Barnes on JJJ and JP - "it's up to them“

[mtvols]

Not sure what his comments mean but he said similar things about JJJ and the knee injury. At what point does the head coach tell JJJ “you’re playing today”?

 

[volfanhill]

Not sure what his comments mean but he said similar things about JJJ and the knee injury. At what point does the head coach tell JJJ “you’re playing today”?

When he's healthy. It would be grossly irresponsible to play him before then. Program hurting. WTF?

 

[mtvols]

Even Jimmy Dykes questioned on air why he wasn’t playing after watching him in pregame warmups.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Even Jimmy Dykes questioned on air why he wasn’t playing after watching him in pregame warmups.

Jimmy Dykes needs to STHU. He’s a failed women’s coach.

 

[volfanhill]

Even Jimmy Dykes questioned on air why he wasn’t playing after watching him in pregame warmups.

Yes watching warm ups show someone is ready. Jesus. Why are we dumb?

 

[djohnnyg]

This is definitely a massive lull Vols are having. Losing 4 of 5 with the 1 win being vs #1 team in country. Brightside is it's happening now...not March. If JJJ gets healthy maybe there's a resurgence just in time...or....they just suck and it's a lost season and they've been overrated all this time. Both are possible.

 

[rush1228]

Bob asked Barnes on the radio after the game if he knew when they would be back and Banes said i have no idea you would have to ask the trainer.

 

[JMSqb11]

Not sure what his comments mean but he said similar things about JJJ and the knee injury. At what point does the head coach tell JJJ “you’re playing today”?

Rumor is JJJ has been cleared to play for a bit now. I get it this is his last season, save him for postseason. But allowing this “is he cleared, is he not” to run on much longer is toxic for everyone

 

[Teeman]

You forgot the rest of the quote. Barnes also said, "I have to believe they are doing everything they can to get back. I believe that...I have to believe that with all my heart because they are competitive...we don't want them to play unless they're healthy." 24/7 Sports

 

[CAVPUT]

Rumor is JJJ has been cleared to play for a bit now. I get it this is his last season, save him for postseason. But allowing this “is he cleared, is he not” to run on much longer is toxic for everyone

The real concern is not when those two finally get back, but what's left of this short roster as a result of playing so many minutes. Barnes went into this season gambling on having only 1 legit PG. He's been lucky to avoid injuries, but ZZ and others are just flat worn out. Barnes rolled the dice in the portal and lost. He also chose not to use Edward early because "he's not ready". Well, now you pay for those decisions. If Barnes doesn't do something to cut the minutes and get these kids rested, it won't matter when/if JJJ and Phillips come back. Those two aren't going to carry this team past the first weekend if the rest of the team is wasted.

Hate to be "that guy" but one other thing strikes me. I'm pretty sure Vescovi...in his last year as a Vol...knows he's not going to play in the NBA so he's playing sick. JJJ and Phillips both have eyes on the league and they aren't going to play sick or injured. Protecting themselves? Know this won't sit well with many, but it's not that far fetched IMO.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

“Them” is the trainers not the players. Barnes is frustrated, but he knows they want to play. JJJ is not cleared. He’s shot and walked through in practice for a week, but they are being very cautious because he’s gotten knee swelling when they’ve pushed him to push off on the ankle. High odds he’s back Saturday. Phillips injury is pain tolerance. Kids with hip pointers are reluctant to drive, rebound or mix it up, and often get re-injured easily. Trainers rate pain on a scale 1-10. They pick a low number target, and play the player when they hit it. Phillips has scrimmaged, but he’s not banging. He should also be back Saturday or next week at the latest. We’ve got to get both back soon. We don’t have competent player minutes without them, and we need to develop some chemistry among lineups. We aren’t a powerhouse offensively with them, but we’re one dimensional without them.

 

[Jimmyandjoes]

You forgot the rest of the quote. Barnes also said, "I have to believe they are doing everything they can to get back. I believe that...I have to believe that with all my heart because they are competitive...we don't want them to play unless they're healthy." 24/7 Sports

Facts have no business here. We're pitchfork shopping right now.

 

[NighthawkVol]

The real concern is not when those two finally get back, but what's left of this short roster as a result of playing so many minutes. Barnes went into this season gambling on having only 1 legit PG. He's been lucky to avoid injuries, but ZZ and others are just flat worn out. Barnes rolled the dice in the portal and lost. He also chose not to use Edward early because "he's not ready". Well, now you pay for those decisions. If Barnes doesn't do something to cut the minutes and get these kids rested, it won't matter when/if JJJ and Phillips come back. Those two aren't going to carry this team past the first weekend if the rest of the team is wasted.

Hate to be "that guy" but one other thing strikes me. I'm pretty sure Vescovi...in his last year as a Vol...knows he's not going to play in the NBA so he's playing sick. JJJ and Phillips both have eyes on the league and they aren't going to play sick or injured. Protecting themselves? Know this won't sit well with many, but it's not that far fetched IMO.

I’d be fine with a one and out in Nashville to get these guys some rest. Mainly ZZ.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

I’d be fine with a one and out in Nashville to get these guys some rest. Mainly ZZ.

This. As I have said, I’m glad we won last year but the SECT is basically useless. Winning last year did not help our seed, getting to the Finals didn’t help TAMU, and winning it didn’t give us any momentum in the NCAAT.

