Team News (current roster)

#651
#651
Santiago Speaks! Around the 11:15 mark he is asked about Victor Bailey and immediately his eyes light up. He describes him as a "game changer" and IMO I think he is our secret weapon this year.

 
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#655
#655
volfaninpa said:
My bad on the math. How about putting it this way? I hope Barnes doesn't play such a short bench that it hurts in the postseason as I really believe this team could make as deep or a deeper run than any team before them.
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More championships have been won by teams playing just 7 or 8 than those playing 9 & 10. I'm hoping that we play 9-11 a bunch this year but only if it's because we have big leads and it allows rest to our main 7 and that's the way I suspect Barnes will play it. Tight close games I think our rotation will shrink to no more than 8. Coaches use subs more as motivation tactics than they do strategic as all game plans in all sports are based off your starting group. 6th and 7th men are just as important as starting 5, after that not so much in basketball. It's great to be 11 or 12 deep but doesn't matter much unless your last 5 are as good as your 1st 7 which is very seldom the case.
 
#656
#656
PulaskiVolFan said:
More championships have been won by teams playing just 7 or 8 than those playing 9 & 10. I'm hoping that we play 9-11 a bunch this year but only if it's because we have big leads and it allows rest to our main 7 and that's the way I suspect Barnes will play it. Tight close games I think our rotation will shrink to no more than 8. Coaches use subs more as motivation tactics than they do strategic as all game plans in all sports are based off your starting group. 6th and 7th men are just as important as starting 5, after that not so much in basketball. It's great to be 11 or 12 deep but doesn't matter much unless your last 5 are as good as your 1st 7 which is very seldom the case.
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No disagreement here. Only saying that Barnes has often times played his best 5, 6, or 7 during times where other guys could get some PT that could help down the road and prevent other guys from wearing down 25 games into the year.
 
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#657
#657
PulaskiVolFan said:
More championships have been won by teams playing just 7 or 8 than those playing 9 & 10. I'm hoping that we play 9-11 a bunch this year but only if it's because we have big leads and it allows rest to our main 7 and that's the way I suspect Barnes will play it. Tight close games I think our rotation will shrink to no more than 8. Coaches use subs more as motivation tactics than they do strategic as all game plans in all sports are based off your starting group. 6th and 7th men are just as important as starting 5, after that not so much in basketball. It's great to be 11 or 12 deep but doesn't matter much unless your last 5 are as good as your 1st 7 which is very seldom the case.
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This might sound completely crazy but our biggest weakness might be having too many good players. I think that we will play so many combinations that chemistry will suffer.
 
#658
#658
ColinS said:
This might sound completely crazy but our biggest weakness might be having too many good players. I think that we will play so many combinations that chemistry will suffer.
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I hope you’re kidding haha. It is ok to have a whole lot of good players you know..i understand it’s unfamiliar feeling for us Vol fans 😉
 
#659
#659
ColinS said:
This might sound completely crazy but our biggest weakness might be having too many good players. I think that we will play so many combinations that chemistry will suffer.
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Iron sharpens iron, it's impossible to have too many good players I feel. Barnes has a good history of teams having good chemistry. Team leadership will play the biggest role in our team chemistry. I predict that this will be the "hardest" playing team we've had in a long time.
 
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#660
#660
PulaskiVolFan said:
Iron sharpens iron, it's impossible to have too many good players I feel. Barnes has a good history of teams having good chemistry. Team leadership will play the biggest role in our team chemistry. I predict that this will be the "hardest" playing team we've had in a long time.
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I feel like the team 3 years ago with junior schofield and sophomore grant and bone etc was the hardest working bunch I’ve ever witnessed, they weren’t there yet skill wise but their effort largely made that season. If this team even comes close to their kind of work ethic and effort with the talent they have, watch out.
 
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#663
#663
ColinS said:
This might sound completely crazy but our biggest weakness might be having too many good players. I think that we will play so many combinations that chemistry will suffer.
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I do think the chemistry factor may come into play more this year without as much of an out of conference slate. I’m not sure how the schedule is shaping up, but missing those lower level teams may make it harder to experiment and hone in on some rotations. Hopefully we can get it ironed out before league play.

