Comments by hikerdude

Written on After draft, some former Vols know their destination, others still searching for homes:

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Bray will never start a game in the NFL. Big arm, little brain, bad attitude.

Written on Mike Strange: Jarnell Stokes' return means high expectation for Cuonzo Martin, Vols :

Jarnell's return will not make much difference. The biggest problem we have is lack of defense at the guard position. Way, way too slow. It doesn't help that Counzo isn't a very good game coach. I'm guessing 20-10 just like last year and no trip to the NCAA tournament.

Written on Poll: What round will Tyler Bray be drafted in?:

I don't know what round he will be drafted in, but he will never start an NFL game.

Written on Jordan McRae still going through the 'process' of getting ready for NBA:

I'm glad he is staying and we'll be a better team with him. But, unless Cuonzo learns to scheme a game, we'll be 20-10 next year and go out in the first round if we make it to the dance.

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

Good. But it won't make much difference. 20-10 again next year.

Written on Vols' defense backs up talk with big performance in scrimmage:

Its early and we don't have a lot to go on. And, we have new quarterbacks and a new offensive scheme. But, my guess is that the defense will be much improved this fall. Sunseri and Dooley were not very good defensive coaches; actually they were unbelievably bad. I felt sorry for the kids. Most of the time they were put in totally impossible situations. The new staff will do a much better job coaching to the talents that the kids have.

Written on 'Test of maturity' coming on how UT football players used their spring break:

Our defense will be much improved, even if we start nothing but walk-ons. Dooley and Sunseri were clueless about defensive schemes. Kids were constanly put in bad positions.

Written on Mike Strange: Tennessee has resources but no Final Fours:

in response to alfrizzle097:

Basically... empty arenas (would rather have a full 12000 seat arena than 20k with empty seats) aside from the last few years and moves like firing Jerry Green to hire Buzz Peterson.

Look at recruiting and there have only ever been three periods where they had rosters to make it possible.

Firing Jerry Green was one of the better moves made by a UT AD. He took some of the best BB talent UT ever had and let them play totally undisciplined street ball. Hiring Buzz, not such a great move.

Written on John Adams: Another celebration for first-year coach Holly Warlick:

in response to tovolny:

Is it just me, or do you resent the Pat Summitt dis? Why couldn't John have made this a true tribute to LVs? I anticipate the worst when John puts ink on paper, so I don't know for sure how to take him. I know he is misunderstood, but his negative light on Coach Summitt seems to define him as far as UT Sports are concerned. He is out to drag us down...the typical Wolf in Sheep's clothing approach. It really is sad that the proud UT fans have this guy to relate the UT sports scene...sad....very sad.

It's just you.

Written on Mike Strange: Another NCAA near-miss ups the ante for Cuonzo Martin, Vols in 2014:

As long as Cuonzo is the coach, we'll be a 19-11 or 20-10 team. We may make it to the NCAA tornament once in a while, but most times we'll be in the NIT. He gets a lot of effort from his players but he apparently has no ability to make game time adjustments.

Written on Holly Warlick thinking No. 3 seed for Lady Vols:

in response to DC82_Vol:

I think this team has really excelled this year. Holly has done a wonderful job. I hope we keep our assistants this off season. TN has a young team. Injuries have hurt us this year. Recruiting is strong. The girls won the SEC regular season title. I am already looking forward to next year. GO Lady Vols!!!!

I agree with you 100%. If we can stay reasonably injury free next year, and that's a big if given the rash of knee problems in the women's game, we will be in the hunt for a national championship.

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

in response to 1vavolfan:

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.

That's because they haven't. And, sadly, under Cuonzo they probably never will.

Written on Tennessee left in the hands of the committee, but Cuonzo Martin thinks his team deserves to be in:

in response to orangecountyvols:

ReeseHall,

Very well said. Let's be interested in what happens next and not be concerned with what the over bearing 'thru and thru' and 'notsofunny' know it alls rattle on with.

Other Vol fans, we've in the past made some comments about Jimmy Dykes appearing to be overly critical of Tennessee. IMO, lately Jimmy has been pretty complimentary of the Vols. He has repeatedly said in his opinion the Vols were in.

