BTO’s Texas Postgame Report

[NighthawkVol]

Spot on BTO. As disconcerting as it is to say, our post season success will come down to Nkamhoua. When he plays like that, the sky is the limit. Of all our bigs, he alone has the ability to take full control of a game. One would think that a game like this would flip his switch. The ability is there.

Gotta say that we've had a lot of really good teams on the hill that have obviously fallen short. This team wouldn't have made my top 10 in terms of post season chances. While it's just one game, I'm starting to wonder....heaven help me....if this team just might have the goods to FINALLY break thru our glass ceiling in the NCAAT. With all the greats we've had, wouldn't it just be so nuts that this team is the one that finally gets it done? Kinda like how we thought Peyton's last 2 years were our best bets only to grab the brass ring the year after he leaves? Trying not to get too far out over my skis with this team, but last night really showed me what we're capable of. We've got the size. We've got the depth. We've got the shooters. Most importantly, we've got the defense.

Let's hope Nkamhoua doesn't pull another disappearing act and this is the team we get the rest of the season.

And we have inside scoring, which we didn't have last year, and which ultimately cost us against Michigan.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Key isn’t giving us much at all. Why do we play him so much.

Can’t play Zeigler & Vescovi 40mpg, he plays really good defense and he brings more offensive game than Mashack.

 

[CAVPUT]

I’ve been told basketball is a game of matchups and ON matched up well against Texas’ smallish post players. Like everyone else I’m hoping this game springboards ON to a level of consistent quality play. I wonder if when he’s being guarded by bigger stronger guys if he will be as productive? He’s shown nice shooting range in the past so maybe he pulls them away from the basket? Will be interesting to see

Flipside to that is mobility. When faced with superior size, ON will have a distinct speed/quickness advantage. It's a rare cat, indeed, that will be bigger, stronger than ON yet still have his quickness. Regardless, until we face a team with hakeem olajuwon at the 5, if ON continues to play like last night, I'll like our chances. When he's going that strong, it opens everything up and makes our perimeter game so much better in that it's not where we live and die. Takes a ton of pressure off.

 

[BigOrangeFanatic]

Nkamhoua could be an All-SEC, All-American caliber player with his athleticism if he played with consistency. I’ve been frustrated at times with him because he tends to have “brick hands” in the post but he put it all together this game. Complete game from start to finish. This is what Vol fans have been waiting to see from him. He just had him a Grant Williams game and he should be proud of that performance. If he brings that intensity and aggression every single game then that will be a huge game changer. Hopefully he is starting to realize how great he can be.

"Brick hands"......truer words have never been spoken.

 

[CAVPUT]

I'm not a Nkamhoua hater, even though I've been down on him several time and with good reason. He's been severely inconsistent in his time here but he certainly has loads of potential. He at many times throughout his career will make you want to pull your hair out. Go 15 of 15 or 18 of 18, whatever it was over a 2 game stretch, then turn the ball over a gazillion times, throw the ball away, driblle it off his foot all game the next game. Drives you crazy! But.....He was unstoppable last night. I agree with Stoerner above, we probably don't win without his performance.

There is nothing that points to he will now start doing this every game or even come close to it, but I surely do hope he can become more consistent down the stretch. With as good as ZZ is playing right now, together with Santi getting healthy and JJJ returning to full strength we are going to be a force to be reckoned with. But I'm not getting too excited just yet. Seen this story before.

I think this concern is shared by any Vol fan who's shown more than a passing interest in this team. We've seen it over and over. What's hard and maddening is that this team really can make a deep run if everyone is performing up to their abilities.

 

[BigOrangeFanatic]

I think this concern is shared by any Vol fan who's shown more than a passing interest in this team. We've seen it over and over. What's hard and maddening is that this team really can make a deep run if everyone is performing up to their abilities.

