Opinionated Write Up

[VOLinAL]

Don't know if I have ever started a basketball thread but I feel I need to voice some opinions after tonight on the players we have the rotation.

Vescovi is NOT good. He is slow, careless, turns the ball over way too much, no handles, and for whatever reason always drives to the paint and then stops and hopes someone is open for a pass which in turn leads to turnovers. Only positive is that once every 5 or 6 games he will knock down 4 to 5 threes. I would have Bailey running point as he is faster, has better handles and is just as big a threat from the three as Vescovi if not more as I feel he has a quicker release.

JJJ is athletic, protects the ball well enough and has an NBA frame. For whatever reason he looks to pass first when he needs to be more aggressive. Disappointment to say the least but I would likely keep in the starting 5.

Johnson has the raw talent and is high energy. He has a good mid range jumper though needs to work on this three point shot a bit more. I can see him being drafted on potential alone as he is very athletic and has a high drive.

Springer seems to be more polished that Johnson offensively and does well on the defensive end as well. I think Johnson is more athletic but Springer is more productive at this point.

Pons is excellent on defense and can be hit or miss on the offensive end though has done better with his mid range shot and surprisingly a little better on threes.

Fulkerson has been the most disappointing for me this season. He has shown flashes of his old self at times though has severely digressed. I would keep him in the starting line up because we know his potential but he is not doing well.

EJ has been horrible offensively and I wouldnt trust him to make a lay up with a game on the line. Only positive from him that I see is that he plays hard and has a big frame. The same goes for Plavsic. The only problem I have is having EJ in with no production whatsoever when we could have Plavsic in with the same results with the hope that a 7 footer is a tad better for protecting the rim but I have no trust in either of them.

The rest of the team really doesnt get enough playing time for me to have a positive opinion about them.

My starting line up barring no injuries going forward would look like this:

PG: Bailey
SG: Johnson
SG: Springer
SF: Pons
PF: Fulkerson

6th man being JJJ. Vescovi back up point, mayber ORN rotating in at the SF/PF spot.
Lets be honest, we dont have a center.

 

[chattavol420]

Kinda like last season we just don’t have many guys that can shoot the ball well. It’s great to have these kids with nba length and vertices etc...but what does that matter if you have no shooters? Seems to be a flaw of Barnes. He hasn’t had that since the big 3 left (all of whom were lower rated recruits but they were all good shooters).

 

[VolGee4]

Kinda like last season we just don’t have many guys that can shoot the ball well. It’s great to have these kids with nba length and vertices etc...but what does that matter if you have no shooters? Seems to be a flaw of Barnes. He hasn’t had that since the big 3 left (all of whom were lower rated recruits but they were all good shooters).

Vescovi was shooting 42% from 3 before last game. Bailey is about 35%.

Shooting wasn’t really our issue tonight. 18 turnovers and a couple of key offensive rebounds by Mizzou. If Vescovi isn’t hitting several three’s then he is more of a liability with his turnovers. Fulkerson has to get more aggressive, and Johnson needs more shots.

 

[VOLinAL]

Outside of Springer and Johnson occasionally, we have no ISO players. Our whole team relies on ball movement prior to scoring.

 

[Roustabout]

Don't know if I have ever started a basketball thread but I feel I need to voice some opinions after tonight on the players we have the rotation.

Vescovi is NOT good. He is slow, careless, turns the ball over way too much, no handles, and for whatever reason always drives to the paint and then stops and hopes someone is open for a pass which in turn leads to turnovers. Only positive is that once every 5 or 6 games he will knock down 4 to 5 threes. I would have Bailey running point as he is faster, has better handles and is just as big a threat from the three as Vescovi if not more as I feel he has a quicker release.

JJJ is athletic, protects the ball well enough and has an NBA frame. For whatever reason he looks to pass first when he needs to be more aggressive. Disappointment to say the least but I would likely keep in the starting 5.

Johnson has the raw talent and is high energy. He has a good mid range jumper though needs to work on this three point shot a bit more. I can see him being drafted on potential alone as he is very athletic and has a high drive.

Springer seems to be more polished that Johnson offensively and does well on the defensive end as well. I think Johnson is more athletic but Springer is more productive at this point.

Pons is excellent on defense and can be hit or miss on the offensive end though has done better with his mid range shot and surprisingly a little better on threes.

Fulkerson has been the most disappointing for me this season. He has shown flashes of his old self at times though has severely digressed. I would keep him in the starting line up because we know his potential but he is not doing well.

