BTO’s Tennessee Tech Postgame Report

[ColinS]

Vescovi’s only basket was going to the rim. Knecht had a basket going to the rim in transition, another on a lob, a reverse layup, and an and-1. Gainey had one going to the rim. Dilione had an and-1 at the rim. ZZ had a bucket at the rim, I think. Phillips had one on an out-of bounds play finish at the rim.

That's just off the top of my head. 9 of our 29 baskets.

We made plays going toward the basket.

We got some toward the back end of both halfs when the game got ragged. There were long stretches of nothing.

 

[Namorto1]

We took good shots throughout the game which was a positive sign for a 1st game. Still think we can push tempo more often. Vescovi was a non-factor offensively (probably due to jet lag) and we still scored 80, while emptying the bench. Our depth is impressive. Glad they decided to play Phillips as he is a very nice active athlete at 6'9. I'm less concerned about our rebounding because Awaka didn't feel well and only played 9 minutes. Lack of an inside post offense could become an issue this year, but it is an issue many teams in college basketball share these days. Beyond his obvious ability to score, I really like Knecht ability to handle and take care of the ball thus far. 2 exhibition games and the opener against TN Tech, he only has 2 total turnovers.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

We got some toward the back end of both halfs when the game got ragged. There were long stretches of nothing.

Outside of the first 4 minutes what was our longest stretch without any points?

 

[cardvolfan]

Vescovi’s only basket was going to the rim. Knecht had a basket going to the rim in transition, another on a lob, a reverse layup, and an and-1. Gainey had one going to the rim. Dilione had an and-1 at the rim. ZZ had a bucket at the rim, I think. Phillips had one on an out-of bounds play finish at the rim.

That's just off the top of my head. 9 of our 29 baskets.

We made plays going toward the basket.

Come on, Chris. Go with his narrative, not the facts.

 

[cardvolfan]

Outside of the first 4 minutes what was our longest stretch without any points?

There truly was a lid on the basket the first 4 minutes. We had good shots that just didn’t fall. The idea that any other team that plays basketball doesn’t have droughts is crazy.

 

[walkenvol]

There truly was a lid on the basket the first 4 minutes. We had good shots that just didn’t fall. The idea that any other team that plays basketball doesn’t have droughts is crazy.

Exactly! Ask Michigan State why they didn’t take it to the rim instead of going 1 for a ton from 3 in their recent loss. Good shots not falling is part of college basketball and will never be game planned out by CRB, Izzo, Few, or any other coach. Unfortunately, we continue to have posters who simply won’t accept this fact.

 

[ColinS]

Outside of the first 4 minutes what was our longest stretch without any points?

Exactly, the part when Tech had their starters in and they were the freshest. I can't stop yall from being giddy about an underwhelming offensive performance but have at it.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Exactly, the part when Tech had their starters in and they were the freshest. I can't stop yall from being giddy about an underwhelming offensive performance but have at it.

You said there were long stretches (plural) of nothing, I’m asking you when these were because the only one I recall was the one to start the game. So TTU was only fresh and only played their starters for the first 4 minutes, that sounds like horrible conditioning? Not fresh coming out of halftime either, kinda bizarre? Underwhelming offensive performance? We outpaced analytical projections along with Vegas projections, and our kenpom offensive efficiency rating went up, so clearly wasn’t really viewed as an underwhelming offensive performance from unbiased sources.

 

[volmanNC]

Arky St. couldn't guard a water cooler.

Does Butch coach basketball also?

 

[ALock4UT]

So glad to see these postgame reports. I look forward to these (even after the losses), so thanks BTO!

 

[MoCo_Vol]

46% from the field
40% from 3PT
100% from FT

But we had an underwhelming offensive performance? 15 different players played, and of those 15 12 of them saw 7 or more minutes. Santi was really the only player that shot poorly and considering the time he's missed and what he's being going through with a loss I don't think anyone should be sweating that.

Barnes has a good bit of respect for Coach Pelphrey, wasn't going to be a game where he really went after a huge blowout.

 

[cncchris33]

We got some toward the back end of both halfs when the game got ragged. There were long stretches of nothing.

"Back end of both halves when the game got ragged?"