Yep...no doubt. The same could be said for last year's team.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I honestly wouldn't trade any of the guys we got in last years class compared to who we "lost"

Hunter: 10ppg, 3.5rpg, 3apg, 39%fg, 79.5%ft (21 games)
Key: 8.6ppg, 3rpg, 1.5apg, 34.5%fg, 71.7%ft( 20 games)

Phillips: 9.7ppg, 5rpg, 1.7apg, 40%fg, 81%ft (21 games)
Mitchell: 6.4ppg, 4.7rpg, 0.4apg, 61%fg, 48%ft (21 games)

 

[NighthawkVol]

I honestly wouldn't trade any of the guys we got in last years class compared to who we "lost"

Hunter: 10ppg, 3.5rpg, 3apg, 39%fg, 79.5%ft (21 games)
Key: 8.6ppg, 3rpg, 1.5apg, 34.5%fg, 71.7%ft( 20 games)

Phillips: 9.7ppg, 5rpg, 1.7apg, 40%fg, 81%ft (21 games)
Mitchell: 6.4ppg, 4.7rpg, 0.4apg, 61%fg, 48%ft (21 games)

Definitely prefer Phillips over Mitchell. But I think I’d take Hunter over Key.

 

[omghulkhands]

It has to be said, they overcommitted on Santi, Key and JJJ and caused problems with our screens, and inside out passing. If

It’s been the formula to beat us, for sure.

Going back to last year, our offense was pretty heliocentric around Vescovi. The screen actions and motion offense was based around him being able to hunt shots or the space he creates with his willingness to constantly run and get screens and the defensive attention that requires from all 5 defenders with switching.

But when teams jammed that up, the whole offense would stagnate. That’s when we’d turn to Chandler to bail us out with those lightning fast drives to the basket or let Fulk go into his bag.

I wondered what we’d do this year without those guys when somebody would shut down the screen game.

Well here it is. Pick and roll. ZZ and ORN were like Nash and Amare out there.

Also, I’ll say the starters have been really good. But they can’t play 40 minutes together. We need to figure out what to do on offense when we sub. That’s gonna be the big thing.

 

[Johnnyreb#VFL]

JJJ had a solid game, too.

 

[VOLtaism]

Barnes was grooming O to be a threat inside last season and he was coming around before his injury. He looks even better this season. He doesn't need 27 points every night to meet Barnes's expectations, simply being a threat and another player the opposition must account for on every play just makes the whole team tougher to guard.

 

[VonVol2]

I couldn't wait to read this thread today. What a game and spot on post. There was a point late in the game where the guard for Texas kept backing up to create some space and Zeigler kept closing on him. Zeigler had him out to the halfcourt stripe with 10 on the shot clock. That had me as close to jumping up and down as a guy my age can. Lol. I love the way that kid plays the game.

 

[berryvol]

Barnes was grooming O to be a threat inside last season and he was coming around before his injury. He looks even better this season. He doesn't need 27 points every night to meet Barnes's expectations, simply being a threat and another player the opposition must account for on every play just makes the whole team tougher to guard.

This. Hell, if he can just rebound with the intensity he did last night on a consistent basis it changes this team. We just need him to keep his confidence high from this outing - we can’t have him going into his shell when things don’t start perfectly in big games.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

It’s been the formula to beat us, for sure.

Going back to last year, our offense was pretty heliocentric around Vescovi. The screen actions and motion offense was based around him being able to hunt shots or the space he creates with his willingness to constantly run and get screens and the defensive attention that requires from all 5 defenders with switching.

But when teams jammed that up, the whole offense would stagnate. That’s when we’d turn to Chandler to bail us out with those lightning fast drives to the basket or let Fulk go into his bag.

I wondered what we’d do this year without those guys when somebody would shut down the screen game.

Well here it is. Pick and roll. ZZ and ORN were like Nash and Amare out there.

Also, I’ll say the starters have been really good. But they can’t play 40 minutes together. We need to figure out what to do on offense when we sub. That’s gonna be the big thing.[/QUOTE

Well said.