EJ has been horrible offensively and I wouldnt trust him to make a lay up with a game on the line. Only positive from him that I see is that he plays hard and has a big frame. The same goes for Plavsic. The only problem I have is having EJ in with no production whatsoever when we could have Plavsic in with the same results with the hope that a 7 footer is a tad better for protecting the rim but I have no trust in either of them.

The rest of the team really doesnt get enough playing time for me to have a positive opinion about them.

My starting line up barring no injuries going forward would look like this:

PG: Bailey
SG: Johnson
SG: Springer
SF: Pons
PF: Fulkerson

6th man being JJJ. Vescovi back up point, mayber ORN rotating in at the SF/PF spot.
Lets be honest, we dont have a center.

Bailey is NOT a PG.

 

[Fullfillmer]

Outside of Springer and Johnson occasionally, we have no ISO players. Our whole team relies on ball movement prior to scoring.

Fulkerson can score if we could ever get him isolated - but yes outside of those 3 there isn't anyone.

 

[VOLinAL]

Bailey is NOT a PG.

Hes more of a PG than Vescovi. Truthfully, we dont have a PG. Vescovi may be traditionally classified as one but he sucks, so...

 

[CAVPUT]

Kinda like last season we just don’t have many guys that can shoot the ball well. It’s great to have these kids with nba length and vertices etc...but what does that matter if you have no shooters? Seems to be a flaw of Barnes. He hasn’t had that since the big 3 left (all of whom were lower rated recruits but they were all good shooters).

Yep. Very inconsistent shooters...and that's being generous. Teams have us scouted now.. I'm not terribly excited by this team or the prospects for the season anymore. Guess it's time to focus on baseball? Watch them be unable to hit worth a damn. It would be such a Tennessee type thing wouldnt it?

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Hes more of a PG than Vescovi. Truthfully, we dont have a PG. Vescovi may be traditionally classified as one but he sucks, so...

Disagree. I am not saying Vescovi is the ideal PG, put he is the best we have at this stage of the season. If Johnson, could avoid the turn overs, he would be a rally good PG. but he has to improve his handle . Our biggest problem id an aggressive and talented player ar the 5 position. We have not been able to protect the lane on defense or get offensive rebounds and scoring on the inside,

 

[ColinS]

Don't know if I have ever started a basketball thread but I feel I need to voice some opinions after tonight on the players we have the rotation.

Vescovi is NOT good. He is slow, careless, turns the ball over way too much, no handles, and for whatever reason always drives to the paint and then stops and hopes someone is open for a pass which in turn leads to turnovers. Only positive is that once every 5 or 6 games he will knock down 4 to 5 threes. I would have Bailey running point as he is faster, has better handles and is just as big a threat from the three as Vescovi if not more as I feel he has a quicker release.

JJJ is athletic, protects the ball well enough and has an NBA frame. For whatever reason he looks to pass first when he needs to be more aggressive. Disappointment to say the least but I would likely keep in the starting 5.

Johnson has the raw talent and is high energy. He has a good mid range jumper though needs to work on this three point shot a bit more. I can see him being drafted on potential alone as he is very athletic and has a high drive.

Springer seems to be more polished that Johnson offensively and does well on the defensive end as well. I think Johnson is more athletic but Springer is more productive at this point.

Pons is excellent on defense and can be hit or miss on the offensive end though has done better with his mid range shot and surprisingly a little better on threes.

Fulkerson has been the most disappointing for me this season. He has shown flashes of his old self at times though has severely digressed. I would keep him in the starting line up because we know his potential but he is not doing well.

EJ has been horrible offensively and I wouldnt trust him to make a lay up with a game on the line. Only positive from him that I see is that he plays hard and has a big frame. The same goes for Plavsic. The only problem I have is having EJ in with no production whatsoever when we could have Plavsic in with the same results with the hope that a 7 footer is a tad better for protecting the rim but I have no trust in either of them.

The rest of the team really doesnt get enough playing time for me to have a positive opinion about them.

My starting line up barring no injuries going forward would look like this:

PG: Bailey
SG: Johnson
SG: Springer
SF: Pons
PF: Fulkerson

6th man being JJJ. Vescovi back up point, mayber ORN rotating in at the SF/PF spot.
Lets be honest, we dont have a center.

My starting line up too. This line up has the two guys that stand to see the most improvement between now and tourney time; Johnson and Springer. The more minutes they see, the better we get. Bailey is at least aggressive and can create offense. None of this will matter if we don't start getting points in the paint from Fulky and Pons.

 

[etsuvol13]

Don't know if I have ever started a basketball thread but I feel I need to voice some opinions after tonight on the players we have the rotation.

