BTO’s Syracuse Postgame Report

#1

bleedingTNorange

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#1
1. Another workmanlike, professional performance from our Vols, leading yet another game wire to wire, never stressful, and just slowly continuing to gradually build that lead. The OOC slate hasn’t been a murderers row but there’s also something to be said for handling their opponents in the way that this team has, very impressive stuff. Best start for Tennessee in 25 years and beating opponents by an average of over 26ppg on their way to this 8-0 start, truly impressive.

2. Watching the first half we were ice cold from 3 and yet still scoring the ball pretty well, obviously picked it up from 3 in the 2nd half but to score 96 and only shoot 35% from 3 for the game isn’t something you’d typically expect, but this team continues to dominate from 2. Coming into tonight they ranked 4th nationally at 62.8% from 2, tonight they went 25/36, 69.4%, so that number is going to rise. A huge part of this is the looks Ziegler is getting for guys like Phillips and Okpara, but guys like Gainey, Milicic, Lanier and even Ziegler continue to finish very well around the rim, it’s also part of that new era of analytical basketball, if you’re taking a 2 it should be at the rim, nothing outside the paint unless it’s a 3, Tennessee’s season shot chart is almost all either paint shots or 3’s and that’s a huge part of why they’ve been so efficient.

3. Continuing on that offensive efficiency, Tennessee is now up to #5 nationally on KenPom in offensive efficiency, obviously that is really good. We know the defense is going to be there and a requirement under Barnes and currently it’s #2 nationally, but we’ve not seen an offense like this except for once under Barnes, and that team couldn’t play defense, the balance this team is playing with on both ends is going to allow them the chance to be a very good team, potentially one of the best Barnes has ever had.

4. Lanier continues to be a bucket for Tennessee, now averaging 18.8ppg through 8 games, better than anyone was expecting from him, he’s obviously shooting well from 3 but he’s also shown a nice ability to get into the lane and either draw a foul or finish around the basket, showing a more well rounded game than many expected him to have, he’s also shown a nice mid range paint pull up at times also, he’s not Knecht, but he’s also about the closest thing you could’ve realistically hoped for imo.

5. I continue to be impressed by the role and knowing their roles that Jordan Gainey & Cade Phillips continue to play. Their minutes will vary game to game but they’re huge parts of this squad, they’re the unquestioned 6th & 7th men on a Top 5 team and know their numbers will be called and relied upon early, and both continue to just play within themselves and bring it. I’ve been very impressed with Gainey’s improved driving ability and finishing around the rim, he seems stronger and not as phased by getting bumped when he drives, those 2 guys will continue to be major pieces going forward, a silver lining on the short bench due to unities has been these guys getting forced consistent minutes, it’s really benefited them and this team imo.

6. The Vols move to 8-0 and make it through the first of 3 games of this “tough stretch” of OOC games, a neutral site game against Miami awaits before the final OOC showdown against Illinois at their place. As mentioned in the beginning this is the best start to a season in 25 years for the Vols, given how strong the SEC is this year I’m not really going to sweat the lack of multiple marquee OOC games. If the Vols can finish 12-1 or 13-0 OOC you absolutely take that and run and don’t look back, you’ll enter SEC play as a Top 3 team in the country and be heading into conference play with a very realistic chance of getting the first 1 seed in program history.




GBO!!!
 
#5
#5
The defense was underwhelming in the first half. Especially vs a team who lost their leading scorer before the game. Maybe we had a plan with him in it and were in scramble mode with the defensive game plan until we adjusted at half time.

We didn't shoot free throws particularly well either.

Outside of that, it'll be hard to find much to be critical about from tonight. Especially when you lead throughout and win by 26.
 
#7
#7
The defense was underwhelming in the first half. Especially vs a team who lost their leading scorer before the game. Maybe we had a plan with him in it and were in scramble mode with the defensive game plan until we adjusted at half time.

We didn't shoot free throws particularly well either.

Outside of that, it'll be hard to find much to be critical about from tonight. Especially when you lead throughout and win by 26.
I didn’t think the first half defense was bad, Syracuse shot like 8/10 on midrange 2’s which is an insane number, Lanier mentioned it postgame. They made some tough 2’s that as a defense your happy to allow, and would typically encourage an opponent to take, they cooled off in the 2nd half and we also heated up from deep.
 
