The CheckerBoard

No offense, but just because you bring in these elite players,you have to develop them. Stokes was "supposed" to be a future NBA player. He isn't close.

Tom Crean and IU fans would disagree. Crean walked into a mess and it took him a few years to rebuild that roster with his guys (granted they have done studs) and look where they are now. This team doesn't lack talent, just lacks the most important piece, a PG. Couple that with the loss of the team's leader in Maymon and the results speak for themselves. Don't get me wrong, the turnovers and missed free throws drive me crazy and have cost the Vols many a game, however the one thing your can't disagree with, there is marked improvement in several of the players and Martin has proven he can land the big recruit. If Martin can find him a PG, I think this team can be special in the next couple years. Now if that PG is found and the results are the same, I will begin to think about a change may be necessary, but until this happens I will continue to support Coach Martin and the Big Orange.

If we can't develop or bring in a true point guard or 2 then I fear next year will be better but still a huge disappointment to all VOL fans. Golden has to play at last year or better and Lopez or another player needs to step up for depth.

Not sure about the point of this post other than to waste time. Martin isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Well said +1

He misses the tournament next year he's gone.

As soon as it became clear that this year's team was going to underperform, I have since taken the stance that I'll judge Martin after next year. He's been our coach for 1.5 seasons, and here is how it has gone down:

In his first half season, the expectations were very low (11th in the SEC) and that's about where the team was (met expectations). In his second half, he finished second in the SEC behind the eventual national champions (significantly exceeded expectations). This the first half of this season, we all had really high hopes because of how last year finished, and they have underperformed - yes, the Maymon deal, but there is underperforming all around this team (below expectations). Assuming they finish this season at about the same pace they are on now, they will make the NIT which will be a disappointment and unmet expectations.

People concluding now that Martin can't get the job done are welcome to have that opinion, but I think they are jumping the gun. I think people at a football school have been spoiled by a very fast blink of success under Pearl, and had that confidence boosted by the way last year finished. Not saying that we shouldn't expect to win at Tennessee, just that we need to remember that Bruce Pearls don't grow on trees. That was an exception.

Then... 2013 is where we really find out what he can do. The 2013 team will be a very experienced, very talented roster. There will be two 5 stars, several four stars, and some really good role players. Other than Hubbs, the starting lineup will be all juniors and seniors. If Martin can't make the NCAA with that, and I would even say the Sweet 16, either something went very wrong (i.e., more injuries) or he's just not the guy. But I'm going to give him that chance. He needed a year to get players in to his system, and he's allowed one average year before we drop the hammer.

This is pretty much why I have stayed out of the Cuonzo can't coach threads. He's here at least thru next season.