BTO’s Alabama Postgame Report

#1
bleedingTNorange

bleedingTNorange

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#1
1. What an effort from our Vols, I had very little expectation of going to Tuscaloosa and leaving there with a win. We started the game pretty strong but Alabama responded and took the lead into the half and held control into the second half, the response from Tennessee in an all around team effort was very impressive as they came back and closed out the game strong. That’s a good team and it’s really hard to win on the road, it’s even harder to come back in that situation, I can’t say enough how impressive that was.

2. As impressive as it was it seemed even more so because they did it without Dalton Knecht having a heater of a game like against Auburn. I think most folks would’ve assumed Knecht had a big game if we were going to come away with a W, but he really struggled to get things going and it was a host of other guys stepping up that made that win possible. It’s great to see that they can win multiple ways, you’ve got that weapon in Knecht, but you’ve also got the surrounding cast that can pick him up if/when needed.

3. 2 guys who really stepped up imo were JJJ & Santi, we don’t need them to be stars, but they have a spot and need on this and they have to fill those roles. JJJ with 11 & 13 and hit some massive shots down the stretch, Santi with 8 & 3 playing great defense and drawing up winning plays lol. Again those guys don’t have to be stars, but they have to bring that effort and aggression from here on out, they are hitting the home stretch of their Tennessee careers, can’t get it back, time to leave it all out there.

4. Alabama is a good team, no doubt about it, they have an elite offense and it’s the best in the country, but I think there’s also something to be said about that matchup for us and look at it big picture. In games not against Tennessee Alabama is averaging about 93ppg, against Tennessee they’re averaging 72.5ppg, and we’ve held them to their 2 lowest point totals of the season, impressive stuff. I think this matchup shows the opposite of those early season struggles going against an elite big, Alabama is guard heavy and lacks a good big, we’ve twice locked them up and caused them all sorts of trouble with the defense from our guards and wings. I think it just further drives home that point, we match up very well against guard heavy teams, the teams that give us some issues typically have a very good big man.

5. I mentioned guys playing their roles, but feel like Jahmai Mashack deserved his own shout out. He was phenomenal and a huge part of our 2nd half come back and win, he hit some massive shots, and of course played his usual elite defense. His minutes will largely be matchup dependent, but he’s got a role and if he plays within himself and confidently he’s shown an improved offensive game, he pairs really well on the court with an offensive group, playing him with Knecht on the court is ideal imo.

6. Big picture, it can’t possibly be overstated how huge starting this 4 game stretch 2-0 is, Tennessee has set itself up beautifully as we enter the last week. By all accounts Tennessee controls its own destiny to their first ever 1 seed, an outright SEC title, and what would likely go down as the best regular season in program history. It sure appears a 2 seed is the floor for the NCAAT as well as a double bye in the SECT, a huge road game comes up against South Carolina on Wednesday and then senior night at home against Kentucky for senior night. Hard to expect the Vols to go 2-0 this week meaning 4-0 in this stretch, but it sure feels like that’s what we are all hoping Tennessee can pull of, it would take a great effort.


GBO!!!
 
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#3
#3
To single out one point about Mashack that I think sets himself apart and makes him a valuable asset is his unselfishness combined with his awareness. It’s almost like he knows the exact time when to take it to the hole and get us a tough basket. He doesn’t force anything and is perfectly fine going the entire game without attempting a shot. But most guys that don’t shoot the ball sometimes pass up an opportunity to score just because they never do or don’t have the situational awareness to do so. It’s like he has a natural instinct on when to take it hard to the rim and I swear it’s at the perfect times when we need it most.

Effort! Hustle! Toughness! That’s Jahmai Mashack!
 
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#7
#7
I cannot heap enough praise on Mashack for how he played. He was a menace on defense all night long and rattled Alabama on that end of the court. And to step up and make two huge 3’s in big moments? Fantastic.

He was shooting the ball very well to start the year and then he just stopped shooting. I hope this gives him the confidence to continue to shoot when he is open. If you can get 8 points from Mashack a night, we’re going to be extremely hard to beat.

On the flip side of that is Gainey, who I thought played very well in the first half when he was driving to the basket and drawing fouls. His speed was giving the Tide fits. But then he chucked up 6 3 point shots, most of them in the 2nd half and not a single one went in. I wish Santi or Mashack had the confidence Gainey does, and I wish Gainey had the basketball IQ to know when to stop shooting and to go back to what was working, driving to the basket. Still, he gave us some important minutes in the first half.

