Rocky Top Tipoff: 10/4 at 6 PM

#30
#30
OrngeJuiceJones said:
I've heard alot of people saying it. One of them is there now too and close to some insiders, and say he looks way more comfortable even with back to basket
Click to expand...

Pons is key this season. We need his normally great D, and to just contribute offensively and not be quite the liability he has been with the ball in his hands.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JP_UT_O&W
#33
#33
Dallasbowlin said:
Everyone is praising pons... could this be his year?
Click to expand...

I feel into this trap around this time last year. The whole "Never lifted weights before this year, or been in a solid conditioning program!" Since he was already a stud I expected him to be even more physically impressive and be a better basketball player instead of an athletic body. After 10 games it looked like he was taking great steps, became a starter, defensive lock down player, then he regressed big time. I hope I'm wrong but I don't think he'll be a starter by the time league play starts.
 
#35
#35
I guess I’ll give my two cents, not that it’s worth anything, but no one really has so wth. The two people that stood out most to me tonight was Oliver and Plavsic. ORN is way bigger than I thought he’d be, and Plavsic can MOVE. Dudes, Plavsic honestly impressed me most! He’s a an absolute player imo.

Lamonte ran point the entire time he played. Pons hit two threes and Jalen Johnson knocked down some nice shots off some screens. Kent looks bigger to me as well. Bowden shot like you’d expect him to and I thought his handle looked better. He got some minutes at the one and actually looked comfortable bringing the ball up.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: kamoshika, mssr_q, Vols All Day and 4 others
#38
#38
OrangeAllDay said:
I guess I’ll give my two cents, not that it’s worth anything, but no one really has so wth. The two people that stood out most to me tonight was Oliver and Plavsic. ORN is way bigger than I thought he’d be, and Plavsic can MOVE. Dudes, Plavsic honestly impressed me most! He’s a an absolute player imo.

Lamonte ran point the entire time he played. Pons hit two threes and Jalen Johnson knocked down some nice shots off some screens. Kent looks bigger to me as well. Bowden shot like you’d expect him to and I thought his handle looked better. He got some minutes at the one and actually looked comfortable bringing the ball up.
Click to expand...
Appreciate it, @OrangeAllDay. Good to hear about ORN or is it just ON, now ? Anyway, I'm hoping the Flying Finn can make the all-SEC Freshman Team and Plavsic gets cleared to play this year. If both happens and I think they will, NCAA Tournament lock, 3rd in the SEC and 22+ wins. Hoping u did your part and gave Springer a coke, popcorn, $100 handshake and/or hooked him up with a hot chick
 
#43
#43
white65 said:
I feel into this trap around this time last year. The whole "Never lifted weights before this year, or been in a solid conditioning program!" Since he was already a stud I expected him to be even more physically impressive and be a better basketball player instead of an athletic body. After 10 games it looked like he was taking great steps, became a starter, defensive lock down player, then he regressed big time. I hope I'm wrong but I don't think he'll be a starter by the time league play starts.
Click to expand...
Yes, his regression was puzzling. I think it was a confidence thing, personally. Maybe he's turned a corner and can be the player his athleticism says he can be.
 
#44
#44
VFLCodyGBO said:
Pons is key this season. We need his normally great D, and to just contribute offensively and not be quite the liability he has been with the ball in his hands.
Click to expand...
The key to this season is whether our back court can find many of the 50 points we lost to the NBA. A better Pons would be a nice addition.
 
#45
#45
Captain Mitch said:
Anyone who went, what are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

Only the high spots and attempted to keep my eyes on post play since I rightly or wrongly think our guard production can be there if the bigs can hold their own with Turner, Bowden and our new five star leading the way out there with Jalen helping with providing outlets when pressured and if he can hit from range consistently.

As will be attested Plasvic looks solid. None of our bigs are plodders, but he moves so well it was hard to believe he is a seven footer... Need good news on this guy.. I mean really need good news to be solid down low.

ORN looked smooth and in control and to my eye was well positioned on both ends of the floor... Never looked lost in transition or in half court sets...

