Comments by licknpromise777#651578

Written on Butch Jones stays on go in rebuilding Vols:

in response to TitanandVolfan4life:

We have 1 of the toughest schedules in the country this season.

We also lack any proven QB's, WR's, TE's or a Defense that's proven they can stop anyone.

We're also short of solid SEC type depth.

If buTch can get 6 Wins and a Bowl game this season that's a win and proof of a small step in the right direction and a Bowl game Win is some extra motivation our fans should take with them.

I hate it but I still think it's going to take at least 4 years of good recruiting and good coaching to get our Vols back to the top level of SEC/National football.

Being patient is the hardest thing in the world for me but OVERexpecting is just as bad and hurts our recruiting when dumb people post really dumb things on message boards.

Take time to chill out and THINK before you post hurtful things on any message board if you're really a VFL my friends.

VFL...GBO!!!

Sounds about right to me..2014 plus 2 more really stellar classes will get us on the way..I think all our pass catchers will get it done but I have little confidence these 2 QB's are going to get the job done. I think the defense may surprise some people but only if the staff can miraculously fix the worst secondary in UT history..Losses across the entire 1st and 2nd team DLine may derail the 2nd year unless 2 very good Juco's are found

Written on John Adams: Hurd's commitment makes Beech a Tennessee team:

in response to TitanandVolfan4life:

Anybody that watched Jalen Hurd run the ball in last years State Championship game saw a man among boys and every college in America wants that young man.

Hurd is big, very strong and powerful and he's only going to keep getting stronger and more powerful.

He's going to become a Tennessee SuperStar and you can bet the house on that!

He's just like Eddie George and he will HIT the tackler and by the 3rd quarter the Defense will be hurting and NOT looking forward to trying to tackle Jalen Hurd again.

This young man is VERY special in many ways including a work ethic that never stops and he'll demand the entire team work just as hard as he does.

THANK YOU Mr Hurd for becoming a Vol For Life!!!

I can't wait to see that young man running the ball in Tennessee Orange!

VFL...GBO!!!

I wonder how good the competition Beech faces is..He makes these DB's trying to tackle him look middle schooler's

Written on John Adams: Hurd's commitment makes Beech a Tennessee team:

in response to Mrlogic:

For my money the greatest running back in NFL History was Jim Brown. He was 6'2" 232 lbs. He would simply run right over you or out run you. I have never seen a running back (in my opinion) that could measure up to him. Maybe the Vols have one coming in next year.

Unfortunate Jim walked away from football in his prime..He surely would hold the record for most broken tackles..Hard to touch what Payton and Sanders did and I saw Tony Dorsett do things that weren't human

Written on Changes don't change course for UT men's basketball:

in response to 87Volforlife:

Should be interesting to see how playing time is divided up. The five best players are Stokes, McRae, Maymon, Hubbs and Richardson. None of them are really point guards. Martin says no McRae at point, and that Thompson is the leader for that spot currently. So ...

First Team
Post - Stokes
Post - Maymon
Wing - Richardson/Hubbs
Wing - McRae
Point - Thompson

Second Team
Post - Davis
Post - Chieves
Wing - Hubbs/Richardson
Wing - Moore
Point - Lopez

Third Team
Post - Ndiaye
Post/Wing - Reese
Post/Wing - Edwards
Wing - Campbell
Point - Open Scholarship

Getting Antonio Barton would likely give us the line-up to seriously content for the SEC Championship ... both of them! If not either Hubbs, Richardson or Moore likely will see time at point. NCAA or bust is right when it comes to Martin's future; that is for sure. Can't wait!

Cornish was a good get, but Martin needs to starting looking at post and point players instead of all these wing type players, it takes all kinds.

Nice post my friend..Those line ups are looking pretty good to me..Martin loves recruiting athletic SF's as opposed to a true post player which is a mistake..He absolutely must sign a 4 star post player and a true PG that has blinding speed or we will be in big trouble after Stokes and Maymon leave..Looking back Pearl won big with Chism and Williams and Martin better wise up and do the same..If Thompson can't get it done Josh and McRae will fill the role

Written on Changes don't change course for UT men's basketball:

in response to BruisedOrange:

Maybe I missed it, but I haven't heard any real discussion of finding PG help out of the JC ranks.

Are there any worthy (on court and off) JC candidates out there?