#8
#8
1. Another workmanlike, professional performance from our Vols, leading yet another game wire to wire, never stressful, and just slowly continuing to gradually build that lead. The OOC slate hasn’t been a murderers row but there’s also something to be said for handling their opponents in the way that this team has, very impressive stuff. Best start for Tennessee in 25 years and beating opponents by an average of over 26ppg on their way to this 8-0 start, truly impressive.

2. Watching the first half we were ice cold from 3 and yet still scoring the ball pretty well, obviously picked it up from 3 in the 2nd half but to score 96 and only shoot 35% from 3 for the game isn’t something you’d typically expect, but this team continues to dominate from 2. Coming into tonight they ranked 4th nationally at 62.8% from 2, tonight they went 25/36, 69.4%, so that number is going to rise. A huge part of this is the looks Ziegler is getting for guys like Phillips and Okpara, but guys like Gainey, Milicic, Lanier and even Ziegler continue to finish very well around the rim, it’s also part of that new era of analytical basketball, if you’re taking a 2 it should be at the rim, nothing outside the paint unless it’s a 3, Tennessee’s season shot chart is almost all either paint shots or 3’s and that’s a huge part of why they’ve been so efficient.

3. Continuing on that offensive efficiency, Tennessee is now up to #5 nationally on KenPom in offensive efficiency, obviously that is really good. We know the defense is going to be there and a requirement under Barnes and currently it’s #2 nationally, but we’ve not seen an offense like this except for once under Barnes, and that team couldn’t play defense, the balance this team is playing with on both ends is going to allow them the chance to be a very good team, potentially one of the best Barnes has ever had.

4. Lanier continues to be a bucket for Tennessee, now averaging 18.8ppg through 8 games, better than anyone was expecting from him, he’s obviously shooting well from 3 but he’s also shown a nice ability to get into the lane and either draw a foul or finish around the basket, showing a more well rounded game than many expected him to have, he’s also shown a nice mid range paint pull up at times also, he’s not Knecht, but he’s also about the closest thing you could’ve realistically hoped for imo.

5. I continue to be impressed by the role and knowing their roles that Jordan Gainey & Cade Phillips continue to play. Their minutes will vary game to game but they’re huge parts of this squad, they’re the unquestioned 6th & 7th men on a Top 5 team and know their numbers will be called and relied upon early, and both continue to just play within themselves and bring it. I’ve been very impressed with Gainey’s improved driving ability and finishing around the rim, he seems stronger and not as phased by getting bumped when he drives, those 2 guys will continue to be major pieces going forward, a silver lining on the short bench due to unities has been these guys getting forced consistent minutes, it’s really benefited them and this team imo.

6. The Vols move to 8-0 and make it through the first of 3 games of this “tough stretch” of OOC games, a neutral site game against Miami awaits before the final OOC showdown against Illinois at their place. As mentioned in the beginning this is the best start to a season in 25 years for the Vols, given how strong the SEC is this year I’m not really going to sweat the lack of multiple marquee OOC games. If the Vols can finish 12-1 or 13-0 OOC you absolutely take that and run and don’t look back, you’ll enter SEC play as a Top 3 team in the country and be heading into conference play with a very realistic chance of getting the first 1 seed in program history.




GBO!!!
I'm fully bought in on Lanier making the transition from low-major to SEC. Tonight may be the best he's looked in the sense that he's adjusting to find ways to score when his 3-pt shot wasn't falling. He's shown a bit more athleticism and shot-creating ability than it looked like he may have had, as well.

So happy to have had my concerns put to rest. You said it well...he's not Knecht, but he's about the best you could hope for as a replacement. It only helps that there are so many options and balance amongst his teammates.
 
#9
#9
I'm fully bought in on Lanier making the transition from low-major to SEC. Tonight may be the best he's looked in the sense that he's adjusting to find ways to score when his 3-pt shot wasn't falling. He's shown a bit more athleticism and shot-creating ability than it looked like he may have had, as well.

