3/3/2020 sealed it

[BruinVol]

We have seen guards struggle under Barnes, especially early...I wouldn’t be shocked if Springer plays more off ball early given the fact Barnes will have 3 other guards with more experience running the point under him.

Agreed. I think James plays more PG early than Springer

 

[whodeycin85]

I’ve seen Springer a number of times on the tube and his skill set is off the charts Better then SV at PG. James is as well and when he get healthy watch out

I see great body control with springer. But now blow by speed....the highlights i just watched showed more floaters and pull up jumpers in the paint then drives....

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Agreed. I think James plays more PG early than Springer

I’m totally good with Vescovi off ball, if it happens I think it means we are getting elite PG play.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I see great body control with springer. But now blow by speed....the highlights i just watched showed more floaters and pull up jumpers in the paint then drives....

Bingo...not sure he’s that much quicker than Vescovi, he looks decently fast but he’s also playing HS kids...Vescovi looks quicker in his highlights too.

 

[BruinVol]

I’m totally good with Vescovi off ball, if it happens I think it means we are getting elite PG play.

I think we are going to be elite at PG. I think James can be along with springer

 

[BruinVol]

I’m totally good with Vescovi off ball, if it happens I think it means we are getting elite PG play.

.

 

[JelloPuddinPup]

SV has a natural feel for the game but currently in a structured Barnes offense that gets him in trouble. As he meshes those things together he will be fine. I don't see him becoming an otherworldly athlete by next season (or possibly even in his career here) but he will get stronger, more balanced and probably quicker. As he continues to develop his game and moves away from being so left-dominant, he will be a great 4 year PG/SG for UT. He just has too much of a good feel for the game (not always impacting it the way it should) to not be a factor moving forward.

 

[VOLED]

JJJ had a great game, Santi did not. Part of the reason is just because of the size of Kentucky. It had less of an effect on James because he's actually bigger than any of their guards, Santi was just overwhelmed and it was obvious. He did end up making some really key plays down the stretch to make up for the rest of the game. We need James to continue to be aggressive though, as we aren't good enough for him to go into his passive mode.

I thought Vescovi was thinking too much (first time in Rupp) in the 1st half and much of the 2nd. When he stopped doing that he played much better. I counted 3 defensive deflections from him in the last 5 minutes or so of the game. He played better when it mattered most and that is the sign of a ball player IMO.

 

[BruinVol]

He played better when it mattered most and that is the sign of a ball player IMO.

He’s a “winner” in my book. Doesn’t shy away from the moment at all

 

[orangemadam]

Let's not forget about Bailey. He may be the starting PG early in the season.

 

[walkenvol]

that’s simply

His quickness and speed even with a year of S&C isn’t going to let him all of a sudden be better than the other guys we have as options at PG

IMO his perceived lack of speed and quickness is being greatly overblown. Not the fastest in the world but you guys want to make out like he needs to be playing at the local YMCA. His vision and basketball iq are outstanding. Like BTO, i think a year in the S&C program with really help him. His commitment to getting better must be very high as he has traveled the globe in pursuit of it.

 

[RAVOL]

We run a three Guard system losing only Bowden with Bailey sitting out and two AA high-school kids coming in. I am curious to see the development of Vescovi and James and I believe they our point Guards by trade with combo skills and both will get better at understanding the game and can become a little more explosive by off season training but will never be truly elite athletically that is a gift you our born with. The post really is about all our guards then because we do not have that true elite savvy point with great athletic ability to make a run at a final four. Well we want have that player but i love all our options and Depth and we will make a serious run next year to be SEC Champs as well possible Final Four. Lets not forget Ticket as well as he will be maybe our best defender on perimeter. So again love the options it is an incredible Menu. Enjoy Tn basketball now and future.

 

[MCScots4]

IMO his perceived lack of speed and quickness is being greatly overblown. Not the fastest in the world but you guys want to make out like he needs to be playing at the local YMCA. His vision and basketball iq are outstanding. Like BTO, i think a year in the S&C program with really help him. His commitment to getting better must be very high as he has traveled the globe in pursuit of it.

And kentucky's guards make most look slow

 

[BruinVol]

And kentucky's guards make most look slow

but it’s not just Kentucky. He has really struggled getting us into the flow of any offense sense he’s been here. It’s really hard to be efficient on offense when the PG doesn’t get the offense moving until the shot clock is inside of 15 seconds.

 

[cncchris33]

JJJ had a great game, Santi did not. Part of the reason is just because of the size of Kentucky. It had less of an effect on James because he's actually bigger than any of their guards, Santi was just overwhelmed and it was obvious. He did end up making some really key plays down the stretch to make up for the rest of the game. We need James to continue to be aggressive though, as we aren't good enough for him to go into his passive mode.