Vescovi is NOT good. He is slow, careless, turns the ball over way too much, no handles, and for whatever reason always drives to the paint and then stops and hopes someone is open for a pass which in turn leads to turnovers. Only positive is that once every 5 or 6 games he will knock down 4 to 5 threes. I would have Bailey running point as he is faster, has better handles and is just as big a threat from the three as Vescovi if not more as I feel he has a quicker release.

JJJ is athletic, protects the ball well enough and has an NBA frame. For whatever reason he looks to pass first when he needs to be more aggressive. Disappointment to say the least but I would likely keep in the starting 5.

Johnson has the raw talent and is high energy. He has a good mid range jumper though needs to work on this three point shot a bit more. I can see him being drafted on potential alone as he is very athletic and has a high drive.

Springer seems to be more polished that Johnson offensively and does well on the defensive end as well. I think Johnson is more athletic but Springer is more productive at this point.

Pons is excellent on defense and can be hit or miss on the offensive end though has done better with his mid range shot and surprisingly a little better on threes.

Fulkerson has been the most disappointing for me this season. He has shown flashes of his old self at times though has severely digressed. I would keep him in the starting line up because we know his potential but he is not doing well.

EJ has been horrible offensively and I wouldnt trust him to make a lay up with a game on the line. Only positive from him that I see is that he plays hard and has a big frame. The same goes for Plavsic. The only problem I have is having EJ in with no production whatsoever when we could have Plavsic in with the same results with the hope that a 7 footer is a tad better for protecting the rim but I have no trust in either of them.

The rest of the team really doesnt get enough playing time for me to have a positive opinion about them.

My starting line up barring no injuries going forward would look like this:

PG: Bailey
SG: Johnson
SG: Springer
SF: Pons
PF: Fulkerson

6th man being JJJ. Vescovi back up point, mayber ORN rotating in at the SF/PF spot.
Lets be honest, we dont have a center.

You do know SV is hurt right?

 

[vol94]

Defenses make Vescovi go to his right which is very uncomfortable for him. You could see last night that Mizz would not allow him to go left when the offensive set was on the right side of the court.
Fulky just doesn’t seem like himself. He has always looked uncoordinated but he isn’t the same. Idk if his wrists are still injured but he doesn’t look as strong.

 

[savannahfan]

Don't know if I have ever started a basketball thread but I feel I need to voice some opinions after tonight on the players we have the rotation.

Vescovi is NOT good. He is slow, careless, turns the ball over way too much, no handles, and for whatever reason always drives to the paint and then stops and hopes someone is open for a pass which in turn leads to turnovers. Only positive is that once every 5 or 6 games he will knock down 4 to 5 threes. I would have Bailey running point as he is faster, has better handles and is just as big a threat from the three as Vescovi if not more as I feel he has a quicker release.

JJJ is athletic, protects the ball well enough and has an NBA frame. For whatever reason he looks to pass first when he needs to be more aggressive. Disappointment to say the least but I would likely keep in the starting 5.

Johnson has the raw talent and is high energy. He has a good mid range jumper though needs to work on this three point shot a bit more. I can see him being drafted on potential alone as he is very athletic and has a high drive.

Springer seems to be more polished that Johnson offensively and does well on the defensive end as well. I think Johnson is more athletic but Springer is more productive at this point.

Pons is excellent on defense and can be hit or miss on the offensive end though has done better with his mid range shot and surprisingly a little better on threes.

Fulkerson has been the most disappointing for me this season. He has shown flashes of his old self at times though has severely digressed. I would keep him in the starting line up because we know his potential but he is not doing well.

EJ has been horrible offensively and I wouldnt trust him to make a lay up with a game on the line. Only positive from him that I see is that he plays hard and has a big frame. The same goes for Plavsic. The only problem I have is having EJ in with no production whatsoever when we could have Plavsic in with the same results with the hope that a 7 footer is a tad better for protecting the rim but I have no trust in either of them.

The rest of the team really doesnt get enough playing time for me to have a positive opinion about them.

My starting line up barring no injuries going forward would look like this:

PG: Bailey
SG: Johnson
SG: Springer
SF: Pons
PF: Fulkerson

6th man being JJJ. Vescovi back up point, mayber ORN rotating in at the SF/PF spot.
Lets be honest, we dont have a center.

Pretty good writeup.
BUT HERE IS THE ONE LINE SITUTATION ---- WE CAN'T SHOOT!!!

