'20 TN SG Keon Johnson (Tennessee commit 8.6.19)

[sport3500]

With Johnson, Springer, Walker and James on the team next year, I would like to see CRB and his staff run an up tempo offense next season.

We have the roster to do so.

 

[cardvolfan]

With Johnson, Springer, Walker and James on the team next year, I would like to see CRB and his staff run an up tempo offense next season.

We have the roster to do so.

I think he will. He prefers uptempo, but time will tell.

 

[Kosmalski]

Throw in Bailey and the 2 football signees and we will have some depth and athleticism

 

[The Dog]

Throw in Bailey and the 2 football signees and we will have some depth and athleticism

Agree. Although I doubt we get much out of Wideman and Beckwith, next year. Eventually, hopefully, especially from Wideman, imo. Wideman athleticism is comparable or better than Pons, at least in the highlights that I have seen

 

[JelloPuddinPup]

Agree. Although I doubt we get much out of Wideman and Beckwith, next year. Eventually, hopefully, especially from Wideman, imo. Wideman athleticism is comparable or better than Pons, at least in the highlights that I have seen

Disagree there. Pons is otherwordly explosive. Like young Blake Griffin / Zion -level explosive. Wideman is a fantastic athlete, but more Gerald Green-style as in he jumps super super high and still very explosive, but there's a different level of explosiveness with those other guys even if they don't jump 45"+.

 

[orangemadam]

With Johnson, Springer, Walker and James on the team next year, I would like to see CRB and his staff run an up tempo offense next season.

We have the roster to do so.

Vescovi won't be the pg in uptempo. Too slow.

 

[HippieVol33]

Vescovi won't be the pg in uptempo. Too slow.

He doesn’t have to be fast to run uptempo. The ball can move up with court in one quick pass.

 

[therickbol]

Vescovi won't be the pg in uptempo. Too slow.

False, not the slow part because he is definitely a little heavy footed, but he has tremendous court vision and anticipation. He sees things before they happen because he understands spacing, cutting and defensive rotations. But as good as his vision and passing is I still think his future is more of a combo guard rather than a pure PG.

 

[cncchris33]

False, not the slow part because he is definitely a little heavy footed, but he has tremendous court vision and anticipation. He sees things before they happen because he understands spacing, cutting and defensive rotations. But as good as his vision and passing is I still think his future is more of a combo guard rather than a pure PG.

I share your exact thoughts, but if he could clean up his ball-handling and develop his right hand, he could change my mind. He is at his best when things break down, but when he is forced to facilitate in the halfcourt, he is just too handicapped by his left hand and lack of quickness to either hand.

Full disclosure, he has gotten so much better in a month. I can see a full offseason of ball-handling drills making a huge difference for him, next season. I still think I like Springer running point, right now, but SV just seems like the kind of kid that eats, breaths, and sleeps basketball, I won't be surprised to see major improvement in him that would change my mind about that situation. Too many PGs is never a problem.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

I share your exact thoughts, but if he could clean up his ball-handling and develop his right hand, he could change my mind. He is at his best when things break down, but when he is forced to facilitate in the halfcourt, he is just too handicapped by his left hand and lack of quickness to either hand.

Full disclosure, he has gotten so much better in a month. I can see a full offseason of ball-handling drills making a huge difference for him, next season. I still think I like Springer running point, right now, but SV just seems like the kind of kid that eats, breaths, and sleeps basketball, I won't be surprised to see major improvement in him that would change my mind about that situation. Too many PGs is never a problem.

I like the fact that next season we will have at least 4 guys in Keon, Springer, Vescovi and JJJ that can create enough on their own and drive into the paint. Currently with JJJ out we only have Vescovi and Bowden that even attemp to drive. With our freak athleticism and 2 good ball handlers in Springer and Vescovi (who needs improvement with his right hand) we're going to see lots of highlight dunks, alley oops and blocks. We won't win games physically but will definitely win games athletically.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I like the fact that next season we will have at least 4 guys in Keon, Springer, Vescovi and JJJ that can create enough on their own and drive into the paint. Currently with JJJ out we only have Vescovi and Bowden that even attemp to drive. With our freak athleticism and 2 good ball handlers in Springer and Vescovi (who needs improvement with his right hand) we're going to see lots of highlight dunks, alley oops and blocks. We won't win games physically but will definitely win games athletically.

I wish that Vescovi would finish more when he gets to the rim. His 3-point percentage might be higher than his shots around the basket. LT had similar issues early in his career. He'd get to the hoop and not finish. That is how the game at UNC ended iirc.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

I wish that Vescovi would finish more when he gets to the rim. His 3-point percentage might be higher than his shots around the basket. LT had similar issues early in his career. He'd get to the hoop and not finish. That is how the game at UNC ended iirc.

He doesn't seem to have much of a vertical, I think he'll play more like a John Stockton with a shot type down the road. He and Springer are going to be a great change of pace tandem. As long as those 2 don't clash the Vols are gonna be fun to watch next year.

 

[The Dog]

He doesn't seem to have much of a vertical, I think he'll play more like a John Stockton with a shot type down the road. He and Springer are going to be a great change of pace tandem. As long as those 2 don't clash the Vols are gonna be fun to watch next year.

