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Hulk and the Pantheon take on The Abomination: Vols-Gators game day open thread

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February 3 , 2007, 3:00 EST
TV: Lincoln Financial Sports
Radio:Vol Network
Internet Broadcast: Yahoo!
Phone Broadcast: TeamLine
Live Stats: CSTV GameTracker Live

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NR

#1

As I said yesterday, there's a "pretty big" game today for coach Pearl and the basketball Vols, also known around here as Hulk and the Pantheon. The Hulk's primary physical adversary is the Abomination, a "massive, green-skinned monster" that can hold its breath for abnormally long periods of time. This, of course, is a perfect description of our reptilian rivals to the south, the Florida Gators.

The Abomination

a.k.a. The Florida Gators

Like the Hulk, the Abomination "belongs to a small minority born with a genetic factor that cause[s] them to mutate . . . ." Exhibit A:
Genetic abnormalities? You be the judge.

The Abomination is twice as powerful as a calm Hulk, and two defeats in a row at the hands of the Hulk have driven the Abomination insane with hatred toward Banner and his boys. So is it a lost cause? No, because the Abomination's powers and abilities, while awe-inspiring, do not increase or decrease based on its emotional state. The Hulk's, on the other hand, do. Remember that "the madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets," and an enraged Hulk can and will overcome the Abomination. You know, like last year during the regular season.

Still, the Pantheon will likely be without Chris "the Discombobulator" Lofton today and will be at a serious disadvantage playing on the Abomination's home court. JaJuan Smith and Ramar Smith have stepped up their games recently in the absence of Lofton, but can the Blender and DuWayne Chews keep up with the Smiths? And will coach Hulk be more calm or more enraged?

If the Vols are fired up, focused, and prepared -- wait, never mind -- if the Vols are emotionally prepared for this game, they could come home with the victory. More than likely, though, this battle will belong to the Abomination.

I (and Corn from a Jar, I think) will be here at game time. Aerobab will likely straggle in mid-way through the second half. Everybody's welcome, so come on in and join the fun.

Leave your pre-, in-, and post-game thoughts below.

Go Vols! Hulk Smash!

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This game is not everything
Great stuff in the preview, Joel.

You're right, this game is "pretty big." I just hope the team and/or fans don't put too much stock in this game win or lose (I'm sorry if that sounds like I'm being defeatist even before tip-off). But the truth is that the upcoming stretch of home games will do more to determine if UT is in or out of the big dance than this game today.

by CornFromAJar on Feb 3, 2007 2:08 PM EST reply actions  

Is that a pink logo
For Lincoln Financial Sports?

Nice.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 3:04 PM EST reply actions  

Impressive!
Consider the game a success already.

Did I hear it right? Is Crews out, too?

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 3:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Yup
That's what I heard.

by Aerobab on Feb 3, 2007 3:18 PM EST up reply actions  

ugly
Rough start.  first 4 posessions = 3 missed shots, a turnover, and 2 missed FTs.  Oh yeah..against a red hot Gator team.  7-0 UF.

by Aerobab on Feb 3, 2007 3:13 PM EST reply actions  

Funny
I didn't see this until after I posted mine.

All you said is true, of course, but I think to be expected. Could be worse.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 3:18 PM EST up reply actions  

OK
Initial flurry over, and not bad with the Gators leading only 7-2.

JaJuan is looking for his shot. Only a matter of time before he finds it, I'm hoping.

Crews, with the flu, is going to be able to give some minutes, and Lofton is at least dressed.

It's not bad yet.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 3:17 PM EST reply actions  

Still snowing
I guess the initial flurry wasn't over.

The big difference looks to be the Gators' ability to finish. We look good all the way to the rim -- and then miss and give up the rebound.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 3:25 PM EST up reply actions  

Percentages
We're shooting 25% from the field.

They're 60%.

It's 20% to 50% on threes.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 3:26 PM EST reply actions  

struggles
The UT offense seems to be struggling with the Gator D.  They're good, I'll give them that.  Bad thing is that the Gator offense is just as good against our struggling D.  19-9 Gators.  Check that..21-9.  Yuck.

by Aerobab on Feb 3, 2007 3:27 PM EST reply actions  

Blizzard
So much for the flurries. It's really coming down now.

Not pretty.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 3:29 PM EST reply actions  

Yeah
Might be entering an ice age.

by CornFromAJar on Feb 3, 2007 3:37 PM EST up reply actions  

No answer
There's simply no answer to solving the Gators right now.  Specifically, Horford and Noah are just dominating.  Granted, UT is doing themselves no favors in not rebounding and not making buckets.

by Aerobab on Feb 3, 2007 3:37 PM EST reply actions  

Yeah, but
Yeah, but now we've whittled the lead down to 18.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 3:43 PM EST reply actions  

Anybody tired
of the "sharing-the-candy" comment?

Great line. The first time. Not bad to repeat. But ten times later . . . it's too much candy, and it's making me queasy.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 3:47 PM EST reply actions  

Aaaaandd
The Hulk shows up!

Techincal for coach.

The madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets.

Maybe.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 3:51 PM EST reply actions  

Probably for a later post...
What in the world is the "Flex" offense?  I'm by no means a bball expert, but I've never heard of such.  

by Aerobab on Feb 3, 2007 3:51 PM EST reply actions  

I don't think he knows, either
He just keeps saying, "They're trying to get into the flex offense now."

