The Official #18 Tennessee vs. Lenoir-Rhyne Exhibition Game Thread, 3:00 PM ET, SEC Network+

[BigorangeBoy]

BHH has very good hands, I swear the way he moves around the basket reminds me of Elvin Hayes.

 

[Creeker]

I noticed a couple times when going for rebounds ON was kind of lackadaisical and the ball got taken or knocked away from him. That’s my concern right now, could of just been a matter of who they were playing, but I hope to see him go strong after rebounds.

 

[volsack7]

ON and, to an even greater degree, Plav look like they are playing in a swimming pool. Everything seems slow. BHH had an explosiveness about him that we haven’t seen from someone that size in years. Thinking Wayne Chism, but BHH with way more potential.

And the comment on ON’s rebounding was spot on. He needs to attack the ball ferociously and grip it with both hands all the time. He was lax with it and didn’t pursue the ball. BHH said in a recent video that he wanted to lead the team and even league in rebounds. He sure looked like he wanted to back that up tonight…he was going after it.

 

[The Dog]

ON and, to an even greater degree, Plav look like they are playing in a swimming pool. Everything seems slow. BHH had an explosiveness about him that we haven’t seen from someone that size in years. Thinking Wayne Chism, but BHH with way more potential.

And the comment on ON’s rebounding was spot on. He needs to attack the ball ferociously and grip it with both hands all the time. He was lax with it and didn’t pursue the ball. BHH said in a recent video that he wanted to lead the team and even league in rebounds. He sure looked like he wanted to back that up tonight…he was going after it.

BHH reminds me of a stronger, more physical Isiah Victor with a little less athleticism, but a lot more polished offensive game. If that makes sense ? Maybe, a more athletic Al Horford is a better comparison. Either way, a potential all-SEC player, dare I say it, maybe even this year. We are loaded, this game has sent my expectations way up. Yes, I know it was just Lenoir-Rhyne, but BHH and Chandler looked even better than I expected. Chandler's jumper is a lot better than I expected and not just because it went down, today. KC is just so smooth with it and his form is so perfect or at least, it looked that way, today. Can't wait for the first game.

 

[Tennessee Vols Fan!!!!]

This team is going to be special.

Personally, I think KC is the best PG I have ever seen play at Tennessee.

I know it's only been 1 exhibition game but that kid looks like a seasoned pro playing college basketball.

BHH, Aidoo and Fulky going to eat this year with him Chandler running the show

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Chandler played like the #1 PG last night.

Smooth as silk.

 

[vols 30]

BHH has very good hands, I swear the way he moves around the basket reminds me of Elvin Hayes.

Pretty sure 90% of this board have no idea who Elvin Hayes is, but that is a good comparison

 

[BigorangeBoy]

Pretty sure 90% of this board have no idea who Elvin Hayes is, but that is a good comparison

I thought about that, I was hoping I’m not the only old person on here. I’m only 61.

 

[gordonr24]

I really think Tennessee can compete with UK this year for the SEC regular season if we can get Auburn and LSU off our backs.

The SEC has become really open, IMO and that’s due to other programs closing the gap on UK. Between UK, UT, Ark, and Bama, it’s anybody’s conference this season.

 

[cardvolfan]

I don't see how you don't give him all the minutes he can handle. He and Chandler obviously looked like difference-makers.

I think the jury is still out on ON's progression. I wasn't overly impressed with him today, but the upper classmen may not have been as motivated as the younger guys, for an exhibition game.

I agree. The concerning thing to me is ON’s opportunity to get major minutes is right before his eyes, yet he has no aggression to the ball and on the boards. His hands weren’t good yesterday, either. I think if he could translate his talent to games, he would be pretty good. But yesterday, I saw a lot of what I have seen the previous 2 years.

 

[cardvolfan]

BHH has very good hands, I swear the way he moves around the basket reminds me of Elvin Hayes.

The Big E!

