Game Thread: (23/24) Lady Vols 69 - Colorado 51

[Memvol44]

Anybody who isn’t a puppet knows that is irrelevant when a proclaimed specialist is not contributing... Tennessee best players right now are
1. Jackson/Horston
3. Powell
4. Franklin
5. Marta
6. Hollingshead/Puckett
8. Miles
9. Striplin

If they aren’t playing the most minutes it’s a joke. Stop showing how ignorant you truly are @LadyVol1908.

Easily take Darby over Marta

 

[37620VOL]

Anybody who isn’t a puppet knows that is irrelevant when a proclaimed specialist is not contributing... Tennessee best players right now are
1. Jackson/Horston
3. Powell
4. Franklin
5. Marta
6. Hollingshead/Puckett
8. Miles
9. Striplin

If they aren’t playing the most minutes it’s a joke. Stop showing how ignorant you truly are @LadyVol1908.

Marta? You've officially lost it.

 

[37620VOL]

It’s not about whether she’s contributing or not. Her presence on the floor opens up so many other facets of the game for other scorers….driving lanes, post play, with Darby in the game, you can’t help off because she’s a KNOWN 3 point threat….common sense!

She certainly commands defensive attention and stretches the court for others. She doesn't turn it over and more than holds her own on defense.

Dude lost all credibility pumping Marta over Darby.

 

[Vol67]

Hard to believe they beat a team with a winning record and looked bad doing it

 

[TheMississippiVol]

Nothing against the player. Good for her. But if you think any opposing coach on TN schedule is game planning to stop Darby shooting 3s you need help.. you need help either way it goes. Darby doesn’t need to start and it’s pathetic you really think you’re making a point.
She can still play about 15 to 20 minutes a game while she develops as a player all around but starting her at this point is basically like TN playing 4 against 5.
Powell can shoot 3s. Puckett can shoot 3s. Horston can shoot 3s. Marta can shoot 3s. Darby percentage and productivity even from 3pt range is not good enough to warrant starting over Hollingshead, Franklin, Marta, or Puckett with the intangibles each player brings to the game. And before you go lying like the positions matter they don’t.. Horston really should be playing the 2 and Jackson the 3.
Only in Tennessee or maybe Vanderbilt would you see Darby as a starter at a Power 5 school. I’m not knocking Darby.. just speaking the facts.

 

[TheMississippiVol]

Lol these folks don’t know nothing about basketball.. this is too easy!

 

[creekdipper]

Hard to believe they beat a team with a winning record and looked bad doing it

???

I think that was trying to be an insult...???

 

[Jax_Vol]

I can never recall a team who had 14 players who could each make a unique contribution. Crazy depth.

Even though we have average foot speed, I still vote to press press press with so many bodies to burn through.

Wear them all out

 

[37620VOL]

Nothing against the player. Good for her. But if you think any opposing coach on TN schedule is game planning to stop Darby shooting 3s you need help.. you need help either way it goes. Darby doesn’t need to start and it’s pathetic you really think you’re making a point.
She can still play about 15 to 20 minutes a game while she develops as a player all around but starting her at this point is basically like TN playing 4 against 5.
Powell can shoot 3s. Puckett can shoot 3s. Horston can shoot 3s. Marta can shoot 3s. Darby percentage and productivity even from 3pt range is not good enough to warrant starting over Hollingshead, Franklin, Marta, or Puckett with the intangibles each player brings to the game. And before you go lying like the positions matter they don’t.. Horston really should be playing the 2 and Jackson the 3.
Only in Tennessee or maybe Vanderbilt would you see Darby as a starter at a Power 5 school. I’m not knocking Darby.. just speaking the facts.

EVERY team tells the person guarding Darby not to leave her. She's a proven 40%+ 3 point shooter.

Name one thing Marta does better than Darby.

 

[Rickster]

???

I think that was trying to be an insult...???

It's been not surprisingly quiet after the win. They must have worn themselves out during the Bahama trip.

 

[37620VOL]

Lol these folks don’t know nothing about basketball.. this is too easy!

... He mumbles to himself

 

[Rickster]

Highlights

 

[teacherdean]

The team looked a lot better tonight except for that lineup KJH put in at the beginning the 4th qtr., however, KJH put back in Jackson and Horston and things settled down. I am going to think the positives are on the way.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

Gotta say, I think this is the best game I’ve ever seen Horston play.

 

[TheMississippiVol]

I can never recall a team who had 14 players who could each make a unique contribution. Crazy depth.

Even though we have average foot speed, I still vote to press press press with so many bodies to burn through.

Wear them all out

They have good foot speed but there’s a certain combination the coach has to use and I don’t know if I’ve seen that lineup much.. Miles( or Wynn), Powell, Horston, Jackson, and Hollingshead( or Franklin). There’s too much talent on this roster to not be using the press more!
My word of the year is accountability!

 

[Rickster]

Marta? You've officially lost it.

Fat Lady is not singing......Fat Lady is not singing......

 

[TheMississippiVol]

I’m done with the lightweights for the night… I got one question!
Who is Rocky Top?
lets go

 

[jeebie]

I agree. I’ve been saying this for a while, Karoline Striplin is a tough player. I don’t understand why she isn’t getting more playing time.

Karoline Striplin played well in the minutes she was in there. She made her presence known and had several blocks. She filled in well at center when we needed her to.