Lol, so what...those don't count?

Knecht:
•1st shot of the game on the first possession was him at the rim. Missed the shot but got fouled and hit both FTs.
•Reverse layup at 8:45 in the 1st
•Lob pass at the rim layup at 7:43 in the 1st
•Layup at :55 in the first
•And-1 at 12:25 in the 2nd

Gainey:
•Layup at 11:38 in the 1st
•Fouled going for a layup at 11:08 in the 2nd...hit both FTs
•Layup at 5:51 in the 2nd

Estrella:
•Feed and layup at 5:06 in the 1st
•Dunk at 2:36 in the 1st

Phillips:
•Lob dunk at 9:50 in the 2nd

Vescovi:
•Layup at 18:41 in the 1st

Mashack:
•Layup at 8:08 in the 2nd

Dilione:
•Layup at 4:04 in the 2nd
•And-1 at 2:07 in the 2nd

 

[VolArmy74]

We had two long stretches of bad offense. We only made one basket in a 7 minute stretch in the 1st half and we only made two shots in the first 7 and a half minutes of the 2nd half.

 

[cncchris33]

We had two long stretches of bad offense. We only made one basket in a 7 minute stretch in the 1st half and we only made two shots in the first 7 and a half minutes of the 2nd half.

I think it's important to not that we outscored TTU in those two periods (7-2 in the 1st, 7-5 in the 2nd), though, so the slumps weren't killers. As bad as our offense was in these stretches, our defense was better. And then we still scored 80 points.

 

[VolArmy74]

I think it's important to not that we outscored TTU in those two periods (7-2 in the 1st, 7-5 in the 2nd), though, so the slumps weren't killers. As bad as our offense was in these stretches, our defense was better. And then we still scored 80 points.

The defense definitely played great. That second half stretch we went 2-12 from the floor and had 2 turnovers. But that's what these tune up games are for. When we were on, we were rolling on offense and the overall numbers looked good at the end of the game. We scored I think, 72 of the 80 points in about 25 and a half minutes of game time.

 

[ColinS]

You said there were long stretches (plural) of nothing, I’m asking you when these were because the only one I recall was the one to start the game. So TTU was only fresh and only played their starters for the first 4 minutes, that sounds like horrible conditioning? Not fresh coming out of halftime either, kinda bizarre? Underwhelming offensive performance? We outpaced analytical projections along with Vegas projections, and our kenpom offensive efficiency rating went up, so clearly wasn’t really viewed as an underwhelming offensive performance from unbiased sources.

We watch these glorified scrimmages hoping to see signs of something on the offensive side that feels like we can reach the next level. 25 wins and a Sweet 16 is fine and I'm happy with that but I'm getting to the point where the window is closing for me to see a Final Four from this team. Forgive me, but I still see those same offensive limitations with this system. Too reliant on jump shooting that leads to long scoring droughts. We were being outscored 12-11 at one point in the second half and it was way past 4 minutes in. Some of that was probably boredom with the lack of competition. I do think we may have a go to scorer on this team in Knecht. Plus we added a big time shooter in Gainey so that gives hope.

 

[The Dog]

We watch these glorified scrimmages hoping to see signs of something on the offensive side that feels like we can reach the next level. 25 wins and a Sweet 16 is fine and I'm happy with that but I'm getting to the point where the window is closing for me to see a Final Four from this team. Forgive me, but I still see those same offensive limitations with this system. Too reliant on jump shooting that leads to long scoring droughts. We were being outscored 12-11 at one point in the second half and it was way past 4 minutes in. Some of that was probably boredom with the lack of competition. I do think we may have a go to scorer on this team in Knecht. Plus we added a big time shooter in Gainey so that gives hope.

Bwaa-ha-ha, the window has closed for the Vols to make a Final 4 after the first game. I love it

 

[ColinS]

The defense definitely played great. That second half stretch we went 2-12 from the floor and had 2 turnovers. But that's what these tune up games are for. When we were on, we were rolling on offense and the overall numbers looked good at the end of the game. We scored I think, 72 of the 80 points in about 25 and a half minutes of game time.

Tech literally could not score when we were locked in on D which has been the case with teams like that for several years.

