BTO’s Mississippi State Postgame Report

[gainesvol82]

30 seconds too much imo.

Nah....I like how Barnes has used him. Put him in to see if he creates a spark and pull him if he doesn't. It was nice to see him have a couple of good plays at Texas.

If he would shot fake and attack the rim more then he would be a nice role player.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Down the stretch the defense was incredible. It wasn’t the offense that pushed the 3/5 point lead out to double digits. It was the shut down defense. When Miss State HAD to score a basket, they couldn’t.

 

[cncchris33]

JJJ has the light finally come on? I think so.

I think the light has been on for a while, now. His doubters (perhaps justifiably so) have just had a difficult time buying in that he can maintain this level of consistency. We've seen flashes but little consistency. Some of that is due to injuries that have stunted his development, some of it is self-inflicted due to a lack of offensive aggression.

But he's here, and likely here to stay. I've mentioned it before, but his career path is tracking along the same wave as that of Josh Richardson. Both were always nice players, though JJJ came with the dreaded 5* hype tag. They continued to develop and like JRich, who broke out over the 2nd half of his junior year, JJJ seems to be coming into his own around the same point.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I think the light has been on for a while, now. His doubters (perhaps justifiably so) have just had a difficult time buying in that he can maintain this level of consistency. We've seen flashes but little consistency. Some of that is due to injuries that have stunted his development, some of it is self-inflicted due to a lack of offensive aggression.

But he's here, and likely here to stay. I've mentioned it before, but his career path is tracking along the same wave as that of Josh Richardson. Both were always nice players, though JJJ came with the dreaded 5* hype tag. They continued to develop and like JRich, who broke out over the 2nd half of his junior year, JJJ seems to be coming into his own around the same point.

Let’s just hope JJJ stays around all 4-years like JRich.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

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!!!!!

Thanks BTO! Yesterday was a very crazy day that started extremely early and I fell asleep around 8:30.
GBO!!

 

[cobbwebb0710]

I think the light has been on for a while, now. His doubters (perhaps justifiably so) have just had a difficult time buying in that he can maintain this level of consistency. We've seen flashes but little consistency. Some of that is due to injuries that have stunted his development, some of it is self-inflicted due to a lack of offensive aggression.

But he's here, and likely here to stay. I've mentioned it before, but his career path is tracking along the same wave as that of Josh Richardson. Both were always nice players, though JJJ came with the dreaded 5* hype tag. They continued to develop and like JRich, who broke out over the 2nd half of his junior year, JJJ seems to be coming into his own around the same point.

I hope you’re right! The only reason I’ve been hard on the guy is because we all knew he had it in him, it was just a matter of doing it! I’m certainly rooting for him!
GBO!!

 

[cncchris33]

I hope you’re right! The only reason I’ve been hard on the guy is because we all knew he had it in him, it was just a matter of doing it! I’m certainly rooting for him!
GBO!!

Like I said, he's been banged up a lot over his career. That hasn't helped. The other thing that hasn't helped is the 5* tag because so many people think that immediately means 20 ppg. JJJ was never a major offensive scoring threat coming in. That wasn't his game. He had that potential, but fans want immediate production from a kid labeled a 5*. I've been preaching patience with him for 3 years, now.

Look at Zeigler and Chandler.

Zeigler can do no wrong in our fans' eyes because he wasn't highly rated or recruited and he's easy to cheer for as the underdog.

Chandler is critiqued at every turn because of the expectations heaped on his shoulders. His game is picked apart left and right, so much so, that many of our fans are missing out on just how special he really is as a player.

If the production of thise two were the same, but their recruiting rankings were reversed, ZZ would be eaten alive by our fans and Kennedy Chandler would already have a statue built next to Pat Summitt.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Like I said, he's been banged up a lot over his career. That hasn't helped. The other thing that hasn't helped is the 5* tag because so many people think that immediately means 20 ppg. JJJ was never a major offensive scoring threat coming in. That wasn't his game. He had that potential, but fans want immediate production from a kid labeled a 5*. I've been preaching patience with him for 3 years, now.

Look at Zeigler and Chandler.

Zeigler can do no wrong in our fans' eyes because he wasn't highly rated or recruited and he's easy to cheer for as the underdog.

Chandler is critiqued at every turn because of the expectations heaped on his shoulders. His game is picked apart left and right, so much so, that many of our fans are missing out on just how special he really is as a player.

