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It's the offseason. The roster is set for the 2013-2014. Right now, we are just waiting for the schedule to get set and summer workouts to get going 100% of the way. As my favorite rapper Ab-Soul says, let's go on a tangent of random **** about this season and some thoughts on what has transpired.
1. It's interesting that we replace Trae Golden and his crazy departure with someone who is the polar opposite of him with Antonio Barton. I'd say considering the situation, the pickup of Barton was a great one. He's not going to provide the offensive pop that Golden did, but his defense will be twice what Golden was and that will help more than anything since the D was average last year. Also, Golden was a streaky shooter and Barton is a career 40% from deep. This will clear up space for Stokes and Maymon.
2. Speaking of Maymon, he's not yet 100% but hopes to be by August. I doubt he will see a 100% Maymon, but what UT needs from him his is rebounding and playmaking. McRae/Stokes/Hubbs will provide enough scoring to where Maymon won't have to play 30-35 minutes a night like he did in 2011-2012. If he can give you 20-25 minutes a night, you take it.
3. In terms of depth chart, the most important thing for UT is to find someone at the 4. Hubbs/Thompson/Moore will take the 1-3 spots. and Pops Ndiaye will get 10 minutes a game at the 5. So will Reese, Davis, or Chievous get the 4 spot? Reese provides shooting, Q provides defense and rebounding, and Davis provides length and athleticism. Q really came on late in the year, but I think Davis has a chance with his 6'8 frame and athleticism to really grab that spot and get 15 minutes a game.
4. Martin is going to have tons of defensive length on the perimeter. Barton is the shortest at 6'2, but has long arms. But look at the guards and every report on them is "long arms". I've been disappointed in the lack of forced turnovers since Coach Martin took over. I expect more gambles and playing hard in the passing lanes, which would lead to easier baskets and UT can use their guard athleticism (which they finally have) to push the pace.
5. Speaking of which, they need to run more and that is pretty obvious. You don't have to change your overall philosophy to get fastbreak points. With Hubbs/McRae/Richardson/Moore and the athletic 4's UT will have, you have to push the pace.
6. If you are looking for a breakout player, Armani Moore is going to take a leap. He's going to play and get minutes. He's a great energy guy and somebody who knows how to finish with his length and strength. I'm really interested to see how he develops and he is big enough at 6'5/205 to play some small ball four. He needs to work on that jumper to help stretch the D, but he's going to be a big time player in 2014-2015 season.
7. UT has so much guard depth this season and I'm curious to see how Martin is going to play it. McRae/Richardson both averaged around 30 minutes last year and you know Barton is going to get 25-30 minutes. But with Hubbs/Moore/Thompson (all three being capable SEC players) UT is going to have a lot of options. Will McRae play backup point to give Hubbs 20 minutes? Will Moore take over the backup 3 & 4 spot? How advanced his Thompson and can he play the 1 if Barton gets hurt? I'll be interested to read the reports come August/September.
8. I still am not convinced Pops Ndiaye is going to be the answer, but he's going to have to be because UT doesn't have anyone else at the center spot at his current moment. Stokes has a tendency to get in foul trouble and since it doesn't seem like Maymon will ever be 100% again, you can't run him for 35 minutes in a game. Can Pops play 15 minutes effectively (something that Yemi could not do) and give UT solid minutes? That's going to be the question. He's more athletic than Yemi, but he can give UT a shot blocker?
9. I think Stokes is going to have a 16/10 year. In SEC play, he averaged about 14/11 and really took over games at stretches. He got doubled team and if Maymon returns, Jarnell is going to get easier buckets. I would love to see him get some transition buckets this year and I really think he can have an All-American type year. I'd love Jarnell to get some more time in the high post so he can show his passing ability.
10. Last season was last season. UT is going to have a good year if they are healthy and make the tourney. The question is...what's the ceiling? I'd say pretty high. Barton just has to be steady and I think he can. UT's wings are talented, athletic, and experienced. UT will have more scoring options and the addition of Barton on defense will mean immense improvement. I'm already excited for November and counting down the days. We got about 150 to go.
