Vescovi observation

[LAVol1]

Love watching Santi play. He's so active and is probably under-appreciated defensively. Plays the passing lanes really well. His help defense is outstanding and he gets more than his share of rebounds and loose balls. I think he is unquestionably the Vol player that has the biggest impact on the outcome of the game. I have two criticisms: (1) he needs to let the 3 fly more, and (2) when he fakes a 3 and drives toward the basket, he needs to pull up and shoot from 10-12' vs. going to the hoop where he typically gets in trouble.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I hope that he sticks around for at least one more year. Two more would be incredible.

 

[TNVOLFN]

Foolishly, I thought earlier in the year he would eventually lose his minutes to the younger players and transfers; he's become our most reliable player, I think.

 

[tennrich1]

Actually, i think a large part of his continued improved this year is due in part to 1. He has completely changed his body and physical conditioning 2. His time with the Uruguayan National Team really improved his understanding and desire to be on the level with the professional athletes he played with and has put in the time and discipline to achieve it. I agree his ball fake on the three is as good as any I've seen, and more times than not creates a clear look for him. I've noticed during dead ball and time out situations the entire team gravitates to he and JJJ. That's a true sign of leadership.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Foolishly, I thought earlier in the year he would eventually lose his minutes to the younger players and transfers; he's become our most reliable player, I think.

He’s really close to getting a lot more open looks. He does that fake and as the defender flies by him he takes the dribble and a sidestep. But most of the time he doesn’t launch it as the defense recovers. He just needs a bit more of a fraction of a second and he’ll be draining a lot of those.

It has been disappointing that he’s not automatic at the free throw line. Maybe he bottomed out when missing the first 2 of his 3 versus TxAM. That 3rd attempt after 2 missed ones had to have been under a huge amount of pressure.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

His turnovers have been much better after two years. And his right hand is much stronger with the dribble. Doesn’t leave his feet while trying to pass very often either. He’s been coached up a lot.

 

[BruisedOrange]

[...] I have two criticisms: [...] and (2) when he fakes a 3 and drives toward the basket, he needs to pull up and shoot from 10-12' vs. going to the hoop where he typically gets in trouble.

I was talking ball today with a player on one of the better HS teams in Tennessee, and he remarked that (according to his coaching) the only time a player should get caught shooting a mid-range jumper (rather than a 3 or driving the lane for a layup/foul) is if the shot clock is timing out.

Interesting. I wonder how widespread (or nuanced) that philosophy is at the next level?

 

[omghulkhands]

I agree that he doesn’t get as much value out of his shot fake that he should.

If he develops the ability to score on another level like driving or mid-range pull-up, he’d really take another big step.

 

[wmcovol]

I was talking ball today with a player on one of the better HS teams in Tennessee, and he remarked that (according to his coaching) the only time a player should get caught shooting a mid-range jumper (rather than a 3 or driving the lane for a layup/foul) is if the shot clock is timing out.

Interesting. I wonder how widespread (or nuanced) that philosophy is at the next level?

If true that the coach is teaching that, soon basketball will be as unbearable to watch as MLB.

 

[Fullfillmer]

He was like 48 out of 50 in the last 3 minutes of games - so the announcers probably jinxed him there. A one time freak occurrence. The coolest thing that he does is when he works behind the backboard and basket and makes a right-handed reverse layup without looking at the goal. So smooth - he might be the best in the world at that shot.

 

[golfballs]

I hope that he sticks around for at least one more year. Two more would be incredible.

If everyone returns we could be a final 4 team

 

[cbvolsfan]

I hope that he sticks around for at least one more year. Two more would be incredible.

I think he will, unless he gets a good European offer…..

 

[BruisedOrange]

If true that the coach is teaching that, soon basketball will be as unbearable to watch as MLB.

Interesting comparison, as changes in both have been driven by statistics.

 

[wmcovol]

I think he will, unless he gets a good European offer…..

Regardless, we’ve gonna miss him when he leaves. Damn good shooter and extremely underrated defensive player.

Gonna miss JJJ too. Those two are often in our top 3 or 4 rebounders every game, both come up or force a lot of loose balls, points in transition someone else scores.

 

[Voltime123]

Not sure if it has been mentioned but having two point guards handle the ball handling this year allows Vescovi to have a lot more opportunities to score

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

Very surprised he hasn't really developed a floater since he's been here. He needs a floater.

 

[VolSkeet83]

I think Vescovi is at the clip he needs to be in regards to shots taken, save maybe 1 or 2 shots a game where he makes the extra pass instead of taking a semi-contested shot. His unselfishness has kept us in many games, so I'm not sure that shooting a few more shots (for the sake of it) would benefit him...his productivity might take a hit. Giving other players a chance to knock down open shots will pay off as the season goes along and more of those shots start to fall (looking at your JJJ).

Vescovi is one of those players who lets the game comes to him and can put up big numbers by being patient and making the best of the opportunities he's given. I'd love to see another season from him playing alongside ZZ with one last off-season under his belt in our training program...I think he'd be first-team all SEC next year. Also, let's not forget ZZ reclassified and should still be playing high school ball this year. Zeigler makes me care less and less about the idea of Chandler being one and done. In the meantime, I think we'll go as far in March as our small ball lineup of KC/ZZ/Santi will take us. And as history has shown, elite guard play in March plus defense (check) is a great combo for a deep run.

