Tennessee opens as 5.5 point favorite over Florida Atlantic

#51
#51
RossVol said:
I wouldn't be shocked they're 34-3. This matchup could become a nightmare for us if we don't bring our A game.
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This game will be a nail biter. Anyone thinking we’re going to waltz in and beat them handily is in for a rude awakening - and you’re only saying that because their jerseys say FAU on the front.
 
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#52
#52
CAVPUT said:
Gotta be honest. When our fans start crowing and feeling a bit smug, I worry the team might be feelin' a bit fat and sassy as well. Don't like that with a team like FAU looming. If it were a blue blood or bama, I know this team would show up ready to play. Will FAU get their attention? Who will show up and who will disappear? This team just does not function as well from the front of the pack. We need to be disrespected and written off. Hoping for the best here.
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Spot on. Most legitimate take I’ve seen here. This will be a very close game.
 
#53
#53
CAVPUT said:
Gotta be honest. When our fans start crowing and feeling a bit smug, I worry the team might be feelin' a bit fat and sassy as well. Don't like that with a team like FAU looming. If it were a blue blood or bama, I know this team would show up ready to play. Will FAU get their attention? Who will show up and who will disappear? This team just does not function as well from the front of the pack. We need to be disrespected and written off. Hoping for the best here.
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The only one I see with a smug grin on their face is Barnes. He knows something that he is not talking about and evidently it is good. Realistically, he usually addresses these other takes in a more solemn manner, but something has got him going with the flow with that small grin.
 
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#54
#54
Sudden Impact said:
The only one I see with a smug grin on their face is Barnes. He knows something that he is not talking about and evidently it is good. Realistically, he usually addresses these other takes in a more solemn manner, but something has got him going with the flow with that small grin.
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He does seem like a Cheshire cat these days. My first guess is that he's like a pig in slop with the refs letting his team play Barnes ball defense. Will the refs flip the switch on him or let us go one more game against FAU before flipping it against Michigan State? And yes, if we beat FAU, the basketball gods will most certainly put MSU right smack in front of us. Just has to be them. Or he might just be feeling like he's playing with house money to be in the sweet 16 without ZZ combined with the fact that his bracket just opened wide up for him? Golden opportunity for our program no matter what secret info he's sitting on.
 
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#56
#56
If I’m Barnes, I’m playing 4 guards most of the game with Aidoo at the 5 and I’m running them off the 3-point line and forcing them to try and get a shot at the rim over Aidoo. I don’t think they can beat us by taking 2-point shots. FAU is going to want to bomb away from 3 and hope they are hot Thursday. They have I believe 5 guys that are 37% or better from 3.

So, for me, the plan has to be to run them off the perimeter and force them inside. Do that and I think we can win. If we let them take 30-35 3’s, we’re in trouble.
 
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#57
#57
TheMookieMonster said:
If I’m Barnes, I’m playing 4 guards most of the game with Aidoo at the 5 and I’m running them off the 3-point line and forcing them to try and get a shot at the rim over Aidoo. I don’t think they can beat us by taking 2-point shots. FAU is going to want to bomb away from 3 and hope they are hot Thursday. They have I believe 5 guys that are 37% or better from 3.

So, for me, the plan has to be to run them off the perimeter and force them inside. Do that and I think we can win. If we let them take 30-35 3’s, we’re in trouble.
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That’s been my thought too, and when you run them off the line don’t help (leaving a shooter), as you said let them try to finish over our size at the rim.
 
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#58
#58
bleedingTNorange said:
That’s been my thought too, and when you run them off the line don’t help (leaving a shooter), as you said let them try to finish over our size at the rim.
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Yep. Their guards are small, so if they can make a shot over someone as tall as Aidoo with a massive wingspan then kudos to them. I’m fine with them getting a really tough, low-percentage 2. Just don’t let them get comfortable from the perimeter and I think we’ll be fine. Stay up in their shorts like we did against Duke and make their life hell and dare them to beat you inside.
 
