BTO’s UT-Martin Postgame Report

[cncchris33]

But, maybe we should be gambling a little with this team. The absolute commitment to fg% defense could hold this team back. We should be aggressive and in the passing lanes. Chandler will learn better when to pick his spots. I hope Barnes doesn't start the benching crap with Chandler.

I don't think Chandler is at much risk for getting benched. He's too talented in every other area to try and put the screws to him for being too aggressive on defense. Like you said, if he can be coached to pick his spots, he will be just fine.

As someone else mentioned, those gambles may become glaring this year because we don't have an eraser coming over on help defense to contest shots at the rim like we've had in the past several years (Pons). There is a small chance that Fulky can be some lesser version of that guy, though, once he's healthy.

 

[ColinS]

I don't think Chandler is at much risk for getting benched. He's too talented in every other area to try and put the screws to him for being too aggressive on defense. Like you said, if he can be coached to pick his spots, he will be just fine.

As someone else mentioned, those gambles may become glaring this year because we don't have an eraser coming over on help defense to contest shots at the rim like we've had in the past several years (Pons). There is a small chance that Fulky can be some lesser version of that guy, though, once he's healthy.

Great point. The rim protection wasn't there. That was Pons's role. He will be missed big time

 

[docholiday]

I don't think Chandler is at much risk for getting benched. He's too talented in every other area to try and put the screws to him for being too aggressive on defense. Like you said, if he can be coached to pick his spots, he will be just fine.

As someone else mentioned, those gambles may become glaring this year because we don't have an eraser coming over on help defense to contest shots at the rim like we've had in the past several years (Pons). There is a small chance that Fulky can be some lesser version of that guy, though, once he's healthy.

Good news. Nobody has Pons.

 

[cardvolfan]

Chandler,...tonight, at least...appears to gamble a lot on defense, exposing himself to bad plays that leave his man unaccounted for. It isn't likely something that's gonna get him benched, but it's the kind of thing that would get Bailey, Ziegler, or Vescovi benched. Barnes wasn't pleased with several of KC's defensive decisions, tonight.

It did get him benched at least twice Tuesday night. Barnes was livid with KC after the 2nd defensive miscue, even though KC was saying “that was not my man” towards Barnes. He grabbed Coach McDonald and told him the same before JJJ patted his chest claiming responsibility.

What I do like is that Barnes has no reservations about your player status because when he sees a mistake, he chews your tail off. Chandler seemed pretty miffed on the bench after that incident, but it didn’t seem to affect his play in a negative way.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

Haven't seen anything of the sort so far in the two games he's played (including exhibition). He's 1-7 from deep in those 2 games, and he doesn't honestly look strong enough to make it from the college line. It's not an effortless stroke like Vescovi or Chandler.

Granted it's only been 2 games, but not encouraged so far. I know the talk of camp was he was a good shooter, but that has not manifested itself in games yet.

Zeigler kinda reminds me of freshman Tony Harris. I get the feeling we’re gonna see him blow by a lot of guys, only to get in the lane and throw up some craziness! with that said, I hope he becomes half the player Harris was!
GBO!!

 

[cobbwebb0710]

It did get him benched at least twice Tuesday night. Barnes was livid with KC after the 2nd defensive miscue, even though KC was saying “that was not my man” towards Barnes. He grabbed Coach McDonald and told him the same before JJJ patted his chest claiming responsibility.

What I do like is that Barnes has no reservations about your player status because when he sees a mistake, he chews your tail off. Chandler seemed pretty miffed on the bench after that incident, but it didn’t seem to affect his play in a negative way.

Vescovi was barking pretty loudly at Uros during that timeout also.
GBO!!

 

[cardvolfan]

Vescovi was barking pretty loudly at Uros during that timeout also.
GBO!!

I missed that. Wonder what happened with Vescovi/Uros?

 

[cobbwebb0710]

I missed that. Wonder what happened with Vescovi/Uros?

It was as they were walking off the floor, during the TO where Barnes tore into Chandler. My guess is Uros was supposed to rotate over to be the help defense but didn’t. Maybe someone who saw it and remembers it can correct me on this.
GBO!!

 

[cardvolfan]

It was as they were walking off the floor, during the TO where Barnes tore into Chandler. My guess is Uros was supposed to rotate over to be the help defense but didn’t. Maybe someone who saw it and remembers it can correct me on this.
GBO!!

That TO was intense. Lots going on.

 

[VolGee4]

Maybe I'm misremembering, but I recall McBee being notably overrated by the fanbase when he was here. He was good for a bucket or two or three from downtown and not much else by my recollection. I never understood the hype.

He was a walk-on. A little odd to compare to a 3/4 star.

Powell needs to get 6+ three’s per game.

 

[cncchris33]

It did get him benched at least twice Tuesday night. Barnes was livid with KC after the 2nd defensive miscue, even though KC was saying “that was not my man” towards Barnes. He grabbed Coach McDonald and told him the same before JJJ patted his chest claiming responsibility.

What I do like is that Barnes has no reservations about your player status because when he sees a mistake, he chews your tail off. Chandler seemed pretty miffed on the bench after that incident, but it didn’t seem to affect his play in a negative way.

True, but it's easy to teach the kid a lesson vs UT-Martin. If that's Villanova, it's not going to earn him a ride on the pine so much as a butt-chewing and a slap on the rear. We didn't need him to beat UT-M.

 

[rdk4121]

He was a walk-on. A little odd to compare to a 3/4 star.

Powell needs to get 6+ three’s per game.

The legend of McBee only grew because of the dagger 3 against Kansas his freshman year. He wasn't really that good after that, but that yeah he was just a walk on at the end of the day.

