The Official #6 Tennessee vs. Alabama Game Thread, 2:00 PM ET, ESPN2

[Volfan1000]

Now 13 games to suggest the 5 game stretch was the cold streak and that he’s a legit 18+PPG guy

If Vescovi can stay out of foul trouble, he can start picking up the scoring slack to help Knecht and Aidoo.

 

[bigdaddy]

Do we always have an off week in basketball? I don’t recall but my memory isn’t the best. Odd to not have a game until next Saturday and it’s January

 

[Kas232323]

Now 13 games to suggest the 5 game stretch was the cold streak and that he’s a legit 18+PPG guy

That stretch of games came immediately after the ankle injury as well. I believe it was bothering him more than was publicized.

 

[VolFanNC09]

Big win today, this was the only game I was worried about prior to going to Lexington. Great defense for most of the game, if Vesco can give us 10PPG and JJJ comes out of his slump we really look like a final four team. I think the top 5 all won their games this week, so we likely stay at 6 in the next polls.

Edit: I didn’t see Kansas losing to WVU, possibly will move us to top 5

 

[Butch s]

That kid is good no doubt. Perhaps he was just playing possum IDK. I did see some fouls called against us that seemed like clean plays, but pretty sure we got away with a few.

Who were you pulling for exactly

 

[CAVPUT]

Maybe @CAVPUT is right, Knecht isn’t that great, he only scored 25 tonight. We probably really are making him more than he is.

Only 25? Come on. How average can a player be? On top of that, only 4 rebounds? Plus those dunks were pedestrian. No 360, no rock the baby...not even a tomahawk. Way over rated.

 

[JoeMiltonsAgent]

You posted a pic of Blanton's, not Pappy lol.

Just a LITTLE difference

Sorry for the confusion.

I was referencing two separate events.

The Blantons is available tonight and I was debating going when Jaxon_Vol 2017 mentioned drinking some.

It veered over to the Papi discussion at some point LOL. I had that on NYE.

 

[Caz]

Giving you the benefit of the doubt as basketball teams can play very different between games, but the bama roster is lacking. They have no real rim protection. Sears is impressive at times, but he is more ball hog than point guard. Nothing about that team made me think they could “bully” us. The VOLS just provided everyone a blue print of how to guard them. I don’t see how they can beat one of the top teams unless the officials give them a hundred free throws for which their players and coach spend an insane amount of time crying to the officials for a call. I think you’ve seriously overestimated the strength of their roster.

Great post..but not many can guard them like we did.
Totally dominated their asses

 

[CAVPUT]

There is no way Tennessee is losing a home game this year. They don't even have to play that well to win by double digits in TBA. Alabama actually has a decent team.

The burning question I have is....are we the only stinking team in the country that can't get a home whistle? Bama had to bring blood to get called whereas several of our "fouls" were just flat made up.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Sears gets bailed out repeatedly by the zebras - do better guys. Some of the fouls called on us were ridiculous!

Especially the way Special K gets mauled with no whistles.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Do we always have an off week in basketball? I don’t recall but my memory isn’t the best. Odd to not have a game until next Saturday and it’s January

We played more before Christmas break with the Maui tournament. Actually comes at a great time since @ Kentucky is coming up.
Little extra rest & recovery and staying in Knoxville before going to Nashville.

I won’t be surprised if JJJ starts scoring better after this break. He’s the only one nursing anything right now.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

There is no way Tennessee is losing a home game this year. They don't even have to play that well to win by double digits in TBA. Alabama actually has a decent team.

I am afraid you grossly underestimate the impact zebras can have if they control momentum.

 

[CAVPUT]

Just his presence on the floor opens up a lot of things. The other team gives him so much attention it gives everybody else open shots. And yeah, when 25 is an off night and we win by 20 against a really good team, that says a lot.

Tells me CAVPUT needs to put the shovel down and stop digging....but something tells me he won't. But this is still America dammit....

 

[Buddy’s Bandit]

You posted a pic of Blanton's, not Pappy lol.

Just a LITTLE difference

It’s all BT!!

 

[hillsborovol]

JJJ missed the last two practices with the flu.

 

[JoeMiltonsAgent]

The burning question I have is....are we the only stinking team in the country that can't get a home whistle? Bama had to bring blood to get called whereas several of our "fouls" were just flat made up.

I hear ya but that has been a thing since TBA opened IMO.

Worst " home court advantage" in the SEC.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Dillione’s shot-making at the end there flashed what got him his Freddie Buckets nickname. Still think if he sticks around, doesn’t transfer, and buys into Rick’s coaching he has the chance to be special.

 

[Ernest T. Vol]

If Vescovi can stay out of foul trouble, he can start picking up the scoring slack to help Knecht and Aidoo.

He's getting a quick 2 to start nearly every game. Maybe needs to have a different game plan at the start of the game. Part of his role though is working hard on defense.

 

[CAVPUT]

Now 13 games to suggest the 5 game stretch was the cold streak and that he’s a legit 18+PPG guy

 

[JCP201]

If Vescovi can stay out of foul trouble, he can start picking up the scoring slack to help Knecht and Aidoo.

Vescovi doesn't score like last year, but he's a defensive machine. I really like this team.

 

[Cartervol]

That was a butt whooping. Vols have more answers than questions this year. They'll have to get a few on the road against the better teams. They have a chance to win the conference if they play like they've been playing lately. This may be Barnes best team yet.

 

[OffTackleVol]

Dillione’s shot-making at the end there flashed what got him his Freddie Buckets nickname. Still think if he sticks around, doesn’t transfer, and buys into Rick’s coaching he has the chance to be special.

Agree 100%. I may be reading him wrong, but his body language, temperament seems to suggest he'll stick around and take hard coaching......

 

[OffTackleVol]

Vescovi doesn't score like last year, but he's a defensive machine. I really like this team.

They are an absolutely delight (Dixieland, that is) to watch play team defense......

 

[The Dog]

It’s just too bad Regular Season Rick kills our player’s confidence, otherwise Aidoo could have been a good ball player.

How can you not love the ?

 

[Redheads]

They are an absolutely delight (Dixieland, that is) to watch play team defense......

I was at the game today. Crowd was great. Stayed to the very end. Do we always play ”Dixieland Delight” after wins or just against Bama since they think it’s their song even though the lyrics say “on a Tennessee Saturday night”? We sang the whole song today. I always remember the “Tennessee Waltz” being played postgame.