 

[ColinS]

Bwaa-ha-ha, the window has closed for the Vols to make a Final 4 after the first game. I love it

I did not say that. Learn to read. The key is being better on offense and I'm not convinced. I was disappointed with that game in that reguard with what I saw. As usual the result was fine but of course it was Tennessee Tech. The window closing was a reference to how much time I've got on this earth.

 

[turbovol]

Frontcourt scoring and rebounding will be our biggest issue--as it has been for several years, it seems--but we've got
a lot of talent and depth everywhere else on the court.

 

[ColinS]

I think it's important to not that we outscored TTU in those two periods (7-2 in the 1st, 7-5 in the 2nd), though, so the slumps weren't killers. As bad as our offense was in these stretches, our defense was better. And then we still scored 80 points.

Our defense is elite to the point that we are consistently able to survive these droughts and win 25 plus games a year. I can't be the only fan asking what if these drought weren't so frequent?

 

[walkenvol]

Our defense is elite to the point that we are consistently able to survive these droughts and win 25 plus games a year. I can't be the only fan asking what if these drought weren't so frequent?

Every team has scoring droughts - that’s just basketball. If you struggle to accept that, then you’re always going to find basketball frustrating. Maybe it’s not the best sport for you to watch?

 

[Lukusw]

Yes, the offense had some rust. Yes, it's hard to extrapolate to a game against a strong opponent. But I don't really have concerns stemming from this game. Even during our "offensive lulls" I noticed a difference from last couple years:

1. Shot selection is better. These aren't late shot clock situations or desperate jump shots. They were open / in flow shots by decent shooters.

2. Vescovi shot poorly. I feel confident that's not a pattern

3. Yes, we don't have a traditional big who is frequently scoring from the block. But I saw a greater number of drives and a wider variety of players making those drives.

4. I saw actual sets run on offense, not just passing around the perimeter

5. This was the first game. They were rusty. We played deep bench guys a lot of minutes. And we still ended the game with good offensive numbers

Obviously we will have much better data points by the end of the month, but I didn't see anything particular concerning in this first game.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

We watch these glorified scrimmages hoping to see signs of something on the offensive side that feels like we can reach the next level. 25 wins and a Sweet 16 is fine and I'm happy with that but I'm getting to the point where the window is closing for me to see a Final Four from this team. Forgive me, but I still see those same offensive limitations with this system. Too reliant on jump shooting that leads to long scoring droughts. We were being outscored 12-11 at one point in the second half and it was way past 4 minutes in. Some of that was probably boredom with the lack of competition. I do think we may have a go to scorer on this team in Knecht. Plus we added a big time shooter in Gainey so that gives hope.

I get it, we’ve wanted better offense for a couple years and it is what has hurt us often times in March. My thing is you just seem to be lumping together last year and suggesting it’s the same thing without digging any deeper. How many times did we score 80+ last year that Vescovi didn’t hit a 3? Idk the answer but I’m guessing zero. I don’t think it’s fairly common to see a team that never has 2-3 minute scoring droughts, that’s pretty common in todays game, the key is not having a whole bunch of them. Our guard heavy lineups/3 ball heavy will also likely play into that, we very well may miss 4-5 in a row, again that’s quite common, but we also will hit 4-5 in a row too, that’s analytically sound basketball in todays game.

Like I said, it was a low possession game, it exceeded projections offensively based on analytics and Vegas numbers, and that’s with Vescovi not hitting a 3 which has been our whole offense in recent years, to me that’s a reason to be excited.

 

[Vols410]

We watch these glorified scrimmages hoping to see signs of something on the offensive side that feels like we can reach the next level. 25 wins and a Sweet 16 is fine and I'm happy with that but I'm getting to the point where the window is closing for me to see a Final Four from this team. Forgive me, but I still see those same offensive limitations with this system. Too reliant on jump shooting that leads to long scoring droughts. We were being outscored 12-11 at one point in the second half and it was way past 4 minutes in. Some of that was probably boredom with the lack of competition. I do think we may have a go to scorer on this team in Knecht. Plus we added a big time shooter in Gainey so that gives hope.

Of all things to complain about, getting outscored for a freaking 4 minute stretch is… definitely something I guess.