Wells, Greenstein, Nixon and Chance Moore are still available but they're all most likely to be Umpires this weekend where Padilla can be the Referee tonight. This is also Moore's first regional so he's likely the alternate in DC or Chicago.
*** Official #23 Tennessee vs #6 IOWA STATE Game(Day) Thread ***
- Thread starter CycloneRulzzz
- Start date
I have never felt good about a game when we've been in Chicago...today I actually feel very good.
Run down of Tennessee's players:
Starters:
PG #0 Ja'Kobi Gillispe (6'0" Sr) - Played 2 years at Belmont, one at Maryland and this is his first year at Tennessee. A score-first point guard who really is center of everything they do. Took more 3s than Milan this year (8 per game), making 34.5%. Averaged 18.4 pts, 5.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game, and plays almost every minute. He's made 12 3s over their last 3 games, after going 1-17 the three games before that. Reminds me of a smaller Christian Anderson at TTU, although I think Gillispe looks to score first more than Anderson.
SG #3 Bishop Boswell (6'4" Soph) - Second year at Tenn after being a Top 100 recruit and not playing much at all last year, he's started all but one game this year. Acts somewhat as a second PG, he's a good passer (3.1 a/g) and had 9 against Virginia. He shoots around 40% from 3, but only takes ~2 per game. His 4 3PM against Virginia was twice as many as he'd made in any game this season. Averages 6.4ppg in ~25 minutes. Defense first SG who defers the scoring part to the PG.
SF #10 Nate Ament (6'10" Fr) - #4 recruit nationwide and possible lottery pick. He's been compared to Durant, but it's as skilled (even as a 18yo). 33% 3pt shooter, and only 43% on 2pt shots, he's been inefficient this year, but he does get to the line almost 8 times a game. Watching him his game is like AJ Dybantsa, but without the physicality/strength. A lot of mid-range pull up jumpers he can get off over anyone, but he doesn't make them at the same rate as Dybantsa.
PF #13 JP Estrella (6'11" Jr) - #54 recruit (out of old friend Brewster Academy) three years ago - didn't play much as a freshman and missed last year with an injury. Came off the bench until about a month ago, plays < 20mpg and scores 10ppg. Plus offensive rebounder and has a turnaround / 10-15ft jump shot. Has 3pt range, but rarely takes them.
C #34 Felix Okpara (6'11" Sr) - Former Top 100 recruit at Ohio State. Played 2 years in Columbus and in second year at Tennessee. Great offensive rebounder (2.4 per game) and good shot blocker (1.5 per game). Averages 8 ppg.
Bench:
PF #23 Jaylen Carey (6'8" Jr) - Big bodied forward spent 1 year at JMU, 1 at Vandy and this is the first year at Tenn. Another great offensive rebounder with limited other skills. Plays almost the same # of minutes as Estrella. Scores ~7ppg.
PF #6 DeWayne Brown (6'8" Fr) - Another big body post, 2 of the 4 are on the court at almost all times. Doesn't score much, and only around the hoop. Another plus offensive rebounder. Averaged 15mpg, but hasn't played that much in the last month
SF #1 Amari Evans (6'5" Fr) - Top 100 recruit. Has had some big games (24 vs Vandy, 16 vs Arkansas) but has generally be very quiet. 10 of 44 on the season from 3 (23%). Defense-first player, with more steals on the season than assists or turnovers. Plays about 15mpg and averages ~4ppg.
SG #77 Amaree Abram (6'4" Sr) - Former Top 100 recruit at Ole Miss, has played for 4 schools in 4 years (Mississippi, Georgia Tech, Louisiana Tech, Tennessee). Scored 12ppg and make 60+ threes at La Tech last year, hasn't played much (~10mpg) or scored much (~3ppg) this year. Kind of a Dom Nelson situation for an experienced transfer.
PG #35 Ethan Burg (6'3" Fr) - Israeli freshman, the nominal backup PG, minutes vary greatly game to game - played 23 minutes in their first tourney game, only 6 in the second. Foul trouble for Gillispe, or if they go small to handle the pressure, could get him into the game. Capable shooter (44%) from three, but has only made 15.