Go Vols!!!!! :hi:
1. It's interesting that we replace Trae Golden and his crazy departure with someone who is the polar opposite of him with Antonio Barton. I'd say considering the situation, the pickup of Barton was a great one. He's not going to provide the offensive pop that Golden did, but his defense will be twice what Golden was and that will help more than anything since the D was average last year. Also, Golden was a streaky shooter and Barton is a career 40% from deep. This will clear up space for Stokes and Maymon.
2. Speaking of Maymon, he's not yet 100% but hopes to be by August. I doubt he will see a 100% Maymon, but what UT needs from him his is rebounding and playmaking. McRae/Stokes/Hubbs will provide enough scoring to where Maymon won't have to play 30-35 minutes a night like he did in 2011-2012. If he can give you 20-25 minutes a night, you take it.
3. In terms of depth chart, the most important thing for UT is to find someone at the 4. Hubbs/Thompson/Moore will take the 1-3 spots. and Pops Ndiaye will get 10 minutes a game at the 5. So will Reese, Davis, or Chievous get the 4 spot? Reese provides shooting, Q provides defense and rebounding, and Davis provides length and athleticism. Q really came on late in the year, but I think Davis has a chance with his 6'8 frame and athleticism to really grab that spot and get 15 minutes a game.
4. Martin is going to have tons of defensive length on the perimeter. Barton is the shortest at 6'2, but has long arms. But look at the guards and every report on them is "long arms". I've been disappointed in the lack of forced turnovers since Coach Martin took over. I expect more gambles and playing hard in the passing lanes, which would lead to easier baskets and UT can use their guard athleticism (which they finally have) to push the pace.
5. Speaking of which, they need to run more and that is pretty obvious. You don't have to change your overall philosophy to get fastbreak points. With Hubbs/McRae/Richardson/Moore and the athletic 4's UT will have, you have to push the pace.
6. If you are looking for a breakout player, Armani Moore is going to take a leap. He's going to play and get minutes. He's a great energy guy and somebody who knows how to finish with his length and strength. I'm really interested to see how he develops and he is big enough at 6'5/205 to play some small ball four. He needs to work on that jumper to help stretch the D, but he's going to be a big time player in 2014-2015 season.
7. UT has so much guard depth this season and I'm curious to see how Martin is going to play it. McRae/Richardson both averaged around 30 minutes last year and you know Barton is going to get 25-30 minutes. But with Hubbs/Moore/Thompson (all three being capable SEC players) UT is going to have a lot of options. Will McRae play backup point to give Hubbs 20 minutes? Will Moore take over the backup 3 & 4 spot? How advanced his Thompson and can he play the 1 if Barton gets hurt? I'll be interested to read the reports come August/September.
8. I still am not convinced Pops Ndiaye is going to be the answer, but he's going to have to be because UT doesn't have anyone else at the center spot at his current moment. Stokes has a tendency to get in foul trouble and since it doesn't seem like Maymon will ever be 100% again, you can't run him for 35 minutes in a game. Can Pops play 15 minutes effectively (something that Yemi could not do) and give UT solid minutes? That's going to be the question. He's more athletic than Yemi, but he can give UT a shot blocker?
9. I think Stokes is going to have a 16/10 year. In SEC play, he averaged about 14/11 and really took over games at stretches. He got doubled team and if Maymon returns, Jarnell is going to get easier buckets. I would love to see him get some transition buckets this year and I really think he can have an All-American type year. I'd love Jarnell to get some more time in the high post so he can show his passing ability.
10. Last season was last season. UT is going to have a good year if they are healthy and make the tourney. The question is...what's the ceiling? I'd say pretty high. Barton just has to be steady and I think he can. UT's wings are talented, athletic, and experienced. UT will have more scoring options and the addition of Barton on defense will mean immense improvement. I'm already excited for November and counting down the days. We got about 150 to go.
Go Vols!!!!! :hi:
