BTO’s UNC-Asheville Postgame Report

#27
#27
Just got home from the game....

Seemed like a typical first game. Some stupid mistakes, timing wasn’t great. We were a bit spoiled last year by a team that had been playing together a full season. Seemed the team and Barnes were still looking for what works in a game that was never in doubt.

This year’s team is exactly what we sort of knew going in, too small and nowhere near physical enough. We will most likely struggle against anyone with experience and even decent size. I actually think next week against a Murray could be a tough one. Not having Uros is going to be a problem.

Really impressed with Gaines. That kid came to play. Johnson looks much better as well.

James looks completely lost. Definitely has the build of a 5 star, but didn’t really show the skillset. Maybe it was just an off night...I hope so. He looked a bit better last week. He certainly didn’t look like a one and done NBA ready player. Maybe he will turn into the next Barnes project.

Kent....hopefully he shows us something....hopefully soon. He didn’t tonight.

ON looks like he will have a solid first year. Plays smart basketball for the most part.

We’re going to need Pember. He’s a good switch for Fulk...not a ton of drop off and similar energy. Really felt like we missed him tonight.

The rest the boys...turner, Bowden, fulk, Pons, all played good enough to win, hopefully we see some improvement, but other than the TOS, pretty solid effort by the veterans.

This team is going to be a different look than the last couple seasons. We are going to have to use shoot the ball way more. I think we all knew how good Williams was, and there is no one on this team that’s going to fill that hole. This sort of feels like a team that’s going to live or die by the 3 when the competition picks up.
 
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#28
#28
JoAllan said:
Not sure what your getting or trying to get, from my post.

It is what it is. Tennessee had 3 true freshman available who “need” the minutes. They will be used and needed.

Johnson will be needed this year and “needs” game minutes......I’m sorry if you don’t think he does but him and Pons need all they can get. This schedule is tough and they got to grow quick.

I’m no hater on anyone.....but the two walk on’s simply don’t need the minutes like virtually everyone on the team does (minus Bowden and Turner).

Maybe Coach Barnes knows a bit more than you do.
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Maybe you're not familiar with the term "mop up duty". You know... the only time that Kent was allowed to participate in according to one of VN's finest. Ya think that maybe the walk-ons might be allowed to get in on those mop up minutes? And BTW, Jancek could be on scholarship at a few of the teams that will make it to the next NCAAT.
 
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#29
#29
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Maybe you're not familiar with the term "mop up duty". You know... the only time that Kent was allowed to participate in according to one of VN's finest. Ya think that maybe the walk-ons might be allowed to get in on those mop up minutes? And BTW, Jancek could be on scholarship at a few of the teams that will make it to the next NCAAT.
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Maybe you don’t understand “first game of the season” and Tennessee “needs these players” and they need them to get game minutes because they will be needed and used.

Those walk on’s “want” minutes......they don’t need them.

Hey I’m fine with them getting minutes, especially later in the season in a game that is basically over.

However if coach Barnes needs to play his guys......and doesn’t give a couple walk on’s a couple minutes.......tough.

He is the coach and I assure you he knows more than you do. Go coach some pee wee team and make sure everyone gets to play.
 
#30
#30
My biggest issue, and this is gut feeling only, we just don’t have that “ guy” that you know you can rely on when a run by the other team needs stopped, or points need to be scored. I liked it when we could take some things for GRANTed.
 
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#31
#31
Dr H Lecter said:
My biggest issue, and this is gut feeling only, we just don’t have that “ guy” that you know you can rely on when a run by the other team needs stopped, or points need to be scored. I liked it when we could take some things for GRANTed.
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Agreed - it’s comforting having a first team All American on your team. Wish they came around more regularly at UT.
 
#35
#35
Positives:
-ON. Definitely going to be a player.
-Fulk, lots of energy and didn’t get into foul trouble.
-Pons, very efficient, but have to see it consistently.
-Rebounding
-I thought Jalen looked a lot more comfortable out there.
-Bowden. Fluid and efficient. I can’t imagine him not finding an NBA team.
Gaines. Nice stroke and seems happy to score the ball.

Negatives:
-Turner. Probably one of his worst performances. Missed 4 free throws in a row (five of you count lane violation). This team doesn’t have a point guard. Turnovers illustrate the problem. Your top three ball handlers account for 12 turnovers. Not good:
-Kent. Kept hearing all these reports. He’s obviously put on some weight, but he got walk on type minutes last night. Team desperately needs post help. Why Barnes has gone to these lengths to recruit and keep this kid is beyond me.
-James. Doesn’t look comfortable at all. Sure, he missed a lot of practice, but this is supposed to be an elite recruit. With the loss of scoring we need an alpha. At times he looked almost scared to have the ball.
-This was just not a very good opponent. Last years team would have won by 50. Yes, I know who and what we lost. Yes, I know it takes time, but this roster looks really mediocre in numerous areas.
 
#37
#37
Roustabout said:
Positiv

Negatives:
-Turner. Probably one of his worst performances. Missed 4 free throws in a row (five of you count lane violation). This team doesn’t have a point guard. Turnovers illustrate the problem. Your top three ball handlers account for 12 turnovers. Not good:
-Kent. Kept hearing all these reports. He’s obviously put on some weight, but he got walk on type minutes last night. Team desperately needs post help. Why Barnes has gone to these lengths to recruit and keep this kid is beyond me.
-James. Doesn’t look comfortable at all. Sure, he missed a lot of practice, but this is supposed to be an elite recruit. With the loss of scoring we need an alpha. At times he looked almost scared to have the ball.
-This was just not a very good opponent. Last years team would have won by 50. Yes, I know who and what we lost. Yes, I know it takes time, but this roster looks really mediocre in numerous areas.
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In a close game at the end on FT's
Turner & Bowden needs to be close to 90+ %. LT looked like he was over thinking the FT's
like a freshman would.
 
