Can Karoline Striplin step up?

#53
#53
I wonder what is going on with Karoline? She needs to show more initiative and get after it in practice to show those coaches what she is all about!
Is she a liability on defense ? Is she out of shape? Does she need to get some extra training on the side ? Whatever she needs to do, we are sure ready to see her put to the test .

I understand that the matchups may not be fitting but she could have easily been the sub for Key tonight!
Someone on the staff needs to give it to her like they did Brooklyn because I’m sure she can handle a good butt chewing ! Get on her hard and make her perform! Step up the the challenge karo! We are waiting!
 
#54
#54
I have no idea why Striplin gets no playing time. I am starting to expect to see her name in the transfer portal.
 
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#57
#57
I have no idea why Striplin gets no playing time. I am starting to expect to see her name in the transfer portal.

Couldn't even get off the bench in a homecoming game with no-shows playing ahead of her. Hmmm....
 
#58
#58
That is a ? For me as well, why didn't she play at all, what are we not seeing that they are
Rookies on the road and the SEC are seldom a good idea when they're reals are calling ticky tack files like they were. You don't throw a fish in with a sharks in a bad situation. Now. Why? Why Rae didn't take over in the middle, is a good question. And Dye needs to demand the ball. Rae is obviously not even 70% back. Butter shot is and she's got great basketball skills and knowledge. She could have easily guarded Auburn's center. But she doesn't need to dribble and drive more than 10 ft because it doesn't work for her. Her she gets a foul yes, but these are thousand shots she was making last year. Back in. Horsten's got to bring the ball up. It's just a given. And we got to learn to play full court pressure, I don't know why we didn't do it to Auburn. Auburn. We have big hands and big people that are just as quick but yet we let him bring the ball up. Things are going bad. You hunker down on D
 
#59
#59
I can claim absolutely ZERO inside knowledge of the current status of freshman Karoline Striplin, but looking back at Kellie's pre-season and early-season pressers it seemed obvious to me that Harper was deliberately putting Karo on the back burner for now, and openly encouraging her to work hard to "find a way to contribute."

My guess is that the staff made the decision early on that Karo would most benefit from a season to observe and mature. I can see how the staff would bank on a kid of her caliber would stick around long enough to capitalize on the gift of not being thrown prematurely into the proverbial fire. Since she is obviously physically strong enough to compete at Lady Vol level, I assume that maybe she needs a bit more time to MENTALLY prepare to step into the HUGE role that'll soon be hers to play. None of us is privy to the results of the personality tests we've been told they take, but it would not disappoint me to be told that I will have to wait to see the much more confident, capable Striplin next season.
 
#60
#60
Here's something I've never seen posted whenever fans are questioning why coaches aren't playing somebody (in any sport):

If the player was showing in practice that they were ready to contribute, but the coaches were keeping her/him on the bench, it would quickly become a divisive, team morale issue with all the players (loyal to each other) questioning the head coach.

Heck, I remember in 8th grade asking our coach (of whom I was terrified, whose coaching philosophy must've come out of the USMC Drill Sergeant Manual--1905 edition) why Evans wasn't in the game more. Of course, his reply was, "You think Evans oughta be playin' more? Okay--he can take your place!" Sure enough, the next game, Evans started and I was on the bench. But when Evans hit his first shot (from the deep corner, the shot he always hit in practice) the whole bench and I erupted--standing and cheering loud enough that the coach looked over his shoulder and cut his eyes at us.

Players know their teammates' game. If the players want a teammate out on the floor helping them win a game, they will lobby the coaches on her behalf--on the team's behalf.

Now, as for why Striplin has not been on the court, I'm only saying that it must be a reason that both players and coaches agree on or respect. I see no reason fans shouldn't trust the coaches and Striplin's teammates, and accept that we don't know what we don't know.
 
#61
#61
Horsten's got to bring the ball up. It's just a given.
Oh please no. We've spent 2 painful years trying that and it absolutely did not work, in fact almost destroyed her as a player. Horston's decision making is very very fragile. She did actually play point more against Auburn which probably explains her 6 t.o.s after she had been trending much better. I get that Walker is also struggling but she and Miles just have to get better. Not saying that JH shouldn't help bring the ball down, especially as the outlet in the middle against the press. But full pg responsibilities seem to affect JH mentally in a way that hurts her effectiveness in all other areas IMO.

As far as KS, I get that coaches see more in practice, and they do seem to have made an intentional decision not to try her against Auburn. But if they seriously thought Emily was a better option, I'm really worried about KS' future. If they continue to think that after what we saw the other night, I'm totally pessimistic about her. She has to be better than a player who so painfully, clearly is way out of her league.
 