 

[savannahfan]

You do know SV is hurt right?[/Q

I guess SV is the peroxide blonde guy..... If he is injured, why the hel- is on the floor?? If the answer is "he's the best we got", well we are a long way from a top ten team. For that matter, a top 20 team.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

You do know SV is hurt right?

Yes he is hurt, but last time I checked he doesn't have a head injury that would affect some of the mental mistakes he keeps making.

 

[VOLED]

Defenses make Vescovi go to his right which is very uncomfortable for him. You could see last night that Mizz would not allow him to go left when the offensive set was on the right side of the court.
Fulky just doesn’t seem like himself. He has always looked uncoordinated but he isn’t the same. Idk if his wrists are still injured but he doesn’t look as strong.

I have to believe and hope that Fulkerson is hurt. If not, then we are in a world of trouble.

 

[VOLinAL]

Disagree. I am not saying Vescovi is the ideal PG, put he is the best we have at this stage of the season. If Johnson, could avoid the turn overs, he would be a rally good PG. but he has to improve his handle . Our biggest problem id an aggressive and talented player ar the 5 position. We have not been able to protect the lane on defense or get offensive rebounds and scoring on the inside,

Keon has better handles than Vescovi already. Without looking at the numbers, I would bet Vescovi has twice the turnovers that Johnson has. SV cant create his own offense and is slow as molasses.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I guess SV is the peroxide blonde guy..... If he is injured, why the hel- is on the floor?? If the answer is "he's the best we got", well we are a long way from a top ten team. For that matter, a top 20 team.

Because we have 5 guards in the rotation and only SV and JJJ and much experience. Also one of the other 5, the best player on the team so far, has been sitting out injured.

We weren’t even expected to be in the top 10 when Vescovi, Fulkerson, and Springer weren’t injured.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Keon has better handles than Vescovi already. Without looking at the numbers, I would bet Vescovi has twice the turnovers that Johnson has. SV cant create his own offense and is slow as molasses.

Vescovi has 2.4 TOs per 40 minutes. Johnson has 4.0 per 40 minutes.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Keon has better handles than Vescovi already. Without looking at the numbers, I would bet Vescovi has twice the turnovers that Johnson has. SV cant create his own offense and is slow as molasses.

I doubt he has twice the turnovers, but I think both of them have more turnovers to get the job done. Vescovi seems to have the better three point shot and Johnson has the better defense. I think both are better at the 2 position. I think we have THE PG coming in next year and we can let this rest for at least one year. I still think the biggest problem is a dominate 5 player.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Vescovi has 2.4 TOs per 40 minutes. Johnson has 4.0 per 40 minutes.

Thanks for the data. That is about what I expected.

 

[cpavol5679]

Keon has better handles than Vescovi already. Without looking at the numbers, I would bet Vescovi has twice the turnovers that Johnson has. SV cant create his own offense and is slow as molasses.

You're wrong. Johnson has more turnovers than Vescovi. Go look at their stats. I think you'd be surprised after comparing the two.

 

[VOLinAL]

You're wrong. Johnson has more turnovers than Vescovi. Go look at their stats. I think you'd be surprised after comparing the two.

I looked and was. It's just the eye test. SV has hit his ceiling and Johnson is no where near his. I'm just saying there are better options on this team to run the 1 spot, and not saying its KJ. Shooting is a problem for this team and I think some of it is players being afraid to shoot and looking for help too much. If we have no inside presence than we have to be able to shoot. Unfortunately we have neither right now.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I looked and was. It's just the eye test. SV has hit his ceiling and Johnson is no where near his. I'm just saying there are better options on this team to run the 1 spot, and not saying its KJ. Shooting is a problem for this team and I think some of it is players being afraid to shoot and looking for help too much. If we have no inside presence than we have to be able to shoot. Unfortunately we have neither right now.

So far Johnson, Springer, Vescovi, JJJ, Bailey, and Springer has served as the guy to bring the ball across mid court. None are true point guards and possibly the two best have injuries... one’s bad enough that it’s been decided to let him sit out.

We can sacrifice some games now and should be playing better in March.

 

[TennesseeFan07]

Keon Johnson is the only player on this team that can shoot. Without Springer playing to breakdown the defense, this team cannot score. Bailey and Vescovi are good in their own way, but once Tennessee drops behind, it is impossible to play them together because they cannot get stops. The fact that Fulkerson has been on campus for five years and still will not shoot outside of 15 feet is a problem. If he could at least stretch out the defense it would at least take some pressure away from the guards.

If Tennessee plays against good guard play or physical big men, they are in trouble, especially without Springer.