Comments by westknoxrepub

Written on Like Bruce Pearl, most coaches survive NCAA show-cause orders :

in response to miketn6:

You seem to have a running beef with Martin, and I can only speculate why.

For the record, Pearl's SEC winning % his last 3 years as coash was 60.4%. Pearl's SEC winning % as coash his last 2 years was 59.4%. Martin's SEC winning % is 61.8%.

Martin will be fine. Next year is the break out year. Get used to it.

I have a beef with a coach who has NEVER taken a team to the NCAA tournament replacing a coach with a 100% NCAA tournament rate at the school, only dismissed because of an NCAA witchhunt and being thrown under the bus by the AD. Pearl's players are the only reason that Martin has had any "success" and will have any next year, his recruits are all busts, every single last one of them. After he fails next year you can keep him around and wonder back into Buzz Peterson territory or you can fire him, do the right thing and hire the coach who took you further than anyone else.

Also, dont' whine about impedning sanctions being the reason we hired this scrub, Miami was in the same boat and look how they turned out.

Written on Like Bruce Pearl, most coaches survive NCAA show-cause orders :

in response to voloffaith:

Amazing so many willing/so desperate to take a roll of the dice with a coach with major baggage. No one seems to care what a joke the university would be for hiring a liar who did it more than once. Yes, we all,for the most part, have lied at one point or another in our lives. To those who haven't might hat is off to you. Many on here are implying win at all cost as their mantra. I liked Coach Pearl until he burnt his own bridge and didn't admit it til he got caught. BBQ, lying to nC2a, telling a parent to mislead the nC2a. Just too much baggage....best wishes wherever he lands except when he plays the Vols. Hope he has learned his lesson.

He lied about a hamburger. . .meanwhile Jim Calhoun got to retire and Calapari is still coaching. UT screwed up that situation then hired a guy with no proven record. Pearl is a guarenteed winner here, and if we let him go to another program and take them to championships, while we sit here with mediocre coaches who don't deserve the positions they hold then we just dont' care about men's basketball.

Written on Like Bruce Pearl, most coaches survive NCAA show-cause orders :

If we're smart after Cuonzo fails against next year, we hire Bruce back since he's proven he can win here. Otherwise we're stuck with another bargain basement coach who will continue the legacy of such great Tennessee Coaches as Buzz Peterson and Wade Houston.

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

in response to secondcreek:

Don't overlook Jerry Green who took the Vols to four straight NCAA tournaments yet was fired for not going deep enough in the tournament in 2001. A terrible decision by UT, firing him.

Green was 89-36 during his tenure at UT.

Green was fired for other reasons. . .and for the most part rode O'Neil's recruiting coattails. Martin can't even do that right, just a terrible hire on Mike Hamilton's part.

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

Also, we lost twice to Ole Miss, Georgia and Alabama. Yes, we played an Ok OOC schedule, but lost all the important games, namely Virginia and Georgetown. Our wins against Missouri and Florida were both HOME GAMES, so was the win vs. Kentucky. We didn't play Missouri or Florida on the road. There really is no way to justify an NCAA bid.

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

in response to budd#207344:

For all of you BB "experts"
1. We were extremely lucky with the hire of Bruce.
2. Tom Crean has taken five years to get Indiana back to the top of CBB. And Indiana IS a basketball school.
3. Conzo can't play for the players.
4. He has recruited well. He has made both Golden and McCray better players. He lost his best player and had to wait until January to find out.
5. CCM has a great recruit coming in and JS, TG, JM,& JM coming back. All older and more educated on CCM system.
6. Not the coach's fault the league sucked this year. Even Calipari missed this year

In no way shape or form has Martin recruited well. Stokes was Pearl's recruit bottom line. Everyone cried about how the cupboard was bare, yet EVERYONE who contributed this year were Pearl's recruits, while Martin's contributed NOTHING. Crean walked into a wasteland and built it up, Martin walked into a good situation and completly screwed it up.

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

Two years of failing to make the tournament. . .show cause up after next year.

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

Ainge is saying he wanted the title of recruiting coordinator and that's why he left. . .it fits.

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

Well if we're consistant in how we fire Basketball coaches around here, Martin would be gone yesterday.

Written on David Climer: Vols' Butch Jones faces challenge with SEC recruiting:

With academic standards in place where Vandy is getting guys in we can't. . .it may be a while before we're relevant again.

