Arizona Is A Beast

[cardvolfan]

This Arizona team is the best-looking team, at least on paper, I have seen this year. Exceptional shooting percentage from 2 (58.4%), decent from 3 at 35%, good at the FT line (72%). Also, they lead the country in assists, are 4th in total rebounds, and 4th in blocks. They commit 12 TO’s per game, but have 21 assists per game. They are BIG, and Tubelis, their 6’11” forward averages over 3 assists per game, to go with his 16 points and 7 rebounds. Their two bigs, Tubelis and Koloko (7’1”, 225) average 65% shooting down low.

In addition, their guards take care of the ball and distribute quite well. They also have some depth at the center position and some big guards off the bench. Their depth consists of some really quality players, but maybe their schedule hasn’t been the best. Still, a very well-rounded, gifted team that will present a major challenge.

Wednesday night should be electric in TBA. GO VOLS!

 

[cncchris33]

And somehow we are a 70% favorite according to ESPN's BPI matchup predictor.

 

[cardvolfan]

And somehow we are a 70% favorite according to ESPN's BPI matchup predictor.

Go figure.

 

[TrapVol]

I’ll be honest, I’m not feeling confident about this game. Just seems like a bad match-up for us. Hoping our guys make me look foolish.

 

[omghulkhands]

They have a 1st place vote

They are obviously pretty good, with a big front line. Intriguing and exciting matchup.

 

[JoAllan]

The certainly “look” good…….but the best team they have played is Illinois……..and that was a very close game.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

I know some will laugh at me for saying this... Uros could play a big role in how this game is decided. Can he give us a few points, play tough defense, rebound, bang with the Arizona bigs and give us 5 tough fouls? I know it sounds like a lot to ask of him but he has to step up and give us something because ON will not be able to go toe to toe with them in the paint and BHH may be able to run them but I don’t think he can bang with them either, at this point.
GBO!!

 

[VOLED]

Mainly what we need to show is confidence and someone to be a leader. The talent is there.

 

[CAVPUT]

I know some will laugh at me for saying this... Uros could play a big role in how this game is decided. Can he give us a few points, play tough defense, rebound, bang with the Arizona bigs and give us 5 tough fouls? I know it sounds like a lot to ask of him but he has to step up and give us something because ON will not be able to go toe to toe with them in the paint and BHH may be able to run them but I don’t think he can bang with them either, at this point.
GBO!!

If our hope hangs on Plavi, we in deep doodoo. Maybe we push the pace and all our shooters are hot for this one.

 

[Mikevol1964]

Turns out I will be in Knoxville (we’ll actually Gatlinburg) for work tomorrow. Definitely thinking of staying over and going to this game.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

If our hope hangs on Plavi, we in deep doodoo. Maybe we push the pace and all our shooters are hot for this one.

Arizona has three 7 footers in their rotation. Uros will be needed.

 

[Volfan1000]

Arizona has three 7 footers in their rotation. Uros will be needed.

Huntley-Hatfield and Plavsic will need to give Tennessee productive minutes tomorrow night against the Triple Towers.

 

[golfballs]

Their starting lineup is great. I like our bench. This would be a great game for Powell to bury some 3s off the bench

 

[HippieVol33]

I’ve rewatched their game against Illinois a few times. Illinois got hot from 3 for about a 4-5 minute stretch which allowed this game to be much closer than it should’ve. Beating Arizona will take our best basketball for sure.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Huntley-Hatfield and Plavsic will need to give Tennessee productive minutes tomorrow night against the Triple Towers.

It would be good timing for Aidoo to add a few productive minutes as well. Fulk and ORN better not get the cheap early fouls although that would force BHH into the mix.

 

[HippieVol33]

And somehow we are a 70% favorite according to ESPN's BPI matchup predictor.

I do wonder how much home court factors into the BPI. Memphis was favored against Bama according to BPI as well.

 

[JohnnyJava]

Is the game still on? Didn't Penny Hardaway also cancel the UT-Arizona game for us when he chickened out and took his scaredy cats back to Memphis?

 

[cardvolfan]

It would be good timing for Aidoo to add a few productive minutes as well. Fulk and ORN better not get the cheap early fouls although that would force BHH into the mix.

Our bigs HAVE to produce. I’m hoping Uros plays the game of his life.

 

[cncchris33]

I do wonder how much home court factors into the BPI. Memphis was favored against Bama according to BPI as well.

And subsequently drilled them, no less. I don't know if hardly anyone saw that one coming.

 

[VolArmy74]

Most "duh" thing to say, but we need to make shots and get out to a good start. We don't seem to recover from bad starts and when the shots aren't falling they never seem to start falling later.

It will also help if KC/Vescovi don't pick up 2 fouls in the first 5 minutes. Especially KC. An early charge seems to derail him entirely at times.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

And somehow we are a 70% favorite according to ESPN's BPI matchup predictor.

Home court advantage is huge in CBB. As well as cross country travel

 

[mr.checkerboards]

It would be good timing for Aidoo to add a few productive minutes as well. Fulk and ORN better not get the cheap early fouls although that would force BHH into the mix.

This is going to sound terrible. But honestly them getting in foul trouble and forcing Barnes to play BHH more is probably best case scenario

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

This is going to sound terrible. But honestly them getting in foul trouble and forcing Barnes to play BHH more is probably best case scenario

They haven't been ready to play more minutes. They were in high school earlier this year. Aidoo has been ill and injured.

Arizona is one of the best college teams in the country. Throwing young players into games before they are ready doesn’t magically make them worlds better. The most important thing is to do everything possible to win the next game.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

They haven't been ready to play more minutes. They were in high school earlier this year. Aidoo has been ill and injured.

Arizona is one of the best college teams in the country. Throwing young players into games before they are ready doesn’t magically make them worlds better. The most important thing is to do everything possible to win the next game.

Im not talking about Aidoo as much as BHH. Letting him play more wouldnt be a bad thing at all, the kid is more athletic than any of our other bigs. It certainly would be better than watching Uros flop around out there. I dont think theyre the end all be all though, we just need to keep their bigs from going stupid. Our guards are going to have to win this game for TN

 

[Coddlecreek1]

Arizona has three 7 footers in their rotation. Uros will be needed.

Got a 6’11” Lithuanian dude with handles, Tutelis?