Predict Starting 5 - end of December/start of SEC play

#27
#27
What sort of offensive player is Ledlum? Is he more of a back-to-the-basket guy or more of a spot up /pick-and-pop guy?
 
#28
#28
Col_Cathcart said:
What sort of offensive player is Ledlum? Is he more of a back-to-the-basket guy or more of a spot up /pick-and-pop guy?
Click to expand...
Mostly from clips, but also from watching the entire game Harvard vs Kansas (a game I might add that Harvard was competitive until the final 2 minutes), he can use body well but didn’t use it like a classic back to the basket player. At least not against Kansas who could throw some size at him. Against lessor competition or with anyone of similar size he will likely have his way with. Against Kansas he really liked to get the ball on perimeter, put the ball on the floor and muscle the defender. Or he would pull up with nice midrange. Not a good perimeter shooter from 3 pt line and his numbers bear that out on % but not horrific around as he is around 30%. If he improves that slightly he will be a triple threat offensively. Big strong dude though, who gets fouled and goes to the FT line quite a bit. Needs to improve his % from the FT line too. Barnes will help his game. I’m convinced of that.

I could see him uses as screener in pick and roll a lot. Guy weighs 240 lbs and is thick. If teams switch reverse ball to him and let him bully guards. He may be able to drive past bigs but I bet length will bother him on post. Doubt he will be intimidated though. He is going to have to get used to that in the SEC. Not a pick and pop guy, but he will shoot it if wide open. He played well against Kansas with 17 pts, 9 boards and 2 assists. Had a lot of turnovers (5) but he was primary focus defensively for Kansas and was by far the best player on Harvard’s team. He did not shoot with high FG% (6-18) and settled for way too many 3’s (got a bit impatient), but had 2 sure fire buckets at the rim erased by great blocks by Kansas. He will have a lot more help and weapons around him in our lineup, as will Knecht, as will Vescovi, etc….

When we aren’t shooting the ball well from perimeter and we need someone who can manufacture some points. I think he can do that. He won’t average what he did at Harvard but I bet he will be a consistent double figure scorer. He played 29 games last year and only had 2 when he didn’t get double figures. Had 8 double/doubles (PPG/rebounds). The year prior to that only played in 13 games and only had 1 where he didn’t get into double figures.(had 9 in one game). So he is used to scoring.

I would add, I wasn’t impressed with his defensive effort against Kansas. But there is a reason he came to UT, and he must defend for Barnes. Smart guy and mature so he knows what expectations are with Barnes. He would pair up nicely on frontcourt with Aidoo IMO.
 
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#29
#29
bleedingTNorange said:
Not a bad take…I wonder if JJJ plays mostly 4 thus bumping Awaka to the 5 behind Aidoo which also helps space out the floor.

Zeigler/Dilione
Santi/Gainey
Knecht/Mashack
JJJ/Ledlum
Aidoo/Awaka

Bench: Estrella, Jefferson, Carr, Phillips
Click to expand...
Definitely think we go 10 deep consistently this year with a lot of small ball. Think Ledlum and Gainey are going to be fighting for minutes out of those 10 though, imo.
 
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#30
#30
bleedingTNorange said:
Not a bad take…I wonder if JJJ plays mostly 4 thus bumping Awaka to the 5 behind Aidoo which also helps space out the floor.

Zeigler/Dilione
Santi/Gainey
Knecht/Mashack
JJJ/Ledlum
Aidoo/Awaka

Bench: Estrella, Jefferson, Carr, Phillips
Click to expand...
Looks good the lineups and rotations,bigger question how many fire Barnes threads will there be if we do not meet the fans expectations... I'm a firm believer in Barnes but you know as well as I there are many nay sayers about him in VolNation!!!
 
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#33
#33
Hard to predict! This upcoming year's team is going to be deep! It may take some time to find the best group that plays well together. But we have a lot of good pieces and depth shouldn't be much of a drop off.

I do think though that some of you are underestimating Cameron Carr. The kid is a pure shooter. He is someone you want on the floor to as he can go off at any moment. I think he implements himself in the lineup as the season goes on and is a key part of the team by the end of the year.
 
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#34
#34
vavolfan6 said:
Hard to predict! This upcoming year's team is going to be deep! It may take some time to find the best group that plays well together. But we have a lot of good pieces and depth shouldn't be much of a drop off.

