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***Wednesdays with Wes, The Thread: 1/16/13 edition***

  • 1) Prediction for class rank after national signing day, top 25, top 20, top 15 and do we surpass Candy?
    2) If weather is good prediction for crowd size at O & W game?

    et4vols

  • WES!! I feel like I'm in Tha twilight zone ! Is tn the only basketball team that thinks they don't need a point guard. It's every single year we never have an elite or even average pg. is Landry gonna be that guy? Cuz were never gonna be consistent winners if we don't get a pg. PG PG PG !!!!

    Bigd23tn

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    SteelTownVol ●

  • RunThruThe T said...

    Wes, to what do you attribute the discrepancy in fouls between Tennessee and its opponents over the past few games? We don't really press and gamble with steals and blocks as much as others do, yet the foul calls seem one sided.

    Second, do you think Coach Zo is considering pressing more on defense? I thought we played with more sense of urgency when we did this.

    Third, last year I heard Coach Zo say he thought the team in March would be much better than the team in November, and he was correct. I haven't heard him say that this year. Are we at a point where "we are what we are"?

    Finally, in my uneducated opinion, I think that lack of point guard play is hurting Tennessee far worse than Maymon being out. What is your opinion?

    Great questions and comments, Runner.

    SteelTownVol ●

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    SteelTownVol ●

  • RunThruThe T said...

    Wes, to what do you attribute the discrepancy in fouls between Tennessee and its opponents over the past few games? We don't really press and gamble with steals and blocks as much as others do, yet the foul calls seem one sided.

    Second, do you think Coach Zo is considering pressing more on defense? I thought we played with more sense of urgency when we did this.

    Third, last year I heard Coach Zo say he thought the team in March would be much better than the team in November, and he was correct. I haven't heard him say that this year. Are we at a point where "we are what we are"?

    Finally, in my uneducated opinion, I think that lack of point guard play is hurting Tennessee far worse than Maymon being out. What is your opinion?

    1) I think it's more lopsided than it should be, but the Vols are very physical on the defensive end and don't consistently pound the ball toward the rim on offense. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. I also think the Vols have a bit of a lower profile this season, and they've not earned a rep that gets you calls. McRae is starting to get them, though. He's starting to earn it. Stokes, however, is not.

    2) Great question. I should ask. This would be much easier to do with Makanjuola and Hall in the lineup than with Stokes out there.

    3) I don't think. I think with Reese and Moore emerging and other factors, this team will be better late in the season. How much better? I don't know. But better.

    4) I think the problems are more connected than many people have discussed. Maymon helped them get into their offense time and time again last season. JMO.

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    Wes Rucker

  • Nick 1 said...

    Wes, couple of questions:

    1) What are realistic expectations for the baseball team this season?

    2) I know you guys don't cover the Lady Vols, but do you feel like they'll ever be as dominant as they were under Pat Summitt?

    1) Better than last season. Still mid-pack SEC at best, though, IMO. Need more pop at the plate, IMO.

    2) No. But I'm not sure anyone will. Lady Vols will never fall off the map, though, IMO. They'll always recruit well and almost always be relevant on the national level.

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    Wes Rucker

  • When you get done with your workout at Mellow Mushroom, why don't you come ask me a question?

    Wednesday with Allwillbeorange

    Our get to know a poster series continues with allwillbeorange. Thanks for participating AWBO. Remember to pick the next victim at the end

    tennessee.247sports.com

    allwillbeorange

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    Wes Rucker

  • Wes Rucker said...

    1) Better than last season. Still mid-pack SEC at best, though, IMO. Need more pop at the plate, IMO.

    2) No. But I'm not sure anyone will. Lady Vols will never fall off the map, though, IMO. They'll always recruit well and almost always be relevant on the national level.

    Another question (if that's allowed):

    Do you think this Manti Te'o story is legitimate? If so, could this be one of the biggest cons not just in the history of college football, but of the world?

    signature image signature image signature image

    Nick 1

  • et4vols said...

