Postgame 2-4-7: Mercerful finish

I know it's the NIT...blah, blah, blah. But here is the deal. We didn't deserve to get into the NCAA. We started 11-10, played better late, but didn't win out or in SEC Tourney. SEC was weak, early out in SEC Tourney, etc. Used Maymon's absence as an excuse for most of the year. Bottom line, we didn't deserve to be in NCAA.

My thoughts are this. I love Cuonzo as a role model, mentor, etc. But this team lacked a sense of urgency and didn't step up in big games. You can't wait half the year to figure it out. Our offensive scheme is weak and relies on 1 on 1 effort. Our coaches are not tacticians or strategist. They preach effort, but don't take advantage of our strengths and minimize our weaknesses from a tactical perspective. For example, I don't remember a single time all year where we scored an easy basket on an inbounds play. Our tactical strategy leaves no room for error. Our only tactical strategy was to not let your man beat you. As a coach, you have to adapt to your talent level. Offensive strategy was high screen, beat your man and get to the rim or kick it out. Our style of ball is not fun to watch and leaves little room for error. My high school team had better zone offense principles. Mercer had half the talent we have, but they maximized their potential through their strategy and tactical play and were the better coached team.

Cuonzo said our last two games should not define our season. Well what the heck do you play all year for?.....tournament time! SEC tournament and whatever post season you qualify for. What you do at the end DOES define your season. That is who you are because that is when it matters most. We failed to step up.

Rucker...I know you say just NIT doesn't matter...blah, blah, blah. To some extent I agree. But you still compete and you still prepare and you still take pride in your team and your university. We didn't do that. We cried about not making the tournament when we didn't do our job to get in. Oh..."we put in the work." Well yeah...so did 150 other teams...but we didn't win enough big games. Well..."we scheduled tough"...well, you didn't win any of those tough games you scheduled either. Results are all that matters.

Yep, it was just the NIT. But that was the level you were supposed to play at based on your results. So represent your University appropriately and use it to get better. I'm really dissapointed in Cuonzo for the way he approached it. I didn't think he would be the type to start making excuses. "Sunday was taxing"....well so was watching this team for the first half of the season.

Dobervol explained it well, once the Vols learned that they wouldn't attend the big dance this year they fell apart like Lindsey Lohans career. Sad.

I watched the game lastnight and have read the posts this morning and I am confused so if anyone can set me straight it would be appreciated, I'm reading that the vols had the more talented players didn"t see it lastnight didn"t see it alot this season, no reliable outside shooting except by McRae for a few game stretch, and thanks to Stokes for being a warrior, I think coach Martin needs to rethink his team make up go get a better mix of offense and defence style players. P.S. the strenght of vols this year their defence got embarassed last nite.

^^^THIS^^^ finally! Bottom line guys, we were not screwed by the committee! I've stated several times I live here in Louisiana, one of the things I hate most about LSU fans is that there's always an excuse instead of just owning up! I've always been proud of our fan base because we're the ones to step up first and say we screwed up til now. As a fan it's easy to find some blame w the committee, or the conference scheduling etc. but bottom line is our boys didn't get it done early and consistently! That goes from the coaching staff to the team. Nobody wanted to see us in the NIT but its what we played ourselves into and I looked forward to being able to keep watching them play! I agree w Volinga and am dissapointed in our team as a whole. Heart not being in it isn't an excuse when you should be playing for your fans and school! I don't feel like they did. Jmo. I will expect more from this team and CCM next year because they've been here twice now w two lessons learned and more depth an experience next year. We will be better next year, it's just a shame this year had to end like this!

When I was talking about talent I should have been more precise its about skill, the skill of making 3s, I loved the way mercer played they pushed the ball into the paint then passed backout to the open shooters,maybe mercer didn't have the fastest or highest jumping talent , but I would take their skills over vols talent, not really sold on coach Martin skills either, out coached, out played, out desired, enough said.

Nice headline. The season has ended under the Mercer Rule.

Vol coaches & players: Things looked terrible at mid season, but there were some nice accomplishments during the February run. Thanks.

Well said! +1

Teams tend to play as a reflection of the coach"s personality, Vols are an example. No sense of urgency or high energy level for majority of many games. Mercer game was another display of going through an uninspired effort. The lack of intensity on defense the last 3 games and mid-season is troubling. We desperately need an inspired leader on the court. I don't like the"statement" Vols made on court most of this season. I am very concerned about where this program is...uninspired to accomplish greatness.