JJJ

[Caz]

Nobody wants to answer OP’s question? Yeah he’s hurt. He’s got a wrap on his hand and maybe something else going on as well. Hopefully he’s able to get back to early-season form by march

This makes sense and I thought it as well but didn’t have the “nerve” to mention it!

 

[chuckiepoo]

This makes sense and I thought it as well but didn’t have the “nerve” to mention it!

Are you ’skeered to get pummeled by trolls and negas?

 

[EasternVol]

So says you because nobody can tell the truth but you.

That's right

 

[chuckiepoo]

That's right

…tell ‘em E!

 

[Caz]

Are you ’skeered to get pummeled by trolls and negas?

Haha! Possibly for sure

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

I don't understand the desire to keep playing JJJ like he is an all star. If you ask me who are you going to replace him with I say anybody off that bench that would have played with energy and passion. Tired of seeing the same people not producing but getting all the playing time.

So, being a top 10 defensive player among all NCAA players who averages ~7 reb 2+ assists and 1+ steal per game, while playing out of position which allows us to play what has been our best line up, equates to no energy and passion?

Holy bad takes Batman!

I think we can all agree JJJ has to score more for the minutes he is getting but let's not lose our collective minds here...lol.

 

[walkenvol]

I played at Memphis State in 1972 when we went to the final game against UCLA and I will tell you that when a player passes up wide open shots there is a problem.. I became a vol fan because my kids went to UT and I have turned from a VOL hater to a VOL fan. The complimentary players are killing TN.. They are scared to shoot and they need to start being an integral part of this offense. JJJ was previously hitting those jumpers from the free throw line, but now he wont even shoot them. TN will not win on just DK even though he is great. Complimentary players mean so much. Please play Maschack and Dillione more. Go VOLS

If you played at Memphis, what are you seeing that makes you think Dillione needs more minutes?

 

[whodeycin85]

Is JJJ hurt or something nagging? Everytime he drops off like this...there's an issue

 

[Raiford62]

If you played at Memphis, what are you seeing that makes you think Dillione needs more minutes?

I am not sure. I just think he is very athletic and his minutes have been so limited it is hard to tell what he can do. I also feel the same way about Carr. For the few minutes I have seen him, he seems to have a good outside shot and he is long. Obviously, I am not the coach and maybe I am missing something because I don't see these guys everyday but I feel Barnes is too quick to take someone out if he makes a mistake. Very bad for confidence. Players will then be too tentative.

 

[cncchris33]

I am not sure. I just think he is very athletic and his minutes have been so limited it is hard to tell what he can do. I also feel the same way about Carr. For the few minutes I have seen him, he seems to have a good outside shot and he is long. Obviously, I am not the coach and maybe I am missing something because I don't see these guys everyday but I feel Barnes is too quick to take someone out if he makes a mistake. Very bad for confidence. Players will then be too tentative.

I'll say this, one thing you've not seen either guy do consistently is defend without gambling and hanging a help defender out to dry.

Like it or not, Barnes isn't going to play someone who gives up more points on defense than he contributes on offense. A net negative is no good. Knecht isn't the greatest defender, but he's a net positive because he's so good on the offensive end. If he were a JJJ-level offensive player, he wouldn't see the floor. It's why you had seen less and less of Gainey until recently. A decent defender whose early season offense kept him on the floor. Once that offense dried up, his defense wasn't good enough to keep him on the floor. He's gotten out of his slump a bit and gained more time, recently.

 

[walkenvol]

I am not sure. I just think he is very athletic and his minutes have been so limited it is hard to tell what he can do. I also feel the same way about Carr. For the few minutes I have seen him, he seems to have a good outside shot and he is long. Obviously, I am not the coach and maybe I am missing something because I don't see these guys everyday but I feel Barnes is too quick to take someone out if he makes a mistake. Very bad for confidence. Players will then be too tentative.

Please don’t take this as combative, but I don’t know what you’ve seen in Dillione’s limited minutes to decide he’s “very athletic”. At this point, my take is he’s a better basketball player than athlete somewhat like Vescovi. From my observation, his lack of quickness (which I equate to athleticism) is his biggest shortcoming this season. Hopefully it’s a bad perception as he’s battled a foot injury along with the same freshman issues of trying to become comfortable in the team offense / defense which makes one appear slower since they are having to think more than just reacting.

Post more often as reasoned discussion is often in short supply on here!

 

[walkenvol]

I'll say this, one thing you've not seen either guy do consistently is defend without gambling and hanging a help defender out to dry.