 

[Namorto1]

Definitely has gotten better each year. Vescovi is a solid college player. Stepped in on day 1 and was a positive impact when our season was going down the toilet when Turner’s injury forced him to quit. He received nothing but grief in his soph year because he wasn’t a pure PG (which we all knew), but still was our best option regardless. This year in his more natural position he has played well and significantly has improved his defense and conditioning. Smart player who is maximizing what he has. Wish others did.

 

[walkenvol]

I think Vescovi is at the clip he needs to be in regards to shots taken, save maybe 1 or 2 shots a game where he makes the extra pass instead of taking a semi-contested shot. His unselfishness has kept us in many games, so I'm not sure that shooting a few more shots (for the sake of it) would benefit him...his productivity might take a hit. Giving other players a chance to knock down open shots will pay off as the season goes along and more of those shots start to fall (looking at your JJJ).

Vescovi is one of those players who lets the game comes to him and can put up big numbers by being patient and making the best of the opportunities he's given. I'd love to see another season from him playing alongside ZZ with one last off-season under his belt in our training program...I think he'd be first-team all SEC next year. Also, let's not forget ZZ reclassified and should still be playing high school ball this year. Zeigler makes me care less and less about the idea of Chandler being one and done. In the meantime, I think we'll go as far in March as our small ball lineup of KC/ZZ/Santi will take us. And as history has shown, elite guard play in March plus defense (check) is a great combo for a deep run.

Has something changed that now allows students who turn 19 before the school year begins are eligible to play sports? ZZ turned 19 on 8/2.

BHH turned 18 on 8/6 so he could be playing hs this season.

KC turned 19 on 9/16 so I think he could have played another hs season since he was 18 when the school year started.

Same for Mashack as he turned 19 on 11/10

Tamba turns 19 on 3/8

Powell’s birthday is 5/9/2001 so he turns 21 in 3 months

Vescovi’s birthday is 9/21/2001 so he’s a Junior yet is 4 months younger than Powell and less than a year older than KC, Mashack, and ZZ. All this talk of guy’s should still be in hs is misguided.

 

[VolSkeet83]

Has something changed that now allows students who turn 19 before the school year begins are eligible to play sports? ZZ turned 19 on 8/2.

BHH turned 18 on 8/6 so he could be playing hs this season.

KC turned 19 on 9/16 so I think he could have played another hs season since he was 18 when the school year started.

Same for Mashack as he turned 19 on 11/10

Tamba turns 19 on 3/8

Powell’s birthday is 5/9/2001 so he turns 21 in 3 months

Vescovi’s birthday is 9/21/2001 so he’s a Junior yet is 4 months younger than Powell and less than a year older than KC, Mashack, and ZZ. All this talk of guy’s should still be in hs is misguided.

-Walkenvol, I get your point but I think you missed mine. The fact of the matter is we have a great alternative at PG after KC leaves. I was justy pointing out that ZZ RECLASSIFIED to join this class at the friggin last minute with almost no recruiting fanfair at the time he committed. Pretty cool that after such a great recruiting class earlier in the signing period, we pick up probably the most important piece (long term) at the 11th hour. Similar as when we landed Vescovi almost mid-season when we signed him out of nowhere in the fall of 2019, and he was contributing just weeks later.

 

[walkenvol]

-Walkenvol, I get your point but I think you missed mine. The fact of the matter is we have a great alternative at PG after KC leaves. I was justy pointing out that ZZ RECLASSIFIED to join this class at the friggin last minute with almost no recruiting fanfair at the time he committed.

I agree we are very fortunate CRB signed a low ranked player with the talent of ZZ and he may be a good player for 3 more seasons.

My point is that ZZ wasn’t eligible to play hs sports this year unless things are different in NY vs TN. This doesn’t diminish anything in regards to ZZ, it’s simply factually incorrect to act as if ZZ left hs at an early age to join the Vols. Of all the guys on the team that are young for their class it’s Vescovi. BHH is in second place in that regard. ZZ should be in college at his age

 

[TennesseeFan07]

Steady improvement from where he was when he arrived in the states. He is now the leader of the team.

 

[tmack50]

I agree we are very fortunate CRB signed a low ranked player with the talent of ZZ and he may be a good player for 3 more seasons.

My point is that ZZ wasn’t eligible to play hs sports this year unless things are different in NY vs TN. This doesn’t diminish anything in regards to ZZ, it’s simply factually incorrect to act as if ZZ left hs at an early age to join the Vols. Of all the guys on the team that are young for their class it’s Vescovi. BHH is in second place in that regard. ZZ should be in college at his age

ZZ was going to prep school due to the low amount of offers he was getting until he blew up at the Peach Jam.

 

[tombowalker]

I was talking ball today with a player on one of the better HS teams in Tennessee, and he remarked that (according to his coaching) the only time a player should get caught shooting a mid-range jumper (rather than a 3 or driving the lane for a layup/foul) is if the shot clock is timing out.

Interesting. I wonder how widespread (or nuanced) that philosophy is at the next level?

This is a fairly common line of thinking. And fwiw, the analytics seem to support it.

Math isn't exactly my strong suit, but here's an example that I've come across....

If you take a 36% 3P shooter, he would need to hit 54% of his jumpers to justify taking the two instead.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I agree we are very fortunate CRB signed a low ranked player with the talent of ZZ and he may be a good player for 3 more seasons.

My point is that ZZ wasn’t eligible to play hs sports this year unless things are different in NY vs TN. This doesn’t diminish anything in regards to ZZ, it’s simply factually incorrect to act as if ZZ left hs at an early age to join the Vols. Of all the guys on the team that are young for their class it’s Vescovi. BHH is in second place in that regard. ZZ should be in college at his age

ZZ was going to attend a prep school, not a high school.