Posted by surlyguy on January 23, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gotta wonder how much playing third game since last Thursday affected Vols ability to play their normal style as effectively as normal.

Hate losing to Ky, but even the best teams will lose a few. Looking forward to returning the favor at home.

Pearl says "When you lose, you can learn a lot from breaking it down'' If the Vols learn and improve, and Duke Crews contributes, the rest of the season looks to be a blast.

Also wonder if there is some underutilized production in J P Prince. Whip the dawgs!

Posted by VOLS4LIFE on January 23, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What happened to working the ball around and maybe, just maybe getting a 10-12 ft jump shot? I love what Pearl has done with my Vols and I think he's great coach with a great scheme, however, instead of ALWAYS playing the perimeter game and working for three's and layups, how about some high percentage jump shots......on a high note, I thought they shot their foul shots alot better, that is where games are won, especially in the dance.

Posted by Alphafemale on January 23, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We weren't going to go through the season undefeated in the SEC. I think this will bring them closer and help them down the stretch.

At least Chris looks like he is getting hot...

Posted by dkerr on January 23, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pearl, so much talent. It's like five teams, instead of a team of five. The honeymoons over buddy.

Posted by reasonablevol on January 23, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This game was BP's fault and the players fault. we just lost. We weren't going to go undefeated in the SEC anyway!! 12 SEC wins is a good bench mark. Win 8 at home, split the road games (4). We did not play well but our first half performance was still good enough to win. As hard as it was for us to score in the first half, I felt we were patient and aggressive, but that did not continue.

Georgia's in trouble y'all!!!

Posted by james on January 23, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sometimes things don't work out. Obviously the first mistake the schedule. Vandy and KY so close and then sandwiching in Ohio State. Very bad scheduling.
The second was not being ready to play when the ball was tossed. I truely believe that our players thought all they had to do to beat KY was show up. KY did not become the best program in college basketball by accident. There is pride and there is a truely disgust for the VOLS. Try being a VOLS fan and live here. We are hated (as far as sports).
Now we need to pick ourselves up, dust off and start a new streak. Nothing really has changed except a little loss of pride. Forget this game and move on.

Posted by pupvol on January 23, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You can"t coach mid major style anymore. you have to have inside game,both offense and defense. and you have to have point guard play {ramar smith}.We have to coach and play SEC ball.

Posted by Pullingguard on January 23, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Problems for the Vols are two fold... Not enough inside game and lack of height overall..Been beat on the boards most every game.. SEC is rough and tumble conference and if they are to win it all in the SEC they must develope an inside game... Putting up those 3's and being out rebounded will get you in trouble...And Beat!!!

Posted by TurboFan on January 23, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vols4life, you hit the nail on the head. Ky played great defense by taking away the two places we shoot: beyond the arc and under the basket. They stuck to us like glue and nobody got long open looks. Develop a 10-15 ft jumper.

Tyler was off because he couldn't get close to the basket, no open lanes. Ky Dee doubling whoever got close and we didn't make the outlet passes thus the low assist numbers.

Chism worked hard but apparently he cannot jump as high as Patterson. Notice that it is Tyler that does the jump ball at the game beginning rather than Chism, the tallest player. How many times did Wayne have his finger tips on the ball only to have it tipped away.

Looks like Chris is over his tendonittus (sp?) or whatever was ailing him. (my humble guess, no I don't know)

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on January 23, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

seems more and more including myself are getting frustrated with our love affair with the 3---we're just not that good a 3 shooting team with Howell the only one with an acceptable %----I too vote to discover the 10-15 footer------our inside game has not been called on to develope because of the all to often gone to 3 which too often is forced and not a good look----drives me nutz too when we force some early in the shot clock without even looking for higher percentage shots---sure BP is telling them we have to improve on shot selection and work as hard on offense as we do on defense---yes there was too much standing around

Posted by volntx on January 23, 2008 at 11:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Attack Patterson right away when he came in at 4 minutes with 4 fouls. He was the dominate big man and we needed him out of the game.

IF Lofton's 3 point shot at 1:30 with the score tied goes in we win.

Tyler Smith still played good and had a "bad game" by his standards. He gets a hand in on almost everything.

