Date: December 22nd, 2016

Time: 7:00 PM

Opponent: Tennessee (6-5, 0-0 SEC)

Place: Freedom Hall

Television: WEMT (Fox Tri-Cities) and MyVLT (Knoxville)

Webcast: ESPN 3

Radio online: 640WXSM.com (Free)

UT 2016-2017 Schedule

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It's time.

Can't wait! Hopefully the lower bowl is blue and gold, have a feeling those leftover student tickets will be mostly orange. I would love to see us try Burrell some this game at the 3. Robert Hubbs will give Merriweather and Long fits, I fear, with his height advantage.

Been waiting for this literally my whole life.

Come on, Santa

Everybody will get a chance to make their own conclusions about the Vols, who are on ESPN2 today (Sunday)at 4 pm in their “tuneup” against Gonzaga.

The Vols are 6-4 going into the Gonzaga game, with losses to Chattanooga at home (in their 1st non exhibition game), Wisconsin (neutral), to Oregon (neutral) in overtime by 4, 65-69; and on the road to North Carolina by 2 (71-73). Wins thus far are 1 neutral site (Chaminade in Maui), and 5 home wins (Georgia Tech, Presbyterian, Appalachian State, Tennessee Tech and Lipscomb). Even the ‘Zags will be in Nashville.

Like Morehead State, the Vols front court is short, but strong and athletic and rebounds well (+1.5). With Fulkerson down, only 2 guys on the Vols roster are over 6’5”: 6-10 218 So. Kyle Alexander, who only averages 13.7 minutes with 3.5 points and 3.4 rebounds, and 6-7 235 Rs-Sr. Lew Evans, who averaged 11.5 minutes, but got 25 with Fulkerson out. If 6’6” 230 DeJuan Marrero of Morehead got 17 points and 12 rebounds against us, what will 6’5” 235 Vol Fr. Grant Williams, a better player, do??? Looks like most of the time they will go small, with Williams and/or Evans the big man on the floor. Not a lot of shot blockers inside, but nonetheless they have more blocks than the competition: 4.9 to 2.8, with Williams averaging 1.7 and Alexander 1.1. Like Marrero, Williams is a powerful guy who may be able to burrow in and use his body to score against our thinner bigs. But we ought to be able to tie him up if he puts it on the floor inside.

Turnover margin is 1.9. They score a lot of points at 80.2 with a +7.6 differential Expect a fast paced, high scoring contest.

Guards are led by the biggest mismatch we face: 6-5 207 Sr. Robert Hubbs, who leads the team with 30 minutes, 16.5 points (but only .111 from 3 with 1 single make all year), 5.1 rebounds and 1 steal. The rest of the guard corps does not present a size problem. Three point threats are 6-0 187 Rs-Fr. Lamonte Turner .386 (17-44); 6-3 192 So. Shembari Phillips with a barely believable .769 (10-13); 6-1 179 Jr. Detrick Mostella, .344 (11-32), 6-3 180 Fr Jordan Bowden .304 (14-46). Assists are 14.5 with 14.2 turnovers. Turnover margin is +1.9.

These guys are SEC quality athletes and have been playing like it recently. They are less experienced with 6 freshmen and sophomores of the 9 guys in the rotation. There are 2 Seniors (Hubbs and Lew Evans) and 1 Junior (Mostella) who get a lot of playing time.

The Bucs actually deserve to be favored in this one by a couple of points. But it will take our A game against the improving, athletic young Vols. Got to play tough and smart down to the wire and make the big plays at the end – what Chattanooga couldn’t do against Vandy.

Guard:
6-5 207 Sr #3 Robert Hubbs III; 30.1 minutes,16.5 points, but 1-9 (.111)from 3; 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.0 t.o.’s, 1.0 steals.
6-0 187 Rs-Fr #1 Lamonte Turner; 21.7 minutes, 10.1 points (17-44 .386 from 3),1.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 t.o’s
6-3 192 So #25 Shembari Phillips; 25.5 minutes,9.7 points, .769 from 3(10-13), 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.0 t.o.’s, 0.9 steals
Bowden played at Gonzaga and likely will against ETSU 6-3 180 Fr #23 Jordan Bowden; 23.1 minutes, 9.0 points, .304 from 3 (14-46), 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals
6-1 179 Jr #15 Detrick Mostella; 18.5 minutes, 7.8 points, .344 from 3(11-32), 4.2 rebounds
6-0 181 Fr #12 Kwe Parker; 7 games, 9.4 minutes, 1.1 points, .500 (1-2), 1.0 rebounds

Front Court:
6-5 234 Fr #2 Grant Williams;22.2 minutes, 10.7 points, .167 (1-6) from 3; 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 t.o.’s, 1.7 blocks, 0.8 steals
LIKELY OUT WITH INJURY - 6-7 230 Fr #10 John Fulkerson; 16.0 minutes, 4.7 points, 0 3’s, 4.6 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, 1.1 steals
6-10 218 So #11 Kyle Alexander; 13.7 minutes, 3.5 points, 1-3 (.333) from 3, 3.4 rebounds, 1.1 blocks
6-7 235 Rs-Sr #21 Lew Evans; 11.5 minutes but 25 minutes after Fulkerson out, 2.0 points, 2-10 (.200) from 3, 1.8 rebounds, 0 blocks

(12-18-2016 12:57 PM)Meanmike0001 Wrote:  Been waiting for this literally my whole life.

