Some notes/thoughts leaving Puerto Rico...

[bleedingTNorange]

Jarnell has started nicely 14ppg 8rpg, but 50% from the line isn't working. He needs to continue to be aggressive on both ends though. He showed what he is capable of tonight, we need to see that aggressiveness every game.

Trae continues to lead us nicely, 11ppg 4.8apg 1.5topg. A 3:1 assist to turnover and averaging about 5 assists a game, not too shabby. His shooting is down, but that's more reason for him to look to get others involved before pulling up.

Jordan McRae has turned the corner, let's hope. He's providing us with the PERFECT 6th man right now. 24 minutes a game 11pts 47% fg 54% three 83%ft...in contrast we didn't have a guard over 45% from the field last year or over 40% from three last year...let's hope he keeps it up.

Josh Richardson may be the most improved player so far. The defense was always there, but he has now improved his offense and has the confidence to go along with it. 29mpg 9ppg 6rpg 50%fg 33%three.

Skylar is much of the same player last year as far as defensively and his weaknesses, but we expected that. However, his three point shooting to this point looks better and he's shooting at a 45% clip, exactly where it ideally needs to be.

Kenny has shown improvements offensively, but his laziness and dumb plays continue. That's the main reason why he saw 16 minutes tonight to Q's 23 minutes. Speaking of Q, he's bringing about what we expected, great effort and D at all times. Dmontre has been somewhat of a disappointment to this point but I'm not convinced we've heard the last from him. Yemi looks about the same, look forward to seeing him in another year or two in a bigger role. Armani has potential, and as I said at the time I think was a good find by Martin. He is great driving the lane and is very smooth. If he can improve the ball handling and his perimeter shot the future looks bright for him.

Bottomline, this team obviously needs Maymon to reach its potential. Without him they're a borderline NCAA team and will have their lapses. With Maymon, IMO they're a top 20 and sweet 16 team.

 

[zjcvols]

I still like this team. A lot.

They are young as hell.

They will get better. Love the McRae/Richardson improvements.

 

[calban]

Don't know if you caught it but they said Maymon would be back by the end of this month.
I assume that means back to practicing.

 

[SJAVol32]

Don't know if you caught it but they said Maymon would be back by the end of this month.
I assume that means back to practicing.

That makes me feel at ease. Hope this is true. Changes some things for this team.

 

[WallyBalls]

Twice, late in the game, I saw us get deep in the shot clock and drive to the rim rather than settle for a poor 3 attempt.

Might be quite a small thing, but something I liked.

 

[omghulkhands]

I told you guys about Richardson, I have to toot my own horn on that one. He had all the vital skills you can't teach like effort and he played sound defense as a freshman which is rare. All he needed was to improve his offense an in turn improve that would improve his confidence....it has.

Richardson played a ton of ball over the spring and summer and the improvements are clear. Richardson will still have games this year where he disappears so expect that, but expect some 17-19 point games from him this year too.

 

[omghulkhands]

I should mention McRae looks better and makes fewer bad decisions. Kenny sadly is still Kenny, he has always showed flashes just like he has this year and then boom he sucks again, it is just what he is.

 

[SJAVol32]

You think that there is a chance that McRae replaces McBee at the 2? I don't have a problem with McBee being there well sometimes, but McRae keeps it up I think you have to consider it. He brings a spark off the bench, but if he could do that from the start and give us a lead that would be great I think.

 

[VolGee4]

I didn't get a chance to see much of the game- just last 6-7 minutes. I also didn't see us against OSU but several observations from me. First, I live Ruchardson's aggressiveness and new offensive game. Doesn't even look like same player. We all know McRae can be a variable. If he plays well and shoots well, then this team is lethal. Two concerns that I still see from last year are guard foot speed on defense and ball handling. I really think our team is susceptible to full court pressure. Trae is solid but just not someone who can always get out of pressure. McBee is not any better and picks up his dribble. We certainly need Maymon back to help Jarnell.

 

[MphsBlues]

I told you guys about Richardson, I have to toot my own horn on that one. He had all the vital skills you can't teach like effort and he played sound defense as a freshman which is rare. All he needed was to improve his offense an in turn improve that would improve his confidence....it has.

Richardson played a ton of ball over the spring and summer and the improvements are clear. Richardson will still have games this year where he disappears so expect that, but expect some 17-19 point games from him this year too.

Good call. :good!:

 

[cncchris33]

You think that there is a chance that McRae replaces McBee at the 2? I don't have a problem with McBee being there well sometimes, but McRae keeps it up I think you have to consider it. He brings a spark off the bench, but if he could do that from the start and give us a lead that would be great I think.

He might, but he shouldn't. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Jordan off the bench as 6th Man is working right now. It was my stance preseason as well that he amd the team were better served with his energy and talents off the bench. Plus, Skylar is not hurting you by being in the starting lineup. He is doing his job. No reason to change right now.

 

[Chris4Vols22]

I agree about Edwards. I will be surprised if he rides the pine all season like he did today.

 

[SJAVol32]

He might, but he shouldn't. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Jordan off the bench as 6th Man is working right now. It was my stance preseason as well that he amd the team were better served with his energy and talents off the bench. Plus, Skylar is not hurting you by being in the starting lineup. He is doing his job. No reason to change right now.