JP Prince needs more minutes! He can get his shot off the dribble,not everyone can.

Posted by bricker865 on January 24, 2008 at midnight (Suggest removal)

We need better players if we're going to keep this thing truckin' into the future. We have good and very good players but I'm not sure if we have any great players. I think we will get there soon but it'll take a couple more years. In the meantime I'm still enjoying the ride. Go Vols!!

Posted by newtonrail on January 24, 2008 at 12:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

On March 2, it's time to kick @$$ and take names.

Posted by newtonrail on January 24, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Disagree bricker, we have the players, except the guards we are losing have not been replaced with signees.

Posted by calivol on January 24, 2008 at 12:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Newton and I have disagreed before, but I'm with him here. Talent is not a problem. Of course, I'm the kind of fan that doesn't seem to think 16-2 and STILL No. 1 in the RPI is much of a problem at all. It's a long season, folks. People fail to realize that Kentucky is finally playing at full strength for the first time all season. Look at the last 4 games...beat Vandy and Tennessee (both in RPI Top 10) and narrowly lost on the road to Mississippi St and Florida, who are a combined 8-1 in the SEC. Am I thrilled with last night's game? Of course not. But don't let the record fool you...that's not a bad UK team we lost to.

Posted by mparker on January 24, 2008 at 12:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

man-o-man, the crap is piling high tonight:

'mid-majors'?? What a dolt comment. There is no 'mid-majors' style, they all play differetnly, and pretty damn will at that.

and then there's the 'honeymoon's over'; you are going to bust Pearl over a loss that quite a few hardcore vol fans saw as almost inevitable???

c'mon, 'fans', get a freakin' grip. the loss sucked, but Peral is nobody's fool. He knows what he needs and he'll laern.

Posted by hcjournals on January 24, 2008 at 1:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dkerr:

Lay off. Don't bring negatives to this table. Florida needs fans like you who know better.

Posted by volfan73120 on January 24, 2008 at 1:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Makybe Pearl can work Tabb into the rotation. He can contribute. Play him instead of Howell, and see what happens. We need to stay focused. I feel like I am watching a yoyo the way they have played the last few games. Not Vandy of course. We got caught with our yoyo down at Kentucky.

Posted by rodneyadms on January 24, 2008 at 1:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I definetly noticed the no assists by J.P. Prince...pass the damn ball.

Posted by mmeletiou on January 24, 2008 at 4:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

FIRE PEARL!!!!

no really just kidding. i don't usually read these BB articles but just had to jump at the chance to sound like some of the goofballs that post on the football articles. BB isn't like football in that any school can field a pretty good team, no matter what the facilities or budget is like. football is a lot harder to recruit for the smaller schools. way to go Bruce in bringing our program into the national spotlight...

Posted by ge446 on January 24, 2008 at 5:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The 10-15 foot jump shot is pretty much a thing of the past. Players are either taking it to the hole or shooting the three. Certainly KY did not beat us from 10-15 feet (though they did get a lot of free 15 foot looks from the line). Always want to beat KY, but Ray Mears was so correct when he said many years ago. "KY plays Karate defense." They slap at every shot and get few fouls called. The art of finesse in basketball is a thing of the past. Sheer strength and power are the rage. Lofton is a finesse player and a darn good one. He and others like him just need to get the fair whistle to keep this great game on an even kneel. As storied as the KY program is, it was necessary for them to play their very best in order to beat the orange. That says a lot about both programs. Who would ever have thought that UT would be ranked #3 or # 5 in the nation? GO VOLS!.

Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 24, 2008 at 7:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

we will still win SEC. we have plenty of talent to win....just need to execute better and not be afraid of short jump shots as secondardy offense.

Posted by james on January 24, 2008 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If Prince could guard anyone, he would play more. Gets beat off the dribble almost everytime. Ends up fouling from behind. Does a good job offensively but lacks a lot defensively. Most likely why he doesn't play more.
Crism has been playing well but Patterson is that good. I would agree that we should have taken the ball at him with 4 fouls. Bottom line, we lose every year at KY (4-29). They are not going to lay down for TN just like we don't lay down from them in Knoxville. Even in the lean years, the Vols give KY great games. Shake it off and win the SEC East.