 

[Volprofch05]

What's the chances ON comes back for his super senior year ? I believe you said of all the eligible players, Olivier was the most likely to return, right?

ON said after the USCjr game that he was glad he would never have to play in their stadium again (he was injured there last year). Since we play there every year, he seems to have tipped his hand that he is not returning. Very unlikely to happen, but just imagine if SV, JJJ, and ON were to all came back…

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Great performance. It’s hard to sit here and nitpick, but there are areas we still need to improve. Our AdjO ticked back up to 33 again. We’re right on the edge of Top 30. Another few solid offensive performances and we’ll be there.

Ultimately, we need to get more from our bench. I understand that in March you will play your best, but there will come a time where our starters are in foul trouble or are having bad nights and will need a lift. Aidoo has kind of disappeared the last few games. Maschack plays great defense, but he is still very limited offensively. Key had an off night. Uros can’t make his FTs. These are all just nitpicks and it’s hard to complain when you get a big win like last night. But, if we want to make a Final Four I think our bench is going to need to step it up a bit.

 

[LibertyVol]

The key is to make it last THROUGH the dance. Hell of a win yesterday. I love seeing this type of basketball. Please don’t give me crap about this thought, but Barnes still needs to prove it in the tournament. Sec tourney championship was unbelievable last year. I cried in Connecticut on my couch lol. And before more crap gets thrown my way. I’m beyond a diehard fan, and I’m moving to Knoxville early 2024 because of my love for Tennessee and our Vols. Don’t even know a soul down there, but I know that’s where I belong! Regardless of seeding I just can’t get over the nervousness about another early bounce from the tournament. Don’t get me wrong, the regular season wins over the past 5 years have been great. But it’s time for Barnes to have the team ready for when it matters most, and make a Final Four run.

I would like to win the SEC regular season and SEC tourney. NCAA success would just be gravy.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

It’s been the formula to beat us, for sure.

Going back to last year, our offense was pretty heliocentric around Vescovi. The screen actions and motion offense was based around him being able to hunt shots or the space he creates with his willingness to constantly run and get screens and the defensive attention that requires from all 5 defenders with switching.

But when teams jammed that up, the whole offense would stagnate. That’s when we’d turn to Chandler to bail us out with those lightning fast drives to the basket or let Fulk go into his bag.

I wondered what we’d do this year without those guys when somebody would shut down the screen game.

Well here it is. Pick and roll. ZZ and ORN were like Nash and Amare out there.

Also, I’ll say the starters have been really good. But they can’t play 40 minutes together. We need to figure out what to do on offense when we sub. That’s gonna be the big thing.

Don’t lose a ton when Key comes in, his progression will continue to be important imo.

 

[omghulkhands]

Don’t lose a ton when Key comes in, his progression will continue to be important imo.

I agree as a Vescovi sub, when ZZ is still in the game. But when ZZ sits we lose pick and roll, point of attack and ball handling on offense and honestly, there is no one that can do that. i think offensive identity has to change when ZZ is out. Maybe.

Against a zone defense we’d be fine. But a good man defense, it’s tough to figure out with our roster what you do without Zakai on the floor.

And I’m exclusively talking about vs good teams. We can beat most of the SEC with our reserve squad.

 

[Putbacks]

Great game from Nkamhoua last night and great showcase for college basketball.
I will say again that I feel that ZZ has proved his worth to be added to the Bob Cousy watchlist. He is leading this team and is outplaying many already on this list. Hope he gets credit due him.
https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketbal...-guards-named-2023-bob-cousy-award-watch-list

 

[Rocky Top T]

ON had a great game. But, he always has been inconsistent. That was his first double digit scoring in 3 weeks

 

[walkenvol]

ON said after the USCjr game that he was glad he would never have to play in their stadium again (he was injured there last year). Since we play there every year, he seems to have tipped his hand that he is not returning. Very unlikely to happen, but just imagine if SV, JJJ, and ON were to all came back…

If he could put together a run of games like last night I would think he would start looking attractive to the draft?

