Comments by richvol

Written on Tyler Bray has moved beyond 'stupid mistakes' at Tennessee:

How convenient That Tyler is buckling down now that he's forced to. Too bad Dooley didn't force him to earlier.

Written on Holly Warlick, Brian Pensky recommended firing of strength coach Heather Mason:

Tennessee is a right to work state. That means you don't need a reason to fire anyone.

Written on Holly Warlick, Brian Pensky recommended firing of strength coach Heather Mason:

Look at the difference that the UConn center made in her physic over her four years and look at the overweight post players that we had in Pat's last years. The men's BB strength is guilty as well. Wayne Chism spent four years here and never gained any muscle or definition.

This is a very demanding job that requires real talent. We should try to hire UConn's strength coach.

Written on With contract to expire, UT working on new deal for Pat Summitt:

in response to voloffaith:

Lil sarcasm...but does the sun ever shine in your neighborhood? She will be out of the picture sometime in the future as things progress. Can you allow a little more thanks til that time comes? Would you have wanted Coach Ray Mears treated badly in his last years? Thanks Coach Summitt !! The University could never really pay you enough to show their thanks and ours as Alumni.

I was friends with Ray Mears after he "retired" and he was treated poorly by UT. He told me he never made more than 35000 and had NO retirement income from UT. He did finally get tickets to the games...on the second level.

Reminds me of how UT treated our Hall of Fame coach George Cafego...the greatest kicking coach in history when UT forced him out. They gave him the used van that one of the teams had used for years. It had over 100,000 miles on it. Truly a generous gesture don't you think after 40 years at UT?

Written on Tyler Bray shut out at NFL draft, but Mychal Rivera lands with home-state team:

Bray proves once again that you get what you deserve in life.

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

in response to volthrunthru#658770:

Mahelona was 13 years old in 1996.

Journalists who cannot get the basics right are bad news...literally. That's one of the reasons that I have been no longer reading about UT here---the lack of journalistic skills.

Reporters who call head coaches by their first names in print are not able to report on anything in a non-biased way. They have been coopted, and are being used to feed readers what the coach(es) or school want to be reported.

The only question is complicity---is the reporter pimping the news willingly or being deceived. Either way, the possibility of a straight-forward, factually-based news article is minimal.

Now comes proof that even the facts cannot be kept straight.

What happened to several competent sports journalists who used to be at the Knoxville paper?

The paper trades THAT for this?

This sad state of competency has existed at the KNS ever since John Adams has been editor of the sports department.

Written on Mike Strange: Phillip Fulmer: SEC dominance began before seven-year title run:

Losing that 2001 title game to LSU was the biggest disappointment that I have had in over 50 years of following Tennessee football. A chance to play in the Rose Bowl against a Miami team that we most likely would have beaten just absolutely destroyed any confidence I had left in Fulmer. I sat there and couldn't believe the coaching mistakes made in that game.

The worst,and most costly,loss in the history of UT football.

Written on Tennessee RB Marlin Lane out for 'disciplinary reasons':

Way to go Lane...DA.

Written on Rawane Ndiaye, Darius Thompson to visit UT:

Martin is doing some strange things in recruiting. Too many projects.

Written on A.J. Johnson, UT linebackers tackling new goals :

The coaches are focusing on improved tackling. To me that is the best way to improve this defense. Just get them on the ground. Missed tackles killed us last year and it has been terrible for many years.

Written on Auriemma ties Summitt with 8th title as UConn crushes Louisville, 93-60:

I hate to admit it but the teams that Geno puts on the floor are far better than anything the LadyVols have produced in years. The precision of their offense and the swarming defense is really impressive. He is without a doubt the best women's coach in the game bar none.

UT must find a way to reach the level of precision of UConn or be relegated to the rest of the teams that get just so far in the tourney and never win it. The obvious gap between us and the teams with the chance to win it all has to be coaching because there's nothing wrong with our recruiting.

Written on Lady Vols approach offseason with urgency, use time as season in itself:

in response to johnlg00:

I think the team will be in great shape with Jones and Burdick at the 3. Jones was showing signs of being able to make the transition you mentioned and Burdick is a natural 3. Massengale reminds me of a statement by Kenny Smith commenting on the NCAA men's tournament coverage. He said that what most people think of as talent in basketball is not nearly as important as the ability to consistently make good decisions in games. There have been occasions when some might question Massengale's talent, but not as many as those when we might question her decision-making. Basketball is a lot like golf in one important respect; it's not the great shots/plays that win in the long run, it's making the RIGHT shot/play ALL THE TIME. Ariel seems to still need to learn that to the point where it becomes a habit. The ability to make good decisions with the ball is what talent IS in a point guard; most of the rest is largely irrelevant at that position.

