BTO’s LSU Postgame Report

[pimo1]

1. I wasn’t sure how we’d come out after the Kentucky game, definitely could have saw a slow start but it was quite the opposite. The offense showed great again and what they are capable of when guys play with confidence and aggression. I mentioned not wanting to assume anything coming off Kentucky 100+ point showing and wanted to see how they responded offensively this week, so far so good.

2. Even though it wasn’t Knecht’s most efficient game, or highest scoring game, I felt like a solid argument could be made that it was his best all around game. 27pts 7rbd 6ast coming from your 6’6” wing is a stat line that NBA scouts will like to see, obviously the scoring is there but continuing to learn and adjust to the defensive attention he’s getting and how he can use that to set up his teammates continues to improve. Guys aren’t going to hit every shot, but players are currently taking “practice quality” shots and that’s in large part to how much attention Dalton is drawing, those guys need to stay confident and continue to do that.

3. One guy who’s come on of late, right as many wrote him off, is Jordan Gainey…his last 5 games he’s coming off the bench giving you 10ppg on 43% shooting from 3 and 100% from the FT line. He’s also been playing exceptional defense of late and seems to be adjusting well to the speed/length of the game at this level. Having him playing at this level as an option off the bench or to relieve Santi has been great to have of late, need his confidence to stay high because it’s quite clear he can contribute in a meaningful way.

4. Zakai Zeigler after his rough 2 game stretch has come out playing his best basketball of the year and looking like the best version of himself we have seen. I think what Rick said is very true and you’re seeing it, he’s gotta be the vocal leader of this team, the QB, or straw that stirs the drink if you will. It really feels like guys feed off him on both ends and that when he’s locked in and playing well other guys follow that lead, and if they aren’t he can quickly get them checked in. This isn’t a hot take by any means but it really feels like he’s the one guy that has to bring it each and every single day, because it then leads to others bringing it. His play the last 2 games has been elite and he’s found himself on national lists for both PG of they year and defensive player of the year, something you don’t see much from PG.

5. Gotta throw in some negative just to even things out a bit…idk what Santi was doing but if I saw him pass up another look or pump fake a 3 I was going to lose my mind. He’s likely the best set shooter on the team, he should be taking every single one of those he gets, James is doing a better job at it, Gainey is doing it, Zeigler, Vescovi has to as well, those are too good of looks. I’m not going to go back and track but it felt like he passed up 7-8 “good looks” from 3 and that probably 5-6 of those ended up in empty possessions, take the damn shot Santi.

6. I didn’t hate trying to get Carr some minutes with a lead, but if you’re going to play him don’t handcuff him by pulling Zeigler at the same time and making him play with Gainey at PG. Those were bad lineups and as a result Carr had a horrible -9 in less than 3 minutes of play. Ultimately I don’t think he’s going to be needed in March, I think we have our 8 barring injury, but if you’re dead set on force feeding him some meaningful minutes then at least let him play with Zeigler and other starters around him.

7. Big picture that was a win we had to have, a home game against an inferior opponent, in the final 10 games of the year you only have about 2-3 of of those opportunists, had to have that one. We talked about 7-2 being the goal through the first 9 games of league play and that’s the exact mark they hit, now we turn to the back half of league play and those final 9 games. As I’ve mentioned these next 5 are all very winnable and then you’ve got a brutal 4 game stretch to close that will likely decide the SEC title. The toughest of this 5 game stretch comes up on Saturday when we go to College Station to play A&M, it’s a game we should win and will be favored in, but it won’t be easy by any stretch of the imagination and will take a very good effort. You win that one on Saturday and Tennessee is sitting in as good of a spot as you could have realistically hoped for entering the final 4 weeks of the season.




GBO!!!

Im surprised you didn't mention the rebound and turnovers. We lost on the boards by 13 but beat them. It was mostly Offensive boards (+12) from the brick-fest they were hosting from the 3-point line. However, we got 13 steals, forced 16 turnovers, and shot percentages from the field. those turnovers kind of negated the rebounding disparity. I honestly was not expecting this team to dominate us on the boards the way they did but I haven't watched the game yet.