Is there any interest from CCM in going that route?

Seems I remember CPS went that direction one year and collected another Championship because of it. A lot of stars have to align just right, though.

It would be great to find a nice JUCO PG but this late in the game that train has left the station and we have no scholarship to give..Martin's plan was to groom Thompson under Golden but that's out the window and the pressure is really on this freshman!!!Thompson made it clear he came to UT for early playing time..He got his wish

Written on Changes don't change course for UT men's basketball:

in response to mocsandvolsfan:

"if it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all...doom despair and agony on me"

Hee hee hee haw haw haw

It's not that you're wrong exactly...it's the attitude!! C'mon man! By the time footblall's going we'll all be ready for some BBALL!!! No offense to any first year coaches.

I agree..All the stars were aligned for a great team nex year and Golden pulled the rug out. I don't think Thompson has the talent to be at Goldens level..Only the really elite PG recruits excel as a freshman.. Not sure what speed Thompson has but a PG that's really fast off the dribble is huge asset. Lopez is fast enough and a good ball handler but is a zero scoring threat. It is safe to say CCM will adjust the offense to what works and with Stokes;Richardson;McRae;Hubbs/Thompson and Maymon on the floor scoring should not be a problem. Still it would be unheard for teams like Indy;Louisville;Duke or Kansas starting the season without a solid PG

Written on Gray's transfer leaves little margin for error in Vols' secondary:

in response to nocleats:

There is no margin, has not been for 3 years. CBJ is fixing it but it will take a couple of years. The best way to make a secondary look good is to have a front 7 that gives QBs no time to read and react. That is going to take a couple of years too. The opportunity to come in and play on the DLine at Tennessee is wide open!

Good call..The big loss here is Gordon and BOnner not Grey.I would say we will be missing Waggner and Teague but they both were AWFUL last year!!Worst secondary in UT history.Secondary cost us games last year and will again this year..Gotta do damage control here

Written on 247Sports: Class of 2014 suprise recruiting classes (free access):

So far so good!!!Time for Butch to turn up the heat a notch..We are going head to head against OSU;Bama;GA;Ole Miss and FLA for the 4 star game changing recruits that can make a good team great!!! Sic em Smokey

Written on Shooting guard Jordan Cornish commits to Vols:

in response to springtx_vol:

I know nothing about this young man and have mostly trusted CCM. But its this the best we can get? 128th overall, 32ND guard? We are trying to compete with KY and UF who are bringing in top 10 guards.

If Martin's been on this kid since he was a freshman than he must be pretty good..Martin is never going to recruit on the level of Pearl or Donovan but he is good at signing what I would call "utility players" that at the least come in and give you 9 or 10 minutes and at some point more and you hope for 8PPG from them. That's the direction Chievous and Moore are heading..Richardson was a mid 3 star on nobodys radar and he may well be all SEC next year. Josh at times was unstoppable,think how good he will be as a senior. By his Junior year Moore will be a 10 point scoring; rebound machine and who knows what potential Reese has!!I agree it would be great to have a Boynton or Kidd Gilcrist but short of us making the final 4;Martin isn't going to recruit at that level

Written on As many as 30 scholarships could be available to Vols in 2014:

in response to snowpeapod#263184:

Numbers shouldn't be our main concern, quality should.

I agree..Jones certainly has momentum going for and if he can turn around the dismal past of in state recruiting that would be huge..Most haven't noticed but it took Spurrier 5 years to lock down the state of So Carolina and once he did player quality became consistent..Phil used to get some great players out of SC especially Gaffney and those days are gone..It's been a long time since HS players were talking so much about the Vols but Jones will have to win the battles this year head to head against that 2 faced Urban Meyer and also Bama;GA and Ole Miss for the 4 star players who are the ones that can truly turn a program around!! Urbie Boy has a plan to use his power in the south to make OSU into a more SEC looking team because in the end to win a NC OSU will have to beat the SEC champ..Understandably we lost a big time impact player to OSU last year and it would be great for Jone's recruiting for him to put that slime in his place

Written on UT releases Travon Landry from men's basketball letter of intent:

in response to Jediphysics:

I really can't believe the comments I'm reading. We just cut the scholarship offer on a kid who averaged 3 points a game his senior year. I promise you an academic scholarship would be pulled for a kid who makes D's and F's his senior year, no matter how challenging the academic rigor at his school. This hurts Martin with nobody except those who have no desire to work hard and succeed. Perhaps the offer should never have been made, but considering what Martin walked into in the wake of Pearl, he had to take what he could get for awhile. Potential does NOT equal performance and does NOT guarantee development. Good move coach! I'm sure you did it in a class way. The rest of you fans, quit brow beating our coach and let him do his job.