I do think though that some of you are underestimating Cameron Carr. The kid is a pure shooter. He is someone you want on the floor to as he can go off at any moment. I think he implements himself in the lineup as the season goes on and is a key part of the team by the end of the year.
Click to expand...
I thought Carr was planning to redshirt. Maybe that was just speculation though
 
#35
#35
Col_Cathcart said:
I thought Carr was planning to redshirt. Maybe that was just speculation though
Click to expand...

I can't speak to that. I haven't really followed this off-season news and rumors. All I know is from what I watched of Link Academy games on YouTube, Carr was impressive as a knockdown shooter. I don't see someone as talented as him sitting the year out. I actually see him as a better prospect than Dilone. I think he shines enough to force himself on the court.

His high school teammate, Cade Phillips is the one that needs to redshirt. I'm not real high on him. He will need alot if time to develop as a force inside.
 
#36
#36
vavolfan6 said:
Hard to predict! This upcoming year's team is going to be deep! It may take some time to find the best group that plays well together. But we have a lot of good pieces and depth shouldn't be much of a drop off.

I do think though that some of you are underestimating Cameron Carr. The kid is a pure shooter. He is someone you want on the floor to as he can go off at any moment. I think he implements himself in the lineup as the season goes on and is a key part of the team by the end of the year.
Click to expand...
Carr has nice video clips for sure, but where does he get minutes? Vescovi, Knecht, JJJ (will also play at 4), Mashack, Gainey, Dilione (also will play at PG), potentially even Jefferson some at the 3. Those are 7 guys he is competing against with 80 minutes available at the 2 or 3 spot. Young man has good blood lines as his dad played in the NBA but has alot of veterans in front of him.
 
#37
#37
Col_Cathcart said:
You guys sure Knecht starts over Mashack? I’m admittedly pretty ignorant about Knecht, but Mashack sure looked like he belonged with the starters at the end of last year. Plus I kinda like the idea of inserting his defense into the starting unit where he won’t be asked to carry as much offensive burden
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I think Mashack could be the one of the better all-around players on the team by the end of the season. Schofield, JJJ, and Fulky each had a surge at the end of their junior seasons, and I expect the same from Mashack. If Mashack improves his three-point shot and passing, it's going to be hard not to play him.
 
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#38
#38
Freddie/ ZZ
Santi/ Gainey/ Carr
Knecht/ Mashack/ Jefferson
Ledlum/ JJJ
Aidoo/ Awaka/ JP

Finishing:
ZZ/ Freddie (Depends on how ZZ recovers)
Freddie/ Santi (If Freddie can defend I see Barnes going with him)
Mashack
JJJ
Aidoo
 
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#41
#41
walkenvol said:
Freddie over a 2 time all SEC 5th year senior.
Click to expand...

I'll start with ZZ is not a senior...unless I Rip Van Winkled two years away. 😁
And he is coming off surgery...assuming this is still 2023 and we have no idea how long the actual full recovery will be (including the mental part of trusting the knee).
And ZZ has demonstrated that coming of the bench is a fantastic role for him.
And the coaches do not appear to rush players back on to the floor after an injury (2022-23 JJJ).
Finally, we are just spitball guessing in the off season.
 
#42
#42
walkenvol said:
Freddie over a 2 time all SEC 5th year senior?
Click to expand...


Yes, I'm going with Freddie if he can defend. If Freddie's skills transfer to the college game, Freddie has a more expansive skillset than SV does. Freddie can play at all three levels, he can shoot off the catch or pull, he can create his own shot, he shows the ability to push the ball, and he can facilitate. I've provided the links below that I'm basing my opinion from.

The bigger question mark in my lineup to finish games is SV vs. Mashack or Knecht vs. Mashack. First, I chose JJJ and Mashack over Ledlum and Knecht because I haven't seen any analysis or videos of Ledlum or Knecht playing defense. I tried to pick players that can defend, and teams have to respect on the offensive end. Regarding SV vs. Mashack, I chose Mashack because of his size, versatility, athleticism, and defensive ability. I know Mashack struggles from the free throw line, so I might make Vescovi and Mashack a offense for defense substitution.