If the production of thise two were the same, but their recruiting rankings were reversed, ZZ would be eaten alive by our fans and Kennedy Chandler would already have a statue built next to Pat Summitt.

It’s honestly a good thing that Jahmai and Aidoo were in the 40-60 range instead of the Top 25 otherwise people would be calling Jahmai a bust and saying he should transfer. JM has a lot of potential. Can’t wait to see where he is two years from now.

 

[johnfnkelly]

Saw a lot of encouraging things from Aidoo last night. He's going to be a menace next season with a year in our weight program and better defensive awareness installed into him this off-season.

Josiah is finally coming around similarly to how Jrich did. One of the best defenders in the country, turning into a sniper from deep and a smooth mid range shot off the dribble.

 

[johnfnkelly]

It’s honestly a good thing that Jahmai and Aidoo were in the 40-60 range instead of the Top 25 otherwise people would be calling Jahmai a bust and saying he should transfer. JM has a lot of potential. Can’t wait to see where he is two years from now.

Really excited to see our defense eventually led by Aidoo, ZZ and Mashack.

 

[NighthawkVol]

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.

Yep. If we beat Kentucky, lose to Auburn, and split with Arkansas, but win the rest, I’ll be happy. That puts us at 22-8, probably gets a double bye in the SECT, and sets us up nicely for a 4 seed in the NCAAT, maybe a 3 if we can win a couple in the SECT.

 

[walkenvol]

You have posted this same thing twice you must be in an echo chamber at this point

Must be an AAU coach Jonesing for a job!

 

[BruisedOrange]

[...] his sole purpose is to go hammer the opposing bigs or guards when they penetrate ,,Im ok with that .. so hammer away bog guy ..

Uros! I'm diggin' the new image!

 

[walkenvol]

I might post a 3rd and 4th ..dont read it ... im warning you

Congrats - drive by troll. You made my ignore list cause I don’t want to read your trash.

 

[cwbytruckers]

I think the light has been on for a while, now. His doubters (perhaps justifiably so) have just had a difficult time buying in that he can maintain this level of consistency. We've seen flashes but little consistency. Some of that is due to injuries that have stunted his development, some of it is self-inflicted due to a lack of offensive aggression.

But he's here, and likely here to stay. I've mentioned it before, but his career path is tracking along the same wave as that of Josh Richardson. Both were always nice players, though JJJ came with the dreaded 5* hype tag. They continued to develop and like JRich, who broke out over the 2nd half of his junior year, JJJ seems to be coming into his own around the same point.

what i should have clarified also about the light coming on. he seem to be notorious for going soft to the rim and never finishing. now he seems to be trying to finish about the rim and most times with authority, he has an amazing body. and sometimes i wondered if he was aware of how strong he is. like dang it rise up throw that thing down. quit trying to finesse it.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

I wonder how mad Hallie would be if last night was an “L” instead?

Who cares what he thinks. It is oblivious he knows very little about basketball.

 

[DC_Vol]

Our guards are so good, we just need to have ours bigs perform their function like Steven Adams in Memphis.

Rebound. Set killer screens and be ready to catch a pass and go straight up for an easy lay in.

I remember a few years ago thinking the team would be unbeatable with an elite PG.

Y'all ain't never got two things that match. Either ya got Kool-aid, no sugar. Peanut butter, no jelly. Ham, no burger.

 

[The Dog]

Uros! I'm diggin' the new image!

Swamp Thing

 

[BACKDOC]

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!!!!!

Yeah, I was pumped last night too; I said a few words I don't say in front of my Mom.

 

[BACKDOC]

Win out and win the SEC. Barn goes to FL and to Miss State.

...........and TBA

 

[BACKDOC]

Limited Action for Powell, no minutes for Mashack and Bailey tonight. Expect that to change. Too many minutes for the guards.

Bailey played 1 minute.

 

[Volfan1000]

UT is going to have to stop Chatman on Saturday night as he has given Vanderbilt a huge lift.

Pippen is still the main guy in their offense.

Aidoo and BHH did their roles very efficiently last night and Fulkerson was a huge contributor down the stretch.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

...........and TBA

Yes. 2 game lead right now so win out and get some help. TN will have the head-to-head tie breaker for the SECT seed.

 

[camp_steveo]

I am still tentative after losing ON. Looking forward to Vandy.

 

[PandamoniumReigns]

Pippen irritates me. Not sure why he gets the superstar foul call treatment. Can't go near the guy without a whistle