Official Game Thread - SECT: Friday, 1pm (ESPN) vs. MSU

[GoodTimeVol]

Our supporting cast simply does not shoot well enough--and so when Knecht has a bad game, and he had a very bad shooting
game today, we're in trouble.

When both Knecht and Aidoo have bad offensive games, we lose--period.
Aidoo had a pathetic 5 points today.
Knecht had 14 on 4 of 17 shooting.

That's going to be a loss for us 75 percent of the time, the other 25 coming when the rest of the team actually scores some points,
which they don't often do.

Season shooting %

Gainey--35%
Vescovi--37%
JJJ--39%
Ziggy--40% (I'm surprised his number is this high. He takes the second most shots in games, and his made percentage
is generally not that impressive, esp. from the 3-line. He was 4-12 from the 3-line today.

None of them shoot higher from the 3 line than 35 percent.

3-point shooting percentage:

Gainey--29% (pathetic)
JJJ---32% (not good)
Vescovi--33% (not good)
Ziggy---35 (decent, not great)

A lot of the problem is Vescovi and JJJ--but it's also Ziggy and Gainey. None of them has shot the ball well this year. That's a big problem. Gainey's been a bust, essentially. He plays pretty good defense--but his role is to really give us some scoring that we don't get from Vescovi and JJJ, and in that capacity he's simply not come through at all.

Knecht shoots at 47 percent. So there is a big drop in OUTSIDE shooting percentage after him. Aidoo is a 53 percent shooter--which is good.

Every BB game essentially comes down to shooting. We suxed today--EVERYBODY but Mashack was terrible.

Get a grip dude Jesus H Christ it’s an insignificant game, save it for the real tournament if we flame out

 

[utVolFanInVA]

If you're going to respond to a loss in the SEC Tournament this way, then it's only fair to point out that Tennessee won the SEC Tournament just two years ago. If the lights were shining bright for an SEC Tournament game today .... then they were shining bright during the 2022 SEC Tournament, as well.

And what did Barnes follow that SEC Tournament Championship up with just a week later?

That's right, a quick second round exit from the big dance. An 11 seed beat a 3 seed TN. Do you get the love/hate relationship feelings yet?

 

[hUTch2002]

Who knows. Since you brought it up, I'm going to make one more criticism today, and then I'll probably hang it up until tomorrow at the soonest. Dillione has been extremely disappointing. Out of all the players who got their first PT this season, Dillione does not look like he's been on the team since 2022.

Wasn’t he hurt all of 2022? Maybe I’m remembering incorrectly.

 

[WeNeedaQB]

Y’all that don’t think this is a terrible loss and all is fine and only the big dance matter are probably in for a very rude awakening. Unfortunately Tennessee’s lack of offensive output and lack of toughness has shown up too often.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Gonna be tough today. No fire today, no sense of urgency. Indecisiveness all over the place and no confidence at all. We got out hustled and out worked. We played like we were scared, we got bullied in the paint. This team needs a prayer meeting wake up call. It’s all about putting the ball in the hoop. This team has to be ready to play 6 games at optimum level. Do not let this year become a waste. It’s time to start playing like a veteran team. Everybody has to find their shot and come together. GBO

 

[WeNeedaQB]

Y’all that don’t think this is a terrible loss and all is fine and only the big dance matter are probably in for a very rude awakening. Unfortunately Tennessee’s lack of offensive output and lack of toughness may come back to haunt them early in the tournament.

 

[CAVPUT]

Who knows. Since you brought it up, I'm going to make one more criticism today, and then I'll probably hang it up until tomorrow at the soonest. Dillione has been extremely disappointing. Out of all the players who got their first PT this season, Dillione does not look like he's been on the team since 2022.

Huh? Dillione was injured early. Some kind of foot injury. Don't know if he's yet 100%, but given how few minutes he's actually played, I can't fathom someone calling him a disappointment. Didn't play a lick today. Hasn't played in more than half our games all season and gets a paltry 5.4 min per game. Honestly, I think the lack of playing time and development with the younger players is the biggest mistake Barnes has made this year. Won't be surprised if Dillione transfers. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't blame him for leaving.

 

[vavolfan6]

This was not a matchup nightmare. It was a formula for beating UT MBB.

if refs are not calling it tight, man up every one 1-1. Let DK do whatever he wants from outside and let no player from UT into paint without lower body contact. With lower body contact UT will shoot ~40% or less in paint. 1-1 on outside everyone else but DK will shoot ~30% from outside of paint and you win.

With that game plan you only lose if the refs call it tight on the defense especially body shots in paint or multiple UT players other than DK get hot FROM OUTSIDE OF paint.

Look at the losses and you will see.

I say, look at the teams we lost too. MSST, USC, Texas A&M. These are physical defensive teams, that play with a slower tempo, and run good half court offense. Even then, we have still beat these teams, outside of MSST. These teams only beat us when they get the lead early, drain the clock, and force us to panic on offense. If we get the lead, these teams are going to struggle just as much to keep up.

Sure we lost to UK, Purdue, UNC, and Kansas. But neither were from defensive strategy as much as it was from prolific scoring from elite teams.

Also, It's easier said than done to stop us in the paint. Suck in too much and guys like Aidoo, DK, and JJJ will hit some jump shots from around the FT line. ZZ is usually able to weave in and out and find his teammates. Personally, I think MSST was a bad matchup becuase they do have the length to disrupt. ZZ was struggling to pass between players. Dalton was struggling to pull up and get as clean looks as he usually does becuase he was going up against 6'7 guards. Our bigs do have trouble against tall bigs and Tolu Smith is 6'11 and as elite as they come in college basketball.

