2024-2025 Tennessee Basketball Team Discussion

[MoB_MoVols]

What should be a wild SEC hoops season gets underway tomorrow with Tennessee hosting Arkansas and new head coach John Calipari (and former Vol Jonas Aidoo).

Tennessee obviously isn’t going into conference play at full-strength, but there’s no griping and moaning from the coaching staff. Instead there’s a feeling that they’ve got what they need to compete for a title in the toughest league in the sport.

That’s definitely the attitude from the players as well, starting with Zakai Zeigler. The level of ownership he’s taking in this team, Jahmai Mashack as well, is impressive to see.

Tennessee has had some strong leadership under Barnes, but not to this degree in my opinion. Those two guys could run a practice.

As far as the roster the real wild card seems to be Darlinstone Dubar. How much are they going to be able to rely on him? And how much trust does the staff have in him?

It felt like he took a big step when he played 17 minutes at Illinois and had some big moments in the second half of that game. But he’s played just 17 total minutes in the last two games, suggesting that he doesn’t quite have a defined role just yet.

Cade Phillips continued development has been a real plus, but there’s no question that with nine guys, at some point Dubar is going to have to come through.

The staff continues to be high on Bishop Boswell who was back on Tuesday after missing some time with a shoulder injury.

Jordan Gainey is going to be Ziegler’s primary back-up in terms of the primary ball handler, but Boswell is going to get minutes, though maybe not regular minutes on a nightly basis.

The staff has really liked the way that Boswell goes about preparing and studying, even when he knows playing time isn’t likely. That’s a tough hurdle for a lot of young players to clear, but Boswell has brought a lot of maturity to his approach.

-VQ

 

[orangemadam]

It's good to be able to bring Boswell along slowly at pg. Gainey has been a godsend as far
as the pg role. I'm guessing the intent is to increase Boswell minutes slowly at pg as the
season unwinds.

In the event the Vols sign a true pg, how do you see Boswell's role next season? anybody wanna speculate?

 

[bleedingTNorange]

It's good to be able to bring Boswell along slowly at pg. Gainey has been a godsend as far
as the pg role. I'm guessing the intent is to increase Boswell minutes slowly at pg as the
season unwinds.

In the event the Vols sign a true pg, how do you see Boswell's role next season? anybody wanna speculate?

It’s looked to me like they’ve actually been playing Boswell a lot of his minutes off the ball, he’s played alongside both Zeigler & Gaines when those guys are running point. I would venture to estimate that probably 80%+ of his minutes have come off the ball, he was even playing some 3 at times, so I do wonder if the staff views him more as a Mashack type, versatile, plus defender piece, rather than a PG.

 

[TennesseeFan07]

How is Mashack's finger?

 

[Chaz-Vol]

How is Mashack's finger?

No update. I'm guessing it's going to just be a pain tolerance type deal until it heals fully.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

It’s looked to me like they’ve actually been playing Boswell a lot of his minutes off the ball, he’s played alongside both Zeigler & Gaines when those guys are running point. I would venture to estimate that probably 80%+ of his minutes have come off the ball, he was even playing some 3 at times, so I do wonder if the staff views him more as a Mashack type, versatile, plus defender piece, rather than a PG.

Correct. I do believe the long term hope is still that he can handle pg minutes eventually, but they aren’t comfortable with him bringing the ball up under pressure yet. His practice time at pg has been limited, but growing.

 

[cncchris33]

It’s looked to me like they’ve actually been playing Boswell a lot of his minutes off the ball, he’s played alongside both Zeigler & Gaines when those guys are running point. I would venture to estimate that probably 80%+ of his minutes have come off the ball, he was even playing some 3 at times, so I do wonder if the staff views him more as a Mashack type, versatile, plus defender piece, rather than a PG.

This was my fear when we recruited him, that he was more of a combo guard than an actual point guard, because I agree that he's been used in more of an off-ball role. I say "fear" because we needed a PG, not because I don't think he can play.
He seems to be a carbon copy of BJ Edwards, IMO, who is having a pretty nice season at SMU, btw. Both are bulked up guards who seem to lack the quickness of a point guard, which was my initial concern with both players filling the PG role. Doesn't mean that neither guy cannot be a good player, I just always had questions about both of them in the role they seemingly (from a public perspective) were recruited to play.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Correct. I do believe the long term hope is still that he can handle pg minutes eventually, but they aren’t comfortable with him bringing the ball up under pressure yet. His practice time at pg has been limited, but growing.

Yea, looks to me like they see him more likely as an emergency 3rd or 4th option at PG, much like Mashack would be this year. Gets some minutes in practice there just in case, but majority of time will be spent off the ball. Obviously if they land Mallory & Collins the chances of Boswell playing much PG is pretty small, and they’ll still be looking into the portal at guard help as well.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

This was my fear when we recruited him, that he was more of a combo guard than an actual point guard, because I agree that he's been used in more of an off-ball role. I say "fear" because we needed a PG, not because I don't think he can play.
He seems to be a carbon copy of BJ Edwards, IMO, who is having a pretty nice season at SMU, btw. Both are bulked up guards who seem to lack the quickness of a point guard, which was my initial concern with both players filling the PG role. Doesn't mean that neither guy cannot be a good player, I just always had questions about both of them in the role they seemingly (from a public perspective) were recruited to play.