Can someone that did confirm to me if this is correct? From the box score it looks like there were a lot of long rebounds from errant 3's? Most of their offensive boars went to guards. But at the same time Awaka and Aidoo don't seem to have gotten many either were they getting boxed out allowing LSU's guards to eat?

 

[Vol4gzus]

Im surprised you didn't mention the rebound and turnovers. We lost on the boards by 13 but beat them. It was mostly Offensive boards (+12) from the brick-fest they were hosting from the 3-point line. However, we got 13 steals, forced 16 turnovers, and shot percentages from the field. those turnovers kind of negated the rebounding disparity. I honestly was not expecting this team to dominate us on the boards the way they did but I haven't watched the game yet.

Can someone that did confirm to me if this is correct? From the box score it looks like there were a lot of long rebounds from errant 3's? Most of their offensive boars went to guards. But at the same time Akaka and Aidoo don't seem to have gotten many either were they getting boxed out allowing LSU's guards to eat?

Akaka=Awaka y'all

 

[pimo1]

Akaka=Awaka y'all

eeek sorry fat fingered that one lol thanks bro

 

[i2amavol]

Just two thoughts as I mostly like where this team appears to be at this point in the season. 1) the MS loss is getting worse by the week. Yes I know it happens but combine that with the stinker at home vs SC plus that we have to play SC away - that’s a really damaging two “that got away”. 2) Not to dwell too much on next year, but we better enjoy this season cause the roster takes a huge hit and the young guys don’t look the part of SEC players except for Estrella at times.

It's going to be a very different team next year, and Knecht is going to be missed SO MUCH (nah duh). How often do you have a player who can put the game away night in and night out?

I think the young guys will do just fine, but they will have to find their way next year. I'm guessing the goal will simply be to make the big tourney, unless we hit the jackpot in the portal again.

 

[ndubvols]

I really like Gainey and think he’ll be big down the stretch, however I find it hard to believe he’s our best option at backup pg. i feel like santi and mashack are better suited and more comfortable at running it. Idk maybe that was a condition of santi returning this year or something, but as much as he’s looking to facilitate this year seems like he’d be a better option than converting a 2 guard from a lower level into an optio at pg vs a guy that’s played this competition level and been in the system for 4/5 years now

 

[CAVPUT]

Just a few thoughts.
Gainey has definitely has gotten some confidence. He has a good shot and he also has some moves to get him inside the paint for short jumpers. By looking at his expressions, he seems like a great kid. The only concern I have with Gainey is that when he is the main point guard, he is not as confident about bringing the ball up against a good defender.

I believe Vescovi is a very smart player but I agree he needs to take some shots.

I really am enjoying watch JJJ score because he is quite capable and he has such nice form on his shot.

I know that Mashack's minutes are less, but he is such an elite defender and a tenacious rebounder for his size. And his offense is better than people give him credit for.

I actually like Carr because he is so long and agile. He needs some minutes to fix that outside shot.

As for Dillione, I don't like his expressions on the bench. He is not playing for some reason. I feel like he is going to join the portal after the season.

The free throws are going to lose a game if they don't start making them consistently.

Overall, they look great. Keep it up

Some bold statements right there.

 

[Franklin_Vol09]

My problem with Santi, is that he drives not looking to score but to pass. Teams have figured this into and he has had some bad turnovers lately. Also, when the ball is moving well, when it gets to Santi, he holds and starts all his pump faking and allows the defense to get back into position. He also seems a little rattled or has lost a bit of confidence. I hope it is something the we don’t know that is effecting him, that he will be able to get over soon.

Like earlier in the year, he was just exhausted physically and emotionally from travel and a family member who died.

He is a really smart player and I am willing to bet that he is the best version of himself come March.

 

[cncchris33]

Yea, it’s more of a season long concern. Something just looks off and last night looked especially bad. Did he have minutes late or did Barnes give them all to Gainey? For 4 years Santi was one of the players I expected to always see on the court at the end. It was odd seeing him sitting. Maybe he came back in at some point - I need to check the film.

He left the game at 5:47, which was right after he passed up the open look from outside right in front of the bench and ended up getting a nice pass from Aidoo for a layup and the foul (missed the FT).

I'll guess Barnes was making a point to sit him for passing in that open look for what was probably the 4th or 5th time in the game, but that is purely speculation.

