BTO’s Louisiana NCAAT Postgame Report

[RockyTop140]

I get that. But, that’s why I said “we were very lucky” to have an 11-point lead. We played great defense, but ULL also missed some bunnies and made some really stupid turnovers. It could have easily been much closer. I’m glad it wasn’t, but I’ll chalk some of it up to luck. Not often can you go 7 minutes without a basket in the first half and lead by 11 at the break.

I don’t think it was lucky, we switched to zone and had our best athletes in there and they struggled to score. If we were getting boat races without vescovi Barnes would have probably had no choice but to put him back in

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I would be upset with Santi for not playing smarter. Not Rick for playing him. Again, I know Rick will not change. I’m not under an illusion he will. But, how often does Santi foul out? How often does he play with even 4 fouls? I just think you have to trust your veteran guards to be smarter when in foul trouble because we need him on the court. I realize this isn’t going to change though. Rick will sit Santi tomorrow if he picks up his 2nd foul early.

I literally said multiple times Rick has played Santi this year in the first half with 2 fouls, so clearly he will do it…yesterday didn’t dictate doing it though.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Did Key get Vescovi’s minutes when he sat down? If that was the trade, Key was actually more productive.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I literally said multiple times Rick has played Santi this year in the first half with 2 fouls, so clearly he will do it…yesterday didn’t dictate doing it though.

Fair enough. I am just personally not a fan of his philosophy. That’s all. We rank near dead last in all of D1 in the percentage of minutes played by players with 2 fouls in the first half. I don’t like it, but I at least understand it’s not going to change. It all comes down to what people value in their game philosophy, and I just think I like it when you trust your vets to play through foul trouble.

 

[ttocswob]

I thought Uros and Aidoo played pretty well. They combined for 7-10 and 15 points, plus 8 rebounds and Aidoo had a steal and 2 blocks. I will certainly take that production.

If people are going to face guard Santi to no end, then others will have to show up. Mashack did yesterday, Key played pretty well, now it is time for Josiah and Phillips to step up as well.

We need the offense to just show up once or twice for a deep run. Obviously can't turn it over as much, but most of that came in the first half and most of that came when Santi got in foul trouble.

I thought Uros had his best half game of the season, only to all but disappear in the second period.

 

[turbovol]

We don't get nearly enough offensively out of our bigs to go far in this tourney. That's not to say we can't beat
Duke, it just means it's hard.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Did Key get Vescovi’s minutes when he sat down? If that was the trade, Key was actually more productive.

No, we need both of them on the floor a lot. It was no trade, far from it. Vescovi and James have to quit picking up early quick fouls. We have to keep our best scoring options on the floor as much as possible. But we have to attack the rim to get good outside looks. We need Mashack to continue to play at a high level and gain confidence. We are more productive when he is running the point. He is big and quick. GBO

 

[UTFanHades]

The Cajun who "face guarded" Santi was in his jersey, slapping, bumping, knocking him around, all night. I would be sending film highlights of that lousy officiating job last night to the crew officiating the Duke-Tennessee game. Second, we are not getting fair and equal treatment from officiating and that is a fact we have to play through and around. Coach em up Rick! Don't let them get the officials in their heads. Just keep digging deep and playing their best. Agree 100% on not turning the ball over and also making bunnies and free throws. Go Vols!

I hate away from the ball fouls but it was warranted in this case. They have to be able to play the game as the rules state the game is to be played.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Fair enough. I am just personally not a fan of his philosophy. That’s all. We rank near dead last in all of D1 in the percentage of minutes played by players with 2 fouls in the first half. I don’t like it, but I at least understand it’s not going to change. It all comes down to what people value in their game philosophy, and I just think I like it when you trust your vets to play through foul trouble.

Sure, time and place though, and we have done so when needed…I just don’t think it’s a hard set you’re done for the half, Barnes has shown a willingness to play those guys in the first half with 2 fouls if the situation dictates it, yesterdays game did not imo. If someone gets 2 fouls tomorrow and sits out the half while we fall behind then I will be critical.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

No, we need both of them on the floor a lot. It was no trade, far from it. Vescovi and James have to quit picking up early quick fouls. We have to keep our best scoring options on the floor as much as possible. But we have to attack the rim to get good outside looks. We need Mashack to continue to play at a high level and gain confidence. We are more productive when he is running the point. He is big and quick. GBO

Then who got Vescovi’s 5 minutes fewer than his average? Key played 6 or 7 minutes above his average.

