Which new addition will have the biggest impact on Tennessee’s basketball team? Vote in the poll and leave your comments below.
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Comments » 110
FWBVol writes:
I voted for Maze because I think point guard is the biggest need for the team next year. With the 3-point shot being moved back a foot I don't know if a shooting guard will be as big of a weapon as Lofton has been the last four years. I do think Hopson will impact the team, but from what I've read, he's more of mid-range guy as a shooting guard and we've got guys like Tyler Smith that can already do that.
Truthfully, I hope all of them are impact players that help carry us all the way to the top.
rpowell#1351102 writes:
Maze, b/c we someone w/ experience who can be the "qb" on the court running the offense. The others can be a factor, but not like Maze will be.
utfan15govols writes:
I would say hopson, because i have seen the boy play. He has a raw God given talent that i have not seen from some one his age. He has a vertical leap that is unreal. Yes he will have a bit of a growing to do in maturity, but he has a point to prove too. Maze is also a good impact too, because he is older, but hopson is AWESOME!
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Your entire Team, and for that matter the entire season is defined by your point guards. I to hope Hopson comes in shooting lights out for 30-35 points a game. However if someone can't feed him teh rock he can't shoot it.
Maze or West will define just how fast and high powered our Offense can be this year.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I voted for a frittered-up Dupree, also. We know we can count on him as soon as he gets over that cart-toe injury suffered at Halls.
richvol writes:
The threat of the three ball is going to be different for everyone. Most everyone will follow the strategy of packing it in as mentioned by chkrbrd. That makes playing fastbreak ball even more important to scoring and pressure defense critical to set it up with steals. Our team will miss JaJuan's steals but this years squad should be much more athletic which will help both critical areas.
I would look for scoring averages to drop nationwide as three point percentages decline. Attempts should decline as well. Hopson and Maze both shoot the jumper and can drive the lane. Tyler Smith can do whatever he wants with focused effort. If Prince and Cameron Tatum improve Tennessee can be a nightmare for anyone to handle.
txvolsfan writes:
I agree on Maze, because with a real PG last year we would have won it all!!!
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN
murrayvol writes:
chkrbrd: Absolutely, with the emphasis on "proven."
Maze can give perimeter shooters opportunities but someone has to make them, consistently.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
(This message removed by the poster before site staff could get to it.)
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
murrayvol;
know how the ohter posters where 'eliminated' on the CBP thread??
I have concerns that pdhuff and general_fritter may now be either 'silenced' or have been replaced by imposters.
I'm thinking ol' WE40 may have been 'greased' as well.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
...as for the topic; pretty much a tie between West and Maze. One of them has to step it up. JP is no PG, and if fact needs a right-hand and a jumper (ref Tayshaun).
Scotty may light it up, and carry the team, but I'm betting he takes some time to adjsut to SEC defense and SEC officials.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Upon further reflection, I'm not so sure the new 3-pt line will have all that much effect. The shot from the side, i.e., from the corner to about the foul-line extended, will be the same as it is now. The arc will be a little deeper across the top of the free-throw circle. It is still about two feet shorter than the NBA line. True, we don't have any 3-pt shooters of the proven caliber of a Lofton or JaJuan, but we have enough to be a threat. If the defenses pack it in, the premium will be on shifting the ball from corner to corner around the top of the key. When the ball gets to the top of the key, it should be easier to find gaps in the middle when defenders get stretched out trying to cover the corners. It is good that we have a couple of great prospects to play the point, but the determining factor will be team ball movement. It would be a big help if we can apply strong full-court pressure and if we can get better at running out with defensive rebounds. I can hardly wait until the ball goes up for real next season!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
mparker 10:40, I fought thru it and I'm back staying the course.
