BTO’s Missouri Postgame Report

[Col_Cathcart]

On all the talk about paying Aidoo and Awaka together.

If anyone didn’t notice, towards the end of the game, Gates adjusted defensively to that lineup by not guarding Awaka at all on the perimeter and double teaming the ball instead.

If we go with that lineup again we have to be prepared for that.

We found Awaka on back cuts for uncontested dunks on a couple of those possessions.

 

[walkenvol]

On all the talk about paying Aidoo and Awaka together.

If anyone didn’t notice, towards the end of the game, Gates adjusted defensively to that lineup by not guarding Awaka at all on the perimeter and double teaming the ball instead.

If we go with that lineup again we have to be prepared for that.

Is there something about Aidoo compared to Awaka that would have prevented Gates from trying the same?

 

[Col_Cathcart]

Is there something about Aidoo compared to Awaka that would have prevented Gates from trying the same?

Aidoo can shoot outside of the paint?

Edit: I might should have said “will” instead of “can”. Awaka’s FT% took a big jump this year so there’s some hope that he’ll develop some midrange game over time. Definitely not comfortable doing it this season though.

 

[omghulkhands]

We found Awaka on back cuts for uncontested dunks on a couple of those possessions.

We did counter with that on the dunk towards the end of the game. I think we went to him in the post on a possession as well after they started blitzing the ball. ANd that's good. Just hope team is conscious of it going forward.

 

[omghulkhands]

Is there something about Aidoo compared to Awaka that would have prevented Gates from trying the same?

@ndubvols Already mentioned it. Aidoo has about a billion pick and roll points on the year. So we can play though him up top OR he can drop to the middle kind of like you would vs zone and he can hit the 15 footer.

 

[walkenvol]

Aidoo can shoot outside of the paint?

Edit: I might should have said “will” instead of “can”. Awaka’s FT% took a big jump this year so there’s some hope that he’ll develop some midrange game over time. Definitely not comfortable doing it this season though.

If I’m playing against UT, I’d love for Aidoo to shoot from the perimeter. Aidoo is far and away most effective from 5’ in.

 

[ColinS]

If I’m playing against UT, I’d love for Aidoo to shoot from the perimeter. Aidoo is far and away most effective from 5’ in.

He can have anything over 7 or 8 feet all day long if I'm coaching against him.

 

[robcovol]

Vols fan deep in Aggieland. Could Tennessee have been looking past Missouri to the Aggies? I know this sounds laughable, but for me, it would have been a reason. I hope they can make up for that game in College Station.

 

[berryvol]

Or if his teammates recognize the double team and present themselves to receive a pass?

Agreed. We didn’t have anyone running to the ball last night. Was definitely a combo of both.

 

[ndubvols]

If I’m playing against UT, I’d love for Aidoo to shoot from the perimeter. Aidoo is far and away most effective from 5’ in.

I’d agree, although he seems better around free throw line/elbow. Anything off center though he needs to stop shooting.

Still, he’s much more comfortable with the ball in that midrange area than Awaka. Passing, taking a dribble or 2 or taking a midrange.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Vols fan deep in Aggieland. Could Tennessee have been looking past Missouri to the Aggies? I know this sounds laughable, but for me, it would have been a reason. I hope they can make up for that game in College Station.

I don’t think they were looking past anyone. I think we just had an absolute stinker and those happen. Not every bad performance can be attributed to “looking past” someone. I would be more concerned if this team didn’t take Mizzou seriously than if it was just a bad performance.

 

[JCP201]

Barnes saw what (or who) wasn't working and he made the adjustments. As you said, we know that Santi and JJJ can disappear--and will again, so it's good to have backups who can come through.

 

[BACKDOC]

Great comeback by the Vols in a rockfight game. Good move by Barnes to go big in the second half to negate Missouri’s physicality. Turnovers were very disappointing and so was the free throw shooting. I think performances like last night is why the media will tab the Vols as a likely upset victim in the big dance. Games like this will always be in the back of Vols fans minds once the dance starts. Take the win, move on and get ready for another physical game Saturday night. We gotta hold serve in our home games, and A@M is fading fast. Hope the home crowd is amped up for the revenge rematch with aggies.

Yeah, Awaka has really improved from the stripe; can't say that for Santi and ZZ. What has happened to Knecht lately, after going 17 for 17 during a two game stretch.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

On all the talk about paying Aidoo and Awaka together.

If anyone didn’t notice, towards the end of the game, Gates adjusted defensively to that lineup by not guarding Awaka at all on the perimeter and double teaming the ball instead.

