1. Ultimately it doesn’t matter the fashion, a win is a win and a loss is a loss, good teams find a way to win even when things aren’t going your way and on the road in conference play that is an even tougher task as Tennessee found out earlier this week, however to their credit they got the job done this time.
2. We’ll start with the positive, Dalton Knecht was an absolute dude for the 2nd straight conference game and appears to have figured some things out which is obviously a great sign. Having a guy you can go to when you need a bucket, or late in the game when you’re trying to close it out is a great luxury. Zeigler offensively looked good again, he’s really hitting that floater now which is an added piece to his game and very effective…he had way too many first half turnovers but he was much better the second half and he’s been great in that area so I can look past that this time. Both dudes have started out conference play strong and are obviously huge parts to our seasons success.
3. Now the negative…that’s one of the worst games I’ve seen JJJ play, and that’s adding to a really bad current stretch of games. I noticed the wrap on his right hand and not sure what he’s got going on, maybe that’s something to attribute it to, but man, he was really bad on both ends. Even when he’s been bad offensively in the past you could count on his defense, he was getting blown by today and became unplayable for Barnes in that 2nd half, who went with Mashack for much of that comeback.
4. We looked great against Ole Miss and I said at the time it was our best, most complete game, we followed it up with 2 not so complete performances to put it nicely. I say that to say, I think this team is still a ways away from their best basketball, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Now you don’t wanna take a bunch of L’s and hurt your NCAAT seeding, but some struggle wins like today, and a “good” loss here and there isn’t the worst if it causes lessons to be learned, guys to find their roles and the team improve as a whole. Vescovi is still not playing like anyone expected, JJJ has regressed to not great form, as quick as it appeared Mashack was taking a step forward he seems to have taken a step back. Lots of room for individual improvement and team improvement, but taking lessons while getting wins isn’t a bad thing.
5. I don’t want to make a definitive statement and say it is what it is, but I’m pretty close…Jonas Aidoo was really good today after being terrible last game, but Georgia didn’t have a competent post to put against him either. It feels like Aidoo is a solid option, but against the games best posts he’s going to struggle and we as a team will struggle as well to defend it, it will continue all season to be something to watch with each opponent we face, what do they have in the post and how will Aidoo match up. Today he was really good, 10pts 15rbd 5blk, that’s the potential, unfortunately against the games best the stat line hasn’t looked like that.
6. If I had told you a week ago Tennessee would average 81ppg this week you almost certainly would’ve taken it and been pretty confident we would’ve gone 2-0. Our defense was not very good this week and if we weren’t Tennessee and had Barnes as coach I’d be a bit worried for sure, but because of that reason I think you aren’t as worried. But I say that to point out that even though or offense is streaky or can go cold they are still putting up points, and now are up to a season high #20 offensive rating on KenPom, that is really good and what everyone was hoping for. The defense being what needs “work” is something I much rather see and have to deal with, especially considering we have guys like Vescovi, JJJ and Gainey who all are capable of shooting MUCH better than they currently are.
7. Big picture Tennessee went 1-1 this week which was what they needed to do, 2-0 would have been great and likely have Tennessee up to #2 or #3 in the new poll, but as we’ve learned winning on the road in conference is TOUGH. Tennessee now goes back home for 3 of their next 4 with the 1 road game being Vanderbilt, definitely some potential to rattle off a few wins. Florida is a solid team with a pretty good big man in Tyrese Samuel, should be a solid matchup. We said 7-2 or better was the goal in the first 9, they’re 2-1, so 5-1 over the next 6 is the goal now, obviously with each win you have more wiggle room, but winning these next 4 would really get things looking up again.
GBO!!!
