Our Backcourt

[cbrown]

While I think our backcourt is solid, I think there are significant deficiencies with each player. As good as SV has been, he lacks overall athleticism when compared to most SEC guards. Teams have been able to successfully neutralize him at times. ZZ is gutsy, but his height causes him to miss quite a few layups. You also can’t rely on him to take the last shot in a one-score game. It’s much easier to affect a shorter player’s shot if you know he has to shoot it. It just looks like TK is a bit over his head in the SEC.

It’s a good backcourt, and we will and have won a lot of games with these guys, but my expectation of advancing far in the tourney isn’t high. I really wish we had a guy that had the mindset and athleticism to go get a basket when the offense is in the tank.

 

[jeff1vol]

Ive said all along that we lack a TRUE PG. And it is still very true. ZZ and Vesco just arent pg's.

 

[Go47]

Agree - both guys are good players . . . And both can really help the team when shooting it well. But, neither is a true PG. Usually, the PG by committee does not work out for a deep run in the NCAA tournament. However, much of that comes down to matchups.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Ive said all along that we lack a TRUE PG. And it is still very true. ZZ and Vesco just arent pg's.

ZZ’s not a PG? I didn’t get that memo.

 

[vol94]

Ive said all along that we lack a TRUE PG. And it is still very true. ZZ and Vesco just arent pg's.

Going into the season I thought thought Key would give us more production. It hasn’t been the case.

 

[vol94]

ZZ’s not a PG? I didn’t get that memo.

ZZ is a point guard but has deficiencies for this team to advance far in the tournament.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

ZZ is a point guard but has deficiencies for this team to advance far in the tournament.

Muggsy, Earl, Spud, and Mister Jennings disagree.

 

[vol94]

Muggsy, Earl, Spud, and Mister Jennings disagree.

And those players were better than ZZ. I said Z has deficiencies and never mentioned his height as one.

 

[southgatevol]

And those players were better than ZZ. I said Z has deficiencies and never mentioned his height as one.

What are his deficiencies?

 

[volmainia2]

While I think our backcourt is solid, I think there are significant deficiencies with each player. As good as SV has been, he lacks overall athleticism when compared to most SEC guards. Teams have been able to successfully neutralize him at times. ZZ is gutsy, but his height causes him to miss quite a few layups. You also can’t rely on him to take the last shot in a one-score game. It’s much easier to affect a shorter player’s shot if you know he has to shoot it. It just looks like TK is a bit over his head in the SEC.

It’s a good backcourt, and we will and have won a lot of games with these guys, but my expectation of advancing far in the tourney isn’t high. I really wish we had a guy that had the mindset and athleticism to go get a basket when the offense is in the tank.

rediculous, how many lu has zz missed other than bsat

 

[volmainia2]

ZZ is a point guard but has deficiencies for this team to advance far in the tournament.

no he is not a pg except cb has ask him to be this year. so it is new to him

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

And those players were better than ZZ. I said Z has deficiencies and never mentioned his height as one.

His height is BY FAR his biggest “deficiency”. Not being a grizzled veteran yet is maybe #2.

 

[volmainia2]

His height is BY FAR his biggest “deficiency”. Not being a grizzled veteran yet is maybe #2.

His height is BY FAR his biggest “deficiency”. Not being a grizzled veteran yet is maybe #2.

Muggsy, Earl, Spud, and Mister Jennings disagree.

 

[volmainia2]

And those players were better than ZZ. I said Z has deficiencies and never mentioned his height as one.

everybody has deficiencies

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

no he is not a pg except cb has ask him to be this year. so it is new to him

Barnes “asked” ZZ to be a PG this year? Whut? Was Zeigler going to be in the post until Barnes had an idea to use him in the backcourt?

 

[cncchris33]

no he is not a pg except cb has ask him to be this year. so it is new to him

Huh? What position does his skill-set lend itself to if not PG? He's our best ball-handler, the best at getting to the paint off the dribble, a very good facilitator, and a decent enough shooter.

 

[Tnphil]

Barnes pretty much said yesterday post game they weren't getting good guard play. Seems most years we are saying that.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Barnes pretty much said yesterday post game they weren't getting good guard play. Seems most years we are saying that.

That doesn’t make sense. Jordan Bone. Lamonte Turner. Kevin Punter. Keon Johnson. Jaden Springer. Kennedy Chandler. Santiago Vescovi. Who is saying that?

 

[Tnphil]

On every board I read...Sure every year we have a PG on the floor but there are years we aren't getting the PG play we need.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

On every board I read...Sure every year we have a PG on the floor but there are years we aren't getting the PG play we need.

Well if it’s on a board then it must be true.

 

[VolGee4]

On every board I read...Sure every year we have a PG on the floor but there are years we aren't getting the PG play we need.

Jordan Bone and Kennedy Chandler. We struggled the year that the NCAAT was canceled because Turner was hurt, and we struggled the following year when we tried to use Vescovi and Keon Johnson. ZZ is a true PG and will be fine.

 

[walkenvol]

ZZZ is leading the SEC in assists in league play. He’s a dogged on ball defender and fast with the ball in his hands such that folks aren’t pressing us and turning us over bringing the ball up the court. Right now, I don’t know the other SEC PG I’d trade him for. He’s not going to be an all time great at UT but he’s way way better than many of the PG’s we’ve had in the past.

Some of you guys expect every player wearing orange to be the next Bernard King or they disappoint you - really tough way to view life.

 

[Namorto1]

I’m speculating that Barnes will make another run at a PG in transfer portal again after the season, but ZZ is clearly a PG. He missed a bunch of layups that he normally makes. He got worried about Kentucky‘s length no question, but is a huge net positive for our team in so many ways. Vescovi is prone to shooting woes when opponents are athletic and crowd the 3 pt line. I think some of his misses against Kentucky were also just flat poor shot selection as well. Very good college player though without question.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

While I think our backcourt is solid, I think there are significant deficiencies with each player. As good as SV has been, he lacks overall athleticism when compared to most SEC guards. Teams have been able to successfully neutralize him at times. ZZ is gutsy, but his height causes him to miss quite a few layups. You also can’t rely on him to take the last shot in a one-score game. It’s much easier to affect a shorter player’s shot if you know he has to shoot it. It just looks like TK is a bit over his head in the SEC.

It’s a good backcourt, and we will and have won a lot of games with these guys, but my expectation of advancing far in the tourney isn’t high. I really wish we had a guy that had the mindset and athleticism to go get a basket when the offense is in the tank.

And not foul, defend a 6-4 or 6-5 Gard, and be able to break the press.

 

[vol94]

What are his deficiencies?

Point guard play is critical to advance in March Madness. The way this team is built, TN needs a point guard that can score when Vescovi and others go cold. (See KC Vs Michigan last yr- though we lost).

1. Z doesn’t consistently finish at the rim.
2. I don’t see him as the “go to” guy when we are down one with last shot.

He is a tenacious defender with a ton of heart, so I root for the kid and he’s one of my favorite players.


Thanks for the discussion as I look forward to you reading your response.