Comments by 1vavolfan

Written on Jordan McRae invited to Kevin Durant camp:

Heck Jordie you may have to play the point this year. Either McRae, a walk-on, or a Freshman will.

Written on Father of Trae Golden says reports of academic problems are 'totally inaccurate':

in response to OwensboroVol:

I am a Tennessee Alumnus (and so was my wife, God Rest Her Soul)and a lifelong Tennessee Fan. Only in the last 3-4 years have excuses and what I consider made up reasons for a Player, Coach, or Staff person being let go started coming from the Hill. I don't know what the trouble is over there but they better get it straightened out fast. If Trae Golden had violated Student Academic or Honor codes rules it stands to reason that under NCAA rules that he would not be eligible at another school. There is one sure thing that has existed throughout the history of man, Truth is the best policy. I would suggest the UT Athletic Dept. start using it a little more. This past year has seen dubious personnel actions, Several Equal Employment Opportunity Complaints, withdrawn Scholarships, and Signing more Basketball Players than the NCAA permits and then asking proven players to leave. Say what you want about Bruce Pearl and Phil Fulmer, and it may have been happening, but it wasn't advertised so High School Players considering Tennessee didn't know if they would be allowed to come and play or not. Something has to be done and it needs to be done fast.

Agreed

Written on Father of Trae Golden says reports of academic problems are 'totally inaccurate':

If someone had reported that I had flunked out of school and hadn't I would come out and totally rebuff that statement instead of giving a lukewarm "oh no he's fine on that" kind of answer. If he did flunk out, he's not transferring anywhere. He would probably have to go the JUCO route and then transfer. He wouldn't have the grades to transfer directly to a D1 school.

Written on Source: Trae Golden's departure 'based on academics' and 'repeated plagiarism':

in response to Orangemax1:

Who cares what Tobias Harris said.......he really isn't a Vol is he?

Actually Tobias is great for the program and a true Vol. It shows you can go to UT one year and go to the pros. A good selling point to recruits. Needless to say UT doesn't have to worry about that anymore.

Written on Trae Golden leaving Vols: 'We wish him well':

If another NIT season is what it takes to get rid of this clown then so be it. If you follow college basketball at all you know that the point guard is the most important spot on the floor. As Golden went last year so did UT. This is a disaster, Martin is in over his head. I'll bet the Landry family is having a good laugh right about now.

Written on Trae Golden leaving Vols: 'We wish him well':

Kind of poetic justice after how Martin did Landry. BRING BACK BRUCE.

Written on Venue change, anticipated debuts should bring breath of fresh air to Rocky Top League:

Don't know why people bash this league. No summer games feature much defense and if these guys aren't playing in PRTL they are playing pick up games. It's great if you have kids, it is the only place where they can get autographs and interact with the players.

Written on Jarnell Stokes staying for junior season at Tennessee:

Demontre Edwards or Landry will be out. Landry's dad says he hasn't spoken to Martin about not coming to UT so doubt it is him. I would be very surprised if it were Reese, he had a few decent moments last season and has good size and is only a freshman.

Written on Tennessee's Jarnell Stokes to announce intentions Saturday:

Don't know why there would be a press conference unless he is going. Surprised that he has taken this long. Quinn states he is projected to be drafted, perhaps this is true but there is no guaranteed money unless you are drafted in the 1st round.

This would be a disaster for UT, I expect the downward spiral to occur when all of Pearl's recruits graduate after next year. If Stokes is gone it will happen next year. UT would lose Hall, Yemi, and Stokes in the post. Who knows how Maymon will play with what may still be a bum knee. The Pops kid you koolaid drinkers are so high on may be UT's top post player. What a laugh.

Written on Houston Fancher leaves Vols, joins Buzz Peterson's staff:

in response to keepitreal4vols:

Lets see: Leaves a $87,000 job for I assume less money job. Leaves the SEC for Division II. "wants" to join Buzz's staff again. Wasn't hired by coach Martin....Yep, he was fired.

You may want to put a couple of thoughts together before posting. Fancher was promoted by Martin so it is unlikely he was fired. UNC-Wilmington is a D1 school in the Colonial Athletic conference, in the same division as George Mason who is a few years removed from a Final Four.

Written on UPDATED: Martin grants Yemi Makanjuola release from Tennessee to transfer:

in response to Ironcity:

Yemi was not a servicable back up. Martin basically said its was time to move on. Tough for Yemi but he can actually get in a league that he really should have been in initially. Good luck Yemi welcome Pops

Yemi had his moments, I was disappointed that he never developed the way he should. I do think if he played for a smaller school like ETSU he could play 35 mpg and put up some decent numbers, can't really say the same about Pops.