 

[Volfan1000]

Good write up and I would like to add a few points..........

JJJ and Phillips have to show up in order for Tennessee to win going forward.

We need to win the battle of the glass against Duke tomorrow to stay within striking distance of an upset.

Vescovi has to stay out of foul trouble tomorrow.

Enjoy the moment against Duke tomorrow because we do not play against them very often although this will probably change with the creation of the ACC/SEC Challenge that begins next season.

Tennessee favored by two and a half points tomorrow per Southeastern 14 podcast that dropped today.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Tennessee favored by two and a half points tomorrow per Southeastern 14 podcast that dropped today.

Other way around, Duke is favored

 

[DowntownVol]

Seemed to me that we built that first half lead with SV sitting by playing zone, which is another thing Barnes seems ethically opposed to, but it was effective, and it's been effective in the past during the very brief times we've flashed it.

 

[The Dog]

Santi has to play different as a PG than he did as a SG. We need him in the lineup. He can’t get cheap fouls inside battling big guys for rebounds.

Agree, plus that's one of the main reasons teams have been getting more transition lay-ups, after our missed shots. Mizzou killed us on that

 

[volmainia2]

Frustrating game. But, a win is a win. And, that is the only thing that matters. I disagree with a few of Barnes coaching decisions in the game, but it did not cost us an early round exit, so I am thankful for that.

I know Barnes will not change. He’s too far along in his coaching career to do so. But, IMO, his use of timeouts and how he handles players with 2 fouls is disappointing and I wish he handled things differently. We somehow escaped the first half up 11 on ULL with Santi on the bench, but I think we’re very lucky to do so.

I want Barnes to trust his veterans more. Santi finished with 3 fouls. The same thing happened against Mizzou. Two quick fouls and sat the rest of the half. Santi finished with 2 fouls in that game. I get that you don’t want your best players to foul out late, but if you can build a lead and crush your opponent you need to do so. And you need to trust that Santi is smart enough that when he does get in foul trouble, his 4 years of experience is going to lead him to play more conservatively and he won’t be dumb.

If Santi gets in foul trouble against Duke early, we simply will not survive a 12-minute stretch against Duke. We’ll get crushed. He has to be on the court.

I also wish Barnes would have called a timeout much sooner than he did in the 2nd half when ULL was making their run. You have 3 timeouts. Use them! But, I know he won’t at this point. Still frustrating.

When it comes to good things, Mashack is going to be a star before he leaves. His improvement from mid-February to now has been drastic. So much talent and you can see it. I think you also have to be encouraged that we played that poorly and won. Maybe we’re saving our best for Saturday. We’ll need it. At this point, we’ve met my expectations for this squad. Anything that happens on Saturday is what it is. A win is the cherry on top if we can pull it off.

how bout calling a time out before your double digit lead is gone.You have them to use

 

[SN-A-C Orange]

Great writeup BTO!

1. The good news is we CAN win without Vescovi scoring more that 3 or 4 points. The team needs to see that and know that they can play and score. In fact, they need to score!!!!
2. The team is still feeling its way along with new rotations and the players are doing things the other players are not expecting. cue Awaka not even looking for the ball. :^))))
3. It looked to me like Barnes played the long game on Thursday ... he balanced the time the players were on the floor to NOT make a 2 day recovery for any player impossible. Against Duke ... that will not be the case. Barnes will treat it like the last game of the season. So, some of the discombobulation was due to who was on the floor together during some stretches. Personally, as a coach, I think it was the right call keep everybody fresh for game 2 on Saturday!
4. Teams are strategizing on how to get Santi to be a non-factor ... 1) glue somebody to him and 2) attack him and get SV to pick up 2 quick fouls .... it has been working. Picked one foul when the guy stepped on his foot and SV could not retreat and then the refs gave him an offensive foul out on the perimeter for putting his arm out.
5. Nobody has held Louisana to 52 points this season ... and we did it without a PG.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Then who got Vescovi’s 5 minutes fewer than his average? Key played 6 or 7 minutes above his average.

My point was we will see plenty of them on the floor at the same time. We need all the shooters we can get on the floor. We don’t need any of our guards in foul trouble where they can’t play. Vescovi sat almost 15 min of the first half. That was not by design. GBO

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

My point was we will see plenty of them on the floor at the same time. We need all the shooters we can get on the floor. We don’t need any of our guards in foul trouble where they can’t play. Vescovi sat almost 15 min of the first half. That was not by design. GBO

So we’re up to about 15 now. It’s amazing how those minutes keep on growing to support a narrative. He played 27 minutes yesterday and has averaged 32.7 for the year.