Posted by jemcrynlds on January 24, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by dkerr on January 23, 2008 at 10:26 p.m.

Pearl, so much talent. It's like five teams, instead of a team of five. The honeymoons over buddy.

-----------

Did you really expect us to go through the season undefeated?

Last season, Florida has what will come to be regarded as one of the great all-time teams of college basketball. Four of their players were first round NBA draft picks. As good as that team was, and they were hardly challenged in the NCAAT, they still lost three games during the regular season.

Dkerr, if you really believe that this UT team has talent equal to that of Florida last season, then I would suggest you don't watch much college basketball. Very few teams visit Rupp Arena and come away with wins. Moreover, UK's talent level is not that far below ours and at some positions, notably inside, is superior.

The loss to Kentucky will not be the last this season for our Vols. We, like most teams, are simply not good enough to win every game we play, but that doesn't mean we're not very, very good and are led by one of the best coaches in the game.

Posted by JohnnyU on January 24, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You gotta love Pearl's attitude. Own the loss, break the tape down and get better. This mindset is passed on to the players, and that's a good thing.

Posted by johnlg00 on January 24, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Glad to see some of us haven't lost our perspective. This was one game that we all wish we had won, but UK is getting better and it was at Rupp. We clearly looked tired, and two of our key players had off-nights. I agree with the posters who lament the loss of the mid-range shot. There are probably lots of reasons for this, but I think a key one is that one never sees 15-footers on Sportscenter highlights. Kids practice what they see on TV--if TV didn't affect behavior, we wouldn't have 18 minutes of commercials for every hour of programming. Also, in the playground culture, which includes nearly every college player growing up, 15-footers are wimpy--that game is ALL about taking it to the hoop, and "settling" for 15-footers is not respected. Also, since most kids these days don't have hoops in their driveways, they don't get the endless repetition, undisturbed by mobs of kids who want the court, that it takes to groove the 15-footer and, incidentally, the free throw, which is also a declining art.

Posted by marc_ash on January 24, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why are you still writing about this? We already have 2 articles previously plus today's and all the garbage from the Kentucky papers thats been linked here by UK fans like Airforce.

It was a game UT lost. Move on, write something about the Georgia game in 2 days.

Posted by marc_ash on January 24, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OH geeze, "we need better players"? "We need to stop shooting the 3 so much"? Do you folks realize the style that UT plays and WHY they play that style?

UT's game is built around the 3, the press, gambling on traps and steals. The 3 is encouraged early in the shot clock because (in theory) in transition you should have a team on their heels and the risk/reward is condusive to this style. Tennessee can't play night in and night out against the bigger teams in the league, they need that uptempo style to complement the other teams big men.

Look, I didn't hear anyone complaining about UT's style prior to Tuesday. UT lost. They had a 12 game streak broken by a rival at their place. It's not the end of the world nor is it surprising.

17-2 people...17-2.

Posted by johnlg00 on January 24, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I didn't want to put all my thoughts in one post, but another reason why our offense is so oriented toward guard play and 3-pt shooting is that our post men don't have good scoring skills. Their footwork and timing on ball fakes is seriously lacking. Every aspiring young big man should have a tape of Kevin McHale highlights. It is unlikely that we will ever see another player who had so many ways to score around the hoop. For the big guy these days, unless he has patient, demanding individual coaching in these skills, it is ALL about the power game. If they can't overpower their guy directly, they can't score. Chism gets blocked around the hoop so much because his fakes are mechanical--one pump and then up at the same tempo--and he doesn't have the footwork to take advantage of his long arms and legs. With NCAA restrictions, college coaches don't have the time to work with players on such fundamentals, so CBP has to design a system to win with the players he has, not the ones he would probably like to develop. It is up to the players to develop those skills on their own, and most of them don't even yet realize that those skills exist--they don't know what they don't know.

