Opinionated Write Up

[Thunder Good-Oil]

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.

There are other players that can shoot. Vescovi and Bailey can shoot, but they will be easy to defend until they are able to hurt defenses in other ways. Getting to the free throw line should be another but unfortunately refs call games tight early, one of our posts gets into foul trouble, and then the refs allow physical play after Pons or Fulkerson are sitting out with fouls.

The only thing consistent about SEC officiating is how inconsistently they call games. We’ve had important post players be sat down early in each of the losses. TN’s current roster isn’t built to overcome that handicap at this point.

 

[cpavol5679]

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.

KJ is not the answer for the one spot. He is better suited for the three maybe two if he can get his outside shot to fall. The lack of an inside presence is killing us.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

KJ is not the answer for the one spot. He is better suited for the three maybe two if he can get his outside shot to fall. The lack of an inside presence is killing us.

Springer might have emerged as the best option at the PG. But 4 others have gotten good minutes bringing the ball up court which should help as we wait for Kennedy Chandler to arrive.

 

[cpavol5679]

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.

You can't be serious right now with your first statement. Please provide the numbers to back it up.

 

[TennesseeFan07]

You can't be serious right now with your first statement. Please provide the numbers to back it up.

I worded it wrong. He is the only one that can create his own shot. I just saw that.

 

[VOLinAL]

KJ is not the answer for the one spot. He is better suited for the three maybe two if he can get his outside shot to fall. The lack of an inside presence is killing us.

I have never said he should be playing at the 1 spot, someone else was just comparing SV and KJ and it went on from there. I have said I think Bailey should be in the 1 spot.

 

[Knuckleheaded]

I know Vol fans are hurting right now, so please don’t take this personally but Victor Bailey is very loose with the ball and he doesn’t pass the ball well enough to play PG. I still think Vescovi is our best option at the PG— even though he has some limitations.

We need to remember last year’s team I believe was 17-14, so we have improved but we are still a work in progress. U improve a team in steps, frequently baby steps. Next year we add Kennedy Chandler at PG and hopefully BHH or a Grad transfer to play in the frontcourt. Those additions, along with the natural maturation of the rest of the roster and we should take another step or two next year.

I know folks here are starving for a winner but the expectations from some have been unrealistic. Neither Keon Johnson or Jaden Springer are lottery players— this year anyway, so we need to temper the outrageous expectations so many of us have. This roster craves productive Big Men for balance on both ends of the court. We have improved from last year but this is still a very flawed roster.

 

[Roustabout]

I know Vol fans are hurting right now, so please don’t take this personally but Victor Bailey is very loose with the ball and he doesn’t pass the ball well enough to play PG. I still think Vescovi is our best option at the PG— even though he has some limitations.

We need to remember last year’s team I believe was 17-14, so we have improved but we are still a work in progress. U improve a team in steps, frequently baby steps. Next year we add Kennedy Chandler at PG and hopefully BHH or a Grad transfer to play in the frontcourt. Those additions, along with the natural maturation of the rest of the roster and we should take another step or two next year.

I know folks here are starving for a winner but the expectations from some have been unrealistic. Neither Keon Johnson or Jaden Springer are lottery players— this year anyway, so we need to temper the outrageous expectations so many of us have. This roster craves productive Big Men for balance on both ends of the court. We have improved from last year but this is still a very flawed roster.

Springer could most certainly be a lottery pick.

The more I see of Keon the more I see his game lacking. Particularly, the weight room. Too frail.

 

[Vols All Day]

This roster craves productive Big Men for balance on both ends of the court. We have improved from last year but this is still a very flawed roster.

 

[Lone star]

Springer is our bet shooter albeit streaky. Unfortunately, his defensive IQ is lowest on team. He has no desire to be great there and as such falls asleep and makes awful decisions. I can see he drives Barnes crazy but we have no choice but to play him. I like idea of JJJ playing the 4; I would be open to him also playing some point...
even in our most down years we go on a 4-5 game run. hopefully that will be enough to get us above 500 in league play. Barnes really had a poor read on how to win with this team. A lot of dead weight that are not SEC ready. We do have a great culture though!

 

[rockytop25]

Springer is our bet shooter albeit streaky. Unfortunately, his defensive IQ is lowest on team. He has no desire to be great there and as such falls asleep and makes awful decisions. I can see he drives Barnes crazy but we have no choice but to play him. I like idea of JJJ playing the 4; I would be open to him also playing some point...
even in our most down years we go on a 4-5 game run. hopefully that will be enough to get us above 500 in league play. Barnes really had a poor read on how to win with this team. A lot of dead weight that are not SEC ready. We do have a great culture though!

Are you thinking of Bailey with the first statement? Springer has been pretty solid defensively all year IMO.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Are you thinking of Bailey with the first statement? Springer has been pretty solid defensively all year IMO.

Springer's injury is one reason we have lost the three games he has missed. Bailey is either hot or cold from the outside. When he is hot, he is terrific; when he is cold, he is ice cold. I think he may be one of these players who play better coming off the bench rather than starting. He has the ability to win a game or lose one. However, he does need to be more active on defense.