2024-2025 Tennessee Basketball Team Discussion

[cncchris33]

Yes, but that's me being conservative and not putting a lot of stock into glowing offseason reports. I think offseason reporting has gotten a lot better over the last couple years, but my guard is just up, especially in the scope of mid-major transfers. Obviously just a gut feeling, and it would be awesome to be wrong. If this man scores better than Zeigler, that would be a shock to me. A very welcome shock.

I may have misunderstood your intent, too. Your comment came across as though perhaps you had not been aware of the hype around him and thus chalked it up to him not making any noise. My bad.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

In recent years, Rick has been trying to pick up the pace on offense and transition more to the modern game with a lot of 3s and rim 2s. I do wonder if Dubar struggles to carve out a role and Chaz and Carr don’t provide the scoring punch we hoped for how we’ll transform our game plans if the front court does turn out to be the strength of this team compared to last year when it was the guard play.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

In recent years, Rick has been trying to pick up the pace on offense and transition more to the modern game with a lot of 3s and rim 2s. I do wonder if Dubar struggles to carve out a role and Chaz and Carr don’t provide the scoring punch we hoped for how we’ll transform our game plans if the front court does turn out to be the strength of this team compared to last year when it was the guard play.

I think both Carr and Chaz will score very well this year. Not one of my worries.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

In recent years, Rick has been trying to pick up the pace on offense and transition more to the modern game with a lot of 3s and rim 2s. I do wonder if Dubar struggles to carve out a role and Chaz and Carr don’t provide the scoring punch we hoped for how we’ll transform our game plans if the front court does turn out to be the strength of this team compared to last year when it was the guard play.

I think that he adjusts to his personnel. When Bone was the PG Barnes was an advocate of pushing the pace.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

I think absolute worst case, transfers don't produce offensively, still no reason to think this team can't be top 5 defense which we've seen pretty consistently with Barnes. ZZ, Mashack, and Felix alone gives very high floor defensively.

 

[pimo1]

I think absolute worst case, transfers don't produce offensively, still no reason to think this team can't be top 5 defense which we've seen pretty consistently with Barnes. ZZ, Mashack, and Felix alone gives very high floor defensively.

Most of the transfers are more on the offensive side with only Okpara being a 'defensive' guy. I don't think any of them were seen as bad defensive players but none of them but Okpara are dudes that hang their hats on D.

 

[Lefteye]

What they been saying about Dubar? I haven’t been keeping up with practice reports

Sorry so late, read he’s been slow to pick up system/defense. I have no idea and didn’t intend to start rumors or bad mojo

 

[berryvol]

In recent years, Rick has been trying to pick up the pace on offense and transition more to the modern game with a lot of 3s and rim 2s. I do wonder if Dubar struggles to carve out a role and Chaz and Carr don’t provide the scoring punch we hoped for how we’ll transform our game plans if the front court does turn out to be the strength of this team compared to last year when it was the guard play.

I admittedly can’t remember who said it, but I know someone in here or trilly said that stone had some conditioning issues. With Barnes going more tempo on offense and still demanding high level defense, seems like someone with stone’s body type (that we’ve seen from camp videos) may struggle with that. Just reading between the lines, but we’ve always heard it takes a lot of mental fortitude to play for Barnes. Maybe DStone just didn’t come in ready for what all that entailed with conditioning and being mentally ready to play both ends. I hope he figures it out - would be a major boon to our chances at winning the conference and making a run in March.

 

[berryvol]

I think both Carr and Chaz will score very well this year. Not one of my worries.

Sounds like Carr has been struggling. I know SF said in here that the legend of Carr beats Carr every time. From our guy JF in the Trilly discord, “Carr I think is going to be the guy the fanbase is most frustrated with Barnes with this year. You will see some insane flashes and probably a few 15-20 point games out of him but probably just as many DNPs.”

The ability is definitely there for him, hopefully he takes the time to devote to making it consistent.

