. This team will win more, though it may be next year, when players with injuries return. Try walking in CM shoes before you critize something you know litte about.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Give it a rest, loser..UK famous for racism under Adolph "Hitler" corRUPPt, ironically now welcomes AA players because they knew they couldn't win without them. Joe BB Hall never met a rule he couldn't break, and now you have the Squid..The most obtuse JA charlatan to ever roam the court at Lexington. Not to mention cheating with worldwide Wes and the D-Rose stunt SAT taker, as well as paying athletes at Memphis & UMASS..Yes sir, that splinter you talk about in UT's eye are tree trunks in UK's orbital socket.
BolivrBob writes:
We suck! Can we bring Bruce back next year?
Ironcity writes:
Just looked at the box score. What jumped out to me was not the turnovers but the steals. Arky had 13 steals UT had 1. I can give it to Arky for smothering our offense. Every team does it so I am use to the result. What I have a hard time understanding is how we can only cause one steal when our coach professes to being a defensive specialist. Steals lead to easy baskets. UT hasn't had more then one easy basket in a game in weeks. The next three games are big. One at home against a poor UGA team thats kind of hot and two on the road where we are winless against crappy teams. At this point I think its 50-50 we make the NIT.
lknvol writes:
Everyone says this is an NIT team. That's pretty arrogant and unrealistic given their level of play. This team's season will end after the first round of the tournament. Bring Back Bruce!!!
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Are you stupid?? The NIT isn't difficult to get an invite to. It's not worth watching, but UT could certainly still make that tournament.
slickmo writes:
yeah, lets not be proactive and run this loser now, lets give him the coffin-nail 3rd year (see fball program) to run this program completely into the ground
ellerbee123 writes:
I played basketball, sat on bleachers all over the country watching my brother play basketball, make my annual contribution to UT, purchase season tickets in football as well as basketball which totals several thousand dollars and will say what I please about the state of this basketball program. I do not blame the players, I blame this group of obvious poor coaches. They do not have what it takes to get the job done. I would love to walk in CM's shoes because I believe I could coach these boys up 100% better than he has. Also, I do not contribute money and buy tickets for "effort". I contribute money and buy tickets for positive results (translated = WINS).
slickmo writes:
if u "loved 'em", you'd demand better, otherwise ur just another sucker who pays for filet and receives a happy-meal...oh well, i guess i "love 'em", enjoy your $30 happy-meal, sucker
slickmo writes:
oh, so, help is on the way!!!? i guess if u put enough exclamation points after it it has to be true, u live in dooley-land, cuonzo cant coach, thats why hes never been to the tourney and why he'll never go, dont be so naive!!!!!!!!!!!!!
slickmo writes:
u dont know what to expect in any games they play? well, maybe i can help, what we've seen in cuonzo's previous games shld be an indicator, u can expect LOTS of ut turnovers, very little offense, another loss, and an unblemished record of NEVER gettin to the tourney...hope that helps u, the gators will kill cuonzo
HtownVol writes:
OK here it is..
Why has C Martin not recruited a PG yet?
Lopex really makes me mad. He was under the rim yesterday with no one around and he passed the ball out. He will not take a shot no matter how open he is. Is he that bad??
Am I the only one who sees that if Jarnell Stokes holds the ball for more than 2 seconds he will get a charge or turnover?
WHY IN THE BLANK do the UT players seem to almost always let the double team close on them? I see a chance for them to pass the ball but they dont and the double closes and it ends bad. I have been saying it since Martin started, UT players are the worst at simple passes. That is so frustrating.
Up until recently I thought C Martin was the right choice, I am not sure now (how long til the show-cause is up?) I dont give him a pass on the PG situation. He should have recruited one.
OH... The offensive woes, why is the team always in slow mode? Take their time with the inbound pass, take 9 seconds to get it pass the timeline then swing the ball 10' outside the arc until 8 seconds left to rush up a bad shot.