    1) Prediction for class rank after national signing day, top 25, top 20, top 15 and do we surpass Candy? 2) If weather is good prediction for crowd size at O & W game?

    1) I think UT's class will be ranked higher than Vandy's at the end of the day. Fringe Top 20 class, IMO. They'll have to close like gangbusters to break into the top-15 area, though. But that's a much better question for Ryno, and I'll defer to him.

    2) Not sure. Maybe 50,000 or so.

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    Wes Rucker

  • Bigd23tn said...

    WES!! I feel like I'm in Tha twilight zone ! Is tn the only basketball team that thinks they don't need a point guard. It's every single year we never have an elite or even average pg. is Landry gonna be that guy? Cuz were never gonna be consistent winners if we don't get a pg. PG PG PG !!!!

    They know they need a PG.

    That's just not an easy position to recruit good players.

    You can get 'em, no problem. But will they be any good? And will they fit your system? You don't know, beyond the top guys.

    Cuonzo hasn't been in Knoxville forever. Let's see how he responds. Fair is fair, right?

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    Wes Rucker

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    Wes Rucker

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    Wes Rucker

  • allwillbeorange said...

    When you get done with your workout at Mellow Mushroom, why don't you come ask me a question?

    Eating wings tonight at trivia night, foo.

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    Senior Writer, govols247 Email: wrucker@247sports.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/@wesrucker247 Facebook: www.facebook.com/wesrucker247

    Wes Rucker

  • What will be the biggest storylines going into spring practice?

    Where will all the tweeners on the defensive line/linebackers play?

    Who is going to be the playmaker on offense other than pig?

    Are you ready for the snow/did you enjoy your trip to Lexington?

    woody_12

  • Nick 1 said...

    Another question (if that's allowed):

    Do you think this Manti Te'o story is legitimate? If so, could this be one of the biggest cons not just in the history of college football, but of the world?

    I don't know what to believe, but Deadspin's story seems more believable than Notre Dame's explanation.

    I try not to compare sports to other things, but that would be a heck of a con.

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    Wes Rucker

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    bgosnell151

  • Wes Rucker said...

    1) I think it's more lopsided than it should be, but the Vols are very physical on the defensive end and don't consistently pound the ball toward the rim on offense. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. I also think the Vols have a bit of a lower profile this season, and they've not earned a rep that gets you calls. McRae is starting to get them, though. He's starting to earn it. Stokes, however, is not.

    2) Great question. I should ask. This would be much easier to do with Makanjuola and Hall in the lineup than with Stokes out there.

    3) I don't think. I think with Reese and Moore emerging and other factors, this team will be better late in the season. How much better? I don't know. But better.

    4) I think the problems are more connected than many people have discussed. Maymon helped them get into their offense time and time again last season. JMO.

    To follow up on answer #4, I had a conversation today with someone who said the problem with our PG is really because of Maymon, because the way the offense worked last year Maymon really initiated the offense like a PG. Your take?

    signature image signature image signature image

    RunThruThe T

  • Wes Rucker said...

    I don't know what to believe, but Deadspin's story seems more believable than Notre Dame's explanation.

    I try not to compare sports to other things, but that would be a heck of a con.

    The time period between December 26 when ND found out about it and the title game really makes them look bad. Especially since the press was still talking about him and the girl friend even apparently during the game. That whole saga was a major part of his back story and the build up to the awards!

    SWVolfan ●

  • SWVolfan said...

    The time period between December 26 when ND found out about it and the title game really makes them look bad. Especially since the press was still talking about him and the girl friend even apparently during the game. That whole saga was a major part of his back story and the build up to the awards!

    This apparent coverup will be a huge story in the days to come and is a huge black eye for Notre Dame. Agree, Wes?

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    RockytopATL

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    BUTCH IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. GO VOLS!

    OrangeNCarolina

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    Wes Rucker

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