 

[berryvol]

Most of the transfers are more on the offensive side with only Okpara being a 'defensive' guy. I don't think any of them were seen as bad defensive players but none of them but Okpara are dudes that hang their hats on D.

Sounds like we hit a home run on the front court transfers. If we get a vet guard and/or transfer guard to step up and play good, efficient ball, sounds like we will be good this year. Absolute worst case, I think we will be more fun on both ends than our 2023 iteration.

 

[NighthawkVol]

I admittedly can’t remember who said it, but I know someone in here or trilly said that stone had some conditioning issues. With Barnes going more tempo on offense and still demanding high level defense, seems like someone with stone’s body type (that we’ve seen from camp videos) may struggle with that. Just reading between the lines, but we’ve always heard it takes a lot of mental fortitude to play for Barnes. Maybe DStone just didn’t come in ready for what all that entailed with conditioning and being mentally ready to play both ends. I hope he figures it out - would be a major boon to our chances at winning the conference and making a run in March.

I thought the "showed up out of shape" report was on Lanier.

 

[cncchris33]

I thought the "showed up out of shape" report was on Lanier.

It was. DD may have, as well, but he looks like he's in great physical condition in the practice videos and pictures.

 

[berryvol]

I thought the "showed up out of shape" report was on Lanier.

Yeah I could be conflating the two with the recent issues reported on Stone.

 

[pimo1]

Sounds like we hit a home run on the front court transfers. If we get a vet guard and/or transfer guard to step up and play good, efficient ball, sounds like we will be good this year. Absolute worst case, I think we will be more fun on both ends than our 2023 iteration.

not sure about home run...DK was a 6 Powerball lottery win. Even Barnes admitted he did not expect what we got out of him. I am sure we will be a good team though. My worry is if we have the leadership with all these new faces. the only real proven returning leader is ZZ. The only real proven offensive weapon is ZZ. IF these guys don't bring some shooting we are in trouble because we only have 1.5 proven scorers coming back. ZZ is a great player but he has limitations as a scorer (size) if he is the focus he is easy to neutralize. He needs other shooters to operate at his best and his energy is best spent on the defensive end and distributing. Mashack is a good player JJJ lite. Gainey could be a threat, maybe? I feel like if Gainey is any higher than 6th man we have problems on offense. Our best lineup assuming all the transfers are who we (I) hope they are is

ZZ, Gainey/Boswell
Lanier, Gainey, Dubar?
Mashack, Dubar, Carr
Milicic, Dubar, Phillips
Okpara, Milicic, Estrella

I see Dubar/Gainey being the 6th man depending on matchups and how good a scorer Dubar can be. The big question is who spells ZZ? Who happens if ZZ goes down? From what Barnes hinted it sounds like it could be Milicic surprisingly. Not necessarily as a point guard but like a point forward (Lebron James extremely lite)

 

[TrippieRedd]

Said Knecht would be the best player last season…I think Milicic will be the best player this year.

He and ZZ can lead us to another elite 8.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Said Knecht would be the best player last season…I think Milicic will be the best player this year.

He and ZZ can lead us to another elite 8.

Really going out on a limb there by predicting the guy with the most hype in off-season practice reports again will be the best player on the team.

 

[walkenvol]

not sure about home run...DK was a 6 Powerball lottery win. Even Barnes admitted he did not expect what we got out of him. I am sure we will be a good team though. My worry is if we have the leadership with all these new faces. the only real proven returning leader is ZZ. The only real proven offensive weapon is ZZ. IF these guys don't bring some shooting we are in trouble because we only have 1.5 proven scorers coming back. ZZ is a great player but he has limitations as a scorer (size) if he is the focus he is easy to neutralize. He needs other shooters to operate at his best and his energy is best spent on the defensive end and distributing. Mashack is a good player JJJ lite. Gainey could be a threat, maybe? I feel like if Gainey is any higher than 6th man we have problems on offense. Our best lineup assuming all the transfers are who we (I) hope they are is

