Tennessee Volunteers vs. Marquette Golden Eagles: open game thread
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 7:00 PM EST
in Tennessee Volunteer Basketball
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PrintMarquette Golden Eagles at Tennessee Volunteers, Dec 16, 2008 9:30 PM EST
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December 16 , 2008 |
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6-2 No. 8 (AP) No. 8 (USA Today) |
8-1 24 (AP) 24 (USA Today) |
| Tennessee | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. | PPG | RPG | APG |
|
| C | 33 Brian Williams | 6-10 | 267 | So. | 7.1 | 8.1 | 1.1 |
| F | 1 Tyler Smith | 6-7 | 215 | Jr. | 17.4 | 5.9 | 4.6 |
| G | 32 Scotty Hopson | 6-7 | 185 | Fr. | 9.5 | 1.6 | 0.9 |
| G | 25 Josh Tabb | 6-4 | 196 | Jr. | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| G | 3 Bobby Maze | 6-2 | 185 | Jr. | 9.3 | 3.1 | 4.9 |
| Marquette | Ht. |
Wt. |
Yr. |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
|
| F | 12 Dwight Burke | 6-8 | 250 | Sr. | 2.2 | 3.8 | 0.1 |
| F | 32 Lazar Hayward | 6-6 | 225 | Jr. | 16.1 | 10.6 | 1.1 |
| G | 23 Wesley Matthews | 6-5 | 215 | Sr. | 19.6 | 6.2 | 2.8 |
| G | 22 Jerel McNeal | 6-3 | 200 | Sr. | 18.2 | 4.9 | 3.7 |
| G | 1 Dominic James | 5-11 | 185 | Sr. | 11.3 | 3.7 | 5.3 |
Jackson the Mule says . . . |
 |
. . . Sheesh. Who made this schedule? |
Leave your pre-, in-, and post-game thoughts below.
Go Vols! Hulk smash . . . something!
239 comments
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Comments
This one's going to be a late start
woo
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 9:35 PM EST reply actions
But huh
Not as late as I thought it would be, especially with an early game played just prior.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 9:40 PM EST up reply actions
Glad to see others are staying up late
I’d like to get upset about Jimmy Dykes’ comment that we don’t play as hard as we did the last two years…but he might be right.
Yeah
I like Dykes. And I think he’s echoing what Pearl’s saying.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 9:40 PM EST up reply actions
Gonna need
to hit some of those threes.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 9:41 PM EST reply actions
Not a whole lot of orange
in the stands. Figured there would be more.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 9:42 PM EST reply actions
Yeah
Yikes. Another one.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
Screens
Our post defenders have to hedge out on the wing screens. They are giving the smaller defenders no help on guarding screens.
How long has it been
since we’ve seen the wide open offense? Running down on the break, hitting a quick basket against a broken down defense, setting up the inbound pressure, doing it all over again?
It seems like we’ve been in a sludgy half court offense for the past several games.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 9:47 PM EST reply actions
That last three
was set up by an illegal screen, the offensive player for M-quette took out 2 vols players.
That said we’ve been bad off the switch and moving over screens all year long.
I'm troubled that we've looked worse
against Temple and in six minutes here than we did in Orlando against better competition, even after that 10 day break. We have a huge size advantage that we’re negating by jacking threes.
Heard Pearl
on the radio the other day talking about how he’s got more size and athleticism this year, but that he’s lost a lot of quickness. I think quickness may make Pearl’s offenses go.
Anticipation may go hand in hand with quickness, though, too, and that should come with more experience.
Hoping.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
Fire Pearl!!!!!1
There, I beat everybody to it. :-D
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 9:53 PM EST up reply actions
I think Pearl was blowing smoke
Jajuan was quick. All of our newcomers that play are quicker than Lofton and Howell. I think overall we probably gained quickness.
Yes and no
JaJuan was quick, and Lofton was always in the right place, so his experience made him quicker than the guys we have now, who are faster, but not as quick, maybe. It reminds me of Trooper Taylor saying about our fast receivers that “The thing about being fast is that you can get in the wrong place in a hurry.”
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions
Perhaps he was referring to anticipation and coordination.
If the players are having to think about their actions much, it’ll slow them down.
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions
The Marquette coach tends to step out on the floor when Tennessee is on offense.
Seeing as that’s the same end of the court, you think the refs would kindly suggest he give the players some room.
