Not sure there's ever been a game during a Barnes season that pivoted a season more than @Vandy.
ZZ. The coaches, and all of us, fully realized what we had. He gained the coaches' total trust. Kid made plays when it mattered. Barnes had his kind of PG and ZZ as our closer was born.
Fulky off the bench. The shift of playing less inside/out and more guard centric basketball had begun. Once you know ZZ will be such a big factor, you have to reassess what you're running. More guards on the floor has had the biggest impact on V. He's now playing his game. Fulky accepted the change with class. Great kid. This was so key.
The fight. Wasn't much of a fight obviously but it was our first skirmish in a long time. In a rivalry game. Those things bring teams together. You get each other's backs. We "fought" through adversity and won.
When the game ended, I hadn't felt that way about a ballgame since 1/8/2006. After watching that comeback with JJ and Lofton @USC, I knew something had changed and we were good going forward. Same vibe.
Go Vols.
ZZ. The coaches, and all of us, fully realized what we had. He gained the coaches' total trust. Kid made plays when it mattered. Barnes had his kind of PG and ZZ as our closer was born.
Fulky off the bench. The shift of playing less inside/out and more guard centric basketball had begun. Once you know ZZ will be such a big factor, you have to reassess what you're running. More guards on the floor has had the biggest impact on V. He's now playing his game. Fulky accepted the change with class. Great kid. This was so key.
The fight. Wasn't much of a fight obviously but it was our first skirmish in a long time. In a rivalry game. Those things bring teams together. You get each other's backs. We "fought" through adversity and won.
When the game ended, I hadn't felt that way about a ballgame since 1/8/2006. After watching that comeback with JJ and Lofton @USC, I knew something had changed and we were good going forward. Same vibe.
Go Vols.
