BTO’s Vanderbilt Postgame Report

[bleedingTNorange]

1. Be a shorter one tonight with the late finish…another solid win, Vanderbilt seems to play us tough and they did once again. Second half was much better for Tennessee and defense much more what we are used to seeing. The offense was pretty decent, it was the defense that struggled a bit against Vandys sets and a bit too much fouling, but again pulled out the victory.

2. Vescovi and Phillips with great games, thought Zeigler once again really controlled the offense and flow of the game, had 9 assists tonight, 8 & 10 the 2 games prior, that’s some really strong PG play from him. Tonight was a Plav game, 15mins 11pts 6rbd, it’s what’s I’ve mentioned recently, don’t have 1 elite big man but do have great big men. Different players and styles we can throw out there and tonight Plav played a really good game.

3. Kind of a funky game, final score most people will scratch their heads but we were good offensively and solid defensively, Vanderbilt went to the line 20 times and made 90% of them, that is why this was a ball game. We didn’t turn it over much, neither did they, they just kept things close by getting to the line.

4. Our offense actually rose on KenPom after tonight’s game, up from #31 nationally to #27, the overall defensive rating slipped but still holding strong as the #1 defense in the nation, overall keeping Tennessee at #2 behind Houston in KenPom’s rankings. Not worried much about the defense, but nice to see the offense continue to climb the rankings, remember Top 20 in both tends to be the sweep spot.

5. We are now 4 games into the SEC state and Tennessee has started 4-0 as I said they ideally needed to do to start the year. They got the benefit of a soft schedule start and taking advantage was paramount, they did just that. A struggling Kentucky team comes to town Saturday and if it was any other team I would say no reason we shouldn’t be 5-0, but can’t ever dismiss Kentucky. It’s Lofton jersey day and hoping the good mojo is in the air for the Vols and they honor him by beating the Cats, 5-0 start to league play sure would feel nice.

GBO!!!

 

[walkenvol]

Working late and fast - good job young man!

 

[Volfan1000]

Robbins was a force for Vanderbilt and Plavsic battled him all night long.

Phillips had a very solid game rebounding the basketball.

The Kentucky team is wounded and dangerous but if we take Tshibwe out of this game with early foul trouble, we should win on Saturday.

 

[Lankykong]

Thanks BTO. I was surprised by Vandy’s freshmen, Vandy might be mid table next year if they don’t transfer

Phillips played amazing

 

[VOLtaism]

Vandy played their best game I think. Defense was physical and they hit the free throws. This team took their best shot and just extended at the end. Zeigler is very impressive again, love watching him play.

 

[vols 30]

Robbins was a force for Vanderbilt and Plavsic battled him all night long.

Phillips had a very solid game rebounding the basketball.

The Kentucky team is wounded and dangerous but if we take Tshibwe out of this game with early foul trouble, we should win on Saturday.

He had a great game For UK tonight and they still lost. 19 and 12

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Robbins was a force for Vanderbilt and Plavsic battled him all night long.

Phillips had a very solid game rebounding the basketball.

The Kentucky team is wounded and dangerous but if we take Tshibwe out of this game with early foul trouble, we should win on Saturday.

UK dangerous? Lol

 

[JoAllan]

Tennessee is playing really good ball right now. Hoping the keep focused, and take care of business during these next several games in which they should win.

Good game tonight Vols.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

2. Vescovi and Phillips with great games, thought Zeigler once again really controlled the offense and flow of the game, had 9 assists tonight, 8 & 10 the 2 games prior, that’s some really strong PG play from him. Tonight was a Plav game, 15mins 11pts 6rbd, it’s what’s I’ve mentioned recently, don’t have 1 elite big man but do have great big men. Different players and styles we can throw out there and tonight Plav played a really good game.

Who is this “Plav” you speak of?

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I don’t know if it was mentioned in the first post, but EVERY time Vandy made a big score late - a two or a three - to cut the advantage to 10 or single digits, it seemed like TN immediately answered with a matching 2 or 3 pointer on the ensuing possession. That was huge. Making big plays on offense at critical moments.

 

[rdk4121]

Uros played great tonight, and honestly needed to play more minutes. Aidoo just didn't have the size to match up with Robbins, and pretty consistently got bullied on the glass and in the post against him. Aidoo played 22 minutes but only grabbed 2 rebounds. Uros grabbed 6 in 15 minutes, and scored 11 points as well. They both have their uses, and Uros's just happened to be tonight.

Santi continues to be great on the offensive end, really on both ends to be fair. It was nice to see Phillips be aggressive on offense. He did exactly what he did early in the year, and just attacked the basket and get to the line. He was fouled at least two more times on shots that should have been and-ones. With a competent crew, they would've been. Zeigler controller the pace well tonight. Not sure what happened to the defense in the first half, but glad to see them bounce back. They had like 4 points in the first 9 minutes or something like that in the 2nd half.