BTW, I now understand.
Attending this convention in Alabama, I understand why everybody’s so nuts about the Tide (or, if they’re in rebellion, the Tigers).
It’s boring around here.
Try not to leave too much nuclear waste there
I pretty sure they are close to dangerous saturation levels there already. (I think I recall you were a nuclear engineer)
Yes to the parentheses. But it’s not the nuclear waste that’s at saturation levels. ;-)
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 9:57 PM EST up reply actions
hooper's not into waste
He’s into wasting.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 9:58 PM EST up reply actions
Huntsville.
But funny that you’d peg a different city for boring.
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 9:58 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah
Actually, though, we were in B’ham for the NCAA Tournament last year. Remember, we made Jackson trot alongside the car?
Anyway, my wife and kids loved the zoo. Said it was the best one they’ve been to.
Stay away from the Jade Palace, though.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 9:59 PM EST up reply actions
Jade Palace
I’m afraid to google that one…
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 9:59 PM EST up reply actions
Rule to live by
If the parking lot outside a Chinese restaurant is empty during eatin’ hours, don’t go in.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:00 PM EST up reply actions
As far as I now
this is not from Jade Palace, but it could be:
http://failblog.org/2008/11/22/chicken-fail/
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
Space Travel
Yet one more way out of Alabama. How kind of the federal gov’t.
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 10:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Me, too
It seems like we’re beginning to rotate better on defense now. And getting up and down the court quicker.
Perhaps the whole bench thing is coming into play now.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
Wow
That was a deep three by Woolridge. And he hit it, too, so wow again.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:07 PM EST reply actions
And a steal!
I’m beginning to recognize these guys.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:08 PM EST up reply actions
He speaks four language, you know
Just thought I’d mention that before the announcers do. And Williams has lost three hundred pounds this week.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
I miss
hearing about George Clooney being from Maysville
by Will Shelton on Dec 16, 2008 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
True
I wonder when the announcers will start talking about Marissa Miller and Negedu.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
I love forcing fouls on fast breaks.
It can be a cheap and easy way to create foul trouble, especially for opposing point guards.
Also
The best way out of a 1 on 3 situation we found ourselves in there
by Will Shelton on Dec 16, 2008 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
heh
Good point. Funny how the guy asserting himself can actually have the advantage over multiple defenders.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
I am glad Marq, shooting percentage, is not as good as Gonzaga and Temple
Tackled by "Puki" and a host of Volunteers
Hey, voljunkie
Welcome. I’m hoping our defense has something to do with that. Otherwise, we’re just at their mercy.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
Well, shoot
Hopson out for the game? Yowza. Not good.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:11 PM EST reply actions
Not to say he is not hurt
but if he was as vital to our team as Tyler I am pretty sure he would still be playing. He doesn’t seem to be in bad pain.
There it is!
Williams has lost weight! Who knew?
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:14 PM EST reply actions
Somebody remind me
to do a pre-game contest as to the time each of those things will be mentioned for the first time during the game.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
I hadn't seen him all year.
All kidding about the announcers aside, Williams does look trimmer. More solid.
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 10:15 PM EST up reply actions
True
Solid is a perfect description.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:16 PM EST up reply actions
Apparently we just need to go 1 on 3 all night
by Will Shelton on Dec 16, 2008 10:26 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Did your a coach yell keep going scotty/ somebody wants him to be aggressive
Tackled by "Puki" and a host of Volunteers
Heard that, too
Couldn’t tell who said it, though. I was thinking the same thing. He could have split those defenders but pulled it out for some reason.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:31 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe somebody in the crowd...
I’m worried about his confidence. He hasn’t had a good game against a good team yet, been upstaged by Tatum at times and got denied with a nine inch height advantage at the rim earlier tonight. He needs to bust loose one of these nights when it really counts.
by Will Shelton on Dec 16, 2008 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
oh sorry I thought you were talking about James….you mean they got somebody shorter? LOL
Tackled by "Puki" and a host of Volunteers
Yeah
Odd, that. But they’ve been outrebounding their opponents eight of the last nine games.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:51 PM EST up reply actions
Could the Best Buy dork not take the bluetooth headset off during the commercial?
Is that too much to ask?
I like that
Add it to the lexicon!
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:54 PM EST up reply actions
Jimmy said it was a good thing so
I guess it is. I would have been angry had someone accused me of that before tonight.