However, he never reentered the game.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

He left the game at 5:47, which was right after he passed up the open look from outside right in front of the bench and ended up getting a nice pass from Aidoo for a layup and the foul (missed the FT).

I'll guess Barnes was making a point to sit him for passing in that open look for what was probably the 4th or 5th time in the game, but that is purely speculation.

However, he never reentered the game.

Could have maybe used him with the atrocious end of game free throw shooting. I think that DK was 0-2 one trip. Aidoo finally nailed a pair and I don’t think either one touched anything other than the net.

 

[PreacherVol2]

Im surprised you didn't mention the rebound and turnovers. We lost on the boards by 13 but beat them. It was mostly Offensive boards (+12) from the brick-fest they were hosting from the 3-point line. However, we got 13 steals, forced 16 turnovers, and shot percentages from the field. those turnovers kind of negated the rebounding disparity. I honestly was not expecting this team to dominate us on the boards the way they did but I haven't watched the game yet.

Can someone that did confirm to me if this is correct? From the box score it looks like there were a lot of long rebounds from errant 3's? Most of their offensive boars went to guards. But at the same time Awaka and Aidoo don't seem to have gotten many either were they getting boxed out allowing LSU's guards to eat?

Barnes mentioned in his post game that the rebounding was completely unacceptable and they have to get it corrected.

 

[BigorangeBoy]

Im surprised you didn't mention the rebound and turnovers. We lost on the boards by 13 but beat them. It was mostly Offensive boards (+12) from the brick-fest they were hosting from the 3-point line. However, we got 13 steals, forced 16 turnovers, and shot percentages from the field. those turnovers kind of negated the rebounding disparity. I honestly was not expecting this team to dominate us on the boards the way they did but I haven't watched the game yet.

Can someone that did confirm to me if this is correct? From the box score it looks like there were a lot of long rebounds from errant 3's? Most of their offensive boars went to guards. But at the same time Awaka and Aidoo don't seem to have gotten many either were they getting boxed out allowing LSU's guards to eat?

There were a lot of long rebounds off errant threes, but LSU consistently sent their guards underneath. Our guys were boxing out their man but the LSU guards were cutting under the baseline and getting alot of loose balls. TN did a really poor job of securing the loose balls after an LSU shot attempt.

 

[Hvillevol68]

What's the deal with Freddie? He was getting some minutes but seems Carr might be getting his minutes.

Dillione was diagnosed with plantar faciatis around Christmas. Will be an ongoing problem the rest of the year.

 

[JCP201]

Bracketologist bumps Tennessee basketball up to No. 1 seed

Tennessee basketball has been bumped up to a No. 1 seed for the 2024 NCAA Tournament by ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi.

247sports.com

Have to keep winning, obviously

 

[BACKDOC]

1. I wasn’t sure how we’d come out after the Kentucky game, definitely could have saw a slow start but it was quite the opposite. The offense showed great again and what they are capable of when guys play with confidence and aggression. I mentioned not wanting to assume anything coming off Kentucky 100+ point showing and wanted to see how they responded offensively this week, so far so good.

2. Even though it wasn’t Knecht’s most efficient game, or highest scoring game, I felt like a solid argument could be made that it was his best all around game. 27pts 7rbd 6ast coming from your 6’6” wing is a stat line that NBA scouts will like to see, obviously the scoring is there but continuing to learn and adjust to the defensive attention he’s getting and how he can use that to set up his teammates continues to improve. Guys aren’t going to hit every shot, but players are currently taking “practice quality” shots and that’s in large part to how much attention Dalton is drawing, those guys need to stay confident and continue to do that.

3. One guy who’s come on of late, right as many wrote him off, is Jordan Gainey…his last 5 games he’s coming off the bench giving you 10ppg on 43% shooting from 3 and 100% from the FT line. He’s also been playing exceptional defense of late and seems to be adjusting well to the speed/length of the game at this level. Having him playing at this level as an option off the bench or to relieve Santi has been great to have of late, need his confidence to stay high because it’s quite clear he can contribute in a meaningful way.