I know C Martin is the coach and I am nobody but it seems that this team has SO MANY issues that are BASIC coaching issues.
AND BOB KNIGHT IS A MORIN!!!!
Bob Knight "I think the turnover margin usually reflects the team that has less turnovers"... SERIOUSLY???? Everything that moron says makes me wonder why he is not in a retirement home. Pat Summit is far more well spoken than him and she was forced out.
GO VOLS!
lknvol writes:
My point exactly. They can't even play to NIT level. Not the players fault. Talent level is much better than they show. Martin deson't have a clue. This team has absolutely no identity because they have no leadership.
wilk58 writes:
Where are you presently coaching?
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Apologies are in order then..I didn't catch the cynicism the first time around.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
you sound ignorant with your chacellor and AD comment----------only someone with no ethics themselves could think others would undermine the company/institution they represent and get a big paycheck from. Like suggesting BP as Tenn coach would throw a game against his own alma-mater------would never want an employee as you who obviously has no concept of basic loyalty
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
you are right on in your observation and last nites game was further indication of the entire season--------again below are SEC stats and we are dead last in steals and not even close to out of the cellar-----the most glaring deficiency on the stat board and as you said from a team than has a defensive emphasis---never see smothering by us as we saw from Arky and others
http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/Port...
crappieking writes:
TN athletics has sunken to a new low. Martin seems to be a good man, but he has to win to stay. He will get next year, because we can't afford anymore buyouts. If this team doesn't make some serious noise next year, he's out. Then Pearl just might be back in.
DwayneElizondoMountainDewHerbertCamacho writes:
This attitude kind of sums up why we lose so much in sports. There are always excuses. The bottom line is that this team loses a LOT because they aren't prepared, they aren't talented enough, and they don't have any leadership.
I like Coach Martin. I think that he's a quality, character guy, but with every game it becomes more and more apparent that we can't win with him. The SEC is a weak BB conference and he is struggling.
Still, I don't think you fire him. We can't afford it. Let his contract run out then Jimmy Cheek and Dave Hart can hire...oh that's right...those guys are in charge. Hell, just keep him on staff. We won't win, but at least he won't bring the NCAA down on us.
God...UT sports is pathetic right now.
1volk-nowi-tall writes:
Just a few improved basketball fundamentals will improve this teams W-L record. Stokes is constantly doubled and tripled teamed. Just pass the ball back out(quickly) and you will then be open for another pass and a better situation with opponents defense. Never try to dribble through a trap or double team. See it coming and pass the ball and move without it towards the basket and you can usually get open shots. Never, Never get beat down the floor. If the point guard takes the ball to the basket, someone has to rotate and assume the position at the top of the key to play defense on a run-out. Pass the ball and move. Shoot it and follow your shot for a possible rebound. Now these are really fundamentals that are taught at the Jr. Pro level. All these kids play a lot of AAU ball and it is really surprising to me that we continue to see mistakes made regarding these fundamentals. Sure, Ark has great athletes who get into you (isn't getting into you a foul)? Alabama also has such athletes with quickness and leaping ability. Georgia has often had this type athlete and they have all three given UT fits when they have been allowed to get into you. That is how UT lost to Bama earlier this year and how Vandy lost to Bama yesterday. We need the quick defenders. We either don't have them or they are not giving good effort. Stokes and Hall want to put the ball on the floor around the basket and there are just too many sets of hands working against them. Is this coaching or is this lack of understanding or ability on the part of the players. I reall do not know.
jopad writes:
Boy do you have an inflated opinion of your abilities and intelligence!!! I for one am glad your not in CM shoes or anywhere near the coaching staff. I say, support the players and staff. Why in the world would anyone contribute money (as they say they do) and then try to tear down the program. Makes no sense.
knoxbr27 writes:
He definitely needs another year. UT doesnt need another buyout. Besides,he hasn't even been here two full seasons. Pearl had some teams that were atrocious on the road as well.
UTVolWarrior98 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.