Awaka is gonna be a player

[cncchris33]

Yeah, but he still has to realize he can’t just sit in the paint. Needed to pass it away as soon as he realized he was that far out.

I agree, bit as a 5th year senior, it's doubtful that that light is going to suddenly come on.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Kinda reminds me of maybe a little more athletic Grant Williams. I really like the way he's using his size to establish his position in the post. And made a couple of drop, skip shots under the basket.

Yeah, folks have been comparing him to a shorter Oscar Tshiebwe, but I think the Grant Williams comp is more apt. If he develops at the rate GW did, he'll be a star next year.

 

[VolunteerCeltic]

Awaka has been a nice surprise and his basketball IQ shows, he is becoming one of my favorites as well!

 

[tennrich1]

He reminds me of Jarnell Stokes. Solid rebounder, great hands and finishes strong.

Yeah I can see that as well. I think he’s probably a lot more athletic than Jarnell but a solid comparison.

 

[cncchris33]

Yeah, folks have been comparing him to a shorter Oscar Tshiebwe, but I think the Grant Williams comp is more apt. If he develops at the rate GW did, he'll be a start next year.

Grant Williams was a more polished and diverse offensive player. We will see if Awaka develops some range outside of 3 feet, which he's yet to show. Awaka also is a more relentless rebounder. So, where GW's ceiling was 18.8 pts/7.5 rebs, Awaka's may look more like 12/12.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

He’s only 4-9 on FTs this year, but I think his stroke looks pretty smooth so I imagine that’ll come up with a larger sample size and more experience playing in front of big crowds.

 

[Chunkyvol12]

He shot 3s in high school. He’ll get there

 

[therickbol]

He shot 3s in high school. He’ll get there

Lots of people shoot 3's. It is kinda more important to make 3's.

 

[walkenvol]

Yeah I can see that as well. I think he’s probably a lot more athletic than Jarnell but a solid comparison.

Guess you’ve forgotten when Jarnell ran a 4.5 40 yard dash and was considering playing tight end for the football team?

 

[tennrich1]

Guess you’ve forgotten when Jarnell ran a 4.5 40 yard dash and was considering playing tight end for the football team?

Nah haven’t forgot at all. And Isaiah his brother was probably more athletic than Jarnell. I didn’t say JS was NOT athletic…IMO TA is just more athletic …which is a great thing. But we’re on the same team and you are right about one thing…I DO seem to forget more in these golden years.

 

[Dallasbowlin]

And Bradshaw was correct on that play by Plavsic, that whoever fed him the ball (Nkamhoua, maybe) was to blame. He needs the ball deeper in the lane, not 12 feet from the basket.

I really like Dane as a commentator. He’s only getting better imo.

 

[WaywardVol]

Yeah he ain’t 6-11,and doesn’t have long arms but he has tremendous hand eye coordination. He’ll get a lot of loose balls, rebounds & points off those.

No, he is a good player. He has the Moxy like Grant and Slay had. He has the luxury that Grant didn’t have and that is upper class depth. Would love to inject some of his mental game into Nkamhoua.

 

[walkenvol]

I really like Dane as a commentator. He’s only getting better imo.

Pre-COVID, Dane was my favorite bball commentator. He talked almost exclusively about the game he was calling, providing insight and explaining details someone less knowledgeable about the sport like myself didn’t understand. I have to think the “consultants got a hold of him and he now babbles on about all kinds of nonsense besides the game being played. A huge regression to me but I must be an outlier since almost every commentator in every sport these days babbles on about like those crazy women on The View.

 

[Dallasbowlin]

Pre-COVID, Dane was my favorite bball commentator. He talked almost exclusively about the game he was calling, providing insight and explaining details someone less knowledgeable about the sport like myself didn’t understand. I have to think the “consultants got a hold of him and he now babbles on about all kinds of nonsense besides the game being played. A huge regression to me but I must be an outlier since almost every commentator in every sport these days babbles on about like those crazy women on The View.

I haven’t noticed that from Dane. Maybe I need to pay more attention to the commentary. My barometer on if a guy is good or not is if it distracts from the game, and I’ve never heard Dane say something that made me say “what?”