Sounds about right to me..I think this kid knew he was hanging by his fingernails and IMO even if we had not found a better PG the scholly wasn't going to happen

Written on Iowa finalizes field of Battle 4 Atlantis; UT now waiting on bracket:

in response to BIVOLAR_BEARE:

Great news for UTBB..Playing a tough schedule must continue if the Vols intend on playing in the big dance..GBO!!

We have been fortunate to have some good early season tourneys and also the Big East challenge..I live in Miami and the Atlantis is one of the few things in the Bahamas worth seeing..Pretty easy to catch a cruise ship there for some excellent BBall..I would urge any fan to go to one of these tourneys because your guaranteed at least 3 games and you sit practically courtside

Written on Johnny Majors thinks UT will be more disciplined under Butch Jones:

in response to CroKev:

Thanks for your post. Tell me about Tim Kearns. For some reason I have Tim Kerin on my mind - UT's Athletic Trainer who died unexpectedly in the early 90's. Tim applied miles of tape to my ankles and knee while I was at UT and he always had a good yarn to tell back in the day.

Thanks Crok I stand corrected..Tim's name was Kerin and his dedication to the Vols was well remembered when the team honored him by wearing a clover leaf on the helmet..When the clock expired NBC panned to Johnny knocking Tim's glasses off in a hug with 2 smiles in disbelieve a mile wide..Great Vol moment

Written on Johnny Majors thinks UT will be more disciplined under Butch Jones:

in response to CroKev:

I was at UT when Majors was there and I could tell you a few stories from the residents of Gibbs Hall - even though he could be a pain, guys like Reggie White, Bill Bates, etc. played their hearts out for him.

I remember that after he won the NC at Pittsburgh, Tony Dorsett asked if he could come down to Knoxville and play for Coach Majors (he was joking as his eligibility was up and the Cowboys had come calling). Majors first day on the job meant that almost everything in the Athletic Center was turned to orange. I remember one day the rehab tables were green and the next day they were bright orange. Majors wanted everyone to "bleed orange," something some supposed fans on this site should consider.

Majors could have stayed at Pitt and his legend would have grown but he chose, instead, to come back to his first love. Now a few of you know a little bit more of who Coach Majors is.

Well said my friend..The name Majors and Tennessee goes like PB and Jelly..Johnny didn't produce a true winner until his 5th season but I have tons of great memories of Major's teams..I'll never forget the 1989 team walking into Pasadena; Night game at UCLA and we were a big underdog!!QB Sterling Henton's long awaited debut and he has a career ending injury but we had Chuck Webb and Roland Poles in the backfield!!!Drilled UCLA 24-6 and the entire team celebrated with 200 Vol fans in the end zone..Also hugging VFL Tim Kearns on the sideline after the Miracle in South Bend!!

Written on Butch Jones selling Tennessee's brand:

Butch is also selling family values and the recruits are loving it!!!

Written on SEC spring football, team by team:

Again this year the Vols and Mizzo have a brutal schedule..McCarron threw for 600 plus yard from his pillow pocket bed..Iam predicting A&M will play Ga in the title game but A&M has to replace 20 players..I have sympathy for Henry breaking his leg but still bitter he signed on to Bama who have like 7 top#10 rated TB's..Watching Bama; GA and FLA sign so many all world TB's while we settled for a back that seems like the girl nobody wanted to ask out to the prom really sticks in my craw..Graham worked hard to bring in a good back but his 2 years of recruiting produced SQUAT

Written on SEC spring football, team by team:

in response to John_10065:

I'm not holding my breath. UT football has been too painful going all the way back to Fulmer's last two out of three years.

I'll watch and support the team but I've been optimistic far too many years with far too little results.