That’s fair, I do wonder how much behind the scenes the staff viewed him the way fans did rather than actually thinking of him as an off ball guy. I know many clamored for PG help, but Zeigler is gonna push 40mpg in competitive games and Gainey has taken a very nice step in his PG duties also, so I wonder how much they really felt like they needed a PG behind the scenes. Obviously this year would appear different in terms of recruiting for 25-26.

 

[cncchris33]

That’s fair, I do wonder how much behind the scenes the staff viewed him the way fans did rather than actually thinking of him as an off ball guy. I know many clamored for PG help, but Zeigler is gonna push 40mpg in competitive games and Gainey has taken a very nice step in his PG duties also, so I wonder how much they really felt like they needed a PG behind the scenes. Obviously this year would appear different in terms of recruiting for 25-26.

Yeah, obviously the staff is much more in tune with team need and these players' capabilities. That's what I meant by qualifying it as public perspective. It would have been nice to have landed a PG who could relieve ZZ 8-10 minutes and get experience heading into 2025-26. I guess we will be looking for an impact PG in the portal, instead, which is fine in this environment as long as you can land one. It does seem like it could be a dangerous proposition, similar to football living in the portal for starting QBs, but that's why Rick Barnes gets paid $5 million.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Yeah, obviously the staff is much more in tune with team need and these players' capabilities. That's what I meant by qualifying it as public perspective. It would have been nice to have landed a PG who could relieve ZZ 8-10 minutes and get experience heading into 2025-26. I guess we will be looking for an impact PG in the portal, instead, which is fine in this environment as long as you can land one. It does seem like it could be a dangerous proposition, similar to football living in the portal for starting QBs, but that's why Rick Barnes gets paid $5 million.

Agree, but as you said that’s todays environment…what is it, 3/4 teams remaining in the CFP are starting transfer QB’s?

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Yeah, obviously the staff is much more in tune with team need and these players' capabilities. That's what I meant by qualifying it as public perspective. It would have been nice to have landed a PG who could relieve ZZ 8-10 minutes and get experience heading into 2025-26. I guess we will be looking for an impact PG in the portal, instead, which is fine in this environment as long as you can land one. It does seem like it could be a dangerous proposition, similar to football living in the portal for starting QBs, but that's why Rick Barnes gets paid $5 million.

I recall you being on the record about Boswell early on his true role being more off than on ball. I hear BTO on where we are now, but I’d note that he was the only person with serious practice minutes at backup PG this Summer. His early game minutes this year yielded some unnecessary TO’s and now he’s returning from being out of circulation due to the injury. I’ll make a distinction— Where he plays this year is probably a different proposition than what may happen in the future. I don’t see him as a ZZ/Bone TJ Ford point guard, but I do think he may grow into being a very serviceable second option (next year). As for building a roster, ZZ and Mashack are the dream foundation. Their departure means a whole new look based on a different foundation. If we go far in the tournament with those two seniors, I can see Barnes taking a harder look at retirement than we might imagine. I still think the odds are he’ll stay, but I’m not the first one to notice that it’ll be hard to find another guard pair like these two. Assuming he stays, he’s obviously earned my trust that he can pull a rabbit out of the portal better than any other active coach. It’ll be a tall order this time. Sorry I wandered so far off in the woods with this rant. My dog won’t listen.

 

[cncchris33]

I recall you being on the record about Boswell early on his true role being more off than on ball. I hear BTO on where we are now, but I’d note that he was the only person with serious practice minutes at backup PG this Summer. His early game minutes this year yielded some unnecessary TO’s and now he’s returning from being out of circulation due to the injury. I’ll make a distinction— Where he plays this year is probably a different proposition than what may happen in the future. I don’t see him as a ZZ/Bone TJ Ford point guard, but I do think he may grow into being a very serviceable second option (next year). As for building a roster, ZZ and Mashack are the dream foundation. Their departure means a whole new look based on a different foundation. If we go far in the tournament with those two seniors, I can see Barnes taking a harder look at retirement than we might imagine. I still think the odds are he’ll stay, but I’m not the first one to notice that it’ll be hard to find another guard pair like these two. Assuming he stays, he’s obviously earned my trust that he can pull a rabbit out of the portal better than any other active coach. I’ll be a tall order this time. Sorry I wandered so far off in the woods with this rant. My dog won’t listen.

Yeah, I was maybe out front on Boswell as an off guard because I took note of the similarities in a recent player like BJ Edwards. I do think that is likely Boswell's ultimate landing spot (shooting ability will need to show at some point), but I wouldn't completely write off the possibility of him fulfilling a backup PG role in the same vein Jordan Gainey is currently filling.

