Game thread: #15 Lady Vols host #18 Alabama, Thurs., Feb 20, 6:30 ET, SECN+

[madtownvol]

Gotta say, Former LV Zaay Green did the AARP proud with this performance.

Good half time adjustments on the defensive scheme. Bama got ahead and stayed in the game by busting the LV press to pieces. 2nd half that did not happen. Would have liked to see that adjustment a bit earlier but better late than never.

Nice to see Cooper being aggressive and getting to the rim, Jewel stays hot. Spearman and Latham making for nice combo. Great game from Boyd. A few out of control plays but on the whole great energy, hustle plays, and some great finishes at the rim.

On the improvement cure, Kam Harris's commentating has come a long way. She used to struggle to get her words out and relied on cliches (which she used repetitively. But she has put the work in and has smoothed out her delivery and has value added comments.

 

[JCP201]

Cooper had 5 rebs, 4 assists, and 16 pts. That's a great stat line for only 19 minutes of playing time. Was she in foul trouble? She usually has more minutes than that.

Cooper is an incredible player--not so much in dribbling department, though. Also, our team plays best when everyone is contributing. Jewel, Spencer, Darby, etc. When we play like this then this team is unbeatable, IMO.

 

[1morevol]

Cooper is an incredible player--not so much in dribbling department, though. Also, our team plays best when everyone is contributing. Jewel, Spencer, Darby, etc. When we play like this then this team is unbeatable, IMO.

Cooper is a great player. I do cringe a bit every time she starts bouncing the ball. She has averaged 27 minutes per game, SEC games only. 19 mins is the least amount of playing time she has gotten in a conference game. I wondered why, particularly since this was not a blowout win. Another poster said she was in early foul trouble. I agree, we're hard to beat when everybody plays well and contributes. That's probably true of every team that's ever played a game.

 

[KTrain]

Be lucky to beat Ky

It all depends on Amoore's game, every time she has a so so game UK loses. She stirs that drink.
Qualifier we beat them 9 out of 10 on home or neutral @ UK we need the above to happen.

 

[Coach Jumper]

We had Carly. Her name is Tess.

we could have had Karly

 

[KTrain]

Cooper is a great player. I do cringe a bit every time she starts bouncing the ball. She has averaged 27 minutes per game, SEC games only. 19 mins is the least amount of playing time she has gotten in a conference game. I wondered why, particularly since this was not a blowout win. Another poster said she was in early foul trouble. I agree, we're hard to beat when everybody plays well and contributes. That's probably true of every team that's ever played a game.

Coop got an early # 2 foul in the first and didn't play her usual minutes 1st half. Then after 1/2 time she got T'd up after she thought she was fouled on an inside shot. Evidently her retort to the ref got a T and Kim pulled her immediately. Bama hit the 2 T FT but did not convert that possession. That T stopped the game and hurt our momentum we were on the verge of blowing them out but long stops like this are our albatross. When she gets a little more maturity her and Boyd will be lethal in this system.

 

[LV renaissance]

I am also just loving the improvement in Spearman's game. Truly remarkable how far she has come. She used to not be able to stay in games due to foul trouble. The last few games, not at all. She didn't get her first one until the second half in this game. Her leaping ability and overall agility are amazing, best seen in some of the offensive rebounds she gets. With Morrow graduating after this year, I think that Zee has the potential to be one of the best offensive rebounders in the league next year. Perfect for Kim's philosophy. She does miss the occasional layup, but she seems to have learned to get refocused after a miss rather than stew about it like she did earlier in the year.

 

[1morevol]

Coop got an early # 2 foul in the first and didn't play her usual minutes 1st half. Then after 1/2 time she got T'd up after she thought she was fouled on an inside shot. Evidently her retort to the ref got a T and Kim pulled her immediately. Bama hit the 2 T FT but did not convert that possession. That T stopped the game and hurt our momentum we were on the verge of blowing them out but long stops like this are our albatross. When she gets a little more maturity her and Boyd will be lethal in this system.

Thanks. I didn't listen to the game. I just noticed the discrepancy in her minutes per the usual amount. You are right. Lulls in the action give the opponent time to rest and dampers the LV's mojo. It also gives the refs a break. I'm thinking.....no, the refs wouldn't do that. Would they?

 

[FrozenLVFan]

Thanks. I didn't listen to the game. I just noticed the discrepancy in her minutes per the usual amount. You are right. Lulls in the action give the opponent time to rest and dampers the LV's mojo. It also gives the refs a break. I'm thinking.....no, the refs wouldn't do that. Would they?

