The CheckerBoard

Hadn't thought about the totally unfamiliar gym factor. Work cut out for Zo and the young men today.

I don't get it, either. Every time someone mentions the "foreign gym" factor, I think of the scene in the movie "Hoosiers" where Gene Hackman shows his players the things you pointed out (e.g., the court is the same length, the hoop is the same height, etc.).

I'm sure the goal of every coach in a road game is to get his players to recognize that, but I would imagine its harder than it sounds. I would imagine that even little differences in other gyms can make a difference in a players' focus and reactions. Things like, where is the student section, where is the scoreboard, where is the shot clock, how far off the sideline is the first row of seats, where are the floor decals I could slip on, etc. Those things don't seem like much when you step back an think about it, but when you're running at game speed and have to make split second decisions, they can make a difference.

Vols need to approach this game like a first round NCAA Tourney game. Strange gym strange team. Play hard, play smart.

great win , wow really love the effort by everyone today

He knows what he is capable of, witness the recent scoring streak, and I think he presses when the situation is desperate and tries too hard. T