Massingale was a big problem this year. The off ense never got into a real groove due to her poor decisions. For the life of me I still cannot see why in the world she was starting at the end of the season when Kamiko was available and much better.

I don't know if the coaches can fix her...I have seen freshmen with much better judgement.

Written on End to Lady Vols' season doesn't feel good:

in response to budd#207344:

Your stupidity is so glaring that it blinds me. This game was lost by the players not playing defense. They can play shutdown d because they have done it. They just got intimidated by UL and stopped doing what they were coached to do. Warlick is not the issue and you are stupid to think so

Why does UConn never get intimidated? Coaching. Why does Notre Dame not get itimidated...or Why was Louisville not intimidated against Baylor?

It has to be coaching...I rest my case.

Written on End to Lady Vols' season doesn't feel good:

All this excuse making based on the LadyVols being picked preseason as the fifth place team is BS. Why would that be anywhere close to being valid with eight high school all-americans on the squad? The only validity to it might be that the coaching staff has not taught this squad to play defense properly and cannot pass the ball well. This preseason pick was ridiculous based on talent.

Written on John Adams: Louisville taught UT a big-game lesson :

Well,he got one thing right...Massingale was terrible. I can't believe she is still starting. She gets beat on defense,doesn't rebound and is not a good ballhandler. She makes really bad passes and that's the point guards most important responsibility. I don't get Holly's admiration for her. Oh yeah...she doesn't shoot well either.

Written on Louisville stops Lady Vols' run to Final Four, 86-78:

Russel will be a great addition but not the anchor. If this team does not get a dominate point guard then we will be stuck in a lower level than the elite teams.

Written on Louisville stops Lady Vols' run to Final Four, 86-78:

Lack of execution and offensive futility hurt this team against the best teams all season. Let's hope that we see progress next season. We need a real point guard and a true post. If we add those pieces we still must execute better. In spite of that this season was not a disapointment as the LadyVols reached further into the tourney than anyone anticipated at the beginning of the year.

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

If the LadyVols go on to beat Louisville and reach the final four it will be a tremendous accomplishment. I have said all season that there was no way that this team could reach a final four yet they are on the brink. If UT gets control of their turnovers and shoots well they could win it all.

I am proud of them.

Written on Even after limiting Creighton, Lady Vols want more on defense :

I admire Kamiko's game skills but the fact that it took until the middle of her senior year to get in basketball shape says to me that the coaches and strength and conditioning people are not doing their jobs. Yes the kids are responsible as well but this is not the only case of out of shape players on the LadyVols. The team had three overweight post players two years ago and none of them ever got into shape.

UConn's center has dramatically changed her body over the course of her four years and all of their players can run circles around most other teams. Tennessee has improved their athleticism but still has to catch up to teams like UConn.

Written on Texas A&M takes one away from Lady Vols in final minute, 66-62:

I would like to add that Taber Spani has had a great year. She needed to lose weight and become more aggressive and did both. Thanks to you for your dedication young lady.

Written on Texas A&M takes one away from Lady Vols in final minute, 66-62:

in response to halloffamebowler:

You are right about Massengale. However she was designated our starting point guard by Pat before Massengale even signed her letter of intent. That designation ran a very good starting point guard off.Massengale can not handle the ball very well. Neither can anyone else most of the time.Tennessee will win no more than two games in the NCAA. Next year should be our year.

This is so true...Massingale being designated the starting point by Pat while still in High School was not a good decision. Massingale is too overconfident and sloppy with her passes AND is a terrible defender. It's like playing four on five. Honestly I don't see what Holly sees in her as Kamiko should have been the starter all season. Turnovers,turnovers,turnovers...

Written on Bobby Majors, Paul Naumoff, Jackie Walker on College Football Hall of Fame ballot:

I watched evry one of these Vols entire careers and they were all great all-americans and very deserving of the honor.

The idiot that said Bobby doesn't belong knows nothing about football. Every time Bobby touched the ball he was likely to take it to the endzone. He scared opposing teams to death. A great,great player.