I also watched some Cinncy games and like Louisville,Cinncy made the the..The Bearcats made the most of a group of 3 star utility players..The Cardinal game was a thriller Cinncy should have won but Jones made a mistake on a TO call to ice the kicker which blew the snap for a miss..Kicker won the game after the TO..Jones calls some trick plays that many will not work in the SEC..Still he just seems to get 110% from his team

Written on Mike Strange: Tyler Bray can look to Warner, Moon, Romo for inspiration:

Drafted 6th round or FA it doesn't matter..You still have to prove it in summer camp and preseason games..Key for Bray is a good showing in preseason games which can be tough to do even for a veteran.. As a boy Bobby Scott and Bobby Majors were my idols.The 1970-71-and 72 Vols will always be my favorites..Majors;Scott and the Crossville Comet were followed by Holloway and Haskell Stanback..Great memories of Bobby Majors career game against Air Force in the Sugar Bowl..Also 1972 first night game beating Penn State glued to the radio hanging on Wards every word..Great times as a boy growing up in a nothing TN farm town as John Ward thrilled me with "Give him Six"

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

in response to eVOLved:

I think Bray has a good shot of realizing his potential. Once he's on a team, it'd be hard to deny his talent after they see him effortlessly zip the ball around.

I agree. His shortcomings don't disregard the fact that he lead the SEC in passing. IMO that alone made him draft worthy!!! KC is a decent situation for him..Iam sure he will make it to KC's preseason games but many a good player has gotten cut after just one bad preseason game..You can get in the game and have bad blocking;blown routes; bad play calls that lead to a INT or get some silly injury that keeps you out and all of a sudden your gone..Ainge had 2 years with the Jets while addicted to pain killers partly because he played well in preseason games.Bray has a very good agent so even if he gets cut; he will likely get another workout..You have to think he learned his lesson on his work ethic and is highly motivated and I really hope he makes scouts and UT fans that love to bash him eat crow..I don't think any VFL's here remotely believe Worley will lead the SEC in passing next year but Bray even with lesser WR's would still be near the top and under Jones he would have a totally different attitude but sadly we will never know..Any fan that has said they are happy Bray is gone may whistle another tune if Worley struggles like I think he will and Jones is forced to try Peterson and Dobbs to get any production at all..I hate to sound so negative concerning Worley but I can see him throwing plenty of INT's while forcing the ball into double coverage and small windows that Bray would pull off with relative success.Worley will have to face the likes of Oregon; the Gators and GA to start his career much the way Sims did and Jones smartly will do all he can to put him in good situations but never the less he will have to convert tons of 3rd and longs against these excellent defenses

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

in response to nocleats:

Unless his academic situation was in bad shape, I can't imagine what Sentimore was thinking or who he was getting advice from.

Couldn't agree more..Iam not sure how he figured 18 career tackles translated to a NFL career..Even if you were totally desperate for NFL money he must have known he was a longshot to e drafted..Now he's a long shot to even get a work out..Sentimore would have been a starter this year UT now he has no degree and little chance of a NFL career

Written on UT's Justin Hunter selected by Tennessee Titans in NFL draft:

in response to arkansasvol1975:

Bray screwed himself and UT. I see this going bad for Bray. All the scouts are talking bad about him, the only good thing is his strong arm. Bray is quarterback "dumb" and will not make it in the NFL. Eric Ainge was a better QB than Bray and even he didn't last long. Bray should of waited another year and tried his chances then. He went from top 1st round pick at the beginning of the year, to a possible flop as we see it right now. At least if he stayed another year, he would of had a college diploma to fall back on.

Agree..Bray would have benefited from a coach like Jones but getting bashed by so many people while leading the SEC in passing would make anybody think twice about the college experience.He may drop to the low 5th round and I hope he makes everybody eat their words..No question he has the arm and accuracy to make a roster and IMO he throws a long ball as good as any Vol QB ever..Bray is a far better passer than Manuel,Glennon and Nassib but doesn't read the defense well and has bad leadership qualities

Written on UT's Dallas Thomas picked by Miami Dolphins in NFL draft:

in response to BluezVol:

It will be hard to believe that Dooley lost to Vanderbilt and Mizz with probably 5-6 Vols selected in this year's draft. Can you say un-der-a-chieve-r?

Can you say worst secondary in Vol history??