 

[AthensVol2007]

Rumor is JJJ has been cleared to play for a bit now. I get it this is his last season, save him for postseason. But allowing this “is he cleared, is he not” to run on much longer is toxic for everyone

This. It was said he was cleared to play last night, no different than the knee at the beginning of the season. There’s a difference in being injured and being hurt/in pain. It seems as though JJJ has trouble with the latter. Meanwhile, Santi has had a 103 degree fever since Sunday and went to the staff before the game and said he wanted to give it a go and played his ass off.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

This. It was said he was cleared to play last night, no different than the knee at the beginning of the season. There’s a difference in being injured and being hurt/in pain. It seems as though JJJ has trouble with the latter. Meanwhile, Santi has had a 103 degree fever since Sunday and went to the staff before the game and said he wanted to give it a go and played his ass off.

You just shared a lot of made up crap. Enjoy yourself.

 

[KeyVol14]

This is definitely a massive lull Vols are having. Losing 4 of 5 with the 1 win being vs #1 team in country. Brightside is it's happening now...not March. If JJJ gets healthy maybe there's a resurgence just in time...or....they just suck and it's a lost season and they've been overrated all this time. Both are possible.

I think the latter….we’re aren’t very good

 

[NighthawkVol]

This. As I have said, I’m glad we won last year but the SECT is basically useless. Winning last year did not help our seed, getting to the Finals didn’t help TAMU, and winning it didn’t give us any momentum in the NCAAT.

If we hadn’t won it last year, I’d be less inclined to feel that way. We had an SECT monkey on our backs, having not win it since 1979 and in many years, lost to inferior trend when we were the top team in the SEC (or at least near the top).

But we won it last year, removed that money, and now we need to remove the NCAAT monkey. The best way to do that is her healthy and rested. I’d prefer to do what Arkansas did last year.

 

[mtvols]

I’d be fine with a one and out in Nashville to get these guys some rest. Mainly ZZ.

ZZ gets plenty of rest cause he commits dumb fouls and has to sit. Another reason why Barnes should have gotten Edwards minutes in those blowouts early in the season. We need a backup PG.

 

[CAVPUT]

I’d be fine with a one and out in Nashville to get these guys some rest. Mainly ZZ.

Yep. I know the hay is pretty much in the barn this season, but again, I'd take my lumps from here on out and play my bench. Greatly limit practices, too. Yeah, we'll lose out except for maybe SCjr, but what does it matter? With this roster, any opponent as a 3-5 will likely send us home. Get some fresh legs and pray you can get back to playing great defense and maybe we get a game or two where we get favorable matchups and some hot shooting.

As for JJJ and Phillips, let them sit and get ready for the draft. I'm just over both of them. Even if they come back now, it's not going to make a difference. The rest of the roster is beaten down and those two aren't going to carry us. It's been a long ride with some on this roster. Appreciate the memories, but I'm ready to see some fresh faces on the court next season. Just hope Barnes can get another PG who can play serious minutes and he won't coach the offense out of our incoming players. Then again, Barnes will be Barnes so we kinda know how next season is gonna go. Predictable as the sun rising in the east.

 

[AthensVol2007]

You just shared a lot of made up crap. Enjoy yourself.

What’s made up? You know for sure Santi hasn’t been sick since the weekend? Every media person said JJJ was not “injured” at the beginning of the year; no doctor could find anything structurally wrong with his knee. No one doubted he was sore/hurting but after his scope procedure there was no tangible injury. The staff/doctors were baffled at what was bothering him because they continually couldn’t find anything. Unless Rob Lewis and the VQ team were getting bad information and ran with it multiple times, then he was good to go from the standpoint that he wasn’t injured.

 

[wmcovol]

Thinking you can sit until March & play at your top level then is beyond stupid.

 

[OffTackleVol]

This is definitely a massive lull Vols are having. Losing 4 of 5 with the 1 win being vs #1 team in country. Brightside is it's happening now...not March. If JJJ gets healthy maybe there's a resurgence just in time...or....they just suck and it's a lost season and they've been overrated all this time. Both are possible.

Yea, and the 4 losses are what, a combined 6 points? Basketball season is a marathon; here's hoping we get guys healthy and the lull ends.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

If we hadn’t won it last year, I’d be less inclined to feel that way. We had an SECT monkey on our backs, having not win it since 1979 and in many years, lost to inferior trend when we were the top team in the SEC (or at least near the top).

But we won it last year, removed that money, and now we need to remove the NCAAT monkey. The best way to do that is her healthy and rested. I’d prefer to do what Arkansas did last year.

I agree and have thought this for awhile but last season proved it. If you have an NCAA spot locked down the SEC tourney does nothing for you. I would rest my starters and play the reserves and get healthy for NCAA.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Yep. I know the hay is pretty much in the barn this season, but again, I'd take my lumps from here on out and play my bench. Greatly limit practices, too. Yeah, we'll lose out except for maybe SCjr, but what does it matter? With this roster, any opponent as a 3-5 will likely send us home. Get some fresh legs and pray you can get back to playing great defense and maybe we get a game or two where we get favorable matchups and some hot shooting.

As for JJJ and Phillips, let them sit and get ready for the draft. I'm just over both of them. Even if they come back now, it's not going to make a difference. The rest of the roster is beaten down and those two aren't going to carry us. It's been a long ride with some on this roster. Appreciate the memories, but I'm ready to see some fresh faces on the court next season. Just hope Barnes can get another PG who can play serious minutes and he won't coach the offense out of our incoming players. Then again, Barnes will be Barnes so we kinda know how next season is gonna go. Predictable as the sun rising in the east.

I strongly disagree re: Phillips. He's a freshman with loads of upside and reportedly a great work ethic. "Moving on" from him is a weird take. He could be the bucket-generator on offense next year that we've lacked for years.