Maybe, maybe not. The committee on the other hand just might look at it like 'what have you done lately' and consider the unimpressive 2nd half against MSU and the Alabama game. Then again, throw in the love affair with Kentucky and that may be their choice.

Basketball is a zany affair. Maryland blows a 16 point lead to UVA and loses, Duke loses to Virginia, then Maryland turns around and beats Duke in the tournament.......next loses to UNC.
In the big picture this year, being # 1 was the kiss of death. Next game for those rated no. 1 turned out to be a loss.

It's nice to be in the NCAA tournament but at some point every one will lose except for the ones climbing the ladder with scissors in hand.

Don't know if a compliment from Jimmy Dykes is a good thing or not. He is an idiot. I'd almost rather listen to Vitale.

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

in response to NYvolFan:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

You called Liberty a fool? Now, that's funny.

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

I want Cuonzo to be a good coach. But, he just isn't. He is average, maybe a little better than average, but that's it. Yesterday, if Grant was the coach of the UT team, and Cuonzo was the coach of the Ala team, UT would have won. Cuonzo is good at getting his guys to hustle and play hard; he just doesn't know what to have them do. A well coached team would how how to:
1. Beat the press. We don't.
2. Apply the press. We don't.
3.Score off the in-bounds play. We don't.
4. Defend an in-bounds play. We don't.
As long as Cuonzo is coach, we will be a 20-10 team, winning some games we should lose and losing some games we should win. We will never be close to winning the NCAA championship, or getting to the final four for that matter. Makes me miss Bruce.

Written on Mike Strange: Win over Missouri brings Vols all the way back:

I was afraid #1 was going to eat our lunch, and instead he gave us the game with that airball late in the game. Good win!!

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

I hope Cuonzo has a plan for containing #1. He is quick as lightning, and we don't any one who can stop him by himself.

Written on As Tennessee opens spring football under Butch Jones, 5 storylines to watch:

in response to BlueHarley:

Good article refering to Jones and some his recruiting history:
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootb...

Good article. Thanks.

Written on As Tennessee opens spring football under Butch Jones, 5 storylines to watch:

The defensive backs were certainly a factor in last year's defensive woes. But the major factor was Sunseri, and he's gone thank goodness. We'll be much better defensively this year just due to his absence.

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

Two comments about last night's game. First, we have no-one that can stay with Missouri's point guard. Second, McBee's defense continues to be awful. He is just too slow. Unless he starts being a real factor on the offensive end, he needs to sit.

Written on For Vols, Auburn game one of two 'we've got to win':

Did anyone watch the Ark/Mo game last night? Beating them, even at home, is going to be tough. I don't think we have anyone who can effectively defend their point guard.

Written on Tradition transition: Tennessee Lady Vols' top spot earns Holly Warlick honor :

Great job, Holly. As I have said before, I thik this year's team could beat last year's team and Holly should get the major part of the credit for that. I am really excited about next year.

Written on Lady Vols turned over and around by Kentucky's pressure, 78-65:

I have watched basketball for many, many years and I rarely complain about the officiating, but this was the worst I have ever seen. This crew should never be allowed to call another game.

Written on Mike Strange: Vols' tournament hopes derailed:

The difference in this game and the previous six-the Vols made their shots in the win streak. Last night, not so much.

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

It is really hard to win when the shots don't fall.

Written on Tennessee will retire jerseys for Dale Ellis, Candace Parker, Monica Abbott:

Ellis was one smooth player. A real joy to watch. He should have received this honor years ago.

Written on Cuonzo Martin talks about confident Vols:

It is amazing how much better a team is when it makes its shots.

Written on John Adams: No Michael Dyer, even if UT in dire need:

John is 100% correct. Signing this guy would send the wrong message. Good article.

Written on Mike Strange: Is routing Kentucky proof the Vols are ready to surge? :

The answer to the headline question is "no". We have won three in a row, but none of the opponents was very good. We won't have proof of a surge until the season is over.

Written on Vols blow out Kentucky, 88-58:

Man, that was fun. The game is a lot easier when the ball goes in the hole.

Written on Vols find recipe for victory on the road, 58-46 :

Good to win another on the road. Two things bothered me about the game. First, we do not handle the press well. That seems to me to be a coaching problem. Second, we let the shot clock expire twice on our end of the court. One was near the end of the game when we were milking the clck but the other was caused by failure to pay attention.

