Posted by Pocket_Passer on December 4, 2007 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

at least we made some free throws. we really need to make those in these close games.

Posted by amyslins on December 4, 2007 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

all i have to say about this is that i am glad that it is finals time and the boys do not play for another week and a half...something needs to change quickly or everyone and i mean everyone is getting up for us...one of the two at least

Posted by GreerVol22 on December 4, 2007 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

34 turnovers huh Chatt? 32 more than Ainge had but the result is still the same...snap!

Posted by chrisw2967 on December 4, 2007 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was at the game tonite and the vols didnt play well at all , like the prev. post we got out rebounded in the first half.
We still need someone to step up and be a leader , they look lost and I got 1 question and I am not bashing Pearl or anyone but I am just wondering if we have so much talent that Pearl dont know what to do with it or how to coach it ? he hasnt had this much talent his first 2 years here and I doubt that he has had this much talent any place else he has coached.
Surely he isnt a coach that does more with less talent versus cant coach this much talent.
I am just asking an opinion cause they have not really looked good at all this year and I keep thinking they are going to come together this game and or next game and so far it hasnt happened.
Bit Lofton or somebody is going to have to step up and take over the leadership role.Go Vols.

Posted by eduardo on December 4, 2007 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Something is just not right with these guys. I thought with the addition of Tyler Smith it would be a foregone conclusion UT would be playing for a Final Four berth. I don't know if they are just not tough enough or if everyone is trying to figure out their roles. Next game on the 15th in Nashvegas, JP Prince will be making his debut with the Vols. Whose minutes will he get? Things need to straighten out in a hurry or there is going to ba lot of disappointed Vol Fans! Come on guys get mentally tough!

Posted by Kwitcherbellyachin on December 4, 2007 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Watched the game on ESPNU, and I have to say that the refs had no clue what an offensive foul was. The one on Lofton where he went to the cup and dished it to the trailer for a layup was awful. The NCAA really needs to adopt the semi-circle underneath the basket.

Posted by kceatherly on December 4, 2007 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I understand our primary strength is supposed to be our guard play, but we better learn the benefits of at least letting someone in the paint touch the ball on the offensive end. Jacking up three after three after three makes it awfully easy on the defense.

Posted by nickperkinsalc on December 4, 2007 at 11:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am always a optimistic, glas half full kind of guy, but I am also realistic. The Vols do need to get it figured out in a hurry! A win is a win, but ugly wins eventually turn into losses. Coach Pearl is gettin great play from Jordan Howell, he has to be one of the most improved players in the SEC. JaJuan Smith, thought, inconsistent, is a tough leader, who is not afraid to take the big shot.

Posted by nickperkinsalc on December 4, 2007 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I meant to say JaJuan Smith, though inconsistent, is a tough leader, who is not afraid to take the big shot. We need an edit button on here.

Posted by tnmantravel on December 4, 2007 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ugly win, however it goes in the W column....GO VOLS

Posted by vegasvol on December 4, 2007 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Got to get the ball in the paint. If you live and die by the trey, you're going to do a lot of dying. Surely we have someone that can play with their back to the basket.

Posted by PowerT on December 4, 2007 at 11:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did anybody else see the only male on the UTC dance team. He was sitting with the band and had a Lightning bolt on his shirt. That guy was more entertaining than the game and way more than the halftime guys on stilts. I still cant stop laughing!

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on December 5, 2007 at 12:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"playing tenn at home--thats personal and our kids took it personal"????????????--thats a stupid sounding comment--whats that supposed to mean???--he'd rather play us at our home???--just a sound bite that makes no sense to me

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on December 5, 2007 at 1 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's chemistry, guys. We still haven't found that magic mix, that mojo, where the five on the court have their voltage wired properly.

Posted by tnmantravel on December 5, 2007 at 6:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mbumburu if you looking for chemistry ... the prince kid is about to be thrown in to the mix......his elgibility is now, however if this young man plays like his cousin tashawn prince of detroit pistons, well then....

