Game Thread: (19/12) Lady Vols vs. Georgia College (EXH)

[VA_VOLFAN]

Hey what`s up VoLfan: thanks for the response As Key work outs the word it was pretty much on strength and conditioning. You made a lot of good point`s, My only concerned with her is when she get`s the ball in the low post she tends to turn almost right all the time. I would like to see her use a left and right turnaround jump shot more. I have seen her use it but very little. And yes she needs to demand the ball more.

I agree i'd also like to see her do a step through and put the ball on the floor for two dibbles and go by people but she seems VERY traditional. She def needs to use the jumphoook

 

[Rickster]

It seemed to me that instead of shooting they sometimes throw it up when under pressure with the exception of Dye who always appeared under control and probably impressed me the most last night. There is certainly a lot of timing issues to sort out. I doubt many of the players will be satisfied with their play last night. Then there is the 60+ point win that should reinforce the fact that they were able to execute for the most part.

 

[GameTime]

You be the judge...

 

[Lucy]

You’re right, but that isn’t a conclusion isn’t from an exhibition game. It’s a conclusion after watching her for her entire career. Don’t get me wrong, she will help us. I’ve seen a lot of people post about how this will be an all American year for her. I just never see her being at that level. She’s not necessarily relentless. She doesn’t pursue the ball on rebounds. If she had the attitude of Glory Johsnon/Graves, I could definitely see her being an all American. She just seems to be missing that it factor in terms of toughness/pursuit/competitiveness. I think she’s a good basketball player, but my point is you can’t be a top post player in the country without that toughness factor.

My favorite LV posts have not been afraid to throw a well timed elbow. E.g. Nicki A. Her elbows were straight out when she came down with a rebound.

 

[1reVOLver]

You be the judge...

They’re going steady?

 

[Lucy]

Dawn elected to freeze the ball when SC hit 98. Lots of points and playing time from the freshmen.

Cooke, last years leading scorer, didn't play due to an ankle injury.

But most importantly, what kind of ball did she freeze?

 

[lvocd]

It seemed to me that instead of shooting they sometimes throw it up when under pressure with the exception of Dye who always appeared under control and probably impressed me the most last night. There is certainly a lot of timing issues to sort out. I doubt many of the players will be satisfied with their play last night. Then there is the 60+ point win that should reinforce the fact that they were able to execute for the most part.

I agree. Dye had an eye-poppingly impressive 7-point scoring start, and then was the first to go to the bench. I suppose Kellie had already seen enough of Alexus to know she's going to be a permanent starter. If Dye had played 40 minutes with the same scoring pace she started the game with, she could have scored 60!

One thing I hope does NOT happen is that Dye hesitates to score because she doesn't want to hog all the points, because I actually think she and Rae both could average 20 or more per game if they want to. I don't want anyone feeling like they have to hold back in deference to anyone else if they're feeling it and making shots. WINNING is the goal, and I hope all the players will support a newcomer like Dye scoring a ton if she can, and with her desire to get rebounds I believe she'll have more opportunities to score than ANYone else on the team. I want to see Rae grabbing more boards!

 

[mudcat1973]

That was the same complaint about Mercedes Russell as well. More of this has to do with body type rather than "toughness" and competitiveness. Let's take the Glory Johnson comparison. She was listed at 6'2 but that was a very generous listing (she was not much over 6'). But Glory was probably the most athletically gifted player in the history of the LV program. Had she wanted to concentrate on track and field (where she had a been a high school star), GJ would have been an all-american sprinter, hurdler, and long jumper. Glory was walking bundle of supercharged fast twitch fibers. So, take her lower center of gravity and more explosivess, it was just a lot easier and more natural for Glory to chase after loose balls, dive on the flood etc. than Tamari who is more of a lumberer. [Side note: Let''s not forget, fans complained mightily about Glory for not being a better shooter, a better post-up player, and more consistent during her LV days-- fans seem to always appreciate players after they're gone. After Tamari graduates, I am sure the lament will be "if we only had a shot blocker like Tamari, she was so great!!!!!]

