Small Ball

[StrangeVol]

The great thing about the sport of basketball is that there are multiple ways to negate an opponent's advantage. But it takes mental preparation, court awareness, and high basketball IQ.

For that reason, youth is our greatest weakness, not height.
But that also means that by tourney time...

Last season, with an experienced team and high expectations, each game was its own war. This year, with a young team, each game is just the next chapter in a book being written in real time. Settle into a comfortable chair and enjoy the book, one page at a time.

Great post and I very much agree with your advice. This season will be a different type of basketball with less offensive emphasis on the post area and more emphasis on the pace of play and drawing bigger defenders out into space where they are vulnerable. Kent has the shot to do this and Pember has the handle to make slow-footed big guys pay. Defensively we'll get abused a bit by bigger stronger posts, but we can also work them into foul trouble, so it's not all doom and gloom because we won't have Plavic.

 

[VFLCodyGBO]

Outside of Pons, we don’t have anyone that’s thick enough to bang down low. Grant and admiral weren’t getting outmuscled last year. We can play 6’10 guys all day if they can push guys around. Skinny 6’10 guys can’t defend or push around the big post players like KB for Florida.

 

[cardvolfan]

Great post and I very much agree with your advice. This season will be a different type of basketball with less offensive emphasis on the post area and more emphasis on the pace of play and drawing bigger defenders out into space where they are vulnerable. Kent has the shot to do this and Pember has the handle to make slow-footed big guys pay. Defensively we'll get abused a bit by bigger stronger posts, but we can also work them into foul trouble, so it's not all doom and gloom because we won't have Plavic.

So, much more zone than we've seen in the past?

 

[cardvolfan]

Outside of Pons, we don’t have anyone that’s thick enough to bang down low. Grant and admiral weren’t getting outmuscled last year. We can play 6’10 guys all day if they can push guys around. Skinny 6’10 guys can’t defend or push around the big post players like KB for Florida.

Part of the problem last year was Kyle being physically outmuscled by stronger guys. Thus, the foul trouble and ensuing problems from blocks of time with him on the bench. Maybe Kent will have more presence than we realize. One thing is for sure, we will find out early and often.

 

[Namorto1]

So, much more zone than we've seen in the past?

We have a lot of long, agile perimeter players so I think Barnes may play more zone to protect interior players from foul trouble and because the 3 pt line was pushed back a bit. 3 pt FG% overall may not drop much but it could be the difference in close games.

 

[Namorto1]

I think you will see Tennessee try to stretch the floor and run at every opportunity with any points from the center position considered a bonus.

Also, I think Gaines or Pember could red shirt this season to get stronger and Bowden and Turner will be the leaders of this squad.

Fulkerson and Pons need to take a big step forward on the offensive end this season to help Bowden and Turner.

Fulkerson and Pons could be the peanut butter and jelly combo this season.

Get ready for an exciting season and Go Big Orange!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really doubt anyone redshirts unless there is a significant injury. We have very little depth and since we will likely play quick, all 10 players may pull double figure minutes. Bowden, Turner and James will all play around 30 minutes per game. Anymore than that and they are going to get worn out.

 

[Larkin]

I think you will see Tennessee try to stretch the floor and run at every opportunity with any points from the center position considered a bonus.

Also, I think Gaines or Pember could red shirt this season to get stronger and Bowden and Turner will be the leaders of this squad.

Fulkerson and Pons need to take a big step forward on the offensive end this season to help Bowden and Turner.

Fulkerson and Pons could be the peanut butter and jelly combo this season.

Get ready for an exciting season and Go Big Orange!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ehhh, fulk and pons don’t have the same talent or fire
I hope they contribute this year, I just don’t think they have the “it” factor