 

[CAVPUT]

BHH has very good hands, I swear the way he moves around the basket reminds me of Elvin Hayes.

He sure does. Most of our "bigs" look stiff, slow and might have a 6" vertical. HH was a breath of fresh air. Couldn't take my eyes off him. What surprised me was his stat line after the game. Very, very good production and he did it quietly. If he matures and the light goes on for him, we got us a special talent.....albeit just for one year, but maybe he'll blossom early for us?

 

[i2amavol]

He sure does. Most of our "bigs" look stiff, slow and might have a 6" vertical. HH was a breath of fresh air. Couldn't take my eyes off him. What surprised me was his stat line after the game. Very, very good production and he did it quietly. If he matures and the light goes on for him, we got us a special talent.....albeit just for one year, but maybe he'll blossom early for us?

I think most of us were really watching for Chandler to show out, and he definitely did, but we may have forgotten that BHH was ranked higher than Chandler, until he reclassified. As has been stated, it was only an exhibition game, but I think we look like we have two all-SEC talents on our hands.

 

[hUTch2002]

Not much to complain about in that half except bad early defense. We are so much more dynamic on offense and have so many options. A much better constructed roster this year. Helps that you have potentially one of the best point guards in the country on the roster this year lol.

Unfortunately I missed the game yesterday but this is exactly what I thought coming into the season. We have a more complete puzzle as far as the personnel. Talent-wise we are similar to last year but our pieces fit together much better. I’m super excited. It’s going to be so fun and I truly feel like we have a legit shot at the F4. It’s a long season though and I just want to enjoy the journey.

 

[cncchris33]

BHH reminds me of a stronger, more physical Isiah Victor with a little less athleticism, but a lot more polished offensive game. If that makes sense ? Maybe, a more athletic Al Horford is a better comparison. Either way, a potential all-SEC player, dare I say it, maybe even this year. We are loaded, this game has sent my expectations way up. Yes, I know it was just Lenoir-Rhyne, but BHH and Chandler looked even better than I expected. Chandler's jumper is a lot better than I expected and not just because it went down, today. KC is just so smooth with it and his form is so perfect or at least, it looked that way, today. Can't wait for the first game.

It felt like KC's jumper, to a degree like Jordan Bone's, early on, was a bit flat. It certainly went in more than not, although an obviously small sample size. I've thought this since high school, too.

 

[CINCYVOL]

We don’t know that. Just because Basilio said so doesn’t make it fact. BHH is very young and this is Uros’s 3rd year in the program. Neither Keon or Jaden started the first few games last year. I’m sure Barnes’ is just being careful. Someone has to come off the bench with this loaded roster. It’s likely to be BHH.

We don’t, but I’ll rely on the guy that has more connections than we will ever have. Especially with Barnes reputation of being a hard ass.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

We don’t, but I’ll rely on the guy that has more connections than we will ever have. Especially with Barnes reputation of being a hard ass.

BHH was one of the first off the bench and he played as many minutes as anyone…seems to me more like Barnes trying to keep him motivated and squeeze out everything he can from him rather than a doghouse situation like with Walker last year.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

BHH was one of the first off the bench and he played as many minutes as anyone…seems to me more like Barnes trying to keep him motivated and squeeze out everything he can from him rather than a doghouse situation like with Walker last year.

Since this was an exhibition game, I don't think we can establish a trend of what the team will look like when the SEC portion of the schedule rolls around. What I did see was a lot of very good basketball players playing a lot of minutes for the Big Orange. I liked what I saw and I am eagerly looking forward for the start of the season. It appears we have filled a lot of holes and will be a force this year.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Since this was an exhibition game, I don't think we can establish a trend of what the team will look like when the SEC portion of the schedule rolls around. What I did see was a lot of very good basketball players playing a lot of minutes for the Big Orange. I liked what I saw and I am eagerly looking forward for the start of the season. It appears we have filled a lot of holes and will be a force this year.