Nice passing
on that break. Woo.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 10:56 PM EST reply actions
Woolridge gotta be careful around Spike Webb
Tap a little guy on the shoulder and it’ll be pretty obvious.
The madder Hulk gets . . .
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:04 PM EST reply actions
I couldn't tell
At first I thought he was, but it looked like he said “No way” in there. Game’s gettin choppy now.
That looked like a good play by Chism
Didn’t it?
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:09 PM EST reply actions
Lane Kiffin's roommate
was Monte Kiffin for approximately 18 years.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:25 PM EST up reply actions
I didn't see it, either
Don’t know whether we missed it, whether they didn’t show it, or whether it’s part of some new rule I remember reading about where there are two different kinds of technicals.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
That's what I'm wondering.
I think one kind of T is 2 shots and the other is 1 shot, but they might have changed that this year.
Chism
is having a fantastic few minutes here. All those FTs, taking a charge. Aggressive under the basket.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:24 PM EST reply actions
Chism only plays with opposites
he is either playing great or playing like crap. If he could only make his bad play mediocre, he would be an all-sec player.
anybody have any idea what Marq shooting % is ? it has to be pretty dang Bad and were only up 6 kinda worries me….
Tackled by "Puki" and a host of Volunteers
44, 21
FG, and 3PFG, respectively. Roughly.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:28 PM EST up reply actions
This game feels so much like
Oklahoma State ’06 – same building, same month, same pace, same lead changes, same announcers…we need Dane Bradshaw.
Well, somebody said that Lofton's shoes would be big to fill.
And Chism said, “Hey, I got big feet!”
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 11:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Your prediction right now how far does UT go in the tourny…if you dont wanna say I understand….live in the moment.
Tackled by "Puki" and a host of Volunteers
E8, maybe F4
They’re more talented than last year’s team and should be playing more cohesively by that time. Additionally, they’re very deep and don’t have to worry about conserving energy.
It all rests on point guard development.
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
And the seeding
And the match ups.
The coolest thing, though, is that it’s December, and it just seems safe to assume we’ll be in it for the third year in a row.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:38 PM EST up reply actions
Oddly enough,
conference play will seem like a break compared to noncon.
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
Elite Eight
But so much depends on the draw…last year’s was a nightmare despite the two seed. We need favorable matchups to breakthrough the ceiling of the Sweet 16.
by Will Shelton on Dec 16, 2008 11:38 PM EST up reply actions
They're so green it's hard to tell
If they don’t improve, they might win one game in the tourney. If they come together they might go far as long as they don’t run into Dionte Christmas.
Man
Somebody wants me to go somewhere. Las Vegas. Hawaii. Puerto Rico.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:40 PM EST reply actions
Stop it. I'm watching you. Cheater.
;-)
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
So remind me again
How did that Oklahoma State game years ago end?
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:46 PM EST up reply actions
OK-State
Bad memories for me. That Barry Sander Bowl game? Guess who the opponent was…
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 11:47 PM EST up reply actions
Me too.
Very few come by with that much talent, let alone that much class.
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
Dane Bradshaw
Tip-in at the buzzer with an injured shoulder
by Will Shelton on Dec 16, 2008 11:47 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, yeah
I really miss him.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
The other thing I remember about that game
Is that it also ended around midnight and it was too dramatic for me to go right to sleep on. It’s a long day tomorrow at this point win or lose…but let’s try and win anyway.
by Will Shelton on Dec 16, 2008 11:49 PM EST up reply actions
Big shot by Josh I AM A PIMP Tabb
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:47 PM EST reply actions
Tabb: that reminds me.
I have a Dr. Pepper with me in the hotel room.
*pfffff!
[chug]
aaahhh…
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
Those are the types of UT fans
they always show on national television.
by Will Shelton on Dec 16, 2008 11:52 PM EST up reply actions
And Bobby Maze looked like a 3rd grader taking about 5 steps there to give them the ball.
No such thing as an easy win.
Great thread guys……I really did not know what was going to happen tonight….Glad to see the VOLs bounced back
Tackled by "Puki" and a host of Volunteers
Yeah, this one was a lot better than the last one.
I don’t know what you and hooper did, Joel, but let’s have more thread like this one.
don’t look at me. I was lucky to be able to get connected to the internet at this hotel, much less watch the game.
