Four Guard Line-Ups

[Vol49er]

I think the last two games have shown that our best lineups are ones consisting of SV Keon Jaden JJJ and a big. In my opinion Pons offers the most as the big in the lineup. Crazy to think our best lineup wouldn't feature Fulk, but at this point I think that is the case (which is NOT the same as saying Fulk does not provide value to the team.) Scovi's improved perimeter defense, JJJ's rebounding, Keon and Jaden's penetrations skills, and Yves's post defense all enable this lineup to work well. All five players can hit threes at least somewhat decently, too. Hope this lineup is leaned into in March. The main weaknesses are the lack of a true point guard, but that is true of all our lineups and at least 4 of those players can somewhat fill that role, and rebounding. Yves will really need to step up his rebounding for this lineup to work, but JJJ and Santi being good rebounding guards helps.

 

[vol94]

I get concerned with Vescovi’s turnovers and lack of foot speed on D. He leaves his feet too often and gets best off the dribble. But he is probably one of two guards that can run point. He isn’t the only one w turnover issues as the team had around 14 tonight, most occurring in the 2nd half.

 

[walkenvol]

I get concerned with Vescovi’s turnovers and lack of foot speed on D. He leaves his feet too often and gets best off the dribble.

These are poor takes. SV turns it over less than our other point options and his defense is greatly improved. Obviously he’s not a speedy pg like Jordan Bone but he has other strengths

 

[chazman]

These are poor takes. SV turns it over less than our other point options and his defense is greatly improved. Obviously he’s not a speedy pg like Jordan Bone but he has other strengths

I think SV will thrive next year when our point guard arrives

 

[Vol49er]

I think SV will thrive next year when our point guard arrives

Definitely. He will be scorching the nets with KC driving and kicking to him with regularity

 

[walkenvol]

I think SV will thrive next year when our point guard arrives

I think he’s done great having been in the program for such a short time. He’s not a classic pg yet he goes out there and fills whatever role CRB asks of him. I honestly don’t understand why so many of these drive by folks want to dog him.

 

[Special Ed]

If Rick could only get Fulky to Fulk Out like he used to, I'd like our chances in the tournament.

 

[calban]

I really think Fulky is playing hurt. Have seen him to many times rubbing that wrist that was injured or patting his chest to be taken out. 7 man rotation with 4 out-1in seems to be our most productive line up. Subbing Bailey for the guards and Fulky for Pons at the 5. Maybe an occasional 3-2 when Fulkerson can swing it. The offense definitely doesn't need to run thru the 5 any more.

 

[1985Vols]

Lack of a true pg keeps us from getting past the Sweet 16

 

[cardvolfan]

In all this discussion, I think Smart is better than any SEC point guard.

 

[TNinSC]

I get concerned with Vescovi’s turnovers and lack of foot speed on D. He leaves his feet too often and gets best off the dribble. But he is probably one of two guards that can run point. He isn’t the only one w turnover issues as the team had around 14 tonight, most occurring in the 2nd half.

last night it looked like he was playing on cruise control as if the game was over with 8 min left.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Lack of a true pg keeps us from getting past the Sweet 16

Wow, wasn’t long ago you were saying we’d lose 1st round, quite the jump in projection.

 

[LeannaVol]

I get concerned with Vescovi’s turnovers and lack of foot speed on D. He leaves his feet too often and gets best off the dribble. But he is probably one of two guards that can run point. He isn’t the only one w turnover issues as the team had around 14 tonight, most occurring in the 2nd half.

Last 5 games Jaden Springer had 18 turnovers, Vescovi had 14 and Keon Johnson had 10. It seems like everyone wants to focus on Vescovi's though. He does lack foot speed and that allows teams to really pressure the ball but Coach Barnes wants him handling the ball in crunch time and that tells you something imo. I do look forward to when Kennedy gets here and we have a point guard that will make you look silly if you try to pressure him up close.

 

[ColinS]

Wow, wasn’t long ago you were saying we’d lose 1st round, quite the jump in projection.

