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

[ColinS]

In the first half, Vandy did not have an offensive rebound until JJJ sat down with about 4 minutes left.

JJJ inbounds the ball after opponents made baskets, does it quickly, and rarely turns it over. JJJ is often guarding the opponents inbounder, which takes away a lot of opportunities for easy baskets because his length is disruptive to them getting the ball inbounds - let alone run a successful scoring play.

When Aidoo had an open lane resulting in a slam in the first half, JJJ was on the low block drawing a double team which created the open lane for Aidoo.

When DK made the dagger 3 pointer from the corner with about 3 minutes left, taking UT’s lead from 10-13, it was JJJ’s pic on that inbounds play that got DK the look.

A little earlier, JJJ found Aidoo cutting to the lane for an easy basket. Aidoo was fouled on the play and went to the FT line. JJJ created the opportunity, but because Aidoo was fouled instead of making a basket, JJJ was not credited with an assist.

Another late play, JJJ knocked a ball loose (after a UT miss) which a teammate grabbed in the scramble.,JJ kept the ball alive - but wasn’t credited with a steal.

On defense, JJJ’s assigned players weren’t doing anything. In fact JJJ was able to slack off enough to help out others while still keeping his man from scoring.

JJJ can switch defensively on every screen.

JJJ on the floor with DK presents a matchup dilema for many opponents. They can’t put a guard on him as they can with Mashack. Therefore a bigger defender has to be on JJJ to prevent him from posting up a smaller guard. This means one fewer player with length is available to guard or double up on DK.

It doesn’t show up in the box scores, but JJJ’s contributions are a critical part of this team’s success.

I agree with that JJJ does a lot of the little things to win games but so do a lot of other players on this roster and some of those guys are capable of scoring too. He has to provide at least a little bit of a threat on the offensive end.

 

[cgrish]

At some point the team will need offense and overall good play from JJJ and Vescovi to win road games.

Yes, those two are not playing as well as they have in the past. Just get back to normal, and we will be hard to beat.

 

[cgrish]

JJJ and Vescovi give us nothing on offense now.

I agree what has happened to their offense?

 

[cgrish]

I don’t understand Josiah. Love the guy, but just don’t get his regression.

I am also confused on him, he used to be a lot better offensively than he is now. He has definately regressed.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

I am also confused on him, he used to be a lot better offensively than he is now. He has definately regressed.

No regression. My goodness. He's proudly taken on being the best role player possible. He's deferring offensively for the sake of the team. Do you think he should be getting 10-12 pts a game? If so then that would mean Knecht is getting 10-12 pts less per game. You should check out the interviews with James and Vescovi together a couple of weeks ago. They openly discussed their willingness to defer to Knecht in offense and contribute in all other facets of the game.

 

[cgrish]

JJJ with his typical half - 0 points

 

[barney]

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

I think he might have an undisclosed injury in his hand. he was wearing a brace again tonight.

 

[walkenvol]

No regression. My goodness. He's proudly taken on being the best role player possible. He's deferring offensively for the sake of the team. Do you think he should be getting 10-12 pts a game? If so then that would mean Knecht is getting 10-12 pts less per game. You should check out the interviews with James and Vescovi together a couple of weeks ago. They openly discussed their willingness to defer to Knecht in offense and contribute in all other facets of the game.

I think JJJ should be scoring 6-12 a game and he has in most games this season. I think we’re better with Vescovi scoring 10-15 and Gainey not far behind. We need perimeter shooters to spread the floor so that DK can dribble into the lane without defenders collapsing and poking at his dribble

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

No regression. My goodness. He's proudly taken on being the best role player possible. He's deferring offensively for the sake of the team. Do you think he should be getting 10-12 pts a game? If so then that would mean Knecht is getting 10-12 pts less per game. You should check out the interviews with James and Vescovi together a couple of weeks ago. They openly discussed their willingness to defer to Knecht in offense and contribute in all other facets of the game.

That's all well and good but you can't turn down open layups. At that point, you're a liability.

 

[cgrish]

No regression. My goodness. He's proudly taken on being the best role player possible. He's deferring offensively for the sake of the team. Do you think he should be getting 10-12 pts a game? If so then that would mean Knecht is getting 10-12 pts less per game. You should check out the interviews with James and Vescovi together a couple of weeks ago. They openly discussed their willingness to defer to Knecht in offense and contribute in all other facets of the game.

He passes up on too many open shots, he is very good on the elbow shots, but not taking them when available.

 

[wmcovol]

It was never an opera house. It was designed to be usable for other more highbrow purposes, as there was debate in the Vanderbilt community about whether they should de-emphasize collegiate athletics (in my opinion they should be D-III like Emory and stop wasting their tuition funds on a quixotic quest for relevance).