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 11:56 PM EST up reply actions
Truthfully
I’ve been in a fog, fighting off some wicked head cold sore throat combo. The Nyquil beckons. Maybe that’s the secret. If so, I choose someone else for next time.
;-)
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 16, 2008 11:58 PM EST up reply actions
This was an excellent thread.
But it is a lot harder to have one for basketball, not only because Tennessee is a football school; but because it is a lot harder to type during a bball game due to the lack of dead periods.
It'll be off and on.
With so many more games (and on a less regular schedule), the bball threads will probably be inconsistent. But once in a while they’ll be gems.
by David Hooper on Dec 17, 2008 12:00 AM EST up reply actions
True
More less-important plays, though. Especially in the first half. Plus, I’m having a horrid time switching gears. You’d be amazed at how different writing about basketball is than writing about football.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 17, 2008 12:00 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, like for instance
We’re good at basketball. ZING!
by Will Shelton on Dec 17, 2008 12:01 AM EST up reply actions
How about we switch the rules?
Give the bball guys a 40/25 clock and give the football guys 35 seconds to score!
by David Hooper on Dec 17, 2008 12:01 AM EST up reply actions
Funny!
Hooper, consider yourself scouted!
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 17, 2008 12:01 AM EST up reply actions
Assuming wins...
9-2 headed to Kansas/Gonzaga before SEC play begins, we’ll stay in the Top 25…Temple was disappointing, but all in all not bad for the first two months.
If Tennessee plays strong, that Temple game will get chalked up to youth.
They can make it nearly irrelevant by selection time.
by David Hooper on Dec 16, 2008 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
i was nervous about this team before and particularly after temple
and i still am not overly impressed, but nice smothering win at the end
Go Vols!
Take care fellas.
I agree, they have a long way to go,,,,but there is a long time to get there
was that a smokey and the bandit reference?
Tackled by "Puki" and a host of Volunteers
I feel the same.
I can see the potential, but I have yet to see the team fulfill what it is capable of.
Wow.
Missed that on the ticker. Wyoming gets a really good bball team every once in a while. It’s about a 4-5 year cycle.
by David Hooper on Dec 17, 2008 12:03 AM EST up reply actions
Jajuan
I know that we’ve replaced Jajuan with more highly touted guys, but none of them have his quickness and scrappyness on D. I feel like with Pearl’s style, you need a guy like that to force turnovers and keep things moving.
I don’t like this UT team in a halfcourt set. I don’t know much about the flex offense, except that we don’t appear to be running it particulary seamlessly.
I feel much better about them in full-fledged chaos too.
by David Hooper on Dec 17, 2008 12:03 AM EST up reply actions
Hey
That’s the first I’d heard that, and I think you’re right. Jimmy D. used to go on and on about that.
Why not, do you know?
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 17, 2008 12:05 AM EST up reply actions
I do not know the reason
but my guess would take a whole post to explain. However the over simplified version would be that we did not use it to score but rather to tire the defense and then give Lofton the ball for three. This year we don’t have a real shooter.
Guessing
I would think it is just your standard offense right now. I don’t see us consistently running the same plays like we have in the past. It appears (HUGE GUESS UPCOMING) to be more of a motion style offense*.
*Basic rule of Motion style offense – guard passes the ball then screens away. Post rotate to high post and low post to ball side. Obviously, this is not all you do; but this is the fundamental set that the rest of your plays are based off of.
I think we miss JaJuan
more than Lofton. He was by far our best defender, and we have nobody close to him on that side of the ball yet. Hopefully we can find someone.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 17, 2008 12:04 AM EST up reply actions
I remember last year's team being pretty scary in the half-court offense.
Scary bad, not scary good. Lots of standing around til 10 seconds on the shot clock then the ol’ “Chicken with its head cut off” kicked in.
I do agree the press is nowhere near as dangerous as the past few years. That may be from a lack of experience. There’s no doubt these guys are better athletes, but they haven’t gelled yet.
my buddy at work gives me a hard time
Makes fun of our halfcourt offense. I have to admit, it has never been stellar. I like the chaos stuff better.
'Night guys
I’m going to try to get the post game up before the Nyquil kicks in.
Go Vols!
by Joel Hollingsworth on Dec 17, 2008 12:04 AM EST reply actions
Yeah, 'night.
Several hours of presentations to sit through tomorrow. I’ll need my patience strength.
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