Rotation for 2012-2013 season...

[bleedingTNorange]

Coach Martin was really praising McRaes play in the SEC teleconference today, and was also very high on Kenny. Said Jordy has really been playing well and showing a lot in practice, and Kenny has been great.

If this is true, and both those guys are stepping up that's great news for tennessees chances to be as successful as possible this year. If jordy can step up and play tough and smart on both ends, he clearly has the talent, then well finally have that wing we've been missing. And if Kenny can step up as a senior and play 20-25 solid minute behind stokes and Maymon in the post we very well could have the best post trio in te sec, and right up at the top in the nation IMO.

[MannyD]

Anybody else at all concerned with replacing Tatum's production? Wing is probably my biggest area of concern (yes, even more so than guard play) for this season.

I was down on Cam all season last year, but after going back and watching the highlights from every game last year multiple times (because I've been bored), I began to notice that when Cam had a big game, we usually fared well and vice versa. He had big games against UConn and Vandy to name a few, and those were some of the best performances we had as a team.

I'm hopeful that with another offseason for McRae, McBee and Richardson, and with the addition of Chievous, Edwards and Reese we'll more than make up for the loss of Tatum. Still worries me though - wouldn't be surprised if I find myself wishing he was still on the team a time or two this season.

[Chris4Vols22]

Originally Posted by MannyD

Anybody else at all concerned with replacing Tatum's production? Wing is probably my biggest area of concern (yes, even more so than guard play) for this season.

I was down on Cam all season last year, but after going back and watching the highlights from every game last year multiple times (because I've been bored), I began to notice that when Cam had a big game, we usually fared well and vice versa. He had big games against UConn and Vandy to name a few, and those were some of the best performances we had as a team.

I'm hopeful that with another offseason for McRae, McBee and Richardson, and with the addition of Chievous, Edwards and Reese we'll more than make up for the loss of Tatum. Still worries me though - wouldn't be surprised if I find myself wishing he was still on the team a time or two this season.

If McRae can play in the offense like he's supposed to, I think we'll be fine. However, he's going to need to be a lot better than he was last year. Granted he had a few good games, but he was mostly out of control.

[bleedingTNorange]

I expect good things from chievous and Edwards at the 3, I think they'll more than offset the loss of cam. The 2 will be the biggest question, can one of Richardson, Mcbee or McRae step forward and become a solid performer at the 2. If McRae steps forward like CCM has made it sound, and chievous/Edwards play the 3 like they're capable of, I think this team can be VERY good.

[Shaun1985]

I've always been high on McRae so I hope he shows up. He's an amazing player but has a very low basketball IQ and pulls the trigger too fast. I really hope he's spent a lot of time in the film room and paid attention to Martin & Co. or he'll end his career as a poor mans Scotty Hopson and he has a TON of potential.

[Chris4Vols22]

Originally Posted by Shaun1985

I've always been high on McRae so I hope he shows up. He's an amazing player but has a very low basketball IQ and pulls the trigger too fast. I really hope he's spent a lot of time in the film room and paid attention to Martin & Co. or he'll end his career as a poor mans Scotty Hopson and he has a TON of potential.

I want to say that Martin will help elevate McRae. Hope I'm right.

[bleedingTNorange]

Not to beat a dead horse, but the more I hear I feel like Mcbees minutes are going to drop drastically this year.

[johnnybravo]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

Not to beat a dead horse, but the more I hear I feel like Mcbees minutes are going to drop drastically this year.

Not to just continuously keep bashing McBee, but that would only be a good thing for our team. If the others are stepping up their game and defense to push McBee to the bench would only make us stronger. We have talented players and this is the year they need to shine.

[MannyD]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

Not to beat a dead horse, but the more I hear I feel like Mcbees minutes are going to drop drastically this year.

May be the case, but I'm in a 'wait and see' mode as it pertains to our personnel at the 2 and 3 positions. McBee has the advantage of experience over most of other guys at these positions, with the exception of McRae and maybe Richardson. If guys are able to guard their man and show some consistency, you'll see Skylar's minutes reduced. Otherwise, I think you have to go with McBee because of his experience.

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by johnnybravo

Not to just continuously keep bashing McBee, but that would only be a good thing for our team. If the others are stepping up their game and defense to push McBee to the bench would only make us stronger. We have talented players and this is the year they need to shine.

Exactly, very well said. It's not as much about Mcbee as it is others, if the others will play with the same defensive intensity and are capable of hitting the open shot, while then were better with them. Skylar wasn't a 50% 3pt shooter, infact his % wasn't what you'd consider to be a 3 point specialist, like a Brady heslip. So if Richardson, McRae and chievous can hit the 3 around 35% and committ to playing defense, we are a much better team with them out there.

Everything I've heard and seen shows...Jordan is playing with much more energy and commitment on both ends, the IQ I'm unsure about still though. Richardson has definitely worked on his shot, the elbow is in a better spot, and he's hitting the 3 with consistency. Chievous has a SEC body, plays hard and great defender and rebounder, reminds me of Richardson but bigger stronger and probably not quite the defender. However, his offensive game looks to be very solid and his shot looks nice and has a deep range.

I see a 4 man rotation on the wings: McRae, Edwards, Richardson an chievous and probably some spot minutes for skylar, but for the most part I don't think we see him.

[Bassmanbruno]

Cant McRae or Richardson slide over to the 3? At least until one of the new guys steps up and proves themselves?

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by Bassmanbruno

Cant McRae or Richardson slide over to the 3? At least until one of the new guys steps up and proves themselves?

McRae and Richardson can play both, my though is Q and Edwards are mainly 3's. So IMO...
PG: golden 30/ Richardson 10
SG: McRae 25/ Richardson 10/ Mcbee 5
SF: Edwards 20/Q 20
F: Maymon 30/ stokes 10
F: stokes 20/ hall 20

I could see Armani getting Mcbees minutes and takings few from josh

[Chris4Vols22]

Originally Posted by Bassmanbruno

Cant McRae or Richardson slide over to the 3? At least until one of the new guys steps up and proves themselves?

It's just going to be putting the most talent on the floor. If McBee is better than McRae, Richardson, Chievous, and Edwards, then that's great. But we may as well just call the 2 and 3 positions "guards" because there is virtually no discernible difference between the positions in our system. So as long as the other guys are playing well, McBee's minutes go down.

[Shaun1985]

Yups. I agree. Martin won't keep McBee in because he's a nice guy. If he's one of the best options we have at the moment, he'll play but if everyone plays to their abilities, McBee rides the pine.

[zansdad]

I am going to continue to be the voice of dissention here. I think McBee still gets 20 minutes a game. McBee has 3 years of experience in the SEC and, while BTO doesn't apparently appreciate it, he is the best 3 point shooter on the team. He also brings a certain lunch pail attitude that I think Martin likes. CCM rewarded Cam last year for working hard on the defensive end, his hustle, and his leadership and I expect the same will be done for McBee this year.