Hippie’s postgame report

#1
H

HippieVol33

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#1
I don’t normally do these. I leave it to the resident experts. But I feel like I have some things to say they might calm the masses, or even ignite the flames.

1. That’s a TOUGH loss. Mainly because when the news spread we were missing our offensive spark plug (KC) and our floor leader (Fulk) many wrote us off. I got numerous texts from friends about how if we just compete they’d be happy. Now they’re texting me pissed off that Barnes blew that game. I personally think Barnes out coached Oats all night long. My only gripe is how I’d much rather have Powell shoot that late shot > Vic Bailey. Did Bailey play great? Eh, I’d say average at best but he wasn’t bad and certainly didn’t cost us that game. Obviously you want Powell in there but I’ll just say there’s likely a reason a seasoned coach like Barnes didn’t have him out there.

2. The switch to the 2-3 absolutely threw Bama off for a while and another reason I’m going Barnes coaching job > Oats coaching job for this game. Bama struggled big time at the beginning of the switch and hit a few late. Barnes switched when he called a TO. Rebounding did struggle a bit out of the zone.

3. Uros Plavsic absolutely proved he can be a solid piece to this team. I’m tired of hearing about BHH > Plavsic because I’m really just not seeing it. BHH has the better offensive game but I’d put every other asset to Plav. Plav had 6p 9r and was +5 in 20min. Tonight.
BHH has 8p 2r and was -5 in 15 minutes. If Plav plays like he did tonight I don’t see any argument BHH should play more.

4. JJJ didn’t have his best night overall but it’s quite obvious he’s probably as integral as a piece can be for this team. His communication and toughness on defense and rebounding is something that puts us at a higher level. He’s never going to be a 15ppg kind of guy and that’s fine. He does his job and knows his role. I’m fine if he keeps shooting.

Overall this loss stings because, as I said many said we didn’t stand a chance and we HAD the game in our grasp and didn’t close it out. If we have KC and Fulk I see no reason we wouldn’t have went in there and won by 8-10 points. This team isn’t bad, they’re not badly coached and everything is okay. We play Ole Miss one week from today (If Covid doesn’t ruin stuff) and I’m sure this team will be well above .500 in SEC play. Enjoy the ride because after Barnes we won’t likely always be a top 25 team.

GBO.
 
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#4
#4
HippieVol33 said:
I think it’s dumb certain players can play “sick” but others can’t play. I understand why, but IMO it’s dumb.
Click to expand...

Fulk and KC might have had positive COVID tests while JJJ and Powell had regular (non-COVID) viruses. And had good prescriptions.
 
#9
#9
Bottom line, if CRB plays Powell instead of Bailey , the Vols beat Bama. Barnes lost another game due to his “ stubbornness “ of thinking Baileys defense gives us a better chance to win than Powell’s offense. We lost the game because the players Barnes had on the court the last 4 minutes of the game couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean . Our best shooter, probably one of the SEC’s best pure shooters, watched from the bench.
 
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#10
#10
1985Vols said:
Bottom line, if CRB plays Powell instead of Bailey , the Vols beat Bama. Barnes lost another game due to his “ stubbornness “ of thinking Baileys defense gives us a better chance to win than Powell’s offense. We lost the game because the players Barnes had on the court the last 4 minutes of the game couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean . Our best shooter, probably one of the SEC’s best pure shooters, watched from the bench.
Click to expand...
You might be right about Powell over Bailey. I am wondering why CRB stopped playing BHH in the second half. He had a few baskets in the first half and gives us a legit scoring option down low.
 
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#11
#11
1985Vols said:
Bottom line, if CRB plays Powell instead of Bailey , the Vols beat Bama. Barnes lost another game due to his “ stubbornness “ of thinking Baileys defense gives us a better chance to win than Powell’s offense. We lost the game because the players Barnes had on the court the last 4 minutes of the game couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean . Our best shooter, probably one of the SEC’s best pure shooters, watched from the bench.
Click to expand...
Powell had a lower ORtg than Bailey last night according to KenPom. And KenPom
Knows his stuff. What did Powell bring in that second half?
 
#12
#12
HippieVol33 said:
I don’t normally do these. I leave it to the resident experts. But I feel like I have some things to say they might calm the masses, or even ignite the flames.

1. That’s a TOUGH loss. Mainly because when the news spread we were missing our offensive spark plug (KC) and our floor leader (Fulk) many wrote us off. I got numerous texts from friends about how if we just compete they’d be happy. Now they’re texting me pissed off that Barnes blew that game. I personally think Barnes out coached Oats all night long. My only gripe is how I’d much rather have Powell shoot that late shot > Vic Bailey. Did Bailey play great? Eh, I’d say average at best but he wasn’t bad and certainly didn’t cost us that game. Obviously you want Powell in there but I’ll just say there’s likely a reason a seasoned coach like Barnes didn’t have him out there.

2. The switch to the 2-3 absolutely threw Bama off for a while and another reason I’m going Barnes coaching job > Oats coaching job for this game. Bama struggled big time at the beginning of the switch and hit a few late. Barnes switched when he called a TO. Rebounding did struggle a bit out of the zone.