So happy to have had my concerns put to rest. You said it well...he's not Knecht, but he's about the best you could hope for as a replacement. It only helps that there are so many options and balance amongst his teammates.
I hope your buy in isn’t a curse lol
 
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#12
#12
1. Another workmanlike, professional performance from our Vols, leading yet another game wire to wire, never stressful, and just slowly continuing to gradually build that lead. The OOC slate hasn’t been a murderers row but there’s also something to be said for handling their opponents in the way that this team has, very impressive stuff. Best start for Tennessee in 25 years and beating opponents by an average of over 26ppg on their way to this 8-0 start, truly impressive.

2. Watching the first half we were ice cold from 3 and yet still scoring the ball pretty well, obviously picked it up from 3 in the 2nd half but to score 96 and only shoot 35% from 3 for the game isn’t something you’d typically expect, but this team continues to dominate from 2. Coming into tonight they ranked 4th nationally at 62.8% from 2, tonight they went 25/36, 69.4%, so that number is going to rise. A huge part of this is the looks Ziegler is getting for guys like Phillips and Okpara, but guys like Gainey, Milicic, Lanier and even Ziegler continue to finish very well around the rim, it’s also part of that new era of analytical basketball, if you’re taking a 2 it should be at the rim, nothing outside the paint unless it’s a 3, Tennessee’s season shot chart is almost all either paint shots or 3’s and that’s a huge part of why they’ve been so efficient.

3. Continuing on that offensive efficiency, Tennessee is now up to #5 nationally on KenPom in offensive efficiency, obviously that is really good. We know the defense is going to be there and a requirement under Barnes and currently it’s #2 nationally, but we’ve not seen an offense like this except for once under Barnes, and that team couldn’t play defense, the balance this team is playing with on both ends is going to allow them the chance to be a very good team, potentially one of the best Barnes has ever had.

4. Lanier continues to be a bucket for Tennessee, now averaging 18.8ppg through 8 games, better than anyone was expecting from him, he’s obviously shooting well from 3 but he’s also shown a nice ability to get into the lane and either draw a foul or finish around the basket, showing a more well rounded game than many expected him to have, he’s also shown a nice mid range paint pull up at times also, he’s not Knecht, but he’s also about the closest thing you could’ve realistically hoped for imo.

5. I continue to be impressed by the role and knowing their roles that Jordan Gainey & Cade Phillips continue to play. Their minutes will vary game to game but they’re huge parts of this squad, they’re the unquestioned 6th & 7th men on a Top 5 team and know their numbers will be called and relied upon early, and both continue to just play within themselves and bring it. I’ve been very impressed with Gainey’s improved driving ability and finishing around the rim, he seems stronger and not as phased by getting bumped when he drives, those 2 guys will continue to be major pieces going forward, a silver lining on the short bench due to unities has been these guys getting forced consistent minutes, it’s really benefited them and this team imo.

6. The Vols move to 8-0 and make it through the first of 3 games of this “tough stretch” of OOC games, a neutral site game against Miami awaits before the final OOC showdown against Illinois at their place. As mentioned in the beginning this is the best start to a season in 25 years for the Vols, given how strong the SEC is this year I’m not really going to sweat the lack of multiple marquee OOC games. If the Vols can finish 12-1 or 13-0 OOC you absolutely take that and run and don’t look back, you’ll enter SEC play as a Top 3 team in the country and be heading into conference play with a very realistic chance of getting the first 1 seed in program history.




GBO!!!
Good stuff, as always. Especially like #5. Those two dudes are going to be key pieces.
 
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#13
#13
I'm fully bought in on Lanier making the transition from low-major to SEC. Tonight may be the best he's looked in the sense that he's adjusting to find ways to score when his 3-pt shot wasn't falling. He's shown a bit more athleticism and shot-creating ability than it looked like he may have had, as well.

So happy to have had my concerns put to rest. You said it well...he's not Knecht, but he's about the best you could hope for as a replacement. It only helps that there are so many options and balance amongst his teammates.
The team around Lanier is better on offense than last year’s team IMO. He doesn’t have to be Knecht.
 