So, TK is a classic post-up, guard the paint type player who excels at blocking shots but she is not going to win many scrambles on the floor (that is a long way down when you are 6'6 maybe going on 6'7). Since her freshman debut, however, I have been saying that TK needs to improve her lower body strength so she can hold up her post position better and get a little more explosiveness into her vertical game and I hope she has done some work toward that end.

m russell had foot issues i think while she play for vols

 

[Terrells Bay88]

…..exactly, why don’t you ignore us. I’m sure no one will miss you. You never add anything to our discussions other than try to stir up controversy anyway.

Rickster craves for board approval. "They love me, they really love me".

Tamari Key could be a better rebounder. She did average a double digits in high school. Some people could say that was high school but I don't believe Brittney Griner has averaged a double double on a any level. I don't know if there a correlation on being a great shot blocker and being a averaged or sub par rebound for a center. Oklahoma's Courtney Paris (the college version) was the closest to be a complete center in terms of shot blocking and rebounding.

 

[Lucy]

I agree. Dye had an eye-poppingly impressive 7-point scoring start, and then was the first to go to the bench. I suppose Kellie had already seen enough of Alexus to know she's going to be a permanent starter. If Dye had played 40 minutes with the same scoring pace she started the game with, she could have scored 60!

One thing I hope does NOT happen is that Dye hesitates to score because she doesn't want to hog all the points, because I actually think she and Rae both could average 20 or more per game if they want to. I don't want anyone feeling like they have to hold back in deference to anyone else if they're feeling it and making shots. WINNING is the goal, and I hope all the players will support a newcomer like Dye scoring a ton if she can, and with her desire to get rebounds I believe she'll have more opportunities to score than ANYone else on the team. I want to see Rae grabbing more boards!

I think it is interesting that Dye’s scoring average against SEC opponents last year was much higher than her overall scoring average. Almost like in games that she needed to dominate she did.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Hey what`s up VoLfan: thanks for the response As Key work outs the word it was pretty much on strength and conditioning. You made a lot of good point`s, My only concerned with her is when she get`s the ball in the low post she tends to turn almost right all the time. I would like to see her use a left and right turnaround jump shot more. I have seen her use it but very little. And yes she needs to demand the ball more.

Kareem didn't use his left,,,at her height, if she ever employees a rh-skyhook,,,unstoppable

 

[Lucy]

m russell had foot issues i think while she play for vols

I was just about to say the same thing! She had surgery on both feet while she played here. That is a nagging, painful issue and a long recovery!

 

[Rickster]

Rickster craves for board approval. "They love me, they really love me".

Tamari Key could be a better rebounder. She did average a double digits in high school. Some people could say that was high school but I don't believe Brittney Griner has averaged a double double on a any level. I don't know if there a correlation on being a great shot blocker and being a averaged or sub par rebound for a center. Oklahoma's Courtney Paris (the college version) was the closest to be a complete center in terms of shot blocking and rebounding.

No one loves a pathetic troll like you.

 

[madtownvol]

m russell had foot issues i think while she play for vols

Only her freshman year. She had corrective surgery in the off season and was good to go.

 

[Volfan2012]

Terrific performance by the Lady Vols even if a team that will be average or below in their league. Starters played less than half a game yet we won by 64. You would look for all of them to go around thirty against the better opponents. Freshmen will get so much better with every game.I look for the Lady Vols to be a very strong team by end of season

 

[madtownvol]

A lot to like about last nights exhibition game, but the highway to the top has a few pot holes that need to be fixed quickly.....

The team started off as good as any team can start off...Shot after shot fell and the defense was stifling...The LVs looked magnificent, but as suddenly as it began, it stopped....

In no particular order, the cohesion of the five on the court unraveled, at least for a time...Against a stronger opponent we may have fallen, our offensive play became discombobulated....

Horston dribbles down the middle of the court and then just seems to forget what her first rule is; protect the ball...It was as if she did not know what her next move was, so she just lost it to the team in green...Perplexing.

Too many shots were taken, by numerous players, within 5 feet of the goal, and neither net, backboard, nor iron is even touched...Not acceptable against any foe.

Due to the quality of the opponent these gaffs were not fatal score wise, but they are warnings to Coach Kellie, there is lots of work to be done....

I was very pleased to see Tess make her shots, especially the big bomb out where the demon lives.....

I was also pleased to see BK. Miles handle the ball as well as she did...She will prove to be a huge asset to the team this season...

Sara Puckett looked relieved to hit the big 3 ball...Last night's game, I'm sure, was not the vision she had dreamed of...