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#62
#62
Realizing that younger generations are more prone to instant gratification than some of us seniors, a study of sports history might help younger players develop patience. We oldsters remember when all freshmen were relegated to JV status regardless of talent. That included Lew Alcindor, who was such a dominating force that the NCAA adopted new rules across the board just because of him. In fact, his freshman team handily beat the varsity...which had just won a natty the year before and would go onto repeat that season. Imagine not even having the opportunity to play varsity ball when you are the best player in basketball and are good enough to immediately be a pro.
 
#63
#63
Realizing that younger generations are more prone to instant gratification than some of us seniors, a study of sports history might help younger players develop patience. We oldsters remember when all freshmen were relegated to JV status regardless of talent. That included Lew Alcindor, who was such a dominating force that the NCAA adopted new rules across the board just because of him. In fact, his freshman team handily beat the varsity...which had just won a natty the year before and would go onto repeat that season. Imagine not even having the opportunity to play varsity ball when you are the best player in basketball and are good enough to immediately be a pro.
I get that and agree but the question is more simple. We're in a world of hurt and can Striplin possibly be a worse option? Also are Puckett and Miles that much better and don't need the slow roll? I think part of our dismay at what we saw the other night was an apparently unrealistic build up on this site of Striplin as a recruit.
 
#64
#64
I get that and agree but the question is more simple. We're in a world of hurt and can Striplin possibly be a worse option? Also are Puckett and Miles that much better and don't need the slow roll? I think part of our dismay at what we saw the other night was an apparently unrealistic build up on this site of Striplin as a recruit.

Not to be disagreeable glv98, but whenever I've heard "can it be any worse if..." the answer has always been, "Yes. Yes it can, and in a multitude of ways beyond the immediate issue."

We are just frustrated. That is the monthly dues we pay for being fans. The only response that is within our power to influence is to rally behind the team and staff and encourage them all with our words and actions.
 
#65
#65
Also, I’ve always thought Bruce Pearl’s enthusiasm and the way he got his teams pumped up to play each game was a big part of his success. In hindsight, maybe it didn’t help our team after finding out about Keyen’s injury, to have what was supposed to be an inspirational meeting with her, but seemed more like a pity party/downer, right before going to Alabama, maybe not exactly the best way to get a team pumped up and excited to play a game.

No wonder the team may have been less confident. Although Keyen‘s shots were totally stuffed in the Georgia game, in most games she was scoring under the basket. So who scored under the basket in the Auburn game? Tamari made two field goals for the entire game, even though she had a distinct size advantage, not just height, but also arm length, over the Auburn players. Their tallest player who played in the game was 6’2, everyone else was shorter. Alexus made one field goal out of six attempts, but still, she is not a post, nor a replacement for Keyen.

We need more points from Tamari, and we need a semi-replacement for Keyen in hopefully the few minutes Tamari is not in the game, not just everyone else making an extra basket or getting an extra rebound, so if not Emily or Karoline, then Sara looks like the obvious choice. She made three of four shots in the Auburn game, got six rebounds, playing in only fourteen minutes. She’s also made big time shots in close games. Maybe get Karoline ready to step in as well.

When Tamari is not in the game, it shouldn’t mean the total loss of an Offensive player, giving us four outside players but really no one to throw to under the basket, that’s part of what happened in the Auburn game. Maybe we didn’t have much time to make changes before the Auburn game, but we have to make time before our next games to make adjustments. We have a smart Coach and talented players, we can do this.

GO LADY VOLS!!!
 
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#66
#66
Rookies on the road and the SEC are seldom a good idea when they're reals are calling ticky tack files like they were. You don't throw a fish in with a sharks in a bad situation. Now. Why? Why Rae didn't take over in the middle, is a good question. And Dye needs to demand the ball. Rae is obviously not even 70% back. Butter shot is and she's got great basketball skills and knowledge. She could have easily guarded Auburn's center. But she doesn't need to dribble and drive more than 10 ft because it doesn't work for her. Her she gets a foul yes, but these are thousand shots she was making last year. Back in. Horsten's got to bring the ball up. It's just a given. And we got to learn to play full court pressure, I don't know why we didn't do it to Auburn. Auburn. We have big hands and big people that are just as quick but yet we let him bring the ball up. Things are going bad. You hunker down on D
Agree totally on Rae, not to be negative but she isn't anywhere near her old self. I also agree withe full court press or at the very least a 3/4 trap. I don't agree with Jordan bringing up the ball, I just don't think that is her game. I expected Karoline to play more this season though, we really need another capable body down low now. Its easy for me to say this as a fan it's another to coach them up and get it done.
 
