Tennessee Pregame Thread

[shockmonster]

What if there is a little strategery involved? With the new rules, who knows how the game will be called.

Against ORU, we were getting shots in the paint, and open looks, but I don't remember us forcing a lot of contact on offense. On defense we chose not to get too physical with Glover and double with a guard or Monster with another post.

But in the second half, hammer down and release the Kracken. I might be completely wrong, just my observation.

The "Monster" defense will be a big part of this weeks game plan.

[jocoshock]

I think this is going to be a game where if our bigs can just rebound and defend well enough, our guards + Cle will carry the day. If their bigs are foul prone, I predict Darius Carter will get plenty of PT and shoot 10+ FTs.

I have watched Tennessee 2 or 3 times this year, and I did not see anything to indicate that their bigs get into foul trouble. Our bigs will have to battle them hard and win the battle of the boards, especially the defensive boards to limit Mamon and Stokes opportunities for points off offensive rebounds. If we can at least play them even, we should be in great shape. I definitely think Lufile and Carter are the two that match up the best defensively. But we will also need Kadeem being very productive. His shot blocking ability could prove to be very valuabe, IF HE can stay out of foul trouble.

[Play Angry]

Tennessee definitely struggled mightily with fouls in each of their two losses: @ Xavier and vs. UTEP.

At least one big (Stokes/Maymon) fouled out and the Vols committed 25 PFs in each of those games.

[another shocker]

like i said last year around this time, if there is a coach out there as tough as gregg marshall, it's probably cuonzo martin. this one will be physical, hard-nosed and scrappy. the bigs (and nick wiggins) can't shy away.

[TheDover1018]

Do you think CJ will get the start again?

[1972Shocker]

The "mother" of all slow starts had to be during last years IBA game. We were down 28-17 at half, the mood in the arena was beyond morgue-ish. Baker, Wessel, and Hall out, Jake with back problems, EO a bum ankle, myself a pulled hammy, smashed thumb and banged elbow (just trying to get to the arena). It was my personal low point of the season. Damn depressing that was. Please let's not have a repeat of that this year. Who did we play that night? Wasn't it Old Southern Mississippi State A&T? Correct me if I'm wrong.

You are right on. The opponent was Southern Miss a very solid basketball team last year. The 42-23 pounding the Shocks laid on the Golden Eagles was a thing of beauty. D-Will with 12 second half points, Cle with 10 and Nick with 7 lead the way. An unlikely trio I suppose until you consider that we were without Carl, Ron and Evan due to their injuries and as you point out Jake went down and out wth back spasms in pre-game warm ups. I take one just like that this year and be perfectly happy, although not totally satisfied.

[wsushox1]

Do you think CJ will get the start again?

I would think so.

[WuDrWu]

You are right on. The opponent was Southern Miss a very solid basketball team last year. The 42-23 pounding the Shocks laid on the Golden Eagles was a thing of beauty. D-Will with 12 second half points, Cle with 10 and Nick with 7 lead the way. An unlikely trio I suppose until you consider that we were without Carl, Ron and Evan due to their injuries and as you point out Jake went down and out wth back spasms in pre-game warm ups. I take one just like that this year and be perfectly happy, although not totally satisfied.

Nick's dunk was memorable to say the least. I still can't believe how high he was....

[Shox21]

like i said last year around this time, if there is a coach out there as tough as gregg marshall, it's probably cuonzo martin. this one will be physical, hard-nosed and scrappy. the bigs (and nick wiggins) can't shy away.

Unfortunately, this game sounds more and more like the outcome of the game could be in the way the refs call it.

[Shox21]

Isn't the So Miss game where our "designated free throw shooter" EO hit two VERY LARGE FT in the last minute of the game? I think we were only up by 2 at the time and his shots gave us a 4 point lead.

[RoyalShock]

The Shockers' IBA lockerroom: http://instagram.com/p/h1lTAdnFnY/

[1972Shocker]

Isn't the So Miss game where our "designated free throw shooter" EO hit two VERY LARGE FT in the last minute of the game? I think we were only up by 2 at the time and his shots gave us a 4 point lead.

Good recall. EO grabbed a defensive rebound, was fouled and made two big free throws with 0:41 to play to put the Shocks up 55-51.

Cle grabbed a shot that was blocked by Tekele and was fouled with 0:29 to play and he also made both free throws to put the Shocks up 57-51.

D-Will added the icing on the cake grabbing a rebound on another USM miss and driving for layup with 0:16 to play for the final 59-51 margin.

[Shox21]

Good recall. EO grabbed a defensive rebound, was fouled and made two big free throws with 0:41 to play to put the Shocks up 55-51.

Cle grabbed a shot that was blocked by Tekele and was fouled with 0:29 to play and he also made both free throws to put the Shocks up 57-51.

D-Will added the icing on the cake grabbing a rebound on another USM miss and driving for layup with 0:16 to play for the final 59-51 margin.

I remember it well only because we had fought so hard to come such a L-O-O-O-N-G way back from our halftime score and it being EO (of all people) to have to take those FTs. I groaned when he was the one fouled but yelled louder than anyone when he made both shots. Happy was I.

[_kai_]

I remember it well only because we had fought so hard to come such a L-O-O-O-N-G way back from our halftime score and it being EO (of all people) to have to take those FTs. I groaned when he was the one fouled but yelled louder than anyone when he made both shots. Happy was I.

If only he hit his two in Atlanta.


Ok, I'll see myself out.

[Cdizzle]

If only he hit his two in Atlanta.


Ok, I'll see myself out.

You started it.

EO was a monumental reason we won the Southern Miss game. If we do not win that game, Southern Miss goes to the tournament, not WSU. If WSU does not go to the tournament, WSU does not go to the Final Four.