4. Zakai Zeigler after his rough 2 game stretch has come out playing his best basketball of the year and looking like the best version of himself we have seen. I think what Rick said is very true and you’re seeing it, he’s gotta be the vocal leader of this team, the QB, or straw that stirs the drink if you will. It really feels like guys feed off him on both ends and that when he’s locked in and playing well other guys follow that lead, and if they aren’t he can quickly get them checked in. This isn’t a hot take by any means but it really feels like he’s the one guy that has to bring it each and every single day, because it then leads to others bringing it. His play the last 2 games has been elite and he’s found himself on national lists for both PG of they year and defensive player of the year, something you don’t see much from PG.

5. Gotta throw in some negative just to even things out a bit…idk what Santi was doing but if I saw him pass up another look or pump fake a 3 I was going to lose my mind. He’s likely the best set shooter on the team, he should be taking every single one of those he gets, James is doing a better job at it, Gainey is doing it, Zeigler, Vescovi has to as well, those are too good of looks. I’m not going to go back and track but it felt like he passed up 7-8 “good looks” from 3 and that probably 5-6 of those ended up in empty possessions, take the damn shot Santi.

6. I didn’t hate trying to get Carr some minutes with a lead, but if you’re going to play him don’t handcuff him by pulling Zeigler at the same time and making him play with Gainey at PG. Those were bad lineups and as a result Carr had a horrible -9 in less than 3 minutes of play. Ultimately I don’t think he’s going to be needed in March, I think we have our 8 barring injury, but if you’re dead set on force feeding him some meaningful minutes then at least let him play with Zeigler and other starters around him.

7. Big picture that was a win we had to have, a home game against an inferior opponent, in the final 10 games of the year you only have about 2-3 of of those opportunists, had to have that one. We talked about 7-2 being the goal through the first 9 games of league play and that’s the exact mark they hit, now we turn to the back half of league play and those final 9 games. As I’ve mentioned these next 5 are all very winnable and then you’ve got a brutal 4 game stretch to close that will likely decide the SEC title. The toughest of this 5 game stretch comes up on Saturday when we go to College Station to play A&M, it’s a game we should win and will be favored in, but it won’t be easy by any stretch of the imagination and will take a very good effort. You win that one on Saturday and Tennessee is sitting in as good of a spot as you could have realistically hoped for entering the final 4 weeks of the season.




GBO!!!

Well Carr had three good looks and couldn't hit anything. One thing that worries me; Memphis lost the NCAA tourney becaUSE OF FT shooting. ZZ has fallen 11 % points from last year, and Santi's has fallen over the past couple of years too. I hope not, but that might get us beat in the final 4.

 

[tennrich1]

Dillione was diagnosed with plantar faciatis around Christmas. Will be an ongoing problem the rest of the year.

I think you’re spot on. Plantar Faciatis usually takes a long time to heal to a “back to normal” status. For me, it took almost a year. Still flares up occasionally. I’m sure the particular stress of basketball make it doubly difficult for recovery.

 

[vol94]

Going to need to do something about giving up so many offensive rebounds. And Santi will have to pull out of his offensive slump for this team to reach its potential. The Santi issue isn’t as concerning if Gainey can keep it going. But IMO Santi still defends better than Gainey by a good amount.

Agree, too many 2nd chance opportunities for LSU. Our post play still concerns me though I still have TN winning the national
Championship over UCONN (preseason prognostication.

 

[vol94]

Just a few thoughts.
Gainey has definitely has gotten some confidence. He has a good shot and he also has some moves to get him inside the paint for short jumpers. By looking at his expressions, he seems like a great kid. The only concern I have with Gainey is that when he is the main point guard, he is not as confident about bringing the ball up against a good defender.

I believe Vescovi is a very smart player but I agree he needs to take some shots.

I really am enjoying watch JJJ score because he is quite capable and he has such nice form on his shot.

I know that Mashack's minutes are less, but he is such an elite defender and a tenacious rebounder for his size. And his offense is better than people give him credit for.

I actually like Carr because he is so long and agile. He needs some minutes to fix that outside shot.

As for Dillione, I don't like his expressions on the bench. He is not playing for some reason. I feel like he is going to join the portal after the season.

The free throws are going to lose a game if they don't start making them consistently.

