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After the initial excitement of UT basketball, it's calm down some. A little bit of disappointment in the Puerto Rico Tournament, plus a week off from games, plus something about this football announcer and a football job in the state has people all excited. Or something. Let's go on a tangent of random ****.
1. I am really liking Jordan McRae's contributions. He's so much more in control this year in all facets of his game. He's playing the passing lanes smarter. He is moving his feet better on defense. His ball handling has improved. He's attacking the basket more frequently and with more gusto. His shot is better. He has a better release and is more balanced. I just really like what he has shown so far.
2. The offense (barring the Okie State disaster) is better. I like the movement. More cutting action (although still not enough, especially on doubles in the post). They have done a nice job getting the ball in the post. The pick-n-roll play has shown flashes. They have been smart shooting from the outside. They are shooting 39% from three this year. They look more comfortable and are doing a good job of getting in the paint.
3. Golden's playing better. He's just not shooting the ball great right now. That'll improve. No need to panic. 3.25/1 AST-TO ratio is phenomenal. When he gets back to shooting 43%, he'll be just fine.
4. Speaking of point guards, I like Armani's game, and I hope that CCM doesn't keep a short leash on him like he did in Puerto Rico. He's a big, physical guard with a quick first step. What I like is that he wants to take the ball in the paint. I'm not sure how his distribution skills are going to do, and if he can be the point guard long term, but there is no doubt he's an SEC player that can make some noise.
5. UT has to do better at protecting the lane and not fouling. UT's rotation on the perimeter with the guards is good, but when the guards get beat, Tennessee has a major problem helping. Stokes/Chevious/Yemi are young guys that don't have much experience, and Kenny doesn't move his feet well enough. It's killing UT and teams are learning to just attack the basket. This has to get better.
6. I'm worried about the rebounding. Tennessee has played three mid-major opponents and only has a rebounding margin of 3.6 right now. That's inexcusable. They did better against UMass, but UT has to get better. Part of this is the lack of positioning on defensive rebounding. Having Maymon will help if/when he comes back (and no, I don't know when he comes back. Reports suggest mid-December).
7. People are worrying about the lack of assists. This stat is a little bit misconstrued. UT only 44 assists in four games. Part of this is the offensive game plan. With a lot of isolation plays in the posts, you aren't going to get a ton of assists, especially when a team like UMass doesn't trap the posts. UT also does a lot of dribble penetration and hasn't been kicking out a lot, which is fine. UT is getting a good amount of points in the paint. Also, Golden has almost five a game and he's doing most of the dishing. UT doesn't run pick-n-rolls with anyone as the ball handler but Golden, which limits opportunities for assists.
8. I wanted to focus on Jarnell Stokes for a minute. He's playing well. His rebounding has been solid, his offense is great, and I like his passing ability. But his free throw shooting is worrisome. Am I going to overreact to leaving basically just 3-4 points a game on the line? No. But being able to hit free throws gets you easier buckets. Teams won't foul you as much. I saw it against UMass. UMass basically decided anytime Jarnell went up for a shot to make it hell for him. No easy buckets. When you can shoot 70-75%, teams are more wary to foul because it's most likely going to be two points anyways. They don't want to risk the foul situation and the chance of a three point play. This is why free throw shooting is so important. Not just the free points, but also sending a message to your opponent that you can't defend me.
9. Cuonzo is going to stay with a 8-9 man rotation right now till Jeronne comes back. D'Montre Edwards didn't play, which was odd because he got double digit minutes against Okie State. So right now, mine after the weekend would be:
PG: Golden 30/Moore 10
SG: McBee 20/McRae 20
SF: Richardson 25/Edwards 10/McRae 5
PF: Hall 25/Chievous 15
C: Stokes 30/Yemi 10
10. Right now, the expectations are the same without Maymon. Make the tourney. That's the goal. This team looks pretty decent right now, and can improve immensely over the next couple months. Honestly, if Maymon is back 100% eventually, then this is good for the team. It builds the confidence in younger guys and teaches them how to be aggressive and not to get complacent on offense with Stokes/Golden/Maymon. Nice start to the season. Long way to go. I like where we are.