3. Uros Plavsic absolutely proved he can be a solid piece to this team. I’m tired of hearing about BHH > Plavsic because I’m really just not seeing it. BHH has the better offensive game but I’d put every other asset to Plav. Plav had 6p 9r and was +5 in 20min. Tonight.
BHH has 8p 2r and was -5 in 15 minutes. If Plav plays like he did tonight I don’t see any argument BHH should play more.

4. JJJ didn’t have his best night overall but it’s quite obvious he’s probably as integral as a piece can be for this team. His communication and toughness on defense and rebounding is something that puts us at a higher level. He’s never going to be a 15ppg kind of guy and that’s fine. He does his job and knows his role. I’m fine if he keeps shooting.

Overall this loss stings because, as I said many said we didn’t stand a chance and we HAD the game in our grasp and didn’t close it out. If we have KC and Fulk I see no reason we wouldn’t have went in there and won by 8-10 points. This team isn’t bad, they’re not badly coached and everything is okay. We play Ole Miss one week from today (If Covid doesn’t ruin stuff) and I’m sure this team will be well above .500 in SEC play. Enjoy the ride because after Barnes we won’t likely always be a top 25 team.

GBO.
Click to expand...
 
#13
#13
PEPPERJAX said:
You might be right about Powell over Bailey. I am wondering why CRB stopped playing BHH in the second half. He had a few baskets in the first half and gives us a legit scoring option down low.
Click to expand...
This too. Barnes rotations have been frustrating all season. He really outcoaches himself because he is so concerned about defense that he puts 5 players on the floor that can’t buy a bucket when you need one. One reason he will never take us past the sweet 16 IMO. Im all fo great defense, but if you’re up 5 points with a few minutes to play and can’t score any more points you’re probably going to lose. Powell would have drained the corner 3 that Bailey missed in the last minute of the game
 
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#15
#15
1985Vols said:
This too. Barnes rotations have been frustrating all season. He really outcoaches himself because he is so concerned about defense that he puts 5 players on the floor that can’t buy a bucket when you need one. One reason he will never take us past the sweet 16 IMO. Im all fo great defense, but if you’re up 5 points with a few minutes to play and can’t score any more points you’re probably going to lose. Powell would have drained the corner 3 that Bailey missed in the last minute of the game
Click to expand...
Powell is a solid shooter but the % goes from 23% to 41%. An 18% difference but let’s not act like Powell is some Ray Allen type spot up shooter. I’d rather Powell take that shot but it’s no guarantee like many are making it out to be.
 
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#18
#18
All the post mortems about Bailey and JJJ and mismanagement in the last 4 minutes are true. Bottom line though: being robbed of having our arguably best two players participate ultimately cost us the game. We all wanted to see Fulky build on his 24/10 against AZ - healthy and looking like the guy who was a beast at the end of '19-'20. And KC would have had the same success ZZ had getting to the rim - but with better finishes. It could have been 'Colorado-like' for KC last night. Ah well..

And it's pretty clear Bama isn't the juggernaut that we saw last year, which is comforting.
 
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#19
#19
1985Vols said:
Bottom line, if CRB plays Powell instead of Bailey , the Vols beat Bama. Barnes lost another game due to his “ stubbornness “ of thinking Baileys defense gives us a better chance to win than Powell’s offense. We lost the game because the players Barnes had on the court the last 4 minutes of the game couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean . Our best shooter, probably one of the SEC’s best pure shooters, watched from the bench.
Click to expand...

Powell was 2 for 3 on the night and let's just say the others were not very good. I would argue Powell's d is better than Bailey's. Unless he was sick Powell should have played more minutes. Bailey and JJJ have not been very consistent shooting this season. That's a nice way of saying their shooting has been atrocious.
 
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#20
#20
therealitytheory said:
All the post mortems about Bailey and JJJ and mismanagement in the last 4 minutes are true. Bottom line though: being robbed of having our arguably best two players participate ultimately cost us the game. We all wanted to see Fulky build on his 24/10 against AZ - healthy and looking like the guy who was a beast at the end of '19-'20. And KC would have had the same success ZZ had getting to the rim - but with better finishes. It could have been 'Colorado-like' for KC last night. Ah well..

And it's pretty clear Bama isn't the juggernaut that we saw last year, which is comforting.
Click to expand...

That loss counts as two if we’re battling Bama for the SEC championship.
 
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#22
#22
If JJJ would get one ounce of JJ (Jauan Jennings) blood in him he would be unstoppable. I would love to see that kid play with a chip on his shoulder. But yes...if you're Bama you're glad you got the win, but this Bama team scares me none. If we are full strength we win that game by 20 and that's a fact.
 
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#25
#25
therealitytheory said:
It wasn't a battle last year as Bama ran away with it. You'd agree that they aren't that team, right?
Click to expand...

Sideshow Bob might get his game going before March, but there’s certainly a drop off from a year ago. Actually, TN needs to finish a game ahead of Bama only for SECT seeding. They’d still be regular season co-champions as long as they tie Bama on top of the standings. So that championship is still very much on the table. It’s different than football where TN has to finish a game ahead after losing to an SECE opponent to get to Atlanta. So never mind (except for those that disparage the co-championships).
 
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