The Official #17 Tennessee vs. #25 Missouri Game Thread, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN

[MoCo_Vol]

And he wasn’t one dimensional.

You're either an idiot or a troll.

 

[Vol49er]

He didn’t have to just shoot 3s. He was a much greater offensive player and defensive player even.

Well yes. You’re changing the parameters now though. Nobody would argue Grant was a better player, offensive and defensive, than Scov (maybe some would venture the latter actually but I wouldn’t). You said he was a better shooter though, which he clearly isn’t. But we seem to agree now

 

[firestorm]

We sure have fallen apart at the end of this year

Which is why I’m pretty damn happy the Football Volunteers team was great because they won 11 of 13 games, and the Baseball team most likely will be a great team that has a realistic chance of reaching the 2023 College World Series.

 

[turbovol]

Grant Williams was a better shooter and by far a better all around player.

Is someone really comparing Grant Williams to Vescovi? Inane. They played totally different positions--duh. Grant scored most of his points in the paint, Boy, could we use him now (and every year!).

 

[turbovol]

Which is why I’m pretty damn happy the Football Volunteers team was great because they won 11 of 13 games, and the Baseball team most likely will be a great team that has a realistic chance of reaching the 2023 College World Series.

I wouldn't be making predictions after how last season ended for the baseball team.

 

[Volanooga2521]

Exciting game, but Mizzou has been a bit better in both very evenly matched games. Our squad needs a rest for the Big Tournament. Our guys play hard, but they definitely struggle in the paint. Mizzouri is a tough out for us for whatever reason. When Honor sank his three down the stretch, it was the dagger. Any of them could bury a three against us at the close of a game. It was like destiny or something strange.

Yep, Mizzou is a bad matchup for us. They can play pressure defense, turn us over and make threes. They kind of remind me of early Bruce Pearl at UT teams. Hopefully we get drawn against bad offensive teams in the NCAAs that can't make 3s and don't have a good big man.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Ok, I was just talking in season. If you zoom out like that I agree with you

Well when I think of bad coaching all the zoomed out aspects are looked at. It's even more annoying because of how well we've recruited the last few seasons. But those early years Barnes & company didn't seem to be doing it well.

I also kind of give the year you mentioned a bit of a pass cause of COVID limiting the off-season and that hurting the progress of Keon/Jaden. Even then 18-9 and 10-7 in the SEC (just a game below where we finished this year, and we were a 4 seed going into that SECT) was better than the 17-14 (8-8) year.

2020-21 was also the tournament that got derailed by Omar Payne and his cheap shot on Fulky.

 

[LibertyVol]

Having Awaka, Uros, Aidoo, and JJJ just offer 3 points and 5 rebounds = ball game

But Mizzou pressed the whole game and generated more TOs which allowed them to score 5 more FG. That was the difference, we both shot 10-26 from 3 and we hit 2 more FTs, they just took advantage of easy transition points when they turned us over.

Which they would not have been able to do if ZZ was playing. Disappointing game. This team could win two games in the NCAA if they get decent matchups. And then again lose the first one. Guys are giving effort.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

I hope I am wrong, but JJ’s light is not coming on. He is what he is.

I’m baffled he doesn’t attack the rim more with his size

 

[tennrich1]

I just scanned some post. Most were “woe is me my team lost” somebody feel sorry for me stuff BUT if anybody here is questioning SV play today…be sensible and show yourselves out… because he played as hard as possible and hit some huge shots. If our entire team played like he did…it would be noticeable. Our team will miss SV next year more than any other single player.

 

[Zues1]

I laugh at people beating up on Vescovi.
He's been the main catalyst for so many wins since he stepped off the plane at McGhee Tyson.
He will be missed.

 

[feathersax]

Grant Williams was a better shooter and by far a better all around player.

Puzzled...Just what is your POINT?

 

[C-south]

You're either an idiot or a troll.

One had an overall fg% under 40% and the other was over 50. Maybe an idiot can’t figure that out.

 

[Freak]

Yes-it’s hyperbole. We tolerate so much that other fanbases don’t and you’re seeing that when were #1 in kenpom, can’t even make a top four performance in the league, and get dropped on Friday. But we’ll make tournament appearances and lackluster exits every year. If we like that, we’ve got the right program.

Pretty cool we got to number one. Did our football program?

We’ve had a ton of injuries this year and lost a few games we shouldn’t have. But we’re a 4-seed in the tournament and have a chance. as someone who’s watched a lot of poor Tennessee basketball over the years, this doesn’t feel terrible to me. I’d like our chance better with Z though.

 

[C-south]

Puzzled...Just what is your POINT?

If you’re too lazy to go back and look that’s on you.

 

[LibertyVol]

I’m baffled he doesn’t attack the rim more with his size

I don’t know what is wrong with him. He just doesn’t show up when you need him too. I have always thought he was capable. He got a real bad call today. Sometimes these refs overthink this stuff.

 

[camp_steveo]

I hate to say it, but without ZZ the Vols are gonna have a hard time doing much in the NCAAT.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

If you’re too lazy to go back and look that’s on you.

One had an overall fg% under 40% and the other was over 50. Maybe an idiot can’t figure that out.

Ones a PF and the other one is a SG.

How on earth is that even a comparison?

 

[OldandStillaVol]

Yep, Mizzou is a bad matchup for us. They can play pressure defense, turn us over and make threes. They kind of remind me of early Bruce Pearl at UT teams. Hopefully we get drawn against bad offensive teams in the NCAAs that can't make 3s and don't have a good big man.

Unfortunately, after Round 1, bad offensive teams without a good post player are hard to find in the NCAA. It’s why Barnes has such a hard time going far in NCAA. Good teams can break down your defense and you have to be able to outscore people too.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Which they would not have been able to do if ZZ was playing. Disappointing game. This team could win two games in the NCAA if they get decent matchups. And then again lose the first one. Guys are giving effort.

Yep, without ZZ we're going to be even more at the mercy of matchups. But this basketball team has giving effort every game I've watched, probably part of why it's frustrating when they lose. Ultimately they are doing things the right way and putting in the effort so that's a team you want to see succeed to reward them, rather than a team like Bama that's just a nightmare off the court.

I mean I've always thought Barnes' practices wore his teams out, but if he had a roster full of players like Santi then they'd never lose a game too. Some players put in the work and give their all and you see them become better under Barnes and then some guys seem to be "bare minimum" and waste the talent they so clearly do have like ON.

 

[C-south]

Ones a PF and the one is a SG.

How on earth is that even a comparison?

Lol

 

[ColinS]

I guess I should be concerned with a 1st round matchups too. Furman, Iona, Yale are the types of 13 seeds who could beat us.

Honestly, round one will be a toss up. Maybe we will have 55% or 60% odds. If it's close late we lose.

 

[turbovol]

I’m baffled he doesn’t attack the rim more with his size

He attacked it late--under 2/3 minutes and it wouldn't drop. It was a big miss that came right after he missed a three. Agree: he's got a big body and needs to get to the rim--or the FT line--more. They made plays/baskets down the stretch and we didn't.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Lol

You brought up the comparison.

What’s your point?

 

[C-south]

You bright up the comparison.

What’s your point?

Why does position matter? They both took shots and one didn’t need a wide open look to shoot 30 something percent. The argument is we need offense and people pretending Vescovi is a game changer is laughable. He’s a good player. That’s about it.