CKC Blames Tennesse’s Loss At USC On Players

#1
G

Golfteacher

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#1
I have noticed that during after the Lady Vols’ loss against Mississippi State and South Carolina lay most of the blame at the feet of the players. They are not focused, they give up easily, they start throwing up shots, etc. Sounds like we need someone to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. The question becomes what is the coach’s part and putting all the pieces together again? It seems that the ladies, except for Mississippi State, seem to have the most difficulty against top ranked teams. Something is wrong just maybe it is the coaching style, or we just do not have the players to play within the coaches system. CKC also said that the team lacks leadership among it’s members. What can you do at this point of the season? If players lack focus, they give in easily, and they lack leadership. What we have is a mess, especially against top-ranked teams. CKC and her staff have a lot of work to do in a short span of time.
 
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#4
#4
I watched the slaughter and felt sorry for the kids.

Caldwell may be speaking the truth about players quitting but at least some of the responsibility is on her. If she saw the players she recruited weren't able to run her system, she should adjust to their abilities. She's doubling down on what has clearly not worked and isn't going to against top teams.

Breaking a press isn't rocket science and teams such as UConn, TX, SC, LSU, UCLA are going to do just that. Those teams have great coaches and players and scouting the LVs isn't tough with one style of play to learn, particularly if their shots aren't going down.

She has talent on the team and while it certainly isn't 10 deep, it's not chopped liver either. They aren't better than SC or UConn but should keep the games closer. What I saw yesterday was almost a temper tantrum from CKC with literally no clue how to control the team or fight through adversity. The players may have quit, but I'd say she did as well.
 
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#6
#6
I had hoped that Coach Caldwell was going to turn the program around and make the Lady Vols a top ten program again. What I have seen this year does not make me think that is going to happen. When South Carolina went to a zone, it was her job to make adjustments. At least let Spearman and Barker flash to the high post and try to get them the ball to make the defense collapses on them. Instead they kept running their five out and passing around until the shot clock was about to run out and throwed up a three. It seems like no in game adjustments are ever made. They have players that as soon as they touch the ball have decided they are shooting no matter how well they are guarded and that has not been corrected. I could keep going, but this is just a few of the things that the coach has control over and it doesn't change. You can have the best recruits in the country, but you have to be willing to see when your system is not working and adjust.
 
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#8
#8
MsSportsGuy said:
I watched the slaughter and felt sorry for the kids.

Caldwell may be speaking the truth about players quitting but at least some of the responsibility is on her. If she saw the players she recruited weren't able to run her system, she should adjust to their abilities. She's doubling down on what has clearly not worked and isn't going to against top teams.

Breaking a press isn't rocket science and teams such as UConn, TX, SC, LSU, UCLA are going to do just that. Those teams have great coaches and players and scouting the LVs isn't tough with one style of play to learn, particularly if their shots aren't going down.

She has talent on the team and while it certainly isn't 10 deep, it's not chopped liver either. They aren't better than SC or UConn but should keep the games closer. What I saw yesterday was almost a temper tantrum from CKC with literally no clue how to control the team or fight through adversity. The players may have quit, but I'd say she did as well.
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Yep - It's easy to press inferior talent. You can't press equal to better talent effectively.

I'm not a huge follower, but didn't she move away from the heavy subs and press when we starting playing better a few weeks ago? Why is she back to what is not working if so?

Eye test says that the team either doesn't respect her or believe in her.
 
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#9
#9
From the beginning of the season, I've said I'm withholding judgment until February. I'm not quite ready to pass judgment yet, but if I did, it would be from the Book of Daniel:

Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin
 
#10
#10
I mean, there is absolutely no reason a team of competent players should get doubled up on in a half by any other team. We got more than 2.5x'd in the second half, 46-18!
 
#11
#11
MsSportsGuy said:
I watched the slaughter and felt sorry for the kids.

Caldwell may be speaking the truth about players quitting but at least some of the responsibility is on her. If she saw the players she recruited weren't able to run her system, she should adjust to their abilities. She's doubling down on what has clearly not worked and isn't going to against top teams.

Breaking a press isn't rocket science and teams such as UConn, TX, SC, LSU, UCLA are going to do just that. Those teams have great coaches and players and scouting the LVs isn't tough with one style of play to learn, particularly if their shots aren't going down.

