Tennessee Postgame Luau

[CardiacCuse]

The game was over with 3 mins left, I don't really care that Tennessee ran up the score while we were in total desperation mode. But we were within 7 until then, and within reach for 37 mins. Lots to build on, lots to learn from, but we proved we belong on the court with one of the best teams in the country.

If they play as hard as they played today every game from here on out, they're dancing. If they do that and eliminate their three or four worst shot selections, they're probably winning ~22 regular season games, a couple ACC tourney games, and getting a 6 or 7 seed.

A lot to be optimistic about in Game #4.

in this specific game my opinion is that the performance was poor.

I hope the players and coaches are harder on themselves than most of the people in this thread

 

[SUbear]

It was clear tonight he was frustrated that he couldn't get by better athletes. His first drive that got swatted was a harbinger of things to come. His biggest problem is he thinks he's better than he is and doesn't trust his mates

I was not talking about just today.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Wisconsin is blowing out Virginia at JPJ.

Why is that noteworthy? Well Tennessee went into Madison and beat the Badgers by double digits.

 

[djcon57]

I know we're not supposed to talk about guys who left, but I really, really wish we had Jesse.

Yep. He would have helped quite a bit.

 

[two3zone]

JJ was a top 20 recruit and McDonalds All American coming out of high school. He was playing injured for a good portion of last season and still made the All ACC Freshman team. Judah was on the All Freshman ACC team, too, and is a pre season All ACC First teamer this year. That’s why there were reasonable expectations that we should have one of the best backcourts in the ACC. Red clearly still has lots of work to do to mold this group into a good team that can have a chance at making the tourney.

In this entire thing you didn’t mention any of his numbers, not one meaningful thing that happens on the court.

 

[CardiacCuse]

is there a single NBAer on Tennessee?

 

[Cusefan0307]

JJ was a top 20 recruit and McDonalds All American coming out of high school. He was playing injured for a good portion of last season and still made the All ACC Freshman team. Judah was on the All Freshman ACC team, too, and is a pre season All ACC First teamer this year. That’s why there were reasonable expectations that we should have one of the best backcourts in the ACC. Red clearly still has lots of work to do to mold this group into a good team that can have a chance at making the tourney.

Some posters warned you guys about the red flags around JJ. I wanted to be wrong, but everything I was concerned about has shown true through 4 games…I hope he turns it around, but this isn’t the same guy coming out of High School.

 

[SUbear]

is there a single NBAer on Tennessee?

Not that I can see, but then neither have we.

 

[Dcuse]

Moving away from the basket. I would prefer he be able to receive a pass and step into his shot. Inside out plays might be the best option.

Screens only work if the defender is actually contacted physically by the screen setter.

You do know the screener can’t move….right? Again, we ran him off screens and Tenn. switched off to him very well.

 

[Brooky03]

Carey looked more like the level of skill of Jim Carey in The Cable Guy

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a D1 player miss a shot off the side of the backboard, 3 ft away from said backboard.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

You do know the screener can’t move….right? Again, we ran him off screens and Tenn. switched off to him very well.

We don’t use the screens properly. Don’t get close enough to rub the defender off (go ahead you perverts). That’s on Justin as well. And why you being so aggressive dude? Just talking here. No need to escalate.

 

[Cusefan0307]

is there a single NBAer on Tennessee?

There was an article that came out today about Knecht being a first rounder if he continues to play this well. Draft picks in college don’t mean much lately. Sanogo was the MOP of last years tournament and wasn’t drafted. Veterans win and the Vols have a lot of them.

 

[MGraves5]

JJ was a top 20 recruit and McDonalds All American coming out of high school. He was playing injured for a good portion of last season and still made the All ACC Freshman team. Judah was on the All Freshman ACC team, too, and is a pre season All ACC First teamer this year. That’s why there were reasonable expectations that we should have one of the best backcourts in the ACC. Red clearly still has lots of work to do to mold this group into a good team that can have a chance at making the tourney.

I think for many, the expectation of a top 5 backcourt also included Westry in the mix

 

[AZOrange]

I hate losing as much as anyone, but I'm quite encouraged. There's a lot thats fixable. Red had us ready. You cannot miss free throws and turn it over on the inbounds consistently if you want to beat a top 10 team.

This is where I am

 

[malpearl31]

Starling isn’t a bad player… but he really doesn’t fit well with Judah in the same backcourt - and neither guy is a threat from 3-pt range - and neither guy has showcased a great ability to penetrate and get others easy baskets. (When JJ or Judah drive, they generally shoot… even if it’s a tough shot.)

And it pains me to say this, but so far JJ has looked a lot like… a slightly better Symir Torrence?