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

There's no reason Pearl shouldn't be hired back after next year. If he's not, clearly nobody over at UT really cares about Basketball.

Written on 21 new Vols in Tennessee's 2013 signing classs:

I'm torn. There were some great pick ups. . .Dobbs, North, Weisman, Saunders all seem to be good pick ups. . .I think the kids from CAK are iffy at best, but given the size of the class, not a big issue. He didn't do what Martin did with Basketball and just start taking bodies for the sake of filling scholarships, but I'm a little worried about the lack of linemen in the class.

Written on Time slipping for Quinton Chievius, D'Montre Edwards :

Geez, who would have thought players recruited that nobody else of any note wanted aren't any good. . .but Martin's our guy, and his recruiting shouldn't be questioned.

Written on Cuonzo Martin: Turnovers a sore spot for Vols:

One more season after this one then we can get right back where we were. . .winning.

Written on Cuonzo Martin looks ahead to rematch with Ole Miss :

Maybe Missouri will take Martin off our hands when they have to get rid of Haith. . .we can only hope.

Written on Kentucky pulls away from Vols, 75-65 :

in response to silvertr6#393170:

This team not showing anything that is worth talking about. Forget about this year?

As long as Martin feels that he only needs to recruit mediocre players to Tennessee, he will not succeed. We won't make the tournament this year, and probably not next, and that should be enough to terminate his contract and bring back the coach who got us to the tournament 100% of the time he was here, Bruce Pearl.

Written on Kentucky pulls away from Vols, 75-65 :

in response to dcap8424:

Bruce came from Wisconsin-Milwaukee and took us to #1 ranking, sweet sixteens and our first elite eight so... I wouldn't say mid-level coaches are always bad. Everyone has to start somewhere.

It'd be nice if we could get one who had a little more on his resume than one good season at Missouri State but still didn't make the NCAA tournament.

Written on Jarnell Stokes, rest of Vols looking for balance :

Once again Martin will be relying on Pearl's players to do something, while the sheep keep trying to tell us he's going to succeed here recruiting below average basketball players.

Written on Vols 'can't be passive' against Kentucky :

Well, Saturday we lost to a team who racked up home losses to Mercer and Tulane. . .do we really stand a chance against even a mediocre Kentucky team? Our fanbase will celebrate and NIT berth though, as evidence by last season, so we have a ways to go before this becomes a disappointing season.

Written on UT freshman Armani Moore working to increase role :

in response to sly_stone99#434111:

Expectations of him coming in and contributing have been disappointing. However I don't recall him being highly touted like Hubbs. He should improve as long as he is allowed to play the off guard/wing position. He will have a lot of work cut out to be a point guard in the college.

Martin has a recruiting philosophy that shuns talented highly touted players in favor of players in high demand amongst low major division I basketball programs.

Written on UT freshman Armani Moore working to increase role :

Gotta love these Martin recruits. . .our house is made of mediocrity.

Written on Mark Wiedmer: Vols' missing MVP very evident in loss:

We're also missing a coach who can recruit and well. . .coach.

Written on Vols lose to Ole Miss, 92-74 in SEC opener:

Hopefully after we don't make the tournament this year or next year, we'll do the right thing, fire Coach Martin and bring back Bruce. Then again I'm sure we'll have some sheep telling us what a great season we had, just like they did last year when we didn't make the NCAA tournament.

Written on Geoff Calkins: Killing Tennessee series wrong move for Memphis:

Pastner is worried about recruiting, and a Tennessee loss is bad for him. However the WORST case scanario is that after next year Pastner gets fired, they bring in Pearl and renew the series with the coach we should still have instead of the soon to be former Tennessee coach we currently employ.

Written on Mike Strange: Virginia, Georgetown, it's one long struggle for Vols :

Now now, don't go questioning Coach Martin or you'll get labeled a racist. Remember, losses to Austin Peay and 2nd round NIT exits are GOOD seasons. . .or at least that's what we've been told. Bring Bruce Back.

Written on ESPN report says Charlie Strong is top candidate for Tennessee head football coach:

Does this mean we'll get worst hire in the SEC? He's got the 6th best class in the Big East. . .so he can't recruit. . .his record is medicore and he loses big to medicore teams. . .why not just keep Dooley?

Written on Tennessee's search: Is it down to Mike Gundy and Charlie Strong?:

in response to Geofffourmyle:

And Jim Tressel

Tressel is the top guy available based on actual record.