Posted by tnmantravel on December 5, 2007 at 6:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

also about tyler smith...good devensive rebounder, good at steals, good offensive rebounder, good around the basket..... just no shooting ability...a few people were saying nba ability....no way...as of now, i don't see anyone playing in the nba from this team, including lofton, no matter though, these vols can still have a trememdious season....remember players, go to class and graduate...none of you are going nba...

Posted by volster on December 5, 2007 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Look out Coach Pearl, now it's your turn. The haters will be coming after you next.

Posted by slsmithsr on December 5, 2007 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

4 games against Lil Bro Chatt and each game has been decided by 6 pts or less. What did you expect?
It is personal. It carries the appearance that Pearl has been the only coach with the gonads to play them at The Roundhouse. Devoe was forced to do so, and all the others ran like Bin Laden. Makes me wonder if Big Bro will have the b*lls to go back or will it be another 25 yrs!

Posted by Plasticman on December 5, 2007 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We had nothing to gain by playing in Chatt. last night, but Pearl is all about Marketing. He has us playing a game in each of the other 3 major cities in TN this season (Memphis, Chatt., Nashville). WIth that said, this team is not where close to being an SEC Championship or FInal Four team, except on paper. We are standing 4 guys outside the 3 pt. line on offense with one left inside. You can't live by the 3 the way we shoot. Hopefully we will learn to go inside - out to get better shots on the perimeter and utilize our post players on offense. Otherwise, this will be an underacieving team by the end of the year.

Posted by mbrown2097 on December 5, 2007 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Been to most of the home games this year. I noticed that pre-game, all of the players are praciticing 3 point shots during the shoot-arounds. (Even Duke Cruze) Literally all of them! Seems to me that this team is content to live or die by the 3.

Posted by LazhilUT on December 5, 2007 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We won playing bad...let's give it time...but who the heck the Mocs fans think they are to cuss at our program? It would be the same thing as them cussing at us at a football game. We can beat them in any sport. Geez!

Posted by lnbadger320 on December 5, 2007 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

you guys are all a bunch of IDIOTS, we're 8-1. we're still improving, eduardo, you're clueless, we just got into december and you think we've lost the tourney. we'll get tough, BP understands that. if you guys listened to his post game show, he said basically we're the same size as we were last year except that Smith replaced Bradshaw. we forced 34 turnover last night. i was at the game and it was a rowdy crowd. it was good experience for them to get ready for more road games. have a little faith, we're gonna be fine.

Posted by tigervol9802 on December 5, 2007 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For those of us who raised a red flag very early that this team may not be as good as advertised, we'll gladly take people on our side.

Rebounding is atrocious, half court defense is still less than desireable, and there doesn't seem to be any cohesiveness on offense.

I hope Prince is the missing piece to the puzzle because right now this team looks like nothing more than a bad NBA team and I don't think they have improved that much to date. If I am Billy G or Billy D, I'd be licking my chops at what could be done to them if it could be made a half court game.

Posted by volster on December 5, 2007 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol, you do realize that a bad NBA team would walk through the NCAA untouched, don't you?

Posted by tigervol9802 on December 5, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, let me rephrase my comments -

A college version of a bad NBA team.

That better?

Posted by fundamentals83 on December 5, 2007 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

vegasvol hit the nail on the head. We don't have anyone playing well in the paint. I expected more from Chism and Cruze this year. Looks like they would rather shoot the 3.

Posted by King30 on December 5, 2007 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Basketball is, and has always been, an inside-out game. Too often the offense is running through our bigs (as it should be), but OUR BIGS ARE BEYOND THE THREE POINT ARC. Whatever happened to foul-line extended?
Whoever dissed Tyler earlier couldn't be more wrong. He's an unselfish team player who fills up the stat sheet every night. I'm already tired of hearing people compare him to Dane. The kid's only a soph. Wait'll his senior year and then compare them.
RTYAB!!!

