BTO’s TX A&M-CC postgame report

#1

bleedingTNorange

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#1
1. Slow start, sloppy play early, to be expected lots of times with noon games especially against a LM team like we played today, however our Vols still win by 28 points and the game was never really in doubt, that’s a sign of a good team when you can play far from your best and still win by nearly 30.

2. Jordan Bone continues his strong play to start the year, it was no secret he needed to take another step if this team was going to reach their potential. Also was no secret that he would get as many minutes as he could handle...7pts 10ast 0to 2rbd 2stl today, people thought is was crazy that he was named to the Bob Cousy watch list but right now he’s playing like he absolutely deserved to be on that list.

3. Thought Kyle Alexander once again had a nice game for us, 12pts 10rbd 2blk 4-4fg 4-5ft line, he also has had a strong start to the year and his continued consistent play along with Bone’s is huge for Tennessee going forward. Being able to count on 30mpg 12pts 10rbd 3blk a game from him while being a very good defensive player is huge.

4. It doesn’t seem fair to overlook Williams and Schofield simply because it is what is expected, but the guys just get it done night in and night out...Williams 14pts 9rbd 4ast 2blk and Schofield 16pts 3rbd 2ast 4stl, the guys are just so consistent and unselfish every single game, such a joy to watch.

5. Thought Bowden looked great coming off the bench today, 14pts 4rbd 1ast 2stl 4-6fg 1-2 3ptfg 5-5ft...he looked just like what you expect to see coming off the bench for a Top 10 team. Not a 1 on 1 dominant guy but a role player that comes in and you don’t lose anything, the question now though is does he stay there or move back to the starting lineup?

6. Leads me to Yves Pons, after a great opening act against EKU he lays a dud today...2pts 5to’s, that was his stat line today. You could see him looking to do a little more offensively than simply spot up or slash without the ball, but given his not great ball handling or decision making he probably needs to stick to making the simple plays right now if he wants to maintain his starting spot. As a team we had 20 assists and 13 turnovers, without his 5 we would’ve only had 8 turnovers, can’t have play like that coming from one of your starters...Bowden maybe had some disappearing acts but he wasn’t likely to turn it over 5 times either.

7. I don’t think this team is doomed without Turner, but 2 things...1. The unknown in my opinion has to make it hard on both coaches and players from game to game not knowing if you’ll have him and 2. He brings something to the table we don’t currently have, and he can take this team to another level if he fits in to what they’re doing and is on his game. Just don’t want this thing dragging out all season and he’s in here and there, has a bad game he’s out etc.

8. I mentioned free throws and rebounding pregame...rebounding is still lacking as we only outrebounded them 36-30, that has got to get better or it’s going to cost us a game it shouldn’t. However the free throws were much better today, 20-25 (80%) as a team and Walker was responsible for 3 of those misses himself, so for the main 8-9 guys that typically are at the line for us they did a much better job tonight. Got a week off now to clean some things up and prep for Gonzaga with what will be another showdown and another opportunity for a national eye opener, GBO!
 
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#2
#2
Good summary and review. Item #3 is really important for us to reach our potential. Kyle has got a smooth shot and can get up with the best of them. He just needs to do it more. I almost suspect that maybe CRB had Grant get outside more and force-fed Kyle to get him going. If so it was a very wise move.

#5. It is really good to see Bowden finally deciding to just play hard and not worry about making mistakes or missing shots. He likely does have the best outside shot on the team and if we will just trust it both he and the team will be much better off.

#6. Pons needs to relax and do what he can at this point. He's still got some learning and development to get behind him as this afternoon pointed out. He'll be fine just needs to stay within himself and not try quite so hard right now.

#7 The ball took some funny bounces today and it seemed to favor CC almost every time. Good to see us hit the 80% mark but as you say still room for some folks like Walker to improve. I heard one of the announcers say "if you can't hit foul shots you can't play." Correct. Walker needs to move his bed into the gym and work on free throws every minute he's not sleeping.
Rebounding is a "want to" thing. We need to "want to" a good bit more.

Now, we can get down to serious business. We let Kansas get away. Can we take down Gonzaga?
 
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#4
#4
Tennessee needs to dictate the pace of the game. They did not today. Take the attack to the other team from the start instead of waiting to see what the other team brings to you.
 
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#6
#6
Tough upcoming schedule against Gonzaga and Memphis......... Turner hopefully will be back against the Zags next Sunday.
 
#9
#9
Alexander and Pons are the key to this being a conference champ type team or a final 4 type team. Alexander has not played well against top teams, kind of disappears. Pons just needs to get consistent and stop the turnovers. Game still looks fast for him. If they improve there is no limit for this team.
 
#10
#10
Tennessee needs to dictate the pace of the game. They did not today. Take the attack to the other team from the start instead of waiting to see what the other team brings to you.
Tennessee made a good move to go press and trapping zone, the possessions ended up about in the middle of what they want and what we want...had we started out with that it would’ve been right about what we average.
 
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#11
#11
- Bone is growing into a true PG, 10 assists is awesome.
- Shoefield needs to rebound more, with his body type he needs to be crashing the boards
- Pons should be a 4, and play back to the basket, and develop a turn-around fade or running hook, he doesn't have the handle to create shots at the 3
- Turner's injury probably worse than thought, it's tough to shoot from beyond the arc when the shoulder not 100%, don't expect to improve till mid-season if at all
- Bowden may have to take Turner's role as the go-to 3pt-man.
 
#12
#12
Any chance that Turner might get a redshirt season to let his shoulder fully heal? Bowden and Johnson would get extra minutes.
 
#14
#14
Not related to the game, but about 30 minutes ago I ran into Rick Barnes and his wife at Lakeshore Park. I was taking advantage of the warm weather by going on a walk with my dog, and Rick stopped to say hi and pet him (he’s a Samoyed and draws a lot of attention). Super nice guy as expected!
 
#15
#15
Not related to the game, but about 30 minutes ago I ran into Rick Barnes and his wife at Lakeshore Park. I was taking advantage of the warm weather by going on a walk with my dog, and Rick stopped to say hi and pet him (he’s a Samoyed and draws a lot of attention). Super nice guy as expected!
Crazy! I should have done my run over there this afternoon. I live in the Rocky Hill area.
 
#16
#16
Not related to the game, but about 30 minutes ago I ran into Rick Barnes and his wife at Lakeshore Park. I was taking advantage of the warm weather by going on a walk with my dog, and Rick stopped to say hi and pet him (he’s a Samoyed and draws a lot of attention). Super nice guy as expected!
Let me guess you heard who the new OC is....
 
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#18
#18
Barnes said that Pons had injured his heel on the two handed stuff versus EKU and that might have contributed to his not playing as well today.
 
#23
#23
Jordan Bone in the last 5 games 28 assist 5 turnovers. Mind you last 5 include Georgia Tech, Louisville, and Kansas. Terrific play.

They mentioned in the game that he’s likely going to hold the all-time a:to ratio at Tennessee, very impressive.
 
#24
#24
They mentioned in the game that he’s likely going to hold the all-time a:to ratio at Tennessee, very impressive.
Would be a hell of a thing to see. I just noticed he had 124 assist to 44 turnovers. That’s amazing. Already has 40 to 12 TO’s assist this year.
 
#25
#25
If this Lamonte injury thing keeps going, or heck forbid Bone or Bowden get dinged is there anyone “@ the end of the bench” who could lead the point .. enough to get by?
 

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