Written on Jacobs: Auburn review finds no evidence of fraud:

Could be some truth..Who in their right mind would pay Darvin Adams to play football at any level

Written on Tennessee football's spring answers some questions for season, raises others:

Won't bother dwelling on the bad QB stats because Jones put them in situations that were meant to test them and the OLine didn't help them much..What I did consider was how the 2 QB's looked overall compared to the rest of the SEC QB's and they look to be well into the bottom half in talent. IMO this offense could be very good if it has a QB that was a threat to run much like Shaw;Manziel and even Driskel. Jones is a pretty smart coach and he will play to our strengths on offense but honestly when I look at Worley and ask can he convert a big 3rd or 4th down and 15 yards with the game on the line??? I think the answer is no; especially with the all SEC defenders he will be facing!!The scenario may sound silly but it's still reality..Like I said Jones will play to his strengths..I watched a lot of Cinncy football last year and they started with Munchie at QB because he could run when needed be he got pulled after the Louisville game where he threw up a wounded duck for an INT in the end zone that would have iced the game..He was replaced by a more pocket style QB

Written on Mike Strange: For Vol fans, optimism rules in April:

in response to alfrizzle097:

If the speculation about an improved defense doesn't pan out, this year could make last look like good times. With most every skill position player from UT's second most prolific offense gone....

I agree; Bray had his faults and didn't win in the clutch but every pass he threw had a chance to succeed and neither of these 2 QB's are even close to his talent..I suspect Jones will adjust and play to his strengths and last year at Cinncy he made a mid season QB change with good results

Written on Justin Worley, Nathan Peterman not focused on competition for starting QB job during spring game:

in response to RockyToptoNeyland:

well I know one thing, they cancelled theirselves out today, lets hope josh dobbs is the answer

I agree;It is just a spring game but frankly neither QB looked remotely accurate.Even with a collapsing pocket a QB must step in to a pass and Worley was throwing off his back foot and leaning backwards((which will result in a bad pass everytime)) Peterman held his ground and stepped into the pass with a decent follow thru..Bray had a throwing motion that was effortless and fluid..These 2 may never have that. It being a spring game is reason to offer a lot of excuses but an 18% conversion rate on 3rd down is really bad. It's clear to all that building timing relationships with the WR's over the summer means everything but Iam not sure how much time the QB's will have with the incoming freshman in the summer.This offense has huge potential with a QB that can run the ball.Just look at all the production Manziel;Driskel and Shaw had last year..I don't think Dobbs is a pure running QB((maybe you guys no more)) but I wouldn't be shocked if Dobbs gets a lot of early play time

Written on Running back Alden Hill caps strong spring with 100-yard game:

in response to MarbleVol48:

As I said along time ago " Give Alden Hill an Opportunity and he will be our #1 running back"! He doesn't go down by arm tackles like our other backs (including Neal & Lane). This young man can "tote the mail".

Considering the OLine is a strength;Nothing they did caught my eye and most outside running plays were a bust..Did like the way Hill picked his hole quickly and Neal appeared to be a step faster and has a very fluid stride

Written on Tennessee still looking for 'playmakers' on offense:

in response to papavol:

This lack of experience on offense scares me big time.. I really don't know what else to say. Hopefully one or two of these guys can step up and at least, be consistent.

Crooms; Dallas; Carter and North will be the WR rotation..None of them will be long ball threats or produce like Hunter and CP but they don't have to be explosive after the catch guys. All they have to do is run the right route and don't drop catchable balls and move the chains. Chaney didn't get a lot out of Howard or any slot recievers cause he was too busy going for broke on long balls while we spent the game playing catch up!!Needless to say the offense will look much different this year

Written on Coaches offer no timetable on return of Marlin Lane:

in response to dvols:

how is TN going to score points this year??

With all the injuries and install of a new offense things aren't looking good..I expect the spring game to look pretty rough offensively..The QB's not being able to establish a routine with the WR's they will have to count on in big 3rd down conversions will hurt. Dallas is the guy I believe early in the season that needs to be the WR to step up..North looks like a nice prospect but it's a stretch to think a freshman with only fall practice under his belt will walk on the field against the likes of Oregon and FLA and take over the game..Thank God we have a solid OLine to ease the transition..We are also saying good bye to the most predictable OC in football and that may help..I watched a couple Bearcat games last year and Jones can be pretty crafty with his play calling if he can get the whole offense installed by season start..Jones will have some nice TE's as an option and if he is the coach I think he is he will use the TE position to do some damage

Written on Coaches offer no timetable on return of Marlin Lane:

To say you don't know the status of your one of your top backs is NOT a good thing..I doubt Marlin will let 2 years of hard work fall to the way side over a personal issue..Coach G is clearly not happy with his unexplained absence and being stuck with raw non SEC talent at no#2 back..Jay Graham worked hard to sign a decent back the last 2 years but failed miserably..All he produced were 2 backs that were basically the girls nobody picked for the prom and now this season it's going to really bite us in the rear..Considering the chance for immediate playing time for a solid 3 or 4 star back and in 2 years he produced SQUAT!!!! When I look at Bama's and GA's parade of top#10 backs it makes me sick

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

in response to AlpharettaVol:

I'm watching Michigan-Louisville and we don't have one player who could even make the end of the bench for either of these teams. Such speed, hustle and quickness is light years ahead of our guys. I hope they get better next year but any talk about the NBA right now is ridiculous.

Got that right!!!Definetly no Trey Burkes or Sivas on this team..Defense aside;the most noticeable difference is those teams don't come out starting any game shooting 3 for 11..They also don't have those 7 minute shooting droughts that killed us so many times last year. When a Michigan player pulls up for an open 15 footer you know it's going in..Also on offense Petino does this novel thing called running set plays which seems to escape CCM especially coming out of a time out

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

in response to flatrock:

McRae is in need of more consistency from the arc- and more strength. Stokes is a Pro Bowl tight end waiting to happen- hope someone inside his circle has the gonads to tell him.

Totally right about McRae..NBA guards knock down 3 pointers like there layups and they do it game in and game out at close to a 39% rate..McRae struggling with back to back games shooting 2 for 14 is a joke in the NBA..If he leaves now he's most certainly headed for NBA Europe

Written on Former Vol Eric Westmoreland arrested for drugs:

in response to volgrog#210164:

Bummer, E-Mo was one of my favorite Vols ever.

I agree; we had a ton of great LB's in the 90's that were great players for the Vol's but couldn't make it in the NFL..Raynoch Thompson comes to mind as well as "tool shed"..Omar Gaither had 5 good years with the Eagles..Iam assuming Eric earned a degree but appears he didn't take the high road to success..Sad indeed

Written on Tyler Summitt to interview at Coastal Carolina:

Head coach at 22..WOW!!! Just being considered is pretty big deal..Go for it Tyler, Jump in at the deep end

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

in response to asmith:

i personally did not see the lack of effort from our team. i thought that they played hard. shooting was poor, and defensive scheme was horrible.

Correct sir!!!I am not buying the lackluster bull being shoveled..Yes there were breakdowns and stupid play on Defense but put it in perspective..Teams have got very good with these zone defense which have made it easier to close our driving lanes and at the same time collapse on post players..Haven't said much about losing Maymon this year but with him in that game the Mercer zone would not have worked..The reason for the loss is clear..McRae had an awful shooting game and Stokes is still missing easy lay ins.If McRae gets his 20+ points it's a win..Biggest mistake by Martin was not telling McRae and Richardson to drive to the basket come hell or high water..It was working to whittle the lead but they gave up on it..It's pretty simple..If you shoot a dismal 30% and Mercer shoots 50% you will LOSE

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

in response to RockyMtnVol:

I saw a coach and a team give up, why would anyone want to play for a team that gives up? This is a bad attitude on the coach and this team. Hart should have a good talking to the team and coaching staff, THIS IS TENNESSEE, we don't quit or give up just because a couple games did not go our way, this is not a team.

I did not see anybody giving up!!!I saw guys in the second half playing hard on Defense and getting better results but in the end Mercer was hitting everything they threw up

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

I don't see Mercer coming into our house and having a hot shooting night like RM did..Game will probably be similar to the Auburn game but hoping for better because Brigham looks like a tourney team..They hung 90 on Washington and 2 players combine for 50 points

Written on Mike Strange: An immodest proposal to promote NIT's battle for relevance:

Martin best forget the snub and start worrying about Mercer..Last thing he needs is to lose to Mercer after all his talk of how NCAA worthy we are..Not many of these NIT teams are pushovers..Mercer isn't a team with a bunch of six foot soft players,they have size and did what we couldn't beating Bama at Bama

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

in response to Sir_Spanky:

This staff has difficulty adjusting to things during a game. What Alabama did to them with the high ball screen is an example. It's March. You either know how to deal with it, or you don't.