Like it or not, Barnes isn't going to play someone who gives up more points on defense than he contributes on offense. A net negative is no good. Knecht isn't the greatest defender, but he's a net positive because he's so good on the offensive end. If he were a JJJ-level offensive player, he wouldn't see the floor. It's why you had seen less and less of Gainey until recently. A decent defender whose early season offense kept him on the floor. Once that offense dried up, his defense wasn't good enough to keep him on the floor. He's gotten out of his slump a bit and gained more time, recently.

Would you agree with my take that DK and Gainey have become much improved defensively?

 

[cncchris33]

Would you agree with my take that DK and Gainey have become much improved defensively?

Yes

 

[hUTch2002]

One thing to keep in mind. Remember when Chris Lofton production trailed off and folks started questioning his desire, has he peaked etc
Turned out he was dealing with a cancer issue.

That was such a lame excuse for his lack of production. Sack up and stop whining!

I’m kidding of course. Lofton was amazing. He’s the best shooter in college basketball history, at least in the discussion for it for sure. He’s hands down the best covered shooter in history. He somehow seemed to get better the more someone was on him. Reddick could hit them when he was open and certainly made some tough shots too but not like Lofton did. Reddick isn’t making that 3 over Durant. He was so fun to watch.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

That was such a lame excuse for his lack of production. Sack up and stop whining!

I’m kidding of course. Lofton was amazing. He’s the best shooter in college basketball history, at least in the discussion for it for sure. He’s hands down the best covered shooter in history. He somehow seemed to get better the more someone was on him. Reddick could hit them when he was open and certainly made some tough shots too but not like Lofton did. Reddick isn’t making that 3 over Durant. He was so fun to watch.

If Lofton would have been 6'5", he would be finishing off a career in the league right now. No question

 

[Raiford62]

I am not trying to criticize any of the players because I think TN could be very good if the complimentary players step up a little. It doesn't have to be the same guy every night but between JJJ, Vescovi, Zeigler,Gainey, Awaka, Mashack and a few others, at least 2 of these guys have to chip in 8 to 10 points. Vescovi I believe is starting to come around. Mashack is the best on ball defender I believe in the SEC. Unfortunately, I feel TN will eventually lose in the NCAA to a team with the really good big man because Aidoo is not strong enough to stand his ground and Awaka is way too short. I am hoping that I am wrong because this team can be fun to watch. Finally, JJJ has great form on his jump shot but his confidence is shot.

 

[BallerVol121]

Follow me on this...do you think because it's rare that you see such a prolific scorer like we have in Knecht that some of the guys are a little timid or intimidated to shoot? I just can't understand how JJJ only gets off 3 shots. However, I think Santi tries to be a Swiss army knife and at least he's getting double figures but yes we could use more.

They might have a tendency to rely on Dalton too much. For whatever reason, they’ve just lost confidence. Let’s hope we turn around for Saturday against those blue bastages.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

I'll say this, one thing you've not seen either guy do consistently is defend without gambling and hanging a help defender out to dry.

Like it or not, Barnes isn't going to play someone who gives up more points on defense than he contributes on offense. A net negative is no good. Knecht isn't the greatest defender, but he's a net positive because he's so good on the offensive end. If he were a JJJ-level offensive player, he wouldn't see the floor. It's why you had seen less and less of Gainey until recently. A decent defender whose early season offense kept him on the floor. Once that offense dried up, his defense wasn't good enough to keep him on the floor. He's gotten out of his slump a bit and gained more time, recently.

With Dillione, I don’t think it’s all defensive related. A lot of it is, but even on he offensive end of the floor, the game has looked too fast for him on several occasions. Just something I’ve noticed.

 

[cncchris33]

With Dillione, I don’t think it’s all defensive related. A lot of it is, but even on he offensive end of the floor, the game has looked too fast for him on several occasions. Just something I’ve noticed.

This is true, but I think Barnes is far less forgiving for the mistakes on the defensive end of the floor. I think if Freddie were playing lockdown defense, he'd let him feel his way thru a little more on offense.

 

[Raiford62]

It gets in a players head when he knows he better not screw up or he is going back to the bench, never to be seen again. Unfortunately, a young player learns from mistakes he makes on the floor and knows that he can improve from them. I always see the young players look over at the bench when they make a mistake thinking I am about to be replaced. Sure practice is very important but you cannot replace game experience. Throw them in the fire and let them make good plays too. Mesh the young players with the vets please or it will be portal time at the end of the season. The young players want to feel a part too.

 

[Volprofch05]

 

[Zues1]

He probably read this thread

 

[volsarelife1]

One hell of a game from JJJ. That's what we needed

 

[TooLegit2Quit]

Keep fouling, only 4 more for the 100 piece. Naturally Doug Shows has to get a little bit more airtime.

 

[cncchris33]