She has talent on the team and while it certainly isn't 10 deep, it's not chopped liver either. They aren't better than SC or UConn but should keep the games closer. What I saw yesterday was almost a temper tantrum from CKC with literally no clue how to control the team or fight through adversity. The players may have quit, but I'd say she did as well.
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IMHO the bolded comment from your post is key. Other top coaches are very good at adjusting how they play offense and defense based on maximizing their strengths, and covering up their weaknesses (as much as possible).

Didn't Kim say something like "the system works if the players give the effort"? That's nice, but she seems overly stubborn because "this is the system and players knew this when they were recruited". Maybe they did, but maybe the recent epic beatdowns are making players rethink the validity of that strategy. And maybe Kim needs to be not so stubborn and realize that blind adherence to her "system" isn't working for this group. Great coaches morph and adjust, they don't try to consistently force square pegs in round holes.

I also wonder if her strategy relied a bit too much on recruiting "street ball" players - Kids who just are programmed to play one on one and struggle in a team concept. Or if she's recruited more athletic types who she's trying to mold into basketball players instead of basketball players who also happen to be athletic. Or maybe I'm way off base. I'm just trying to figure out what's wrong with the team - the coaching? The "system"? The players? The recruiting? A combo? I was shocked to see often times at least 3 players sub in 1 minute into the 2nd half or leave a group on the floor for 1-2 minutes then sub them out. And if you are taking them out for mistakes, how about pulling each player aside and having a conversation about what they are doing wrong and what you want to see? I didn't see any of that really. Or at least not much.

Again, I'm not trying to point any fingers or throw anyone under a bus, but we've all seen the mess out on the floor on 2 of the worst smackdowns in LV history, so how do you fix it? I'm not sure blaming the team leadership, or discussing their "quitting on the game" is the answer.

Pat had the stare. She had the personality. She had the power - and backed it up - to blast players or teams when necessary, and they responded. Caldwell needs to figure out what will work with this group, and some of that may be changes on the part of the coaching approach, be it the system or the message.
 
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#13
#13
creekdipper said:
All 5* recruits.
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People said that some of the players last year were not suited to the system, but they all adapted to it, played with great effort, and were very successful until they ran out of gas late in the year. Something is obviously very wrong, but we outsiders don't know what it is and, therefore, do not know how to fix it. I agree with CKC; some of the players quit giving effort in that game and the result was ugly. The players knew what the system was like and chose to be at Tennessee. If you commit to a program, knowing what to expect, you should give your best effort. I don't believe coach blindsided them.
 
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#14
#14
UTLadyvolsfan said:
IMHO the bolded comment from your post is key. Other top coaches are very good at adjusting how they play offense and defense based on maximizing their strengths, and covering up their weaknesses (as much as possible).

Didn't Kim say something like "the system works if the players give the effort"? That's nice, but she seems overly stubborn because "this is the system and players knew this when they were recruited". Maybe they did, but maybe the recent epic beatdowns are making players rethink the validity of that strategy. And maybe Kim needs to be not so stubborn and realize that blind adherence to her "system" isn't working for this group. Great coaches morph and adjust, they don't try to consistently force square pegs in round holes.

I also wonder if her strategy relied a bit too much on recruiting "street ball" players - Kids who just are programmed to play one on one and struggle in a team concept. Or if she's recruited more athletic types who she's trying to mold into basketball players instead of basketball players who also happen to be athletic. Or maybe I'm way off base. I'm just trying to figure out what's wrong with the team - the coaching? The "system"? The players? The recruiting? A combo? I was shocked to see often times at least 3 players sub in 1 minute into the 2nd half or leave a group on the floor for 1-2 minutes then sub them out. And if you are taking them out for mistakes, how about pulling each player aside and having a conversation about what they are doing wrong and what you want to see? I didn't see any of that really. Or at least not much.

Again, I'm not trying to point any fingers or throw anyone under a bus, but we've all seen the mess out on the floor on 2 of the worst smackdowns in LV history, so how do you fix it? I'm not sure blaming the team leadership, or discussing their "quitting on the game" is the answer.

