Tennessee fans low key complimentary of Coach Pope
- Thread starter twwilliams9
- Start date
Barnes made some mistakes with that game. But when your team decides to launch 45 threes, they are just being stupid, especially considering that they weren’t hitting them. Reminded me of Cal just letting Wall and company bomb away when it was so obvious we couldn’t hit that night, with Cousins sitting in the lane with no one to stop him. Really really stupid not to put a stop to it.
Yeah Barnes completely mishandled the game.
Even at the end, they are only down 3 or 4 with about a minute to go, and they launch 75 3FGs back to back to back. Barnes should have called a timeout and drawn something up to get Milicic or Mashack or even Zeigler a look at the rim or get fouled.
Yeah
I’m super happy with the win and excited about it, but Tennessee couldn’t throw it in the ocean.
So thankful that Barnes didn’t go at Amari and foul him out.
I’m super happy with the win and excited about it, but Tennessee couldn’t throw it in the ocean.
So thankful that Barnes didn’t go at Amari and foul him out.
There was a point late in the game with 6 or 7 minutes left that Barnes looked defeated, like he just wanted to go home.
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This.^^^^^^^
I told my buddy the same thing when I saw that on TV. Barnes looked really old (he is) and really tired. Like he really didn't want to be there. It is time for him to go also. He will be 71 this year and I know how hard it is to stay motivated after you pass that 70 mark. Even money can't motivate you like it once did.
Barnes is old school like Cal and this new era is just not sitting well with him. And I get it. But it is not going back to the "good old days" of amateur athletics, if there ever was such a thing.
.... going forward ?
OK, I understand that perspective. But ..... let me enlighten this Vol fan on a little history ....
Kentucky is 162 - 78 in the series with Tennessee. Haven't we won 5 of the past 6 in hardknoxville? 6 of the last 9 overall? That's just in the RECENT past.
So, apparently, in the past, in the present, and in the future, we're a PROBLEM FOR THEM ANYTIME THEY'D LIKE TO SLICE THAT PIECE OF PIE ! When your rival is beating you better than 2/3rds of the times you face them, yeah, it's a "problem" !!! lol !!
bring it on !
Go Big Blue !
OK, I understand that perspective. But ..... let me enlighten this Vol fan on a little history ....
Kentucky is 162 - 78 in the series with Tennessee. Haven't we won 5 of the past 6 in hardknoxville? 6 of the last 9 overall? That's just in the RECENT past.
So, apparently, in the past, in the present, and in the future, we're a PROBLEM FOR THEM ANYTIME THEY'D LIKE TO SLICE THAT PIECE OF PIE ! When your rival is beating you better than 2/3rds of the times you face them, yeah, it's a "problem" !!! lol !!
bring it on !
Go Big Blue !
It’s amazing to me some of our own fans don’t understand that we were playing to force them into 3s. Why would we do that in 2025 where the 3 is king? Because Tennessee sucks at them. Something like 3/4 of their attempts were uncontested. It was the game plan. And it worked. We didn’t just get lucky they weren’t hitting.
I'm certain that if we try the Amari-brings-the-ball-up thing again on Tennessee or anyone they'll put a forward on him and pressure him the whole way up the floor. What's he going to do, back them down from 80 feet out?
Tennessee will slide back down to the bottom 1/3rd of the conference once Barnes is gone.
Ole miss will be the new Tennessee.
Ole miss will be the new Tennessee.
I suspect that will be the plan Saturday against the Brick Laying Razorbacks as well.
The coaching in this game has always bothered me for the exact things you pointed out. As I look back now, I should have realized sooner that Cal was a great recruiter, but average at everything else. I think Cal was more concerned with showcasing Wall for the NBA than the outcome of the game. I kept yelling at the TV, get the ball to Cousins instead of throwing up bricks.
I’ve been high key on Pope, told my wife and her UK family I thought it was a great hire.
As far as when Barnes retires, I think he’s put us in a spot where it’s an attractive job.
As far as when Barnes retires, I think he’s put us in a spot where it’s an attractive job.
If we do that in that game, we would have walked to the final and won the damn game.
Agree. I think it’s always been a good job, sometimes just didn’t hire the right coach.
Agreed. They always had average to good coaches. Barnes is the best hire they have had since Ray Mears. I know Pearl was successful and even Jerry Green but Barnes has been good for a longer period of time. NIL will help UT a lot...
I hope you’re correct, because if you’re not it means we suck at guarding the three.
It was, and was a good plan. But they’re shooting about 33% on the season and only shot 24% Tuesday.
Seems people don’t get the game plan. 45 3’s isn’t normal. Why wouldn’t you keep giving them that till they prove they can hit it. If they are happy to shoot 25% from the 3 and let rain, let em. It wasn’t a coincidence they left them open that much.
Based on what? They are second behind UK in SEC championships and have won more games against UK than anyone.
Huh? Tennessee historically has more wins over Kentucky than any other SEC rival. UT has ranked in the top ten nationally in college basketball attendance for over a decade. Looking at the last 5 years (2000-2024) the teams with the most SEC wins are, in order: Tennessee, Auburn, Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama. UT will be a good coaching job after Barnes leaves.
Barnes, the past coach’s and the big Money the job pays makes it a once in a lifetime job for most coaches. I’m blue to the bone but Tennessee is a big program with a great future. I honestly love the SEC being like it is now. It’s tough but that’s what gets you ready for March. Good luck to you guys until you see us again. Ha.
Yeah that made no sense. I could see them not wanting to put in the effort or get tired of dealing with NIL and the portal, but they are still really good coaches.
I didn’t look in depth, but I remember Lanier wasn’t getting many open looks, so the defense knew to cover him.
Of the guys who shot so many 3s, were most of the shots taken by the poorer shooters?
If so, that would suggest it was more game plan. If not, it’s often better to be lucky than good…as far as this game, I will take the “W” either way. 😎
Forcing them to take 3s is one thing. But I'm not sure having as many uncontested ones is a recipe for success on most nights. I mean UT entered that game hitting 34% of their threes. About average in D1. Had they just hit their avg, they win that game.
Obviously we won the game so it's whatever, but next time we see them, we might want to not let them get open look after open look from 3.
My son is 13 and uses the term “low key” constantly. Most of the time it doesn’t even make sense how he’s using it. Is that something the youts are saying a lot now? Also says “cap” and “no cap” a lot. Whatever that means.
