3/3/2020 sealed it

[PulaskiVolFan]

Just going off what TOS has said that the coaching staff is pushing really hard for Bailey to run this team at point next year. Now I am not slighting the pick-ups of Springer, Vescovi, and having the emergence of James at the point. I just think that we don't need to write off Bailey at the point, which I think will make it more of a competition than what people might think. Also I do not think that he came here to just ride the bench as a limited used reserve.

Whose minutes will he take? I don't think Keon and Springer came here to be reserve players either. I just don't see Bailey getting big minutes next year.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

I think we need to pump the brakes on the expectation of these freshmen. I’d say its generally too high. Also, no telling how much Vescovi will build off of this season with a full offseason under his belt.

Freshman players have made an impact on several championship teams over the years and there is really no reason to believe that the combo of Keon and Springer playing alongside of JJJ in the backcourt won't be successful. The only question about the Freshman is whether or not they will be physical enough to hold up to the rugged play in the SEC.

 

[VOLED]

I see us being deeper and stronger than gorilla breath at the 1-3 positions next year. Pons and Fulky are really playing too many minutes this year so I hope somebody makes a few strides this offseason to give them a break. Is it possible that JJJ guards some at the 4 next year primarily in relief of Pons? I think JJJ is much like Pons and could guard the 1-4 position so I would not be shocked to see this as this would keep us very athletic at all positions.

 

[golfballs]

Freshman players have made an impact on several championship teams over the years and there is really no reason to believe that the combo of Keon and Springer playing alongside of JJJ in the backcourt won't be successful. The only question about the Freshman is whether or not they will be physical enough to hold up to the rugged play in the SEC.

And many more have fallen short of fans expectations

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

And many more have fallen short of fans expectations

In football maybe, 5 star basketball players are usually a good bet to be good to great players. There are definitely flops but not that many pct wise each year.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

In football maybe, 5 star basketball players are usually a good bet to be good to great players. There are definitely flops but not that many pct wise each year.

Look at the stats this year from guys ranked 10-30.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

Look at the stats this year from guys ranked 10-30.

Look at every NBA roster, look at Duke, Kentucky and Kansas every single year, look at all the one and dones, 5* basketball players are generally not busts. There are not 30 5* guys every year so maybe you should look at those ranked 1-15 to get a better feel.

 

[golfballs]

In football maybe, 5 star basketball players are usually a good bet to be good to great players. There are definitely flops but not that many pct wise each year.

Generally yes. But still doesn’t mean they reach fans expectations. In fact they generally don’t. Just look at the 5*s we’ve had.

Vescovi came in expecting to redshirt. Yet he dropped in the middle of the season and has played to the level of an SEC starter. With a full offseason under his belt I think there’s just as much reason to be optimistic about him than an unproven freshman.

 

[BruinVol]

Generally yes. But still doesn’t mean they reach fans expectations. In fact they generally don’t. Just look at the 5*s we’ve had.

Vescovi came in expecting to redshirt. Yet he dropped in the middle of the season and has played to the level of an SEC starter. With a full offseason under his belt I think there’s just as much reason to be optimistic about him than an unproven freshman.

To be fair our 5 stars have almost always been the fringe 5 star. They have rarely been inside the top 15

 

[RAVOL]

Keon Johnson may be our best perimeter player defensively next year, it's his best attribute coming in I feel. Springer is good defensively as well, those 2 and JJJ should be terrific defensively next season. Gaines has really come on playing defense and I think he'll be a valuable bench player next year.

keon is known for his defensive prowess. When Pons go out I can see them playing 4 guards. Lots of options next year

 

[VolGee4]

To be fair our 5 stars have almost always been the fringe 5 star. They have rarely been inside the top 15

This is true. Except for Tobias.

However, I believe Jaden Springer will be very good as a freshman and is an elite player that we will need at the position.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

Generally yes. But still doesn’t mean they reach fans expectations. In fact they generally don’t. Just look at the 5*s we’ve had.

Vescovi came in expecting to redshirt. Yet he dropped in the middle of the season and has played to the level of an SEC starter. With a full offseason under his belt I think there’s just as much reason to be optimistic about him than an unproven freshman.

Vescovi has been great and I'm excited to see how much he improves. He's definitely a valuable and productive player for us and will continue to be. I just feel like he's going to be the 6th man based on the talent we'll have available at the 3 backcourt positions. It's a great problem to have if it works out that way. If Vescovi starts it may very well mean that Keon or Springer are not as good as advertised.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

To be fair our 5 stars have almost always been the fringe 5 star. They have rarely been inside the top 15

Most of our 5 stars ended up being our best players even if they didn't live up to expectations.

 

[VEKZY]

Look at every NBA roster, look at Duke, Kentucky and Kansas every single year, look at all the one and dones, 5* basketball players are generally not busts. There are not 30 5* guys every year so maybe you should look at those ranked 1-15 to get a better feel.

# of 5 stars (per rivals) each year for the past decade:
2020 - 32
2019 - 32
2018 - 31
2017 - 29
2016 - 26
2015 - 25
2014 - 24
2013 - 26
2012 - 25
2011 - 26

AVERAGE - 27.6

Springer is #15
Johnson is #16

How would looking at those ranked 1-15 give a good feel? Do you even try looking up things before you start typing?

By your definition of 5 star (top 15), they would be fringe 5 stars / top 4 stars.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Look at every NBA roster, look at Duke, Kentucky and Kansas every single year, look at all the one and dones, 5* basketball players are generally not busts. There are not 30 5* guys every year so maybe you should look at those ranked 1-15 to get a better feel.

Actually rivals has had more than 30 players ranked as 5* in each of the past 3 classes, so might wanna try again.

I also never claimed they would be a bust, but you claimed they would be great, I’m simply stating that if you look at the guys ranked 15-30 rather than 1-15 then you would see that they don’t always come in and blow the roof off as you seem to suggest.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

To be fair our 5 stars have almost always been the fringe 5 star. They have rarely been inside the top 15

And none are this upcoming year either

 

[bleedingTNorange]

# of 5 stars (per rivals) each year for the past decade:
2020 - 32
2019 - 32
2018 - 31
2017 - 29
2016 - 26
2015 - 25
2014 - 24
2013 - 26
2012 - 25
2011 - 26

AVERAGE - 27.6

Springer is #15
Johnson is #16

How would looking at those ranked 1-15 give a good feel? Do you even try looking up things before you start typing?

By your definition of 5 star (top 15), they would be fringe 5 stars / top 4 stars.

Backtrack in 3...2...1...

 

[BruinVol]

And none are this upcoming year either

Springer has been ranked there

 

[BowlBrother85]

And none are this upcoming year either

247 has Springer #16. That's pretty damn close.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

Why when a guy has an off game does VN have to talk trash anout him??

SV came into a situation as a true freshman that most couldn't handle...

He will play alot next year and most likely start...
RAG on a 4 year player not a freshman with 3 months state side..
Pathetic!!!

For the same reasons JJJ is now the next Bernard King and will avg. a triple double from this point forward. A lot of Volnation has no middle ground, you’re either all in or all out.
I try not to get too high or too low, these days. I find the wait and see method is much easier on the ol’ ticker.
However, I was getting worried about JJJ and it was nice to see him play lights out.
I suppose Vescovi is this weeks villain and it looks as though Barnes is accepted again, since he remembered how to be a good coach again.
GBO!!

 

[BruinVol]

For the same reasons JJJ is now the next Bernard King and will avg. a triple double from this point forward. A lot of Volnation has no middle ground, you’re either all in or all out.
I try not to get too high or too low, these days. I find the wait and see method is much easier on the ol’ ticker.
However, I was getting worried about JJJ and it was nice to see him play lights out.
I suppose Vescovi is this weeks villain and it looks as though Barnes is accepted again, since he remembered how to be a good coach again.
GBO!!

If you have followed my post I have been against SV as a PG from the first game on. The OP wasn’t just some flavor of the week thinking.

 

[wmcovol]

I think that Vescovi has quickness, but not blazing speed like Bone. But even the speediest guys can't run faster than passes. I'll take quickness over speed. But there won't be as many easy baskets by beating defenses in full court opportunities. He'll just have to feed Fulkerson instead.

I wonder how speedy Bailey, Springer, and KJ will be in the SEC?

Ive followed the Vols since Jimmy Cornwall was the PG and only PG Tennessee has had close to Bone on speed was Ramar Smith and he was running from the law.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

If you have followed my post I have been against SV as a PG from the first game on. The OP wasn’t just some flavor of the week thinking.

TBH, I wasn’t responding to your OP.
GBO!!

 

[VOLED]

Generally yes. But still doesn’t mean they reach fans expectations. In fact they generally don’t. Just look at the 5*s we’ve had.

Vescovi came in expecting to redshirt. Yet he dropped in the middle of the season and has played to the level of an SEC starter. With a full offseason under his belt I think there’s just as much reason to be optimistic about him than an unproven freshman.

I don't think people are fully grasping what Vescovi has accomplished in about two months. Only freshman Pg I can recall coming this close to his numbers was CJ Watson. All this and he didn't even have a preseason to get in shape or learn the plays. If one of the FR come in and take his spot then they are damn good. I'm talking like one of the guards we played last night good. I'm betting on SV to keep his spot.

 

[Namorto1]

And for what it is worth, I haven’t claimed that he will be an elite level PG next year, either, but since we don’t have anyone that I would project to be an elite level PG next year, that is perfectly fine. I think we have four options at PG, next year, and that’s a great problem to have.

Yes, many valid posts on this thread, but the most important aspect for next year is how many ball handlers we will have. I think Barnes wants to run like UNC traditionally has run with their transition offense. We will have the depth, more minutes to spread around (so more rested players) and will likely have 3 ball handlers on the court at all times next year. Attack the defensive glass and push tempo. We already block a lot of shots despite lack of size, which also can initiate transition buckets. That is what I would love to see. Just consider:
- Fulkerson is even more dangerous because he can outrun any big in the SEC and won’t be pushed around as much.
- Tempo actually mitigates some of Vescovi’s weaknesses in breaking down a set half court defense via dribble penetration
- Pons becomes a rim runner and a dunk waiting to happen as it would be harder to block him out on the offensive glass and he may be a better shooter off a secondary break than he is in half court
- James is very good on the defensive glass, and can initiate a break all by himself if given the license to do so.
- Springer can play any style and has strength to finish at the rim
- Keon Johnson may be the most athletic player on the roster and loves to attack the rim
- Corey Walker Jr. plays an old man game and is multi-skilled, can handle and hit midrange shots
- Bailey..another athlete. Jalen Johnson...athlete. Nkamhoua...decent athlete who also mobile against other bigs. Gaines...athlete. Pember...think he will redshirt but also would benefit with more tempo. The only player that tempo doesn’t suit in my opinion is Plavsic, but even he can move reasonably well....just doesn’t know spacing, positioning etc...or anticipate well at all, which is why he is such a horrible rebounder despite being 7’0. Get lucky and sign a big shot blocker/rebounder like Cardwell...even better.

Get back to averaging in the 80’s per game would be fun.