The Official #1 Tennessee vs. #23 Arkansas Game Thread, 1:00 PM ET, ESPN

#554
#554
TheMookieMonster said:
Last year’s team. I know we are undefeated right now, but we played a much tougher OOC last year and started off really hot in SEC play. I think our fanbase has already forgotten how good we were last year lol.
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Similarly good but not sure I’d characterize last year’s team as better. We’re above 32 in KenPom which is truly nuts. I love having this “problem” of consecutive top five teams though.
 
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#556
#556
TheMookieMonster said:
Last year’s team. I know we are undefeated right now, but we played a much tougher OOC last year and started off really hot in SEC play. I think our fanbase has already forgotten how good we were last year lol.
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I think the season went better than the ability of that team would indicate. It’s probably the single best season any Tennessee team has ever had, but I don’t think I’d put it in the top 3 teams from an ability standpoint that Barnes has had here, let alone program history. Josiah never putting it together and Vescovi falling off a cliff kinda limited that team if you’re gonna pick nits about our best teams through the years.

I think this team is more well-rounded than last year’s team. Last year was really Knecht or bust most nights, he just didn’t bust often so it worked out really well. This year, I think Lanier can give us a lot of what Knecht did, but the guys around him can give us more than they did last year. Health and staying out of foul trouble are the keys though.
 
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#561
#561
Lefteye said:
I thought DStone aka Candyman arguably had one of his best games. I know the number hos will disagree, but he chewed up minutes in the first half and showed he could play bigger than his height, against more than decent competition.
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Played 8 minutes 0 points, 2 boards, 1 assist.
 
#563
#563
FlVols said:
He’ll get the upper hand this year soon I hope

Barnes in the real deal coach. Cal has always been a cheater
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I think he will, Cal is about to load up on some L’s for the winter. I’m not sure they end up above .500 in SEC play.
 
#565
#565
ZZZ 7 assists with only 2 turnovers playing almost the entire game is exactly the type of PG play I’ve been hoping to see from him. The hogs were extending their D in the second half yet ZZZ handled the ball pressure very well. Gainey and Boswell are still suspect under that type of pressure so we’re going to need big minutes from ZZZ all season.

His 12 points and 5 boards were just a bonus!
 
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#566
#566
TheMookieMonster said:
I think some of it has to do with the physicality of Arkansas affecting us. They have been smothering and covering everything on the perimeter making it hard to dribble drive.
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Yes, potentially exposing our ball-handling weakness, which is very real outside of ZZ. You can come out and pressure the ball 25-30 feet from the basket, but this team just moves the ball so well without even having to dribble out of traffic that it can really burn you if you aren't disciplined, defensively.
 
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#571
#571
LegionnaireOfTheMiserable said:
I think the season went better than the ability of that team would indicate. It’s probably the single best season any Tennessee team has ever had, but I don’t think I’d put it in the top 3 teams from an ability standpoint that Barnes has had here, let alone program history. Josiah never putting it together and Vescovi falling off a cliff kinda limited that team if you’re gonna pick nits about our best teams through the years.

I think this team is more well-rounded than last year’s team. Last year was really Knecht or bust most nights, he just didn’t bust often so it worked out really well. This year, I think Lanier can give us a lot of what Knecht did, but the guys around him can give us more than they did last year. Health and staying out of foul trouble are the keys though.
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Our 2 biggest wins on the season weren't reliant on Knecht
 
#572
#572
Delmar said:
One observation. I’ll take Milicic, Phillips and Okpara all day long over Aidoo and Awaka. Unlike Aidoo, they actually play like they care and can play more than 5 minutes without committing 4 fouls like Awaka. We got an upgrade on the front line. Milicic is flat out tough.
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Rick has been so good at the portal.
 
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#573
#573
walkenvol said:
TY and all the others in attendance who boo’ed Aidoo every opportunity! Well done sir.
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LOL wife was feeling sorry for Aidoo, had to keep her from saying something to some nearby who were pretty rough on him.

Crowd was great today - easily the most engaged so far this year. Has to be that way from here on out.
 
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#574
#574
orbs son said:
Can anybody explain to me why Barnes plays his starters so late into blowouts? Seems like the young guys would do better with the time on these games.
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I'm not sure why but almost all the top teams do that it's not like high school. There might be something to the margin of victory in NET and could move you a seed or2 in the tourney when accessing close teams if you don't do your due diligence. Just a guess.
 
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