Plus it helps that no matter the lineup, there should be plenty of talent on the floor.
 
#664
#664
ndubvols said:
I do think the chemistry factor may come into play more this year without as much of an out of conference slate. I’m not sure how the schedule is shaping up, but missing those lower level teams may make it harder to experiment and hone in on some rotations. Hopefully we can get it ironed out before league play.

Plus it helps that no matter the lineup, there should be plenty of talent on the floor.
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If we can secure the defensive glass and push tempo, it may lead to more unforced turnovers, but if you take the best first shot available and attack the glass before the half court defense is set, I don’t think we will have to worry about chemistry.

Fulkerson is faster than anyone who will check him. Pons...likewise. Keon Johnson is a freak athlete. Springer is simply a scorer who can hit mid-range shots and is strong to the rim. Vescovi and Bailey are different players (one has moxie while the other is a great athlete) but both may be high level perimeter shooters following on a secondary break when the defensive rotation hasn’t been established. And James is the type of player who can secure the glass himself, push tempo as primary ball handler and facilitate. If he can complement his decent perimeter shooting and use his size and strength and go to the rim (which he rarely did last year) on a break more often, I think he can get to the FT line a lot. I’m expecting both Keon and Springer getting to the line often based on how they play. Anosike can be physical on the boards and isn’t shy about shooting a 3 trailing the break either. I really like the make-up of this team.
 
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#669
#669
VFL49er said:
I've got a feeling Anosike is going to be a fan favorite, particularly if he sticks around for two years
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I'd agree. Anyone whose game is predicated on effort and hard work will become a fan favorite because of the effort they give. It's partly why Admiral and Grant, in addition to their talent, were so beloved. As talented as they both became, they both outworked their talent.
 
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#671
#671
Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer continue to draw rave reviews, it sounds like Santiago Vescovi is still turning heads with the offseason improvement he’s made and Josiah James, kind of a forgotten man, has looked much better as well.
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There are going to be some talented guys like Victor Bailey and an improved Olivier Nkamhoua or Devonte Gaines, who may have trouble getting regular minutes for this team, which is obviously a good problem to have if your Barnes.
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-VQ
 
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#672
#672
MoB_MoVols said:
-VQ
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Sounding/looking more and more likely that Vescovi, Keon, Springer, Fulk, James and Pons will be the minute leaders, imo. Anosike and Bailey, first off the bench, once again, imo, with both playing, close to 15 minutes, each. That will be the main rotation with Olivier, Walker, Gaines and Plavsic fighting for leftover minutes, with one, maybe 2 of those kids having a chance to, at least, play their way into the 9/10 man rotation. If Rick extends his usual 7/8 man rotation, this year, like I think he should with all this depth and talent. I haven't forgotten about Pember, I think he can play. I just think Pember's time will come when he is an upperclassmen, but u never know. I really would like to see 10 kids average 8+ minutes a game, this year.
 
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#673
#673
The Dog said:
Sounding/looking more and more likely that Vescovi, Keon, Springer, Fulk, James and Pons will be the minute leaders, imo. Anosike and Bailey, first off the bench, once again, imo, with both playing, close to 15 minutes, each. That will be the main rotation with Olivier, Walker, Gaines and Plavsic fighting for leftover minutes, with one, maybe 2 of those kids having a chance to, at least, play their way into the 9/10 man rotation. If Rick extends his usual 7/8 man rotation, this year, like I think he should with all this depth and talent. I haven't forgotten about Pember, I think he can play. I just think Pember's time will come when he is an upperclassmen, but u never know. I really would like to see 10 kids average 8+ minutes a game, this year.
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Main way I see us going beyond 8 regular rotation would be if we are truly pressuring near full court and really pushing our defensive mindset. And then, only if there are 8+ guys who can really contribute in that way.
 
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