Walt

UT '81

Yeah but tressel has Show Cause issues.

Written on Tennessee's search: Is it down to Mike Gundy and Charlie Strong?:

I hear Charlie Strong's a good coach. . .two 7-6 Seasons in the Big East and no outright titles. . .I hear Charlie Strong's a good recruiter. . .currently he has the 6th ranked class in the Big East. . .please tell me why we should hire Charlie Strong?

Written on Agent says Gruden never had interest in Vols' job, calls reports "fantasy":

in response to BigOrangeRock:

I know where we can get a proven SEC coach, with close ties to Tennessee, has a 152-52 record in the SEC, and a national championship, and goes to the SEC Championship game every 3 years...

FULMER

Yes. . .but is one SEC Title every 12 years what we're after here?

Written on Agent says Gruden never had interest in Vols' job, calls reports "fantasy":

in response to Supersayin1:

We need Charlie Strong! I'm listening to a radio show (Eric Ainge Show)and they are saying we need Thugs on the team,and Dooley was too busy trying to stay away from players with character issues, but thats why you have coaches on the staff that would keep them in check, and mold them into model citizens.

Thank God someone told the truth! We are too busy at UT trying to get good character kids, but we are overlooking that kid down in little haiti down in Miami. Jason Swain said we need some Pitbulls on the team!! So true So true!!
He's saying Charlie Strong is the guy for the Job because he can go in and get these kids, and put them in their place despite their backgrounds and upbringing. Dooley was trying to win in the SEC Jungle with BYU type kids!

I'm glad that I wasn't the one who had to say it, but Jason Swain just did on the radio!! I agree with him. So funny, he literally said we need to go to the hood and get some of these kids! LOL!!

Those are the kids we need on Defense and other areas that require Speed,and ruthless agression!

We just fired below average. . .are you saying we need mediocrity? Charlie Strong has proven NOTHING, two 7-6 Seasons at Louisville, underachieving this year in a weakened Big East. . .come next year Louisville, with or without Strong, will be exposed.

Written on Coaching Carousel: After wild day of Jon Gruden rumors, Tennessee's pursuit uncertain :

Golden. . .Losing record.

Strong. . .Two 7-6 years at Louisville, can't win the Big east, underachieves.

Petrino. . .character issues, and will he be able to recruit after the scandal.

Gruden. . .probably the coach with the best immediate impact.

Patterson. . .going to Arkansas

Fischer. . .if he leaves he'll probably go to Auburn.

Why has nobody mentioned Randy Shannon?

Written on Sporting News: Duke, North Carolina to SEC a real possibility:

in response to CrankE:

Missouri in the SEC is a mystery unless you look at the academics. Which would explain UNC and Duke if they join as well.

In economic terms, bubbles inflate until they burst. Dot.Com bubble, tech bubble, housing bubble, Higher education, and now...sports. I believe that the higher education bubble and the sports bubble are close to going kaboom and shifting the market back to a much lower level.

For the ACC to give a haircut on the exit fee is a relaxing of the spine that the other, stronger conference members will recognize and act upon. And why did Maryland even decide to go? Because a) Maryland is in an enormous debt hole and b) The Big Ten (actual size 12) flashed a bunch of money and promised to make it rain all up in there. That unlealthy debt level makes an institution individually vulnerable and a conference corporately unstable. (Glad UTAD decided to get their own house in order-even if it makes the tenured, pompous, professors go, "tsk".)

Back to the SEC though, why are there no Florida institutions being considered? Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee have two member institutions per state. So did Georgia and Louisiana when GT and Tulane were in. Why not Florida-the most populous state in the conference? Why should UF have absolutely no in-state competition in the conference? Slive ought to be peppered with this question until he turns red.

Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, and now probably Texas A&M have a pact to veto in state additions to the conference. Florida doesn't want Florida State or Miamia in, South Carolina doesn't want Clemson in, Kentucky doesn't want Louisville in, Georgia doesn't want Georgia Tech in and I would guess Texas A&M opposes Texas getting in, those five schools voting against something would defeat a proposal.

Written on UT coaching roundup: Kentucky's hiring of Mark Stoops could be relevant :

in response to SIMSVOL:

I understand all the PR issues, but two years down the road whoever hires Petrino is going to be in great shape as a team. I can predict all the posters here saying we should have hired Petrino back in 2012 when we had the chance. He would have UT back on top in two years max. But there's the baggage....

