1. What a showing from these Vols…South Carolina is arguably the worst team in the SEC, but as we’ve stated multiple times on this board going on the road in conference play is never a gimme, but nobody expected that whipping. Once again looking elite as we’ve come to expect on the defensive end but for a second game in a row absolutely elite on offense as well, best showing from a college team today imo.
2. Olivier Nkamhoua was tonight exactly what Barnes has been preaching to us and many have scratched their heads and say they don’t see it…obviously not going to be perfect from the field every night but 21 & 10 in just 23 minutes is pretty stout. He’s averaging 15ppg in our last 5 games which includes Arizona and 3 conference opponents, if he can be relied on for that offensive output night in and night out that really is a benefit, obviously. However he can be better rebounding, Barnes challenged it and he showed it tonight…10 rebounds in 23 minutes is impressive, probably won’t match that every night but need him to bring that focus, he’s too athletic to be getting 1-2 rebounds.
3. Building off that point, I made mention of how good our 5’s are, not necessarily a single one of them being the best, but our collection of posts being very good. The last 2 games Nkamhoua, Plavsic, Aidoo & Awaka have combined for 86pts & 41rbs on 36-45 shooting (80%), that is beyond good, that is high level production and is a huge component as to the increased efficiency the last 2 games.
4. I don’t think you can mention the last 2 games and ignore the JJJ factor, he hasn’t done anything extraordinary, but I don’t think it can be dismissed that his re-arrival has coincided with our 2 best offensive showings. He’s a veteran presence, that is also a great ball handler and passer, he allows us to play big or small and his outside shooting stretches defenses. Obviously not fair to expect that we will have the offensive production we’ve had the last 2 games every game, but also looking like the offense is much better than it was without him.
5. Shoutout Zakai Zeigler, he’s really playing some great ball the last 2 games from the PG spot, feels like he’s under control on the offensive end and really getting exactly what Barnes is wanting, last 2 games he has 18 assists to just 4 turnovers. Doesn’t have to do a bunch of scoring for us, continue to hit 3 ball and FT’s and that’s probably enough, but his breaking down the lane and finding guys and then his defense are really just continuing to improve every time out, really seems like an extension of Barnes at this point.
6. 2-3 games ago this looked like an elite defense with a pretty rough offense that was hovering around 50th in the country. Insert JJJ and some solid post play and 3 games later this offense is knocking on Top 30 door while the defense continues to set records for how they continue to play each and every night. Those 2 things together now have Tennessee firmly at #2 in KenPom and right on Houston’s heels for #1. To be honest if it wasn’t for Houston’s great last game Tennessee would be #1, their ADJEM is #1 territory it just happens to be that Houston is also playing really well. It’s not a big deal at all, just something fun to watch and keep track of, this is far and away the best Tennessee has ever been in KenPom’s history.
7. Tennessee now sits 13-2(3-0), they’ve got back to back home games awaiting them and absolutely zero reason they shouldn’t start out SEC play 4-0 which is what I said they ideally needed to do. Honestly they’ll be big favorites against Kentucky as well with a chance to be 5-0 but I don’t want to do the whole counting chicken things. Things will change as other teams play, but right now Barttorvik has Tennessee as 9 point favorites or better in every game the rest of the way except last game of the year at Auburn where we are currently 8pt favorites. Again things will change and that doesn’t mean we will run the table, but right now this Tennessee team is playing like arguably the best team in college basketball, enjoy it.
GBO!!!
