Will Jalen step up.

#26
#26
Would u say UT Tourney hopes will live and die by Bone's improvement. Potential Final 4 team if Bone takes the next step up, Sweet 16 if not ? I know match-ups matter, but all things equal, Bone will be the deciding factor ?
Bone is potentially the linchpin, yes. His improvement, health, and quality of play can swing games for us.
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Dog
#28
#28
Iirc right after that trip is when he got injured, thinking it was concussion or something similar...whatever it was I know he missed quite a bit of time after that trip and leading up to the season, and from all accounts he wasn’t the player coaches had seen until around SEC play.
You may be right. I vaguely remember an injury of some kind. I just remember thinking how could this kid be so dominant as a HS senior, basically, and then not get much run at all. It may have been an injury, though.
 
#30
#30
Would u say UT Tourney hopes will live and die by Bone's improvement ? Potential Final 4 team if Bone takes the next step up, Sweet 16 if not ? I know match-ups matter, but all things equal, Bone will be the deciding factor ?

Like you said matchups matter, so that’s really hard to answer...there’s obviously no question their ceiling is better with an improved Bone rather than an unimproved Bone. I think if you’ve got an improved Bone a 1/2 seed is likely, if you have freshman/sophomore Bone then 3/4 seems more likely.
 
#31
#31
Yes, Turner is light years ahead of Bowden in terms of PG ability. And that is more of an indictment of Bowden than a compliment to Turner.

I’m really surprised Tennessee didn’t try to find someone after Fore debacle, my hope is that they feel that good about Bone’s ability to play 32mpg.
 
#33
#33
If I remember correctly, Jalen had a solid game against Texas A&M last season. Think he scored around 15pt and played more minutes against them then he normally got. I had kinda forgot about him.
 
#36
#36
I'd like to see if he can get some minutes at the 2 spot. That means that he'd have improved his perimeter shot.

It would be a pretty solid 2nd unit of Turner (PG), JJ (SG), Pons (SF), Walker (5/LP), and Kent/Fulkerson (4/HP).

Somebody else is going to have to play some at the 2. 3 guys (Bone, Bowden, Turner) playing 2 positions are probably not enough to get through a long season without some luck from either injury or foul trouble. These 3 will have to to play some fairly heavy minutes which can also add to chance of injury.
 
#37
#37
Somebody else is going to have to play some at the 2. 3 guys (Bone, Bowden, Turner) playing 2 positions are probably not enough to get through a long season without some luck from either injury or foul trouble. These 3 will have to to play some fairly heavy minutes which can also add to chance of injury.

2 positions means 80 total minutes among those 3...last year those 3 combined for 76mpg last year. Obviously foul trouble and injury can change that but “on average” those 3 should be able to hand those 2 positions on most nights.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VOLED
#38
#38
Somebody else is going to have to play some at the 2. 3 guys (Bone, Bowden, Turner) playing 2 positions are probably not enough to get through a long season without some luck from either injury or foul trouble. These 3 will have to to play some fairly heavy minutes which can also add to chance of injury.
Admiral can play some 2, as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VOLED
#39
#39
I was lucky enough to watch two hours of practice last week, mostly going full court with refs. To me by far Walker is the most improved. He does not even look like the same person with the change in his body and his game. Strong with moves and good footwork. Has offensive game from anywhere inside the free throw line. Bone is next most improved. Finished so many plays at the rim with makes or assists. I was hoping Jalen would stand out, but he does not seem to have the moves to be anything other than an outside shooter. Fulky is getting back up to speed. Pons is a monster on the glass, defense and slashing to the rim, but no improvement in his offensive game. New big freshman is a 4 star project but very young, probably should redshirt. Trying to get Bowden to run point, but has a long way to go- not a good passer like Bone. Just not his natural position, hurts his shooting. Worried about our lack of depth at guard. AD, Grant, Alexander steady as she goes. Overall, can't wait for my trip to Phoenix for the Gonzaga game. We can beat anybody on our schedule this year.

Thanks for the report. Best one I have seen all pre-season.
 
#40
#40
2 positions means 80 total minutes among those 3...last year those 3 combined for 76mpg last year. Obviously foul trouble and injury can change that but “on average” those 3 should be able to hand those 2 positions on most nights.

I agree. Just wanted one more true guard with this team. Barnes tried with the guy from Richmond, but for some reason he couldn't get in school.
 
#44
#44
It isn't going to be something he does 10 minutes a game. But in a pinch, he can manage.
Okay, it doesn’t take 10 minutes at a spot to be a liability but if you say so. It seems more likely he’d remain at the 3 or 4 and bring the ball up against that type defender.
 
Advertisement



Back
Top