Maybe I'm proven wrong, but there's really nothing scary on their bench other than the bulk of Carey and Brown. Tenn really comes down to Gillispe and offensive rebounding.
Starters:
PG #0 Ja'Kobi Gillispe (6'0" Sr) - Played 2 years at Belmont, one at Maryland and this is his first year at Tennessee. A score-first point guard who really is center of everything they do. Took more 3s than Milan this year (8 per game), making 34.5%. Averaged 18.4 pts, 5.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game, and plays almost every minute. He's made 12 3s over their last 3 games, after going 1-17 the three games before that. Reminds me of a smaller Christian Anderson at TTU, although I think Gillispe looks to score first more than Anderson.
SG #3 Bishop Boswell (6'4" Soph) - Second year at Tenn after being a Top 100 recruit and not playing much at all last year, he's started all but one game this year. Acts somewhat as a second PG, he's a good passer (3.1 a/g) and had 9 against Virginia. He shoots around 40% from 3, but only takes ~2 per game. His 4 3PM against Virginia was twice as many as he'd made in any game this season. Averages 6.4ppg in ~25 minutes. Defense first SG who defers the scoring part to the PG.
SF #10 Nate Ament (6'10" Fr) - #4 recruit nationwide and possible lottery pick. He's been compared to Durant, but it's as skilled (even as a 18yo). 33% 3pt shooter, and only 43% on 2pt shots, he's been inefficient this year, but he does get to the line almost 8 times a game. Watching him his game is like AJ Dybantsa, but without the physicality/strength. A lot of mid-range pull up jumpers he can get off over anyone, but he doesn't make them at the same rate as Dybantsa.
PF #13 JP Estrella (6'11" Jr) - #54 recruit (out of old friend Brewster Academy) three years ago - didn't play much as a freshman and missed last year with an injury. Came off the bench until about a month ago, plays < 20mpg and scores 10ppg. Plus offensive rebounder and has a turnaround / 10-15ft jump shot. Has 3pt range, but rarely takes them.
C #34 Felix Okpara (6'11" Sr) - Former Top 100 recruit at Ohio State. Played 2 years in Columbus and in second year at Tennessee. Great offensive rebounder (2.4 per game) and good shot blocker (1.5 per game). Averages 8 ppg.
Bench:
PF #23 Jaylen Carey (6'8" Jr) - Big bodied forward spent 1 year at JMU, 1 at Vandy and this is the first year at Tenn. Another great offensive rebounder with limited other skills. Plays almost the same # of minutes as Estrella. Scores ~7ppg.
PF #6 DeWayne Brown (6'8" Fr) - Another big body post, 2 of the 4 are on the court at almost all times. Doesn't score much, and only around the hoop. Another plus offensive rebounder. Averaged 15mpg, but hasn't played that much in the last month
SF #1 Amari Evans (6'5" Fr) - Top 100 recruit. Has had some big games (24 vs Vandy, 16 vs Arkansas) but has generally be very quiet. 10 of 44 on the season from 3 (23%). Defense-first player, with more steals on the season than assists or turnovers. Plays about 15mpg and averages ~4ppg.
SG #77 Amaree Abram (6'4" Sr) - Former Top 100 recruit at Ole Miss, has played for 4 schools in 4 years (Mississippi, Georgia Tech, Louisiana Tech, Tennessee). Scored 12ppg and make 60+ threes at La Tech last year, hasn't played much (~10mpg) or scored much (~3ppg) this year. Kind of a Dom Nelson situation for an experienced transfer.
PG #35 Ethan Burg (6'3" Fr) - Israeli freshman, the nominal backup PG, minutes vary greatly game to game - played 23 minutes in their first tourney game, only 6 in the second. Foul trouble for Gillispe, or if they go small to handle the pressure, could get him into the game. Capable shooter (44%) from three, but has only made 15.
Maybe I'm proven wrong, but there's really nothing scary on their bench other than the bulk of Carey and Brown. Tenn really comes down to Gillispe and offensive rebounding.
When you have three players who are 6'10" or taller, makes sense they are rated so high in offensive rebounds. This is what scares me the most, second chance points from Tennessee.
It's 11:15 AM. Only 10 hours before tip
Ugh. This is going to be a long day
Ugh. This is going to be a long day
Huge game. Hugest in 26 years. Therefore, I have put considerable time and analysis into what will be the key to this game. I usually like to focus on a couple of items and they usually are centered around turnovers and rebounding and doing both of those better than the other team.
This game requires a much deeper look.
I can share my data and analysis if you like and/or post in the comments but don't want to clutter this place up more than it is already.
So, the team that wins this game will be the team that:
Executes a bit better than the other team.
I like our chances of doing that but it isn't a given. I think it is that simple - not to be confused with easy. An extra O Reb or two, 38% from 3 instead of 33%, 8 of 10 from FT instead of 6 of 10.
Neither team is going to let the other go off crazy in any particular area. It is probably within 5 pts the entire game and I will probably age 5 years.
Bring It On
This game requires a much deeper look.
I can share my data and analysis if you like and/or post in the comments but don't want to clutter this place up more than it is already.
So, the team that wins this game will be the team that:
Executes a bit better than the other team.
I like our chances of doing that but it isn't a given. I think it is that simple - not to be confused with easy. An extra O Reb or two, 38% from 3 instead of 33%, 8 of 10 from FT instead of 6 of 10.
Neither team is going to let the other go off crazy in any particular area. It is probably within 5 pts the entire game and I will probably age 5 years.
Bring It On
You know what neutralizes offensive rebounds? The team not getting shots off in the first place because they turned it over - which is Tennessee’s biggest weakness and our defensive strength. So when I see a stat about offensive rebounding, I just think “neat”.
Why do I get the feeling some reporter will still ask about the UNC job during the press conference tonight?
“Let’s hear from ISU_Guy for some game analysis.”
“One of these teams will win. The other will lose. Back to you in the studio.”
The team that scores the most points after the time has expired, will have a good chance of advancing to the next round.
Their bigs spend so much time in the paint on both ends, this game is an opportunity for Milan to GO.TOTALLY.OFF. And if they come out to try and guard him at the 3 point line, that will open up the lane for Tamin and Toure to drive to the rim like in the UK game. I like our chances tonight!
I’d be shocked if Joshua Jefferson plays tonight. Just an educated guess.
I hope I’m absolutely dead wrong.
I hope I’m absolutely dead wrong.
Toure and Heise are the key, just like last game. If they're above average, I like our chances.
I agree. Seems like a stretch at this point. I’ll be pleasantly surprised if he hits the floor at any point.
I’m excited to see the Tamin plays that keep our season alive.
A couple thoughts on that -
- they aren't super efficient in scoring off of offensive rebounds - often they get 2 or 3 putbacks on a possession. Those can be demoralizing, but it does give more opportunities for a steal or a defensive rebound.
- Their bigs can be lose with the ball off of rebounds - bringing it down low to gather it before going back up, etc. Other than Okpara and Ament, the other bigs are wide-body, below the rim type players who use their brawn to make space rather than "tip-dunk" type putbacks. I think there's an opportunity to limit their effectiveness on the offensive glass by getting steals from the bigs after the offensive rebound (trapping or swiping)
- None of those 4 bigs, of which there are 2 on the floor at almost all times, can guard Heise or Milan running through off-ball screens, etc. I think we have a chance to force them to go "small" with Ament at the 4, which greatly hurts their offensive rebounding dominance.
Overall, my #1 key to the game is : Can ISU win "points off of turnovers" by a wider margin than Tenn wins "second chance points". Whoever converts their strength into points better will win.
I feel very good today too but I'm not sure if it's about the game or because I feel like I finally kicked this dam cold that's been lingering for almost 3 weeks.