Memorial Gymnasium (Vanderbilt University) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I stand corrected. I thought I’d read where it was designed after an opera house but I’d concede to your research. Thanks.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I agree with that JJJ does a lot of the little things to win games but so do a lot of other players on this roster and some of those guys are capable of scoring too. He has to provide at least a little bit of a threat on the offensive end.

Those aren’t “little things” and he is doing them on nearly every possession. Both ends. Watch the Vandy replay and look at what he’s doing. Setting lots of pics WITHOUT committing fouls is huge. Helping teammates double team without losing track of the guy he’s primarily responsible for is huge.

Barnes mentioned JJJ specifically in the post game radio show pointing out how good of a game he played.

JJJ is an excellent complementary player to DK’s and Aidoo’s offense. And he is so unselfish about filling that role. The criticisms of his play are bad takes and unnecessary.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

That's all well and good but you can't turn down open layups. At that point, you're a liability.

JJJ has been turning down open layups his whole career at UT. You can't help yourself but to look for something negative. Obviously, you can't help it. If he was scoring 10 pts/game, you would be claiming Knecht is tiring because of Barnes. Damn

 

[PEPPERJAX]

South Carolina game Tuesday night is gonna be a good one. I can't wait! Go Big Orange!!

Already got my tickets too.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

JJJ and Vescovi give us nothing on offense now.

And we are still winning.

 

[Delmar]

Those aren’t “little things” and he is doing them on nearly every possession. Both ends. Watch the Vandy replay and look at what he’s doing. Setting lots of pics WITHOUT committing fouls is huge. Helping teammates double team without losing track of the guy he’s primarily responsible for is huge.

Barnes mentioned JJJ specifically in the post game radio show pointing out how good of a game he played.

JJJ is an excellent complementary player to DK’s and Aidoo’s offense. And he is so unselfish about filling that role. The criticisms of his play are bad takes and unnecessary.

Don’t argue with the couch coaches Thunder. Getting into a battle of wits with an unarmed man will only frustrate you.

 

[DC_Vol]

Excellent post. A lot of folks don’t understand the game past “How many points did he score?” There’s a lot more to it. I think I’ll let Barnes decide who is contributing rather than our couch coaches.

To be fair, I’m undefeated from my couch.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

And we are still winning.

If they were putting up a combined 20, the complaint would be that Barnes is tiring out Knecht with defense. He would be averaging less than 20 with that scenario. The MVP besides Knecht is Mashack. He might be the best on-ball defender in the country

 

[rgvol]

Already got my tickets too.

That's awesome have a great time

 

[PEPPERJAX]

If they were putting up a combined 20, the complaint would be that Barnes is tiring out Knecht with defense. He would be averaging less than 20 with that scenario. The MVP besides Knecht is Mashack. He might be the best on-ball defender in the country

I think SV has settled into his role now but it hasn’t happened yet offensively with JJJ. He’s still contributing in other ways.

 

[SN-A-C Orange]

He passes up on too many open shots, he is very good on the elbow shots, but not taking them when available.

Have you considered the possibility that getting others involved is a planned decision?
Think about how often they are throwing the ball to Jonas to get him involved.
Yeah, give me a teammate that gives me the ball as I swoop down the lane going in for a Fi Slamma Jamma. That's a great teammate!!!
Think about the Candy game, we zipped the ball... three quick passes and got a completely wide open 3. The shooters were open but passed it to someone who was more open.
This is a team of guys trying to win. Personal numbers matter way less than winning. GBO!

 

[Ft. Loudon Vol]

No regression. My goodness. He's proudly taken on being the best role player possible. He's deferring offensively for the sake of the team. Do you think he should be getting 10-12 pts a game? If so then that would mean Knecht is getting 10-12 pts less per game. You should check out the interviews with James and Vescovi together a couple of weeks ago. They openly discussed their willingness to defer to Knecht in offense and contribute in all other facets of the game.

Basketball is not a zero sum game. I think the we can all acknowledge that someone playing 28 minutes should be able to get an offensive rebound put back, a run out, something. Maybe get a steal on a loose ball, an assist, just something more.

 

[Delmar]

If they were putting up a combined 20, the complaint would be that Barnes is tiring out Knecht with defense. He would be averaging less than 20 with that scenario. The MVP besides Knecht is Mashack. He might be the best on-ball defender in the country

Something that hasn’t been talked about. I’ll wager that Mashack has made Knecht a better offensive player than he was when he arrived. How would you like to go against Jahmai every day in practice?

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Something that hasn’t been talked about. I’ll wager that Mashack has made Knecht a better offensive player than he was when he arrived. How would you like to go against Jahmai every day in practice?

No thanks!

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Basketball is not a zero sum game. I think the we can all acknowledge that someone playing 28 minutes should be able to get an offensive rebound put back, a run out, something. Maybe get a steal on a loose ball, an assist, just something more.

Ok. Still isn't anything remotely related to a regression of his skills. If anything, his worth has been enhanced by him taking on being the consummate role player. Actually, a seasoned model of it