The Official #6 Tennessee vs. Missouri Game Thread, 6:00 PM ET, SEC Network

#1
YankeeVol

YankeeVol

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#1
#6 Tennessee Volunteers: 19-5 (8-3 SEC)
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vs.

Missouri Tigers: 18-6 (6-5 SEC)
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GAME 25 | TENNESSEE vs. MISSOURI - Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 | 6:01 p.m. ET | Knoxville, Tenn. | Thompson-Boling Arena (21,678)


Line: UT -11.5
O/U: 141.5

TV: SEC Network / Watch
Radio: Vol Network / Listen / Live Stats
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM: 84 / Internet: 84
Online: WatchESPN.com

Missouri Game Notes

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#2
#2
THE SERIES

• Tennessee leads its all-time series with Missouri, 11-8, dating to 1961.
• When the series is contested in Knoxville, the Vols own a 5-3 advantage. But the last time the Tigers visited Rocky Top, they upset sixth-ranked Tennessee, 73-64, on Jan. 23, 2021.
• That 2021 loss is UT's lone setback in its last six games vs. Mizzou.
• As a junior at Cal, current Mizzou head coach Dennis Gates lost to Rick Barnes' Texas squad in the Preseason NIT. See note below.
• The Vols are 5-1 this season vs. the SEC teams whose head coach is in his first year with that program.
• In four career games vs. Missouri, Santiago Vescovi averages 11.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting .714 from 3-point range (10 of 14).
 
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#3
#3
SCOUTING REPORT

• The Vols occupy the No. 3 spot in the NCAA's NET ratings after holding steady at No. 2 from Jan. 3 through Feb. 8.
• Tennessee has two wins over teams with a current top-10 NET rating—No. 9 Texas and No. 10 Kansas. UT is one of only seven teams in the country that can claim that.
• Tennessee has played 59 games since the last time it suffered back-to-back losses.
• During SEC play, Tennessee leads the league in scoring defense (56.1 ppg) and assists per game (15.9).
• Tennessee's offensive rebounding percentage of 38.0 ranks second in the country behind only Purdue (38.7).
• Zakai Zeigler averages a league-best 6.7 assists during SEC play while ranking among the league leaders in both assist/turnover ratio (2.96. 3rd) and steals (1.8, 6th).
• In its last 27 games against SEC opponents, the Vols are 23-4 with wins over every league opponent except Alabama (no meetings).
• UT ranks fourth nationally in average home attendance (18,212)—one of three SEC teams in the top four.
 
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#4
#4
THE NATION'S BEST DEFENSE

• For the 11th straight week, the Volunteers own the best adjusted defensive efficiency in the country per KenPom, allowing only 85.0 points per 100 possessions.
• Tennessee owns the nation's best field-goal percentage defense (.347) and 3-point defense (.228) along with the nation's second-best scoring defense (55.0 ppg).
• 11 times this season, the Vols have held their opponents to 50 points or less.
• Only three teams have reached the 70-point mark against these Vols.
• Only five opposing players have scored 20 or more points against the Vols this season.
• Tennessee has trailed at the break only four times this season and is outscoring its opponents 34.3 ppg to 25.1 ppg in first-half action (+9.2 ppg).
 
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#5
#5
ABOUT MISSOURI

• Missouri (18-6, 6-5 SEC) has won four of its past five games, including a 78-61 home win over No. 12 Iowa State in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge on Jan. 28. The Tigers' lone loss during that stretch came last Saturday at Mississippi State, 63-52.
• Currently ranked No. 49 in the NET, Missouri is 3-6 in Quadrant 1 games and a combined 15-0 in Quadrant 2, 3 and 4 games. In Quadrant 1, the Tigers own home wins over Iowa State and Arkansas and a neutral-site win over Illinois.
• The Tigers are 2-4 in true road games this season, notching wins at Ole Miss and Wichita State.
• Missouri is led by first-year head coach Dennis Gates, who arrived in Columbia after a three-year stint at Cleveland State that included back-to-back Horizon League championships in 2021 and 2022. Prior to serving as the head coach at Cleveland State, Gates was an assistant at Florida State for eight seasons from 2011-19.
• Senior Kobe Brown, a 2022 second-team All-SEC selection, is Missouri's leading scorer (16.3 ppg) and rebounder (6.1 rpg).
• Brown is averaging 18.2 ppg and shooting .526 from the field during SEC play—both of which rank second in the conference.
• According to KenPom, Missouri ranks No. 9 in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 183 in adjusted defensive efficiency.
• On the offensive end, Missouri ranks 13th in Division I in scoring offense (82.0 ppg), 13th in the nation in assists per game (17.1 apg) and 26th in the nation in field-goal percentage (.480).
• Defensively, Missouri is second in Division I in steals (10.6 spg) and third in turnover margin (6.1).
 
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#8
#8
I keep waiting for our defense to break because it seems like we're not defending with the same intensity as the first 15 games of the season. But we continue to hold our opponents in check and make them earn every bucket.