I'm also with you on the Barnes career path. If we somehow make a F4, this year, I'd almost bet it's more likely than not that he goes out with ZZ and Shack. It would be a great ending to a fantastic career. I'll hate to lose him because he has been fantastic for Tennessee basketball, the culture on and off the court, and for college basketball in the SEC.

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

Yeah, I was maybe out front on Boswell as an off guard because I took note of the similarities in a recent player like BJ Edwards. I do think that is likely Boswell's ultimate landing spot (shooting ability will need to show at some point), but I wouldn't completely write off the possibility of him fulfilling a backup PG role in the same vein Jordan Gainey is currently filling.

I'm also with you on the Barnes career path. If we somehow make a F4, this year, I'd almost bet it's more likely than not that he goes out with ZZ and Shack. It would be a great ending to a fantastic career. I'll hate to lose him because he has been fantastic for Tennessee basketball, the culture on and off the court, and for college basketball in the SEC.

This is my fear as well...would def make our 1st F4 very bittersweet but I wouldn't blame CRB for going out on a high note.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

I recall you being on the record about Boswell early on his true role being more off than on ball. I hear BTO on where we are now, but I’d note that he was the only person with serious practice minutes at backup PG this Summer. His early game minutes this year yielded some unnecessary TO’s and now he’s returning from being out of circulation due to the injury. I’ll make a distinction— Where he plays this year is probably a different proposition than what may happen in the future. I don’t see him as a ZZ/Bone TJ Ford point guard, but I do think he may grow into being a very serviceable second option (next year). As for building a roster, ZZ and Mashack are the dream foundation. Their departure means a whole new look based on a different foundation. If we go far in the tournament with those two seniors, I can see Barnes taking a harder look at retirement than we might imagine. I still think the odds are he’ll stay, but I’m not the first one to notice that it’ll be hard to find another guard pair like these two. Assuming he stays, he’s obviously earned my trust that he can pull a rabbit out of the portal better than any other active coach. It’ll be a tall order this time. Sorry I wandered so far off in the woods with this rant. My dog won’t listen.

Would be the best possible send off for Barnes and potentially a top 5 vols fan favorite player in ZZ to make final 4. A lot of season left but would be a bitter sweet thing to happen.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

SEC play is going to be a grind. Health may determine our success this year. Hope Mashack can return to full strength quickly. Can’t afford to have him limited.

 

[arkyvol]

I'm going to repeat the same warning I gave last fall before the football game--don't take the hogs lightly.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I'm going to repeat the same warning I gave last fall before the football game--don't take the hogs lightly.

Arkansas is a Top 25 team with loads of talent. I highly doubt anyone is taking them lightly. Not even really comparable to the Arkansas football team.

 

[SGMVols]

Would be the best possible send off for Barnes and potentially a top 5 vols fan favorite player in ZZ to make final 4. A lot of season left but would be a bitter sweet thing to happen.

There is talk now of the NCAA possibly changing eligibility rules and giving all players 5 playing years.

That would allow many of our seniors a chance to come back next year.

If that rule passes I can’t imagine Z not taking advantage of it

 

[TheMookieMonster]

There is talk now of the NCAA possibly changing eligibility rules and giving all players 5 playing years.

That would allow many of our seniors a chance to come back next year.

If that rule passes I can’t imagine Z not taking advantage of it

I saw that Tweet. I hope it doesn’t pass, but if it does I can’t imagine it will he enacted in time to allow ZZ to come back. I bet it would impact the 2026-2027 school year.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

I'm going to repeat the same warning I gave last fall before the football game--don't take the hogs lightly.

Ricky from Hickory will have them ready and plenty motivated. First SEC game against top 25 team at home, I don't imagine they'll take the hogs lightly.

 

[Creeker]

Ricky from Hickory will have them ready and plenty motivated. First SEC game against top 25 team at home, I don't imagine they'll take the hogs lightly.

Agree, I think they will be really ready going into tomorrow. I know these guys understand the transfer portal and probably don’t hate on anyone just because they left, but I’m positive there will be some guys on our side who are going to be extra amped up knowing that Aidoo is on the other side. I’m sure they still get along but they are also prideful.

 

[TrumpedUpVol]

Seeing some vague murmuring about a starter playing injured and likely being out for a bit. Does this register with the more connected members, or is it just nonsense/gossip? Feels like it has to be Mashack based on watching the game if (big if) there's any truth to it.

 

[Creeker]

Seeing some vague murmuring about a starter playing injured and likely being out for a bit. Does this register with the more connected members, or is it just nonsense/gossip? Feels like it has to be Mashack based on watching the game if (big if) there's any truth to it.

Mashack hurt his finger against MTSU but hasn’t been expected to miss any time. They’ll probably limit him if they can though.

 

[PKT_VOL]

If we are able to continue to eat teams alive on the glass, grind them down on defense, and have enough offense to take advantage of the former, the sky is the limit with this team. Defense and rebounding win championships!