So yes, there may be a blueprint for teams to beat us. But I think it takes a certain type of team execute that blueprint, and that team must be agressive in getting a lead early on.

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

Who knows. Since you brought it up, I'm going to make one more criticism today, and then I'll probably hang it up until tomorrow at the soonest. Dillione has been extremely disappointing. Out of all the players who got their first PT this season, Dillione does not look like he's been on the team since 2022.

I don’t know how healthy he’s been, but just a general observation is that he looks a step or two slow. I’m not sure if that’s a lack of speed or if he struggles to process the game mentally.

 

[BreatheUT]

Y’all that don’t think this is a terrible loss and all is fine and only the big dance matter are probably in for a very rude awakening. Unfortunately Tennessee’s lack of offensive output and lack of toughness may come back to haunt them early in the tournament.

You can say that again.

And you did in post #1979 and #1981.

 

[Frozevol]

Time for Awaka to bring the physicality. Can’t let Tolu dominate us.

Maybe he first needs to work on how to protect the ball. MSU did a great job scouting him. Dude can’t dribble.

 

[OrangeInKy]

I'm predicting that "performance" drops us to a 3

I don’t see them taking a am on the brink of a 1 down to a 3 due to 1 game. Especially considering the resumes of other likely 2 seeds.

 

[hUTch2002]

What's y'all's thoughts on tourney expectations now?

S16-E8

 

[OrangeInKy]

Get a grip dude Jesus H Christ it’s an insignificant game, save it for the real tournament if we flame out

The concern he mentions has been a concern all season, not just this game. Not sure why you can’t figure it out.

 

[NEO]

@BernardKingGOAT

Barnes is who I said he is. Blowout loss to 9 seed. Y’all can blame shooting etc but at some point facts are facts. Barnes is just not great when its a win or go home scenario.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

@BernardKingGOAT

Barnes is who I said he is. Blowout loss to 9 seed. Y’all can blame shooting etc but at some point facts are facts. Barnes is just not great when its a win or go home scenario.

You mean like 2022? You can't help yourself, can you? You only show up when UT loses just so you can make some ignorant remark. Hate to break it to you, but the season isn't done. It's ok that you're a casual fan with limited knowledge

 

[NEO]

You mean like 2022? You can't help yourself, can you? You only show up when UT loses just so you can make some ignorant remark. Hate to break it to you, but the season isn't done. It's ok that you're a casual fan with limited knowledge

Whatever helps you sleep at night. Your king just got bounced round one. We were the 1 seed and got blown out. But all hail Barnes and anyone who disagrees and realizes his tourney record is average at best is then called a casual fan. Same crap I heard when I stated Dooley and Pruitt sucked and just like now I was told I had limited knowledge. A great coach gets us past our first game. Not blown out.

 

[landscapingvol]

Whatever helps you sleep at night. Your king just got bounced round one. We were the 1 seed and got blown out. But all hail Barnes and anyone who disagrees and realizes his tourney record is average at best is then called a casual fan. Same crap I heard when I stated Dooley and Pruitt sucked and just like now I was told I had limited knowledge. A great coach gets us past our first game. Not blown out.

You aren’t wrong, Barnes NCAA tournament record is abysmal for as many trips he has been there with some pretty good seeds. It is widely known

 

[KTrain]

Y’all that don’t think this is a terrible loss and all is fine and only the big dance matter are probably in for a very rude awakening. Unfortunately Tennessee’s lack of offensive output and lack of toughness may come back to haunt them early in the tournament.

So with that probably you're saying there's still a chance.
Good caveat in case they make it to F4. CYA., glad you havent totally given up .

 

[KTrain]

My initial prediction of Auburn vs KY is looking good so far. I never thought TN would lose to MS State, though. Two times in one season and manhandled both times.

KY jelly let you down prediction wise.

 

[KTrain]

Did you watch the game? They sure didn't look very inspired to me.

I agree me either, MSU won 90+% of the 50/50 balls and there was not much going to the floor for balls. Those 2 things can tell you that not consciously but in the back of their mind they didn't have that Dog mentality. On the flipside MSU did, it's a good barometer and these guys are human one knew the worst is a National #2 seed, the other was probably in the field but not a given if there are some lower seed tourney upsets. One got lazy and one was backed into a proverbial corner.

 

[Other_Guy]

I feel a little better now that Kentucky and Bama lost as well.
Maybe these teams just aren't as interested as the ones trying to make sure they get into the tourney

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Whatever helps you sleep at night. Your king just got bounced round one. We were the 1 seed and got blown out. But all hail Barnes and anyone who disagrees and realizes his tourney record is average at best is then called a casual fan. Same crap I heard when I stated Dooley and Pruitt sucked and just like now I was told I had limited knowledge. A great coach gets us past our first game. Not blown out.

So now the SEC tournament is your standard?

Again, I hate to break it to you, but the season isn't over

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

You aren’t wrong, Barnes NCAA tournament record is abysmal for as many trips he has been there with some pretty good seeds. It is widely known

Luckily, the NCAA tournament hasn't started yet.

 

[lefthander]

I thought TN would win this game by 10. He$$, I didn’t burn a vacation day and decided to spend my $$ against Auburn, tomorrow. Wishful thinking! This is one of the most surprising losses of the year as it was never close.

Unfortunately, we are starting to see teams realize that we have no scorers except DK and there is little or no risk to sending two men after him and forcing him to give up the ball. That eventually causes him to start taking hurried and marginal shots ,
Bama started the approach and the first decent team they see in the NCAA will surely present the same challenge.
Really difficult to see the answer because the team has no serios threat to the approach and despite all the wishing that SV and JJJ would find their shot it is not going to happen
They do not even want to shoot
Great season because of the play of DK