1. I don't care who you play, it's always nice to get the first SEC win of the season and to break a four game losing streak. UT came out with a lot of energy and can take away a lot of positives from today's game.
2. I thought Trae played a very nice game and a really good comeback game. He got in the lane and really did a great job finding the open man. I think he earned himself his starting spot back tonight. Nine assists to only two turnovers and 50% shooting. You take all day every day.
3. Jarnell Stokes played well, but I thought there was actually an effort to get him involved today. He looked in the game from the first minute on and played with great effort. I thought his defense was fantastic. He affected around ten shots with his size and footwork today. He also was great on the glass.
4. UT's offense was good today and I really felt like they had a mindset to attack the paint. I know it seems like I say it all the time, but good things come when you attack the lane. UT got seven three pointers today and 42 points in the paint. They had the advantage and took it.
5. Bernard King Player of the Game: It's easy to go with Golden or Stokes, but I'm going to go with Armani Moore. He makes "impact" plays. He made a couple today. The block on Steele, who was not the same after the play. He made a great assist that got Jarnell an and-1 play. He got a big putback in the second half when the game was starting to get close. He also grabbed 11 boards...for a 6'4 guard! He had four assists, and even though he only had four points, how about three steals and zero turnovers? Armani earned his scholarship today. He played great.
6. If I was Martin, I would start Reese over Hall. I don't have any stats to prove my point, but Stokes played better when Reese was in (or any four guard lineup that CCM used) because Hall's lack of offensive awareness just kills Jarnell. He doesn't get the space he needs and Hall clogs the lane unnecessarily. Reese helps spreads the floor, and he works very hard on D, with his length and athleticism making up for his skinny frame.
7. UT did a much better job protecting the ball. In about the first eight minutes, they had five turnovers and only had six the rest of the way. Hopefully it's a turn for good.
8. I'm not the coach, but I hope Martin embraces the small ball lineup. No offense to Hall, but he just isn't serving much of a purpose for UT right now. I would played Edwards over Hall as a four (with Reese) and use Hall when UT is in foul trouble. The offense runs more efficiently and opens the floor for not only Stokes, but drivers such as Richardson and McRae.
9. The defense played better, although Mississippi State isn't much of a scoring team. But UT did a better job fighting through screens, and I honestly think Stokes' impact on D really helped. State stopped going into the lane and UT was more aggressive. I still think UT has to figure out to create more turnovers. It's like special teams in football. When you give up special teams plays (UT turns the ball over at an alarming clip) and don't do anything with special teams (don't create turnovers) you create an incredible disadvantage. Miss State had 13 TO's tonight, but that's four less than their average.
10. Nice win. Like I said, you take this one. UT has a huge, huge opportunity Thursday. I'm talking season changing opportunity. Ole Miss is a good team, and getting a road win would really mean something. It's not a must win, but if UT wants a chance at the tourney, they really need Thursday's game.
Go Vols! :hi:
