re: LSU @ Tennessee MBB Preview; Sat. 1/4; 11:00 CST | SECN

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Is it just laziness? Dude plucked top players all across the country at Texas, and Tennessee’s facilities are fantastic. I’m sure he has a nice recruiting budget too with the VOLS having to go nationwide in most sports

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Combination of things but he signed Turner/Schofield/Alexander in year 1 and then Williams/Bone/Bowden/Fulkerson in year 2 and that was his 7 man core for the last 3 years. None were top 100 players so I think he started believing his own hype on player development. Started signing all under the radar projects in subsequent classes in hopes of finding another Williams/Schofield/Bone. And there was no pressure for any of them to develop because that original core was essentially together 3 years and won like 75 games even without really adding to it at all.

Probably could have been in that UVA/Zaga/Duke tier last year if they had just added 1 more instant impact guy at any point during that run but instead went for all projects and stayed with the same core. Hard to bash a 2 year span where you go 57-15 but when you lose in the tourney on the last possession both years it's hard not to think about not supplementing that group.

Also think they got caught with their pants down on Bone and Williams declaring early in the spring. Obviously neither guy was really on the NBA radar when they got here and Williams in particular never really had NBA measurables but he was way too productive not to go and obviously both guys got drafted (Williams in the first round).

As I said though I think they have learned their lesson as they have the best class in program history signed for next season and they have 2 sit out transfers who will be eligible next season as well and they will likely add 2 more players to the recruiting class. Should be a preseason top 20 team next year but if you watch the game tomorrow you will see an unreal dearth of talent compared to what it's been the last few years and what it will be next year. It's shockingly bad.

This group without Turner is the worst collection of talent Tennessee has had since the mid 90s. I've been a season ticket holder for 25+ years and travel to several road games a year (went to 35 of the 37 games last year) and I haven't seen a roster this void of offensive skill since the 5 win team in 94. They are a much better defensive team than that team but they are horrendous offensively.

Again, maybe Vescovi is eligible tomorrow and he can play 30+ minutes at PG in Turner's role but if not and JJJ is playing PG they will struggle to get to 50 every night out.

I hope I'm wrong and I'll be at the game tomorrow but if Vescovi isn't cleared and Tennessee rolls out the James/Bowden/Gaines/Pons/Fulkerson lineup I think you guys will be shocked at how bad Tennessee is in the halfcourt offensively.

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I hope I'm wrong and I'll be at the game tomorrow but if Vescovi isn't cleared and Tennessee rolls out the James/Bowden/Gaines/Pons/Fulkerson lineup I think you guys will be shocked at how bad Tennessee is in the halfcourt offensively.

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That may be true, but LSU (under Wade) can be a wildly inconsistent defensive team. In other words, LSU is nowhere near as good as Memphis or Wisconsin on defense. They'll have spurts of good D with a very athletic roster, but embarrassing lapses to go along with them.

Vescovi officially cleared by the NCAA. I would expect he’ll probably play 25+ minutes tomorrow. Just a heads up for the OP if he wants to update. Probably going to be the primary PG though he probably won’t start.