#67
#67
I get that and agree but the question is more simple. We're in a world of hurt and can Striplin possibly be a worse option? Also are Puckett and Miles that much better and don't need the slow roll? I think part of our dismay at what we saw the other night was an apparently unrealistic build up on this site of Striplin as a recruit.

With Striplin, I seriously doubt it is her ability or skill set that is keeping her off the court. I am guessing that is not yet picking up on all the defensive schemes and is getting caught out of position. Conversely, my guess is that Saunders probably looks okay in practice and understands the different defensive schemes. She is also 6-6 and does clog the lane, which has some value. Having said that, it is obvious a major re-assessment is needed. Striplin at least has the athleticism to make some plays. I think this loss ensures that some adjustments are coming.
 
#69
#69
Also, I’ve always thought Bruce Pearl’s enthusiasm and the way he got his teams pumped up to play each game was a big part of his success. In hindsight, maybe it didn’t help our team after finding out about Keyen’s injury, to have what was supposed to be an inspirational meeting with her, but seemed more like a downer/pity party, right before going to Alabama, maybe not exactly the best way to get a team pumped up and excited to play a game.

No wonder the team may have been less confident. Although Keyen‘s shots were totally stuffed in the Georgia game, in most games she was scoring under the basket. So who scored under the basket in the Auburn game? Tamari made two field goals for the entire game, even though she had a distinct size advantage, not just height, but also arm length, over the Auburn players. Their tallest player who played in the game was 6’2, everyone else was shorter. Alexus made one field goal out of six attempts, but still, she is not a post, nor a replacement for Keyen.

We need more points from Tamari, and we need a semi-replacement for Keyen in hopefully the few minutes Tamari is not in the game, not just everyone else making an extra basket or getting an extra rebound, so if not Emily or Karoline, then Sara looks like the obvious choice. She made three of four shots in the Auburn game, got six rebounds, playing in only fourteen minutes. She’s also made big time shots in close games. Maybe get Karoline ready to step in as well.

When Tamari is not in the game, it shouldn’t mean the total loss of an Offensive player, giving us four outside players but really no one to throw to under the basket, that’s part of what happened in the Auburn game. Maybe we didn’t have much time to make changes before the Auburn game, but we have to make time before our next games to make adjustments. We have a smart Coach and talented players, we can do this.

GO LADY VOLS!!!
I saw the “Key” meeting influence differently. What I thought was that “little bit extra” turned into everyone trying to win the game on their own. I may be wrong, but that’s the way it looked to me.
 
#70
#70
I get that and agree but the question is more simple. We're in a world of hurt and can Striplin possibly be a worse option? Also are Puckett and Miles that much better and don't need the slow roll? I think part of our dismay at what we saw the other night was an apparently unrealistic build up on this site of Striplin as a recruit.
When Karoline’s picture is put on the gameday posters, some understandably think it means she will play, but it apparently doesn’t.
 
#74
#74
I get that and agree but the question is more simple. We're in a world of hurt and can Striplin possibly be a worse option? Also are Puckett and Miles that much better and don't need the slow roll? I think part of our dismay at what we saw the other night was an apparently unrealistic build up on this site of Striplin as a recruit.

Striplin is also a freshman with much higher upside and considered one of the building blocks of the future. Saunders, we know at this point, is what she is. She has never been a factor, and it's extremely unlikely she ever will be in the remainder of her career here.

Striplin needs those minutes now...
 
#75
#75
Oh please no. We've spent 2 painful years trying that and it absolutely did not work, in fact almost destroyed her as a player. Horston's decision making is very very fragile. She did actually play point more against Auburn which probably explains her 6 t.o.s after she had been trending much better. I get that Walker is also struggling but she and Miles just have to get better. Not saying that JH shouldn't help bring the ball down, especially as the outlet in the middle against the press. But full pg responsibilities seem to affect JH mentally in a way that hurts her effectiveness in all other areas IMO.

As far as KS, I get that coaches see more in practice, and they do seem to have made an intentional decision not to try her against Auburn. But if they seriously thought Emily was a better option, I'm really worried about KS' future. If they continue to think that after what we saw the other night, I'm totally pessimistic about her. She has to be better than a player who so painfully, clearly is way out of her league.


If that was the case, I am worried about the coach's future.

I still haven't heard a compelling explanation to that Auburn game 1 qtr sub'ing.
Maybe I wouldn't be so harsh on Emily if she had come in just to sub for Key and had players around her who got a nice early lead.
 

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