3-1 was always the realistic goal during this stretch, but now that we have won the first 2 I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be very disappointed if we dropped another game.

At this point, I’d prefer to lose to Kentucky at home if a loss was required, because no way do I want to share a conference title with this exceedingly mediocre South Carolina team that has played above their heads all year long. I hope our boys are ready to get some revenge and bury this team. Myles Stute is apparently injured, so they’ll be playing short-handed as well.

I tip my cap to LaMont Paris for the incredible job he has done this year, but that team has no business winning a conference title. 10-3 in games decided by 6 points or fewer and #2 in the KenPom luck metric. Time to end their miracle run.
 
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#8
#8
bleedingTNorange said:
1. What an effort from our Vols, I had very little expectation of going to Tuscaloosa and leaving there with a win. We started the game pretty strong but Alabama responded and took the lead into the half and held control into the second half, the response from Tennessee in an all around team effort was very impressive as they came back and closed out the game strong. That’s a good team and it’s really hard to win on the road, it’s even harder to come back in that situation, I can’t say enough how impressive that was.

2. As impressive as it was it seemed even more so because they did it without Dalton Knecht having a heater of a game like against Auburn. I think most folks would’ve assumed Knecht had a big game if we were going to come away with a W, but he really struggled to get things going and it was a host of other guys stepping up that made that win possible. It’s great to see that they can win multiple ways, you’ve got that weapon in Knecht, but you’ve also got the surrounding cast that can pick him up if/when needed.

3. 2 guys who really stepped up imo were JJJ & Santi, we don’t need them to be stars, but they have a spot and need on this and they have to fill those roles. JJJ with 11 & 13 and hit some massive shots down the stretch, Santi with 8 & 3 playing great defense and drawing up winning plays lol. Again those guys don’t have to be stars, but they have to bring that effort and aggression from here on out, they are hitting the home stretch of their Tennessee careers, can’t get it back, time to leave it all out there.

4. Alabama is a good team, no doubt about it, they have an elite offense and it’s the best in the country, but I think there’s also something to be said about that matchup for us and look at it big picture. In games not against Tennessee Alabama is averaging about 93ppg, against Tennessee they’re averaging 72.5ppg, and we’ve held them to their 2 lowest point totals of the season, impressive stuff. I think this matchup shows the opposite of those early season struggles going against an elite big, Alabama is guard heavy and lacks a good big, we’ve twice locked them up and caused them all sorts of trouble with the defense from our guards and wings. I think it just further drives home that point, we match up very well against guard heavy teams, the teams that give us some issues typically have a very good big man.

5. I mentioned guys playing their roles, but feel like Jahmai Mashack deserved his own shout out. He was phenomenal and a huge part of our 2nd half come back and win, he hit some massive shots, and of course played his usual elite defense. His minutes will largely be matchup dependent, but he’s got a role and if he plays within himself and confidently he’s shown an improved offensive game, he pairs really well on the court with an offensive group, playing him with Knecht on the court is ideal imo.

6. Big picture, it can’t possibly be overstated how huge starting this 4 game stretch 2-0 is, Tennessee has set itself up beautifully as we enter the last week. By all accounts Tennessee controls its own destiny to their first ever 1 seed, an outright SEC title, and what would likely go down as the best regular season in program history. It sure appears a 2 seed is the floor for the NCAAT as well as a double bye in the SECT, a huge road game comes up against South Carolina on Wednesday and then senior night at home against Kentucky for senior night. Hard to expect the Vols to go 2-0 this week meaning 4-0 in this stretch, but it sure feels like that’s what we are all hoping Tennessee can pull of, it would take a great effort.


GBO!!!
Click to expand...
We have a few posters who need to study No. 3
 
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#9
#9
bleedingTNorange said:
1. What an effort from our Vols, I had very little expectation of going to Tuscaloosa and leaving there with a win. We started the game pretty strong but Alabama responded and took the lead into the half and held control into the second half, the response from Tennessee in an all around team effort was very impressive as they came back and closed out the game strong. That’s a good team and it’s really hard to win on the road, it’s even harder to come back in that situation, I can’t say enough how impressive that was.

2. As impressive as it was it seemed even more so because they did it without Dalton Knecht having a heater of a game like against Auburn. I think most folks would’ve assumed Knecht had a big game if we were going to come away with a W, but he really struggled to get things going and it was a host of other guys stepping up that made that win possible. It’s great to see that they can win multiple ways, you’ve got that weapon in Knecht, but you’ve also got the surrounding cast that can pick him up if/when needed.