Posted by txvolsfan on January 24, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

johnlg00, our best post man is 6'9"!!! he has to score in space or step out and take threes. This is Coach Pearls style, Like Dr. Tom, who taught him. They play hard they play fast and they play in your face for 40 minutes.
It's fun to watch and very effective if everyone is on. The only disadvantage is like at UK when everyone is not on. I agree with marc_ash we are 17-2. We have great athletes and a great Coach. We will be fine!!!
I already have my tickets here in San Antonio.
Look forward to seeing you here Coach Pearl and Co.
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN

Posted by johnlg00 on January 24, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

txvolsfan, scoring inside is as much a matter of skill as it is size. If my Kevin McHale example didn't impress you, how about Charles Barkley, Adrian Dantley, and Bernard King? They were in the 6'4"-6'6" range but scored at will inside for years against increasingly bigger, stronger opponents. For that matter, UK's Patterson was only 6'8" and he did it to us on both ends. Other recent examples of dominant, but not overly large inside players would include Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, and Shelden Williams, none bigger than 6'9" and all centers in college. Sorry for all the Duke examples, but I have lived in the Carolinas for the last 10 years, so I saw a lot of them. I agree with nearly everything else you said. Even so, next year you will see an entirely different style because we will have way more experienced big men than guards. I love CBP and I love our style of play, because it fits THIS team so well. We would just be so much better if we had an inside game, too.

Posted by waterskier3 on January 24, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

to a sense BP is just learning to coach against top talent. he said the same thing after ohio state came back and won last year and it seems when we get into close games pearl kind of stales on what to do around the 5 min mark of the second half.... i hope he learns from this and he doesn't let off the throttle any more....

GO VOLS!!!! kentucky will only get better but i was hoping pearl would make our record better at rupp!!!!

Posted by VolAlexander on January 24, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Like I said 2 weeks or so ago... dkerr is an idiot.

Posted by KENVOL on January 24, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know how we can keep winning against good teams and only score 2 baskets in 13 min. Does this not bother anyone else? I'm not a big basketball person so I could be wrong. It just seems to me we will build up a lead then not hit a basket for 3-4 min. and the other team comes back. If they pull that junk with Memphis they will wipe the floor up with us. Man we need to beat Memphis. GOOOOOOOOOOOOO Vols!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to get the stroke back Lofton.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on January 24, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

16-2

Posted by GoVol on January 24, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Very easy to see we didn't have a very good half court offense. We're better when we constantly run as proven when the defense forces a steal and the fast break begins.
Free throw shooting still hurt us somewhat...6th in the conference will not cut it when it comes tourny time!!

Posted by threehundredbowler on January 24, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Memphis will cause much pain for us Vol lovers.We just simply do not have the studs to stay with them.

Posted by bigorangedude on January 24, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think we are all just bored today, no negativity here, Vols will be fine, we've got the best coach in the country and some of the best talent as well, and its snowing, its great to be a Tennessee Vol!

Posted by Basketball_Jones on January 24, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why is this an article? I mean the game was 2 days ago. It's a loss, no big deal. Bruce will have them ready to go this Saturday and this game will show the true character of this team. How will they rebound after losing to their big rival

Posted by tenncorncob on January 24, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Love these armchair coaches. Can anyone say 17-2? Can anyone say top 10 ranking? Some days you eat the bear and some days the bear eats you. The Smith's had an off night, give Kentucky their due--they played excellent defense in the second half especially in the last two minutes. We got beat without Crews and the Smith's. These things happen in a long college SEC basketball season. It hurts the worst because it is the Mildcats in Rupp 's arena. As for this Vol fan, I am extremely proud of this team for what they have accomplished, but more important what they WILL accomplish. Keep turning out and keep supporting the best coach we have had since the Ray Mears era.

Posted by bigorangedude on January 24, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lets just hope we don't lose Pearl, because if we go to the sweet 16 or better, he would be one of the most sought after coaches in America

Posted by TommyJack on January 24, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Corncob is right. Ease up. The BB posters are FAR MORE negative than the FB posters. And much more immature. Pound the fritter.

Posted by OrangeAndWhite4Life on January 24, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said CornCob. I agree wholeheartedly with your comments.

Go Vols !!

Posted by KENVOL on January 24, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Did the Smiths not play against Kentucky? I thought they were playing. The biggest thing that scares me is we go for long periods without scoring. This seems to let other teams in the game. The Smiths are good players. They had an off night it happens. When that happens though don't you go to the bench and get someone else who might be hot. The Vols have a very good team and I think they will go deep into the tourney. I just feel they could be better. Again I'm not a big basketball person and for sure don't come even close to knowing as much as a lot of these other posters. Thats why I'm asking the questions. I bleed deep orange and always want the best for the orange. GOOOOOOOO VOLS.

