BTO’s Mississippi State Postgame Report

#27
#27
I hoped for a W but I was prepared for us to come up short against State, talented bruisers who don't lose at home. SO proud of the grit and effort shown by the players, and kudos to Coach and the staff for putting it all together.

Just a tiny gripe, though. We jumped out to a 12 point lead and 5 minutes in had a wholesale line change - no doubt pre-planned. Maybe we should've ridden that starting five's hot streak through one more tv TO. Having said that - anytime ZZ takes the court is the right time.
 
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#29
#29
Totally agree about JJJ's performance being a big part of what we are seeing on offense....but another reason I think he has "turned the corner" is not just the fact that he's looking for his shot/playing more aggressive.....I'm seeing him be more vocal on the floor.....I saw it last game and then saw him get on KC last night, but did it in a firm yet positive manner. He's taking more if a leadership role and I think that can't be understated.
 
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#30
#30
VolDorado said:
Totally agree about JJJ's performance being a big part of what we are seeing on offense....but another reason I think he has "turned the corner" is not just the fact that he's looking for his shot/playing more aggressive.....I'm seeing him be more vocal on the floor.....I saw it last game and then saw him get on KC last night, but did it in a firm yet positive manner. He's taking more if a leadership role and I think that can't be understated.
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I think he and SV have become the true leaders of this team. As I’ve said before…during time outs and dead ball situations those are the two everyone gravitates towards.
 
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#32
#32
For the first time JJJ is winning at the mental aspect of the game. Last night when he drove to the basket and got the and one I was thinking, it's been there all along, he just wouldn't let himself be that guy. Right now he could be that guy taking the shot at the end of the game and making it. Just a couple of weeks ago I was commenting on how he couldn't be that guy after the Texas game.
 
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#33
#33
bleedingTNorange said:
1. What a freaking dub!!!!! I may be in the minority but this is a game the last day or two I’ve been REALLY excited for, the importance of it as kind of a swing game was huge, how we’d look without ON added intrigue, we’re hitting mid-February and playing a conference opponent we are competing for seeding with, I was pumped up and locked in for this game and I’m glad it didn’t disappoint. Great showing from our Vols, they found a way to get it done, first Q1 road win of the year, first loss at home for State, what a W.

2. Josiah James is no longer an offensive liability, I was one of the first to say hold on just a second on his shot, and pointed out how well he shots over 4/5/6/7/ games etc…well now he’s just doing it consistently enough to say this is who he is going to be. Tonight plays 37m 18pts 7-12fg 3-6 from 3 to raise his average well over 40% the last 9 games…and continues to be an elite level defender, it’s not a coincidence that the offense has started to come alive around the same time JJJ has found his offensive game.

3. Speaking of offense, Tennessee threw up an offensive rating of 113.8, their 3rd game in a row showing a much improved offense and continuing their climb toward a top 25 offense. Their early season numbers will drag them down but of late this offense is really playing so well, tonight shooting 42% from 3 and 89% from the FT line while only turning it over 10 times. Vescovi, Zeigler, James, Powell are all looking like 40%+ shooters from the outside right now…that is scary for opposing teams.

4. It was nice to see some of Aidoo, and makes you excited for his future…but it was also nice to see BHH start out involved and scoring, and again excited for his future….however, I don’t have the final numbers yet, but our small ball lineup continues to be what produces. I’m gonna guess that small ball lineups were around +12 tonight, while big lineups were -3…now I get it, foul trouble dictates things and ZZ was in foul trouble first half and Powell just wasn’t effective tonight…and the 2 post lineup started the game super hot…but around 8 minutes we brought Zeigler back in in a tie game and we played small almost entirely the rest of the way as we closed the game up. I’m not sure if Barnes will make the move, probably not, but our small ball lineup is our best, no questions asked.

5. Zeigler, Chandler & Vescovi are just so damn fun to watch play basketball…ZZ & KC combined for 10 steals, that is bonkers…Vescovi had 7 assists and just 1 turnover with the quietest 11 points I’ve seen in awhile, but a monster 3 down the stretch. I’m hopeful for some blowouts because it would be nice to get those guys some rest, 37 minutes for SV and JJ tonight, 34 for Chandler, Barnes is gonna ride those guys as much as he can…first half if we got a lead or it’s close he’ll try to buy them minutes, which I’m not the biggest fan of, I think there’s a better strategy, but down the stretch those guys along with JJJ are gonna be who decide how far we go.

6. Big picture? You wanna talk big picture?! Tonight this is my favorite part, that win was massive (but please dear god don’t give it away by losing to Vandy)…you change the narrative a bit tonight. You almost certainly lock up a Top 4 SEC seed tonight which means double bye, but you also now move from 21-9(12-6) being the most likely outcome to now 22-8(13-5) being the most likely, which means we also raised our seed line floor, a Q1 road win is huge!!! I said entering this 4 game stretch 3-1 would be expected or what we needed, and that 4-0 would build some momentum, well we are 3-0 with a home game upcoming against Vandy, cmon boys!!! Win that one and the game next Tuesday becomes HUUUUGE, our Vols have been good at home and hopefully we can win the next 2 at TBA and blow the lid off this Mf’er.



GBO!!!!!
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A fired-up BTO postgame report....I like it
 
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#34
#34
cardvolfan said:
ZZ is 27-29 from the FT line the last 7 games. Nothing but net again last night, and his stroke is effortless and flawless. He struggled the first half of the season, but with some familiarity and experience at this level, he’s a deadly weapon.
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It's fun to sit and think about how if he is this good right now as a true freshmen, just how good is this kid going to be when he is a Senior. He has had some freshman moments, but I think he's blown past expectations. I will hate to see KC go after this season, but we're in good hands with ZZ and Edwards next year.
 
