Fulkerson and JJJ

[Stoerner Fumbles]

In the early season, these two caught a lot of flack. They are pretty rare player types in the modern game. Each of them is unselfish, plays complimentary basketball every night, and encourages teammates when they make mistakes, or even when they take minutes away. I tend to land in the camp that believes Fulk is suffering from the physical toll of six years of injuries, two bouts of COVID, and the general wear and tear that comes with high mileage. JJJ is the same player on defense every night, boxes out taller guys, plays help tremendously well, and challenges shots and rebounds out of his zone. Great players don’t shoot well every night. Great players hold their other stats well on bad shooting nights. I heard Lunardi whine about our lack of leadership, and rain on our ncaa chances because we aren’t the same team as the Grant/Adimiral team. It’s a ******** dichotomy. That team was genuinely a team that was built for a Final Four, with a shot at the championship. We were every bit the team UVA won (with). We were beaten by a freak shooting night by Purdue that wasn’t repeated again. While this team is not that team, and does not have two veterans with a scoring capacity of 25+, this team has leadership, sense of team, and they play better together every night. The 19 team matched up with anyone on any night. Not true this year. There are certain blends of big athletic guards that play physical perimeter defense that are going to give us fits. Frankly, I think Barnes playing Aidoo and BHH now, is a smart hedge for later. Santi, ZZ and Chandler are a great scoring combo, they provide space for one another, and there D improves as a unit every night. They might be easier to love than Fulky and Josiah. That said, those two guys are great leaders, calm consistent contributors, and forces of stability when the game gets tight. We don’t have 19 tourney talent or experience, but the tournament is about draws. The right draw, and we might go far. If we do, these two will make big contributions.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

JJJ not only grabs a lot of rebounds, he gets a lot of them in end of game, critical situations. He also rarely fumbles them away if he can get his hands on them.

 

[jp1]

JJJ is a fantastic teammate. Very rare in today's game. I've been critical while I'm in my personal living room screaming at the TV when he settles for the 3 pter, when I think he should be attacking the rim, but he just comes to play every game and does the things others can't or aren't willing to do. Glad he is seeing success right now.

 

[TennVols12]

Man I think JJJ is the single most important piece of this team. Call me crazy, but I think the rest of the season solely relies on how well he plays.

 

[ColinS]

Man I think JJJ is the single most important piece of this team. Call me crazy, but I think the rest of the season solely relies on how well he plays.

I agree with this. When he is just decent on offense it completely changes our team. If the defense is able to go back to ignoring him like they did the whole first half of the season we become easy to guard. Your not winning 3 on 5 and we know we aren't getting much offense from the 5 spot. I really think he has turned the corner this time. One off shooting night is not changing my mind.

 

[jeff1vol]

When fulkerson is 100%... he's a completely different player. He played well.. JJJ HAS TO keep being AGGRESSIVE!! Go to the hole STRONG and take those 10-15 footers when he's open. We are hard to beat when this happens.

 

[golfballs]

Was hoping we could blow handy out so Fulk could rest a bit. Ironically it was a stretch of 3 straight Vandy 3’s and 2 Fulk misses which got them back in the game

 

[VOLED]

Man I think JJJ is the single most important piece of this team. Call me crazy, but I think the rest of the season solely relies on how well he plays.

100% agree with this.

 

[i2amavol]

I agree with OP.

I think the next 6 games will tell us a lot about what our tourney chances are. We have two games against higher ranked teams, and two games against an Arkansas team that is pretty much equal to us. This, along with two inferior opponents, will pretty much mimic what would likely see in the NCAA tournament.

We are playing pretty well right now, and are pulling out the W's for the most part. Let's see if we can at least hang with the best in the league when we are, or should be, at our best (minus the injured ORN, of course).

 

[livefaith]

You know whats wierd @ JJJ? He's the only long/combo guard type we have on the rotation. Seems like that's all we could recruit forever. Cameron Tatum types ... 6.4-6.6 rangy combos that are real athletic but couldnt really shoot, dribble, pass great. JJJ is in that mold, but it's more effective as a 3 with his defense, muscle , and rebounding. Just finds it odd that we have short guys and big guys with only JJJ in between.

 

[Volfan1000]

Anybody think that JJJ might go pro after this season or does he come back for his senior season?

 

[VolsSince78]

I’m a big fan of both guys, regardless how the end of season & tourneys play out. Fulky gets knocked down & injured a lot, and always works hard to get back and help his team. I think his skills for a Big are a bit underrated.

JJJ is on a fairly short list of best all around players I’ve seen at UT. He’s dealt with his share of injuries too. It is confounding to see the # of midrange and 3 pointers he’s barely missed here, because his stroke looks good.

And they’re both good leaders. I’m from the school where you lead by example and through tough times, and these guys do that. Not overly concerned with Lunardi’s opinion, but I guess he means an OFFENSIVE leader who takes/makes big shots.

Anyway, I ‘preciate what these guys have given to the program. If they miss a shot or drop a ball, I think about shooting the ball with an injured finger or hand, or wrestling in the lane after CoVid or some injury, before yelling at them too loudly from my comfy little chair.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

You know whats wierd @ JJJ? He's the only long/combo guard type we have on the rotation. Seems like that's all we could recruit forever. Cameron Tatum types ... 6.4-6.6 rangy combos that are real athletic but couldnt really shoot, dribble, pass great. JJJ is in that mold, but it's more effective as a 3 with his defense, muscle , and rebounding. Just finds it odd that we have short guys and big guys with only JJJ in between.