Fulky was hard to recognize with his added mass, yet still was most active big man on defensive end and seemed to coordinating the team on that end. Still looks to be able to beat most bigs in transition. Will be interesting to see if he can hold his own in the post this year. I will admit I have been a big Fulky fan since the day he signed... I am hoping my perceived ceiling was just deferred by those early injuries. Will admit he still overplays his closeouts sometimes and creates recovery issues for himself and others.

Zach looked better but still has work to do, but like ORN seemed to be where he was supposed to be on both ends. Not sure what role staff has for him. Like Fulky development has been impacted with injury.

Not counting Pember as a down low big, but tall wing type player who is very smooth and I think due to his court awareness will be a great distributor to our cutters over shorter guys when outside.

Will stop with Pons and they seemed to have worked with him on getting the most out of his athleticism within the team concepts and not just free lancing to make highlight reels. He could be an impact on both ends closer to the rim thus in this review... still follows the ball to the rim and still can elevate on both ends.

All appeared to be lookng to advance the ball rather than just looking for first available shot.... I am hoping this is in fact an indication that GENERAL team chemistry is already a priority for them all.

Did not spend a lot of time with my eyes out front so will not tackle wings and guards, especially with MY assumed point guard not available last night.

This was observed from the seats I cannot afford to sit in for real games...

GO VOLS
 
  • Like
Reactions: GameTime, JelloPuddinPup, starz714 and 9 others
#46
#46
Scrimmage was 2 10 minute halves, Pons and Turner led scoring with 12 each.
 
#49
#49
Captain Mitch said:
Anyone who went, what are your thoughts?
Click to expand...


I posted this in the RF if anyone is interested in my opinions/observations.

InVOLuntary said:
To deviate from the train wreck that s football program, I thought I'd share some observations from last night's Rocky Top Tipoff.

The leaders of this team are what you would guess. Turner, Bowden, and Pons. Turner and Bowden were Turner and Bowden. As good as ever. Pons was much more aggressive last night. He obviously needs to become more of a scoring threat and he seems to be taking that to heart.

Of the other returning players, Jalen Johnson looks different. I think he's bulked up a little - doesn't look as lanky as last year. He was much more aggressive from a scoring standpoint. He looks like he could be a force this year. Fulkerson, we'll, he looked liked Fulkerson. I don't see Kent doing much. Maybe I'm wrong but I just don't see him being a factor.

Ok, on to the new guys. Uros is a big man. He's athletic, he runs the floor, he can post up and has a multitude of moves. He can also handle the ball well for a big man. We really need him to be granted eligibility this year. He's the best big man we've had in a bit.

The newcomer I'm most excited about? Oliver. He was the best player on the court many times. He doesn't look or play like a freshman. He's strong and he can do it all. He can take someone off the dribble and post up a big man. He posted up Uros once last night and scored over him with ease. He is so smooth. Scored on mtiple drives to the basket and he seems to just glide through the air. He reminds me of a more athletic Tobias (yes I said that). He was a little under the radar signee last year because of James but he is the real deal.

The other newcomer that impressed me was the Oregon transfer, Bailey. He's a hardnosed, physical type of guard. I'm not sure if he will be eligible this year? I'm not sure where he projects but I could see him running the point.

Didn't see much of Gaines but he is an athlete. Needs to add some weight but he can jump out of the gym. In warm-ups he was throwing down some serious stuff. I expect a lot from this kid just not sure when.

If you're wondering about the five star, James, so am I . Not sure if he is injured or what. Never came off the bench for warm-ups or scrimmage time. Sat next to Coach Barnes for the entirety of the program. Was disappointed as I was looking forward to seeing him play.

As a whole, this team looks like a very tight knit group. They all were joking around with each other. No subgroups, they all seemed to really enjoy being together. They all seemed to be having fun. I am excited or this season. While I don't think they'll be a final four team, I think they'll be better than many think. We lost a lot last year but I think we've added more than many realize. I would love to have seen this team with one more year with Grant.

Go Vols!
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: twoffo, kamoshika, The Dog and 8 others
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top