"Dooley will not be fired. He's our coach - get used to it or move along."

Those were your words. . .so, I'll not take your advice.

Written on Vols' offense goes on vacation against Oklahoma State, 62-45 :

This loss was brought to you by two star recruits. . .for when the NIT is good enough.

Written on Tennessee, Mizzou's next opponent, bottoms out:

Missouri went to the Swamp and only lost to Florida 14-7. . .please tell me what hope we have of beating them after what Troy did to our defense?

Written on Memphis lands Austin Nichols' commitment:

in response to MurfVol77:

IMHO he was too soft for CCM's style anyway...nothing gained nothing lost is what i say

Yeah we need more of those tough two star recruits that landed us a 2nd round NIT exit. . .sour grapes much?

Written on Mark Wiedmer: Dooley making Hart's decision much easier:

in response to SummittsCourt:

There is no decision to be made.

1. Dooley needs more time - anyone with football knowledge knows that when he took over this was not going to be an overnight success. The mess he inherited is going to take 4-5 years just to get back to competitive football.

2. There is no money - UT can't afford to buy out the coaches and then hire another coach - they just can't.

3. Can't start over again - especially if you want to keep recruits. Dooley is the 3rd coach in 3 years and another one would be 4 in 6 years. Talk about stupid.

4. Gruden, Peyton, Al Wilson and any other dumb suggestions brought up on these boards are not coming in to the rescue. So stop making this idiotic suggestions - Dave Hart isn't reading them anyway.

5. The Vols are improving - they played the top 5 teams in the SEC and in the country and were with a few plays away from beating 3 of them. I hate the losing too, but I am not so delusional to think that this team is not getting better.

6. The defense - the 3-4 scheme is new, brand new and it takes time to get the plays down. Look at it this way. The Steelers have been using the 3-4 for 30 years and they still get confused from time to time. It's a complicated defensive scheme. But once they figure it out it will work.

1. So Ole Miss was a better situation than Tennessee? They didn't start 0-5 this year in SEC play. They won a game in October. Why is Ole Miss a better situation than Tennessee? Were they set back by firing thier coach?

2. As the Peterson to Pearl transition taught us, put an exciting product out there and the money will come.

3. Yes we can. If you bring in the right person things will fix itself. Which is why you only fire Dooley if you bring in a name that will excite the fanbase enough to buy tickets.

4. Nobody's seriously suggesting Wilson or Peyton, and you at least talk to Gruden, even if he doesn't come. It shows you care enough about the program to try and fix it.

5. The Vols are only the second team to start 0-5 three consecutive years in the SEC. That's not improvment. Mississippi State isn't a top 5 SEC team. We almost beat Georgia in a fluke, and only almost beat South Carolina because thier best player went down with a freak injury. That's luck, not improvement. We struggled to beat Akron, and will probably struggle to beat Troy.

6. Regardless of the defense the record would likely be the same. Tyler Bray's mental breakdowns and the kicking game are just as big of a problem.

Bottom line, fans would be more accepting if there were results. There haven't been, we've won 4 SEC games in three years. Our recruiting is getting worse. Coaches left en masse to get away from Dooley. The players don't like him, his assistants don't like him and if you've seen next years schedule it doesn't get better. It's time for him to go, but only if you get a hire that will ignite the fan base, and that doesn't have to be Gruden. Just someone who can give hope to the fans.

Written on Mark Wiedmer: Dooley making Hart's decision much easier:

in response to Munsterlander:

Saying CDD will or won't do whatever was not the point of my post. Just find it hard to believe you're making such a big deal over "11th in recruiting in the SEC right now." So what? BFD. What matters is signing day (to the extent any of this really matters at all). Bunch of people had their panties in a wad last year because at some point Vandy was ahead of us. They finished 12 spots behind us on Rivals (would have been a bigger difference were it not for BJ Peters' and Santos' last minute defections) If you must complain, there's plenty to complain about with our defense. Complaining about 11th in the SEC "right now" is just a stupid, piling on, red herring argument. Right behind it is "why would players want to come here blah blah blah." (Maybe if you wail and moan and cry it will sound more compelling? Just a thought.) CDD's worst class was 17. (I know, I know - anything other than 1 is just not acceptable. He's a total loser.) CP came. I would wager because he could see an offense that was pathetic two years ago was clearly on the rise. Some people see a glass half full and being filled, some seeing half empty and being drained. Some will see a powerful offense coming back next year and a defense that needs one or two playmakers stopping a handful of big plays a game and all of a sudden the Vols are in contention. See what you want to see, just stop trying to make a bullsh!t argument.