But he never says what it is. Just back to the candy comment.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 3:53 PM EST up reply actions  

Gotta love the wiki
Wikipedia on the flex offense:

The Flex offense is an offensive strategy in basketball developed in the 1970s. It is a patterned offense relying on cuts across the key (called a "flex cut") and down screens to create a "pick-the-picker" action. This offense if most effective against a man-to-man defense, though some ambitious coaches have used it against odd front zones. It is the favored offense of many high school programs because it requires players to be in constant motion and the patterns of screens and cuts are easy to remember. Though dismissed by many coaches at the college level for its predictability, some notable programs still rely on it. It is currently run by some NCAA teams, perhaps most famously by Gary Williams of the University of Maryland. Gordie James of Willamette University used the flex offense to lead the Bearcats to the 1993 NAIA Division II National Championship.

The flex is a type of motion offense, similar to (and in fact derived from) the earlier shuffle offense.

The basic theory behind the flex offense is that all players are interchangeable, that is nobody has a specific role. The point guard advances the ball up the court to start the offense, while other players set screens to create openings. Typically, the point guard sets the offense on the same side as a low-post player positioned at the right block. The point guard passes opposite to a high-post at the top of the key while a wing player cuts off a screen by the low post player towards the ball to receive a pass from the high post player. The point guard screens down to the low post player who moves to the top of the key to receive a pass from the high post player. The same cut occurs on the other side of the ball and the offense begins its continuous cycle.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 4:07 PM EST up reply actions  

Sweaty Bruce!
Gator fans are chanting "Sweaty Bruce!"

Good stuff.  Human soaker hose, that guy.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 3:54 PM EST reply actions  

At the half
        UT    UF
FT:    2-9  11-12
3pt:   2-9   5-8
FG:   10-24 17-30
Score: 26     30

Oh yeah, Dave Baker and Keith Ellis are really annoying commentators.

In the voice of "Chandler":
"Could it GET any uglier?!"

by Aerobab on Feb 3, 2007 4:07 PM EST up reply actions  

whoops
Cliff Ellis...not Keith.

He still sucks though.

by Aerobab on Feb 3, 2007 4:16 PM EST up reply actions  

Halftime Stats
Halftime Stats
  Tennessee Florida
Field Goals 10-24 (42%) 17-28 (61%)
3-Point FGs 2-8 (25%) 5-10 (50%)
Free Throws 2-9 (22%) 11-12 (92%)
Rebounds 6 (3 off, 3 def) 26 (9 off, 17 def)
Turnovers 7 7

That is horrible. They're absolutely killing us on rebounds and free throws.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 4:03 PM EST reply actions  

Oooh
Yours is prettier than mine!

by Aerobab on Feb 3, 2007 4:08 PM EST up reply actions  

Not me
It's the magic of Dreamweaver.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 4:11 PM EST up reply actions  

Yep.
And field goals. And 3's. But hey, we're even in turnovers. Which is nice.

by CornFromAJar on Feb 3, 2007 4:08 PM EST up reply actions  

Remember when...
Kentucky beat us 100-something to 40? I think it was '92 or '93.

I'm just hoping this doesn't get that bad.

Go Vols.

by CornFromAJar on Feb 3, 2007 4:06 PM EST reply actions  

Memory
I don't think I remember that. And if I did I would likely have repressed it.
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 4:08 PM EST up reply actions  

Being a glutton for punishment,
I looked it up, just be sure. It was 1993, unranked Tennessee had beaten #2 Kentucky in Knoxville a few weeks earlier, and got the 'Cats again in Lexington in the SEC tourney. UK took out their frustration on the Vols 101-40.

I'm pretty sure the UT win in Knoxville was the game that featured an intentionally-missed-free-throw-and-put-back winner by Alan Houston.

And further research finds it was:

The final play deserves special mention. UK appeared to almost intentionally foul Houston with about 5-6 seconds remaining, since they knew UT needed 3 points. Kentucky was ahead by 3 at this point of the game. Houston hit his first, but deliberately missed to second to allow for a UT recovery and tap-in to tie it. Everyone in the gym knew this was going to occur, but still the UK players did not block out properly, and after a couple of taps by both sides, UT's Corey Allen ended up getting the ball and making a nice shot, during which he was fouled ... He hit his free throw with 1.5 seconds remaining to give UT a 1 point lead.

Now that was a game. Unlike today.

by CornFromAJar on Feb 3, 2007 4:22 PM EST up reply actions  

What are you doing?!
You're doing research when we're only down by 23 points? You're going to miss something!
Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 4:27 PM EST reply actions  

Sparse posting
I think today is opposite day.  I'll show up on time, but bail out early.  Hopefully we can come back and make this a "game", but if nothing else, maybe we can get some of the others into the game for some experience.

by Aerobab on Feb 3, 2007 4:28 PM EST reply actions  

Later
Take care, Aerobab. Good to see ya.

And you just missed Cliff Ellis singing.

I'm switching to Vol Network.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 4:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Final stats
Halftime Stats
  Tennessee Florida
Field Goals 27-61 (44%) 30-54 (56 %)
3-Point FGs 7-19 (37%) 9-19 (47%)
Free Throws 17-24 (71%) 25-34 (74%)
Rebounds 26 (12 off, 14 def) 43 (15 off, 28 def)
Turnovers 10 15

Bottom line: We miss Lofton, we miss Major Wingate, and we have a young team.

This one goes to The Abomination. Rematch on 2/27/07.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 3, 2007 5:21 PM EST reply actions  

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