Freddie Dilione - NBA Draft Room
Analysis: Why Freddie Dilione is 'a big win' for Tennessee basketball (247sports.com)
Future Tennessee SG Freddie Dilione Adidas Highlights! - YouTube
 
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#43
#43
SN-A-C Orange said:
I'll start with ZZ is not a senior...unless I Rip Van Winkled two years away. 😁
And he is coming off surgery...assuming this is still 2023 and we have no idea how long the actual full recovery will be (including the mental part of trusting the knee).
And ZZ has demonstrated that coming of the bench is a fantastic role for him.
And the coaches do not appear to rush players back on to the floor after an injury (2022-23 JJJ).
Finally, we are just spitball guessing in the off season.
Click to expand...

Santi is the 2x All-SEC 5th year SR. Not ZZ.
 
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#45
#45
ZZ
Santi
Knecht
JJJ
Aidoo

I’m sure JJJ will get hurt like usual. So march lineup

ZZ
Santi
Knecht
Ledlum/Awaka
Aidoo
 
#46
#46
southgatevol said:
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, there is ZERO chance Vescovi doesn't start.
Click to expand...
And finish. He’s been our best player for 2 years. Coaches from opposing teams openly discuss with the media how SV has to be contained to beat UT and they adjust their game plan accordingly. Barnes has total confidence in Vescovi. Barring injury or foul trouble, there’s no way Vescovi doesn’t start and finish games.
 
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#47
#47
Starting 5 for game one:
Freddie
Santi
Knecht
JJJ
Aidoo

That’s assuming ZZ isn’t quite ready for big minutes at that point. If by some chance he is healthy, then he starts at point guard over Freddie.
 
#48
#48
Namorto1 said:
Mostly from clips, but also from watching the entire game Harvard vs Kansas (a game I might add that Harvard was competitive until the final 2 minutes), he can use body well but didn’t use it like a classic back to the basket player. At least not against Kansas who could throw some size at him. Against lessor competition or with anyone of similar size he will likely have his way with. Against Kansas he really liked to get the ball on perimeter, put the ball on the floor and muscle the defender. Or he would pull up with nice midrange. Not a good perimeter shooter from 3 pt line and his numbers bear that out on % but not horrific around as he is around 30%. If he improves that slightly he will be a triple threat offensively. Big strong dude though, who gets fouled and goes to the FT line quite a bit. Needs to improve his % from the FT line too. Barnes will help his game. I’m convinced of that.

I could see him uses as screener in pick and roll a lot. Guy weighs 240 lbs and is thick. If teams switch reverse ball to him and let him bully guards. He may be able to drive past bigs but I bet length will bother him on post. Doubt he will be intimidated though. He is going to have to get used to that in the SEC. Not a pick and pop guy, but he will shoot it if wide open. He played well against Kansas with 17 pts, 9 boards and 2 assists. Had a lot of turnovers (5) but he was primary focus defensively for Kansas and was by far the best player on Harvard’s team. He did not shoot with high FG% (6-18) and settled for way too many 3’s (got a bit impatient), but had 2 sure fire buckets at the rim erased by great blocks by Kansas. He will have a lot more help and weapons around him in our lineup, as will Knecht, as will Vescovi, etc….

When we aren’t shooting the ball well from perimeter and we need someone who can manufacture some points. I think he can do that. He won’t average what he did at Harvard but I bet he will be a consistent double figure scorer. He played 29 games last year and only had 2 when he didn’t get double figures. Had 8 double/doubles (PPG/rebounds). The year prior to that only played in 13 games and only had 1 where he didn’t get into double figures.(had 9 in one game). So he is used to scoring.

I would add, I wasn’t impressed with his defensive effort against Kansas. But there is a reason he came to UT, and he must defend for Barnes. Smart guy and mature so he knows what expectations are with Barnes. He would pair up nicely on frontcourt with Aidoo IMO.
Click to expand...
Im not calling him a banger but i really think he can be a good scrapper. I feel like he can clean up and get put back baskets and score from the line. I think if we get anything resembling around 8 points a game thats a win win with the trade for ON who disappeared so many times.
 
#49
#49
Finishing the games rather than finishing the season? Depends on whether the clock is being bled with a big lead, a small lead is being protected, or if TN is behind. With a small lead the best free throw shooters and ball handlers finish. If behind, the guys that can score a lot of points quickly will play. Rebounders. 3-point shooters. Guys that can push the pace. Guys that can apply a lot of defensive pressure.
 
#50
#50
ndubvols said:
Definitely think we go 10 deep consistently this year with a lot of small ball. Think Ledlum and Gainey are going to be fighting for minutes out of those 10 though, imo.
Click to expand...

Barnes has never, ever done that so I have huge doubts that will happen.
 
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