Overall, they look great. Keep it up

Dillione to the portal wouldn’t surprise me one bit. This was brought up on Wed morning’s 104.5 the Zone segment with a Vols’ writer. I can’t recall his name but it wasn’t Hyams or Hubbs.

Dillione has an opportunity to start next season but he didn’t expect Santi or JJJ to return which impacted his minutes.

Foul shots- agree. The margin of error shrinks as teams progress from the field of 64 to final four. I still recall Memphis losing a title game b/c Calipari’s team choked from the foul line.

Mashack- I like his intensity but he needs to be self aware and less fouls. Plus, stay within himself and not force a shot. Again, I love his defense.
Go Vols!

 

[wtmvol]

Could have maybe used him with the atrocious end of game free throw shooting. I think that DK was 0-2 one trip. Aidoo finally nailed a pair and I don’t think either one touched anything other than the net.

There was a segment of the game where we missed 4 straight free throws, but it wasn't really the end of the game. It was from the 9 minute mark to the 6 minute mark, and Vescovi was a part of those misses. We made our last 7 free throws of the game.

 

[spyfish007]

Dillione to the portal wouldn’t surprise me one bit. This was brought up on Wed morning’s 104.5 the Zone segment with a Vols’ writer. I can’t recall his name (Wilson, maybe), but it wasn’t Hyams or Hubbs.

Dillione has an opportunity to start next season but he didn’t expect Santi or JJJ to return which impacted his minutes.

Foul shots- agree. The margin of error shrinks as teams progress from the field of 64 to final four. I still recall Memphis losing a title game b/c Calipari’s team choked from the foul line.

Mashack- I like his intensity but he needs to be self aware and less fouls. Plus, stay within himself and not force a shot. Again, I love his defense.
Go Vols!

I would be surprised at FD leaving. DK, JJJ, and Santi all gone next year. That is a huge clear out and Barnes clearly likes FD.

 

[CAVPUT]

Well Carr had three good looks and couldn't hit anything. One thing that worries me; Memphis lost the NCAA tourney becaUSE OF FT shooting. ZZ has fallen 11 % points from last year, and Santi's has fallen over the past couple of years too. I hope not, but that might get us beat in the final 4.

Knecht missed a pair, too. With this much depth, it can't be fatigue. Only thing I can think of is that this bunch will lose focus at times. Against LSU, I think the big lead led to it. If the basics like FT's and rebounding aren't there and we see a player or 2 no show and it's in the tournament, we're heading home.

 

[ColinS]

Im surprised you didn't mention the rebound and turnovers. We lost on the boards by 13 but beat them. It was mostly Offensive boards (+12) from the brick-fest they were hosting from the 3-point line. However, we got 13 steals, forced 16 turnovers, and shot percentages from the field. those turnovers kind of negated the rebounding disparity. I honestly was not expecting this team to dominate us on the boards the way they did but I haven't watched the game yet.

Can someone that did confirm to me if this is correct? From the box score it looks like there were a lot of long rebounds from errant 3's? Most of their offensive boars went to guards. But at the same time Awaka and Aidoo don't seem to have gotten many either were they getting boxed out allowing LSU's guards to eat?

They seemed to get a lot of long rebounds in the first half but we just weren't boxing out in the second half. Some complacency set in with the big lead. Barnes called a timeout and lit some guys up and we srarted rebounding better after that.

 

[pimo1]

They seemed to get a lot of long rebounds in the first half but we just weren't boxing out in the second half. Some complacency set in with the big lead. Barnes called a timeout and lit some guys up and we srarted rebounding better after that.

I think there was a plan in place.. they were like lets let em get the rebounds os we can get more steals lol....

 

[SN-A-C Orange]

It looked to me like something was off with Santi.
For example, His free throw only drew front iron SHORT. All his shots were SHORT.
I wonder if he was "out of it" or has something pulled or was sick/or getting sick.
Just did not look himself, last night.

 

[Volfan1000]

1. I wasn’t sure how we’d come out after the Kentucky game, definitely could have saw a slow start but it was quite the opposite. The offense showed great again and what they are capable of when guys play with confidence and aggression. I mentioned not wanting to assume anything coming off Kentucky 100+ point showing and wanted to see how they responded offensively this week, so far so good.

