Rucker: Lack of Plan B big concern for Vols

[kamoshika]

December is the time to figure things out before you get to March, but Tennessee’s wildly inconsistent offense on these big stages has become a cause for major concern. Why is that the case? I don’t have the answer. But I’m not the one who needs the answer. Barnes and his staff and his players are the ones who need the answer.

Tennessee was 5-of-28 from three against Villanova, and it was 6-of-40 from three against Texas Tech. Two games totaling 11-of-68 — less than 17 percent — from behind the arc. [UT] also pulled down just 22 combined offensive rebounds in those two games. Do those seem like the kind of numbers you’d see from a team with a Plan B?

After Tuesday’s loss, Tennessee is ranked No. 1 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. Number One. Numero Uno. The best. That’s a hell of a sturdy platform for postseason success. As sturdy as it gets, statistically speaking. But it won’t matter if this team doesn’t find alternative plans on offense. And it definitely won’t matter if this team continues to seem tight offensively on big stages.
Rucker: Lack of Plan B big concern for No. 13 Vols

 

[Col_Cathcart]

I think we might just not matchup well against highly switchable teams with a lot of athleticism and experience on defense like TTU and Nova. Maybe we’ll figure out how to handle it going forward. If not, we’ll just have to hope we avoid playing teams like that early in the tournament.

 

[JohnnyJava]

I think we might just not matchup well against highly switchable teams with a lot of athleticism and experience on defense like TTU and Nova. Maybe we’ll figure out how to handle it going forward. If not, we’ll just have to hope we avoid playing teams like that early in the tournament.

I'm not sure I agree with that. Most of our 3 point looks in these two games were not highly contested shots. They were good, open looks set up with good ball movement. We just couldn't make them.

 

[esarmstrong]

The mid range shot is not even an option for this team. Hell, it wasn't an option for Texas Tech. One either takes a 3 or tries a layup/dunk. The three-point shot has ruined basketball.

 

[CAVPUT]

The mid range shot is not even an option for this team. Hell, it wasn't an option for Texas Tech. One either takes a 3 or tries a layup/dunk. The three-point shot has ruined basketball.

Shots from 10-15' are as rare as hens teeth in the game today. Having said that, I see potential. Let Fulky get his game legs back and convince JJJ to make his game midrange instead of going for the 3 ball. Then the real key to an inside game, our defense in the paint and a more balanced offense....Mr. Hatfield. Somehow, someway Barnes and this staff need to find a way to reach the kid. Locking him out and planting him on the bench doesn't seem to be working. They need to involve and encourage him. Some kids take to being coached hard while others don't. Great coaches recognize that and they can take a different approach. Hatfield is the key to unlocking this years teams full potential. Hope Barnes can push the right buttons with him.

 

[volfan4lyfe]

I think we might just not matchup well against highly switchable teams with a lot of athleticism and experience on defense like TTU and Nova. Maybe we’ll figure out how to handle it going forward. If not, we’ll just have to hope we avoid playing teams like that early in the tournament.

Feel like quicker (and more effective) ball movement is the only way to play these teams. Seemed like we tried to let Chandler, Zeigler, and Vescovi try to move the ball with more dribbling than quick passing. Even then, we got PLENTY of open shots against Texas Tech, so I can't really fault Barnes's game plan. We got the open shots we needed to win.

Syracuse and Villanova had poor shooting games after us, so I can only imagine there's something funky going on with the rims/goals.

 

[VolPack22]

The one thing we can hang our hat on is defense. That is one thing that should stay consistent throughout the season. The offense will get better once Barnes figures out his set lineup. It seems like he is still trying to experiment and see who his best starting 5 is. Hopefully he starts ZZ alongside Chandler going forward because those are the best players on the team that can penetrate from the offensive side of the ball.

 

[1985Vols]

For all of those that continue to give me a hard time for stating Barnes is one of the highest paid coaches in the country but is not delivering highest paid coaching results, Here’s a statement that Rucker makes in his article:
“Tennessee wants to be a Final Four-caliber program, and Barnes is paid Final Four-caliber money, so things must be viewed through that lens. If you want to be a Final Four team, you have to beat a team like Texas Tech in the second round, and you have to beat a team like Villanova in the Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight.”

 

[OrngeJuiceJones]

For all of those that continue to give me a hard time for stating Barnes is one of the highest paid coaches in the country but is not delivering highest paid coaches results, Here’s a statement that Rucker makes in his article:
“Tennessee wants to be a Final Four-caliber program, and Barnes is paid Final Four-caliber money, so things must be viewed through that lens. If you want to be a Final Four team, you have to beat a team like Texas Tech in the second round, and you have to beat a team like Villanova in the Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight.”