I would agree..Martin and every other SEC coach knows how to defend that but for whatever reason it did not happen..Martin needs to turn his attention to offense if he hopes to keep a job..Nothing makes up for a little sloppy defense better than a consistent 74 PPG offense..Ive been critical of CCM's inability to break all these zone defenses that cost us so many games but after watching the Gators get totally stuffed by Ole Miss's zone it looks like Donovan doesn't have any answers either..The Gators played it just like we did the nancy boy Bama zone with even worse results

Written on Tennessee, Alabama in good form for rematch:

in response to bigdisbig:

I am writing this in hopes I am wrong but I don't see the Vols winning this game. Bama will be fresh and ready whereas the Vols are tired and after all the screwey passes and turnovers yesterday the Vols just are not ready for this game. The winner will go dancing and the loser to the NIT.

Got the feeling yesterday that the players were trying to expel the least amount of energy knowing MSU couldn't hang..Will have to play lights out on defense and big 3 must shoot well..Sometimes that long bye can hurt a 4 seed with ice cold shooting

Written on Jordan McRae passed over for SEC Player of the Year:

First team list is pretty impressive group. Pope pretty much had my vote.Pope was consistently good wire to wire while McRae didn't exactly start the weason with a bang

Written on Vols staying fresh in order to avoid saving legs in SEC tournament :

Just not seeing where Edwards is gonna be much help..I realize he hasn't played a lot but frankly he scares me at times. He did put up 8 points against UK but everybody was hot in that game..Ive seen Edwards come into games and immediately launch 4 shots in 2 minutes with very mixed results and make some bad turnovers.Chievous has improved and he has matured in understanding his role. He is getting off some nice passes for open looks and also got in position to get himself open for some easy lay ins

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

in response to johnlg00:

No doubt Mizzou has lots of talent, and indeed they may win the SEC tourney. One thing they prove beyond doubt is that PG play is a leading indicator of how a team is going play, good or bad. When Pressey is right, when he is threading passes and nailing 3-pointers, Mizzou is all but unbeatable. However, when he gets a little too overconfident or checks out mentally, Mizzou is in deep trouble. Of course, we have seen much the same thing with Golden. The two are very different types of player, but both are the leaders of their teams, for better or worse. Luckily, Golden made just a few more good plays on Saturday and a few less bad ones.

I agree John;Mizzo has 4 solid players that can kill you..Frankly I was shocked we handled their post players and when we were down 8 I had written his off!!In the end it came down to us playing for our life..Haith blew it not calling a time out and not getting the ball to Bower..

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

in response to lomas98:

I don't think they are a lock for tourney. So many other teams can improve their resume as well. Luckily Belmont escaped last night over Murray. That is what needs to happen in the small tournaments. Hopefully Davidson doesn't get upset and Wichita or creighton win mvc. That is what we need to have happen as well. The potential game with Bama is important too. Two teams battling for final spots and the other team winning may nt look good. Also Bama, miss, ky could get hot and get the automatic bid....they only have to win 3 games instead of our 4.

Regardless, nothing is a lock unless you are ranked or win the conference tourney. Yesterday's win was a huge step.

Nice post my friend!!The last thing we need is a bid going to a .500 mid major in a tourney upset..In the committees eyes I think we are looking more favorable than Bama and Ole Miss..They have more wins but very bad SOS.Ole Miss went something like 14 straight games before they played anyone in the top 50 while we were busy playing Memphis,GTown,VA,Xavier and WSU..Still we have to beat Bama to advance and that will not be easy..Iam picking GA as the SEC tourney spoiler.Fox has really brought that group of nobody freshman along and they had Bama beat on Bama's court..Ole Miss is playing good too..The gators may flop early..No confidence and their defense has been awful..We beat Bama and we are in

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

in response to RememberWhen:

Anybody that thinks this team is in the Dance because of today's win is delusional...Jimmy Dykes included! There's a whole list of things still either unknown or against TN...including:

1. They still don't have 20 wins. Check the history of how many at-larges there have been with less than 20 wins. Even if they beat SC/MissSt to get to 20, they still have to beat Alabama in a "bracketbuster" game to have a shot. And even if they do that, and then lose to FL, they're only 21-12 which is still not a good thing in a bad league!