#38
#38
ColinS said:
At this point you have to wonder why Kent is still on this roster. Year three and still not in the rotation. Uh...Maybe next year or 2027 he will crack it.
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I would hope so because he’ll be a junior in 2027 lol
 
#41
#41
James was the biggest surprise imo. If he's not going to be a double-digit scorer then the NCAAT is a pipe dream. It's not like he went 1-10 and maybe one could excuse a cold-shooting night - instead he showed little interest in shooting, period.
 
#42
#42
Turner took too many bad shots, he needs to realize that his shots will come once he establishes the offense and runs it efficiently. I saw too many backdoor cut passes that were missed. I said this before and I will state it again, Fulkerson will be close to a 10pt 8-10rbs guy this year, he is a smart player. this team will have to play up tempo, but I think their defense will win them some games and frustrate other teams with their length. They are more athletic and faster than the past couple of Barnes teams. Will be fun to watch this team grow this year, Josiah James needs to play within the offense as well, his shots will come.
 
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#43
#43
JoAllan said:
Maybe you don’t understand “first game of the season” and Tennessee “needs these players” and they need them to get game minutes because they will be needed and used.

Those walk on’s “want” minutes......they don’t need them.

Hey I’m fine with them getting minutes, especially later in the season in a game that is basically over.

However if coach Barnes needs to play his guys......and doesn’t give a couple walk on’s a couple minutes.......tough.

He is the coach and I assure you he knows more than you do. Go coach some pee wee team and make sure everyone gets to play.
Click to expand...

I put out possible alternate scenarios on why Kent didn't get to play until late. Your multiple comments about me not having skills similar to the Deacon's are laughable. Keep on hating on ZK, though, if it gives you a thrill.
 
#44
#44
Roustabout said:
Positives:
-ON. Definitely going to be a player.
-Fulk, lots of energy and didn’t get into foul trouble.
-Pons, very efficient, but have to see it consistently.
-Rebounding
-I thought Jalen looked a lot more comfortable out there.
-Bowden. Fluid and efficient. I can’t imagine him not finding an NBA team.
Gaines. Nice stroke and seems happy to score the ball.

Negatives:
-Turner. Probably one of his worst performances. Missed 4 free throws in a row (five of you count lane violation). This team doesn’t have a point guard. Turnovers illustrate the problem. Your top three ball handlers account for 12 turnovers. Not good:
-Kent. Kept hearing all these reports. He’s obviously put on some weight, but he got walk on type minutes last night. Team desperately needs post help. Why Barnes has gone to these lengths to recruit and keep this kid is beyond me.
-James. Doesn’t look comfortable at all. Sure, he missed a lot of practice, but this is supposed to be an elite recruit. With the loss of scoring we need an alpha. At times he looked almost scared to have the ball.
-This was just not a very good opponent. Last years team would have won by 50. Yes, I know who and what we lost. Yes, I know it takes time, but this roster looks really mediocre in numerous areas.
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I don't disagree with your points, but I would only take these concerns seriously if this was after our 7th or 8th game.
 
#45
#45
therealitytheory said:
James was the biggest surprise imo. If he's not going to be a double-digit scorer then the NCAAT is a pipe dream. It's not like he went 1-10 and maybe one could excuse a cold-shooting night - instead he showed little interest in shooting, period.
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He looked very uncomfortable, like someone who’s not sure what his role is yet. To some extent, the whole team is kind of in the same situation.

I think he’ll look a differently after he gets a few games under his belt. Hopefully, anyway.
 
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#48
#48
BigOrangeArsenal said:
Team looked slow and lethargic in the first half, but woke up in the second. I think they will continue to get better as they gel, considering all these new pieces or roles. I am concerned, however, that we will have dry spells offensively from time to time.
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I actually liked the pace of play, and let's face it, no team is "polished" at this point. Most of this team was gutted through attrition and the draft, so they need some time to find their identity.
 
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#49
#49
Thunder Good-Oil said:
I put out possible alternate scenarios on why Kent didn't get to play until late. Your multiple comments about me not having skills similar to the Deacon's are laughable. Keep on hating on ZK, though, if it gives you a thrill.
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My comment on which you replied back to had NOTHING to do with Kent.

You asked why 2 walk on’s didn’t get to play and I gave you reasons.

Then you want to come back at me.....like you know more than the coach.......by all means keep thinking that way.
 
#50
#50
Namorto1 said:
It was a decent win. We can compete this year with quickness and good perimeter shooting. Opponents with size we will try and beat them down the court. The turnovers were very frustrating but for a first game no reason to be concerned. Turner had some spots where he was too selfish. Bowden needs still needs to put the ball on the floor more and attack the rim. Fulkerson was active and deserves more touches on the post and may be a good pick and roll set against bigger teams. I liked Nkamhoua at the high post and he is a willing passer. Pons was great although he was far superior athletically than anyone UNC-Asheville had. Johnson can be a threat from 3 pt range. James didn’t look comfortable shooting at all but had at least 3 assists taken off the board simply because teammates couldn’t finish. Gaines can play and was a pleasant surprise. I think a healthy Pember gets minutes and can run the floor and shoot. Kent in all fairness never could matchup with all the smaller players on the court. He has fouls to give and expect we will see more of him against Murray State who has some size.

Overall we can’t totally abandon post play but I’m afraid we may this year due to personnel. Or lack of personnel.
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Turner has to be selfish at this point. There is no alternative. Just not enough guys out there that can score.
 
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