Pat had the stare. She had the personality. She had the power - and backed it up - to blast players or teams when necessary, and they responded. Caldwell needs to figure out what will work with this group, and some of that may be changes on the part of the coaching approach, be it the system or the message.
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I have watched every game since Kim got there and I am of the opinion that this year in particlar more than once they did quit on her and not sure why. Never in my coaching career have i seen the mass subs but i still think they seem to lay down on her. These are young adults but not kids anymore. Street ball is not going to look good ever. Hitting layups is on the players!
 
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#15
#15
Lady Vols absolutely do not have a team leader. And you can see Zee, Janiah and sometimes Cooper(a little leniency because she plays hard and tremendous defense) when the shots aren’t falling or a bad call against them. They get the poor pitiful me attitude and it bleeds off onto the teammates. And I understand she’s a freshman but 0-10 with 0-9 from 3. If they aren’t falling pass it. And I saw the contact lens post and that’s crazy. Should have an extra set around or if you can’t see. Tell Coach and put someone in who can.
 
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#18
#18
Hexad Vol said:
People said that some of the players last year were not suited to the system, but they all adapted to it, played with great effort, and were very successful until they ran out of gas late in the year. Something is obviously very wrong, but we outsiders don't know what it is and, therefore, do not know how to fix it. I agree with CKC; some of the players quit giving effort in that game and the result was ugly. The players knew what the system was like and chose to be at Tennessee. If you commit to a program, knowing what to expect, you should give your best effort. I don't believe coach blindsided them.
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Until CKC realizes the heart of the problems, this team will never be a top-tier team. She has to stop blaming players and realize that she may be over her head when she matches wits against top-tier teams’ coaches.
 
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#21
#21
So who was out there missing shots, playing bad defense and acting like they didn’t care? Was it CKC or the players? And don’t give me it’s all on her because that’s BS. We have seen this team play much better. The culture is strong and she has shown the ability to coach. So what happened?

A few things. One, SC is simply a much better team. It’s not a pocket science. They could easily win it all. Two, we are a young team that are gonna be prone to mistakes. I mean how can you blame CKC for the team shooting 28% from the field and 23% from 3? So it’s all CKC fault that SC shot 69% from the field and 50% from 3? It’s all CKC fault that SC had 54 points in the paint while we had 16?

This whole crap about blaming the coach needs to stop. At some point the players should be held accountable. I fully agree with CKC calling out the players for bad play. If her comments doesn’t fire this team up and motivate them to become better then they don’t deserve to wear the TN jersey and should leave.
 
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#22
#22
GiveHim6InSC said:
Nobody’s taking charge and they quit on Caldwell when they get down.
She’s got a bit of a pissy attitude and does not yet have the respect of the team
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lol. That’s BS. She has easily earned the respect of the team. If this team doesn’t respect her for what she has done then that’s on them.
 
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#23
#23
kell7517 said:
Lady Vols absolutely do not have a team leader. And you can see Zee, Janiah and sometimes Cooper(a little leniency because she plays hard and tremendous defense) when the shots aren’t falling or a bad call against them. They get the poor pitiful me attitude and it bleeds off onto the teammates. And I understand she’s a freshman but 0-10 with 0-9 from 3. If they aren’t falling pass it. And I saw the contact lens post and that’s crazy. Should have an extra set around or if you can’t see. Tell Coach and put someone in who can.
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That’s what’s bad about the portal. You lost 4 sr. Real leaders, Tess, Sam/Sara/& jewel. Portal players are most time journeymen looking for money & we got 1 real good player Barker but shows no coach on floor leadership,& the other 2 add very little. The freshmen are gonn be really good but wish they’d had a better mix of upper classmate's.
 
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#25
#25
BigOrangeTrain said:
lol. That’s BS. She has easily earned the respect of the team. If this team doesn’t respect her for what she has done then that’s on them.
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On Josh and Swain today, Jayson Swain and Kevin Simon took a very opposite position. Swain was very blunt in saying “you don’t lose games by 20, 30, and now 40 points if you don’t have a disconnect.” They spent a good chunk of one hour discussing how relationships between coaches and players are vital to buy-in. “You have to coach the person before you coach the player,” Simon said.

Swain was also pretty vocal about the goal
now being to not lose the freshmen relationships, as it would ruin their ability to create trust and buy-in next year and beyond.

It was, sadly, a pretty sobering hour to listen to. They came back several times to the personality conflicts. And they did not sound overly positive. Sigh.
 
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