The Official #4 Tennessee vs #11 Auburn Game Thread, Wednesday 7pm/ESPN2

[sami]

Idk what’s nastier between DK’s hesi or pull up jumper. It’s impossible to account for both which makes him so hard to guard.

He’s also nearly ambidextrous.

The things that make him nearly unguardable when he gets it going are his hops on those pullups and the high release point. At 6' 6", there are very few guards or wings that can defend that shot. The ability to go to the rim with either hand makes him a true 3-level scorer, so rare in a player at this level.

DK is a generational talent, like a comet shooting through here the likes of which we may never see again in our lifetimes. Soak it up and enjoy every minute.

 

[VolunteerCeltic]

Bama is a different critter at home just like we are. Gotta have JJJ and Vescovi contribute more than 4 pts combined on offense tho. If those 2 pull a no show on offense.....

Ya, JJJ and Santi need to contribute more, JJJ did have 4 blocks last night

 

[sami]

Hey, it's great that Knecht can have monster games like this one--but I still believe JJJ and Vescovi need to take their shots--shots that are there. But they don't. They pass up a lot of shots. Vescovi drives into the lane a lot, and has opportunities to pull up and take an 8-10-foot jumper, yet he doesn't shoot. He does this a ton. He had 2 shots tonight. JJJ took 2 shots in the first 4.5 minutes of the game and took 1 shot the rest of the game. Great game, great win, but I think we're a better team when our scoring is a bit more balanced and we don't need a hero performance from DK to win.

Santi does need to take that little pull up sometimes, if for no other reason than to make his kick out passes from the paint that much more effective. I really wish that JJJ would do more of the drive and pull up shooting, as he is unguardable on that shot and it is his most effective offensive weapon.

Both guys are in the game in crunch time for their defense and experience, and they both understand that DK, ZZ, and Aidoo are options 1,2, and 3, but they tend to defer a bit too much, something Barnes needs to address.

 

[DC_Vol]

Just went back to the replay this morning to try and validate my views of officiating when the battle is over. Besides the obvious horrible obviously biased out of bounds call at 2:57, go back and watch the 12 minute to 8 minute mark and see the disparity in calls, especially the protection of Broome, and the open season on DK. After Bruce threw his temper tantrum, we did get a couple of touch fouls, but they got them consistently. During that period check out the foul call on Awaka on the rebound, check his position and the AU guyin leaning OUT on the long rebound to the corner and hitting Awaka in the back and getting the call. World class anticipatory fould call. Check out the obvious moving screen call to rub off DK on a drive by AU. Check out the foul call on DK at the rim, even the TV guys commented about lack of contact on that one. Really proud our guys played through this display of one unequal application of the rules during the building of the AU lead and the DK show to get us back on top.

One last one. Go to the 4:37 mark and look at the contact on JJJ on the lob to the rim by ZZ... Frozen on my screen right now as I was about to pull the trigger. NO WAY if reversed that is not called. The guy literally knocked JJJ from at the rim to the checkerboards. Compare that to the touch fouls on DK, Santi, Aidoo and Awaka.

But that call at 2:57 mark can only be explained by some level of bias. go back and look. That led to a three by them seconds later with the freebie possession that took it from 7 to 4. World class inexplicable bad call. It was right at the AU bench.

I don’t think the out of bounds call was malicious. I believe the ref just took a guess. He was likely distracted by the big body coming right at him and with the way the ball traveled out of bounds, I believe he assumed it was deflected in that direction.

 

[gainesvol82]

Hey, it's great that Knecht can have monster games like this one--but I still believe JJJ and Vescovi need to take their shots--shots that are there. But they don't. They pass up a lot of shots. Vescovi drives into the lane a lot, and has opportunities to pull up and take an 8-10-foot jumper, yet he doesn't shoot. He does this a ton. He had 2 shots tonight. JJJ took 2 shots in the first 4.5 minutes of the game and took 1 shot the rest of the game. Great game, great win, but I think we're a better team when our scoring is a bit more balanced and we don't need a hero performance from DK to win.

I typically agree but Knecht getting in a zone like that elevates everyone's play. He is so efficient and unselfish that he just finds the open man when he attracts extra attention....also frees up our bigs to crash the offensive boards when he does miss.

Unlike UK's 18 year olds that get drafted on potential, we have q 22-23 year old grown man that looks like he should be on an NBA team right now. Nobody is going to completely shut him down. He is too good at scoring at all three levels. Outside shot not falling? Drive inside for easy buckets, fouls and getting other guys open. Phenomenal talent that lives for big games/moments and adversity.

 

[sami]

It will be a big task in Tuscaloosa. Getting out to a good start would certainly help.

No doubt. Getting in an early hole against an offensive team like that in their building could be fatal. This is one of those games where the first four minutes of both halves will be vital to stabilize the game and take the crowd out of it like we did at Rupp.

 

[sami]

I don’t think the out of bounds call was malicious. I believe the ref just took a guess. He was likely distracted by the big body coming right at him and with the way the ball traveled out of bounds, I believe he assumed it was deflected in that direction.

Agree. As much as I hate the idea of games being stopped constantly for reviews, the review system was made to correct egregious missed calls like that one.