Patterson is gone after this year, Hunter may or may not be. Rogers graduates, and either Bray goes, or stays, and will continue to be an inconsistant quarterback who doesn't bother to the off the field work needed to win in the SEC. The talent level will be even at best and the schedule gets harder. Right now the recruiting results aren't there, the on the field results aren't there, and there isn't one shred of evidence we're going to be getting better. However, if you can't find a coach that's going to create excitment amongst the fan base, you keep Dooley to save the money and pray everything he's shown you about him is wrong and he finally decides he knows how to coach. Anyone who thinks Dooley is going to get better via faith is fooling themselves.

Written on Mark Wiedmer: Dooley making Hart's decision much easier:

in response to asmith:

westknox where have you been? i noticed that you haven't knocked cuonzo on recruiting lately. actually you have fallen off the face of govols.com

Wait until they're signed. . .this year isn't going to be as wine and roses as people think.

Written on Mark Wiedmer: Dooley making Hart's decision much easier:

in response to Munsterlander:

Hard to say who is the bigger idiot - Weidmer or StoneJackBaller. The defense is obviously horrific. But aside from the 4th quarter of Florida game and Bama, other teams are not just "kicking us around like cans." Richt, Spurrier, Mullins - I guarantee you those guys feel fortunate to have come away with a win, and they were fortunate. With even a respectable defense (primarily secondary), we are 7-1 or 6-2 at worst. ZERO improvement? How stupid do you have to be? Offensive line (now widely recognized as one of the best in the country)? Rushing game? Total offense? Special teams coverage? But then maybe it's WestKnoxRepub - 11th in the SEC in recruiting this year. Like recruiting rankings in October mean anything? Bama kills everyone in recruiting and is the outlier - there's been nothing wrong with CDD's recruiting. Maybe it's the vast majority of posters on this board, Volnation, TOS, etc. - geez, do people ever grow up? Nothing better to do in life than agonize over a f'ng game and what happens with a bunch of 20 year olds? Or maybe it's me because I actually spend time reading this horsesh!t. Keep Dooley, fire Dooley, please oh please dear God let it be Gruden, or X or Y. Just can't stand it if "we" don't get this fixed. My sanity, my enjoyment, my LIFE depends on it. Must personalize it. Must demonize CDD - he hasn't won, so he must suck, must be a jerk, must become persona non grata for all eternity. What a bunch of dimwitted, pathetic, whiny vajayjays.

What exactly do you see that makes you think Dooley's going to fix things? Three consecutive years starting 0-5 in the SEC. Hasn't won an SEC game in October or November. Has only won 1 total game in October in three years. Again, 11th in recruiting in the SEC right now, 11th. Why would players want to come here to play for a coach who can't win. Hugh Freeze has more signature wins in the SEC than Dooley does, so does James Franklin, so does Kevin Sumlin. Did Texas A&M firing Mike Sherman set them back? Did Ole Miss firing Houston Nutt set them back? If you can produce any evidence Dooley is going to lead us to the top of the SEC, please tell me what it is because I don't see it.

Written on Mark Wiedmer: Dooley making Hart's decision much easier:

in response to SIMSVOL:

Team is vastly improved and recruiting is as well under Dooley. The VOLS fans on here are no fans at all. Dooley will not be fired. He's our coach - get used to it or move along.

In the history of the SEC only one other team has gone 0-5 three consecutive years. . .Vandy. Dooley has never won an SEC game in the months of September or October. . .the ONLY reason he shouldn't be fired is if we can't find a decent replacement. We have not improved, we're still losing. He's 11th in SEC recruiting this year, again, how is that an improvement?

Written on Mark Wiedmer: Dooley making Hart's decision much easier:

Dooley should only be fired if we get a coach that's going to generate excitement. If we keep Dooley we're losing money, if we keep Dooley and hire an also ran as a coach we're losing more money. As the Bruce Pearl hire proved, you can make up money with an exciting hire.

