For Tennessee it’s pretty strong, last years was pretty good as well, but I was talking CBB wide. There’s been many more talented 1-10 teams across the nation and they’ve pretty much all proven that playing your best 7-8 guys come March is the move. There is a difference between 1 & 10, a fairly large one actually if you look at any sort or analytical site.
They’ve played this year, and there’s plenty of departure next year, I’m not simply playing guys because I hope they stick around. Neither strike me as a guy that would take not playing late as a reason to leave, definitely not Awaka who’s just a freshman and Barnes has admitted they didn’t think would be playing this much early. As for Mashack, he is a very good defender, but here’s the thing, Zeigler and Santi are actually considered better defenders and their offense is light years better…so where in other years Mashack being an offensive liability could be overlooked due to his defense, right now he’s on a team with just as good of defenders.
Barnes has been to the NCAA Tournament 26 times. It’s no disgrace to lose in the tournament; nearly everyone does every year. But only once — in 2006, as a No. 6 seed in the second round — has Barnes beaten a higher-seeded team. Only once has he gone to the final four. 1/26 = 4%Well it worked for him when he made a final four at Texas
To me, from what I saw last night, we were able to revert to a different plan when the initial small ball wasn’t working. Then we were able to mix and match the rest of the way. Looking at the boxscore, everyone contributed in a fairly equal way. We stayed fresh and played hard. Barnes said on his show he liked the depth and contributors would continue to play. It looks pretty clear to me that he’s more than likely proceeding with a deeper rotation. I like it, although it might change game-to-game.
It’s possible, I just think it’s very unlikely as that doesn’t seem to be the case for really any other team. It would seem much more like an anomaly but who knows…there’s a clear difference in our top and bottom of rotation with analytics, I typically am of the mindset to play your best players as much as possible matchup dependent when it comes to March, but if others disagree that’s ok.
I think Awaka & Mashack need to stay locked in and Barnes knows that, I do think the rotation will shorten down the stretch in tight games but those guys are different so both could still see roles in certain situations. A game against a big team where we’ve got some foul trouble I could see Awaka being needed, on the flip side a game where heaven forbid Zeigler & Santi both pick up 2 then Mashack will be called upon most likely.
With Mashack, his minutes may depend moreso on the opponent. If he comes in the first half against Texas and handcuffs Carr to any extent then he may earn more minutes in 2nd half. Now if he gets used than don’t expect him to see him in the 2nd half. I like him though and think 10 minutes per game now that JJJ is back would be fine. He more than anyone has lost minutes due to James return.
