The Official “Regular Posters of the Basketball Forum” Thread

[Col_Cathcart]

Knee.

That’s more concerning imo.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

That’s more concerning imo.

Very. He’s played extremely limited minutes for the first 6 weeks of the season. I don’t want to overreact, but it just reminds me of when Turner fought his shoulder issue until January and then eventually shut his season down.

 

[berryvol]

Very. He’s played extremely limited minutes for the first 6 weeks of the season. I don’t want to overreact, but it just reminds me of when Turner fought his shoulder issue until January and then eventually shut his season down.

Not only JJJ, but we desperately need Santi to get to 100%. He was clearly moving slow last night and his shot did not look comfortable the whole game. Hopefully finals week provides some much needed rest for this team before Zona and conference play begins.

 

[walkenvol]

I'll always wish we shot better and shooting like that will cost us another game at some point like it did Colorado. I do wish Awaka and Mashack had played more in the second half. I'm honestly not sure that some of the defensive letdown in the 2nd half wasn't fatigue related. We stopped subbing and just played mostly the same guys really heavy minutes.

I’m no basketball expert, but in the second half Maryland was eating our lunch with the pick and roll whereas they were settling for a lot of 3 pointers in the first half. Different type of defense more than a drop off in effort

 

[Lankykong]

It also is very tiring defending the team from the hot-take reactionaries who show up following each and every loss to inform us of how much the current coach is overpaid, how poorly prepared we “always are” (among other absolutes), and any other moronic statement made out of frustration and immature anger.

I will maybe try and put one together for the Maryland game if I get time, tonight.

I would consider trying one, but I feel like I would just be copying Will Warren since I subscribe to his blog and he has actual data about the Spalding ball causing teams to shoot ~5% worse on jumpshots, which I found to be the most interesting part of the game

 

[cncchris33]

I would consider trying one, but I feel like I would just be copying Will Warren since I subscribe to his blog and he has actual data about the Spalding ball causing teams to shoot ~5% worse on jumpshots, which I found to be the most interesting part of the game

Seems like that was an issue, last year, vs TTU as well.

 

[cardvolfan]

I mean come on Chris, is the guy who has us ranked in the weekly AP Top 10 for the 29th time in his career here REALLY worth $5 million? Like REALLY? He needs to EARN that money. Until we are ranked in the Top 10 for AT LEAST 30 weeks, I cannot in good conscience support this man.

5.8 million this past year. Don’t forget the extra $400,000 for reaching the 2nd round of the tournament and the extra 400,000 for winning the SEC tournament.

 

[Sudden Impact]

I’m no basketball expert, but in the second half Maryland was eating our lunch with the pick and roll whereas they were settling for a lot of 3 pointers in the first half. Different type of defense more than a drop off in effort

I was thinking the same. At one point, this is a question but would we have be better off going into a zone defense just to throw them off a little.

It is interesting to see Barnes lay off of a 12-0 run, I do believe that this game is a great learning and teaching experience and will pay dividends down the road. Missing 2 key players with one playing with an injured shoulder was a gift. Hopefully everybody gets healthy.

 

[cardvolfan]

I’m no basketball expert, but in the second half Maryland was eating our lunch with the pick and roll whereas they were settling for a lot of 3 pointers in the first half. Different type of defense more than a drop off in effort

Barnes alluded to our 2nd half defense in his post game press conference. He said everyone was very tired and they just couldn’t stay in front of their man. He was disappointed, but seemed to concede to the fact they just had too many guys out and wounded.

 

[Dallasbowlin]

I was thinking the same. At one point, this is a question but would we have be better off going into a zone defense just to throw them off a little.

It is interesting to see Barnes lay off of a 12-0 run, I do believe that this game is a great learning and teaching experience and will pay dividends down the road. Missing 2 key players with one playing with an injured shoulder was a gift. Hopefully everybody gets healthy.

Maybe, but Barnes has never been a big fan of zone defense.

 

[Lankykong]

Seems like that was an issue, last year, vs TTU as well.

We should not do this tournament again even though it gives us a chance to play good teams, haha. It’s always a disaster of a game.

I highly recommend Will’s blog on Substack by the way, gives me the kind of recap I was missing

 

[TheMookieMonster]

JJJ is having chronic knee issues, soreness that won't go away or him saying 'it doesn't feel right.' He's missed four of the Vols first 10 games. I think it's safe to say they're concerned.

- Rob Lewis

 

[berryvol]

- Rob Lewis

Ugh… not great

 

[TheMookieMonster]

More Lewis on JJJ tonight when asked about shutting him down.