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

31 turnovers...31. 19 turnovers in the first half...19.

That is pathetic. Just awful but it is also typical.

I have talked about the LadyVols terrible ball handling all season and against their biggest rival this SEC season they turn it over 31 times.

There is no way this team can compete against elite teams as they are just too sloppy. Watch a UConn game and see how well they pass the ball. There is no excuse for a coach allowing a team with all these all-americans to be this poor at passing the ball. This is a BASIC skill that does not require all-american players to be able to pass the ball to one another.UT will NEVER gain elite status again until the coach fixes this glaring weakness.

Written on Chamique Holdsclaw indicted on six charges:

What a nutjob.

Written on Former UT strength coach Troy Wills arrested for breaking into arena office:

No wonder Pearl's players never got stronger.

Written on Source: Graham was offered $40,000 raise to $300,000:

If UT offered to match the 40k that Fla St offered then it's not about money. All of it will be eaten up in new taxes Fla.

Written on Mental makeover in second half allows Lady Vols to save face against Arkansas, 60-54:

in response to mogreer_tn#213464:

This is not a focused team at times and today was a good example. They are too casual with their passing and other key areas of the game.

I was happy for the win but it didn't quite feel like a win. They will have to get better for the remaining two games if they want to win out.

Go LV

This is the worst ballhandling LadyVol team I have ever seen. They will get killed in the NCAA tourney. Massingale was bad as usual.

Written on John Adams: Plenty of sizzle, but just warm-up act for SEC title:

I hope I'm wrong but I don't think the LadyVols have it in them to win in Lexington. Audia Mathis will burn them.

Written on Butch Jones gave raspy address to Big Orange TipOff Club:

Love the jersey idea...peer pressure is the best.

Written on No. 8 Kentucky women beat No. 10 Texas A&M 70-66:

I don't know how many of you watched the UConn vs Baylor game on TV last night but if you did you saw a great,great game. You also saw teams that know how to pass the ball and not take bad shots.

Both teams worked the ball into the post and when the defense tried to stop the shot the post laid it off to a cutting player for a layup. Beautiful execution and this type of cuts to the basket also set you up for offensive rebounds and put backs. Holly needs to use this tape for coaching her players. Instead of Massingale trying to feed the ball inside from 20 feet by throwing the ball at our posts feet and causing turnovers we desperately need better passing. The crispness of UConn's passing is very impressive.

Written on John Adams: Lady Vols do enough on offensive to alleviate defensive lapses :

There is no way this team could beat Baylor,Stanford,UConn or Notre Dame. They don't defend well and they are too sloppy with the ball.

I love the LadyVols but it's been since Marciniak that we played like a machine...Like UConn plays every year.I don't know where the coaching is lacking but it's definately lacking.

Written on John Adams: Lady Vols do enough on offensive to alleviate defensive lapses :

Lister is so much better than Massingale in scoring and especially ballhandling. She would make our team great.

Written on Lady Vols think offense against Vanderbilt, 83-64:

in response to WCBB_FAN:

A win is a win. I watched a team play today like they were less engerized for some reason. What puzzled me more than anything was the coaches decision with Massengale and Jones. Kamiko should have been playing the point instead of Ariel. She is a better ball handler. AM had at least 6 or 7 turnovers. Jones should have been in the starting lineup in the 2nd half. She was the main reason the team was ahead in the first place. The next 4 games will be a true test for them.
1. Auburn is no pushover. Barely beat them @ Auburn
2. Arkansas is playing really well right now. Keep in mind @ Arkansas.
3. Texas A&M might be a little too much for these girls not having a true post player at the point and time.
4. Kentucky's defense and depth. They won't be able to hang with Wildcats.

We got by Vandy but won't beat really good teams with all those turnovers by Massingale. She is way too carsless with the ball and Holly plays her anyway. Williams is much better.

Jones should have definately started the second half after the great performance in the first.

Our post defense is suspect...Holly commented on it but she needs to get the sloppy point play under control. I lost count of Massingale's turnovers at six.

Written on Ariel Massengale's willingness to get down and dirty paying dividends :

Marciniak and Jolly were the last great point guards UT had. Really miss their skills. Massingale has talent but seems to get too casual with her passing at times resulting in turnovers.

Written on Vols blow out Kentucky, 88-58:

I got so sick of Kellogs constant blabbering about Noel and not one mention the entire time about us missing Maymon. BS...