Yemi was a difference maker at times, in the Xavier game Stokes couldn't play any defense and Yemi came in and prevented any points in the post and offensive rebounds and UT pulled away to win. When Stokes improved in January, Yemi's role diminished.

Written on UPDATED: Martin grants Yemi Makanjuola release from Tennessee to transfer:

in response to ReeseHallRelic:

None of us has even seen Ndiaye... but you "know" enough to "doubt" his ability to see the floor. You're wasting your skills: get yourself a D-1 head coaching job!

The kid averaged 2 pts and 3 reb at a community college! You don't have to be John Wooden to figure out he can't play.

Written on UPDATED: Martin grants Yemi Makanjuola release from Tennessee to transfer:

Bad news here, UT lost Hall to graduation and who knows about Stokes. Yemi was serviceable backup, I doubt this pops kid is coordinated enough to see the floor against D1 competition.

Written on Rawane Ndiaye signs with Tennessee:

After next season, Pops will be our only post player. Another stellar recruiting job by Martin. Next year may be ok but after that it will look like the Wade Houston era, without Allan.

Written on Darius Thompson signs with Tennessee basketball:

So after next year our lone returning big man will be the Juco from Senegal who averaged 2 points at a Community College. Those of you sold on Cuonzo need to reconsider.

Written on Rawane Ndiaye commits to Tennessee basketball; Vols now two scholarships over limit:

in response to KevDVol:

All of you clammoring for Bruce Pearl's triumphant return should consider a few things about Bruce.

Yes, he injected a much needed dose of enthusiam and swagger to the downtrodden B-ball program. But the Bruce Pearl we hired was not the same Bruce Pearl that we fired. We hired an enthusiastic coach who ran a clean program and was a family man. We fired a coach who lied to the NCAA and also conspired to have his coaches and recruits lie. In the K-NS, Bruce called his new wife Brandy "the love of my life"...while all of his children, from his previous (barely cold) marriage, still lived in Knoxville. There was an arrogance and an ego that the "fired Bruce" probably should have reigned in.

In the NCAA, Pearl went 1 game farther than Jerry Green. And, then he killed what he built. Cuonzo exceeded expectations in his first year and I expect him to turn the corner next season. Get over Bruce...he has reached his expiration date at UTK.

Bruce did get out of control and let success get to his head but that happens to most people who find this type of success. Bruce is a smart guy and I am sure he is aware of his shortcomings.

I think the 3 year ban is a reality check and he will be back better than ever. Unfortunately it will never be at UT. After next season the future looks dismal for UT. Even when CBP was knee deep in an NCAA mess he still got UT in the tournament. Pearl had the ability to recruit 4-5 star recruits on a consistent basis and you don't stay bad long when you do that.

I do think the marriage comment was unnecessary, how many people on this board have been divorced and remarried?

Written on Rawane Ndiaye commits to Tennessee basketball; Vols now two scholarships over limit:

This guy and Landry both averaged under 3 ppg this year. They should fit right in this system that often produces 35-40 points per game.

Written on Tyler Bray to be featured on Jon Gruden's show Friday:

I have had enough Gruden the last few weeks to do me a lifetime. Glad he's still on the airwaves and not at UT. No one seems to remember he was run out of town on his last job.

Written on Rawane Ndiaye commits to Tennessee basketball; Vols now two scholarships over limit:

Not sure there is anyone on the roster I would trade for this guy. I would even take Edwards and Chievous over a guy 6'10" that can only get 3.5 rpg at a Community College. I know the kid was hurt but he's probably 6 inches taller than the other teams center, 6-8 rebounds should fall in his lap. This could lead to bad news. Maybe someone transferring or a recruit that can't make the grades, hopefully it doesn't mean Stokes is leaving.

Written on Jordan McRae announces he won't enter NBA draft:

Really not a lot of suspense here but glad Jordan is staying. It's great to see such a good kid find success. We stay after most home games and Jordan is always out signing autographs and talking to all of the kids while many of the players stay in the dressing room.

Written on Jordan McRae, Jarnell Stokes apply for evaluation from NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee :

No harm in getting an unbiased analysis of where NBA teams think you are. Pretty sure these guys will learn they won't be drafted but if both have good seasons next year they can be selected in the 2014 draft.

The problem is some of these kids come from poor families that need the money, they may not make the NBA but both could easily play in Europe and make big money doing so. I just don't see McRae ever being an NBA player, he is too streaky and has problems scoring on tall guards like he will see every night in the NBA.