A lot of the "way too many" missed free throws, hit the front of the rim...That is often the sign of tired legs....I trust that was an anomaly, instead of a vision of our future limitations.

I missed the game but I assume there was probably there a lot of subbing with very different combos on the floor at given times. If so, that could be one reason for the decline in cohesiveness...

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Hey what`s up VoLfan: thanks for the response As Key work outs the word it was pretty much on strength and conditioning. You made a lot of good point`s, My only concerned with her is when she get`s the ball in the low post she tends to turn almost right all the time. I would like to see her use a left and right turnaround jump shot more. I have seen her use it but very little. And yes she needs to demand the ball more.

Haha that stirring the pot was for another poster and i went back and put it on yours when i edited ... my bad

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Rickster craves for board approval. "They love me, they really love me".

You need to understand Bay88. Rickster is the self-appointed monitor of what is acceptable free speech on this board. He lives to find posts he considers unacceptable so he can attack and call names. Otherwise he is miserable. Just wait and see the response and name calling I will get from this post. He is quite entertaining. Going to be a fun LV season with him.

 

[djtee]

I agree i'd also like to see her do a step through and put the ball on the floor for two dibbles and go by people but she seems VERY traditional. She def needs to use the jumphoook

I agree with you 100% that jumphook would be a nice for her to use. This is i why i said it would be plus to her and the team to have a former post player to teach her. Russell was in the same position now look at her and she did work with a former post player not sure who it was i think it was a male player ? when she went onto the WNBA.

 

[Amb3096]

I don't know if there a correlation on being a great shot blocker and being a averaged or sub par rebound for a center. Oklahoma's Courtney Paris (the college version) was the closest to be a complete center in terms of shot blocking and rebounding.

I don't think there is. Aliyah Boston, Teaira McCowan, Kalani Brown, Breanna Turner, and A'ja Wilson are all examples of college players that played the C position that last few years that were tremendous shot-blockers AND rebounders.

I think Tamari's issue is similar to Griner's with how she is built. She doesn't appear to have as strong a base as some of the other players, so that makes her more "moveable" by strong players. Otherwise, she'd probably be getting more rebounds.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

Ok, perceptions can be true, or deceiving, that’s where stats come in. We used to have a player who scored a lot of points, but also took a LOT of shots. Percentages count.

Different playing times, and other criteria to look at, but these are missed shots:

JH-8, Kaiya-7, Sara-5, Alexus-4, Tamari-3, Jessie-3, Karoline-3, Rae-2, JW-2, Tess-2, Miles-2, and Keyen-1.

(I think it’s harder for us to understand Tamari’s misses when she is closer to the basket than anyone else, and no I do not think she should dribble much at all, a shorter opposing player’s dream.)


How about 3 pointers, starting with best percentage:

Sara 1-1, Tess 2-3, JH 2-4, Rae 1-3, JW 1-3, Miles 0-1, and Jessie 0-2.


Last, free throws, Rae made 3 of 3, after that we’ll start with most misses.

Keyen 5-9, Tamari 0-3, JH 0-2, Miles 0-2, and Kaiya 1-2.

(Yes, it’s good Keyen got so many fouls called on opposing team, still need to make your shots.)

These are Free shots, we gotta make those. They are many times the difference in whether or not you win the game. Every shot should be considered THE game winning shot.

Of course there’s things to work on, there will be throughout the season.

GO LADY VOLS!!!

 

[Poultrygeist]

But most importantly, what kind of ball did she freeze?

Of course it was the ball named after Aja

 

[therickbol]

An exhibition game when talent is that overwhelming does not tell us too much. But was glad to see the new girls in a game setting.