And I agree. Skylar is doing his job for the most part. Plus CCM has no problem pulling somebody if he's not doing his job. McRae is finding his spot and that could be a boost for him. I remember being a sixth man on a team it is something you feel like you want to hold on too at time.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Given the current play I don't see a McRae for Mcbee switch. If you do that you're faced with a Moore, Mcbee, Richardson, Q group at times that would really struggle to find their own shot. With McRae coming off the bench, he has a little more freedom on his shot selection I think than if he were to be a starter.

Jmo

 

[SCowlsVOL]

Given the current play I don't see a McRae for Mcbee switch. If you do that you're faced with a Moore, Mcbee, Richardson, Q group at times that would really struggle to find their own shot. With McRae coming off the bench, he has a little more freedom on his shot selection I think than if he were to be a starter.

Jmo

I have a question. Is Oakland suppose to be a good team??

 

[stephenk24]

I really like our team. Seen two games so far, the UNC and UMass games and we have looked decent. Stokes is just so fun to watch, his rebounding skills are amazing considering his age, he has so much game. He reads plays so well. Golden is playing good too, his passing seems better to me this year and he isn't driving to the basket and missing layups as often as last season. IMO. Should be a good year. I hope we make the tourney!

 

[MemphisCanes]

UMass is a very underrated team and a nice win for UT. I like how the Vols were able to put them away at the end of the game, instead of keeping the 3-7 point lead that had sort of lingered all game. Stokes was an absolute animal and McRae is turning into a nice scoring threat, both slashing to the basket and shooting the 3.

The biggest difference I saw between the OSU and UMass games were the ability of opposing post men to body up Jarnell Stokes. He embarassed the center for UMass when he got the ball against a man defense. I didn't see the OSU game, but it sounds to me like Stokes was stiffled. At risk of stating the obvious, UT will have a much easier time against teams inexperienced/slim post defenders, as right now the offense begins and ends with Stokes.

 

[MphsBlues]

UMass is a very underrated team and a nice win for UT. I like how the Vols were able to put them away at the end of the game, instead of keeping the 3-7 point lead that had sort of lingered all game. Stokes was an absolute animal and McRae is turning into a nice scoring threat, both slashing to the basket and shooting the 3.

The biggest difference I saw between the OSU and UMass games were the ability of opposing post men to body up Jarnell Stokes. He embarassed the center for UMass when he got the ball against a man defense. I didn't see the OSU game, but it sounds to me like Stokes was stiffled. At risk of stating the obvious, UT will have a much easier time against teams inexperienced/slim post defenders, as right now the offense begins and ends with Stokes.

We did have five players in double digits. We will lean on other players to be scoring leaders at times, as well. Jarnell will continue to be the focus, but if he doesn't produce, we have others to fill the role, I think.

 

[FleeceItOut]

IMO the Richardson improvement is greatest of all. Last year he was looked at as a defensive specialist with minimal offensive skills, and this year the D is still there (obviously) and his offensive game is 300% better. It honestly blows my mind how much he has improved. Gets me excited about the coaching.

 

[MemphisCanes]

We did have five players in double digits. We will lean on other players to be scoring leaders at times, as well. Jarnell will continue to be the focus, but if he doesn't produce, we have others to fill the role, I think.

I wasn't trying to imply that there weren't any other scorers. But right now, if Jarnell isn't on the floor or isn't able to be effective on offense you'll get more games like the OSU game.

 

[MphsBlues]

I wasn't trying to imply that there weren't any other scorers. But right now, if Jarnell isn't on the floor or isn't able to be effective on offense you'll get more games like the OSU game.

We are eagerly anticipating Maymon's return, which will temper the damage that Jarnell's absence, or off-shooting nights from the floor will bring in coming weeks. I sure hope he returns before SEC play.

 

[SWFLvol33]

Could we have done better in this tourney? Yes, but i'll take being 3-1 w/o Maymon.
Does anyone think we could've beaten NCST?

 

[SJAVol32]

Could we have done better in this tourney? Yes, but i'll take being 3-1 w/o Maymon.
Does anyone think we could've beaten NCST?

Can't really speculate. NCState had an off night and OKState was still rolling from the win over us. I think we could give them a good game but you just never know.

 

[cncchris33]

Can't really speculate. NCState had an off night and OKState was still rolling from the win over us. I think we could give them a good game but you just never know.

OSU is the kind of team we will struggle with this season. Teams with athletic guards who are a threat to shoot AND drive will give us fits because our perimeter defenders on the whole aren't athletic enough to neutralize both.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

UMass is a very underrated team and a nice win for UT. I like how the Vols were able to put them away at the end of the game, instead of keeping the 3-7 point lead that had sort of lingered all game. Stokes was an absolute animal and McRae is turning into a nice scoring threat, both slashing to the basket and shooting the 3.

The biggest difference I saw between the OSU and UMass games were the ability of opposing post men to body up Jarnell Stokes. He embarassed the center for UMass when he got the ball against a man defense. I didn't see the OSU game, but it sounds to me like Stokes was stiffled. At risk of stating the obvious, UT will have a much easier time against teams inexperienced/slim post defenders, as right now the offense begins and ends with Stokes.

There was some added incentive for the their ex Tennessee center. He is a very BIG Strong Man. I don't think we will play another center that big with the same incentive. Stokes will be fine and be prepared if we play them again.