Coop got an early # 2 foul in the first and didn't play her usual minutes 1st half. Then after 1/2 time she got T'd up after she thought she was fouled on an inside shot. Evidently her retort to the ref got a T and Kim pulled her immediately. Bama hit the 2 T FT but did not convert that possession. That T stopped the game and hurt our momentum we were on the verge of blowing them out but long stops like this are our albatross. When she gets a little more maturity her and Boyd will be lethal in this system.

Latham played well also. She didn't score a lot of points but made some significant contributions in the time she was on the court.

 

[KTrain]

Thanks. I didn't listen to the game. I just noticed the discrepancy in her minutes per the usual amount. You are right. Lulls in the action give the opponent time to rest and dampers the LV's mojo. It also gives the refs a break. I'm thinking.....no, the refs wouldn't do that. Would they?

Yep & the gate on that older chubby ref that put the T on Coop looked like he needed a blow . By memory that happened maybe 2-4 minutes into the 3rd when teams that just play 7 start to lose that 2nd wind and we were up 11 and the T free throws stopped the game and allowed them to get it under 10 a psychological number for players getting tired. IMO

 

[GameTime]

So much for the mighty tide....

 

[VOLINVONORE]

This has been a tremendous job by Coach Caldwell this year

She was my first choice and I am very pleased to see what she has done on the court as well as her recruiting. We are well set for the future. I am also pleased to see that most of those who were unhappy with her selection have seen what a tremendous asset she is and will be for our Program.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Tennessee won this game comfortably last night without playing close to its best basketball which is a sign of outstanding coaching and talent.
Tennessee had too many athletes for Alabama.
Kaniya Boyd and Alyssa Latham off the bench were more athletic than Alabama starters.
This is another showcase at what Boyd and Latham can do every game against any opponent.
Alyssa Latham has the most upside of any player on this talented roster.
All of the propaganda about Alabama players being an asset or needed on this Tennessee team was severely exposed.
If they can’t make Alabama a FF contender then it’s not much they do at Tennessee playing behind better skilled players on this current Top 10-15 FF LV roster.
GBO ‘solid’!

 

[knoxvol52]

If Lady Vols win out and end up 10-6 in CKC first season at the helm it will be a tremendous accomplishment for her and the team. No lies to tell I thought the wheels were going fall off after the close loses to Oklahoma and LSU at home. Just shows the inner strength and will this team has under CKC and her staff....looking forward to rest of this season and many to come under this staffs guidance..

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Just read some of Coach Kim's post game comments and she addressed the fact that the team has to work on closing out teams when they get a double digit lead. And Kim also commented on how she left the same 5 in for the last 4 mins of the game because they were scoring. That's a good change to.

One of the assistants comment was that right now they are looking out the front window and not the rear window because everything they want is in front of them. Liked that comment.

 

[glv98]

And Kim also commented on how she left the same 5 in for the last 4 mins of the game because they were scoring. That's a good change to.

It is good. Her willingness to modify her appoach, which has meant abandoning big chunks of the "system", is a huge reason CKC has been so successful. She's only kept the good parts that will actually work at a high level - high energy and intensity, and a pesky enough press to stay in the opponents' head and speed them up, with the threat of unleashing the full trap looming at any time.

The players also seem to understand the offensive system that's evolved better now resulting in better movement and much better shot selection. Took them a minute to internalize that 3 chunking was not the method any more.

As long as they keep shooting as well as they have the last few games (a big if) they can have a really fun post season run.

 

[VolBall09]

On track in my opinion to finish 22-7 (9-7) in SEC play in year one is an impressive feat. With likely a 4seed in tourney great job by Kim Caldwell.

It’s definitely possible to win out 23-6. (10-6) I am just playing it safe thinking the floor is 2-1 over next 3.

I think we probably end up the 5 seed even if we win out. The losses to Vandy and OU make it really hard for us to get that double bye.

Definitely think we can win out though. Kentucky is the only test in our way and I think we’re a matchup nightmare for them. They cannot guard out perimeter players. They’re big and slow and teams like that have not fared well defending this Lady Vol offense. Most teams have opted to go small against us, like LSU and found more success that way.

I think we can really bother Kentucky with the press as well, Amoore can probably break it on her own some, but she’s going to get tired and after her they don’t have a PG. Ole Miss crushed them on the boards which surprised me, if we do the same and turn them over some I don’t think they can hang with us.