Posted by marc_ash on December 5, 2007 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My goodness folks...this board is starting to sound like some of the posts on football. First off, the article makes it sound like the place was rocking the rafters off. Being in the arena, that wasn't the case. The entire Gen Ad section was Vol fans and even when UTC took the lead early in the second half, the arena was far from explosive. That being said, it was a good venue for Tennessee basketball.

For those of you that are looking only at the box score, Tennessee did not play "bad" basketball! The Vols had over 30 turnovers and lead by 17 steals. The turnovers accounted for over 30% of the Vols points. Those are great numbers.

Tennessee shot 36% from the field (relatively low), but did shoot 30% from 3pt range which is solid given the support of the points of TO's. A strong indicator of UT's solid performance was the TO/assist ratio which had the Vols ahead at 19-17. Tennessee also had 5 players in double figures.

Tennessee did not "win ugly" and cut the comments about this team being "not right". Tennessee played a very good UTC team that came to play. Their guard play was solid, and they played good basketball. The final score of a game does not indicate the performance of the team per se. The Vols had a good win on the road, and it was never out of hand...the numbers do reflect that.

Posted by marc_ash on December 5, 2007 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not believing what I'm reading. This team may not be as good as advertiesed pre season? What the?

I agree, the play in the paint is key for the half court offense, BUT THIS TEAM DOESN'T RUN A HALF COURT OFFENSE. Why? Because that isn't Pearls style nor does he have the personel to run it. The Vols shoot so many 3's because they are a gambling style of offense based on steals, traps and quick shots. Tennessee never puts men in the box to rebound because they release early on the break. Ever notice how many folks crash the boards? Not many.

Don't have a big man at this point, but Jurick will be a big piece to the puzzle in 08. Right now, Bruce is utilizing who he has...and thats a small running line up. Get used to it folks.

Posted by fundamentals83 on December 5, 2007 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash "BUT THIS TEAM DOESN'T RUN A HALF COURT OFFENSE."

So what happens when this team doesn't get a transition look? Theoretically, they would run their half court offense.

Posted by tnbanker_govols on December 5, 2007 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe this basketball team is very talented.....maybe too talented. Right now, they're just trying to find that niche to get them firing on all cylinders. Basketball is a sport in which it is vitally important to play as a team. It's like the New York Yankees....plenty of high talented athletes but they struggle to play as a team. Pearl has some freshmen this year that are still trying to find their place on this team. Let's not be doom and gloom just yet.....give 'em some time. Remember, they've only lost one game this year, and that's to an undefeated Top 5 Texas team. Not a bad start for a basketball program that wasn't even on the map a few years ago.
GO VOLS!!

Posted by THE_VOL on December 5, 2007 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow...the season is officially one-third complete and we're still "finding ourselves?" with really only 1 new guy (Tyler) playing? Seems like a team with basically everyone returning, that went on a 2 week European vacation together, and spent the entire off-season playing together would have FOUND THEMSELVES months ago. The REAL problem is this is the most selfish team I've seen in a long time. With the exception of Lofton, T. Smith and Howell, everybody else is only interested in "getting their's" and trying to impress the NBA. They have shown NO commitment to true team play or defense and obviously believe they can show up when they want to. This team is undisciplined - on and off the court - and generally as an attitude of being better than they are. Call it chemistry, selfishness, leadership or whatever you want but there are significant issues with these guys - again, on AND off the court - and until BP decides getting the message across is worth a loss or two, it ain't gonna change. Based on the performance to date, this team is not likely to achieve even last year's W-L record let alone go deep in the tourney.

Posted by Tellicovol on December 5, 2007 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Last year coach bp said he was not a good x and o coach, he better find somebody who is or this team is going to get killed on the road. It seems like every player on this team wants to play guard. Any good 3 point team goes inside first and if there is nothing there they kick it back out and get an open look at the basket. Guys this is not the summer league so let's get it together and learn how to play a half court game.

