The Official #8 Tennessee @ Arkansas Game Thread, 9:00 PM ET, ESPN2

[508mikey]

I am wondering. Who was the transfer portal who decommitted from TN before the season and where did he go and I wonder if he is regretting his decision? Also, does anybody see Mashack when he is sitting on the bench. His demeanor kind of concerns me. I don't know if he is mad because of his minutes.

He might be mad sitting behind an underachieving Vescovi

 

[SlyStone]

He might be mad sitting behind an underachieving Vescovi

Vescovi's minutes need to be reduced.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Vescovi has given too much to Barnes and this program not to play him a lot. He is a smart player, hustles the whole time he is in and does a lot of things that don't show up in the box scores.

Fortunately we have scorers now and don't have to depend on him for that anymore. I'm just giving credit for doing all he can without scoring. Not many players willing to do that any more.

 

[508mikey]

Vescovi has given too much to Barnes and this program not to play him a lot. He is a smart player, hustles the whole time he is in and does a lot of things that don't show up in the box scores.

Fortunately we have scorers now and don't have to depend on him for that anymore. I'm just giving credit for doing all he can without scoring. Not many players willing to do that any more.

Other teams will double team DK knowing it wont matter if Vescovi is left open in 3 point range

 

[Godfatha]

I'm amazed how much penetration Knecht was able to get against Arkansas.

Arkansas as a team just needs to come together.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Arkansas looks like they have tuned Musselman and the coaching staff out.

Something has happened there. Whether those rumors floating around are true, or it’s something else, there is clearly a big issue in the locker room/w/staff. Musselman isn’t a bad coach, and this team is different the last couple of months, something happened.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Something has happened there. Whether those rumors floating around are true, or it’s something else, there is clearly a big issue in the locker room/w/staff. Musselman isn’t a bad coach, and this team is different the last couple of months, something happened.

Likely due to lack of chemistry between a bunch of transfers.

Transfer portal can be a good thing but also can affect how a team plays.

Think it backfired on Musselman and he doesn’t know how to handle it.

 

[TMvol10]

Sick of watching Vescovi pump fake and then a turnover

He averages exactly 1.0 turnovers a game. That’s pretty good. Don’t get me wrong though, I’d love for him to get his confidence back and pull the trigger when he’s open (so would Barnes) but his pump fake usually ends up opening up something else either off his immediate pass or down the line when the defense shifts

 

[DC_Vol]

I know he’s had some success but he strikes me as a …the kind of guy the players might quit on when things get tough.

Well things are tough and got tougher last night. I guess we’ll see what happens

 

[DC_Vol]

Something has happened there. Whether those rumors floating around are true, or it’s something else, there is clearly a big issue in the locker room/w/staff. Musselman isn’t a bad coach, and this team is different the last couple of months, something happened.

What are the rumors saying?

 

[theroyz71]

What are the rumors saying?

 

[gainesvol82]

I think some are like me…unaware of the “ARK situation”. Can you point to a source?

Hmmmm......you know the old saying "_______ wouldn't know his a$$ from a hole in the ground"?

Let's just say that there are three players that started the season on the ARKy roster that would know each other's a$$es from a hole in the ground and could probably get an N.I.L. deal with a hot dog brand.

 

[CAVPUT]

Hmmmm......you know the old saying "_______ wouldn't know his a$$ from a hole in the ground"?

Let's just say that there are three players that started the season on the ARKy roster that would know each other's a$$es from a hole in the ground and could probably get an N.I.L. deal with a hot dog brand.

Struggling with this...so cryptic.

 

[gainesvol82]

I am wondering. Who was the transfer portal who decommitted from TN before the season and where did he go and I wonder if he is regretting his decision? Also, does anybody see Mashack when he is sitting on the bench. His demeanor kind of concerns me. I don't know if he is mad because of his minutes.

Shack always has the same even-tempered look. I have been a little surprised at his recent lack of minutes, especially after he had a few really good games in a row. My guess is that matchups have required more offensive output and not locking down specific players recently. I'm guessing that his minutes will increase in specific games as needed and depending on how he practices.
He will be needed in a major way next year and he is probably benefitting offensively from guarding Knecht in practice just like Knecht is benefitting defensively from being guarded by him.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I am wondering. Who was the transfer portal who decommitted from TN before the season and where did he go and I wonder if he is regretting his decision? Also, does anybody see Mashack when he is sitting on the bench. His demeanor kind of concerns me. I don't know if he is mad because of his minutes.

You’re probably thinking of Chris Ledlum. He left TN for St. John’s where he is playing 29 minutes a game. He definitely wouldn’t be getting that here.

 

[gainesvol82]

Other teams will double team DK knowing it wont matter if Vescovi is left open in 3 point range

When they do he kills them with a shot fake, drive and either taking it to the basket for a layup or foul or dropping a dime to someone cutting to the basket....usually Aidoo.

Vescovi has to be frustrated with his shot not falling as well this year but he has improved or stayed steady with his game in most other seasons. His defense is elite and he rebounds phenomenally for his size and position.

 

[gainesvol82]

I'm amazed how much penetration Knecht was able to get against Arkansas.

Arkansas as a team just needs to come together.

Also very subtly funny and now I have that damn Beatles song in my head.

ARKy players spend a lot of time on their own practicing how to allow as much penetration as possible.

 

[vol94]

It’s always nice to get a road win and this game was never in doubt most of the 2nd half.

•Aidoo- nice post play.
•Gainey- hit some shots and drive to the rim
•ZZ- his ball handling has improved throughout the yr. Even when he misses a floater or layup, we have an opportunity w offensive rebound.
•Knecht- not his best shooting performance. But we won with others scoring and Dalton made most of his foul shots in 2nd half.

My main concerns are:

1. Santi- we won’t reach the final four unless he gives us offense. Guard play is too critical in March.

2. Defense - Arkansas missed a lot of shots in 2nd half. That happens. But we struggled with rotating in first half w which gave Arkansas open looks. Is it lack of quickness?

3. Physical post play- can we match up against those with physical bigs ( MS State, Purdue, aTm, Kansas, UNC)?

I have us winning the next three but then winning three of four (Bama, Auburn, KY, Jr), though splitting the last four wouldn’t surprise me.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

I'm amazed how much penetration Knecht was able to get against Arkansas.

Arkansas as a team just needs to come together.

Like they literally needed to stand closer to each other.

 

[walkenvol]

I'm amazed how much penetration Knecht was able to get against Arkansas.

Arkansas as a team just needs to come together.

Who is Arkansas’ rim protector? They seemed sort of weak in the post last night.

 

[Godfatha]

Who is Arkansas’ rim protector? They seemed sort of weak in the post last night.

You'd think they would have someone willing to do the job at the rim.

 

[DC_Vol]

Struggling with this...so cryptic.

I think he’s saying there are some guys on the team who are good at working the rim.

 

[walkenvol]

Hmmmm......you know the old saying "_______ wouldn't know his a$$ from a hole in the ground"?

Let's just say that there are three players that started the season on the ARKy roster that would know each other's a$$es from a hole in the ground and could probably get an N.I.L. deal with a hot dog brand.

I know this rumor has been circulating on here for weeks, but IMO it’s beneath this forum to perpetuate the rumor even more so without any concrete proof. I’m no big hog fan and I like Muss the least of all SEC coaches, but can’t we just enjoy their on court failures this season instead of this? JMO, TIFWIW, AARP

 

[OrangeInKy]

What are the rumors saying?

That they play physical basketball

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

What are the rumors saying?

Locker room love triangle. Seems almost too crazy to be true, but the lack of team chemistry make it seem like it’s at least possible that those rumors could be true.