Posted by johnlg00 on January 24, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TommyJack, I haven't actually counted them, but there seemed to be only about two or three posts that I would call "negative" on this whole thread. Compared to the barrage of "fire Fulmer" posts we had during football season, the BB posts have, in the great majority, been positive. Some have said that we don't have top-10 talent, but we still win most of them. Some of us, such as myself, have said that we lack certain critical skills, but we still win most of them. What we do have is one of the greatest motivators in the game today in CBP, and where we are is at the beginning of the greatest era in Vol BB ever. We long-suffering Vol BB fans FINALLY have something real to enjoy, and I think most of us have shown that they do. We must keep CBP at all costs, even if (gulp!) it means that we must at some point pay him more than we do Pat.

Posted by mparker on January 24, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

are you kidding?? we don't have 'the studs' to play memphis???

That is the perfect team for UT to get UP against. On paper it looks to be a great game. I guess we'll see, but I'm thinking at the moment that UM is much like KU, in that there schedule isn't anything like a UNC schedule, much less Tennessee.

Posted by pdhuff on January 24, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Beat the Dawgs.

Posted by mparker on January 24, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to make a comment about UK basketball, because I certainly don't hate it. I used to like Tubby...

1) the jury is out for my on Billy G. He seems like a prick, but maybe he just ins't good on interviews.

2) I know they had injutires

3) Some of their problems have stemmed from the fact that the players were very fond of Tubby. Tubby is gone, and now they have some uptight white guy barking at them. There was probably some passive resentment to this.

4) Now that it's SEC play, the Cats are playing as a team, and playing hard. They were close to beating Florida and Miss State both...

5) As we talked about early, UT has its hands full with Florida, UK, and Vandy. Forget the final score on Vandy, those guys where a basket or 2 from making the game close at the end (just like we were at UK).

To sum up, it bugs me when fans post on here 'we are the best, we are gonna roll' about as much as the fools with 'Bruce can't coach, the players can't play'.

The SEC may not be the best BB conference this year, but it is damned tough.

Posted by TommyJack on January 24, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

johnlg: Not just this thread..others too. It's more the tone perhaps, than numbers. Seems more sophomoric. Just my take. Hate the doldrums.
Keep BP at any cost. Pound the fritter.

Posted by SuperNorm on January 24, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i want a hot sauce tat

Posted by bowerst on January 24, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kentucky didn't hire Gillespie for being an idiot. His players are learning his system, getting healthier and I believe they will be an NCAA Tournament team. But Tennessee will beat them by 20 points in Knoxville.

It's hard to beat good teams with good coaches and big crowds on the road, and visiting teams don't get many favorable calls at Rupp. This too shall pass.

With our schedule, we can lose two more and still be a 1 seed. Our RPI was #1 going into Kentucky.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on January 24, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bigorangedude, now why would/should we lose him----hes being paid well, fills up one of the best/biggest stages around, and hes revered not to mention hes genuinely bleeds the orange himself and loves the community----i dont suspect hes merely a mercinary as a Saban not that you can blame anyone for liking more money---Pearl knows if he takes care of us, fills TBA and earns us that TV revenue he'll be more than fairly taken care of here--stop worrying, there arent that many better situations out there than here-----hes loving here without the pressures/expectations of a Kentucky's etc now

Posted by DSaVol on January 24, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ya'll are killin' me! LMFAO!!! First a couple of you refer to the Vols record as 17-2 - HELLO DUMBA$$ES, it's 16-2!! Yessiree, must be some real serious fans! Most of the rest of you just continue to bitch, whine and throw out ridiculous theories and opinions! BUT you only go to that crap when this team gets a little setback or doesn't cover the spread for you. EVERYTHING was wonderful, Pearl was a friggin' genius and all the players were superstars Tuesday at 9:00 PM! But by 11:00 all the BS had risen to the surface again! Too damned funny!! Folks there is a reason all those talking heads you're listening to are talking and not actually coaching - THEY KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT BASKETBALL AND THIS TEAM AS YOU DO SO PLEASE JUST STFU!!!!