 

[Ft. Loudon Vol]

No love for Uros? I thought he played a solid game. I think we are better when he starts and plays significant minutes. If the refs call fouls rather then jump balls while he was getting mugged his numbers would have been better.

 

[BACKDOC]

No love for Uros? I thought he played a solid game. I think we are better when he starts and plays significant minutes. If the refs call fouls rather then jump balls while he was getting mugged his numbers would have been better.

Great point, unbelievable that they called a jump ball instead of a foul.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

So we’re up to about 15 now. It’s amazing how those minutes keep on growing to support a narrative. He played 27 minutes yesterday and has averaged 32.7 for the year.

Dude I am not trying to argue, I could have sworn he sat out the last 14-15 minutes of the first half. I have no narrative except to say we need our best shooters on the floor the majority of the time. We are going to need Keys and Vescovi on the floor a lot is my only point. When you need points the idea is too have your best scorers on the floor.

 

[vol94]

My point was we will see plenty of them on the floor at the same time. We need all the shooters we can get on the floor. We don’t need any of our guards in foul trouble where they can’t play. Vescovi sat almost 15 min of the first half. That was not by design. GBO

I haven’t read this entire thread but reviewed the game stats. Santi should have played more than 7 min during the first half. While we were ahead, it’s difficult for a player to sit the pine for 13 min and then expect him to exude the same energy and results after the half. He played all 20 min in the 2nd half for a total of 27 min. He was being held all game, which has been the norm all season.

I don’t think we fans understand how much energy Santi spends throughout a game:
1. point guard
2. defending other team’s primary guard,
3. Fighting screens to get open
4. rebounding.

He is only 21 yrs old, and the only senior I’d like to see return next season though he may try international ball to be closer to family.

Go Vols! Beat Dook!

 

[vol94]

Dude I am not trying to argue, I could have sworn he sat out the last 14-15 minutes of the first half. I have no narrative except to say we need our best shooters on the floor the majority of the time. We are going to need Keys and Vescovi on the floor a lot is my only point. When you need points the idea is too have your best scorers on the floor.

He played 7 min during 1st half

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

He played 7 min during 1st half

That’s not enough. We can’t afford early foul trouble for any of our playmakers. Hopefully we can stay away from early foul troubles. GBO

 

[SmokeyLives]

1. Survive and advance, name of the game this time of year, while not pretty I sure wouldn’t trade our result for Arizona, Virginia, Texas A&M etc. winning this time of year should never be taken for granted, with that said. Would have really liked to have seen us put them away when we got up 18, however a silver lining is we didn’t choke it away and we found a way to hit enough free throws and get key baskets when needed to ultimately win.

2. Very encouraging recent play from both Mashack & Key, they’ve been aggressive and we’re again last night, and it was absolutely needed considering the struggles from Vescovi/JJJ/Phillips. Both of those guys will be better served as secondary options to the previous mentioned players, and a post showing up to play, but obviously that’s been the theme all season long.

3. Some of our struggles are obviously not controllable given our lack of PG, but some things we can at least somewhat control/improve are turnovers and FT shooting, those will have to be better going forward. 21 of their 55 points came off us turning the ball over, those also tend to be momentum type possessions and obviously momentum in these tourney games are huge, have to take care of the ball. We got to the line 21 times which is nice to see, but 12-21 isn’t going to cut it this time of year.

4. We could really use Texas Nkamhoua to show up for a game or two, right now we just aren’t getting much of anything from the post positions outside of put backs. Teams are hounding Vescovi which is opening mid range and low post scoring, we just aren’t making teams play, and that’s on JJJ & Phillips too, both guys have to absolutely be better.

5. The good news is we won, and we didn’t play we offensively, we know this team can put together a strong offensive showing on a given night, and they didn’t do it in round 1 and we advanced, maybe it shows up round 2? Obviously no way to know as we are very inconsistent, but get a good showing from the offense and the defense once again show up and we will have a shot at Duke. Given the injuries this roster has suffered making a Sweet 16 by beating Duke would be a great effort from Barnes and his squad.



GBO!!!

The zone defense was key. Make the other team shoot over us, send our bigs to the glass!