Shorten the Bench?

[bleedingTNorange]

Vescovi is the only player currently averaging more than 30 minutes per game at 31.4. And even he could probably hover around 30 if we actually picked up our pace offensively and pushed tempo more. It does strike me a bit odd (not necessarily in a bad way) that Barnes is still experimented with different lineups, here halfway through league play. James being out for an extended time I suppose hampered experimenting a bit.

We’ve greatly benefited from blowing a lot of teams out, thus being able to not play top guys as many minutes as we typically would. If you look at the “tight” games we’ve been in you’re seeing multiple guys over 30 minutes.

 

[EtowahVol]

Nkamhoua is the player who gets the most a$$ chewings from Barnes. Just stands around. Usually takes till 2nd half to sink in. Leave it to the coach he's doing a good job.

 

[Namorto1]

We’ve greatly benefited from blowing a lot of teams out, thus being able to not play top guys as many minutes as we typically would. If you look at the “tight” games we’ve been in you’re seeing multiple guys over 30 minutes.

Yes it is a luxury to beat teams to a pulp. Less stressful for me as well.
LSU we had 3 over 30 but not a close game. Plus Plavsic was out.
MSU was close for a half and had 3 over 30 but both Vescovi and Key were out.
Kentucky only had 2.
Arizona only had 2 and James didn’t play.
Maryland had 3 but James didn’t play.
Kansas only had 1 over 30.
USC had 4 but James did not play. Awaka had 0 minutes.
Colorado had 4 with James out in what was a gross display of basketball.
Exhibition against the Zags, only had 2.

A full and healthy squad…with Awaka’s development, we need to embrace our depth and push tempo more often, even if just take first best shot available off secondary break. I think we could wear teams out which should benefit us in the final 5 minutes of a close game. We get in trouble in the half court offense when the shot clock dwindles as we don’t have many who can create although ZZ is starting to show signs. But as a 5’9 guard not ideal. These next 8 games we are going to learn a lot.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Yes it is a luxury to beat teams to a pulp. Less stressful for me as well.
LSU we had 3 over 30 but not a close game. Plus Plavsic was out.
MSU was close for a half and had 3 over 30 but both Vescovi and Key were out.
Kentucky only had 2.
Arizona only had 2 and James didn’t play.
Maryland had 3 but James didn’t play.
Kansas only had 1 over 30.
USC had 4 but James did not play. Awaka had 0 minutes.
Colorado had 4 with James out in what was a gross display of basketball.
Exhibition against the Zags, only had 2.

A full and healthy squad…with Awaka’s development, we need to embrace our depth and push tempo more often, even if just take first best shot available off secondary break. I think we could wear teams out which should benefit us in the final 5 minutes of a close game. We get in trouble in the half court offense when the shot clock dwindles as we don’t have many who can create although ZZ is starting to show signs. But as a 5’9 guard not ideal. These next 8 games we are going to learn a lot.

The issue with tempo and just jacking up quick shots is that then allows quick basket opportunities off of misses, which neutralizes our greatest strength which is our defense. I think the pace we play with is really pretty good and fitting for us.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Yes it is a luxury to beat teams to a pulp. Less stressful for me as well.
LSU we had 3 over 30 but not a close game. Plus Plavsic was out.
MSU was close for a half and had 3 over 30 but both Vescovi and Key were out.
Kentucky only had 2.
Arizona only had 2 and James didn’t play.
Maryland had 3 but James didn’t play.
Kansas only had 1 over 30.
USC had 4 but James did not play. Awaka had 0 minutes.
Colorado had 4 with James out in what was a gross display of basketball.
Exhibition against the Zags, only had 2.

A full and healthy squad…with Awaka’s development, we need to embrace our depth and push tempo more often, even if just take first best shot available off secondary break. I think we could wear teams out which should benefit us in the final 5 minutes of a close game. We get in trouble in the half court offense when the shot clock dwindles as we don’t have many who can create although ZZ is starting to show signs. But as a 5’9 guard not ideal. These next 8 games we are going to learn a lot.

We’ve only had 3 competitive games where we were at full strength…Colorado, Vanderbilt & Kentucky.

Colorado had 4 guys over 30 minutes, essentially a 7 man rotation.

Vanderbilt had 3 over 29 minutes and a 8 man rotation.

Kentucky had 2 over 30 minutes and 8 man rotation.

 

[Namorto1]

The issue with tempo and just jacking up quick shots is that then allows quick basket opportunities off of misses, which neutralizes our greatest strength which is our defense. I think the pace we play with is really pretty good and fitting for us.

Never would suggest we just jack up shots. That is Auburn. And last years Alabama squad. Taking good shots doesn’t always require running 20+ seconds off the shot clock. You are correct, that our greatest strength is our defense. Always will be with this group. Our next best attribute is our depth. Rebounding is also another positive which should lead to outlets. Just suggesting we try and mitigate what at times can be our greatest weakness in the halfcourt. Barnes always says he wants to play with tempo….with multiple ball handlers on the court at the same time, willing passers, and a deep frontcourt, I think we are built for it.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Never would suggest we just jack up shots. That is Auburn. And last years Alabama squad. Taking good shots doesn’t always require running 20+ seconds off the shot clock. You are correct, that our greatest strength is our defense. Always will be with this group. Our next best attribute is our depth. Rebounding is also another positive which should lead to outlets. Just suggesting we try and mitigate what at times can be our greatest weakness in the halfcourt. Barnes always says he wants to play with tempo….with multiple ball handlers on the court at the same time, willing passers, and a deep frontcourt, I think we are built for it.

