volfansince113087
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If this basketball team does not make the NCAA tournament this year, the CCM and his staff will have "for sale" signs in their respective yards. This team is very talented and can make a deep run in the dance if they catch break or 2 here and there and get a little luck. Is this team a Final 4 team? If they gut lucky in the tournament, anything can happen. I'm going to go ahead and say this, if they don't make it to the sweet 16 I'll be shocked. They are poised to make a run in the tournament. If they get consistent scoring night in and night out and if their frontcourt play is good (mop up minutes), they will compete. Outside of Maymon and Stokes, the Vols will struggle down low. The newcomer "Pops" is very raw and needs some big game experience the by the time the SEC schedule rolls around. Davis is more of a 3/4 in my opinion. Outside of Maymon, I don't think they have a true 4.
My projected line-up:
1. Barton
2. Richardson
3. McRae
4. Maymon
5. Stokes
Off the bench:
Thompson (1), Hubbs (2 or 3), Moore (3 or 4), Pops (5), and Davis at times will get minutes depending on the fouls and match-ups, but he will get time at 3 or 4.
Barton is a true PG, unlike Golden. He's not going to fill it up, but he does so many different intangibles and that completes this team. Runs the offense well, sees the floor well, and does not force the ball. Very good penetrator but he will knock down that open shot every now and then, if you leave him open he will make you pay. Reminds me of Bobby Maze.
Richardson is an ace lockdown defender and has really improved his shooting. He will have the assignment every night on the opponent's top scorer. He will make the defense pay if you leave him open.
McRae was McRae and he will pick up his scoring from where he left off last year. He didn't flash much in the scrimmage but he can stroke the 3-ball from long range and drive to the hole with ease.
Maymon is pretty much 100% but remember he hasn't played in nearly 18 months, so he is just getting back into basketball form. He's very physical down low and will compliment Stokes very good. Remember Stokes was pretty much our only post player last year (Hall was a decoy most of the time) and still put up some pretty good numbers. Maymon has a quick turnaround jumper that will benefit his game.
Stokes will be tough to handle. If I'm CCM and his staff, I'm going to make sure he touches the ball everytime. He either scored or got fouled. He missed a shot or 2 from .blank range but he is a force down low. He is still struggling from the FT line and that might cost the team a game or 2. Bricked a few 10 foot jumpers.
Thompson is like Barton. He will be a good solid PG in the future. He sees the floor real well and can run the offense. Not very vocal right now but he has a good head on his shoulders. Thompson might be the steal of this class.
Hubbs at times will be 5-star stud that we signed or he will be on every message board on how bad he is. Reminds me of JP Prince. He is capable of putting up 20 1 night, then the next night he won't even step off the bus. Had trouble guarding McRae (what freshman wouldn't?). McRae didn't flash his skills and scored when he wanted to on him. Is he talented? Without a doubt. He will have to play better defense though. He can take it to the hole and can shoot it from deep.
Pops is very raw and will be a major contributor to this team. If he can defend, rebound, and get a few points just being around the rim then Mission Accomplished. He just needs some game experience. Had trouble stopping Stokes.
All of this is just MY opinion and I will answer any questions. Other than that GO VOLS!
P.S. I forgot to add this. The NCAA is cracking down on block/charge and more fouls being called. They expect the foul total to be a LOT higher than last year. They want to cut the handchecks, the forearms, and rough post play out. The NCAA said that games got way to physical last year and they want teams to be in the bonus early in the game.
You will see more blocks than charges this year. The new rule is that the defender must be in legal guarding position by the time the offense has gathered ball and started their shooting motion as opposed to being set before the offense leaves their feet. I don't think CCM likes the new rule 'cause he is a defensive guy and he wants his guys to take charges. It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out.
My projected line-up:
1. Barton
2. Richardson
3. McRae
4. Maymon
5. Stokes
Off the bench:
Thompson (1), Hubbs (2 or 3), Moore (3 or 4), Pops (5), and Davis at times will get minutes depending on the fouls and match-ups, but he will get time at 3 or 4.
Barton is a true PG, unlike Golden. He's not going to fill it up, but he does so many different intangibles and that completes this team. Runs the offense well, sees the floor well, and does not force the ball. Very good penetrator but he will knock down that open shot every now and then, if you leave him open he will make you pay. Reminds me of Bobby Maze.
Richardson is an ace lockdown defender and has really improved his shooting. He will have the assignment every night on the opponent's top scorer. He will make the defense pay if you leave him open.
McRae was McRae and he will pick up his scoring from where he left off last year. He didn't flash much in the scrimmage but he can stroke the 3-ball from long range and drive to the hole with ease.
Maymon is pretty much 100% but remember he hasn't played in nearly 18 months, so he is just getting back into basketball form. He's very physical down low and will compliment Stokes very good. Remember Stokes was pretty much our only post player last year (Hall was a decoy most of the time) and still put up some pretty good numbers. Maymon has a quick turnaround jumper that will benefit his game.
Stokes will be tough to handle. If I'm CCM and his staff, I'm going to make sure he touches the ball everytime. He either scored or got fouled. He missed a shot or 2 from .blank range but he is a force down low. He is still struggling from the FT line and that might cost the team a game or 2. Bricked a few 10 foot jumpers.
Thompson is like Barton. He will be a good solid PG in the future. He sees the floor real well and can run the offense. Not very vocal right now but he has a good head on his shoulders. Thompson might be the steal of this class.
Hubbs at times will be 5-star stud that we signed or he will be on every message board on how bad he is. Reminds me of JP Prince. He is capable of putting up 20 1 night, then the next night he won't even step off the bus. Had trouble guarding McRae (what freshman wouldn't?). McRae didn't flash his skills and scored when he wanted to on him. Is he talented? Without a doubt. He will have to play better defense though. He can take it to the hole and can shoot it from deep.
Pops is very raw and will be a major contributor to this team. If he can defend, rebound, and get a few points just being around the rim then Mission Accomplished. He just needs some game experience. Had trouble stopping Stokes.
All of this is just MY opinion and I will answer any questions. Other than that GO VOLS!
P.S. I forgot to add this. The NCAA is cracking down on block/charge and more fouls being called. They expect the foul total to be a LOT higher than last year. They want to cut the handchecks, the forearms, and rough post play out. The NCAA said that games got way to physical last year and they want teams to be in the bonus early in the game.
You will see more blocks than charges this year. The new rule is that the defender must be in legal guarding position by the time the offense has gathered ball and started their shooting motion as opposed to being set before the offense leaves their feet. I don't think CCM likes the new rule 'cause he is a defensive guy and he wants his guys to take charges. It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out.
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