Tennessee Pregame Thread

[ShockerFever]

Love it, but why can't they put paint in the, you know, paint?

[1979Shocker]

@volsbuzztap: Tennessee Volunteers (Official Site) >> M. Basketball. The @Vol_Hoops Report: Dec. 12 http://buzztap.com/-ImIVVW

Interesting writeup about Vols preparation and their "black ops" practice squad. Also extended interview with Cuonzo about the game.

In the interview Martin said there's no doubt Baker will play at the next level.

[Shox21]

Love it, but why can't they put paint in the, you know, paint?

Because the decals will strip right off -- paint not so much, at least not unless you have one REALLY BIG decal.

[Speed]

Love it, but why can't they put paint in the, you know, paint?

Because IBA is a cheap mis-managed dump. There are seats where you have to strain your neck just to see the lane.

[swiltar71]

In the interview Martin said there's no doubt Baker will play at the next level.

he also talks about us and the MVC. "They're big and physical, that's how they impose their will at that level. They haven't played Tennessee yet."
'At that level' really? I think coach Martin has gotten a little big for his britches.
Let's crush them please.

[ShockerFever]

Because IBA is a cheap mis-managed dump. There are seats where you have to strain your neck just to see the lane.

While they definitely have mis-managed and fudged up a few things, please again remember IBA is not Koch Arena and was not designed solely for basketball. Go to any non-basketball venue in the country and you are going to encounter similar issues. You're just gonna have to suck it up for one game per year. Unfortunately, it's impossible to have 15,000 lower bowl tickets. Physics doesn't allow it.

[Speed]

I've never set in the upper bowl, but I've had to drink my neck to the right just to see the court, floor seats kinda sucked, I was assaulted by a ticket-taker because my grandpa had an umbrella on a cold rainy night, I've been sold tickets that were already sold, an usher verified, but I was cussed out by a ticket manager. I also sat in an isle that was stupidly closed off on one end by a railing. A one-way road at an arena is not efficient. IBA is a huge example of watch what you wish for...

[ShockerFever]

I've never set in the upper bowl, but I've had to drink my neck to the right just to see the court, floor seats kinda sucked, I was assaulted by a ticket-taker because my grandpa had an umbrella on a cold rainy night, I've been sold tickets that were already sold, an usher verified, but I was cussed out by a ticket manager. I also sat in an isle that was stupidly closed off on one end by a railing. A one-way road at an arena is not efficient. IBA is a huge example of watch what you wish for...

Welp, it sounds like you just can't catch a break.

You do realize there's some valid reasons for all of the negatives you pointed out. I can point them out case by case if you want me to.

Again, I acknowledged the fact that they half-assed some things with the building. We agree. By and large, you're going to see everything else at most every other venue. Also again, IBA is not Koch Arena.

[Kung Wu]

It's weird for me to hear complaints like @Speed:'s. I have walked away happy and have enjoyed myself at every single event I have been to at IBA. All the Shocker games and the few concerts I have been to ran smoothly, the atmosphere was great, the staff were pleasant. I like going there for concerts 100x better than driving out to the Kansas Coliseum. From my perspective the arena is a huge success.

[Dave Stalwart]

It's weird for me to hear complaints like @Speed:'s. I have walked away happy and have enjoyed myself at every single event I have been to at IBA. All the Shocker games and the few concerts I have been to ran smoothly, the atmosphere was great, the staff were pleasant. I like going there for concerts 100x better than driving out to the Kansas Coliseum. From my perspective the arena is a huge success.

Me too. I really like it, and I'm really looking forward to this game Saturday.

[shox1989]

There obviously are some problems at IBA. But I think it is 1,000% better than the Colesium.

[shockmonster]

I've been to two basketball games inn the upper bowl and I could see fine. Good experience.

[ShockerPrez]

he also talks about us and the MVC. "They're big and physical, that's how they impose their will at that level. They haven't played Tennessee yet."
'At that level' really? I think coach Martin has gotten a little big for his britches.
Let's crush them please.

He's probably referring to Final 4 caliber level. Ya know 2nd weekend of NCAA tournament.

[pinstripers]

While they definitely have mis-managed and fudged up a few things, please again remember IBA is not Koch Arena and was not designed solely for basketball. Go to any non-basketball venue in the country and you are going to encounter similar issues. You're just gonna have to suck it up for one game per year. Unfortunately, it's impossible to have 15,000 lower bowl tickets. Physics doesn't allow it.

It's a non-basketball venue. If you wanna watch a game in a basketball venue, go to Koch. This arena was built with concerts in mind. If you wanna see the game live, go. If you don't want to, don't.

[another shocker]

he also talks about us and the MVC. "They're big and physical, that's how they impose their will at that level. They haven't played Tennessee yet."
'At that level' really? I think coach Martin has gotten a little big for his britches.
Let's crush them please.

martin will have them ready for the challenge of play angry street, the physical aspect. they'll embrace that part of the challenge, i would bet (like st lewis did, and everybody else will try to challenge it, too). now, the other aspects of the game?

"at that level"? rick pitino doesn't talk like that. jim boeheim doesn't talk like that. but cuonzo martin and mark turgeon talk like that. hmm..