#14
#14
1. Another workmanlike, professional performance from our Vols, leading yet another game wire to wire, never stressful, and just slowly continuing to gradually build that lead. The OOC slate hasn’t been a murderers row but there’s also something to be said for handling their opponents in the way that this team has, very impressive stuff. Best start for Tennessee in 25 years and beating opponents by an average of over 26ppg on their way to this 8-0 start, truly impressive.

2. Watching the first half we were ice cold from 3 and yet still scoring the ball pretty well, obviously picked it up from 3 in the 2nd half but to score 96 and only shoot 35% from 3 for the game isn’t something you’d typically expect, but this team continues to dominate from 2. Coming into tonight they ranked 4th nationally at 62.8% from 2, tonight they went 25/36, 69.4%, so that number is going to rise. A huge part of this is the looks Ziegler is getting for guys like Phillips and Okpara, but guys like Gainey, Milicic, Lanier and even Ziegler continue to finish very well around the rim, it’s also part of that new era of analytical basketball, if you’re taking a 2 it should be at the rim, nothing outside the paint unless it’s a 3, Tennessee’s season shot chart is almost all either paint shots or 3’s and that’s a huge part of why they’ve been so efficient.

3. Continuing on that offensive efficiency, Tennessee is now up to #5 nationally on KenPom in offensive efficiency, obviously that is really good. We know the defense is going to be there and a requirement under Barnes and currently it’s #2 nationally, but we’ve not seen an offense like this except for once under Barnes, and that team couldn’t play defense, the balance this team is playing with on both ends is going to allow them the chance to be a very good team, potentially one of the best Barnes has ever had.

4. Lanier continues to be a bucket for Tennessee, now averaging 18.8ppg through 8 games, better than anyone was expecting from him, he’s obviously shooting well from 3 but he’s also shown a nice ability to get into the lane and either draw a foul or finish around the basket, showing a more well rounded game than many expected him to have, he’s also shown a nice mid range paint pull up at times also, he’s not Knecht, but he’s also about the closest thing you could’ve realistically hoped for imo.

5. I continue to be impressed by the role and knowing their roles that Jordan Gainey & Cade Phillips continue to play. Their minutes will vary game to game but they’re huge parts of this squad, they’re the unquestioned 6th & 7th men on a Top 5 team and know their numbers will be called and relied upon early, and both continue to just play within themselves and bring it. I’ve been very impressed with Gainey’s improved driving ability and finishing around the rim, he seems stronger and not as phased by getting bumped when he drives, those 2 guys will continue to be major pieces going forward, a silver lining on the short bench due to unities has been these guys getting forced consistent minutes, it’s really benefited them and this team imo.

6. The Vols move to 8-0 and make it through the first of 3 games of this “tough stretch” of OOC games, a neutral site game against Miami awaits before the final OOC showdown against Illinois at their place. As mentioned in the beginning this is the best start to a season in 25 years for the Vols, given how strong the SEC is this year I’m not really going to sweat the lack of multiple marquee OOC games. If the Vols can finish 12-1 or 13-0 OOC you absolutely take that and run and don’t look back, you’ll enter SEC play as a Top 3 team in the country and be heading into conference play with a very realistic chance of getting the first 1 seed in program history.




GBO
Nailed it!!!!!!!
They are playing above my expectations.
Grant and Boswell got playing time ... that means we are excelling and they are being rewarded.
Keep the stone rolling down the hill.
 
#16
#16
Cade Phillips and Felix Okpara are giving this team legitimate post options.
They are certainly both good defenders, rebounders and shot blockers. Offensively, neither has shown to be much in the way of traditional post scorers although they both run the floor and are hungry for the lob dunks. JP was our lone low post scoring threat it appears which may have something to do with CRB wanting to play so fast?
 
#18
#18
1. Another workmanlike, professional performance from our Vols, leading yet another game wire to wire, never stressful, and just slowly continuing to gradually build that lead. The OOC slate hasn’t been a murderers row but there’s also something to be said for handling their opponents in the way that this team has, very impressive stuff. Best start for Tennessee in 25 years and beating opponents by an average of over 26ppg on their way to this 8-0 start, truly impressive.