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#59
#59
TheMookieMonster said:
Yep. Their guards are small, so if they can make a shot over someone as tall as Aidoo with a massive wingspan then kudos to them. I’m fine with them getting a really tough, low-percentage 2. Just don’t let them get comfortable from the perimeter and I think we’ll be fine. Stay up in their shorts like we did against Duke and make their life hell and dare them to beat you inside.
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Jonas will be very important. Need to keep him out of foul trouble.
 
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#60
#60
omghulkhands said:
Jonas will be very important. Need to keep him out of foul trouble.
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Agreed, I think this is a huge Jonas game, he can really make things frustrating for them. Realistically even though Plav isn’t a big time shot blocker just being vertical against guys 6’-6’4” should be enough to cause them some issues I would think.
 
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#61
#61
The 2 big that they have are really slow from watching them play. Matching up Nkamouha against their 2 bigs is a big mismatch especially with the way Nkamouha is knocking down 3s. He will pull their bigs out of the paint opening driving lanes up for our guards. He’s gotta continue taking his open 3s even if he misses his first couple, because if he’s hitting 3s it presents mismatch problems and opens things up for us even more.
 
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#62
#62
This game is the ultimate matchup game. It will take a little time to determine which lineups are most effective against their 4-guard and 5-guard lineups, but I’ll say this… we have 4 big guys that are able to rotate in and give us solid minutes and against teams like FAU, our big guys should stay relatively fresh when they step on the floor. If FAU is smart, they’ll counter our “bully ball” with a small, speedy lineup. If they play the 7 footer a vast majority of the game, I think we crush them on the glass.
 
#63
#63
CNeagleVolFan said:
The 2 big that they have are really slow from watching them play. Matching up Nkamouha against their 2 bigs is a big mismatch especially with the way Nkamouha is knocking down 3s. He will pull their bigs out of the paint opening driving lanes up for our guards. He’s gotta continue taking his open 3s even if he misses his first couple, because if he’s hitting 3s it presents mismatch problems and opens things up for us even more.
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I think we will struggle driving, I legit think they are quicker at every likely guard matchup we will face. That’s not say pulling Olivier and their big out is a bad idea, could help open up the boards etc. I just don’t think we are gonna be able to hurt them much driving. I see us likely really making an effort to get it inside to to our post, and make them double and get looks from that, if they don’t double then make them pay. I can also see Olivier pulling away from the basket and us iso’ing James or Phillips on their 6’2” guards in the post and making them adjust to that.
 
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#64
#64
BallerVolFan said:
This game is the ultimate matchup game. It will take a little time to determine which lineups are most effective against their 4-guard and 5-guard lineups, but I’ll say this… we have 4 big guys that are able to rotate in and give us solid minutes and against teams like FAU, our big guys should stay relatively fresh when they step on the floor. If FAU is smart, they’ll counter our “bully ball” with a small, speedy lineup. If they play the 7 footer a vast majority of the game, I think we crush them on the glass.
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Yup, I’m very intrigued for the start…which team has to adjust, or try to. We will almost certainly start 2 bigs which should be clear inside advantage and rebounding advantage as well, do we really show that off the tip? They’ll start 4 small and have a quickness advantage both driving but also likely pressing us, traps and ball pressure, can we handle it or do we have to adjust?
 
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#65
#65
bleedingTNorange said:
Agreed, I think this is a huge Jonas game, he can really make things frustrating for them. Realistically even though Plav isn’t a big time shot blocker just being vertical against guys 6’-6’4” should be enough to cause them some issues I would think.
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I’d like to see Uros use his fouls within the rules punishing small guys at the rim. Don’t flail your arms around - hit them hard with your chest. Perfectly legal basketball play if you’re arms are going for the ball as I understand the rules.
 