Written on Buying out Derek Dooley and staff could cost as much as $9.3 million over four years :

Nobody can give a good reason to keep Dooley, except the stability argument. That argument is based on the belief that we're making progress under Dooley and we're simply not. . .there is not one shred of evidence to think that next year will be better than this year. They also blame the talent different but refuse to put that on Dooley's shoulders, as if there's some law against talented players coming to Tennessee. Keeping Dooley on as the coach is not going to change anything for the better.

Written on Mark Wiedmer: Is Tennessee’s fan base unrealistic about Vols?:

in response to Vo2Vol:

We should be careful what we ask for as fans. We can all be armchair quarterbacks and question calls. Fans that do not like this coach will say every bad play is a result of coaching. There is no doubt that the coach's would have done a few things different. No coaching staff gets every call correct. From this quarterback's chair, we need to execute better what is called. Against Alabama we had a few opportunities to score with short fields and did not execute, or turned it over. Alabama is too good to leave the opportunities on the field.

Personally, I am sick of all this talk of coaching change. We need program consistency. I am as frustrated with losing as anyone that will chime in on this blog. But I also have not forgotten that Derek Dooley inherited an impossible situation. We are better today than we were this time last year and yes that is little consolation. There is still something to play for this season and I believe our players understand that. The problem is that many of our fans have become front runners and short sited. The fact that 40% of the crowd Saturday wore Crimson was pathetic. I had no expectation of winning this game but they certainly deserve to have a home field crowd. If I was one of the recruits sitting in the north endzone I would have been more impressed with the way Alabama travels and takes over the crowd.

Again, I do not like to lose and I do not like allowing my opponent to party in my stadium. However, this team is better and they deserve better from Big Orange Fans that this BS that continues to be served up on here. The point that our losses come to teams with a combined loss record of 1 game has credibility. Let's keep playing.

Making a change when something isn't working is a better move than keeping a coach who has given you no evidence that things are going to get better just for consistancies sake.

Written on Will the Vols finish with a winning record?:

in response to vollerdash:

I think they will get two more, Troy and ??? .

Try Kentucky and ???

Written on Tennessee's 2013 football schedule released:

All the Dooley supporters act like there's mountains of evidence he's going to get it done. Majors had won a national title, people were willing to give him a chance. In the end it's going to cost us more money with the stadium half empty than it is hiring a new coach. He's got six years left in his countract, are we really going to sit back for six years and give Dooley that much time to bury this program just so we can supposedly save money? Get real people, spend the money, hire a coach who at least has a track record, and make it look like you care.

Written on Tennessee's 2013 football schedule released:

in response to oldster:

2-10 if they change coaches again. Can people not rememeber what happens when UT hires new coaches? Gee, folks, look at the history since Neyland. Few changes went smoothly and one of those ended up as being one of the worst things to happen to UT football, ever (Bill Battle). No, at least give Dooley and the assistant coaches the run of their contracts, but do not extend them unless things improve. If they do not, then let them go.

Really? You think we're going to hire someone worse than Dooley? Is there someone worse than Dooley? Why are you folks so afraid to pull the trigger on something that isn't working. Five years in if we keep Dooley you'll be throwing out the same "keep him around unless things don't improve" line.

Written on Tennessee's 2013 football schedule released:

4-6 or 5-7 depending on how good Vandy gets. . .if Dooley's back next year. Although Western Kentucky beat an SEC Team this year and has a better overall record than we do. . .so who knows.

Written on Vols unranked in USA Today preseason men's basketball poll:

in response to underthehill:

I have doubts that this will be Stokes last year due to his age and the fact that he has caring parents who not only wanted him to play for a coach with character but one who has played pro and can best prepare Stokes to be ready for the NBA...and you are wrong about the pitiful NIT appearance..UT lost to an under rated MTSU who was far better than several teams in the NCAA..the Stokes show this year has a pretty strong supporting cast that gets even better the next year..this rating is just an incentitive that Martin will make work for him..he's gotta be lovin this..

If you think Stokes is staying, you're crazy. MTSU wasn't underrated, they were bad. They didn't win the SunBelt, that should say enough.

Written on Vols unranked in USA Today preseason men's basketball poll:

Until he wins something important he's not going to be ranked. 10-6 in the SEC. . .with an early conference tournament exit and a pitiful NIT performance isn't going to impress voters. Let's hope the committs stay committed, this year is going to be the Stokes show, then he's gone.

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