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#35
#35
ColinS said:
For the first time JJJ is winning at the mental aspect of the game. Last night when he drove to the basket and got the and one I was thinking, it's been there all along, he just wouldn't let himself be that guy. Right now he could be that guy taking the shot at the end of the game and making it. Just a couple of weeks ago I was commenting on how he couldn't be that guy after the Texas game.
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The disappointment of the Texas ending (on both ends) for JJJ seems to have lit a fire under him.
 
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#37
#37
I'm just glad to see the offense finally playing up to the Defense.Sucks that we started Sec play so bad,6 in a row isn't easy by no means.Were hitting our stride at a great time,gotta advoid the injuries.Playing ZZ off the bench is masterful,the energy he brings is unreal and u can see the spark it gives us.
 
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#38
#38
Keeping in mind that I didn’t watch the game - did check out the highlights and do know how to extrapolate.

Aidoo who I have thought to myself - the 30 seconds I watched hm in the layup line - well he looks the part- if he plays 40 minutes instead of 12 …. Would have had 13 rebounds. His first real game against high level SEC competition.
For those of you who did watch - how did he play in his 12 minutes?
Does he have a high ceiling?
 
#39
#39
Volle said:
JJJ is actually looking for his shots now-- like those little baseline jumpers.

ZZ was +28 tonight-- damn, he gets things moving. His drive to the bucket for two in crunch time was huge.

Why were we playing zone in the 2nd half? Thought that kept MSU in the game when they hit three straight 3's!
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They’re not usually a good 3pt shooting team. Seemed like a solid strat, but sometimes they just make the shots
 
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#40
#40
Barnes now has them playing a really good half-court offense. More passing - less dribbling. One announcer even said last night on one possession they made 5 passes in the 1st 10 seconds of the shot clock. Fining open shooters in almost every possession now. Other than that one drought in 1st half there were very efficient.
 
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#41
#41
BruisedOrange said:
I think Uros contributed more than we are crediting to him (according to ESPN's stat sheet).

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That is not a good stat line for a starting post....you get that basically by just being out there 18 minutes....well, except for BHH. Uros also made some dumb fouls and had a couple of bad turnovers. I don't think that 1 it shows is correct.
 
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#43
#43
Powell hard to figure out. Can play well one game then disappears for several, like last night. Must be his inexperience.
 
#45
#45
OrangeBeachVol said:
Powell hard to figure out. Can play well one game then disappears for several, like last night. Must be his inexperience.
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He did let it fly a couple times so I'm glad he's taken that to heart but he needs constant broom drill practice where he rises up and shoots with someone in his face. Also, where has that nice step back jumper gone? He hasn't shown that in over a month.

Remember that he played the point at Auburn and I think he is having trouble adjusting to being a wing/off-guard. I think he takes a big jump next year.
 
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#46
#46
gainesvol82 said:
That is not a good stat line for a starting post....you get that basically by just being out there 18 minutes....well, except for BHH. Uros also made some dumb fouls and had a couple of bad turnovers. I don't think that 1 it shows is correct.
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I personally thought aidoo was a better presence down low tonight. He’s raw and gets caught out of position due to lack of experience but it’s obvious he is the future of that position over uros. You definitely play both but if I were Barnes I’d lean towards the future and give aidoo a few more minutes even if it hurts in the present some
 
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#47
#47
Fullfillmer said:
[...] Aidoo who I have thought to myself - the 30 seconds I watched hm in the layup line - well he looks the part- if he plays 40 minutes instead of 12 …. Would have had 13 rebounds. His first real game against high level SEC competition.
For those of you who did watch - how did he play in his 12 minutes?
Does he have a high ceiling?
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Watch for Barnes' next presser, after the staff has reviewed the video. His remarks will tell us if Aidoo proved himself trustworthy to play team defense correctly--and that's the one thing that will get him off the bench.
 
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#48
#48
sportsnut624 said:
I personally thought aidoo was a better presence down low tonight. He’s raw and gets caught out of position due to lack of experience but it’s obvious he is the future of that position over uros. You definitely play both but if I were Barnes I’d lean towards the future and give aidoo a few more minutes even if it hurts in the present some
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I agree and think Aidoo would have gotten more minutes if not for foul trouble.
 
#49
#49
Great road win. Excellent summary too. I like the team. Not to be chicken little, but I genuinely think all three of Kentucky, Arkansas, and Auburn are playing like top five teams. One might not accept that premise, I understand. If you do, we have four games remaining against the best of the best. Kentucky on a good night is unbeatable, but not every night is a good night for them. We’ve seen there best, plus an absurdly high shot percentage on bad looks. Often games like that open up vulnerability in game two. Auburn has the kind of guard rotation that kills us. Pearl teams are notoriously hard for us. I give this year’s guards the best shot of any recent Vol team of getting hot coverage on ball reversal threes and drives. That said, they’ll score. We don’t have a great answer for Kessler except forcing him to foul. We need to play rough low. Gotta love that this one is at home. Of all of them, I think Arkansas is the most consistent team night to night. They’re athletic everywhere. Touch matchup. It’d be great to take the home game here. I’m not sure what to tell you if you think this is a possible 4-0. 3-1 is long odds, but doable given the home/away breakdown. 2-2 or above gives us two more Q1 wins against three 1/2 sec quality teams. I’ll hope for the best, but that’s a squall we’re heading into.
 
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