Something’s wrong with this team

#27
#27
CAVPUT said:
We never seem to have enough shooters and those that we do have somehow lose their shot once they get here.

Hey, I understand the importance of defense, but you have to have some balance. When I see guys like Carr who've been here and left lighting it up elsewhere, I just have to scratch my head and wonder if things couldn't have somehow been worked out to keep the guy? I mean what would he mean to this team/roster right now if he were here? What if we'd ponied up the money for Rice into throwing $4m at Ament? Wasted money, and I suspect it's the one move that will kill our season.

The kid just isn't physically ready to play in a mans league. His shot is MIA and his defense is nothing to brag about either. Given the NIL/portal/one season at a time nature of the college game in every sport, I just can't see how Barnes could have thought this kid was worth the money and that signing him was the right move to make. Hindsight is 20/20, and I hope the light turns on for Ament, but if Barnes keeps trotting him out there as a starter and he keeps playing like this, you have to wonder what that's giong to do to the chemistry on this roster?

Barnes is in a real bind with Ament. Can't bench him and how can he keep playing him? Others like Abram and Evans have earned more playing time IMO. How can Barnes keep giving Ament 30+ min a game? Should be interesting to watch. Glad I'm not in Barnes shoes this morning.
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You must have skipped watching the past 2 seasons
 
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#28
#28
I think it's a meshing together problem

The whole roster seems to have players capable and good depth but there's not a identity.

I think JG and Ament try too hard and the ball should always be going to pur bigs down low first and foremost.
 
#29
#29
It's Vols or nothing! said:
I think it's a meshing together problem

The whole roster seems to have players capable and good depth but there's not a identity.

I think JG and Ament try too hard and the ball should always be going to pur bigs down low first and foremost.
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Meshing problem is common due to having a brand new team EVERY SINGLE YEAR
 
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#31
#31
Y’all realize four new starters and new full bench = no chemistry? Look at wildc$h too! They look even worse. It’s all across hoops and football, all the transferring and one year propositions are hurting the game.
 
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#32
#32
About time for bleedingtnorange to show up telking us what a great shooter Ament is and he needs to keep shooting the 3🙄
 
#33
#33
It's Vols or nothing! said:
I think it's a meshing together problem

The whole roster seems to have players capable and good depth but there's not a identity.

I think JG and Ament try too hard and the ball should always be going to pur bigs down low first and foremost.
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Yeah, I mentioned this in another thread before this game. We have been playing so many players that we have not jelled as a team. Time to settle the pecking order.

Also, Ament has definitely hit that freshman wall, and was playing his first SEC away game. He will be fine, but I agree that Evans needs more playing time.
 
#34
#34
beachvol23 said:
Y’all realize four new starters and new full bench = no chemistry? Look at wildc$h too! They look even worse. It’s all across hoops and football, all the transferring and one year propositions are hurting the game.
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You think the new era of college sports has a bigger impact on the product in football or basketball? I lean toward basketball.
 
#36
#36
beachvol23 said:
Y’all realize four new starters and new full bench = no chemistry? Look at wildc$h too! They look even worse. It’s all across hoops and football, all the transferring and one year propositions are hurting the game.
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Our team definitely has chemistry issues and most of those are probably caused by a heavily revamped roster. But, Duke, Arizona, and Michigan all seem to have the same issues and their teams look like a completely different level.
 
#37
#37
livefaith said:
Our team definitely has chemistry issues and most of those are probably caused by a heavily revamped roster. But, Duke, Arizona, and Michigan all seem to have the same issues and their teams look like a completely different level.
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I think the only issue is Ament has been given to much responsibility and a not yet handle it. He, for sure, doesn't need to bring the ball cup the court with the other ball handlers we have. He needs to be much more aggressive on his drives in the lane and improve his handle. Some of this will take time and I am not sure he will be polished by tournament time. Barnes has a decision to make about him and his responsibilities on the team. I think the other players know he has a lot of talent, but the team is suffering when he is not producing.
 
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#38
#38
Here is what I believe ails us in no particular order ...

1. Shoot free throws like the three blind mice
2. Can't shoot foul shots either
3. Defense is pedestrian compared to past three or four years
4. Do not properly value possession of the basketball
5. A freshman phenom who actually turned out to be human
6. Once again an offensive identity that is often uncertain
7. We have one excellent outside shooter out of the entire bunch
8. Got sick of hearing about Ziegler's heart and soul. But we miss it.

... Anyway here's to watching us grow into a great team. To start the season I had very high hopes that we had all the pieces to make the run. After watching a few of the elite teams in college basketball, I'm convinced we're at least one if not two steps behind that happening. Oh well, maybe we catch lightning in a bottle come March.
 
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#39
#39
A couple of real questions about the future of Nate Ament if he continues to be mediocre and finishes the season not draft ready. 1) Does he transfer? 2) Does Rick want to bring him back? 3) If Rick brings him back does he pay him less, or does NA demand a raise based on thinking he'll improve enough to be the lottery pick at the end of next year, and if he demands a raise what does Rick do?
 
#43
#43
Holy smokes, the utter doom and gloom doesn't seem warranted after that game at Arky. That will likely be the toughest game remaining on the schedule, and if we can just be average at the free throw line, we're right in it. I was very discouraged after the 3-game losing streak, but actually think we're showing some encouraging things now.
 
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#49
#49
CLEARLY....the Arkansas game was lost at the free throw line. I understand there are several other circumstances which contributed heavily but I have to agree with Rick postgame. You score 12 pts at the free throw stripe and opponent scores 28 (by no fault of officiating) You simply WILL NOT WIN very often. At this point...Got to be our biggest concern cause we can get to the line....just need to make em....
 
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#50
#50
Unconditional Surrender said:
eh

edit: I really liked them but I didn't feel spoiled by them.
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Vescovi did so many little things he was a difference maker even when his shot wasn’t falling. Have to have those guys. Games often come down to 2-4 points so if you can keep or steal possessions it’s imperative. people scratch their head at times when Barnes has a good player sitting. Player may have made a couple buckets but if he didn’t rotate or box out or grab a rebound and gives up 6 or 7 on 3 possessions, he will sit.
 
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