The Official #5 Tennessee @ Vanderbilt Game Thread, 6:00 PM ET, SEC Network

[LibertyVol]

…hmmm…

Look up King’s honors and get back to me.

 

[wmcovol]

Two time All-SEC first team. Yeah, he sucks.

He has to battle through his shooting slump.

The offense isn’t set to get him shots. The dribble drive offense isn’t ideal for him, especially with coaches not wanting him to drive (it’s been reported from several sources). The motion style offense with off ball screens was more for his style.

 

[volmanNC]

He is good. But he is not Bernard King.

You got that right!

 

[vol94]

The gym is just weird. The vibe is weird. The seats are below the floor. Not sure how much that impacts them but it may.

We sat in 2L, row 8 which is behind the baseline. I was surprised that only the lower level has chair back seating.

The entire arena is poor with limited concessions and restrooms. Crazy.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

He leads the team in minutes per game and his averages per game are decent. In SEC play he has not been decent. If my memory is correct, he disappeared in the big non-conference games. I noticed his thumb was taped tonight. Given his history with injuries, I have no idea why he is playing as many minutes as he is. By this point of his career, he is what he is. i would cap his minutes at 20 and give the rest to Awaka and Shack. Awaka played 6 minutes tonight which is a head scratcher for me. I love his motor and would let him play until he fouls out.He is an elite rebounder and has shown flashes on offense. We are going to need him against elite competition. For transparency, I have never been a fan of JJJ the player, but he seems to be a great teammate and human. Historically, he disappears in big games with a couple of exceptions.

Awake is a good rebounder, but he has become a fouling machine. He is really to short for the five on both offense and defense. His shooting range is very limited and he will have to increase his shooting range to play the four.

 

[vol94]

Honestly if he isn’t scoring he doesn’t give the team much given he isn’t a great defender. But the defense does have to guard him at all times.

Barnes said Santi provides exceptional defense, rebounds and assists. He said the same thing tonight about JJJ.

 

[BowlBrother85]

My wife, of almost 29 yrs, and I enjoyed our Vols get the “W” in Nashville, tonight. Memorial is such a bad arena.

Should it even be called an "arena?" It's more like a theater .... where a basketball court has been awkwardly misplaced.

 

[Volfan1000]

Estrella really seems to make strides each game. He seems to be strong for a freshman and looks to have already bought into Rick's culture

Estrella played some valuable minutes tonight and could surpass Awaka as the first big off the bench if Awaka keeps picking up cheap fouls.

 

[Volfan1000]

What did the Deacon get a technical foul for tonight?

 

[BowlBrother85]

Barnes said Santi provides exceptional defense, rebounds and assists. He said the same thing tonight about JJJ.

.... but JJJ didn't have any assists, and only had 4 rebounds in 28 minutes of playing time?

 

[walkenvol]

What did the Deacon get a technical foul for tonight?

Was really odd as Barnes was talking to one official and a different official 20’ away T’ed him up?

 

[Volfan1000]

Was really odd as Barnes was talking to one official and a different official 20’ away T’ed him up?

Oddest technical foul call that I have ever seen in basketball.

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

It's JJJ that needs to improve on offense. He's so likeable you can't help but root for him

He’s more talented, but he’s kinda like Dane Bradshaw 2.0 right now.

 

[vol94]

.... but JJJ didn't have any assists, and only had 4 rebounds in 28 minutes of playing time?

Just repeating what Barnes said. I agree with you 100%.

Santi said during his post game interview that he and JJJ know one another’s tendencies on both offense and defense. Maybe Barnes loves JJJ’ leadership on the floor.

 

[berryvol]

Honestly if he isn’t scoring he doesn’t give the team much given he isn’t a great defender. But the defense does have to guard him at all times.

Vescovi is an elite defender, what are you talking about?

 

[spyfish007]

Oddest technical foul call that I have ever seen in basketball.

I know you said basketball. I had flashbacks to baseball and Jeffrey Macias.

 

[vol94]

5th year guy playing like a freshman

Personally I think JJJ is either injured or has arthritic knees. He doesn’t have the same lift as he did the last yr or two.

Also, he struggled making jump shots during warm ups. Hopefully I’m wrong and it is more mental as the young man always wears a smile on his face and is beloved by his teammates .

 

[vol94]

Love hearing our crowd take over.

It was man awesome environment. My wife’s first TN Vol basketball game. She was amazed the number of TN fans.

 

[ColinS]

He leads the team in minutes per game and his averages per game are decent. In SEC play he has not been decent. If my memory is correct, he disappeared in the big non-conference games. I noticed his thumb was taped tonight. Given his history with injuries, I have no idea why he is playing as many minutes as he is. By this point of his career, he is what he is. i would cap his minutes at 20 and give the rest to Awaka and Shack. Awaka played 6 minutes tonight which is a head scratcher for me. I love his motor and would let him play until he fouls out.He is an elite rebounder and has shown flashes on offense. We are going to need him against elite competition. For transparency, I have never been a fan of JJJ the player, but he seems to be a great teammate and human. Historically, he disappears in big games with a couple of exceptions.

Yeah, the dude gets more free passes on here than anyone. There is a narrative that he is a world class rebounder and defender. He is good on defense because he can guard multiple positions but so can Mashack and he can do it better. He is a good rebounder for a three but not so much for someone playing the four. Every time he gets hot on offense it's fools gold because the mental part of basketball eventually will eat him alive he shrinks back in his hole. Good teammate and a good person but plays too many minutes. If he could just somehow go on one of his hot streaks at just the right time but it will never happen.

 

[vegasvolfan]

Yup, he will have 7 points next game now

Lol pessimistic tonight are we?

 

[Kas232323]

He leads the team in minutes per game and his averages per game are decent. In SEC play he has not been decent. If my memory is correct, he disappeared in the big non-conference games. I noticed his thumb was taped tonight. Given his history with injuries, I have no idea why he is playing as many minutes as he is. By this point of his career, he is what he is. i would cap his minutes at 20 and give the rest to Awaka and Shack. Awaka played 6 minutes tonight which is a head scratcher for me. I love his motor and would let him play until he fouls out.He is an elite rebounder and has shown flashes on offense. We are going to need him against elite competition. For transparency, I have never been a fan of JJJ the player, but he seems to be a great teammate and human. Historically, he disappears in big games with a couple of exceptions.

Omg….. this is comical. I’ve read a lot of bad takes on here….but this one….. hey - thanks for the laugh.

 

[volman128]

Vescovi is an elite defender, what are you talking about?

He gets blown by off the bounce regularly. How is that an “elite defender”?

 

[berryvol]

He gets blown by off the bounce regularly. How is that an “elite defender”?

 

[dobre_shunka]

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Lol @berryvol, the Field of 68’s nightly show right now is talking about how Antonio Reeves is the SEC POTY as of today. Those dudes constantly have Kentucky’s you know what in their you know where.