I don't know what Vescovi's vertical is, but I would bet the house that it's better than Stockton's, even in his prime. Have u seen that video where Vescovi tried to dunk on former Georgetown/NBA center, Greg Monroe ? Mad impressive, imo and I can't remember Stockton ever even trying to dunk, let along on a 7' center. I know u wasn't comparing Vescovi's jumping ability to Stockton's, just saying he can jump a little. Vescovi has been a good rebounder, this year, especially for a guard. I just think Vescovi has to get acclimated to the speed and hops of the athletes in D1 basketball for a year and he will be a much better finisher at the rim, next year

 

[Roustabout]

Vescovi won't be the pg in uptempo. Too slow.

LOL

Too white you mean?

 

[cncchris33]

I don't know what Vescovi's vertical is, but I would bet the house that it's better than Stockton's, even in his prime. Have u seen that video where Vescovi tried to dunk on former Georgetown/NBA center, Greg Monroe ? Mad impressive, imo and I can't remember Stockton ever even trying to dunk, let along on a 7' center. I know u wasn't comparing Vescovi's jumping ability to Stockton's, just saying he can jump a little. Vescovi has been a good rebounder, this year, especially for a guard. I just think Vescovi has to get acclimated to the speed and hops of the athletes in D1 basketball for a year and he will be a much better finisher at the rim, next year

Agree here. Vescovi, as a PG, is averaging 4 rpg. He may be an average athlete, but he hustles on the boards and puts himself in position to get rebounds.

For perspective, he and Pons are on opposite ends of the spectrum, athletically speaking, but Pons averages only 1 more rebound per game.

 

[walkenvol]

I wonder if you guys aren’t seriously discounting Vescovi. What he’s accomplished having been on campus just 6 weeks and being dropped into a team mid season is amazing to me. He’s not nearly as slow and unathletic as some are claiming. He’s also 18 years old in a foreign country. I won’t be surprised if he’s an all SEC player before he leaves. A year in the S&C program may make a huge impact

 

[VFLCodyGBO]

Vescovi has the potential to be a future first rounder. Good shot, solid court vision, great passing ability. He just needs time in the weight room and a year or 3 of development.

Next years team has a high ceiling and that ceiling can be a national title contender if we get Uros playing to his potential a small a 7ft rim protecting inside threat (or if he can be a stretch 5, that wouldn’t hurt).

 

[walkenvol]

I don’t share your optimism for UP for next season. He’s got so far to come to be a solid contributor yet he’s already 21 years old and has been practicing in college programs for 2 years. Seems like a great young man and I hope he can give us a solid 15-20 minutes a game before he leaves

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I wonder if you guys aren’t seriously discounting Vescovi. What he’s accomplished having been on campus just 6 weeks and being dropped into a team mid season is amazing to me. He’s not nearly as slow and unathletic as some are claiming. He’s also 18 years old in a foreign country. I won’t be surprised if he’s an all SEC player before he leaves. A year in the S&C program may make a huge impact

Agree 100%...I’m curious how many freshman in the SEC during league play are averaging 29mpg 12ppg 4apg 4rpg, I’m guessing not very many.

 

[orangemadam]

LOL

Too white you mean?

I'm not disparaging Vescovi. I just think he is a bit slow for pg. I think he would be a tremendous SG or combo guard. He has tremendous awareness.

BTW, I am white. Nothing wrong with that. White boys can pass.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I'm not disparaging Vescovi. I just think he is a bit slow for pg. I think he would be a tremendous SG or combo guard. He has tremendous awareness.

BTW, I am white. Nothing wrong with that. White boys can pass.

I think he plays under control, I don’t think he’s trying to showcase his athleticism, that’s kind of the euro MO. He’s a good enough shooter that it makes him “quicker”, Barnes mentioned this last night postgame.

 

[Roustabout]

I'm not disparaging Vescovi. I just think he is a bit slow for pg. I think he would be a tremendous SG or combo guard. He has tremendous awareness.

BTW, I am white. Nothing wrong with that. White boys can pass.

He’s a PG with the ability to score. His defense will improve a ton under Barnes. I prefer players who don’t have to be taught how to score.

 

[therickbol]

I wonder if you guys aren’t seriously discounting Vescovi. What he’s accomplished having been on campus just 6 weeks and being dropped into a team mid season is amazing to me. He’s not nearly as slow and unathletic as some are claiming. He’s also 18 years old in a foreign country. I won’t be surprised if he’s an all SEC player before he leaves. A year in the S&C program may make a huge impact

Completely agree.

 

[therickbol]

Vescovi has the potential to be a future first rounder. Good shot, solid court vision, great passing ability. He just needs time in the weight room and a year or 3 of development.

Next years team has a high ceiling and that ceiling can be a national title contender if we get Uros playing to his potential a small a 7ft rim protecting inside threat (or if he can be a stretch 5, that wouldn’t hurt).

You see a completely different player in Uros than I do. I think, and an hoping, he can become a solid contributor. Think that might be his ceiling. Not a rim protector. Certainly not a stretch 5.

 

[VFLCodyGBO]

You see a completely different player in Uros than I do. I think, and an hoping, he can become a solid contributor. Think that might be his ceiling. Not a rim protector. Certainly not a stretch 5.

It would certainly be fair to call my view optimistic. I’m just thinking back to grant and admiral before CRB. Admiral was widely viewed as a waste of a roster spot. CRB can get the most out of guys and I see Uros as a guy that has a lot to give.