If we go with that lineup again we have to be prepared for that.

Not sure why that took him 10 minutes to figure out lol

 

[1974Vol]

Not making excuses for our poor start, but the officiating in this league is crazy inconsistent. Missouri came out and made it a street fight, and honestly the Vols didn't back down and were just as physical. However, the physicality of the game caused both teams to miss a ton of shots early, But hey, you're gonna miss some shots at the rim when you get shoved or bumped hard as you release the ball. The officiating wasn't very good, but it was fair. Through most of the game, they didn't call anything on anyone! lol. It does handicap the more talented team however when you can literally mug our best scorer DK on every drive with no calls made. To Dalton's credit he just kept coming and played through the contact and made some very big shots down the stretch. As bad as most of the game was the last 3 minutes were ridiculous. Dalton and Z were both fouled hard trying to break their press and we got no calls. They literally sent Z flying 8-10 feet through the air and crashing in front of our bench and they called OB on Z and gave the ball to the Tigers. Can't say much though because Awaka was killing their bigs and only got 2 fouls called. It was definitely Tobe's type game. If we had this officials crew every night he could play 40 minutes without fouling out!

 

[screenthis]

"we’ve seen this theme so much in tourney losses or big games to where we can’t hit a shot, Santi & JJJ disappear and you’re left wondering how well possibly score or will we be sent home. "

All this. Over the years, it's been so frustrating. How does JJJ go off one game with 26 points and then barely contribute in the next several? Fulkerson would do the same. If I were the coach, I'd pull my hair out. Wait, maybe that's what happened. Now, we seem to be able to get others in that can make up for the inconsistency.

 

[ArdentVol]

ns on that bench, Mashack and Awaka are better suited for physical games than JJJ, that’s a luxury to have, but don’t hesitate to make the move, against a better team it could cost you.

4. Speaking of Awaka, what a great game from him, 22mins 18pts 10rbd 6-8fg 6-7ft, he was a major difference maker and I’m not sure we win that game without him, and he committed just 2 fouls allowing Barnes to play him 13/20 minutes in the second half. Certain games are going to suit him better, but again having him as your backup 5 and able to come in as a physical 4 is a nice luxury to have.

Very disappointed SEC-TV did not interview Awaka immediately after game

love his pkay
hope to see more win towers with he and aido and the other bigs.

Go Big AA's

GBO!!!

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Drinkwitz acted like a child and is a true jerk. Dude acting like he is part of the fraternity heckling other teams players. If you act like a classless jerk you might actually be one. If he ever makes it back to Neyland here’s to him leaving roasted and toasted. Not a very good example of a college coach to be sitting behind the oppositions bench heckling players. He is nothing but a big wuss. GBO

 

[livefaith]

The football JG was rarely , if ever, hot

At Auburn once. Then about every 10th pass he humbled Tom Brady. But the other 9!

 

[livefaith]

Is it my imagination, or was that the fastest paced up and down Rick Barnes game in the 1st half ever? Look like a track meet where we and Missouri through bricks off the rim for 20 straight minutes.

 

[Lukusw]

Wins are like babies - even an ugly one is still a baby.

Lol. Best analysis of the game yet.

 

[livefaith]

I don’t post much on the basketball board, and after reading this thread, I know why.
1. NOBODY (besides one poster) gave Mizzou a lick of credit. Those guys left it all on the court. Respect.
2. Part of me is looking forward to next season to find out who the new whipping boy will be with Santi and JJJ gone.
3. Without DK, Tennessee loses that game last night. Awaka and Aidoo got it done last night but neither of them are pure scorers like Knecht.
4. I guess Purdue sucks because they had the temerity to lose on the road to a team that just fired their coach. Which leaves…
5. Basketball happens. I’m old enough to remember getting assjacked by Kentucky 101-40. Those days are gone. Enjoy the season.

GO VOLS!

Thanks for gracing us with your ever so rare appearance and wisdom.

 

[cncchris33]

All road wins are great wins, especially this time of year. Style points don’t matter. Great teams know how to win ugly games. Very often we lose that exact type of game. This time we didn’t. We found a way. Right now, it’s late in the season. Winning is the only outcome that matters on the road.

See Illinois vs Penn St.

 

[hatingbamaisawayoflife]

I think (hope) you got that reversed

wow and how.. that was tired talking

 

[WeNeedaQB]

Great write up as usual. Your point #2 is what has me so worried about the tournament and this team. We could see our first Final Four team or we could get bounced in the second round.