Ok, I've been trying to hold off saying something like this, but here goes.....

You guys are embarrassing. This game isn't nearly as important as the Dayton game was. I know, tho. I get it - it's like a kid that says "I can't wait 'til I grow up and can whup my paw." Or "I can't wait 'til I grow up and can sit at the grown-up's table at Thanksgiving." Why the lack of sense of self worth?

For me, and I know it's true of others, the main reason to be against UT is the awringe intoxication syndrome of their fans, which begets arrogance in many of them. So many of their fans have just latched onto them because they're perceived (or *were* perceived) as a "winner", and the same, except maybe moreso, goes for the Lady Vols hoops team. Some of these fans, many in fact, have never been in a UT classroom , or maybe even never on campus except possibly for their chances to see a football game.

So in that respect, some of you are almost being like them. (Not picking on you in particular, Meanmike.) Sure, it's a big game, but come on, as the saying goes "Act like you've been there before." How about just a touch of nonchalance?

Many times things in this world work to cause the most consternation or grief to the most people. Certainly I've seen it happen over and over and over again. I think you all just want it TOO MUCH. So I hate very much to say this, but some of you all will almost 'deserve' this to be a loss because it's just too important to you. That's *exactly* why not to pull for the Awringe a lot of the time.

All *that* said, I'm not predicting a UT win (altho I know it's quite possible and fear it's gonna happen); nor do I want UT to win. Hardly. But having such high hopes is a recipe for depression, if it doesn't turn out.

This concludes your Buddhist seminar for today on the renunciation of craving and attachment. Back to your regularly scheduled pep rally.

Wow ok. I think you know, you are in the minority in this. You might actually be the only person that feels this way. This is the first time ETSU has hosted a major conference team since what, 1995 or something, when Michigan State game to town. This is a huge game for our program. This is bragging rights for us over the orange clad nation, which is shoved down our throat's in these parts all the time. If you really feel like a win over Dayton is better than a win over Tennessee at home for our program, we are never going to agree, and discussion is probably pointless. Tennessee hasn't played here in 51 years, and I'm sure they won't for another 51. Once in a lifetime opportunity. (Unless you are 52). Maybe you were just playing play devils advocate, or trying to stir people up, I don't know. I'm sure it's going to work, heck it even got me to reply. But as everyone but you will admit, this is huge for us, and a win would feel so good.

Anyone who is trying to downplay this game is just trying to troll. This is without a doubt the biggest home game in about 20 years or longer.

(12-18-2016 02:28 PM)brock20 Wrote:  Anyone who is trying to downplay this game is just trying to troll. This is without a doubt the biggest home game in about 20 years or longer.

Who gets the credit for scheduling this one for ETSU? Why is UT coming to Johnson City? Is this a thaw in UT athletic department attitude -- are they now more open to visiting their non-SEC in-state Division I basketball arenas going forward? Could this one have sold out in the Dome to generate more revenue? I actually don't see the hate for the orange on here as in the past. Maybe I'm misreading this. Seems there's a different attitude among Bucs fans these days, especially when it comes to UT athletics -- and, they don't seem to hog the headlines as much as in the past. Yes a big game, of course, and may the Bucs kick some orange butt Thursday night. GO BUCS!!

This game is far more important than what another win over an SEC team would mean to this particular team. A win in this game is what this program needs to achieve legitimacy in the eyes of the sports fans in the Tri-Cities. Is that fair? Of course not, but this is the only way to cut into the market full of UT/VT fans in the Tri-Cities. You're never going to keep people from supporting UT or VT, heck I'm a VT supporter, but in my opinion you always have to support your school over your team. A win in a game like this will go a long way towards getting people to support the local school, and in a lot of cases their alma maters over the big orange they love so much. This is a huge game for this program and fan base, and I can't wait!

As for scheduling this, ETSU agreed to a 2-for-1 back before the 14-15 season. That was while Bartow was still the coach, but after Sander was announced as the AD. I remember seeing a copy of the contract when it came out, but I can't find it now.

Ok, I know I was stirring the pot a bit.

But I actually believe the things I wrote. Yes, it's a big game; no doubt about it. But would you all be *as* excited if it was Wake coming in? Georgia? South Carolina? North Carolina? To make that point finer.......altho it's certainly been a long time since UNC played in Freedom Hall (this one, that is), that game was a bigger game than this one. Without doubt - altho the outcome of that game wasn't all that much in question at the time.

