The Official Tennessee vs. Eastern New Mexico Preseason Game Thread, 7:00 PM ET, SEC Network+

#301
#301
Can't tell much from that. #5 looks physically ready. Guards will dominate play thats for sure. Could not see any inside game emerge. Was hoping to see some power drives by Pons against those midgets, zero. I guess Barnes will run essentially the same offense but more geared toward guard driving and 3 pointers? I expect the 7ft guy to fill the middle on defense, block and rebound mostly. I still predict a competitive team capable of beating anyone at home.
 
#302
#302
bleedingTNorange said:
That’s the book on James, he doesn’t really look to score, that’s who he is. However If we are sitting back saying 10pts 7ast 5rbds 2stl didn’t look good, then maybe expectations are a bit too high. I think that’s about what he’s going to give you, he’s very good defensively and will be a stat sheet stuffer, but I don’t expect to see him scoring a bunch.
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Im weighting that against the competition. It’s obvious the kid has serious talent.
 
#303
#303
bleedingTNorange said:
That’s the book on James, he doesn’t really look to score, that’s who he is. However If we are sitting back saying 10pts 7ast 5rbds 2stl didn’t look good, then maybe expectations are a bit too high. I think that’s about what he’s going to give you, he’s very good defensively and will be a stat sheet stuffer, but I don’t expect to see him scoring a bunch.
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And what might those numbers have been if he’d played 30+ minutes? I was very impressed with James, especially with his composure. Many star freshmen push too hard to score and disrupt the offensive flow of their team. James appears mature beyond his years both mentally and physically.
 
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#304
#304
walkenvol said:
And what might those numbers have been if he’d played 30+ minutes? I was very impressed with James, especially with his composure. Many star freshmen push to hard to score and disrupt the offensive flow of their team. James appears mature beyond his years both mentally and physically.
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I like the length on the perimeter, could take a few percentage points off the opponents 3 point shooting.
 
#305
#305
Josiah got caught a few times jumping to make a pass which caused him to force a few passes that would get stolen against better competition. Lots of first game jitters for the new guys, but you can see the potential.
We left our feet to block shots way to often on defense as well.
 
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#308
#308
Volle said:
Was at the game, overall effort was good, hustle on defense, little sloppy on offense with 18 TO's. Frontline is taller, but not as physical, backcourt can be special.

Generally:
Turner is our best player
Fulk is better, little more physical
Bowden still disappears sometimes
Kent has a good old-school baseline TA jumper
JJ passes well and has a 5* body, but is not like a polished UK 5* like Herro or PJW, iow he won't be in the NBA next year.
Pons, unfortunately, looked the same as last year, doesn't get into the flow on offense.

Overall, a bubble team, tops 9-7 SEC, will be fun to watch, with a lot of ups and downs.

The new 3pt line is going to change some coaching strategies, it's too far for an average shooter, saw a bunch of air balls from both teams, reallyhave to square up.

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There's 18 SEC games I believe so 11-7 or 10-8 seems realistic.

PJ Washington did not come in polished as a freshman. He really became the player he was last year his Sophmore year. Might be Cal's best player that he's ever "developed" tbh. Herro was a 4 star and took some time to find his shot last year. James is kind of a rare breed 5 star because he's not a score first guard and that's not very common at all. He's not flashy either, but has a really high basketball IQ. If he wants to leave I really think he'll be a first round pick next year, but I think he'll return for his Sophomore year. He reminds me a lot of Michael Carter Williams and Lonzo Ball and I think he'll put up similar stats that they did.

Michael Carter Williams: 12 ppg, 7 apg, & 5 rpg

Lonzo Ball: 15 ppg, 7.5 apg, & 6 rpg
 
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#309
#309
Anyone else worried about LamonTRE getting into foul trouble? He plays some serious lock down defense and I'm afraid he'll get called for some ticky-tack fouls. There is no question he is the leader of this team and that it's his team. I love Bowden, but he just doesn't have the same intensity that Turner brings. If he did I think he'd be a lock at being a 1st rounder.
 
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#310
#310
Stoked said:
Anyone else worried about LamonTRE getting into foul trouble? He plays some serious lock down defense and I'm afraid he'll get called for some ticky-tack fouls. There is no question he is the leader of this team and that it's his team. I love Bowden, but he just doesn't have the same intensity that Turner brings. If he did I think he'd be a lock at being a 1st rounder.
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Turner/coaches will have to be smart about it, if he picks up a foul super early he’ll need to back off or maybe even just sit for a couple...can’t be having him pick up 2 in 3 minutes and sit the rest of the half.
 
#311
#311
bleedingTNorange said:
Turner/coaches will have to be smart about it, if he picks up a foul super early he’ll need to back off or maybe even just sit for a couple...can’t be having him pick up 2 in 3 minutes and sit the rest of the half.
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Yeah it has me legit worried for real because I feel like coaches will be game planning and going after him early. It sucks because he's our best on ball defender and you don't really want Barnes to tell him to play loose, but at the same time he's our best offensive threat too. Like you said they'll have to be smart about it.
 
#312
#312
Where will the inside points come from? I like our perimeter scoring options but do not see a lot of back to the basket options. It appears we may be have to be more of a dribble drive slashing type of offense? Thoughts?
 
#313
#313
PEPPERJAX said:
Where will the inside points come from? I like our perimeter scoring options but do not see a lot of back to the basket options. It appears we may be have to be more of a dribble drive slashing type of offense? Thoughts?
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I liked what Kent showed, that turn around towards the end of the game was smooth. ORN has a rough offensive night but the footwork seems to be there.
 