Ashton Haggans may be the best on-ball defender Santi has ever seen, too. Maxes is no slouch. All 3 of UKs guards can play rally good defense, and Vescovi being seriously handicapped by his right hand really limits his effectiveness in the half court offense. He is at his best in transition and when things break down, defensively, and it allows him to freelance as a playmaker. Youthful indiscretion in those moments gets him into trouble at times (driving toward the baseline and jumping without an obvious outlet, for example), but that will hopefully be remedied by experience and an offseason of coaching.

 

[76vol]

but it’s not just Kentucky. He has really struggled getting us into the flow of any offense sense he’s been here. It’s really hard to be efficient on offense when the PG doesn’t get the offense moving until the shot clock is inside of 15 seconds.

I was going to post this same observation after the Florida game. He has made the initial pass to the wing in better than 15 seconds but his difficulty in shaking the defender usually results in the wing receiving the ball further out from the basket. The timing and spacing are affected.

Most of his positive plays come when he receives the ball reversal pass on the wing and shoots or penetrates the lane and makes the pass. To me he's like Turner, a natural wing player playing point. There's certainly nothing negative about that.

If anybody still has the Florida game recorded note that when they turned up the defensive pressure, both three quarter court and full court, Barnes had either Bowden or James were bringing the ball down as much as possible.

 

[cncchris33]

This is VN. Outrageous claims for message board street cred...normally bruinvol has great takes buy here must agree to disagree...as long as SV gain confidence in his right hand. He will be the primary ball handler

That is the million dollar question, though. It needs significant work.

 

[golfballs]

Makes no sense to write off Vescovi. In fact it’s nuts IMO

 

[cncchris33]

Bingo...not sure he’s that much quicker than Vescovi, he looks decently fast but he’s also playing HS kids...Vescovi looks quicker in his highlights too.

Come on. Springer is significantly faster than Vescovi.

One thing to note is that those aren’t just “high school kids” he’s playing against on most nights. He isn’t rolling out on the floor vs the likes of Gibbs, Seymour, and Powell high school. He is playing the elite of the elite at the HS level, and many of those kids could walk into a host of collegiate programs and get significant minutes, right this second. That’s not even to mention the players he practices against on a daily basis. Springer is going to come in much more prepared physically and having played at the biggest high school stage than your average freshman.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Makes no sense to write off Vescovi. In fact it’s nuts IMO

Yup, just don’t see the point.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Come on. Springer is significantly faster than Vescovi.

One thing to note is that those aren’t just “high school kids” he’s playing against on most nights. He isn’t rolling out on the floor vs the likes of Gibbs, Seymour, and Powell high school. He is playing the elite of the elite at the HS level, and many of those kids could walk into a host of collegiate programs and get significant minutes, right this second. That’s not even to mention the players he practices against on a daily basis. Springer is going to come in much more prepared physically and having played at the biggest high school stage than your average freshman.

Well Vescovi was playing against some former NBA guys and guys with multiple years on him, I would say that was probably stiffer competition than what Springer has faced.

 

[cncchris33]

Makes no sense to write off Vescovi. In fact it’s nuts IMO

I agree. Even making a definitive statement about his future as an effective PG is a bit premature, even if you agree that his best position may be SG. He is just still to raw and unrefined without the benefit of an offseason of individual work. He has a very high ceiling as a player, if only a more limited ceiling as an athlete and a PG, specifically.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Springer is an Elite talent who can get to the rim anytime he wants too.

He’ll be our version of Tyrese Maxy next year.

 

[cncchris33]

Well Vescovi was playing against some former NBA guys and guys with multiple years on him, I would say that was probably stiffer competition than what Springer has faced.

But playing against those guys didn’t make SV quicker or more athletic. Springer is clearly a + in both those areas, and you tried to play it off as though there was little difference. That just isn’t true.

You do make a fair point about Vescovi’s competition, though the only mention I have seen of facing former NBAers was in one single 5 or 6 game tournament. However, my point of making mention of Springer’s competition wasn’t to compare it Vescovi’s. It was to simply refute the idea that he’s only facing HS competition. That is a lazy argument, IMO.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

But playing against those guys didn’t make SV quicker or more athletic. Springer is clearly a + in both those areas, and you tried to play it off as though there was little difference. That just isn’t true.

You do make a fair point about Vescovi’s competition, though the only mention I have seen of facing former NBAers was in one single 5 or 6 game tournament. However, my point of making mention of Springer’s competition wasn’t to compare it Vescovi’s. It was to simply refute the idea that he’s only facing HS competition. That is a lazy argument, IMO.

I disagree Springer has A+ quickness, if you watch him against the top high school PG’s he has struggled to get by them some...next year he will be facing those guys every single night, and most will have experience under their belt and a strength program as well...so I don’t see him being better at getting by guys next year than he is this year. His biggest asset is his strength, I do worry a little as to how that translates against 20-23 year old men and not 16-17 year old kids, I hope I’m dead wrong I just don’t see him being an elite level PG next season.