 

[TheMookieMonster]

If he could put together a run of games like last night I would think he would start looking attractive to the draft?

Possibly. But, I can’t see him going higher than late 2nd round. At that point you’re just as well off going the UDFA route.

 

[WaywardVol]

1. What a game from our Vols, and way to show out Vol fans…once again Tennessee had center stage on the national scene with College Gameday here and they didn’t disappoint. This team clearly came out with focus and energy and made it clear from the start that this was gonna be a hard fought game, they weren’t going to be out toughed and good luck to their opponent, one of the better games of a Vol team in recent memory.

2. Tennessee is now the #1 team on KenPom, this has never happened before in the history of KenPom, so take a second and savor it. Obviously in the grand scheme of success this is a great sign, are we the best team in the country, who knows? However analytics think that we are and worst case that means we are one of the very best in the country at this time, and that can’t possibly be seen as a bad thing.

3. Not to make this a review of tooting my horn, but sorry I'm going to a bit…folks wanted Nkamhoua benched, wanted Awaka instead, wanted Plav or Aidoo, give me anybody, just don’t play Nkamhoua, why’s he starting it doesn’t make sense? I routinely said that he has the highest ceiling and Barnes was trying to get the light to come on, does it? Idk. However he just put up a performance that no other player ever has, 27 & 8 on 12/15 shooting, he was an absolute force and looked like a terror. Now the key is what the key has always been, does he vanish or can he do it again? Consistency is the key. But again, he did things only he could do, that’s why he’s starting folks.

4. Might as well keep tooting my horn…I have mentioned small ball and shorter rotations and it’s not been received super well, many have disliked the idea. Well tonight we played 31/40 minutes small ball and we essentially played a 6 man rotation tonight, found some minutes in the first half with some foul trouble but pretty clear who the 6 were. Those are the 5-6 who are going to decide our season, I get that some might not like it but that’s just what it is.

5. Zeigler continues his play, not only pushing for All-SEC honors but this man might be working his way on to the national scene. Yet another double double with assist, 22 & 10 tonight on just 3 turnovers, absolutely incredible! He’s literally the QB out there and not only running things offensively for us he’s also his usual pest defensively, he’s so damn good and it’s so nice to know we’ve got a PG like that for years to come!

6. This game was huge, adds a marquee win to our resume, and as I said 9-2 to finish the year was the target, well you get a tough one out of the way and now you’re talking 8-2 to finish things out. We don’t have an easy upcoming slate but it’s manageable, at Florida, home to Auburn, at Vandy, home to Missouri and then showdown with Bama at home as well? Can the Vols get to 4-0 heading into the Bama game? Probably a tall task, but it’s possible. Again, 8-2 to finish the season and you’re almost certainly looking at a 1 seed, 7-3 and it’s still very much on the table. This team has to bring it, when they do they can beat anyone, but overlook anyone and they can lose, that’s gonna be the trick. But for tonight we enjoy it!



GBO!!!

Small ball was a great strategy against this team as Texas just isn’t a good low post team. It’s good to have that flexibility. Really good to see our guys constantly moving without the ball, getting better position to receive the ball. Makes for easy buckets and was a big part of Olivier’s success tonight. I thought he passed a couple of wide open three looks he should have taken.

Cons. Aidoo has to get stronger. Uros needs to be at the gym before the lights are turned on, working on FTs.

 

[WBO]

Thought I would take one of my periodic "look-sees" at the boards of other teams on 24/7, this time was Florida.

Really pitiful, only one topic and it was 5 Takeaways from their game. Very few posts, total resignation.

I thought there would be more since that Johnson kid that collapsed during a game played. The Florida medical staff would not clear him to play again. He ended up with K-State and had a double double yesterday (although he was less than 40% from the field).

It is a program in trouble.