 

[feathersax]

Robbins was a force for Vanderbilt and Plavsic battled him all night long.

Phillips had a very solid game rebounding the basketball.

The Kentucky team is wounded and dangerous but if we take Tshibwe out of this game with early foul trouble, we should win on Saturday.

A really tough, blue-collar game by Plavsic.

 

[orangemadam]

in such a loaded roster, it's hard to pick up a bad trend on anyone.
At this point I would have to say my biggest concern would be the disappointment in the overall play of Key.

Shouldn't Key be more of a scoring threat? Is his concentration on defense hindering his offensive performance?

 

[LordBolton]

I looked over the stats, and noted that Vanderbilt's starters scored 13 points.

 

[wtmvol]

“Solid defensively” is a stretch. We allowed them over 50% inside and over 1.0 ppp. 2nd half much better, but still…

 

[bleedingTNorange]

“Solid defensively” is a stretch. We allowed them over 50% inside and over 1.0 ppp. 2nd half much better, but still…

50% inside isn’t considered good, also held them to 22% from 3 which is very good…to their credit they got to the line and made 90% of them.

 

[joevols89]

in such a loaded roster, it's hard to pick up a bad trend on anyone.
At this point I would have to say my biggest concern would be the disappointment in the overall play of Key.

Shouldn't Key be more of a scoring threat? Is his concentration on defense hindering his offensive performance?

I think he’s just he’s hit a wall due to his height/athleticism.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

in such a loaded roster, it's hard to pick up a bad trend on anyone.
At this point I would have to say my biggest concern would be the disappointment in the overall play of Key.

Shouldn't Key be more of a scoring threat? Is his concentration on defense hindering his offensive performance?

Not gonna be a 17ppg guy, much different level of competition that ISU…do need him to be a threat from 3 for us and shoot a good %, he’s done pretty well there.

 

[RavinDave]

UK dangerous? Lol

Like a wounded animal

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I looked over the stats, and noted that Vanderbilt's starters scored 13 points.

That’s Stackhouse’s philosophy. He keeps his best scorers on the bench at the start of games.

 

[Sudden Impact]

We are going to have this type of game from time to time.

I thought the Officiating was SLOPPY.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

We are going to have this type of game from time to time.

I thought the Officiating was SLOPPY.

The refs seemed to be affected by the late start. Like they were in a hurry to get the game over with. Glad TN had Uros to hit back since fouls weren’t called very often.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Awaka only played two minutes and I didn’t notice when he was inserted. I didn’t hear Barnes say why, but the sound system at the TBA is garbage - so maybe he did explain it. Zeros across his stat line other than 2 minutes played.

 

[Frozevol]

A really tough, blue-collar game by Plavsic.

That’s his role and it’s something we haven’t had for a while.

 

[Ghost of Archvol]

1. Be a shorter one tonight with the late finish…another solid win, Vanderbilt seems to play us tough and they did once again. Second half was much better for Tennessee and defense much more what we are used to seeing. The offense was pretty decent, it was the defense that struggled a bit against Vandys sets and a bit too much fouling, but again pulled out the victory.

2. Vescovi and Phillips with great games, thought Zeigler once again really controlled the offense and flow of the game, had 9 assists tonight, 8 & 10 the 2 games prior, that’s some really strong PG play from him. Tonight was a Plav game, 15mins 11pts 6rbd, it’s what’s I’ve mentioned recently, don’t have 1 elite big man but do have great big men. Different players and styles we can throw out there and tonight Plav played a really good game.

3. Kind of a funky game, final score most people will scratch their heads but we were good offensively and solid defensively, Vanderbilt went to the line 20 times and made 90% of them, that is why this was a ball game. We didn’t turn it over much, neither did they, they just kept things close by getting to the line.

4. Our offense actually rose on KenPom after tonight’s game, up from #31 nationally to #27, the overall defensive rating slipped but still holding strong as the #1 defense in the nation, overall keeping Tennessee at #2 behind Houston in KenPom’s rankings. Not worried much about the defense, but nice to see the offense continue to climb the rankings, remember Top 20 in both tends to be the sweep spot.

5. We are now 4 games into the SEC state and Tennessee has started 4-0 as I said they ideally needed to do to start the year. They got the benefit of a soft schedule start and taking advantage was paramount, they did just that. A struggling Kentucky team comes to town Saturday and if it was any other team I would say no reason we shouldn’t be 5-0, but can’t ever dismiss Kentucky. It’s Lofton jersey day and hoping the good mojo is in the air for the Vols and they honor him by beating the Cats, 5-0 start to league play sure would feel nice.

GBO!!!

The foul call on us where Robbins dipped his shoulder and plowed thru Aidoo who was basically standing straight really ticked me off. That's an offensive foul - not even close. They shoot 2 for that and it's a 4-pt turnaround there. I felt a make up call was coming because it was so obvious, but alas we were whistled again. I felt like there were several questionable calls against us and it kept them in the game.