The Official #17 Tennessee vs. George Mason Game Thread, 6:30 PM ET, SEC Network+

[ColinS]

You need a few low intensity games to get into the flow of the season. That’s why professional sports do preseasons and colleges have their buy games. We needed extra time this year for the 2 key returners, 2 transfers and everybody else to gel.

Maybe, this is the toughest we have ever scheduled. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I still believe it's how you build a team and prepare a team. Basketball is a tournament sport and everything is decided at the end so we will see.

 

[b_gann]

Maybe Rick Barnes was onto something when he said after UNC Aidoo can be one of the best bigs in the country…

Tonight was a great flow game for him. We looked for him more than usual, and he was able to get to the mid-range jumper. He'll never be a dominant post, but he has a great modern big game on both ends of the court. The classic big-body posts will always be tough for him.

 

[b_gann]

He seems a little off. On a positive note SV is hitting his shots tonight

It's hard to find a shooting rhythm fresh off an ankle injury. It can throw the body mechanics off. It was nice to see some of the other guys be more involved tonight though. Great JJJ and Aidoo games.

 

[b_gann]

JJJ needs to stay aggressive in the way he was in the first half of the UNC game...and tonight? Didn't see this game. We need him to drive to the basket.

I'd love to see us mismatch hunt a little more too. If we can get a smaller body guy on him, his mid-post game is a great spot for a late bucket.

 

[b_gann]

So far it seems like Santi & Mashack are the two trying to find their new role on the team.

I’m not sold that Gainey should be getting more minutes than Mashack, but he definitely offers more offensively and isn’t shy about shooting.

After these last few games, I feel like every time I look up Gainey is missing a 3. We need people that'll shoot with confidence on this team, but I think it's time to move him to a 6th or 7th man role. Santi does more to play winning basketball overall than Gainey. The team needs the best version of Santi to get where we need to be. Mashack has been struggling with decisions with the ball, but his defense is valuable.

 

[VolunteerCeltic]

Final 4 Bound!

 

[mrmax86]

Dumbass?.......Its Dumas. Its about a prison break. We should file it under educational. (Great Movie!!!)

Du Hast

 

[VolunteerCeltic]

I think Aidoo will be most improved this season and the early games versus the best big men in the country will pay him dividends. Hit (2) 3 point shots last night. Awaka had 11 points and 7 boards in 11 minutes of play, including a block. That is playing impactful minutes!

 

[Frozevol]

I know at some point SV will get his mojo back, but he’s had a tough start to the season and could be he’s having difficulty getting used to a new role he’s in. I still love the guys effort and what a team player he is

I was a fan of his even when he had the dyed hair ! Love his aggressive play which seems to have gotten reckless at times. He has improved his passing but his shooting is just off. Had a bad air ball from the corner last night (never his favorite spot). It is just odd that his touch has regressed as has his FTs. Maybe too many hard falls? More likely he sees his future will not be the NBA and wants a championship so bad it hurts. I think he’d make a good coach.

 

[knoxvol52]

Nice win by Vols, good to see the Freshmen producing this game...

Dillone had his moments, Estrella is coming along and Cade is Tennessee's modern day Bill Laimbeer....

 

[MoCo_Vol]

After these last few games, I feel like every time I look up Gainey is missing a 3. We need people that'll shoot with confidence on this team, but I think it's time to move him to a 6th or 7th man role. Santi does more to play winning basketball overall than Gainey. The team needs the best version of Santi to get where we need to be. Mashack has been struggling with decisions with the ball, but his defense is valuable.

Well it's because he is... Gainey leads the team in 3 point attempts with 50, Dalton has shot 41 and then ZZ with 34 and Santi with 32. But Gainey has only hit 16 and 32%, Dalton is at 39% with 16 makes as well.

I'd much rather Santi have those attempts personally since he's historically been more of a volume shooter. So Gainey's actually been eating into more of the Santi role than DK and maybe that's part of his frustrating (coach's son comes in and is instantly 2nd on the team in FGAs despite playing worse than the 5th year starter). I'd like to see the two flipflop in FGAs and 3PAs. Santi shooting 6 3s a game is more what I want to see, cause eventually he's going to hit them and that'll help open up the paint for the post guys as well as DK to drive.

I'm sure part of it has been ZZ and Freddie's health and Santi's foul trouble (leads the team in fouls) that have lead to Gainey being 4th on the team in MPG...but I'm not sure if he's really earned that role.

At this point it appears this is kind of the rotation/positions

PG - ZZ/Mashack
SG - Santi/Gainey
SF - DK
PF - JJJ
C - Aidoo/Awaka

We'll see how it shakes out once we hit SEC play, Barnes will have a shorter leash for Gainey's shot selection and lack of defending.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

^^^Santi once again passed on open looks from 3, he needs to take those…he should’ve had 4-5 more attempts from 3 last night.

 

[walkenvol]

I think Aidoo will be most improved this season and the early games versus the best big men in the country will pay him dividends. Hit (2) 3 point shots last night. Awaka had 11 points and 7 boards in 11 minutes of play, including a block. That is playing impactful minutes!

Is this Dog’s secret account?

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Yeah so that's wild...Gainey has missed 34 from deep, that's more than ZZ, JJJ, or Santi have even taken.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Yeah so that's wild...Gainey has missed 34 from deep, that's more than ZZ, JJJ, or Santi have even taken.

That just means he’ll starting getting hot towards the NCAA Tournament

 

[VolunteerCeltic]

Is this Dog’s secret account?

Maybe

 

[orbs son]

Maybe, this is the toughest we have ever scheduled. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I still believe it's how you build a team and prepare a team. Basketball is a tournament sport and everything is decided at the end so we will see.

I definitely think you're right, just wish the November and December schedules had been flipped.

 

[cardvolfan]

I was a fan of his even when he had the dyed hair ! Love his aggressive play which seems to have gotten reckless at times. He has improved his passing but his shooting is just off. Had a bad air ball from the corner last night (never his favorite spot). It is just odd that his touch has regressed as has his FTs. Maybe too many hard falls? More likely he sees his future will not be the NBA and wants a championship so bad it hurts. I think he’d make a good coach.

He’s shooting the best FT percentage of his career. He’s always started slowly with his 3-pt percentage each year, and he’s got his best 2-pt percentage, so far, of his career.