 

[walkenvol]

I haven’t noticed that from Dane. Maybe I need to pay more attention to the commentary. My barometer on if a guy is good or not is if it distracts from the game, and I’ve never heard Dane say something that made me say “what?”

Last night he was wearing the Georgia face stickers talking football. Also recall him talking about walking his dog in downtown Knoxville just off the top of my head

 

[Dallasbowlin]

Last night he was wearing the Georgia face stickers talking football. Also recall him talking about walking his dog in downtown Knoxville just off the top of my head

Ah, yeah, that was probably a thing ESPN/ the SEC Network wanted him to do. I’m ok, and actually want my commentators to have some personality. Makes a more enjoyable product.

 

[joevols89]

He shot 3s in high school. He’ll get there

I think I remember watching Uros high school highlights of him nailing 3s.

 

[Volfan1000]

Yeah he ain’t 6-11,and doesn’t have long arms but he has tremendous hand eye coordination. He’ll get a lot of loose balls, rebounds & points off those.

Awaka will either have a 15 or 20 rebound game to his credit at Tennessee.

He is a stronger version of Dennis Rodman.

 

[Chunkyvol12]

I think I remember watching Uros high school highlights of him nailing 3s.

I should’ve used more words. I just meant he had touch and there’s a good chance he could develop a shot away from the basket(not necessarily a 3). Plavsic has his limits for sure but you can’t deny he has pretty good touch on the ball. I could be way off base but Barnes seems like the type to shut down any big man from taking outside shots who isn’t also consistently rebounding, fighting for space, setting goods screens and not generally being a dumbass. Aidoo can shoot it but now he’s being asked not to. Not bc he can’t but bc he needs to give the guards spacing.

 

[Vol49er]

He is a stronger version of Dennis Rodman.

Ok now we’re getting carried away

 

[walkenvol]

Ah, yeah, that was probably a thing ESPN/ the SEC Network wanted him to do. I’m ok, and actually want my commentators to have some personality. Makes a more enjoyable product.

You must be in the demographic they target with all the irrelevant banter unrelated to the game being played. I really don’t care if Dane has a dog and I care even less about his dog’s potty habits. It must be by design though as it’s become pretty consistent. Just doesn’t work for me especially when they’re rattling on and a foul is called and they can’t be interrupted to share who the foul was called on. I want more info and insight on the game - would prefer they set there in silence if they can’t think of anything to say about the game. JMO, AARP

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Awaka will either have a 15 or 20 rebound game to his credit at Tennessee.

He is a stronger version of Dennis Rodman.

Oh boy. Here we go lol. Expectations are running wild out here.

 

[omghulkhands]

Awaka will either have a 15 or 20 rebound game to his credit at Tennessee.

He is a stronger version of Dennis Rodman.

I know you’re just being hyperbolic, but Rodman was also one of the best defenders in the history of basketball. He was about 20 years ahead of his time as a switchable big and help defender. Not taking anything from Awaka, but I don’t think he is on that trajectory.

 

[cardvolfan]

You must be in the demographic they target with all the irrelevant banter unrelated to the game being played. I really don’t care if Dane has a dog and I care even less about his dog’s potty habits. It must be by design though as it’s become pretty consistent. Just doesn’t work for me especially when they’re rattling on and a foul is called and they can’t be interrupted to share who the foul was called on. I want more info and insight on the game - would prefer they set there in silence if they can’t think of anything to say about the game. JMO, AARP

Actually, I do agree with the gist of your post(s). To viewers who are not physically at the arena, the broadcasters are the only way to receive who the foul was on, who did this or that, or who want to have a play detailed or explained by an expert who can do that. I find myself frustrated watching a televised game and pertinent information being left out.

This happens frequently and there are just things the viewer is not shown on live shots that the broadcasters are privy to. I’m really not sure as to why this shift in communication has evolved, but it definitely leaves the viewer in the dark.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Grant Williams was a more polished and diverse offensive player. We will see if Awaka develops some range outside of 3 feet, which he's yet to show. Awaka also is a more relentless rebounder. So, where GW's ceiling was 18.8 pts/7.5 rebs, Awaka's may look more like 12/12.

I think that’s probably a good analysis. But I also see enough athleticism and feel for the game (an underrated aspect of GW’s game) to think his offensive game could really blossom if he puts in the work.