Things happen in the doldrums.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well, Touch, I only played the game for about 40 years, and was a walk-on as a freshman at UT. When I first got there, I considered myself a pretty good shooter from the top of the key. However, the way we ran that play at UT, the screen was set about a step higher than I was used to from high school. At first, my percentage on that play went down, but after a couple of weeks I felt just as confident as before on that shot, which was about two feet longer than it was in high school. I would also remind you that the original 3-pt line in college ball was inside the top of the free-throw circle, then it was moved back about a foot. Season percentages did not change much. For that matter, NBA 3-pt percentages are about the same as those for the college game, and their line is two feet further back than even the new college line. I think the same thing will happen when players get used to the only slightly longer new distance. Besides, as I said, the shots from the wing down to the corner won't be any longer at all. Unlike some on this board, I don't usually just spout opinions off the top of my head. I don't claim to be right about everything all the time, but I usually try to have some basis for the opinions I express. As I said before, I agree we don't in fact have anyone who has proven himself to be the equal of Chris or JaJuan even at the existing 3-pt distance.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
One other thing about the longer 3-pt distance. Just as the shot is longer--but only from the part of the arc above the foul-line extended--so too is the distance defenders must go to close out on the shooter. A good shooter with an extra fraction of a second to set up will shoot a good enough percentage to be a threat even at a longer distance. However, the wider spacing available around the arc will open up passing and driving lanes into the interior of the defense, which was one of the purposes of the 3-pt shot from the beginning.
CoverOrange writes:
mparker, got lubed, not greased. Just enough to break loose some tight nuts. Ouch.
Johnlg, don't remember the 3 pt arc being inside the key, unless that was during the initial experimental phase. I'll go see if I can look up that history. However, agree with you about confidence, thus why it didn't make a difference to Chris whether he was toeing the line or putting it up from 30 feet. But you have to have an initial talent for doing it.
alfrizzle097 writes:
he is just saying they can't move it back along the side line. Its already pretty close to out of bounds.
TommyJack writes:
johnlg00: Someone knowing what they're talking about is not allowed on here.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Is there any recruits out there who can can a three-pointer and play DT, too?
Apply at TBA or Neyland (before they sell the naming rights).......
overatedvols writes:
Fritter, I don't believe the man said anything about shooting the 3 in the 60's. Actually he didn't say anything about shooting the 3 himself at all. Try and read the posts and understand them before critizing and offering us your stellar knowledge.
gnm53108 writes:
pd: no dt's but i bet we can get a few more db's.
splinterdand#602266 writes:
I seem to remember that 3-point arc inside the key as being an experiment the ACC tried during their conference games when the 3-point shot first came into effect. I could be wrong, but that was just way too close.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
gnm53108 6:18 - Man sign 'em up, we actually may be going to run a 2-7-2. Name it the swarming gnats. Ride'em down with sheer weight.
gnm53108 writes:
pd:i'm reminded of one of my all time favorate commercials.WHERE'S THE BEEF....
as far as basketball is concerned,bruce pearl is the most important returning vol.
chrisw2967 writes:
I dont think moving the 3 point line back a foot is really going to matter that much , I dont see too many players right now standing right behind the line attempting the shot , we see more and more players already standing 1 to 2 feet behind the 3 point line now taking deep 3s , how many shots did we see Lofton & Smith take from mars ? we just hope we have a player that can knock them down , we know Tatum can shoot the 3.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
johnlg; aten't you the director of ref's for the SEC??? hmmmm, and you can't get us a fair shake at Rupp or Memorial. Sahme, man shame.
Good debate; my take on the 3 is this: because of the focus it takes to hit the long ball, I don't think it will affect all shooters the same. Before you say 'captain obvious', what I mean is that the more pure shooters will be fine, but it will be tougher for the 'occasional' shooter like Tyler was last season.
(This post snickered at by the site staff.)
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
wd40, pdhuff, tommyjack, murrayvol:
good to know you haven't been 'rubbed out' today.
(This comment confused the site staff.)
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
<i>test</i>
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
(This comment drawn, quartered, spit on, stomped on, and generaly abhorred by the site staff.)
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Back to the 3 pt line...I like the thought about stertching the D out a bit more up top. You would think that would open up the FT lane a bit more.
One thing is for sure, the announcers will beat us over the head with it.
(This comment went to market.....)
invisiblekid writes:
Apparently, mparker had a comment removed in my short absence, that's some funny stuff man.
You guys are sweating this whole 3 point shooting thing entirely too much. Have you forgotten about Chism? The guy has no conscience and a foot isn't going to make an iota of difference for a player with his deft shooting touch. (This comment written with tongue firmly in cheek to entertain the staff)
invisiblekid writes:
On a more serious note, would getting away from such a heavy reliance on the 3 necessarily be a bad thing for the Vols? Not saying a wholesale change in philosophy but I do remember hearing something once about living by the three. Pearl played the hand he was dealt and went with the strength of the team he inherited, which was bombs away with two of the all-time greats from the 3 point line for the Vols in Lofton and Smith. No reason to think he can't adjust to the strengths of his new players.
ballewville6 writes:
the three point line is only being moved back 1 foot i voted maze becausei belive he is going to be the best pg since watson he is quick and athletic and will have more assist than bothe pg from last years team but scotty will also be a huge impact because his athleticism and his ability to drive the ball to the lane,he want be another chris loften but he will hit shots from 3 point range.this team is the most athletic team that will hit the floor to this point .pg maze/west/prince,sg hopson/tatum/tabb,sf prince/tatum/woolridge/tyler pf tyler/woolridge/prince/chilldress,c chism/williams/jurick there are several players who will play 2 or 3 positions ,UT should be alot better than this past year and offense will be very good but without as many 3s .i wish season tickets would go on sale right now i saw 12 games dane senior year but only 5 last year im buying season tickets this coming year and the rest of my life .
CoverOrange writes:
General, I think we saw that defensive display at some place called the UPS for 'em? no. feed-the-kitty fur-em? No. Fed-up Foreman?
(this comment ignored by the site staff)
CoverOrange writes:
Did anyone notice overated made an entire post without mentioning a certain team the resides to the west of Knoxville. Congratulations.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
invisible:
yeah, I had a whole slew of 'em, most of which really weren't all that rowdy. Some folks got nasty on the CBP roast article, so I hit back, then someone started off on religion, which got several of us going...but we won't revisit that.
good to see ya back, guy.
(No comment about this comment.)
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
About not taking so many 3's....
CBP did what Pitino did at UK years back. Remember (vaguely) Rick's first season at UK?? They shot a ton of 3's, pressed, and ran the break. Pretty much like the Vols the first couple of season's under Bruce. The rationale is pretty simple: if you aren't terribly strong insdie, and you don't have tons of talent, run a 'gimmick' style that ohter teams don't see much (also like Nebraska football with the options used to be).
So, now, UT on PAPER has more athletic talent, should be able to score mid-range and inside. It still IS important to have a 3-game, but more like some posters have said, to keep the D honest.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
About Bobby Maze;
Don't you guys see some Juanie in this kid?? He is a player that fits CBP, in that he's a bit cocky and tough-minded. You know what we are all thinking: Bobby and Danel will compete in practice, both will get better. Same goes for Scotty and Cameron, JP and Tyler.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
...and finally: these are my observations for players going into next season. Don't get all nasty on me, I'll admit I'm just a fan, sure as heck don't know the nuances like some of you;
-------------------------------------------
Wayne: keep getting smarter, especially with the fouls.
Tyler: we know you'll work on the 3. You could use a bit more time in the game with the handle, but you are good at it. Probably the only 'work' item is composure: you gotta laugh off the hard-fouls and cheating, don't let it mess your game.
Brian: hit the weight room, AND the track.
Ryah: do ya want to play?? You are aenior, get it together and lead by doing what you can, even if it's just being a practice guy.
JP: get a right-hand, get a jumper, get a 3-ball. Hit the weights. You can be a near All-American with your quicks and ups, you just need a few more weapons.
Josh: the fans love you, just keep up the basics: hit the open look, play the tough D, take care of the ball.
Jurick: be ready to red-shirt if Ryan is back and playing.
Woolridge: looking like a red-shirt year for you as well.
Daniel West: hit the weights, shoot the 3-ball, and just be ready to go off the bench without trying TOO hard. You will get good minutes if you can handle them.
Bobby M: listen to CBP ABOVE ALL ELSE. He can give you an arena to be a star, but you can't go your own way. Bruce won't allow it. You have the chance to have UNREAL fun. It should be a PG's dream to have these kids to feed the ball to.
Scotty: Don't know enough about you, but from what I've read: work on the fundies, and bulk up. The SEC will wear you down with big, tough bodies.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
oops, wasn't quite done:
UF shoud be the mental favorite by us to win the SEC this year. To me, it seems better to go into the season with an 'underdog' attitude, especially as we have last 5 players out of our main rotation: Chris, Jajuan, Ramar, Duke, and Jordan.
I'm thinking Bruce will pusth those same buttons: 'look at UF, look at how they pushed us in 2007 with true freshmen playing, we got to get better, guys'.