#314
#314
I liked what I saw from Lamonte and Bowden. They both look ready to take on the much bigger roles we need them to this year.

Josiah, to me, looked a little slow like he wasn’t quite 100% coming back to playing speed from his hip injury. I was very impressed with his passing ability, he’s already the best passer on the team. As the season progresses I’d think we’re gonna see a lot more JJJ running point with Lamonte and Bowden off ball. Would like to see Josiah use his size/athleticism a little more to punish the smaller guy and drive to the basket a little more, but it’ll come in time.

I don’t think Kent will be able to see the floor much in SEC play and I think we’re seeing why he hasn’t played yet, yet is already older than Grant Williams. Defensively he such a huge liability both in the low post and would be even worse when SEC teams expose him in the PnR. He has a very lumbering, slow, inefficient running style. He did show good touch around the rim though.

Gonna need more out of Jalen Johnson if this team wants to compete in the SEC.

Pons looks the same as he did last year but I like how the staff seems to be utilizing him differently than last year. Having him play as more of a low post player than a wing offensively and defensively. Still worry about his poor instincts and feel for the game though, doesn’t seem to be getting any better in that regard.

Pember looked good out there. Not as rail thin as I thought and moves pretty well for his size. Like his potential.

Gaines I thought showed some flashes. Jalen johnson better start showing the coaches something or I’d suspect Gaines/Pember are going to start taking more of his minutes.

I’ve never been the biggest Fulky fan but he looks a lot better than last year. Don’t know how healthy he was last year, now that’s he’s fully healthy he looks more than the Fulky we saw early on in his career, but with a little more added strength.
 
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#315
#315
I do think that Fulk/Kent/O(R)N/Plavsic/Pons will be able to add a few points in the paint. But the other end will often be challenged. Was it 2 years ago that Grant really struggled to slow down a KY big down low?

As somebody pointed out a few posts back, James sees the court very well. I think he's also missed some practice time due to a minor injury. IMO he'll be the primary distributor as the season develops and Turner slides over to a wing. Turner will get tons of points having plays run for him. And it looks like Turner is now excellent at finding open teammates... especially Bowden. Once James settles in I bet Turner grows his assist line finding him as well.
 
#316
#316
Fulk used to fumble a lot of passes. He looks much improved at hanging on to the ball. I wish that he could have carried his opening flurry further into the game. Half of his stats might have come before the first time out.
 
#318
#318
To me James is a guy that just puts you to sleep. I mean he didn’t “wow” you, but by the time you wake up he put 15 points and 7 rebounds on you.

It’s just an exhibition, but from that, Tennessee has Fulky low and not much else. While he looked pretty good, the freshman has to grow quick, and Tennessee needs eligibility real bad.

Pember and Gaines looked ahead of schedule (for 3 star true freshman).

Looked like Kent has a nice shot, but to me he has little to no presence down low.
 
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#319
#319
The 2 guys key to the season are Pons and Fulk. Last night Pons reminded me of Armani Moore. If he can figure out that short range touch I think he can be productive enough to stay on the floor and really be a difference. He can clear space with his body down low so he doesn’t have to be 6’9+ to get his shot over people. But He’s also got to stop the mental lapses, like the lane violation when he just walked inside the 3 pt line when the shooter had the ball.(he was talking to the staff right before the free throw but didn’t pay attention and walked inside the arch)
The blocks he’s gonna have are what reminded me of Armani. I think Barnes is gonna ask him to be a monster on the glass too, especially on the offensive end, and if it takes all 5 of his fouls so be it. He does have a better 3pt shot than ‘Money’ did IMO but his mid range is definitely still a work in progress.

One more.. I may be in the minority here but I think Fulk will have several 20+ pt games this year just from garbage buckets and transition o. I’ve got him averaging 10-12 per, with 5-7 rebounds. Doesn’t sound great I know but if UP gets Eligible those numbers with everybody else would keep UT ahead of the bubble. Imo
 
#320
#320
I'm still wondering why Pember was laying on the court in pain, no trainer hurried out to check on him, and then he hopped 50' on one leg with no assistance to reach the bench.

Haven't heard an injury report either.
 
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#321
#321
Thunder Good-Oil said:
I'm still wondering why Pember was laying on the court in pain, no trainer hurried out to check on him, and then he hopped 50' on one leg with no assistance to reach the bench.

Haven't heard an injury report either.
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Wonder what his parents thought.
 
#322
#322
Thunder Good-Oil said:
I'm still wondering why Pember was laying on the court in pain, no trainer hurried out to check on him, and then he hopped 50' on one leg with no assistance to reach the bench.

Haven't heard an injury report either.
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It’s rare today but some guys don’t want anybody touching them or helping them off. His back was turned to the 1 camera the whole time so who’s to say he didn’t ask everybody not to touch him.

He rolled his ankle, he didn’t get a concussion or break anything
 
#323
#323
Thunder Good-Oil said:
I'm still wondering why Pember was laying on the court in pain, no trainer hurried out to check on him, and then he hopped 50' on one leg with no assistance to reach the bench.

Haven't heard an injury report either.
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When asked Barnes said he turned his ankle. that was it. Must not have been too serious.
 
#324
#324
Thunder Good-Oil said:
I'm still wondering why Pember was laying on the court in pain, no trainer hurried out to check on him, and then he hopped 50' on one leg with no assistance to reach the bench.

Haven't heard an injury report either.
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Granted this is an assumption and one that could be completely inaccurate but maybe he has shown a tendency to be dramatic about "injuries" in practice? Don't know only thing I could come up with.
 
#325
#325
I’m so happy we beat Eastern New Mexico State Tech A&M Poly College For Kids That Can’t Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too.
 
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