I'm thinking the same thing. The Sweet 16 would be a nice season. To make the Sweet 16 we will have to beat a team we are favored by 8-10 points against and then win a pick em game. In case someone is poor at math that means we would have a less than 50% chance of pulling that off.

 

[ColinS]

I love the new style of play but we will have to get more bench minutes moving forward. I think Barnes decided to bite the bullet and use the top 6 as much as possible with Pons out in this game. I think the last 10 minutes were tired guys that were careless on offense and couldn't stay in front of their men on defense.

 

[LeannaVol]

I think the last two games have shown that our best lineups are ones consisting of SV Keon Jaden JJJ and a big. In my opinion Pons offers the most as the big in the lineup. Crazy to think our best lineup wouldn't feature Fulk, but at this point I think that is the case (which is NOT the same as saying Fulk does not provide value to the team.) Scovi's improved perimeter defense, JJJ's rebounding, Keon and Jaden's penetrations skills, and Yves's post defense all enable this lineup to work well. All five players can hit threes at least somewhat decently, too. Hope this lineup is leaned into in March. The main weaknesses are the lack of a true point guard, but that is true of all our lineups and at least 4 of those players can somewhat fill that role, and rebounding. Yves will really need to step up his rebounding for this lineup to work, but JJJ and Santi being good rebounding guards helps.

I agree with all of this. I think when Pons comes back we will still see JJJ at the 4 most of the time and see Pons an Fulky at the 5. JJJ quietly had another great stat line last night vs Georgia, 18 points, 6 boards, 2 blocks, 2 steals 3 assists and 0 turnovers. His versatility gives this team a lot of options.

 

[calban]

Last 5 games Jaden Springer had 18 turnovers, Vescovi had 14 and Keon Johnson had 10. It seems like everyone wants to focus on Vescovi's though. He does lack foot speed and that allows teams to really pressure the ball but Coach Barnes wants him handling the ball in crunch time and that tells you something imo. I do look forward to when Kennedy gets here and we have a point guard that will make you look silly if you try to pressure him up close.

Did I dream it or did they say last nite Vescovi was 27 for 28 in FTs in the last 4 minutes of games.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I'm thinking the same thing. The Sweet 16 would be a nice season. To make the Sweet 16 we will have to beat a team we are favored by 8-10 points against and then win a pick em game. In case someone is poor at math that means we would have a less than 50% chance of pulling that off.

Obviously depends on seed we get and opening round results to determine win probability...as a 3 seed we would play a 14 seed to open and then either a 6/11 seed. I doubt we’d be a pick em’ against either of those seeds, but we shall see.

 

[ColinS]

Obviously depends on seed we get and opening round results to determine win probability...as a 3 seed we would play a 14 seed to open and then either a 6/11 seed. I doubt we’d be a pick em’ against either of those seeds, but we shall see.

Yeah, if we snag a 3 seed our odds go up but still probably only slightly higher than 50 percent.

 

[ColinS]

Obviously depends on seed we get and opening round results to determine win probability...as a 3 seed we would play a 14 seed to open and then either a 6/11 seed. I doubt we’d be a pick em’ against either of those seeds, but we shall see.

These days there is very little difference in a three seed and a six seed. It's probably more about the matchup than anything.

 

[golfballs]

These days there is very little difference in a three seed and a six seed. It's probably more about the matchup than anything.

I guess that depends on what you consider “little difference”. There’s certainly a difference

 

[zjcvols]

Thank God they are finally pushing the pace.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Thank God they are finally pushing the pace.

Finally playing how Barnes has wanted them to

 

[Dr H Lecter]

Finally playing how Barnes has wanted them to

Yes, and I really like the way Barnes brings the younger players into the mix. I am extremely happy that he is our Coach.

 

[zjcvols]

Finally playing how Barnes has wanted them to

It should have been emphasized from the beginning. We are in year 6 and Barnes always talks about pushing the pace but his teams don’t do it. So it’s not just a players thing lol.

They’ve also made a couple nice adjustments on offense. Less emphasis on posts up and midrange game, more emphasis on creating driving lanes. It’s giving UT more space.