I think we play with decent tempo, remember we haven’t been full strength very much, the last 4-5 games since JJJ return our offense has looked much more fluid and we’ve gotten really good looks for the most part. If there’s a wide open break take it, and if you got an open look take it, but for the most part I like what we’ve been running of late offensively.

 

[Namorto1]

We’ve only had 3 competitive games where we were at full strength…Colorado, Vanderbilt & Kentucky.

Colorado had 4 guys over 30 minutes, essentially a 7 man rotation.

Vanderbilt had 3 over 29 minutes and a 8 man rotation.

Kentucky had 2 over 30 minutes and 8 man rotation.

Yep, true and 2 of those games we played like crap (Colorado and Kentucky). Even against Vandy we slept the final 5 minutes of the 1st half. Up to Barnes how he wants to play it. Texas will be interesting. They aren’t that big so whether he wants to matchup with them with smaller lineup or try to use our size and beat them on boards, he has a lot of options. More options than any recent UT teams.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Yep, true and 2 of those games we played like crap (Colorado and Kentucky). Even against Vandy we slept the final 5 minutes of the 1st half. Up to Barnes how he wants to play it. Texas will be interesting. They aren’t that big so whether he wants to matchup with them with smaller lineup or try to use our size and beat them on boards, he has a lot of options. More options than any recent UT teams.

Gonna be an interesting matchup for sure, their 4/5’s don’t shoot the 3 ball at all, they are super athletic guys and succeed around the rim, should be a fun one.

 

[walkenvol]

I feel like something to remember is that we’ve only had a full squad for what, 4 or 5 games? So people have been playing that maybe at full strength they wouldn’t have, here’s current mpg averages:

Santi 31.6
Zeigler 29.1
Phillips 25.9
Key 25.6
Nkamhoua 25.2
James 22.0
Aidoo 17.7
Mashack 16.9
Plavsic 15.3
Awaka 8.2

I think Mashack & Awaka are the first 2 candidates to see minutes dropped, not accounting for blowouts so guys getting pulled early I expect something like:

Zeigler 36
Santi 30
James 30
Phillips 30
Key 25
Nkamhoua 25
Aidoo 17
Plavsic 7

Welp, it appears we’ve already gone 10 deep in the first half and Awaka / Mashack both brought productive minutes!

 

[WaywardVol]

Welp, it appears we’ve already gone 10 deep in the first half and Awaka / Mashack both brought productive minutes!

Olivier playing like he has a point to prove.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Welp, it appears we’ve already gone 10 deep in the first half and Awaka / Mashack both brought productive minutes!

You sure you wanna do this? How many 2nd half minutes for Plav, Awaka & Mashack? We still thinking Nkamhoua should be benched?

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

I disagree. He’s done that in the past, and their legs look tired once they get to the NCAAs. Our depth wears the opponents down. Maintain it.

 

[OrngeJuiceJones]

ESPN should have shortened that ASS whoopin

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Sorry, not 8-9 man rotation, tonight was a 6 man rotation…
Zeigler 37
Vescovi 35
Nkamhoua 33
James 29
Phillips 26
Key 17
Aidoo 7
Mashack 7
Plavsic 6
Awaka 3

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Welp, it appears we’ve already gone 10 deep in the first half and Awaka / Mashack both brought productive minutes!

I about nailed those MPG huh?

 

[VOLINVONORE]

I feel like something to remember is that we’ve only had a full squad for what, 4 or 5 games? So people have been playing that maybe at full strength they wouldn’t have, here’s current mpg averages:

Santi 31.6
Zeigler 29.1
Phillips 25.9
Key 25.6
Nkamhoua 25.2
James 22.0
Aidoo 17.7
Mashack 16.9
Plavsic 15.3
Awaka 8.2

I think Mashack & Awaka are the first 2 candidates to see minutes dropped, not accounting for blowouts so guys getting pulled early I expect something like:

Zeigler 36
Santi 30
James 30
Phillips 30
Key 25
Nkamhoua 25
Aidoo 17
Plavsic 7

Awaka needs to get some of Aidoo’s 17 minutes

 

[Rememberthelate90s]

You guys saying olivier shouldn't play. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahagahaaghaahhahahahahahhahahahahgagahagagagahagagaghaga

 

[walkenvol]

You sure you wanna do this? How many 2nd half minutes for Plav, Awaka & Mashack? We still thinking Nkamhoua should be benched?

Not if he plays like he did tonight! Unfortunately, there’s no telling how he will look Wednesday.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

You guys saying olivier shouldn't play. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahagahaaghaahhahahahahahhahahahahgagahagagagahagagaghaga

Texas had no answer on defense for our inside and short offense.

 

[walkenvol]

Texas had no answer on defense for our inside and short offense.

Yes they did - leave our guys open from 3 and let them chunk em up?

 

[BACKDOC]

Put Olivier on it. Problem solved.

Looks like Olivier does read message boards.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Not if he plays like he did tonight! Unfortunately, there’s no telling how he will look Wednesday.

You miss the other questions? You bumped this thread just to prove my point lol.

 

[walkenvol]

You miss the other questions? You bumped this thread just to prove my point lol.

You moved the goal posts as you said Mashack / Awaka would not play in post #8

 

[The Dog]

I about nailed those MPG huh?

You are not in your on shower, so quit tooting your own horn. Situational, Awaka played well in his minutes, deserved a little more time, imo
Aidoo hit the bench after that brick on a three, straight in Barnes doghouse. Uros was a bad matchup and he didn't help himself, running his mouth, 2 minutes after he entered the game and bricking FTs