2. Nobody knows what upsets may occur in conf tourneys by teams that won't get in otherwise. Those upsets in leagues with a team or two that are already locks will knock out bubble teams from bigger conferences - aka TN.

3. History hasn't been kind to at large teams with RPI's above 40...in fact, it's been VERY unkind. TN will not get below this number. The SOS doesn't help and the mix of quality wins vs bad losses isn't favorable.

4. The committee isn't going to be favorable to the SEC. 4 of the 9 members deciding (not counting the SEC member that must recuse himself) on SEC teams are from the west coast, 1 is from the Big 10 (which is well-known to hate the SEC), and 3 others are from the ACC, Big12 and CUSA - all with biases of their own. This is the one time each year that others can get a little payback for the SEC football arrogance and there is no doubt they aren't going to give any SEC team the benefit of the doubt.

5. They're in SIXTH place in a league that is not strong and will likely not get more than 3 or 4 bids. They have zero WOW factor, no stars, no star coaches, and were a .500 team just a month ago! Don't believe all that nonsense about the last 10 games - the committee isn't going to ignore the 2/3 of the season with some of the losses this team had.

6. With 37 at-large spots, you can go through top 6-8 conferences and make a solid argument for 30-34 that are better cases than TN. Add in the next tier with solid 2nd place teams - assuming their best wins the conf tourney - and you quickly run out of room for not just TN but several others in the big boy conferences.

Bottom line, TN must make it to Saturday in the tourney to have ANY chance and may even need Sunday! Not hating, just the facts.

I would agree for the most part accept for SOS..There is little or no talk of Ole Miss.No chance they get 23 wins playing our schedule.Rebs played 13 straight teams out of the top of Fifty and still lost 2 of them!! Never the less we still need 2 wins to have a prayer

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

Great come back after Bowers jam that put Mizzo up big..Vols just wanted it more..Nice to see Josh come hard in the last 8 minutes. If McRae has better first half it's a route..I believe this has us facing Auburn vs USC winner

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

Things well certainly have to change on the defensive end..Putting up 83 points is the norm for Mizzo and something we rarely do..I really don't see how a 4 guard line up will work against Bower who has 2 twenty point games going..Does this mean a freshman Moore will draw Bower or Richardson?? Hall is not a great defender but if you give up 3 inches to Bower he will kill us..Not to mention Mizzo has 2 great guards that we just can't keep giving up undefended drives in the lane which have killed us the last 3 games..With 2 good post players and 2 seasoned guards Mizzo scares the h&ll out of me with potential bad mismatches!!! Hopefully Mizzo's poor road shooting continues but with Bower coming off a seventy five percent shot game and Brown pouring in points we will have to shoot almost sixty percent to get the win

Written on Mike Strange: Tennessee's best players played when they had to:

All 3 will have to shoot well wire to wire..A 7 minute scoring drought will get us killed. This 4 guard line up will NOT fly against Mizzo..They have 2 of the best forwards in the SEC and I don't know how we will stop them, especially Bower who is scoring 20 on everybody..Like I said we will have to have a monster shooting game because defensively we don't match up

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

in response to HtownVol:

Other than Stokes horrific free throw shooting I am gonna ssay something I am noticing that you all may not like.

C Martin needs to sit McBee more. He deserves to play but not near as much as he is.

He can not guard anyone. His defense is horrible lately and it leads to so many easy baskets for opponents. I know why he is in there, to keep defenses honest but honestly McRae is a better 3 point shooter right now and Golden is just as good.
McBee gets blown by multiple times every game. His one or two threes per game just done seem to be worth it when his man lights it up for 20 points ( or Elston Turner going off for 36, until Richardson was put on him).
If Tennessee makes the dance McBee may end up killing us by giving up layups and wide open jumpers.

No bash me if you want, just want what is best for UT.

GO VOLS

McBee isn't the only one getting blown by..Fact is good or bad he is out there mostly for defense. He has had to guard some of the SEC best and done okay,except for lapses on switch offs or screens..It's not like there is a shut down defender waiting on the bench..Reese or Cheivous would be lost out there

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

Auburn is the one team I have not seen much of because no network airs a game of such a poor team..I don't think they have a player like Pope who is unstoppable..As long as we don't have a 25% shooting night we will get the win because it's like playing on a neutral site..Mizzo is the must win..They are a lock for the tourney and have no less than 3 players that are always in double digits and They will put a capable defender on McRae

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