 

[glv98]

if you think any opposing coach on TN schedule is game planning to stop Darby shooting 3s you need help.. you need help either way it goes. Darby doesn’t need to start and it’s pathetic you really think you’re making a point.
She can still play about 15 to 20 minutes a game while she develops as a player all around but starting her at this point is basically like TN playing 4 against 5.
Powell can shoot 3s. Puckett can shoot 3s. Horston can shoot 3s. Marta can shoot 3s. Darby percentage and productivity even from 3pt range is not good enough to warrant starting

Seriously, do you even watch? A casual glance at the stance shows how silly that is. Darby and Powell are practically tied in 3 pt % at 45%, with Darby haven taken about 10 more 3 pt shots. No one else is close, especially Puckett and Marta. It is notable that Horston is up to 40% after tonight. Tess leads the team in made 3 pt shots and clearly has to be planned for by opposing coaches.

I came into the year thinking Darby wouldn't play much but IMO, she is the most improved player so far and has been very, very solid. She is never going to be quick, but she's really improved playing position defense and she's a good rebounder. I've always thought Puckett had more upside, but Tess has proven on the floor this year she deserves the minutes. She also deserves more shots. Kicking out to 3 pt shooters is one of the remaining hurdles to our offensive success.

 

[VolBalls33]

Wish I wasn't working sounds like it was a solid win for the Lady Vols!! Next 2 games need to be used for everyone to gel as a team and be ready for Virginia Tech.

 

[LV renaissance]

It is clear that when Jackson and Horston on fully energized like they were tonight on offense, defense, and rebounding, we are hard to beat. Our big lull during the 4th quarter was when neither was in the game. I don't think we can have both on the bench ever when we are playing rated teams except right near the end if we have a big lead. Given the last two games, I would say that we are starting to see some fire from Franklin (last game) and Hollingshead (this game). We are going to need one of those two to provide a spark off the bench, and lookout if they continue to recover from injuries and get more consistent.

 

[Aladywhovolunteer]

Have been traveling and tonight was first full game I have watched. Just some thoughts and observations.

The team is so much better when Jordan Horston is at the point. Jordan always has a plan and initiates the offense quickly. Jordan does not waste time with unnecessary dribbling. Offense is very efficient when she is in control.

I like Rickea Jackson at the high post. She is very effective as a distributor. When she catches and drives to her right she is unstoppable. Good handle and graceful. If forced left her handle is not as tight. Two turnovers in first quarter driving left. If forced left would like her to pull up and shoot a 10 foot jumper. Very efficient from 12 feet.

Not a fan of more than one of Powell, Miles, or Waker on the floor at the same time. Watched some of the Indiana game and Miles' size was a liability. Indiana posted her up at least once and just shot over her from three as if she was not there. Powell did not have a good game tonight. Two maybe more unforced turnovers. She has a nice three ball when unguarded. Good handle and can get to the rim but in the Indiana game she could not finish. A close out point guard must make free throws...Powell struggled from the line tonight.

Thought Marta S had a good game tonight. She knocked down a three and had a nice blow by. Her lay-up would not fall but she demonstrated she has a handle in traffic.

Jasmine Hollinshead had a solid game tonight. Good footwork and a nice 10 foot jump shot. She played with confidence tonight and it showed.

Very solid effort tonight. Jordan and Rickea are working out the kinks of how to play together and compliment each others game. We are not there yet but Colorado was a good team and our starters beat them soundly.

 

[turbovol]

Hard to believe we were 2-17 from the 3-point line and won comfortably. Shot well inside the three-line.

 

[madtownvol]

Pluses:

1.Back to back games where the LVs played high intensity defense and crashed the boards. Rickea is really trying to step up her defensive game. It is not a strength as of now, but she is making the effort.

2. The best the Rickea and Jordan H have played together. I was glad to see RIckea take a few open threes, Keep shooting, they will fall.

3. Hollingshead looks SO much better in the post than on the wing. I think her secret sauce has been discovered. Still some rough edges but much more effective.

4. Liked the effort that Striplin brought in her closing minutes. Puckett had a quiet game but did all the little things right. Her shot will get going.

Stuff to still be worked out:

1. 2 for 17 from 3. Taking more 3's than against the Zags is a plus but they have got to get a better 12%. It makes it too hard to compete about against better competition. This weakness is maybe the most worrisome aspect of the team right now.
2. 22 TOs could be better but again, many of those came with some the scrambled experimental line-ups. Not too many led to transition baskets so..
3. Only 12 assists, We scored a lot of baskets with Jordan and Rickea making one on one plays to the rim. As good/great as they are, that is not a formula for beating time teams. Spacing and ball movement still need improvement.
4. Interesting seeing Justine in a more extended role. She is playing nervour and it looks the like the game is moving to fast for her (which creates a negative feedback with the nerves). Does not to get stronger because she was getting out muscled by everyone. The other factor is her ball handling skills are great for a high school player her size but in the college game, she is a sitting duck when she is dribbling. Because of #1 (lack of three point shooting), they are going need Justine to come around as spot-up shooter this season. Settle her down, play simple and don't try to make one on one plays. Just get to your spots and be ready to shoot,

5. Marta is also forcing it. She has decent ball handling skills but she has clear limits on quickness. She can't do what Jordan and Rickea do but if she plays within her limits and doesn't force things, she can have a positive impact

 

[lvocd]

I have a lot going on right now and couldn't make the drive to Knoxville yesterday, and then only caight a few glances at the game on tv. But the few times I looked in I was blown away by both Horston and Jackson.

But when I looked at the box score I was shocked to see Franklin played so little. She didn't get injured, did she? I mean, one of the few times I looked in I saw her get into a power struggle for the ball with an opponent, and I was impressed by her tough attitude. It kinda made my heart beat faster as I thought, "Now THERE is a woman who is serious about basketball!!" I figured I'd look at the box to see how Franklin had fared in her 20-plus minutes. She played only 7. What happened? I absolutely love her game, and if I were coach I'd seriously consider making her my primary and then letting Karoline and Tamari give her rest breaks.

Speaking of Karoline, THREE BLOCKS in only 5 minutes!? Get it, girl! She was probably so excited! Gonna go try to find a replay now.