I like the optimism but I do think you’re overestimating the frontcourt. With a brutal schedule I’d say 20 or 21 is reasonable but certainly no guarantee. If we hit 20 we should be in the tournament though.Barnes will know his players and adapt(as is his history). if he could win 15 games with a front court of 2 freshmen (one of which was a volleyball player) plus Kasongo, Moore and Reese, this team IN COMPARISON is a 25 game lock.
If he felt really comfortable with what a 9 or 10 could bring, yes. Numbers and quality depth can be a difference maker in cases such as Tennessee, where we lost a boatload of really good players.Seems like CRB likes an 8 man rotation since he’s been at UT. Any reason to think he will go deeper this season?
key words in that post were In comparison. if Barnes hadn't lost his best player the last 8 games of the 15-16 season he'd most likely have gone to the tourney. Don't think many would argue that this is a better team. We still lack depth in the front court, but the over all talent is better. Even starting 2 freshmen in the front court the back ups of fulk, Pons, Kent? have to be better than Reese and Moore(because of his size).I like the optimism but I do think you’re overestimating the frontcourt. With a brutal schedule I’d say 20 or 21 is reasonable but certainly no guarantee. If we hit 20 we should be in the tournament though.
Fair enough. What I do like is if our backcourt can be what we think we can cause some real problems come tourney time. Teams with good guards are tough in the dance. Man, we would be top 5 had Bone and Williams come back. Oh well, I’ll settle for another NCAA appearance and maybe going farther than our seeding suggests!key words in that post were In comparison. if Barnes hadn't lost his best player the last 8 games of the 15-16 season he'd most likely have gone to the tourney. Don't think many would argue that this is a better team. We still lack depth in the front court, but the over all talent is better. Even starting 2 freshmen in the front court the back ups of fulk, Pons, Kent? have to be better than Reese and Moore(because of his size).
With no major injuries in the back court, i'd guarantee 20+ regular season. i say it over and over, Regular season has never been Barnes' problem.(exception against top 25 teams)
2019-20 Men's Basketball Roster - University of Tennessee AthleticsKent 235?
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It seems like every year Barnes has been here, there has been someone that redshirted, is it likely that he will keep that trend up with Bailey already having to sit out and keeping the extra 13th spot open?
If Jalen Johnson is ready to be an impact player, Gaines could redshirt. Possibly Pember if Plavsic gains eligibility. Also, Pember missed much of last year due to an injury. Although he was back later in the season, there's no need to rush him if he's not 100%.
Agree on with you on Gaines. They should let him play in a few exhibition games to see how he does. He may be skinny but he is very athletic and has some nice handles.
True, ut the outside game is where you win today, if you have someone who can protect the rim and get an offensive rebound or two. The game today is won with the point guard, the shooting guard and three and four stretching the court opening up the lane for drives and feeding the open man inside the 15 foot area. I don't think the teams we play will be able to stop us with a zone or man defense, especially next year. I am not yet sure we will win the SEC this year, but we will make the Big Dance.More than 50 years ago. Times have changed just slightly. Of course had Okeke not gone down for Auburn they had an excellent chance to win it last year with a pretty small lineup by today’s standards.