Edit. Halftime now. Vols by 8 at Wisconsin. WI was a good tourney team last year and returns 90% of their scoring on a very veteran team. They will be in MM next spring for sure. We already beat no4 MSU at their house last week in an exhibition. Barnes is still playing with lineups bc we are So so deep this year...knecht and Gainey...the newcomers...are the top 2 scorers again for 3rd straight game. Knecht is 100% going to the NBA man he is a baller. Not just a great 3 shooter...he will beat you off the dribble and punch it in your face, and has already
28pts 7boards shooting over 50% and never ballhogging vs MSU...
17 points 5rb in only 25mins (out 4o) vs TtU and coach pulled him right after half bc we were up almost 40 and have 11 players that need to get mins 4 experience/morale
1day. 24 points, 7 boards and he passed up many shots so barnes fussed at him to let it fly near halftime. Could have easily 30+...he passed up shots and kicked to ZZ open for 3s several times. Zz had a tough night from 3 but 1 dagger...he is the heart of this team. When he is 100% later we will be a juggernaut. Sadly it looks like Vescovi is struggling to earn minutes right now. His shot qasnt there tonight and Barnes sat him down again so gainey, mashak, and others got lots of time relatively speaking. I think Knecht might have played all 40mins...which tells you Barnes gets it. As long as Knecht can fight thru fatigue to still play great defense, it looks like Barnes leaves him in always due to him being the best and most efficient scorer on the floor. So stoked about this team. This is a top5 team man all year.
Knecht is a straight up bucket getter. Doesn’t need a play drawn up for him. Just get him the ball and get out of the way. Can score at all three levels. That kind of player is something we’ve been missing ever since Grant and Admiral left. This team has a chance to be special.