Written on Tennessee baseball gets pounded again; Dave Serrano apologizes:

in response to SilatGamecock:

Having attended many games at Lindsey Nelson while in grad school, I truly say, UT has the worse fans in the SEC. Glad they got beat as bad as they did today. Hate USC missed the record of 24 hits against UT in a game.

Trolling another teams college baseball board, makes the UK hoops fans that come on here look classy. Congratulations.

Written on Baylor not the only ones 'stunned' by upset:

Glad I'm not the only one who thought the officiating was terrible. Mulkey goes insane and doesn't get a T. Good riddance, 63 other coaches will have their teams eliminated as well, all the rest will act with class. Loved the trash talking by the UL girls.

Written on Which UT men's basketball victory this season was the best? :

We've played Kentucky over 200 times in the course of 100 years and never beaten them by 30 points. How can it not be Kentucky regardless of how bad they are?

Written on Offseason could be time to evaluate Cuonzo Martin's contract:

in response to WetumpkaThumpa:

What's your theory on how and why he got Hubbs to sign? I'm interested to know?

Even those who support CCM can't use recruiting as an argument for a pay raise. Hubbs is solid, the #17 player in next years class, but when Pearl was here he got 3-4 of these per year. UT's recruiting is in the bottom half of the SEC for next year, teams like LSU and Arkansas are out recruiting us. For every Hubbs you get 4-5 two and three star players who can't play (Washpun, Edwards, Chievous).

Written on Offseason could be time to evaluate Cuonzo Martin's contract:

in response to bosscat:

CCM hired March 2011--effectively after the recruiting season of 2011. NCAA violations and penalties loomed large thru early Spring 2012--effectively after the recruiting season of 2012. Nevertheless, CCM signed Stokes late in 2011, has recruited 5-star Hubbs, 2 well-thought of 3-star recruits and, most recently, got a commitment from Darius Thompson, an in-state player considered to be 4th best combo guard in country. Current recruiting class ranked 23rd nationally and will probably be ranked higher with Thompson coming on board. Lost probably best player in Maymon for the entire 2012-2013 season. Still finished 2nd in SEC in 2012 and 5th in SEC in 2013. I think you guys, whoever you are, might want to cut CCM some slack. Give the man a raise (not an extension) that would bring him up a few notches relative to other SEC coaches and see how we do with his recruits for a couple of years. And lastly, take the time to read what his current players have to say about what they think of CCM--I don't think there are many coaches that have the respect of their players that CCM does.

Do the words NIT mean anything to you. Making the NCAA's should be the benchmark, without that Martin has no leverage. IS there some threat that Martin will be snatched by a rival school for a pay raise? I think not. I thought UT was broke, no way it can cut employees and then reward a coach for not making the tournament.

Written on Offseason could be time to evaluate Cuonzo Martin's contract:

I would say 10th is about right. Get into to tournament coach and then we'll talk about an extension. UT would be nuts to give this guy an extension. Doesn't look like the University has learned anything from the Fulmer, Dooley, and Hamilton contracts. Martin should be on his way out without a major improvement next season. UT should not reward mediocrity.

Written on Offseason could be time to evaluate Cuonzo Martin's contract:

in response to WetumpkaThumpa:

Stokes and Robert Hubbs aren't quality players? I guess Duke, Florida, Memphis, etc. only offered those two because they felt they would be good practice players?

If Martin gets a pay raise he should give half of it to Jarnell's family. If Stokes doesn't fall into Martin's lap then UT is sub-500 this year. Martin got him because no one else had a scholarship available.

Written on Govols247: Thompson picks Tennessee:

in response to BIVOLAR_BEARE:

UT doesn't have room for Thompson unless Stokes or McRae decide to leave..This may be a sign of decisions yet to come..GBO!!

Neither of those are going anywhere, not even on the NBA radar. The local guys reporting that Sokes having a "decion" to make are absurd. It will be a Wes Washpun like situation, my Guess is Demontre Edwards since he is a Junior and was the last man on the bench last year. Reese and Chievous are probably safe due to their age.

Written on Jordan McRae at a loss for output in final 2 games:

I think people expected too much of Jordan at the end of the season. He's a nice player but talk of early entry into the NBA and being SEC Player of the Year were absurd. UT just doesn't have enough offense and has to have McRae's points to win. There are usually 1-2 players on the floor that are absolute liabilities on the offensive end (moore,Cheivous,Yemi,Lopez).

Written on Season ends for Vols in NIT opener, 75-67:

in response to Jaywine:

Really disappointed that the Coach or team showed no interest in playing this game! Sad on all fronts!