ZZ, Gainey/Boswell
Lanier, Gainey, Dubar?
Mashack, Dubar, Carr
Milicic, Dubar, Phillips
Okpara, Milicic, Estrella

I see Dubar/Gainey being the 6th man depending on matchups and how good a scorer Dubar can be. The big question is who spells ZZ? Who happens if ZZ goes down? From what Barnes hinted it sounds like it could be Milicic surprisingly. Not necessarily as a point guard but like a point forward (Lebron James extremely lite)

Everything we’ve ever read or heard is Mashack is one of the leaders of the program.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Really going out on a limb there by predicting the guy with the most hype in off-season practice reports again will be the best player on the team.

Hey now everyone bashed me when I said it last year…

Was expecting more

 

[pimo1]

Everything we’ve ever read or heard is Mashack is one of the leaders of the program.

I mean on the sidelines and lockerroom but on the court. Also, I should have been more specific I meant offensively. Mashack is a defensive stopper and a good all-around player.. offensive sparkplug he is not. He's scored in double digits 9 times in 99 tries including tourney games. he is a 33% 3 point shooter but averages 1 attempt a game. thus far.

That being said, you make a good point that the remaining leaders on the team are defensive minded and hopefully that rubs off.

 

[pimo1]

Said Knecht would be the best player last season…I think Milicic will be the best player this year.

He and ZZ can lead us to another elite 8.

I think that Gainey or Boswell will be the most important player to the teams success this year. If one of them can spell/support ZZ for 10-15 mins a game we becomes a very dangerous team. They don't have to be great one or both of them just has to be able to step in when ZZ is out or needs a breather.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I think that Gainey or Boswell will be the most important player to the teams success this year. If one of them can spell/support ZZ for 10-15 mins a game we becomes a very dangerous team. They don't have to be great one or both of them just has to be able to step in when ZZ is out or needs a breather.

Considering Zeigler averaged 32 MPG last year, and that's including the early season games where we eased him into things, I don't think anyone is spelling him for 10-15 minutes. He's usually on the court for 34+ min in conference play. It's just who he is.

I would be floored if Boswell got much run this year outside of the "buy" games.

 

[therickbol]

Considering Zeigler averaged 32 MPG last year, and that's including the early season games where we eased him into things, I don't think anyone is spelling him for 10-15 minutes. He's usually on the court for 34+ min in conference play. It's just who he is.

I would be floored if Boswell got much run this year outside of the "buy" games.

I would agree with that. Not every player needs 10-15 minutes of rest each game. Zeigler's play does not diminish significantly with heavy minutes. And our team is just completely different when he is on the floor. Who plays PG the 5 minutes that he is not on the floor is not what is going to determine the success of this team.

 

[pimo1]

Considering Zeigler averaged 32 MPG last year, and that's including the early season games where we eased him into things, I don't think anyone is spelling him for 10-15 minutes. He's usually on the court for 34+ min in conference play. It's just who he is.

I would be floored if Boswell got much run this year outside of the "buy" games.

Thats assuming he never gets hurt. I am factoring in him missing some time and all of those 10-15 minutes are not just when he is out sometimes they would play with him... Like he did with Chandler and Santi his freshman year

 

[hjeagle1vol]

Sounds like we hit a home run on the front court transfers. If we get a vet guard and/or transfer guard to step up and play good, efficient ball, sounds like we will be good this year. Absolute worst case, I think we will be more fun on both ends than our 2023 iteration.

Nobody predicted Vols Baseball to win the triple crown but the pieces came together. I see similarities here.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Thats assuming he never gets hurt. I am factoring in him missing some time and all of those 10-15 minutes are not just when he is out sometimes they would play with him... Like he did with Chandler and Santi his freshman year

To be fair, that’s not what you said. Saying we need to get someone prepared to play 10-15 minutes a game to give him a breather or support him is different than saying we need to get someone prepared for if he gets injured. If Zeigler gets injured, we’re going to have a lot bigger problems and will need more than 10-15 minutes a game covered.