My point, being -- how much of the hoopla is because it's our uncle down in K-town, and how much of it is because it's a major conference team coming to play ETSU here? To my eyes it's more the former, which is the spirit behind my earlier post.

OF COURSE I'm in a minority on this - and that's to be expected. As I used to tell Pitt**** way back when, ETSU sports isn't in the top 20 of my priorities. My blood bleeds blue & gold, but this just isn't as important as the bigger things in life. And I think most of you all will agree with that.

Do you all think the "orange-clad nation" will consider they have "bragging rights" if they win? Ho-hum. They'd rather beat Vandy, UK, or even Florida. By making this game more important than it should be in the Knoxville-Johnson City nexus, you're just perpetuating the status quo, imo.

And yes, a win over Dayton in Dayton would have helped us more than a win over UT in Johnson City. It's all about developing a *PROGRAM* over the long haul. We should care more about what the people in Kansas City, Salt Lake, Baton Rouge, and Indianapolis think about ETSU basketball than the "orange-clad nation".

I think MeanMike's use of hyperbole to be insightful commentary. In a should/ought world, this game is just another game. On its face, this game's importance pales in comparison to conference games. However, this game serves as a metaphor for so the feelings of many ETSU fans about the PERCEIVED second-class status.

I think calling this game a monumental game is calling a spade, a spade. Frankly, 'poster, your post comes across as patronizing and out-of-touch.

(12-18-2016 03:09 PM)GC_Buc Wrote:  This game is far more important than what another win over an SEC team would mean to this particular team. A win in this game is what this program needs to achieve legitimacy in the eyes of the sports fans in the Tri-Cities. Is that fair? Of course not, but this is the only way to cut into the market full of UT/VT fans in the Tri-Cities. You're never going to keep people from supporting UT or VT, heck I'm a VT supporter, but in my opinion you always have to support your school over your team. A win in a game like this will go a long way towards getting people to support the local school, and in a lot of cases their alma maters over the big orange they love so much. This is a huge game for this program and fan base, and I can't wait!

OK - that's a fairly cogent argument there. It's unclear what he means by "your team", though. Does that mean he's 'become' a fan of VT because he lives in SW Va? His argument presupposes that there are a large number of fans in this area that are UT fans OVER ETSU fans - that have 'become' such because they've somehow been "infected"? I know there are some, but how could there be that many? I'd have to say I don't grasp that way of doing things. If one never went to college, then it's not such a terrible thing to say you're a UT fan (all things considered). But if you went to ETSU, *AND* prefer UT over ETSU, then I just don't understand that.

BUT......to the extent that that situation exists, then his argument has merit. I guess, as an idealist, I don't understand someone who went to ETSU 'becoming' a UT fan *in preference to* being an ETSU fan. I'd *almost* want to say "we don't need no fair-weather fans like that". But obviously that's a too insular way of thinking.

But anyway, good point, GC_Buc.

(12-18-2016 03:19 PM)Bucfaithful Wrote:  ....PERCEIVED second-class status.

I think that's the whole issue here. It's almost like most/some/many of you have bought into that. How? Why? Johnson City is a MUCH cooler place than Knoxville. It's a more desirable place to live - and has been for most or all of my life. I know MANY MANY folks who've moved here from K-town. They live here by choice. They get it. We should "get it", too, if we don't already.

Doctor: That's exactly what I meant. I grew up in SWVA and was always a Hokie fan. I wanted to go to VT but went to ETSU because it was closer to home and cheaper. Once I went to ETSU, ETSU was my school. I know people who went to ETSU but who rooted for UT, VT, etc. before and continue to do so over ETSU, which I don't get. In my experience, these people always seem to brush aside ETSU athletics as inferior to that of the P5 schools. Regardless, I always believe you should support the school you went to over the team or school you grew up rooting for.

(12-18-2016 03:39 PM)GC_Buc Wrote:  Doctor: That's exactly what I meant. I grew up in SWVA and was always a Hokie fan. I wanted to go to VT but went to ETSU because it was closer to home and cheaper. Once I went to ETSU, ETSU was my school. I know people who went to ETSU but who rooted for UT, VT, etc. before and continue to do so over ETSU, which I don't get. In my experience, these people always seem to brush aside ETSU athletics as inferior to that of the P5 schools. Regardless, I always believe you should support the school you went to over the team or school you grew up rooting for.

(12-18-2016 02:28 PM)brock20 Wrote:  Anyone who is trying to downplay this game is just trying to troll. This is without a doubt the biggest home game in about 20 years or longer.

No doctor isn't trolling, he just likes to overthink things and make them way to complicated sometimes.
He wants to be logical, to everyone else this is emotional.

Gonzaga is thumping Tennessee right now.

(12-18-2016 12:57 PM)Meanmike0001 Wrote:  Been waiting for this literally my whole life.

I have too Mike. People can make fun of us but I'm not lying. I've wanted this for so long but this is just part 1, we have to beat them. I want a complete beatdown too but know that may not be realistic so I'll take a last second 3 for the win as well. :)