DeMontre Edwards showed some real skill in the second half. Great moves with the ball.

McRae needs to be less selfish...give the ball up sometimes when driving the lane instead of turning it over.

Written on Katherine Webb, girlfriend of Alabama's A.J. McCarron, thanks Brent Musberger for fame:

She is stunningly beautiful and seems like a really nice young lady. McCarron better realize how fortunate he is.

Written on Alabama student details alleged beating at hands of football players:

If Saban does not do the right thing and kick this trash off the team I will lose all respect for him. The school should kick them out as well.

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

The key to beating Ky is containing the white kid,can't recall his name,but he's a great shooter.

Written on UT self-reports 10 violations in athletics since August:

Gosh I feel so bad that the KNS did not get the timely response they wanted from the UT athletic department. How sad.

I wonder why UT didn't just jump right on that request from KNS.

Written on In Butch Jones' 'VOLympics,' UT players will earn, lose points for actions away from field:

in response to keepitreal4vols:

How about an automatic DQ for anyone yelling "Woooo" during Rocky Top.

Woo is sublime,woo is cool,woo is the man,woo is woo.

Written on With Audry Hardy, James Craig and coach Chuck Rohe, the Vols were track forerunners in integration :

My Dad and I use to go to the Dogwood relays at Tom Black track every year. UT had a great track program that was nationally recognized then. Too bad it's fallen into such mediocrity.

I remember watching John Carlos,the world record holder,run there...he was amazing.

Written on Kamiko Williams makes most of first start in 2 years for Lady Vols, 88-45 :

Massingale,although not without talent,is nowhere near as talented as Kamiko. Has Massingale ever had six steals or fourteen rebounds in ANY game. Additionally,Massingale turns the ball over too much. If Holly is serious about winning let Kamiko play.

Written on Isabelle Harrison to undergo knee surgery:

Sorry about Izzy but giving Nia more playing time will only help the team next year and next year is the team we should expect great things from.

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

McRae IS being asked to do too much on the offensive end but he needs to make better decisions. At the end he made a turnover that could have killed us. He needs to be more solid with the ball in critical situations. We were lucky.

Written on Skylar Diggins scores 33 to lead Notre Dame past Lady Vols :

Kazoo and several others are right...it's the coaching.If a team cannot execute with all this talent it can be nothing else. Wake up people. Geno or Muffet would have this team undefeated.

Written on Skylar Diggins scores 33 to lead Notre Dame past Lady Vols :

The LadyVols are so far from being an elite team it's amazing. For years now they haven't been able to compete with Baylor,UConn,Stanford or Notre Dame and it's totally about their execution. They throw the ball away carelessly,don't box out,can't stop scorers,miss layup after layup and watch the ball on defense when they should be watching their assigned player. The biggest problem is not being able to execute an offense. Why is UConn,Notre Dame and Stanford able to pass the ball with so much precision and we are not?

Lack of execution is killing us and has for years. You can only lay the blame at the feet of the coaching.

Written on Fast start, fight to the finish for Lady Vols, 83-75:

Massingale has great ability but her ballhandling is terrible at times. If I was an opposing coach I would pressure her all the time because she will turn it over.

Harrison got schooled by Tiffany Clarke. She just could not stop her at all. If we can't slow her down how can we expect to handle Baylor or UConn.

Written on Freshmen Derek Reese, Armani Moore 'growing on the fly' :

Reese and Moore have been pleasant surprises and definately deserve more playing time. McBee has regressed...he doesn't rebound,can't hit his shots and can't play defense at this level.Kenny Hall has not improved in four years.

Written on Vols loosen up, pick up first SEC victory :

in response to golfman1975:

It is obvious to me he needs Maymon. That is the difference...in my opinion.

It's not Maymon that causes his misses from point blank range. He missed 4 or 5 shots right under the basket last night and every game for that matter. Stokes needs drilling on shooting contested,and even uncontested layups.

Written on Vols loosen up, pick up first SEC victory :

Stokes needs some serious skill work. He can't use the backboard and his touch around the basket is lacking. The trainers need to put weights on his feet to help increase his slow footwork. I still like the kid and he shows promise...he just needs to work and develop a mean streak.

Moore is really coming on and Reese continues to show a great shooting touch. Moore,Richardson,McRae,Stokes,Maymon and the new 5 star recruit next year should give us a great team.

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