I think the initial 10-15 minutes gave a good glimpse at least of where things stand now (obviously no Fulk), how guys progress and that changes the rotation still to be determined.

I’m not wavering much off where I was at before, but post exhibition I’ll say…

Chandler 30/Vescovi 10
Vescovi 20/Bailey 20
James 20/Powell 20
ON 12/BHH 23/James 5
Fulk 28/ON 12

In order: Plav, Mashack, Zeigler, Diboundje, Aidoo, Tamba.


Obviously against lesser teams that won’t be the case, but I think against say Villanova early in the year it will be similar to that barring injury. Ideally our first 2 games are beat downs and we can pump minutes into those first 3-4 bench guys to continue to build some depth.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I think the initial 10-15 minutes gave a good glimpse at least of where things stand now (obviously no Fulk), how guys progress and that changes the rotation still to be determined.

I’m not wavering much off where I was at before, but post exhibition I’ll say…

Chandler 30/Vescovi 10
Vescovi 20/Bailey 20
James 20/Powell 20
ON 12/BHH 23/James 5
Fulk 28/ON 12

In order: Plav, Mashack, Zeigler, Diboundje, Aidoo, Tamba.


Obviously against lesser teams that won’t be the case, but I think against say Villanova early in the year it will be similar to that barring injury. Ideally our first 2 games are beat downs and we can pump minutes into those first 3-4 bench guys to continue to build some depth.

Based on what I saw against LR, I'm going to bounce off of you with:

Chandler 30/Vescovi 5/ZZ 5
Vescovi 20/Bailey 15/Powell 5
James 25/ Powell 15
BHH 25/ORN 15
Fulk 25/UP 10/ORN 5

I wasn't impressed with ORN, and was very pleased with BHH and pleaseantly surprised by UP. I thought the team got bogged down on offense with Vescovi at the 1, like last season. I see ZZ getting a few minutes each game if it can be justified. I thought that on ball defense was good generally and improved individually (Vescovi, Bailey), but some lacked help defense and defending off the ball, like ORN. I think Rebounding will be better with UP than ORN, and UP set some really nice screens on offense. I think he can help up to 10 mpg. If not, and even if so, Aidoo might force ORN to the bench later.

 

[cncchris33]

I think the initial 10-15 minutes gave a good glimpse at least of where things stand now (obviously no Fulk), how guys progress and that changes the rotation still to be determined.

I’m not wavering much off where I was at before, but post exhibition I’ll say…

Chandler 30/Vescovi 10
Vescovi 20/Bailey 20
James 20/Powell 20
ON 12/BHH 23/James 5
Fulk 28/ON 12

In order: Plav, Mashack, Zeigler, Diboundje, Aidoo, Tamba.


Obviously against lesser teams that won’t be the case, but I think against say Villanova early in the year it will be similar to that barring injury. Ideally our first 2 games are beat downs and we can pump minutes into those first 3-4 bench guys to continue to build some depth.

I think I'd have a hard time seeing Vescovi play more than JJJ, consistently, especially given JJJ's positional versatility and SV being moved off the point. 25 vs 30 minutes isn't an enormous difference, but I'd maybe shave a few of Vesco's to give Ziegler.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I think I'd have a hard time seeing Vescovi play more than JJJ, consistently, especially given JJJ's positional versatility and SV being moved off the point. 25 vs 30 minutes isn't an enormous difference, but I'd maybe shave a few of Vesco's to give Ziegler.

Good point. Maybe ORN gets less at the four and JJJ gets more.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

Do people not think they’ll try and redshirt Ziegler if they can? I know that was a possibility at one time.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Do people not think they’ll try and redshirt Ziegler if they can? I know that was a possibility at one time.

Man, I hope not! I enjoyed watching him play.

Love seeing a smaller PG on the team. I thought he controlled the floor and played pretty well overall.

ZZ seems like the type of guard you see in the tourney on a 12-13 seed that carries his team to the sweet 16. Lol