Posted by tigervol9802 on December 5, 2007 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash,

I hope I am wrong. But here goes. And I apologize in advance because I get long-winded.

This team's talent level is nothing short of Final Four material. No one can argue that. But right now watch this team play and watch the teams they will be competing against to get there. UNC, UCLA, Memphis, Texas, etc. Have you watched any of those teams? We have already witnessed what Texas did to us, and I think any of the others would do the same.

I'm all for the full-court, up-tempo type of game....when it's done right. Actually, I love it. Rebounding and the like really doesn't matter as much when a full-tempo game is being ran because other areas make up for it. However, right now this team does not do it right.

Why? I think the crux of the problem is shoddy point guard play. Howell is a serviceable point, but he's not a good enough athlete to really run it in Pearl's style. And Ramar....he is more concerned on getting to the goal that getting the ball to the other players. Another big problem in this offense. Not having someone in the role of distributor makes up-tempo less effective, thus makes other areas on the court more important. Steals don't mean nearly as much if they are being converted into points and rebounds become all the more important.

Right now, this team misses Bradshaw more than can ever be stressed. Tyler Smith is a great athlete, but he does not have the point guard mentality Bradshaw did. I don't know if Prince will or not. Tabb seems to be that guy when he is on the court, but right now he's not getting the minutes.

Can it be changed? Absolutely! But, I have not seen any improvement thusfar, and THAT is what worries me. So far in 9 games this team has played what I would call 1 complete game. They've just been able to completely overwhelm teams with talent thus far except Texas. (WVU is NOT that good.) Unfortunately, there are more teams like Texas looming and THOSE are the teams we will have to beat in order to be considered successful.

Sorry to make this so long, and you folks can disagree and call me an idiot if you feel the need to do so. But that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Posted by jemcrynlds on December 5, 2007 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Seems to me like all the disgruntled football fans are now posting on our basketball boards, are know-nothings concerning roundball, and would prefer our team run an offensive style like Buzz had us doing.

I guess the Legion of the Miserable will always be with us.

Posted by fundamentals83 on December 5, 2007 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jemcrynlds - Do you think this team is playing up to its potential?

Posted by marc_ash on December 5, 2007 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

fundamentals83, Well yes of course...everyone plays in the half court at some point, you can't fast break 100% of the time. But a half court offense works at a slower pace and utilizes different components of the game (the big man, picks to and away from the ball, precise sets (high/low, post screens, etc.).

Tennessee has a very limited half court set and over utilizes guard play. It all happens off of guard play for Tennessee. In a close game, that hurts them because it makes it harder for the Vols to play a team that slows it down and pounds the rock (see Ohio State 06).

Posted by bleed_orange on December 5, 2007 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach said they are the same team as last year with Tyler in place of Dane. Some how to this point we were a better rebounding team last year. I realize I'm only a UT fan, but what would be wrong with bringing Jajuan off the bench and starting Tyler,Duke and Wayne on the front line with Chris and Jordan at the Guards (6-2,6-3,6-7,6-7, &6-9)? Maybe even J.P. at the PG. Would that make us a better rebounding team? Ofcourse, that would take away some of our Guard play & quickness. However, maybe we could establish some inside game and then sub a quicker line-up of Ramar,Josh,Ryan,Cameron and leave Tyler in. Or if coach might not be going to play Brian or Cameron then it would be: Jordan,Ramar,Chris,Josh,Tyler, J.P., Jajuan,Duke,Wayne, & Ryan (10 players). On the other hand, Coach said he wanted to play a 9 man rotation. Who does that leave out Ryan, Wayne, Duke, or Josh? I think he of course still plays Chris, Jajuan, & Jordan (3 seniors),Tyler and Ramar. Now we are done with any easy games. NC Ash is probally the easist one left. WKY is good, Xavier, & Gonzaga and then the SEC. Oh, I forgot Ohio State and Memphis too. I think you are getting ready to see how good TN is going to be. I still say look out SEC. GO VOLS!
JDS

Posted by fundamentals83 on December 5, 2007 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash sounds like we agree then. Tennessee has a limited half court set. I think they should work on that aspect of their game as it is a clear weakness.

