Cuonzo Martin's Offensive Philosophy May Have Tennessee Volunteers in Trouble

I have to admit that I’m a little dazed and confused about the direction in which Cuonzo Martin’s Tennessee Volunteers are going after concluding their exhibition season with a 76-67 win over Division II Lincoln Memorial.

When Martin took over, the Vols experts said one aspect his team won’t lack is discipline. But while the Vols look much improved on defense, the offense looks more like something you’d see from of an AAU team playing its third game of the day on a 100-degree Saturday afternoon.

What’s disturbing is that Martin—who I was under the impression was going to install a disciplined motion offense—supports this style.

“If you have a shot you have to let it fly and that’s the most important thing,” Martin said after the LMU game.

I couldn’t disagree more. Shooters shouldn’t shoot because they have an open shot. They should continue to look and find their team the best available shot on that particular possession.

An offense has 35 seconds to find the best available shot, and I’d be surprised if the Vols have run the shot clock under 20 in two exhibition games. Players hate to defend motion offense because of the constant chasing of a player while fighting through screens, so quick shots give the defense a favor.

Maybe if the shots were falling, I’d be talking about what a great offense Martin installed. But shooting 34 percent against LMU and 36 percent against Lincoln-Memorial won’t translate to success against one of the toughest schedules in the country.

Unfortunately, quick shots aren’t the only problem. On the rare occasions UT has attempted to run some motion, it’s led to several unforced turnovers. In two exhibition games, UT has turned the ball over 39 times against Division II defenses. 

That’s just scary.

Martin defenders will say the players are still adjusting to his style of play, but the team will never improve with the philosophy being instilled right now.

What else did we learned about the Vols from the LMU game?

• In UT’s opener last week. they found their glue in Jeronne Maymon, but Monday, they may have found their scorer in Trae Golden. Many expected Cameron Tatum and Jordan McRae to shoulder the scoring load this year, but Golden—a 6’1” sophomore from Powder Springs, Ga.±stepped up for the Vols with 22 points and eight assists without turning the ball over.  “(The defense) has to identify (Golden),” Martin said. “He is physical. He knows how to get guys on his hip and make plays.”
• When UT’s defense turned the ball over, it led to a nice transition offense. But UT’s carelessness with the ball leaves concern going into Friday night’s opener against UNC Greensboro. Turnovers against LMU were truly a team effort. Post players Maymon and Kenny Hall each led the team with three turnovers, while Jordan McRae, Josh Richardson, Renaldo Woolridge, Wes Waspun and Skylar McBee each had two.

UT’s season opener is 7 p.m. Friday night against UNC Greensboro. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports South.