 

[ThundrTroll]

It's only four games in, and we all knew Maui was going to be a challenge, but I hope Red can figure out the rotation going into conference play. I can't make sense of the substitution pattern yet as it is a work in progress.

This is a poorly balanced team. Backcourt of two slashers who take turns attempting tough, contested layups (Mintz and Starling); two players who I trust shooting, but can't create off the dribble (Bell and Taylor); and a 7'4" center who offers little besides setting screens. Hima can't even get off the bench and I have little to no hope for either Carey or Patterson. We have four players 6'11" or taller, but I don't think any can hoop.

Regardless of who we sub, we play the majority of possessions with 5 guys on the perimeter and wonder why our rebounding is so poor? Too many jump shots with literally no one underneath. Do we even have a back door screen as a set play?

 

[UpstateSM]

Justin Taylor is an incredible rebounder. Busts his ass go get into position and has really soft hands. Consistently outworks guys bigger than him and he just finds the ball in ways that all of our other forwards don't.

Impacts the game in a major way even when he isn't touching the ball or making shots the few times it finds him.

 

[Orangefan1]

you get fat sitting home eating cupcakes. you get sharper putting your mettle to the stone.

I’m fine with cupcakes and I like them we used to play ten in a row and create an identity then be ready to play a team like Tennessee sometimes would play a tournament when we knew we had the personal

 

[Red Holzman]

A loss to #7 that some blame on poor foul shooting?
Keeping it close for most of the game while our lauded backcourt was AWOL going 8/27?
That says something positive IMO.
Some ugly shots, lack of rebounding/etc, but kept the pressure on TN for most of the game.
Basically SU was competing for a win -appreciated seeing them compete vs my fear of getting rolled.

Lots of room for improvement, but an engaged team generally put in the effort today.
If they stick together and stay engaged and work to improve, could be a fun season to watch as the team and coach grow into their roles.
May have something to be excited about come March Madness.

 

[mark79]

I hate losing as much as anyone, but I'm quite encouraged. There's a lot thats fixable. Red had us ready. You cannot miss free throws and turn it over on the inbounds consistently if you want to beat a top 10 team.

I feel exactly the same. I hate to lose, but in reality it was a lot to expect this young team with a new coach to win a game like this.

More than anything, we played a little nervous and a few players tried to do too much and either took bad shots or turned the ball over. But gotta give credit to Tennessee as well, they played some pretty good defense. Mintz’s two early fouls really hurt us as well. I was pretty happy with our defensive effort and was shouting when Benny started to put it together. We had a few encouraging moments at least.

 

[NorSyr66]

No one wants to rebound. On the offensive end, a jump shot goes up and there are no SU players within 15 feet of the basket. They have the size and athleticism to really hit the boards, but apparently, not the desire to get in there and mix it up. This has to be fixed.

This is a repeat from the Colgate game. Everyone turns and runs away from the rebound!!! This should be easy to correct.

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

Justin Taylor is an incredible rebounder. Busts his ass go get into position and has really soft hands. Consistently outworks guys bigger than him and he just finds the ball in ways that all of our other forwards don't.

Impacts the game in a major way even when he isn't touching the ball or making shots the few times it finds him.

Did all that stuff great has to chip in a quiet 7-8 points when our starting guards are off.

I would have put up with a couple turnovers from him if he’s forcing the issue.

0 points when his identical twin has 20 and carried the opponent sucks.

 

[NorSyr66]

Did you forget how bad we were the past 2 seasons when when we lost to an awful Bryant team, Colgate by double digits both seasons, and were absolutely boatraced by Auburn/Nova? This is absolutely a step forward.

Very good point. But we need to keep showing improvement. Lots of area to focus - shooting, free throws, rebounds, offense and defense!!!

 

[UpstateSM]

Right now we aren’t winning this trade. I’m encouraged in other areas, but JJ has not been good at the 2. He’s looked fine as the lead ball handler, but that’s not going to happen much.

(It should)

 

[ThundrTroll]

A loss to #7 that some blame on poor foul shooting?
Keeping it close for most of the game while our lauded backcourt was AWOL going 8/27?
That says something positive IMO.
Some ugly shots, lack of rebounding/etc, but kept the pressure on TN for most of the game.
Basically SU was competing for a win -appreciated seeing them compete vs my fear of getting rolled.

Lots of room for improvement, but an engaged team generally put in the effort today.
If they stick together and stay engaged and work to improve, could be a fun season to watch as the team and coach grow into their roles.
May have something to be excited about come March Madness.

Just like with college basketball, I take college rankings this early in the season with a grain of salt.