3. 2 guys who really stepped up imo were JJJ & Santi, we don’t need them to be stars, but they have a spot and need on this and they have to fill those roles. JJJ with 11 & 13 and hit some massive shots down the stretch, Santi with 8 & 3 playing great defense and drawing up winning plays lol. Again those guys don’t have to be stars, but they have to bring that effort and aggression from here on out, they are hitting the home stretch of their Tennessee careers, can’t get it back, time to leave it all out there.

4. Alabama is a good team, no doubt about it, they have an elite offense and it’s the best in the country, but I think there’s also something to be said about that matchup for us and look at it big picture. In games not against Tennessee Alabama is averaging about 93ppg, against Tennessee they’re averaging 72.5ppg, and we’ve held them to their 2 lowest point totals of the season, impressive stuff. I think this matchup shows the opposite of those early season struggles going against an elite big, Alabama is guard heavy and lacks a good big, we’ve twice locked them up and caused them all sorts of trouble with the defense from our guards and wings. I think it just further drives home that point, we match up very well against guard heavy teams, the teams that give us some issues typically have a very good big man.

5. I mentioned guys playing their roles, but feel like Jahmai Mashack deserved his own shout out. He was phenomenal and a huge part of our 2nd half come back and win, he hit some massive shots, and of course played his usual elite defense. His minutes will largely be matchup dependent, but he’s got a role and if he plays within himself and confidently he’s shown an improved offensive game, he pairs really well on the court with an offensive group, playing him with Knecht on the court is ideal imo.

6. Big picture, it can’t possibly be overstated how huge starting this 4 game stretch 2-0 is, Tennessee has set itself up beautifully as we enter the last week. By all accounts Tennessee controls its own destiny to their first ever 1 seed, an outright SEC title, and what would likely go down as the best regular season in program history. It sure appears a 2 seed is the floor for the NCAAT as well as a double bye in the SECT, a huge road game comes up against South Carolina on Wednesday and then senior night at home against Kentucky for senior night. Hard to expect the Vols to go 2-0 this week meaning 4-0 in this stretch, but it sure feels like that’s what we are all hoping Tennessee can pull of, it would take a great effort.


GBO!!!
Click to expand...
I ask this in another thread, but nobody responded. When was the last time that the Vols won in Coleman before Sat.?
 
#14
#14
TheMookieMonster said:
I cannot heap enough praise on Mashack for how he played. He was a menace on defense all night long and rattled Alabama on that end of the court. And to step up and make two huge 3’s in big moments? Fantastic.

He was shooting the ball very well to start the year and then he just stopped shooting. I hope this gives him the confidence to continue to shoot when he is open. If you can get 8 points from Mashack a night, we’re going to be extremely hard to beat.

On the flip side of that is Gainey, who I thought played very well in the first half when he was driving to the basket and drawing fouls. His speed was giving the Tide fits. But then he chucked up 6 3 point shots, most of them in the 2nd half and not a single one went in. I wish Santi or Mashack had the confidence Gainey does, and I wish Gainey had the basketball IQ to know when to stop shooting and to go back to what was working, driving to the basket. Still, he gave us some important minutes in the first half.

3-1 was always the realistic goal during this stretch, but now that we have won the first 2 I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be very disappointed if we dropped another game.

At this point, I’d prefer to lose to Kentucky at home if a loss was required, because no way do I want to share a conference title with this exceedingly mediocre South Carolina team that has played above their heads all year long. I hope our boys are ready to get some revenge and bury this team. Myles Stute is apparently injured, so they’ll be playing short-handed as well.

I tip my cap to LaMont Paris for the incredible job he has done this year, but that team has no business winning a conference title. 10-3 in games decided by 6 points or fewer and #2 in the KenPom luck metric. Time to end their miracle run.
Click to expand...
Could not agree more about Mashack

One of the fun things about being a consistent fan is watching the kids grow up

I remember Mashack's first season: he was all effort but nothing more than flailing knees and elbows. To watch his maturation to what he has become is very satisfying
 
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#15
#15
This group simply can win games against "good" teams in more ways than we are used to in years past (assuming we continue to rebound competitively and keep turnovers down):
1) Play up tempo and can outscore teams OR win games by shutting others down defensively.
2) We can beat you on perimeter OR on interior.
3) We have "a dude" who can go on his own personal runs OR we can have balanced scoring across lineup

We have alot of versatility and can adjust as the game demands. Barnes even said in his Bama postgame, when discussing the 5-guard lineup we had to play with JJJ at the 5 and Mashack at the 4, that we could conversely go very big with Aidoo, Awaka, JJJ, Knecht in the lineup together with ZZ.
 