Written on Mike Strange: Vols continue to wonder who's hot, who's not :

It is a coaching problem. BBB

Written on John Adams: Surprise: Lady Vols ahead of last season's pace :

My guess is that this year's team would beat lsst year's team 7 out of 10 times.

Written on An accurate assessment ... Lady Vols take good shots in rout of Ole Miss :

I loved Glory but I think Bashaara is already as good as Glory and will only get better. I'm really looking forward to next year. I predict that the LVs are going to be a real contender for the NC.

Written on Mike Strange: An aggressive Trae Golden ... that's worth talking about :

18 turnovers. Sad, sad. BBB

Written on First road win of season a giant learning experience for Jarnell Stokes, rest of Vols at South Carolina :

Glad to get the road win. But the fact that we struggled so against the worst team in the league is not a harbinger of good things to come. BBB

Written on John Adams: The next recruiting class for Butch Jones is crucial, and the clock is ticking :

in response to rdstephens:

Jones must narrow the gap between UT and the rest of the SEC. Last week, the gap widened. AL, LSU, GA, FL, USC, TAM, VU, Ole Miss, Auburn - all have considerably more talent on hand than the Vols. Jones must close the talent gap immediately or he is doomed to fail. The competition is not stagnant. All the aforementioned schools are upping the game now - every year. Jones must leapfrog several SEC schools for multiple successive years in recruiting for the Vols to compete for an SEC championship - not an easy task. Let's give him support, he will need it.

You nailed it. We lost ground every year Dooley was here. If UT is ever to be relevant again, it has to have several good recruiting years.

Written on The best SEC scorers have been at their best when facing UT :

Remember when we could beat the press, apply our own press, had inbound plays, could defend the opponents inbound plays, etc??? BBB

Written on In Knoxville, Butch Jones, John Jancek talk up defense to fans hungry for improvement :

The only thing we know for sure about next year's team is that the defense will be much better. Fortunately for us the Sunseri experiment is a thing of the past. No telling how much that is going to cost UT in the long run. A total disaster.

Written on Georgia delivers a punch in gut to Vols, 68-62:

These guys get worse every game. So much for the thought that one of Martin's strong points is his ability to coach up young players. Depressing. Even more so when you realize how long its going to take a new coach to bring us out of the hole Martin has dug for us. BBB now!!!

Written on Jordan McRae says 'confidence is still way up' despite 11-9 record :

Tomorrow's headline: "Caldwell-Pope sets personal scoring record". BBB

Written on Kenny Hall says road wins will come when mental toughness increases :

in response to Ironcity:

Its easier to be mentally tough when you can do the simple things. In Pearls early years it was never a concern that we were going to turn the ball over at the end of the game. The concern was the shot and the play. This team can't do the basics such as dribbling and passing so its easy to forget what the actual job is which is to score. I agree with KWcoach, I really don't think we win a road game this year even though the SEC is the worst in 50 years. I also find it hard to believe we can beat any team with ease at this point and time. This team has been poorly constructed and that can't be fixed this year. I hope coach Martin learns from his mistakes because we need him to be successful. Another coaching change and we are back to the late 80s and early 90s of mediocrity and bad basketball.

We are already back to mediocrity. BBB

Written on The pressure is on as Tennessee preps for Arkansas' defense :

I hope we win but I expect to lose. I remember when I hoped to win AND expected to win. I liked that better. BBB

Written on Isabelle Harrison to undergo knee surgery:

Man, that is bad news. Looks like the LVs are "snake bit". We are not experienced enough to win the NC this year, but next year, with the backups getting a lot of game experience this year, we have a great chance to hang another banner.

Written on Cuonzo Martin expects 'lots of Lopez' in Trae Golden's absence :

in response to underthehill:

I would rather see Lopez play the point as Golden..win or lose..

You are kidding, right?

Written on UT's prayers answered as Vanderbilt misses chances to win at buzzer:

Well, we won but it was blind a** luck. Not much talent and poor coaching. BBB

Written on Mike Strange: Vols make the plays, get the reward :

Good to get a win. BBB

Written on Mike Strange: Is Jordan McRae being asked to do too much? :

Remember 5 years ago when UT basketball was fun and exciting? BBB

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