2. Watching the first half we were ice cold from 3 and yet still scoring the ball pretty well, obviously picked it up from 3 in the 2nd half but to score 96 and only shoot 35% from 3 for the game isn’t something you’d typically expect, but this team continues to dominate from 2. Coming into tonight they ranked 4th nationally at 62.8% from 2, tonight they went 25/36, 69.4%, so that number is going to rise. A huge part of this is the looks Ziegler is getting for guys like Phillips and Okpara, but guys like Gainey, Milicic, Lanier and even Ziegler continue to finish very well around the rim, it’s also part of that new era of analytical basketball, if you’re taking a 2 it should be at the rim, nothing outside the paint unless it’s a 3, Tennessee’s season shot chart is almost all either paint shots or 3’s and that’s a huge part of why they’ve been so efficient.

3. Continuing on that offensive efficiency, Tennessee is now up to #5 nationally on KenPom in offensive efficiency, obviously that is really good. We know the defense is going to be there and a requirement under Barnes and currently it’s #2 nationally, but we’ve not seen an offense like this except for once under Barnes, and that team couldn’t play defense, the balance this team is playing with on both ends is going to allow them the chance to be a very good team, potentially one of the best Barnes has ever had.

4. Lanier continues to be a bucket for Tennessee, now averaging 18.8ppg through 8 games, better than anyone was expecting from him, he’s obviously shooting well from 3 but he’s also shown a nice ability to get into the lane and either draw a foul or finish around the basket, showing a more well rounded game than many expected him to have, he’s also shown a nice mid range paint pull up at times also, he’s not Knecht, but he’s also about the closest thing you could’ve realistically hoped for imo.

5. I continue to be impressed by the role and knowing their roles that Jordan Gainey & Cade Phillips continue to play. Their minutes will vary game to game but they’re huge parts of this squad, they’re the unquestioned 6th & 7th men on a Top 5 team and know their numbers will be called and relied upon early, and both continue to just play within themselves and bring it. I’ve been very impressed with Gainey’s improved driving ability and finishing around the rim, he seems stronger and not as phased by getting bumped when he drives, those 2 guys will continue to be major pieces going forward, a silver lining on the short bench due to unities has been these guys getting forced consistent minutes, it’s really benefited them and this team imo.

6. The Vols move to 8-0 and make it through the first of 3 games of this “tough stretch” of OOC games, a neutral site game against Miami awaits before the final OOC showdown against Illinois at their place. As mentioned in the beginning this is the best start to a season in 25 years for the Vols, given how strong the SEC is this year I’m not really going to sweat the lack of multiple marquee OOC games. If the Vols can finish 12-1 or 13-0 OOC you absolutely take that and run and don’t look back, you’ll enter SEC play as a Top 3 team in the country and be heading into conference play with a very realistic chance of getting the first 1 seed in program history.




GBO!!!
Solid summary. Can’t agree more on the growth of Gainey. Very hard to be a sixth man, and not push. He’s playing excellent basketball. Cade adding some offensive moves and big to big passing is also a great development. His motor, physical defense and out of area rebounding have been excellent already. Really fun group to watch. I agree that my only twinge is the lack of big time competition early, but I’ll trade it for the headstart we’ll get with the OOC record. I continue to wonder who we are against the best of the SEC, but the confidence and growth we’re experiencing will definitely pay dividends.
 
#19
#19
The contrast of how this team attacks the basket versus previous years is vastly different. Before, it seemed like they would be pressing trying to get a shot inside and just get stressed, especially if they were shooting bad from 3. With this team, they're like cool, inside shot is there, bucket. Missed a 3, rebound or get on defense, let's go again.
 
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#20
#20
1. Another workmanlike, professional performance from our Vols, leading yet another game wire to wire, never stressful, and just slowly continuing to gradually build that lead. The OOC slate hasn’t been a murderers row but there’s also something to be said for handling their opponents in the way that this team has, very impressive stuff. Best start for Tennessee in 25 years and beating opponents by an average of over 26ppg on their way to this 8-0 start, truly impressive.

