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

[chuckiepoo]

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.

..they be swallowing?

 

[berryvol]

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.

Lmao incredible. As good as Reeves has been, he wouldn’t crack most people’s top 3 or maybe even 4 for SECPOY. Those guys are idiots that’s slobber down the blue bloods.

 

[VolGee4]

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

He’s a really good defender- not sure what some of you watch.

 

[wmcovol]

Barnes isn’t a bullshitter. You can bank on what he says being what he believes

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

.... and he had 0 assists today in 28 minutes of playing time. JJJ just doesn't want the ball right now.

UT only had 14 assists tonight and 6 of those were by ZZ.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Lmao incredible. As good as Reeves has been, he wouldn’t crack most people’s top 3 or maybe even 4 for SECPOY. Those guys are idiots that’s slobber down the blue bloods.

They put up Reeves’ season numbers side-by-side with Knecht and his numbers are slightly better, but that is because a few games when Knecht was hurt it’s dragging his numbers down.

In conference play, which is what these awards are based on, Knecht’s numbers dwarf Reeves.

 

[berryvol]

They put up Reeves’ season numbers side-by-side with Knecht and his numbers are slightly better, but that is because a few games when Knecht was hurt it’s dragging his numbers down.

In conference play, which is what these awards are based on, Knecht’s numbers dwarf Reeves.

Yup Knecht is by far the best in conference play. Wade Taylor is really the only one with comparable numbers, with Sears in that same tier. I wouldn’t argue with anyone who would take Broome > Reaves in the SECPOY discussion either. Just can’t fathom having Reaves over all of them, although it’s not surprising from that group.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

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.

JJJ’s frequency of fouling is one of the best on the team while he is also arguably the best defender. And his turnover frequency is also one of the team’s best.

He might not have pretty stats but he passes the eye test and is filling his role very well. You won’t win many games with just ZZ, 2 Knechts, and 2 Aidoos. You also need a few that do the less noticeable things well. Do they keep stats for keeping your defensive assignments from getting offensive rebounds and how well your defense is at helping out when a teammate blows their defensive assignment? Also, if one player deflects a pass and a different player picks up the loose ball, both aren’t credited with steals. The staff keeps track of those things and that’s why he plays the most minutes. Dilione or the other freshman might harm the team more in their couple of minutes than JJJ does during an entire game.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

SIAP

 

[VolsSportsFan]

 

[VOLtaism]

I thought Vandy played a lot better then their usual game for this season, they wanted it bad. Their NCAA game. Still they were thrown by the wayside as the train speeded up. If UT had hit their average FF % it would have been much worse. Glad to get out of that gym with a road win.

 

[DooleyOrangePants]

First halves like tonight will lose us games in the future. Gotta tighten that up. Great halftime adjustments, another great game by Knecht.

Yeah, I think that’s a concern but in the last few years, second half adjustments haven’t been kind of absent or not very well executed. This year, we’ve seen some adjustments in the 2nd half that have been perfectly executed and game changers for us.

Personally, I’m way more encouraged about our prospects going forward than just about any time in recent history. The next week is going to tell a lot about the season, but we are in a good place to face it.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Just to avoid confusion, those are LADY Commodore NCAA banners. They don’t have any Final 4s and their 1x Elite Eight was in 1965. When they only had to win one game for their EE.

 

[OrangeInKy]

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

All the fights you could be fighting and you woke up and choose this one?

 

[ptcarter]

I'm always amazed that something as simple as a basketball gym could be designed so ridiculous. I went to one game there, and was amazed at the coaches having to coach from under the basket, and the pit around the floor. It's unique for sure - a signature Vandy thing.

I'm surprised that other schools haven't adopted it.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

I'm always amazed that something as simple as a basketball gym could be designed so ridiculous. I went to one game there, and was amazed at the coaches having to coach from under the basket, and the pit around the floor. It's unique for sure - a signature Vandy thing.

I'm surprised that other schools haven't adopted it.

I don't think it's been all that long since they finally relented to let the coaches walk where they normally would on a normal court.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

 

[ptcarter]

He is good. But he is not Bernard King.

Agree. The Ernie-Bernie years were amazing. I was in school at that time, and one night, I snuck down with my old 35mm camera with black and white film (Tri-x-Pan), and sat with the real photographers, awaiting the boot, which I never got, so I just took pictures. Here is a few from that night. On that last picture, if you look in the rafters and you will see a catwalk. That's where John Ward called the games from.








STOKELY

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

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.

No DECENT coach would give JJJ's minutes to Awaka.

 

[JCP201]

We really need JJJ to figure things out, but it’s really nice to see Santi have two straight games in double figures. He looked great in the 2nd half. Like vintage Santi. 10 points from him a game is perfect. It keeps the defense honest and from completely focusing on just Knecht.

Granted, when healthy, JJJ is a combo Gainey/Maschack, but he's even slumping on defense which makes me think he's hurt. We have backups to help him recover before tournament time. Gainey has come out of his slump and Maschack is a defensive machine. Put him on the other teams best and he is good for at least blocking out 10 points or more. Knecht is obviously our offensive weapon--teams are going to try to stop him, which makes Santi/ZZ so important. Obviously Aidoo has been amazing--but we also have Tobe who is a great rebounder and Estrella is getting better and better. There's a few good teams out there obviously like NC, but this might be our year. Let's hope we can get a good bracket during tournament time.

 

[Orangeburst]

Agree. The Ernie-Bernie years were amazing. I was in school at that time, and one night, I snuck down with my old 35mm camera with black and white film (Tri-x-Pan), and sat with the real photographers, awaiting the boot, which I never got, so I just took pictures. Here is a few from that night. On that last picture, if you look in the rafters and you will see a catwalk. That's where John Ward called the games from.
View attachment 615525

View attachment 615526

View attachment 615527


View attachment 615529
STOKELY
View attachment 615531

 

[cardvolfan]

Barnes: we stand on business, Josh.

 

[Mikevol1964]

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

So if JJJ needs to score 10-12 pts a game as posters are wanting. Whose shots is he taken because there are only so many possessions. You taking I don’t know 5 shots from Dalton a game or Aidoo or who? The team is playing well as a TEAM. Sit back and enjoy it.

 

[vol94]

View attachment 615439Rick kind of enjoying this one, crowd singing Rocky Top

This.

So much fun. The PA blared the somg“Crazy Train” when the crowd sang Rocky Top. Volnation got louder and you could still hear “Rocky Top.”

Go Vols! I dislike the gym but a fun night to see our Vols in person.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

He is good. But he is not Bernard King.

He is different for sure. Loved me some Ernie and Bernie, but Special K would have been generational and unstoppable in that time as well. BK’s quick and high elevation from mid range was unstoppable too. But DK’s handle and range are so much stronger and allows him to create his own shot, where BK had to get position and receive the ball or rebound and go back up.

The ability to bring the ball up and initiate the new high ball screen offense has really added to our reduction in droughts. His movement without the ball pulls defenders away from their covers and creates passing lanes in to cutting bigs and out to 3 ball ops.

Don’t think his game will translate to lead dog status at the next level like a healthy BK, but is wonderful in today’s college game. I am going to enjoy it.

A one year stay will PROBABLY not allow matching BK’s status in the hearts of Vol nation, but can be recognized as an alternate great story. A deep run MIGHT Elevate his place in history for a hungry fan base. We are a fickle lot.