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#16
#16
bleedingTNorange said:
1. What an effort from our Vols, I had very little expectation of going to Tuscaloosa and leaving there with a win. We started the game pretty strong but Alabama responded and took the lead into the half and held control into the second half, the response from Tennessee in an all around team effort was very impressive as they came back and closed out the game strong. That’s a good team and it’s really hard to win on the road, it’s even harder to come back in that situation, I can’t say enough how impressive that was.

2. As impressive as it was it seemed even more so because they did it without Dalton Knecht having a heater of a game like against Auburn. I think most folks would’ve assumed Knecht had a big game if we were going to come away with a W, but he really struggled to get things going and it was a host of other guys stepping up that made that win possible. It’s great to see that they can win multiple ways, you’ve got that weapon in Knecht, but you’ve also got the surrounding cast that can pick him up if/when needed.

3. 2 guys who really stepped up imo were JJJ & Santi, we don’t need them to be stars, but they have a spot and need on this and they have to fill those roles. JJJ with 11 & 13 and hit some massive shots down the stretch, Santi with 8 & 3 playing great defense and drawing up winning plays lol. Again those guys don’t have to be stars, but they have to bring that effort and aggression from here on out, they are hitting the home stretch of their Tennessee careers, can’t get it back, time to leave it all out there.

4. Alabama is a good team, no doubt about it, they have an elite offense and it’s the best in the country, but I think there’s also something to be said about that matchup for us and look at it big picture. In games not against Tennessee Alabama is averaging about 93ppg, against Tennessee they’re averaging 72.5ppg, and we’ve held them to their 2 lowest point totals of the season, impressive stuff. I think this matchup shows the opposite of those early season struggles going against an elite big, Alabama is guard heavy and lacks a good big, we’ve twice locked them up and caused them all sorts of trouble with the defense from our guards and wings. I think it just further drives home that point, we match up very well against guard heavy teams, the teams that give us some issues typically have a very good big man.

5. I mentioned guys playing their roles, but feel like Jahmai Mashack deserved his own shout out. He was phenomenal and a huge part of our 2nd half come back and win, he hit some massive shots, and of course played his usual elite defense. His minutes will largely be matchup dependent, but he’s got a role and if he plays within himself and confidently he’s shown an improved offensive game, he pairs really well on the court with an offensive group, playing him with Knecht on the court is ideal imo.

6. Big picture, it can’t possibly be overstated how huge starting this 4 game stretch 2-0 is, Tennessee has set itself up beautifully as we enter the last week. By all accounts Tennessee controls its own destiny to their first ever 1 seed, an outright SEC title, and what would likely go down as the best regular season in program history. It sure appears a 2 seed is the floor for the NCAAT as well as a double bye in the SECT, a huge road game comes up against South Carolina on Wednesday and then senior night at home against Kentucky for senior night. Hard to expect the Vols to go 2-0 this week meaning 4-0 in this stretch, but it sure feels like that’s what we are all hoping Tennessee can pull of, it would take a great effort.


GBO!!!
Click to expand...

Holding Alabama to 9 of 37 from behind the arc was very impressive.
 
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#20
#20
Thought the only reason they were in the game/took the lead is because we started settling for jump shots and 3’s, especially last 4 minutes if the first half. There was a while there we were shooting 3’s at a 2:1 clip. Also Dalton had some midrange jump shots early in shot clock hat were a bit forced. All this to say, we didn’t play all that well and still beat a really good team on the road. Part of that was the matchup like you said, but part of it seems to be the team coming together and having a lot of options that can step up as needed.

Edit: mashack was also huge. I’ve been calling for him to get more minutes lately and glad he made the most of them. Seems to really compliment knecht and zz well and think he needs more of Gainey minutes as it feels like we have enough scoring options as is.
 
#21
#21
We had coaches deal with DK in 2 ways last week, Auburn refused to double until the end of the game and he burned them, Alabama either doubled or had him face guarded with 2 others leaning in his direction which cut off his scoring. That created additional space for the 4 other UT players and was well utilized all night. I didn't think they could win in that gym. I would hate to be their next opponent because they seldom have 2 off shooting nights in a row.
 
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#25
#25
I don't know how long it has been, but Oats said they haven't lost in their arena in quite a while. Great great team win.

How extremely sad it will be on Saturday when it's Senior night and we lose so much? Santi and James have been here forever, and Knecht just fits in so well and obviously loves all things VOLS. (How I'd have loved to have him for more years)
 
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