The thing I've noticed that has surprised me is how difficult it is for Vescovi to get the high quality looks he used to get. I don't see the signature side step and shoot or open looks from high screens.
 
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#9
#9
VOLywood said:
I keep waiting for our defense to break because it seems like we're not defending with the same intensity as the first 15 games of the season. But we continue to hold our opponents in check and make them earn every bucket.

The thing I've noticed that has surprised me is how difficult it is for Vescovi to get the high quality looks he used to get. I don't see the signature side step and shoot or open looks from high screens.
Click to expand...

He can't finish a drive but he is continually taking the ball under the basket. This throws a wrench in the offense and wastes clock. Vescovi's rotations always need to end at the 3-point line and he should always pass and drive instead of drive and pass. He needs to be stretching the defense, 3 point threat, so the bigs can get open underneath or kick back to him for the 3. This is how he gets looks, catch and shoot like you said.
 
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#10
#10
Great comments and agree but, Vescovi is the least of our problems. If, big if, Uros played under control and intelligent taking the ball and slamming it through the hoop, clean blocks, keep his hands off opponents, that would be huge. Second is not a single player is getting better and all are inconsistent as heck. We just do not have a reliable shooter right now. This will be a tough game unless we get front out early and stay there. Go Vols. Fingers crossed.
 
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#11
#11
I’d like to build up this lead. We can’t catch KY for at least a hundred years, but I’d like to see TN have the head-to-head lead over the other 14 in the SEC in my lifetime.

• Tennessee leads its all-time series with Missouri, 11-8, dating to 1961.
 
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#13
#13
VOLtaism said:
He can't finish a drive but he is continually taking the ball under the basket. This throws a wrench in the offense and wastes clock. Vescovi's rotations always need to end at the 3-point line and he should always pass and drive instead of drive and pass. He needs to be stretching the defense, 3 point threat, so the bigs can get open underneath or kick back to him for the 3. This is how he gets looks, catch and shoot like you said.
Click to expand...

Completely agree, we need Vescovi to pass then drive. Work the perimeter movement hard while the ball is moving inside and out on the other side to create open looks.

I also agree with the comment about Uros playing clean. He is a difference maker when his head is in the game. He and Awaka have been looking good on offensive possessions but then commit dumb fouls on D and rebounding that take them out of the game and kill our momentum.
 
#15
#15
VOLywood said:
Completely agree, we need Vescovi to pass then drive. Work the perimeter movement hard while the ball is moving inside and out on the other side to create open looks.

I also agree with the comment about Uros playing clean. He is a difference maker when his head is in the game. He and Awaka have been looking good on offensive possessions but then commit dumb fouls on D and rebounding that take them out of the game and kill our momentum.
Click to expand...
Uros is a liability when he’s missing free throws.
 
#17
#17
VOLywood said:
It also hurts that Phillips isn't progressing the way a blue chip should. I'd argue that Springer, Keon Johnson, and Chandler were all further along at this point of their freshman season.
Click to expand...

Every 19 year old, no matter how talented, isn’t necessarily mature enough to immediately adjust to SEC basketball. It won’t surprise me at all if JP is turning heads in March and especially next year if he returns.
 
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#18
#18
This team can turn it around but need the below to make a run in March:

1. Better guard play from ZZ, Vescovi and JJJ (even if he is playing the 3 position). ZZ esp has to score
2. Attack the rim to draw fouls instead of passing out.
3. Get to foul line more

They have the defense but better guard play is the key to advance.
 
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#19
#19
VOLywood said:
Completely agree, we need Vescovi to pass then drive. Work the perimeter movement hard while the ball is moving inside and out on the other side to create open looks.

I also agree with the comment about Uros playing clean. He is a difference maker when his head is in the game. He and Awaka have been looking good on offensive possessions but then commit dumb fouls on D and rebounding that take them out of the game and kill our momentum.
Click to expand...

Plus they can’t make foul shots, though we rarely get to the line. That has to change, too. Vescovi , ZZ , Phillips and JJJ have to drive and force the refs to make a call. TN has to work hard for most baskets so getting to the line more is a must.
 
#21
#21
JJJ has a ton of things he does well, but he has zero game in the paint. He plays like a small guard in a small forward body. I'd love to see him work on his post game and driving from the wing to the basket.
 
#22
#22
VOLywood said:
It also hurts that Phillips isn't progressing the way a blue chip should. I'd argue that Springer, Keon Johnson, and Chandler were all further along at this point of their freshman season.
Click to expand...

100% agree. I think he is playing timid instead of going to the rim and/or looking for his shot. His ten points vs Vandy came from 6-8 shots. He has to be more involved as he is our most athletic player on the floor. Idk if it’s true, but supposedly he is afraid to make a mistake as Barnes rides him pretty hard.
 
#25
#25
I have to work at Texas Roadhouse on what is College Basketball Saturday.

The SEC Network isn’t available at Texas Roadhouse so I’ll be limited to seeing the updated score on
ESPN.

I expect Tennessee can rebound vs Missouri in the show me state after the soul crushing defeat to a gutsy Vanderbilt team.
 
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