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on January 24, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

while it would be nice, why the obsession with being a #1 seed--to go all the way you have to win them all whether you are a 1 seed or otherwise----theres no meaningful difference between a 1 or 2 other than acclaim

Posted by tigervol9802 on January 24, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's why this loss is still bugging me.

1. All we hear about from Pearl is respect for kentucky, wanting to be kentucky, Kentucky is the standard, etc. etc. etc. and then we show up and give that performance. Facts are facts - Pearl talks a big talk when it comes to game, but he did not walk the walk. He should be banned from wearing the orange jacket when we play them here as punishment.

2. We let an inferior opponent with lesser talent force it's style of play on us. To have a chance to play in late March and early April, you can't let that happen. We refer to teams that let that happen as an "upset victim" in the first round on the NCAA tournament.

3. We neved adjusted the press to how they were breaking it nor did we adjust our under the goal inbound defense to what they were doing to get the lob into Patterson. Speaking of which...

4. We didn't try to attack him when he picked up his 4th foul. He was a problem for us all night and we should have taken him out and didn't.

5. I don't care if he's hot or cold, Lofton has to have meaningful touchers, meaning not 5 feet from halfcourt, every time down the court when he is in the game. He doesn't have to take every shot, but every offenseive series should be ran thhrough him somehow.

And now I will wait to be called fair-weather, bandwagoner, etc. But. that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Posted by mparker on January 24, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol:
I completely disagree about the inferior opponent with inferiior talent. That's crap. Bruce gets a lot of mileage from players that weren't top recruits, such as Chris and JaJuan. Crawford, Bradley, Meeks, Patterson, those guys are all damn good basketball players. To mention this ad nauseum, UK is not far from being 4-0 in SEC play. 3-1 was absulutley possible.

On the other hand, we could be 2-2 rather than 3-1. We were VERY fortunate to beat Ole Miss.

Now, I'm not bashing you 'cause you made a good post (unlike the vols the other night, pun intended).

I've said this a few times, but here goes again: I feel that they need a better offensive attack for the last 5-7 mintues of a game, one that grinds it out with post play and drives to the basket. The spurts are done at that point, atd it's time to close the door on the opponent. Quick 3's don't get that done.

Again, good post, just a gentleman's disagreement about UK.

Posted by TommyJack on January 24, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ALL should be banned from wearing the orange jacket....OK, bring it.

Posted by invisiblekid on January 24, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Excellent post GE446. The mid-range game left basketball when Bird then Jordan retired.

I am having a hard time seeing where our talent level is the issue, the Vols are stronger now than they were last year when it came down to a 1 point loss to Ohio St. The same Ohio St team that had two of the starters wind up as lottery picks in the NBA.

At the end of the game, the Vols are still in much better shape than KY. I'll take 16-2 over 8-9 any day. KY has a hard row to hoe if they expect to make the tournament, especially with those early season losses. The Vols had an off night while KY played one of their best games and it still took a 9 point rally late in the game for the Wildcats to win.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on January 24, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

touchdownTn, so you want to judge Kentucky as a "noway loss" because of their record and early play and not on how they are much improved now with injuries healing, players they were counting on now playing and team starting to mesh-------a bit unfair to cast them inferior merely because of their record with doesnt reflect their talent when they have their best players available-----there is never a "no-way loss" at Rupp, with all due respect anyone who thinks such is a dreamer

Posted by tennisvol on January 24, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think more screens need to be set for Lofton
and he should move more to get open. At times, you can see him just standing around. For Kentucky's defense and ole Gillispie, must not have been playing defense very this season since they have lost 8 game. We'll see what they do the rest of the season.

Posted by bernardking on January 24, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The ignorance(as usual) on this board goes full circle. Most of you have no clue about the game and its nuances...For the second time in three days: GDAMMIT, IT IS ONE GAME! WE PLAYED THREE GAMES IN SIX DAYS AGAINST SOME PRETTY TOUGH OPPONENTS. THE FACT IS KENTUCKY IS TOUGH AT HOME, EVEN IN A DOWN YEAR, DESPITE WHAT IDIOTS LIKE TOUCHDOWNTN SAY. FOR MOST OF YOU TO BE TELLING THE COACH WHAT HE SHOULD DO IS HILARIOUS. TO HAVE THE NERVE TO ACTUALL SAY IT IS FAIRLY PATHETIC.