Overall Grade: B-
Go Vols!!!!!!! :hi:
1. I am really liking Jordan McRae's contributions. He's so much more in control this year in all facets of his game. He's playing the passing lanes smarter. He is moving his feet better on defense. His ball handling has improved. He's attacking the basket more frequently and with more gusto. His shot is better. He has a better release and is more balanced. I just really like what he has shown so far.
2. The offense (barring the Okie State disaster) is better. I like the movement. More cutting action (although still not enough, especially on doubles in the post). They have done a nice job getting the ball in the post. The pick-n-roll play has shown flashes. They have been smart shooting from the outside. They are shooting 39% from three this year. They look more comfortable and are doing a good job of getting in the paint.
3. Golden's playing better. He's just not shooting the ball great right now. That'll improve. No need to panic. 3.25/1 AST-TO ratio is phenomenal. When he gets back to shooting 43%, he'll be just fine.
4. Speaking of point guards, I like Armani's game, and I hope that CCM doesn't keep a short leash on him like he did in Puerto Rico. He's a big, physical guard with a quick first step. What I like is that he wants to take the ball in the paint. I'm not sure how his distribution skills are going to do, and if he can be the point guard long term, but there is no doubt he's an SEC player that can make some noise.
5. UT has to do better at protecting the lane and not fouling. UT's rotation on the perimeter with the guards is good, but when the guards get beat, Tennessee has a major problem helping. Stokes/Chevious/Yemi are young guys that don't have much experience, and Kenny doesn't move his feet well enough. It's killing UT and teams are learning to just attack the basket. This has to get better.
6. I'm worried about the rebounding. Tennessee has played three mid-major opponents and only has a rebounding margin of 3.6 right now. That's inexcusable. They did better against UMass, but UT has to get better. Part of this is the lack of positioning on defensive rebounding. Having Maymon will help if/when he comes back (and no, I don't know when he comes back. Reports suggest mid-December).
7. People are worrying about the lack of assists. This stat is a little bit misconstrued. UT only 44 assists in four games. Part of this is the offensive game plan. With a lot of isolation plays in the posts, you aren't going to get a ton of assists, especially when a team like UMass doesn't trap the posts. UT also does a lot of dribble penetration and hasn't been kicking out a lot, which is fine. UT is getting a good amount of points in the paint. Also, Golden has almost five a game and he's doing most of the dishing. UT doesn't run pick-n-rolls with anyone as the ball handler but Golden, which limits opportunities for assists.
8. I wanted to focus on Jarnell Stokes for a minute. He's playing well. His rebounding has been solid, his offense is great, and I like his passing ability. But his free throw shooting is worrisome. Am I going to overreact to leaving basically just 3-4 points a game on the line? No. But being able to hit free throws gets you easier buckets. Teams won't foul you as much. I saw it against UMass. UMass basically decided anytime Jarnell went up for a shot to make it hell for him. No easy buckets. When you can shoot 70-75%, teams are more wary to foul because it's most likely going to be two points anyways. They don't want to risk the foul situation and the chance of a three point play. This is why free throw shooting is so important. Not just the free points, but also sending a message to your opponent that you can't defend me.
9. Cuonzo is going to stay with a 8-9 man rotation right now till Jeronne comes back. D'Montre Edwards didn't play, which was odd because he got double digit minutes against Okie State. So right now, mine after the weekend would be:
PG: Golden 30/Moore 10
SG: McBee 20/McRae 20
SF: Richardson 25/Edwards 10/McRae 5
PF: Hall 25/Chievous 15
C: Stokes 30/Yemi 10
10. Right now, the expectations are the same without Maymon. Make the tourney. That's the goal. This team looks pretty decent right now, and can improve immensely over the next couple months. Honestly, if Maymon is back 100% eventually, then this is good for the team. It builds the confidence in younger guys and teaches them how to be aggressive and not to get complacent on offense with Stokes/Golden/Maymon. Nice start to the season. Long way to go. I like where we are.
Overall Grade: B-
Go Vols!!!!!!! :hi:
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