There is no evidence that 'shutting him down' is going to improve anything. He has tons of tests run and my understanding is that there is no evidence that anything is structurally wrong that needs time to heal. It just doesn't feel right to him and gives him discomfort. It's a mystery. He would clearly be out there if he felt like he could.

 

[csheaton]

I appreciate everything James has done for the program during his time here, but if there is nothing structurally wrong he may need to attempt to play through a little pain. Vescovi sure seems to be playing through some pain.

I’m certainly no doctor but I’ve seen guys play an entire football game with sprained ligaments and actual structural damage. Alabama had a punter who kicked an entire season with a torn ACL in his kicking leg. I’m not saying James needs to give us 30 mins a night, but if he can gut out 10-15 mins in conference play it will still help us. Doesn’t have to be every game.

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

More Lewis on JJJ tonight when asked about shutting him down.

From Punter to Lamonte then Fulky and now JJJ - CRB has had to deal with some crazy injuries to his star players and often at the most inopportune times. Based on JJJ's history, I am afraid it will take him quite a bit of time to really get going again on offense if/when he is able to return on a consistent basis. Looks like we will need a Christmas miracle for him to get back on a regular basis.

 

[Vol49er]

Just noticed Santi Vescovi is only 5 points away from joining the 1000 career point club here at Tennessee. So that’ll be a cool accomplishment to look out for in our next game

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Just noticed Santi Vescovi is only 5 points away from joining the 1000 career point club here at Tennessee. So that’ll be a cool accomplishment to look out for in our next game

I’m skeptical Santi plays against Arizona.

 

[cardvolfan]

From Punter to Lamonte then Fulky and now JJJ - CRB has had to deal with some crazy injuries to his star players and often at the most inopportune times. Based on JJJ's history, I am afraid it will take him quite a bit of time to really get going again on offense if/when he is able to return on a consistent basis. Looks like we will need a Christmas miracle for him to get back on a regular basis.

The thing with Josiah is that even when he’s playing, he’s quite compromised. Watching him at TBA and seeing him unable to defend as well and unable to go inside with authority, or rebound with authority, is disappointing. Obviously, it’s not his fault and I’m sure it is hard on him, but guys playing hurt that affect in-game performance is a tough predicament for players and coaches alike.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I’m really happy that Mashack and Aidoo didn’t jump into the transfer portal after 2021/22.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I’m skeptical Santi plays against Arizona.

Yeah depends on what exactly is up with his shoulder. I'm assuming they didn't see any actual damage though or he wouldn't have been playing against Maryland. But shoulders are weird, I have one that just seems off and causes discomfort at random times. Couldn't imagine trying to deal with it playing basketball where I'd be constantly engaging it.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I wouldn't play either Santi or Jojo in the Zona game, given that we can give them both a long rest without re-aggravating their injuries due to the time of year vs number of games in the next few weeks. Let Mashack and others get some minutes and keep them developing. A loss to Zona on their home floor won't be a disaster and it might pay very high dividends down the line in conference play.

 

[omghulkhands]

If no JJJ or Vescovi, the rotation becomes interesting.

I think Key is capable of playing the Vescovi role on offense. He can be the one we focus the screens actions for because he can get his shot off quick and hit them well enough.

Problem is he is already our second primary ball handler. Seems hard to make that strategy work unless ZZ is gonna play 40 min.

I’d say most likely scenario is we play big with one of Aidoo or Plav always on the floor.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

If no JJJ or Vescovi, the rotation becomes interesting.

I think Key is capable of playing the Vescovi role on offense. He can be the one we focus the screens actions for because he can get his shot off quick and hit them well enough.

Problem is he is already our second primary ball handler. Seems hard to make that strategy work unless ZZ is gonna play 40 min.

I’d say most likely scenario is we play big with one of Aidoo or Plav always on the floor.

Mashack and Key might take Santi's role, while Key and ZZ take the primary ball handling role. So Key will bounce between the one and the two? Maybe Edwards gets some time in there somewhere.

 

[CornbreadVol]

If no JJJ or Vescovi, the rotation becomes interesting.

I think Key is capable of playing the Vescovi role on offense. He can be the one we focus the screens actions for because he can get his shot off quick and hit them well enough.

Problem is he is already our second primary ball handler. Seems hard to make that strategy work unless ZZ is gonna play 40 min.

I’d say most likely scenario is we play big with one of Aidoo or Plav always on the floor.

I wanna see how Awaka does against their bigs