I have a ton of respect for Billy G at UK and Billy D at UF, and they are going to make life tough. So will Stallings VU.
Night y'll, i'm tired.
(This comment closes out the mparker posts while the site staff sleeps.)
johnlg00#206211 writes:
A few clarifications of some points I raised that some have objected to.
--I am not and have never been supervisor of SEC officials; same name, different guy. If I had been, instilling backbone and consistency in SEC officials would have been a major priority!
--I cited my brief experience as a freshman walk-on at UT as an example of adjusting to a different distance on a particular shot. We did not in fact shoot 3's in the '60's, though I did in my subsequent b-ball experience in Army ball and on a high-level German sports club team. The point is that shooting is a matter of confidence and trained reflex. That is why the conventional wisdom, when a guy has hit several shots in a row from a particular spot, is to try to back him up a couple of feet. At first, the new 3-pt line will take some getting used to. After a month or two shooting at the new distance, it won't make any difference to good shooters. Also, again, the shots from the wing down to the corner won't be any longer at all.
--Whatever the 3-pt distance is this coming year, the 3-pt shot is not going to be as big a part of our offense as it has been in the past, for the reasons many of you have cited. We will be much stronger inside and we should have several decent mid-range shooters, such as Tyler, Scotty, West, and Maze. Several of the others should be better at mid-range next year as well.
--I was effective enough as a player to give UT athletes a good run in pick-up games into my late 40's. My point is that I have played enough to have informed, if not always 100% correct, opinions on most basketball issues.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
One more: splinterdand is correct that the 19'9" 3-pt line, the one inside the top of the free throw circle, was an ACC experiment the year before the 3-pt line was standardized in college ball at the current 20'9". When the line is moved out for this coming season, percentages may go down a bit at first and fewer players will take them. The same thing happened when the 3-pt line first came in. Some teams didn't take them at all, and others limited them to one or two players. Now, most players take them at least occasionally. I expect the same thing to happen with the new line.
splinterdand#602266 writes:
I hope the new 3-point line cuts down on the number of three's taken and opens things up for better half-court play. Some people might think I'm advocating a more boring brand of play, but to me, running and gunning is boring and requires less skill to execute. Unless, of course, you can stroke the 3 like Chris Lofton. The most important newcomer? Could be Cameron Tatum. I know he was there last year, but he was redshirted. Pearl is supposedly very high on Tatum. There must be some reason for that.
overatedvols writes:
I'm thinking the addition of Tyreke Evans of Memphis will have the most impact on the Tenn. team. Once the Vols play Memphis their confidence will be so shaken that they may not be able to win a game afterwards.
auttat writes:
overatedvols, ate is already in the past tense, there is no need to add the d.
Maybe you should change your name to belatedvols, since you guys did win those handy-dandy TSWA awards over the weekend. You can claim those as a victory over the Vols. But, last time I checked, 66 is still more than 62.
TommyJack writes:
66>62. Love it, auttat
BADGES0413 writes:
The only way Tyreke (Drive By) Evans could have an impact against UT next year is if he packs heat during the game.
"High school basketball superstar Tyreke Evans drove a sport utility vehicle away from the scene after a passenger allegedly shot and killed a man last month, according to a Chester Township police affidavit that was released last week. Evans, who lives in the city of Chester, has not been charged with any crime yet."
From what I understand the officials for next years
game against Memphis will be allowed to pat down the Kittens players to make sure they are complying to the no guns allowed policy. That being said, UT should easily go to 7 and 2 against Memphis State since 1996.
overatedvols writes:
Yep, 66 does equal more than 62 and national champ. game equals better than yet another poor showing in the tournament.
Badges, big words from a program that has just had to kick 2 players off the team and brought one in that has a video out where he is rapping to "We kill em". Wouldn't be so concerned about Memphis. I'd be getting some better deadbolts.
One more time........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8h2Wt...
BADGES0413 writes:
Overbaked,
There is a big difference between rapping about something than actually participating. In case you skipped over this:
"High school basketball superstar Tyreke Evans drove a sport utility vehicle away from the scene after a passenger allegedly shot and killed a man last month, according to a Chester Township police affidavit that was released last week. Evans, who lives in the city of Chester, has not been charged with any crime yet."
Someone is dead and dude was involved end of story.
Longtimevolfan writes:
Not Memphis State....Tiger High.!
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