Posted by marc_ash on December 5, 2007 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

THE_VOL, are you kidding me? Really? "The REAL problem is this is the most selfish team I've seen in a long time." You don't really belive this do you? What game are you watching?

A team progresses over the course of a season and makes improvements based on situations. The Vols are just starting to get into a part of their schedule where they play quality competition (WV, TX and even UTC).

Tennessee went 7 deep last season with many of they younger players playing support roles. This season, the Vols are 10-11 deep and have many that are playing vital roles in the game plan. Thats a difficult thing to do when you talk about gelling as a team.

As for the selfish part, what in the world are you talking about? Check out the box score from last night, 5 players scored in double figures with Crews falling just short and putting in 8. For the record, the most "selfish" person of the evening (since you think he was the most unselfish) was Lofton who had a team high 16 points. I'm blown away that you think this team is selfish. How can you say 8, 10, 10, 12, 13 and 16 points is selfish?

"This team is undisciplined - on and off the court - and generally as an attitude of being better than they are." On and off the court undisciplined? What are you referring to?

Wow, I don't think I've ever not agreed with an entire post from someone before, but I think I just have.

Posted by marc_ash on December 5, 2007 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802, you make some very good points and no...you are far from an idiot. I think you nail it right on the head with the pg play. A good pg will distribute the basketball before they shoot. When your starting and reserve pg have a combined 7 assists, there's a problem.

I read a comment from someone last week that free throws don't matter. They do. In past games, nobody seemed to be getting to the free throw line. And, when they did...they weren't hitting their shots. Last night the Vols shot a very reasonable 77% from the line but haven't gotten the job done earlier in the year.

Getting to the line as a guard is essential, and that is improving.....some. Ramar only got to the line 4 times and Jordan 2. Ramar went 6-8 and Howell went 3-4. The guards need to be getting to the line much more than they are.

Posted by marc_ash on December 5, 2007 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

fundamentals83, I'm not sure Tennessee will truely be able to remedy this issue this season. UT doesn't have a "true post" presence. This isn't anything new, and shouldn't surprise Vol fans. This is a small team that runs an up tempo/gambling style. Teams with big men CAN be beaten with the run, but a slow down tempo will result in a lot of losses for the Vols.

Jurick will make a big impact next year I feel. The style may change a little, but lets remember Pearl is just now getting all of his players in place to build a team.

Don't look for UT to play a traditionl version of the half court set. It won't work. They will continue to rely on the 3 ball and work the trap and press....period. This team cannot play in the half court with most of America...thats why they don't.

Posted by volfan1511 on December 5, 2007 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Were 8-1, chill out this team is still going to be special!

Posted by Agent_longball on December 5, 2007 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Where was big baby? He is our best rebounder and thought he could master the paint last night.

Posted by nickperkinsalc on December 5, 2007 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope a lot of Vols fans, myself included, are not getting used to the 07-08 version of Chris Lofton. If he can play consistently close to his level of play last season, we will feel much better about the ball club. It is easier for other guys to "learn their way" so to speak, if #5 is playing "all american" ball. What do you guys think?

Posted by THE_VOL on December 5, 2007 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash - Am I (or is anybody for that matter) REALLY supposed to care what you think? You can look at stats all you want but trust me when I say I know more about this team than you ever will and I stand by my post. As I said, either BP will get it corrected or this season will not be close to what everybody was expecting.