Good thing last night wasn't the ncaa tournament, it was December, and 30 wide open shots didnt go in. They were good looks.

 

[VolGee4]

For all of those that continue to give me a hard time for stating Barnes is one of the highest paid coaches in the country but is not delivering highest paid coaches results, Here’s a statement that Rucker makes in his article:
“Tennessee wants to be a Final Four-caliber program, and Barnes is paid Final Four-caliber money, so things must be viewed through that lens. If you want to be a Final Four team, you have to beat a team like Texas Tech in the second round, and you have to beat a team like Villanova in the Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight.”

Well, if Rucker says it..........

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

How much does Rucker get paid?

 

[cardvolfan]

The one thing we can hang our hat on is defense. That is one thing that should stay consistent throughout the season. The offense will get better once Barnes figures out his set lineup. It seems like he is still trying to experiment and see who his best starting 5 is. Hopefully he starts ZZ alongside Chandler going forward because those are the best players on the team that can penetrate from the offensive side of the ball.

Honestly, I was afraid this team would be less good defensively. Not so. If we can get the proper rotations, this team can be a beast in February and March.

 

[screenthis]

I have to agree with this. Apparently, the players were told during the game to keep chucking up the threes. A great team realizes the '3s' aren't falling and switches to drives to the basket. Of course, they were even missing the free throws. I honestly thought we were past this inconsistency with a top-notch point guard running the show. Maybe he just needs more time being a freshman and all.

 

[cardvolfan]

I have to agree with this. Apparently, the players were told during the game to keep chucking up the threes. A great team realizes the '3s' aren't falling and switches to drives to the basket. Of course, they were even missing the free throws. I honestly thought we were past this inconsistency with a top-notch point guard running the show. Maybe he just needs more time being a freshman and all.

First, they weren’t told to keep “chucking up the 3’s.” Secondly, they had next to zero success driving to the basket. Options were limited, but continue on with your ridiculous narrative.

 

[screenthis]

First, they weren’t told to keep “chucking up the 3’s.” Secondly, they had next to zero success driving to the basket. Options were limited, but continue on with your ridiculous narrative.

"We had some looks tonight but just couldn’t get one to go down. We just kept encouraging our guys to keep taking their shots. "

OK Skippy.

 

[cardvolfan]

"We had some looks tonight but just couldn’t get one to go down. We just kept encouraging our guys to keep taking their shots. "

OK Skippy.

“Chucking up the threes” is what you said, which is a denigrating way of saying you’re stupid. “Encouraging our guys to keep taking their shots” is what Barnes said. That’s the way it should be said. I am not surprised you wouldn’t understand this.

 

[DC_Vol]

I have to agree with this. Apparently, the players were told during the game to keep chucking up the threes. A great team realizes the '3s' aren't falling and switches to drives to the basket. Of course, they were even missing the free throws. I honestly thought we were past this inconsistency with a top-notch point guard running the show. Maybe he just needs more time being a freshman and all.

And dunks.

 

[Volfan1000]

Huntley-Hatfield can be that dominant Shaquille O' Neal prescence if he listens to the coaching staff and develops consistentcy on a nightly basis.

 

[orangemadam]

Nothing wrong with throwing up the 3's because we couldn't even hit layups either. 8 for 24 on layups.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Nothing wrong with throwing up the 3's because we couldn't even hit layups either. 8 for 24 on layups.

At least that's 25%.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

At least that's 25%.

math is hard

 

[The Dog]

At least that's 25%.

33%

 

[lostsheep]

Huntley-Hatfield can be that dominant Shaquille O' Neal prescence if he listens to the coaching staff and develops consistentcy on a nightly basis.

So I agree the kid has talent, but he'll never have the impact Shaq did on a game.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I think Rucker's take is correct. Last night's game should be a wake up call for Barnes. He needs to descide whether he can tolerate the losses that will come from such inconsistent perimeter shooting and free throw shooting, or he can try to design an alternative offense that will rely less on the 3 point shot and take his chances with that when the 3's aren't falling. When you look at the stats, Zeigler, James, and Bailey are the poorest 3 point shooters, especially James. Maybe they should be encpouraged to drive the more more and shoot it less. Vescovi has taken twice as many as anyone else, and his average is 36% - not bad - about what he did last year.. ON has the best accuracy, 60%, on limited sample size. Perhaps he should be taking more and some others take less. I don't see the upside with ON playing inside. Maybe he and JJJ should switch positions.

I also agree that an alternative to this offense should be one which has a dominant post player. But we don't have one of those. Fulky is a nice player inside, but he is skinny and gets pushed around. Last night he had a shot blocked right at the rim. He would be great if he was in tandem with a dominant big. Uros is not gonna be the guy. BHH must be cultivated to be that guy. There's no one else.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

math is hard

So is getting older!.