 

[JelloPuddinPup]

The legend of McBee only grew because of the dagger 3 against Kansas his freshman year. He wasn't really that good after that, but that yeah he was just a walk on at the end of the day.

I played against him several times in a league at William Blount HS after he graduated...I'm really not hating when I say he was hands down the worst player on the court. It was like he hadn't touched a ball since he graduated (likely).

 

[allen phillips]

Yeah, I’m a Barnes guy for a number of reasons. I have to admit I didn’t think I’d ever see this barrage of 3’s, especially by design. Kudos for the willingness to open it up.

I think he was prompted by Bama last year. I am as shocked by this turn of events as anyone. I think we are going to be in for an exciting brand of basketball this year.

 

[allen phillips]

Count me as a guy who thought Barnes would be too stubborn to change his offensive philosophy like he clearly has. Couldn’t be more happy to be wrong about that.

Frustrating it seems like we’re just a competent good rebounding/defensive big away from being a really excellent team, and instead of trying hard to get a grad transfer to fill the spot they opted for a very developmental big like Tamba when they already had a similar guy like that in Aidoo. Seeing Uros continue to struggle so much really makes me question that decision.

I am hoping the light will come on for ON and I also hope that BHH is going to fill the rebounding chores that this team needs to make us a top-flight team.

 

[LibertyVol]

I didn’t want to disrespect Lamonte pre shoulder injury because he was so smooth but yeah Powell might be our best shooter in 15 years

He reminds me of Lofton. You are surprised when he misses.

 

[orangemadam]

I am a little surprised at the lack of improvement from JJJ. Reminds me a little of Hopson.

Don't get me wrong, I love JJJ and hope he succeeds at the next level, but at this point
I begin to wonder. When Fulky returns and with continued progress of HH, will this eat into
JJJ's minutes where he won't play as much at the 4?

Just wondering out loud

Great write-up as usual BTO

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I am a little surprised at the lack of improvement from JJJ. Reminds me a little of Hopson.

Don't get me wrong, I love JJJ and hope he succeeds at the next level, but at this point
I begin to wonder. When Fulky returns and with continued progress of HH, will this eat into
JJJ's minutes where he won't play as much at the 4?

Just wondering out loud

Great write-up as usual BTO

I had the same reaction about JJJ, but after rewatch and some time to think I’m willing to step back and see what transpires…reports from off-season were his shot improved, it looked better in the exhibition, and Barnes talked postgame about being surprised he didn’t shoot better but that they have confidence there. He was 0/5 from 3, and 0/2 FT…if he goes 2/5 from 3 and hits 2/2 ft his stat line suddenly looks much different:

27m 10pts 5rbd 5stl 4blk

He’s arguably our best defender and other than steals and blocks that doesn’t necessarily show up much in the box score, so when his shot isn’t falling it’s easy to look at him and scratch your head…he needs to continue to work on his shot all around, but he looks like a guy that can be a stat sheet stuffer and versatile piece for us.

 

[walkenvol]

Has he been healthy for a whole season since he’s been here? Seems like he’s battled injuries the whole time and is now coming off wrist surgery. Would that not be shot effecting? Seems like he was shooting pretty well last year before he got hurt

 

[cncchris33]

I am a little surprised at the lack of improvement from JJJ. Reminds me a little of Hopson.

Don't get me wrong, I love JJJ and hope he succeeds at the next level, but at this point
I begin to wonder. When Fulky returns and with continued progress of HH, will this eat into
JJJ's minutes where he won't play as much at the 4?

Just wondering out loud

Great write-up as usual BTO

While a little early to make a snap judgement on JJJ after one game, let's keep in mind that Hopson averaged 17 points and 3 rebounds and was All-SEC his junior year. We can only hope he becomes Scotty Hopson, at least from a scoring standpoint. JJJ is more of a jack of all trades, master of none on that end of the court.

 

[AngryButchJones]

Has he been healthy for a whole season since he’s been here? Seems like he’s battled injuries the whole time and is now coming off wrist surgery. Would that not be shot effecting? Seems like he was shooting pretty well last year before he got hurt

No he hasn't been fully healthy in a full season. Had a nagging injury as a freshman, injured some last year too, now this as you said.

 

[JelloPuddinPup]

Can we accept that JJJ just isn't a scoring basketball player? That's not his strength. If he does 8ppg this year with high percentages, takes care of the ball and anchors our defense, is that not still one heck of a basketball player? I don't get this infatuation with his scoring. If I'm not mistaken (and I may be) he has the highest +/- on the team right? It's obvious we're at our best when he's on the court, even though he doesn't make splash plays. He just knows the game and contributes at a high level everywhere but the scoring column.

 

[SGMVols]

JJJ is a 5 star Dane Bradshaw. That’s not a bad thing.

 

[zjcvols]

Can we accept that JJJ just isn't a scoring basketball player? That's not his strength. If he does 8ppg this year with high percentages, takes care of the ball and anchors our defense, is that not still one heck of a basketball player? I don't get this infatuation with his scoring. If I'm not mistaken (and I may be) he has the highest +/- on the team right? It's obvious we're at our best when he's on the court, even though he doesn't make splash plays. He just knows the game and contributes at a high level everywhere but the scoring column.

JJJ is a 5 star Dane Bradshaw. That’s not a bad thing.

He’s JP Prince without the passing but with a jump shot. It’s not a 5* but he’s a nice college player to have.

 

[cncchris33]

He’s JP Prince without the passing but with a jump shot. It’s not a 5* but he’s a nice college player to have.

This is a strong comp.

Also, JJJ and JPP are on opposite ends of the "hot dogging" spectrum.