Observations:
- Burrell is the most complete offensive scorer that we have had in some time. She needs to stay healthy because our offense will rely on her.
- There is not much to tell from Key when she is 6 inches taller that the other team. Did not see any demonstrative improvements.
- Walker is underrated by most fans. If she was a step quicker and 2 inches taller everyone would know who she was.
- Dye is going to help alot on offense and as a defensive rebounder. Her stature, athleticism and motor are very good. Her defense is a liability. She is not a disciplined defender. Very sloppy. That is something she got away with playing at the lower level and it will be exposed as she plays higher quality opponents every game. Hope she can clean that up.
- Horston's shot looked more smooth and she seemed confident when she shot it. Her ability to handle and her vision at her size is such an asset. Unfortunately, she loses focus way to often during the course of the game. If she was consistent with her focus and attention to detail the entire game she would go to another level with her impact on the game.
- Puckett got in first and got more minutes. But I thought Stricklin looked better between the two of them. Similar players. Puckett will have to learn how to be successful even though she will be a step slower than SEC opponents. She does not move well.
- Not sure how successful Darby can be against SEC opponents but she has definitely improved from last season. And I have a feeling some of that is just being healthy right now too. Need her to hold her own on defense and be a confident sharpshooter to extend the defense.
- Miles looked better than I expected and that is even after acknowledging that she is not as fast or as quick as I expected based on the scouting reports. She is not slow by any means but she was billed as having elite speed and quickness and that is not the case. She made some good decisions and I love the way she gets the ball down the count in transition.
- Green is a bulldog. Not very versatile but has a clear role to play and brings the perfect attitude and toughness we need.
- Wynn is athletic and better on defense than offense right now. She looked tentative on offense. She will get more comfortable as she gains experience.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Ok, perceptions can be true, or deceiving, that’s where stats come in. We used to have a player who scored a lot of points, but also took a LOT of shots. Percentages count.

Different playing times, and other criteria to look at, but these are missed shots:

JH-8, Kaiya-7, Sara-5, Alexus-4, Tamari-3, Jessie-3, Karoline-3, Rae-2, JW-2, Tess-2, Miles-2, and Keyen-1.

(I think it’s harder for us to understand Tamari’s misses when she is closer to the basket than anyone else, and no I do not think she should dribble much at all, a shorter opposing player’s dream.)


How about 3 pointers, starting with best percentage:

Sara 1-1, Tess 2-3, JH 2-4, Rae 1-3, JW 1-3, Miles 0-1, and Jessie 0-2.


Last, free throws, Rae made 3 of 3, after that we’ll start with most misses.

Keyen 5-9, Tamari 0-3, JH 0-2, Miles 0-2, and Kaiya 1-2.

(Yes, it’s good Keyen got so many fouls called on opposing team, still need to make your shots.)

These are Free shots, we gotta make those. They are many times the difference in whether or not you win the game. Every shot should be considered THE game winning shot.

Of course there’s things to work on, there will be throughout the season.

GO LADY VOLS!!!

It's hard to draw a lot of conclusions from a game with a mismatched opponent, and an exhibition game at that. I'm sure there were opening game jitters, etc. on both sides. And the freshmen and others trying to find a role and mesh with the team showing their in-experience was obvious. Al in all, I was pleased with the performance. I thought our starting five looked very good together, very potent. Dye is a terrific addition, filling a needed role.

There are some things that are independent of the opponent, such as free throw shooting, which was poor. Having difficulty making layups and bunnies was also frustrating to watch, and I don't think the opponent had very much to do with that.

But our three point shooting was 40%, not bad. Both Walker and Horston looked better shooting the 3, as did Tess and Rae, of course. We only took 17- 3 pt shots out of 88 total. I'd like to see us take more than that, especially more than those contested midrange shots taken in traffic and off balance. Striplin looked good in the post on offense. She did her work early and got very good position, then called for the ball and made it count when she got the pass. If we're going to play an in-to out game, the threat of scoring down low has to be real the way that Striplin made it. Green and Dye also looked good at the four. We have good depth at that position, that's for sure. Ball movement was generally good and crisp. I woud like to see Key want the ball down low more, and demand it, and put shots up and make people foul her.

Our defense was as aggressive as advertised. I'm glad to see it. We still seem to have trouble with the high ball screens - switch or don't switch. Their screening game was successful against us to get open midrange shots. But the number of steals and points off of turnovers was telling about our defense. We were very good in transition with showing good speed and control on the fast break. Even with a mis-matched opponent, I liked the way our defense looked most of the time.

I thought Miles and Wynn were very fast, and that's good to see. All of the freshmen played with jitters, the one most in control I thought was Striplin.

Rae is obviously the straw that stirs the drink, but I was encouraged at improvement I see from Walker and Horston and the addition of Dye. I think we will be a better team this season, and I'm ready for the journey!

 

[Smallvol#1]

The ignore function is always available.

Yes, and I have used it. Lovely thing, thanks Freak!