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1. This is going to be the story all year. No win will be easy for the Volunteers. It's going to be a long season, so buckle up.
2. The perimeter defense (or lack thereof) is disturbing. We have good athletes and lots of length, there is no excuse for this. I'm not sure if it's coaching or effort. Either way, that can't happen.
3. An issue to just watch for during the Rick Barnes era. Anytime Barnes has a good defense, he's always had a good rim protector or two on the team. This year, he doesn't and it shows because the team is funneling a lot of drives trying to stop the three point game.
4. Okay, so on to some good. The decision to go with Moore at center was interesting, but the right choice. Gardner-Webb was killing UT because of dribble penetration and UT was afforded to hedge more and use Moore as more of a rim protector to help on those drive. It also created more driving space on offense. However, I wouldn't do this too much.
5. The ball movement was really good. The play was sloppy sometimes, but I like how this team is willing and wanting to make the extra pass, especially when they get to the paint. I'm really excited to see guys like Hubbs/Baulkman/Mostella combine for 10 assists. That's really good to get from your wings.
6. I know Barnes is trying to win as much as possible, but he's going to have get Phillips more minutes and Punter more breaks. You have to save Punter and you have to see what you have in Phillips.
7. The Dale Ellis Player of the Game: Punter had the better stats, but Baulkman hit the two big three's that gave Tennessee a lead, and I thought his outside shooting really changed the game. His defense leaves a lot to be desired, but he had three assists and six rebounds. Really liked what he did today.
8. Robert Hubbs III using his athleticism to get put back buckets shows hustle and a heady IQ. You can't teach that. It's why I still think he's going to be really good.
9. Free Throws. Free Throws. Free Throws.
10. Tennessee played its best 20 minutes of basketball this year. The first ten and the last. The 20 in between was terrible. I wonder if maybe adding a press to change it up and keep the tempo going would really benefit this team. I like their effort so far and I like the game plan but there need to be quicker adjustments from the staff and better effort defensively on the perimeter. Either way, good job by Tennessee to pull away and get the win.
2. The perimeter defense (or lack thereof) is disturbing. We have good athletes and lots of length, there is no excuse for this. I'm not sure if it's coaching or effort. Either way, that can't happen.
3. An issue to just watch for during the Rick Barnes era. Anytime Barnes has a good defense, he's always had a good rim protector or two on the team. This year, he doesn't and it shows because the team is funneling a lot of drives trying to stop the three point game.
4. Okay, so on to some good. The decision to go with Moore at center was interesting, but the right choice. Gardner-Webb was killing UT because of dribble penetration and UT was afforded to hedge more and use Moore as more of a rim protector to help on those drive. It also created more driving space on offense. However, I wouldn't do this too much.
5. The ball movement was really good. The play was sloppy sometimes, but I like how this team is willing and wanting to make the extra pass, especially when they get to the paint. I'm really excited to see guys like Hubbs/Baulkman/Mostella combine for 10 assists. That's really good to get from your wings.
6. I know Barnes is trying to win as much as possible, but he's going to have get Phillips more minutes and Punter more breaks. You have to save Punter and you have to see what you have in Phillips.
7. The Dale Ellis Player of the Game: Punter had the better stats, but Baulkman hit the two big three's that gave Tennessee a lead, and I thought his outside shooting really changed the game. His defense leaves a lot to be desired, but he had three assists and six rebounds. Really liked what he did today.
8. Robert Hubbs III using his athleticism to get put back buckets shows hustle and a heady IQ. You can't teach that. It's why I still think he's going to be really good.
9. Free Throws. Free Throws. Free Throws.
10. Tennessee played its best 20 minutes of basketball this year. The first ten and the last. The 20 in between was terrible. I wonder if maybe adding a press to change it up and keep the tempo going would really benefit this team. I like their effort so far and I like the game plan but there need to be quicker adjustments from the staff and better effort defensively on the perimeter. Either way, good job by Tennessee to pull away and get the win.