 

[glv98]

I think we probably end up the 5 seed even if we win out. The losses to Vandy and OU make it really hard for us to get that double bye.

Definitely think we can win out though. Kentucky is the only test in our way and I think we’re a matchup nightmare for them. They cannot guard out perimeter players. They’re big and slow and teams like that have not fared well defending this Lady Vol offense. Most teams have opted to go small against us, like LSU and found more success that way.

I think we can really bother Kentucky with the press as well, Amoore can probably break it on her own some, but she’s going to get tired and after her they don’t have a PG. Ole Miss crushed them on the boards which surprised me, if we do the same and turn them over some I don’t think they can hang with us.

I think we're mixing tourneys. LVs almost locked at either 5 or 6 in the SEC, but if win out a pretty good chance for a four in the NCAA.

IMO only a complete shooting collapse will lose the KY game. Unfotunately, we're due one.

 

[madtownvol]

It is good. Her willingness to modify her appoach, which has meant abandoning big chunks of the "system", is a huge reason CKC has been so successful. She's only kept the good parts that will actually work at a high level - high energy and intensity, and a pesky enough press to stay in the opponents' head and speed them up, with the threat of unleashing the full trap looming at any time.

The players also seem to understand the offensive system that's evolved better now resulting in better movement and much better shot selection. Took them a minute to internalize that 3 chunking was not the method any more.

As long as they keep shooting as well as they have the last few games (a big if) they can have a really fun post season run.

The other piece of the puzzle is not giving up so many easy buckets when teams break the press. Letting opponents get behind your last defender for an easy touch down pass play (multiple times) is a frustrating defensive lapse. They eliminated that failure in the 2nd half but the 1st half of the Bama game and the first half of the Ole Miss were a slight regression to the early season breakdowns.

 

[Lucy]

we could have had Karly
View attachment 723520

We had Tess.

 

[glv98]

The other piece of the puzzle is not giving up so many easy buckets when teams break the press. Letting opponents get behind your last defender for an easy touch down pass play (multiple times) is a frustrating defensive lapse. They eliminated that failure in the 2nd half but the 1st half of the Bama game and the first half of the Ole Miss were a slight regression to the early season breakdowns

IMO they're less likely to abandon that part, but will back off it some, like last night, when they don't think they can outscore the bunnies it gives up.

One thing I've come to realize is what a mental tool that trapping press is. When I saw how thoroughly it rattled and sped up UConn I saw how much it gets into even the most elite heads. Also wears them down physically and they start missing shots, like ALA did in the second qtr. It's actually a great tool to dial it back a bit, but then jump on it suddenly when the situation calls for it. That a real "oh sh*t" moment for the opposition.

A big reason it's worked also is that Coop is the most physically gifted defensive player in the press I've ever seen. Her hands were made for this. She will shatter every LV steals record that ever existed. Good fortune that she and CKC found each other.

 

[glv98]

We had Tess.

And staff was getting hammered already for having a roster full of Karlys and Tess'.

 

[madtownvol]

IMO they're less likely to abandon that part, but will back off it some, like last night, when they don't think they can outscore the bunnies it gives up.

One thing I've come to realize is what a mental tool that trapping press is. When I saw how thoroughly it rattled and sped up UConn I saw how much it gets into even the most elite heads. Also wears them down physically and they start missing shots, like ALA did in the second qtr. It's actually a great tool to dial it back a bit, but then jump on it suddenly when the situation calls for it. That a real "oh sh*t" moment for the opposition.

A big reason it's worked also is that Coop is the most physically gifted defensive player in the press I've ever seen. Her hands were made for this. She will shatter every LV steals record that ever existed. Good fortune that she and CKC found each other.

I agree with all of that. With the press, they don't have to send everyone. Three up and two back seems to work pretty well. I am sure when Cooper is on you, it feels like you're being double teamed.

 

[BruisedOrange]

So much for the mighty tide....

Have a funday!

 

[glv98]

I agree with all of that. With the press, they don't have to send everyone. Three up and two back seems to work pretty well. I am sure when Cooper it feels like you're being double teamed.

In the SEC tourney, it will be interesting to see what happens when teams see the LVs the second time. Like a pitcher going thru the batting lineup for the second time, it can be different once they've experienced your stuff. And tons of film to study. Bama pretty much put on a clinic how to beat our balls out press the first qtr.

Another big risk in conceding the bunnies is it could dig us in a hole we can't dig out of against Top Ten teams.

None of it matters unless we keep our hot shooting going. Fingers crossed.