Your'e right at one point we have Lopez, Yemi, and Cheivous in at the same time. You'd have thought this was an exhibition or an orange and white game where everyone plays. A sorry way to send out Kenny and Skylar.

Written on Mike Strange: NIT spells another disappointing end for Vols:

Don't hire a football coach with a losing record, or a basketball coach who hasn't been to the NCAA tournament.

Written on Season ends for Vols in NIT opener, 75-67:

in response to oldster:

Were I coaching this team, I could not do better, I know. However, I would certainly fix one problem. I would jerk anyone who shot a three without the ball going into the paint first. I would not care if it went in or not. It would not take long before that lesson would be learned.

Bruce Pearl will have a team in the NCAA's before Martin will. He will get a decent mid major job after next season and he can coach a little bit and actually motivate. This is the most boring brand of basketball imaginable. Martin claims to be focused on defense but UT is last in the SEC in steals, and in the middle of every other defensive category.

Written on Season ends for Vols in NIT opener, 75-67:

Maybe Coach Hoffman can come and teach CCM some things about offense in the offseason. I was impressed with their backdoor cuts and shot selection. Hard to win when you shoot 3's and the other team shoots layups.

Written on Vols try to turn attention off NCAA omission and onto Mercer:

Let's not laugh at UK until after we beat Mercer. I thought UT deserved to get in the NCAA but is anyone confident of a road win at Washington or BYU? I'm not.

Written on John Adams: 'Bracketology' not an exact science:

What is ridiculous is a team going 19-1 in its conference and not getting its automatic bid. For teams in small conferences the regular season is meaningless. Liberty is a perfect example. It doesn't matter if 75% of your reason was junk as long as you get hot a couple of weeks in march.

Written on Rejection Sunday: Vols left out of NCAA tournament, receive No. 2 seed in NIT:

in response to bigdisbig:

For Cuonzo to keep saying the Vols did what they needed to do to get into the NCAA tourney speaks volumes about his knowledge of what it takes to make the tourney. Although the Vols had some good wins they had some really bad losses as well. For some reason Cuonzo just cannot light a fire under these guys.
Bruce Pearl set the standard and its disappointing to have what looks to be another Buzz Peterson for a coach. Now, I am not a Cuonzo hater for I want to see him succeed but the writing is plainly on the wall. He has been here for 2 years and its been NIT appearances with a disappointing showing in the NIT last year. IF he doesn't make the Big Dance next year then he best start looking for another job for the Vol Nation will not accept another Dooley style coach.

I am not sold on CCM yet either but that is an unfair criticism, A coach's job is to talk up his team regardless of what they may really think. You simply can't start the season 11-10 and expected to get in. We were all speculating about what UT had to do to get in and we were all wrong. UT needed to beat Bama and UF to get in, we weren't as close as we thought.

Written on Rejection Sunday: Vols left out of NCAA tournament, receive No. 2 seed in NIT:

Talk all day about the Bama game but if UT makes an inbound pass to a wide open Kenny Hall for a dunk against G'Town we are talking seeding. Can't remember UT scoring off a timeout in the CCM era.

Written on Vols lose to Alabama, will play the waiting game for NCAA tournament:

Martin should have rested some of the starters against MSU yesterday. Yemi and Reese could have eaten up some minutes. You could tell one team played yesterday and the other didn't. Stokes was gassed in the first half. If this team ever learns to defend high ball screens they will be dangerous, this is the same flaw that exposed them last season and it hasn't gotten any better.

Written on Tennessee beats Mississippi State, advances in SEC tournament:

in response to johnlg00:

Well, I gotta say I can't remember a less-impressive 16 point win in my life! I'm not nearly as concerned about the margin of the win as I am by the almost-total lack of apparent interest or energy by nearly the whole team, nearly the whole time. If they go into tomorrow's game walking around in a daze and leaving the ball laying all over the court, they are going to get DRILLED! These guys just aren't good enough to think they can just turn it on and off as they choose. From everything I have heard from and about CCM, he is all about forming good HABITS and playing the way you are supposed to, regardless of the opponent or the score. I just hope the Vols understand how lackadaisical and sloppy they looked and vow NEVER to come out that way again!

Chill out John, its a win in the SEC tournament. Those are about as rare around here as an Ivory Billed Woodpecker. I agree the effort was poor in the 2nd half, I would have liked to see CCM bring in Reese or Yemi to give UT a little spark and to save the legs of the big 3.

Written on PG Darius Thompson likes Cuonzo Martin, UT program:

in response to John_10065:

That all depends upon what Stokes and McRae do. It's too early to say we're out of scholarships. Anything can happen and a deep run into March might leave us a spot or two open.