 

[walkenvol]

Agree. As much as I hate the idea of games being stopped constantly for reviews, the review system was made to correct egregious missed calls like that one.

Can’t review that call until the last 2 minutes. If they change the rules, all the review delays will be a net negative even if a bad call or 2 is corrected each game. JMO

 

[gainesvol82]

I don’t think the out of bounds call was malicious. I believe the ref just took a guess. He was likely distracted by the big body coming right at him and with the way the ball traveled out of bounds, I believe he assumed it was deflected in that direction.

Other ref at a bad angle behind the play made the call by assuming ZZ touched it. You call what see, not what you assume might have happened.

Needs to be an anytime review option that can be initiated by refs when they don't know what happens and are forced to guess, or give each coach one challenge per half that they keep if they win it, only to be used on possession calls and not fouls.

 

[gainesvol82]

No doubt. Getting in an early hole against an offensive team like that in their building could be fatal. This is one of those games where the first four minutes of both halves will be vital to stabilize the game and take the crowd out of it like we did at Rupp.

Agreed along with the last 4 minutes of first half. Don't want to have to rely on DK taking over at the 12 minute mark of the second half again.

 

[WillisWG]

No. 4 Volunteers' late rally overcomes No. 11 Auburn

Tennessee comes back from an eight-point deficit with under 13 minutes left vs. the Tigers, 92-84, as Dalton Knecht records 27 of his 39 points in the second half.

www.secsports.com

Nice read.

 

[will-you-shut-up-man]

I finally get to see a live game of DK going off. He is a special talent. Just hard work mixed with talent.

 

[sami]

Can’t review that call until the last 2 minutes. If they change the rules, all the review delays will be a net negative even if a bad call or 2 is corrected each game. JMO

I understand the rule and have always been against replay in any sport because I don't feel the 'benefit' is worth disrupting the flow of games, on top of the fact that they miss so many of the reviews. But seeing a clearly botched call like that at a crucial time of the game when the technology exists to correct it just burns a bit. In saying that, I agree with you that expanding the rule would turn it into the NBA, with never ending games.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Gotta get more than 4 pts combined from JJJ and Vescovi to have a shot on the road vs Bama.

Not if the rest of the team combines for 92…

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Beating bama in their house is going to be almost impossible. It can happen but it will take a complete 40 minutes, great balanced scoring, some great defensive plays. Go Vols!

 

[berryvol]

Not meaning to look forward, but Dalton's play has to open up some other big transfers' eyes in the upcoming years. Dalton may only be here 1 year, but I think he will impact us for a few more.

Was also thinking about this last night. What Barnes has done with DK on both ends of the court has taken him from a second round (or maybe undrafted summer league grinder) to an-almost-sure fire lottery pick. There’s gotta be some elite players who have had their interests piqued by this impressive playing and coaching.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Few things I enjoy more than his swollen red frustrated face screaming on top of that flailing toad body.

And his spoiled little brat of a kid right there by Daddy, whining and stomping his feet like a kid who didn’t get the same amount of ice cream as his brother after dinner.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Ya, JJJ and Santi need to contribute more, JJJ did have 4 blocks last night

The most important block was the one Bruce somehow thought was a foul and led to him being T’d up

 

[davethevol]

This is a really special team. I don’t know how far they will make it, but this might be the strongest shot we have at making the final 4 in my lifetime.

 

[HoptownVol]

Visiting the office in Florida today, all anybody wants to talk about it Knecht and the Vols. In 20 years down here that is the first time that has ever happened. Get these oblivious Gator fans talking about you and you've done something special. Congrats again to the Vols and Dalton for the single greatest performance I've ever seen.

 

[HoptownVol]

Not meaning to look forward, but Dalton's play has to open up some other big transfers' eyes in the upcoming years. Dalton may only be here 1 year, but I think he will impact us for a few more.

My first thought after the game was Open the floodgates! The Vols are on the map now, the whole sports world is talking about this game, its a media frenzy. LOL

 

[vol94]

incredible! Thanks for sharing.

No problem. I attended a couple of games in 92-94 as TN was so bad in basketball. The arena was empty.

So it’s great to see the student body get involved and provide extra energy to our players.

Even Barnes stood up and waived his arms to to get the crowd going. Barnes was highly vocal last night and stayed in the officials’ ears.

 

[vol94]

It was a great crowd. Could be better if we would ever figure out a way to get students on the sidelines.

Won’t happen. Supposedly, The admin doesn’t want the students sitting close to the opponents bench.

I never thought about that being an excuse as I personally always thought it was about money.

 

[BallerVolFan]

The script to beat Alabama is very simple but challenging to do. Run them off the perimeter and slow them down in transition. Alabama will not settle for a half-court offense type of game. They know they can’t win games like that. They don’t have the horses in the paint to do that.

Where Alabama gets teams is with their relentless pace for the entire game. Some teams can hang with them for a little while but they can’t go toe to toe the whole game. Alabama can and that’s exactly what they want to do. They make up for their lack of a big, physical post presence by running your team to death and forcing you to be fundamentally sound the entire game to stop them. Find a way to slow them down and destroy their post defense and you will win the game. A lot easier said than done.