2. Watching the first half we were ice cold from 3 and yet still scoring the ball pretty well, obviously picked it up from 3 in the 2nd half but to score 96 and only shoot 35% from 3 for the game isn’t something you’d typically expect, but this team continues to dominate from 2. Coming into tonight they ranked 4th nationally at 62.8% from 2, tonight they went 25/36, 69.4%, so that number is going to rise. A huge part of this is the looks Ziegler is getting for guys like Phillips and Okpara, but guys like Gainey, Milicic, Lanier and even Ziegler continue to finish very well around the rim, it’s also part of that new era of analytical basketball, if you’re taking a 2 it should be at the rim, nothing outside the paint unless it’s a 3, Tennessee’s season shot chart is almost all either paint shots or 3’s and that’s a huge part of why they’ve been so efficient.

3. Continuing on that offensive efficiency, Tennessee is now up to #5 nationally on KenPom in offensive efficiency, obviously that is really good. We know the defense is going to be there and a requirement under Barnes and currently it’s #2 nationally, but we’ve not seen an offense like this except for once under Barnes, and that team couldn’t play defense, the balance this team is playing with on both ends is going to allow them the chance to be a very good team, potentially one of the best Barnes has ever had.

4. Lanier continues to be a bucket for Tennessee, now averaging 18.8ppg through 8 games, better than anyone was expecting from him, he’s obviously shooting well from 3 but he’s also shown a nice ability to get into the lane and either draw a foul or finish around the basket, showing a more well rounded game than many expected him to have, he’s also shown a nice mid range paint pull up at times also, he’s not Knecht, but he’s also about the closest thing you could’ve realistically hoped for imo.

5. I continue to be impressed by the role and knowing their roles that Jordan Gainey & Cade Phillips continue to play. Their minutes will vary game to game but they’re huge parts of this squad, they’re the unquestioned 6th & 7th men on a Top 5 team and know their numbers will be called and relied upon early, and both continue to just play within themselves and bring it. I’ve been very impressed with Gainey’s improved driving ability and finishing around the rim, he seems stronger and not as phased by getting bumped when he drives, those 2 guys will continue to be major pieces going forward, a silver lining on the short bench due to unities has been these guys getting forced consistent minutes, it’s really benefited them and this team imo.

6. The Vols move to 8-0 and make it through the first of 3 games of this “tough stretch” of OOC games, a neutral site game against Miami awaits before the final OOC showdown against Illinois at their place. As mentioned in the beginning this is the best start to a season in 25 years for the Vols, given how strong the SEC is this year I’m not really going to sweat the lack of multiple marquee OOC games. If the Vols can finish 12-1 or 13-0 OOC you absolutely take that and run and don’t look back, you’ll enter SEC play as a Top 3 team in the country and be heading into conference play with a very realistic chance of getting the first 1 seed in program history.




GBO!!!
I thought we looked rusty and out of sorts in the first half. Phillips off the bench bailed us out. Syracuse got any open look they wanted. If we were playing a top 20 team we probably start the second half at a deficit. The second was a different story. We just dominated in every faze and made shots. Could have won this by 40 if we hadn't let off the gas.
 
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#22
#22
Impressed by Cade's performance and aggressiveness. Hoping for more
improvement from Boswell on defense. He looked a little slow on defense.
This was a game where Lanier had one of those "quiet" 20+ games from all 3 levels.

Illinois will tell us where we really stand. Will be a tough road game.

SEC regular season will be a major grind. Winner may come in at 9-10 conference wins
 
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#24
#24
The defense was underwhelming in the first half. Especially vs a team who lost their leading scorer before the game. Maybe we had a plan with him in it and were in scramble mode with the defensive game plan until we adjusted at half time.

We didn't shoot free throws particularly well either.

Outside of that, it'll be hard to find much to be critical about from tonight. Especially when you lead throughout and win by 26.
Defense wasn’t bad - they seemed to hit everything they threw up. The fact that their FG% was nearly double digits better than ours in the 1st, but we had a double digit lead at the half is a testament to our pressure, forcing TOs, pts offf of TOs, etc. That and of course CL shooting lights out again. 😜
 
#25
#25
Defense wasn’t bad - they seemed to hit everything they threw up. The fact that their FG% was nearly double digits better than ours in the 1st, but we had a double digit lead at the half is a testament to our pressure, forcing TOs, pts offf of TOs, etc. That and of course CL shooting lights out again. 😜
And Cuse hitting no free throws.
 

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