2. Even though it wasn’t Knecht’s most efficient game, or highest scoring game, I felt like a solid argument could be made that it was his best all around game. 27pts 7rbd 6ast coming from your 6’6” wing is a stat line that NBA scouts will like to see, obviously the scoring is there but continuing to learn and adjust to the defensive attention he’s getting and how he can use that to set up his teammates continues to improve. Guys aren’t going to hit every shot, but players are currently taking “practice quality” shots and that’s in large part to how much attention Dalton is drawing, those guys need to stay confident and continue to do that.

3. One guy who’s come on of late, right as many wrote him off, is Jordan Gainey…his last 5 games he’s coming off the bench giving you 10ppg on 43% shooting from 3 and 100% from the FT line. He’s also been playing exceptional defense of late and seems to be adjusting well to the speed/length of the game at this level. Having him playing at this level as an option off the bench or to relieve Santi has been great to have of late, need his confidence to stay high because it’s quite clear he can contribute in a meaningful way.

4. Zakai Zeigler after his rough 2 game stretch has come out playing his best basketball of the year and looking like the best version of himself we have seen. I think what Rick said is very true and you’re seeing it, he’s gotta be the vocal leader of this team, the QB, or straw that stirs the drink if you will. It really feels like guys feed off him on both ends and that when he’s locked in and playing well other guys follow that lead, and if they aren’t he can quickly get them checked in. This isn’t a hot take by any means but it really feels like he’s the one guy that has to bring it each and every single day, because it then leads to others bringing it. His play the last 2 games has been elite and he’s found himself on national lists for both PG of they year and defensive player of the year, something you don’t see much from PG.

5. Gotta throw in some negative just to even things out a bit…idk what Santi was doing but if I saw him pass up another look or pump fake a 3 I was going to lose my mind. He’s likely the best set shooter on the team, he should be taking every single one of those he gets, James is doing a better job at it, Gainey is doing it, Zeigler, Vescovi has to as well, those are too good of looks. I’m not going to go back and track but it felt like he passed up 7-8 “good looks” from 3 and that probably 5-6 of those ended up in empty possessions, take the damn shot Santi.

6. I didn’t hate trying to get Carr some minutes with a lead, but if you’re going to play him don’t handcuff him by pulling Zeigler at the same time and making him play with Gainey at PG. Those were bad lineups and as a result Carr had a horrible -9 in less than 3 minutes of play. Ultimately I don’t think he’s going to be needed in March, I think we have our 8 barring injury, but if you’re dead set on force feeding him some meaningful minutes then at least let him play with Zeigler and other starters around him.

7. Big picture that was a win we had to have, a home game against an inferior opponent, in the final 10 games of the year you only have about 2-3 of of those opportunists, had to have that one. We talked about 7-2 being the goal through the first 9 games of league play and that’s the exact mark they hit, now we turn to the back half of league play and those final 9 games. As I’ve mentioned these next 5 are all very winnable and then you’ve got a brutal 4 game stretch to close that will likely decide the SEC title. The toughest of this 5 game stretch comes up on Saturday when we go to College Station to play A&M, it’s a game we should win and will be favored in, but it won’t be easy by any stretch of the imagination and will take a very good effort. You win that one on Saturday and Tennessee is sitting in as good of a spot as you could have realistically hoped for entering the final 4 weeks of the season.




GBO!!!

College Station and Fayetteville are not easy places to win at.

 

[Orangeslide]

Could have maybe used him with the atrocious end of game free throw shooting. I think that DK was 0-2 one trip. Aidoo finally nailed a pair and I don’t think either one touched anything other than the net.

He left the game at 5:47, which was right after he passed up the open look from outside right in front of the bench and ended up getting a nice pass from Aidoo for a layup and the foul (missed the FT).

I'll guess Barnes was making a point to sit him for passing in that open look for what was probably the 4th or 5th time in the game, but that is purely speculation.

However, he never reentered the game.

Barnes mentioned in his post game radio show that is the reason he didn’t play down the stretch. Barnes seems to be begging him to shoot. I never thought I’d see the day where SV would pass up an open look from 3. It is baffling to me.