Some Tennessee Vols fans ready to 'bag' the basketball season | Adams

Tennessee’s 107-79 loss to Kentucky last Saturday produced a large response from my literary contributors. Their comments weren’t favorable.

Here are a few examples:

Mike writes: Excellent column: "At Big Orange Collectibles We Pay Our Volunteers." Does this mean we will not need to hide money in McDonald's bags any more?

By the way, Saturday was one of the worst performances I have ever seen in the history of Vol basketball. I was at home watching the game and I was so embarrassed by the Vols' performance that I put a bag over my head so that hopefully my dog would not know that it was me watching that game.

My response: Next time, be sure to spray the bag with a powerful fragrance. Your dog won’t have a clue.

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Another Mike writes: Bunch of "Wear-a-Brown Bag" Fraudsters (after Tennessee’s 107-89 loss to Kentucky).

My response: At least one other fan already has decided to bag the season.

John writes: Where oh where have my Basketball Vols gone?

Rebounding was a strength, free throws were consistent and hardnose toe-to-toe play on offense and defense was the mantra of the team.

I guess the game against Arizona was just an aberration. The Kentucky game was a slap in the face. Watching them play will be a struggle for the remainder of the season.

My response: If you are looking for a bag, I will give you the email address of one of my literary contributors.

Joel writes: It doesn’t take long for some fans to turn on a coach. Fans generally have no idea if we have the best players or not. Once they decide we do not, then the coach again is under fire. Patience is certainly not a virtue for fans

I am certainly a fan of John Fulkerson. At his best, he is amazing. However, he has had his share of injuries which have certainly hampered his play greatly. People simply want him to be great because of his obvious loyalty to UT. For many fans, it is obviously the coach’s fault he is not what they expected, not the other factors.

My response: Players get a scholarship and whatever money they can make from the name, image and likeness. Coaches make millions of dollars.

So, of course, most fans are more critical of coaches than players.

Sharon writes: Great article on (Tennessee baseball player) Evan Russell. Inspiring to see a student focused on coming out of college debt free rather than designer clothes. These are the articles we need to see on the front page of the paper.

My response: Once I’m in charge of our paper’s content (and it could happen any day now), my column will appear on the front page regularly.

The money Russell has made on his name, image and likeness is well deserved. He’s also one of the few athletes who ever thanked me for interviewing him. That caught me off guard.

Dave writes: I read your predictions for the SEC East today and was surprised. First off, it seems a bit early to make these as the Transfer Portal has totally changed the college landscape. Why not let transfer decisions be reached to see who still has holes to fill?

Also, since Heupel’s Offense has been around the block now, I believe Defensive Coordinators will do a better job of slowing UT down in 2022.

My response: I just couldn’t resist looking ahead as soon as the national championship game ended. Rosters will continue to be affected by transfers. Expect another wave after spring practice.

I’m sure defensive coordinators will put more emphasis on Tennessee’s offense since it was so successful this past season. However, the Vols should be even more comfortable in the offense in Year 2, especially since quarterback Hendon Hooker will return.

Greg writes: We should have all learned by now that the NCAA is the most unjust and inconsistent so-called “governing body” there is. The fact that nothing’s happened to LSU’s Wade or Auburn or NC State should bring comfort for sure. Or how about UNC and its huge academic scandal? Whatever happened with that?

Logic tells us UT has nothing to worry about. That’s why we should worry. It’s the NCAA.

My response: The NCAA has been wildly inconsistent in assessing penalties for decades. So, I can understand your concern.

But if the NCAA is truly committed to not punishing innocent parties, Tennessee shouldn’t suffer severe penalties.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Some Tennessee Vols basketball fans are ready to 'bag' the season