I think Diboundje and Mashack are both kinda in that mold

 

[NighthawkVol]

In the early season, these two caught a lot of flack. They are pretty rare player types in the modern game. Each of them is unselfish, plays complimentary basketball every night, and encourages teammates when they make mistakes, or even when they take minutes away. I tend to land in the camp that believes Fulk is suffering from the physical toll of six years of injuries, two bouts of COVID, and the general wear and tear that comes with high mileage. JJJ is the same player on defense every night, boxes out taller guys, plays help tremendously well, and challenges shots and rebounds out of his zone. Great players don’t shoot well every night. Great players hold their other stats well on bad shooting nights. I heard Lunardi whine about our lack of leadership, and rain on our ncaa chances because we aren’t the same team as the Grant/Adimiral team. It’s a ******** dichotomy. That team was genuinely a team that was built for a Final Four, with a shot at the championship. We were every bit the team UVA won (with). We were beaten by a freak shooting night by Purdue that wasn’t repeated again. While this team is not that team, and does not have two veterans with a scoring capacity of 25+, this team has leadership, sense of team, and they play better together every night. The 19 team matched up with anyone on any night. Not true this year. There are certain blends of big athletic guards that play physical perimeter defense that are going to give us fits. Frankly, I think Barnes playing Aidoo and BHH now, is a smart hedge for later. Santi, ZZ and Chandler are a great scoring combo, they provide space for one another, and there D improves as a unit every night. They might be easier to love than Fulky and Josiah. That said, those two guys are great leaders, calm consistent contributors, and forces of stability when the game gets tight. We don’t have 19 tourney talent or experience, but the tournament is about draws. The right draw, and we might go far. If we do, these two will make big contributions.

That team still would have beaten Purdue if not for the highway robbery committed by the officials at the end.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

I was critical of Fulky around mid-season when it looked like he had just quit but he has turned it around from whatever his issues were and being productive again. Glad for that.

 

[Rocky Top T]

JJJ needs to drive, stop shooting 3' s! Vescovi is our best player!!!

 

[UnkieVol]

JJJ is a more talented version of Dane Bradshaw. He's the glue that holds it all together.

 

[Caculator]

I was critical of Fulky around mid-season when it looked like he had just quit but he has turned it around from whatever his issues were and being productive again. Glad for that.

He's clawed his way back successfully with a chance of a repeat performance that he brings for KY

 

[VolunteerCeltic]

In the early season, these two caught a lot of flack. They are pretty rare player types in the modern game. Each of them is unselfish, plays complimentary basketball every night, and encourages teammates when they make mistakes, or even when they take minutes away. I tend to land in the camp that believes Fulk is suffering from the physical toll of six years of injuries, two bouts of COVID, and the general wear and tear that comes with high mileage. JJJ is the same player on defense every night, boxes out taller guys, plays help tremendously well, and challenges shots and rebounds out of his zone. Great players don’t shoot well every night. Great players hold their other stats well on bad shooting nights. I heard Lunardi whine about our lack of leadership, and rain on our ncaa chances because we aren’t the same team as the Grant/Adimiral team. It’s a ******** dichotomy. That team was genuinely a team that was built for a Final Four, with a shot at the championship. We were every bit the team UVA won (with). We were beaten by a freak shooting night by Purdue that wasn’t repeated again. While this team is not that team, and does not have two veterans with a scoring capacity of 25+, this team has leadership, sense of team, and they play better together every night. The 19 team matched up with anyone on any night. Not true this year. There are certain blends of big athletic guards that play physical perimeter defense that are going to give us fits. Frankly, I think Barnes playing Aidoo and BHH now, is a smart hedge for later. Santi, ZZ and Chandler are a great scoring combo, they provide space for one another, and there D improves as a unit every night. They might be easier to love than Fulky and Josiah. That said, those two guys are great leaders, calm consistent contributors, and forces of stability when the game gets tight. We don’t have 19 tourney talent or experience, but the tournament is about draws. The right draw, and we might go far. If we do, these two will make big contributions.

Well said!!!

 

[Voltime123]

Uros becoming a serviceable Center over the years has become fun to watch. His progression is noticeable and I think the front court will be better next year even with the loss of Fulky

 

[bleedingTNorange]

JJJ needs to drive, stop shooting 3' s! Vescovi is our best player!!!

Goodness these takes

 

[landscapingvol]

JJJ has improved dramatically over the last several games, it has not been a good year for Fulkerson. Unfortunately, he has probably reached his potential.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

JJJ has improved dramatically over the last several games, it has not been a good year for Fulkerson. Unfortunately, he has probably reached his potential.

Is this your way of saying he didn’t buy the miracle grow spray in the Fall?

 

[Jax_Vol]

Unsure where he is at on the coursework, but JJJ needs to get his degree. He has to be too close to bail out now. Might as well play one more year.


As you age, it only gets tougher to hit the books. Get that education while you are young.

 

[Volprofch05]

Uros becoming a serviceable Center over the years has become fun to watch. His progression is noticeable and I think the front court will be better next year even with the loss of Fulky

Agreed, and for all those who were horrified when Uros played earlier in the season, it has turned out to be quite beneficial, particularly with Olivier unfortunately going down.