I hope the CBP doesn't read this website. Of course, then again, maybe if he does he is getting a good laugh at the idiots on here

Posted by mparker on January 24, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tdtn, my point is that UK isn't a shambles team. I posted elsewhere that I think they were hurt by 3 things:
1) injuries
2) sulking over tubby leaving
3) sulking over tubby leaving

okay, that's really 2, but you know what I mean. We shouldn't have lost, but Billy G was smart enough to get his team in a postion to win.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on January 24, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol- change your name to idiotVolnumber1!

Posted by dirtdobber1 on January 24, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bernardking- well put!

Posted by GerryOP on January 24, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We lost! Move on! SEC season is not even 1/2 over! Might even lose another one or two before the season is over! Horrors! Sheesh ya'all....

Posted by billwall on January 24, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Patterson did foul out, it just wasn't called. He fouled JuJuan on the drive after the shoot and that was the worst call I have seen this year. He also repeatedly jumped on the backs of several players who had position to get rebounds which were intentionally overlooked. I would like to see Tabb in the game when their guards are driving around us at will at the end of the game. We shut them out in the first half, but they took over in the second. A fresh Tabb would have been very helpful. We will be better defensively when Duke can play. I think we just lost our focus and legs in the last ten minutes. We will be fine.

Posted by jevolball7 on January 24, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nothing to add. Been absent from this post for 2 days. Still sick!! Need meds. Or kool-aid,HELL anything now! KILL THE DAWGS!!!!

Posted by jevolball7 on January 24, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nothing to add. Been absent from this post for 2 days. Still sick!! Need meds. Or kool-aid,HELL anything now! KILL THE DAWGS!!!!

Posted by pdhuff on January 24, 2008 at 6:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ-only thing to temporarily halt the doldrum ooze will be our "great leap forward" ala Chairman Phil on Feb 6th. At UT, only loss to Cats is sure in BB and Fla in pig plus death and taxes and glazed are certain.

Some things never change. Fla had beaten Ky SEVEN straight times. Doldrums draped in black.

Posted by volfan2009 on January 24, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

playing 3 games in a week wasnt what affected the vols it kept them on their game they stopped pressing at least 2 if not 3 times after they gained over 10 point leads they stoped playing their game and tried to comeback late which usually means disaster this may have been good for the team to wake up and realize that the confrence still has compettion

but lofton did get hot so hope he stays that way for us and next years draft status

Posted by GerryOP on January 24, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, you radical! Ban the Orange Jacket? Bite your tongue boy!

All seriousness aside. Took some pretty big cajones to wear that thing into Rupp! BTW, it is kinda over the top! Probably should reserve it for TBA.

pdhuff, you OK buddy? Your last post was a bit, well, er ... strange. Or have you moved into the barn with your 8 x 10 signed glossy of Phil and the pups and your fingers are kinda numb from the cold?

Posted by GerryOP on January 24, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OMG, Pearl was just on ESPN doing color for the Lady Vols! Trying to be the second coming of Dickie V!

Posted by TommyJack on January 24, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GerryOP: I know it was blasphemy. I've bought enough orange duds to clothe a 3rd world nation.
But I have to draw the line with that blazer. lol

Posted by GerryOP on January 24, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, me too buddy, me too! Even my golf bag is orange and has a big Power T on it -- along with, of course, the head covers! I live a bit north of Tennessee but even up here it gets attention! Any idea where I can get one of them orange blazers? I think it might make a big splash at church! Not!

Posted by volmattna on January 24, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I cant believe how some of you clowns act after a loss. Yea, it was tough but it was our third game n six days and we just didnt play good. We were ranked # 3 in the nation for the first time in school history. How could anyone talk bad about this team and the coach that got us here?

Don't bite the hand that feeds us boys!!!!
Go VOLS!!!!!!!

Posted by agentorange on January 24, 2008 at 11:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

1 loss. who cares