But I have to also say it will be interesting to see what happens in UK. If the NBA doesn't pick up all these diaper dandies and Noel decides to re-hab in college, Calipari might find himself cutting strings on 5* players.

That could leave a green persimmon taste in the mouths of up and comers!

Stokes nor McRae are projected in the 1st or 2nd rounds, hopefully they are not seeking advice from Scotty Hopson's advisors. I believe it would be a situation where a current player transfers, but don't really see that happening, or a recruit being let out of his letter of intent. It is no secret that Martin is no longer sold on Landry and has been looking around, my guess is that Landry may be persuaded to go somewhere else.

Written on PG Darius Thompson likes Cuonzo Martin, UT program:

How will he sign with UT, they are out of scholarships for next season. Landry needs to go somewhere else, he is not SEC material.

Written on Mark Wiedmer: Basketball Vols need more wins to be NCAA sure:

The thought of having to beat Alabama or anyone of relevance in the SEC tournament is scary. UT has been consistently bad for 35 years there. Using Lunardi's formula UT should lose to South Carolina, that way they would secure their place in the tournament. After a loss to UGA he has us in, after a win over Missouri he has us back out.

Written on David Climer: Tennessee Vols' Cuonzo Martin is the right coach at the right time:

in response to John_10065:

I don't think too many active coaches could do what Martin has done. He took a team over under the clouds of NCAA sanctions, picked to be next to the bottom in the league and took them to within one game of a NCAA at large bid.

Then this year he loses a SEC pre-season 1st team power forward and team leader and has to rebuild around what he has to end up in a position to go back to the NCAA after a 9-1 run.

There will always be Pearl wanters just like there will always be Fulmer wanters in football. But I personally think Martin has earned his spot as the coach of the Vols twice over.

I think we're going to see an era of BB in Knoxville that will be held in high reverence in the future.

I hope you are right on the new era of basketball. I was there Saturday and the atmosphere was awesome. That being said, CCM needs to finish the job and get this team into the tournament. UT fans should not be satisfied with an NIT berth, especially in consecutive years. I still think the jury is out on CCM. He has proved in the last month he can coach but you must also recruit to win at a high level. The 2014 recruiting class will speak volumes about Martin's ability to recruit, he will need to replace Golden, McRae, Maymon, and probably Stokes and 3 star recruits won't do.

Written on Vols celebrate 64-62 victory against Missouri on Senior Day:

in response to usnavyvolfan__now_proud_navy_dad:

'79....I was 6.

I was 6 as well, don't remember it much. My first game was the following year in the Vol Classic. Sadly in my lifetime the best performance I was old enough to remember was in 1991 by Wade Houston's last place team that made it to the finals. Led by Jay Price.

Written on It could be bubble or burst for Vols against Missouri:

Should be a strong crowd. I got mine on Stubhub but noticed they were selling about twice as high as the Kentucky game. These are the 2 best rebounding teams in the SEC, hopefully the 4 guard lineup works but it wouldn't surprise me to see Kenny and Jarnell at the same time. Stokes staying out of foul trouble will be key.

Written on Vols get needed win at Auburn, 82-75:

Lousy defense most of the night. How many times did our guards get beat off the dribble and give up layups? Good to see Golden having another quality game. Hall was solid, credit CCM for staying with Kenny and benching Stokes, a key factor in the win.

Written on Georgia had gameplan for limiting Jarnell Stokes :

IF Richardson could throw one in the ocean it would be helpful. His man sagged all afternoon and stayed in front of Stokes preventing him to touch the ball. The defense dared him to shoot and he didn't, same with Moore. When Moore, Chievous, and Richardson were in defense's ignored them, allowing double and triple teams on Jarnell. CCM played Hall and Jarnell together and should have done so more often.

Written on Mike Strange: Vols' tournament hopes derailed:

Saturday morning Lunardi had UT out of the tournament. They lose to an under 500 UGA team and now he has them as the last team in. All the other bubble teams lost too so the sky is not falling. Beat Auburn and Mizzou and UT is probably in.

Written on Just McRae can't save the day for UT against Georgia, 78-68:

Simply out coached. UGA just sagged on defense and left Richardson open all day, knowing he couldn't hit from outside and making Stokes a non factor. I love McBee's effort but Pope and the rest of UGA were just shooting over him all day long. UGA ran set plays and made layups while UT settled for 3's. A real head scratcher, UT has got to play its game of attacking the basket and feeding Stokes. On the bright side every other "bubble team" lost today, wins over Auburn and Missouri and maybe 1-2 in the SEC tourney may still be enough.

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