#66
#66
bleedingTNorange said:
Yup, I’m very intrigued for the start…which team has to adjust, or try to. We will almost certainly start 2 bigs which should be clear inside advantage and rebounding advantage as well, do we really show that off the tip? They’ll start 4 small and have a quickness advantage both driving but also likely pressing us, traps and ball pressure, can we handle it or do we have to adjust?
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I’d expect to start UP, ON, SV, JM, and JJJ. Key, Phillips and Aidoo quickly rotating in if anyone is struggling.
 
#67
#67
Struggle Driving? A lot of screens are set for those drives and I think this will wear them down. I don't like Barnes Offense but this is one time it pays off I do believe.
I also think there will be a lot of easy layups and rim assists. We may have to counter 8 to 10 3 point baskets, but then again I think it will be a low output for them and they will struggle from that range because of our defense.
 
#68
#68
Sudden Impact said:
Struggle Driving? A lot of screens are set for those drives and I think this will wear them down. I don't like Barnes Offense but this is one time it pays off I do believe.
I also think there will be a lot of easy layups and rim assists. We may have to counter 8 to 10 3 point baskets, but then again I think it will be a low output for them and they will struggle from that range because of our defense.
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When we give up double digit 3 pointers made we are 0-3…
 
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#69
#69
Sudden Impact said:
Struggle Driving? A lot of screens are set for those drives and I think this will wear them down. I don't like Barnes Offense but this is one time it pays off I do believe.
I also think there will be a lot of easy layups and rim assists. We may have to counter 8 to 10 3 point baskets, but then again I think it will be a low output for them and they will struggle from that range because of our defense.
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If FAU hits 8-10 threes I will feel very pessimistic about us winning. Especially since we are playing in a cavernous NBA arena that we typically struggle to shoot in.
 
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#71
#71
berryvol said:
If FAU hits 8-10 threes I will feel very pessimistic about us winning. Especially since we are playing in a cavernous NBA arena that we typically struggle to shoot in.
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The arena also favors ON and Phillips attacking the rim over shooting from the perimeter!
 
#72
#72
bleedingTNorange said:
When we give up double digit 3 pointers made we are 0-3…
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I understand that and I don't think we will have to counter double digit made 3 pointers. I think Tennessee has an Edge in several areas.

Experience in Big Games and overall experience for these type big moments.
A defense regardless of fouls that wears you down.
An Offense that makes you play solid defense and will wear you down.
The appearance by some of these players at MSG should be a reminder of what can go wrong.
Win or go home attitude means more to us as it will be some of these players last game.
I not sure where FAU players are mentality but ours are confident, cautious and clear headed as they are aware of what can happen in a game like this.
 
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#73
#73
walkenvol said:
The arena also favors ON and Phillips attacking the rim over shooting from the perimeter!
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I would say we have that advantage over FAU in any arena. Mainly saying, I don’t feel ultra confident of us matching an 8-10 three point performance from our opponent on a neutral site we historically don’t perform great in offensively. I don’t know why anyone would lol
 
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#74
#74
berryvol said:
I would say we have that advantage over FAU in any arena. Mainly saying, I don’t feel ultra confident of us matching an 8-10 three point performance from our opponent on a neutral site we historically don’t perform great in offensively. I don’t know why anyone would lol
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I don't think it will be a problem because it is a known fact how poorly we played at MSG. Didn't expect it the first time but we are aware of it and can adjust.
 
#75
#75
berryvol said:
I would say we have that advantage over FAU in any arena. Mainly saying, I don’t feel ultra confident of us matching an 8-10 three point performance from our opponent on a neutral site we historically don’t perform great in offensively. I don’t know why anyone would lol
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Yep. Like I said, they’re going to fire up 30 3-point shots if we let them. They’ve done it in quite a few games this year. Even if they hit just 10 of those we’ll have a tough time recovering. Gotta get up in their shorts and run them off the line and make sure they don’t get up 30 shots. Force them inside.
 
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