As for YOUR expertise - you were ranting earlier in the season about what an impact Williams would have in the post this year. Now that that hasn't happened (and won't) you've jumped on the Jurick bandwagon. Tell me - just WHO will he take minutes from in the post? NONE of them are leaving after this season??? Bottom line - YOU are a joke who continues to embarrass himself daily on here. I'd appreciate it if you never replied to a post of mine again.

Posted by tigervol9802 on December 5, 2007 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So far Ramar has disappointed me this year. I really expected him to continue as the type of player he had become at season's end last year. If he would just dish it some then I think it would open up his ability to score more. There's absolutely no reason he can't average a double-double (points-assists).

Posted by rbhobbs73 on December 5, 2007 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

guys, calm down.

I see a lot of the same things that you all see, BUT...Pearl will fix it and the rotation will shrink. Pearl is not going to recruit these young guys and waste a whole year of them not playing. He is giving these kids a taste of the action, as well as giving himself and the other coaches an idea of where these guys may fit best in the future. He is playing more guys, more minutes early...but by SEC time...the upperclassmen will be playing more minutes and you will see more cohesiveness.

I think he is smart. Remember, the key is to have your team peak in March...not December. Playing this many guys, this many minutes in the early season makes for some ugly basketball now, but also for some fresh legs come tourney time.

Posted by jdcvols on December 5, 2007 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

THE_VOL, this marc_ash thinks he owns this site. He comments even when a comment is not necessary.

Posted by jdcvols on December 5, 2007 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We are 8-1 and been outplayed one time. Trust Pearl as we KNOW he will make adjustments before and during games.

Posted by DSaVol on December 5, 2007 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well boys, it looks as though opinions are still like, well never mind. At any rate, I would have thought Vols fans would have learned from the '05 football debacle about expectations but apparently there are quite a few riding the short bus. I've said since the summer that this team's greatest opponent/challenge would be itself. That is proving true so far - well, okay, Texas was pretty serious, lol - but the reality is that we really won't know about this team until the last 10 days of the month. Western could give us a tussle next week but the Xavier and Gonzaga games are the next real measuring sticks. There won't be anymore, "we're young," "it's early," "trying to find the right combos," etc etc to fall back on. Win those two and we head into conference play (which opens against a very good Ole Miss squad btw) ready to roll. Lose one or both (heaven forbid) and the questions/doubts could derail what is proving to be a mentally fragile group. In the meantime, let's just all forget talk of the Final Four and let the games play out.

One poster did make an excellent point though - if you've actually WATCHED the Vols play and watched those teams that are also being mentioned as Final Four contenders, it's scary to think how we might fare against those other guys. But that's why we play the games, and I remember 2 years ago everybody thinking Memphis, OSU and others would kill us the last 2 years too. Time will tell.

Posted by volntx on December 5, 2007 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Need more shots in the paint from the post players and the guards driving. This would raise fg% and put more bodies in the lane to rebound.

Posted by marc_ash on December 5, 2007 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

THE_VOL, first off I could care less if you care what I think. But to make a comment about how "selfish" this team is shows your ignorance. I also like how you say you "know more about this team than I do" not having any clue what I know about this team.

As for Williams, I never said "what an impact Williams would have in the post". Before you quote me get your facts straight.

BTW, nobody is going to "take minutes from the post" becasue UT doesn't play a traditional post game. But, I'm sure since you know more than I do you already know that.

Thanks for your input jdcvols, glad you're paying that much attention. You earn a gold star for the day.

Posted by marc_ash on December 5, 2007 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol9802, I agree...Ramar has disappointed me too. The slashing pg he was poised to be just hasn't shown up this season yet. His trips to the line and ft % have something to say about that I'm sure.

I like how BP has mixed up the guard rotation at the 2. Should open up Howell and Ramar to dish off more instead of having JuJuan in there taking shots at the same time as Lofton.

Posted by Hunter on December 5, 2007 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Childress needs significantly more minutes to be a tough body down low and pound their bigs down. He is a Doug Roth clone (old-school Vol fans with me here?) who isn't afraid to pick up a foul or two. We need to make a priority of the space 2-12 feet from the basket to open up GOOD 3-point attempts.

In my humble (but accurate) opinion, Chris is settling for outside shots when he made a living last year off of the dribble-drive, slashing game to set up open outside shots for JaJuan. Get him to the lane and stripe more often and his outside game will follow.

Posted by THE_VOL on December 5, 2007 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ass: Here is your EXACT post on a previous article regarding Williams. PLEASE tell me which facts I don't have straight regarding your previous ranting about Mr. Williams impact.

Posted by marc_ash on November 5, 2007 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"I talked about Williams the moment he arrived in Knoxville. Many folks didn't even think he would get any quality minutes. Now, this wouldn't have happened if Chism wasn't injured the other night, but that doesn't matter as sports is about opportunity...and Williams has that tonight.

I thought Williams would play an important role coming in becasue he'll be called upon for some good minutes in the paint...something UT didn't have the luxury of last season. He won't be called on to score as much, just alter shots and get some boards. All championship teams at the college level have a big man that can contribute. This is a good thing for the Vols. Williams has worked hard, and he deserves to start."

You can start backtracking now as most punks do when PROVEN to be liars but the FACTS AND YOUR WORDS are on the board on this one.

As for your attempted rebuttal regarding Jurick's minutes and the Vols lack of a traditional post offense - are you saying he's going to play on the perimeter???? PLEASE tell me that's NOT what you're saying!!!! LMAO!!! And since he won't be on the perimeter that means his minutes will have to come from POST players (those are usually tall fellas that play close to the basket) - Chism, Crews, Childress, T. Smith, and Williams. Since you obviously don't understand direct questions I'll repeat it - Just which one of these five is this freshman Jurick going to take minutes from in order to make your predicted "big impact"??? (and that is ANOTHER direct quote from YOU)

As for the selfishness - that is also a fact. I'm surprised you don't know this since you claim to know everything BP is thinking. The FACT is that Ramar, Wayne and JuJuan in particular are flat out selfish, soft and more concerned with their own numbers than they are with the scoreboard. Don't believe it? - look at their shot selection and how they play WITHOUT the ball. One glaring example from just last night - I guess you think JuJuan got pulled with a minute or so left cause BP wanted to give him a break!?? It was because he launched TWO bad shots in a row when we should have been running clock. Now tell me THAT wasn't selfish and undisciplined from a senior guard who claims to be a team leader??? I refuse to get into the off-court examples as they will come to light in due time but you can bet they exist.

One last thing - PLEASE don't respond to this cause you are just digging deeper and forcing me to make a bigger liar of you each time. LMFAO!!!!

Posted by Ironcity on December 5, 2007 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Guys its just to early in the season for people to be so concerned with our play. BP will have it under control when the SEC starts. I think the guys got in some bad habits when they played all those lousy teams early on. Its easy to take bad shots when your up 30 all the time. Tiger Vol, do you actually beleive Ramar could average a double double in college? The last college player to do that I beleive was Oscar Robertson. Ramar is feeling his way. He is a natural slasher that fits better as a two guard. I think he has made great strides this year but has a ways to go. Remember people we still have a lot of Sophmores playing a lot of minutes. I do worry that our inside players seem kind of clumsy around the basket. I think as the season progresses, these guys will start making the short shots as they did last year. Go Vols!

Posted by redneckerson on December 5, 2007 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the worst deluded are the self-deluded; i.e. - the vol.

Posted by volfan1511 on December 5, 2007 at 10:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash i think you should just give it up on this message board bc the vol just told you like it is. I dont think everyone should be panicking bc this team will be fine. Jordan Howell is really coming along and plays better in a starting role.

Posted by VolFan32 on December 6, 2007 at 12:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This team has no discipline, and until they get that they will not go far.

Posted by VolFan32 on December 6, 2007 at 12:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This team has no discipline, and until they get that they will not go far.

Posted by Sauderman on December 6, 2007 at 12:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am concerned about the team right now. On the other hand the last two years Florida did not find themselves until right at the post-season. As long as we peak at the right time I think that is what is most important. The last two years I would say we peaked at the beginning or middle and then fizzled at the end. This team has alot of talent and the year is long. I do think they will come together at the end.

Posted by marc_ash on December 6, 2007 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The_vol, you make me laugh...just like a high school kid. I do commend you on trying to make me look foolish. That shows a lot of class and would have been embarrasing if it had worked. Again, I never said "what an impact Williams will have in the post". I talked about "people not thinking Williams would get quality minutes" (and at the time of my post, he was getting some good PT if you go back and look at the boxscores). I also said "I thought he would play an important role coming in" ...key word, THOUGHT. And I did think that. And, at the time he was getting some good minutes. Doesn't give you much credibility when you misquote someone.

"just which one of these five is this freshman Jurick going to take minutes from". Good question. I don't have the answer to that one yet because Jurick isn't even a Vol as of yet. No telling what he can do. The fact that BP and all of the coaches (along with all of you expert fans) keep screaming for better rebounding and a better half court set tells me Jurick should have the chance to contend for minutes. I don't know whose "minutes" he will take because we have not idea who will still be in Knoxville next season.

"I guess you think JuJuan got pulled with a minute or so left cause BP wanted to give him a break!?? It was because he launched TWO bad shots in a row when we should have been running clock." The_vol, I can only speculate why BP pulled JuJuan with a minute left. And unless you are part of the team then you don't know why BP pulled JuJuan. So, if you are a part of the team come clean and let us know who you are...no sense in hiding behind a sur name. If not, then you are speculating as well...or maybe you have a roomate who is best friends with one of the players cousins.

Let me conclude by saying that in life, people have disagreements. It's the nature and of how people engage in those disagreements that dictate character. You would have been much better off if you tried to have a discussion with me instead of ranting on with teenage emotion. Marc_ass, Wow! thats original...never heard that one before.

Posted by marc_ash on December 6, 2007 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

THE_vol,

Taken from todays basketball article fyi.

"Pearl said the Mocs were beating UT on the boards so badly Tuesday night that he considered playing 6-foot-10 freshman center Brian "Big Baby'' Williams."

But then again, I suppose there is no reason to play Williams right?

Posted by jdcvols on December 6, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash, where is your boring line of "can't have it both ways"? Who besides yourself put you in charge? Leave the coaching alone for our 8-1 team for gosh sakes! It is EARLY in the season and Pearl will figure out the best starting 5 and the role players. He does not need any of your advice. Speaking of advice, please re-read VolFan1511 post.

Posted by marc_ash on December 6, 2007 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jdcvols, I give my opinion just like the rest of the folks on this message board. If you don't like that, then you don't have to comment on what I post.

I have no idea what you are referring to when you ask me to leave our team alone. I am advocating positive things for the Vols. I believe it is early in the season and things will get better over time. I'm not sure what you think you are reading in my posts, but I am not claiming to be any expert nor am I bashing the team.

If anyone claims to be an "expert" it has been The_vol since he's claimed he will always know more about the team than I will. Right or wrong, I don't care...I just give my opinion like the rest of you folks here.

As for leave the coaching alone, but make sure you do the same the next time you question Fulmer.

Posted by bleed_orange on December 6, 2007 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Time will tell all on who will play and how long. Their rebounding will improve or there will be a lot of L's ahead. Let us try to be more positive and all go buy tickets to the WKY & UNC-Ash games. GO VOLS!
JDS

Posted by jdcvols on December 7, 2007 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Marc_ash, Pearl and Fulmer are too different kinds of coaches today. Pearl does not need advice or help today. Fulmer needs major help.