Game Thread: (5/4) Lady Vols 74 - UMass. 65

[turbovol]

Vols were improved against UMass, but UMass seems like a slightly above average team that didn't pressure us
defensively that much. The team did some good things against the UMass zone in the 2nd half. Jackson is settling in, Franklin looked
better, Key made her presence known.

What worries me about this team after two games?

--We had 18 turnovers. Once again, way too high. UMass scored 23 points off of UT TOs.

---Can this team play good MAN defense? I have serious doubts that we can defend well against good teams. We have a number
of players who don't seem to move well laterally, which is the key to being a good man defender. We may have a team quickness issue.

---We made 5 3s--shooting under 30 percent from the three-point line. We're not going to beat good teams with weak three-point shooting. The 3 is quite important in today's game--duh. You surely need to make 7+ to beat good teams. An ancillary problem is that some of our best shooters may not be great defensively.

---Miles did some good things, but she and Walker are small and don't score much, and I see this as another issue. Powell was mostly our PG, and then you hafve Miles and Walker as....what? They should be shooting guards--but they're not. They add some quickness defensively, which we need, but they are vulnerable to mismatches on switches, etc., with their lack of size, and they don't offer much offensively The three guards had 10 points last night. That's not much scoring punch.

We'll get better--but I worry that we are thin when it comes to players who are good at both ends of the court.

 

[GameTime]

I'm pleased that Kellie finally called a time out when UMass was making a run...Someone had to have said something to her about her fallacy at Ohio State...That was not a good look for her...Potential recruits, both of the high school and transfer type are watching these games...Protect your girls.

 

[Ovol]

Given CKJH past methods of handling injuries, we will find out more about Horstons injury in Mid February.

 

[VolBall09]

Y'all, I was at the game and close enough to where Jordan lay on the floor after the injury that I could hear her sobs. I don't know how serious it actually is, but I am positive SHE thought it was serious. She couldn't even bear to show her face. The game and crowd was already a little off, but after Jordan went down it felt like an entire arena full of people were about to throw up. My heart sank when I heard her sounds and felt her anguish. Just ... awful.

If you are someone who prays or sends positive thoughts, please send some for Jordan for the next few days.

As for the game, it was hard to enjoy it after Jordan went out because I was too heartbroken for her, but one thing that stood out was that the male official was awful. He got Marta and Franklin for at least two phantom fouls each from all I could tell, and was generally unbelievably bad.

Glad we got the win but ... dang. Not a good day for so many reasons.

I’ve been thinking of her, it makes me sick. Jordy has been handed a lot of adversity in the last couple years. She’s strong, she has strong women around her and she has a huge fan base that loves her. She will come back from this. Whether it’s 6 days or 6 months before she picks up another basketball.


I’m sorry you were there to experience that.

 

[Volfan2012]

Coach Kellie said it was a lower leg injury so that sems to say not a knee or ankle which I hope is good news.

 

[VolBall09]

Coach Kellie said it was a lower leg injury so that sems to say not a knee or ankle which I hope is good news.

I have heard ACL tear described as that for the last several years. Have a feeling that is what it is.

If you notice in the Ohio State game she tweaked a knee. She grabbed for it and then limped around for a bit. Unsure if it was the same knee to be fair but I do wonder.

 

[Orange Maniac]

Coach Kellie said it was a lower leg injury so that sems to say not a knee or ankle which I hope is good news.

Quite the opposite.

 

[Volfan2012]

I have heard ACL tear described as that for the last several years. Have a feeling that is what it is.

If you notice in the Ohio State game she tweaked a knee. She grabbed for it and then limped around for a bit. Unsure if it was the same knee to be fair but I do wonder.

She bumped knees with the UMass girl and went down immediately. I hope for the best but when your in that much pain immediately really worrying.

 

[Rickster]

I hit my knee against something the other day and it hurt so bad I almost passed out. I'm fine today. Hopefully that is all it is.

 

[37620VOL]

Will there be a replay of this game? Anyone found it on Youtube?

 

[VolBall09]

She bumped knees with the UMass girl and went down immediately. I hope for the best but when your in that much pain immediately really worrying.

Maybe a bone bruise or just a hard knee to knee contact. Just didn’t seem good and the no weight at all is never a good sign.

 

[orange beard]

Have not heard anything about JH. No doubt in my mind that Rickea will be the best athlete on the court in most games we play.

 

[madtownvol]

I hit my knee against something the other day and it hurt so bad I almost passed out. I'm fine today. Hopefully that is all it is.

Exactly, pain is not always the measure of severity.

 

[lvocd]

In regard to all the different subbing in these first couple of games, I will say that I imagine our staff needs a few games of seeing how the different players and combinations of players work together (or not) against different sets of opposing players before coming to any conclusions about who is going to be THE lineup. When you see only each other and practice guys for the all-too-short available scrimmage time to evaluate 15 players, that's not ideal. So the staff is only REALLY seeing where we're at during these real games against opponents our players aren't seeing every day.

Before the Ohio State game I mentioned hoping folks would understand and cut the players and staff some slack when it takes time for this team to work out the kinks. I think I estimated it might be 5 or 6 games in before we start to settle down, and I'm guessing that might be the case still.

 

[Voluble2]

I hit my knee against something the other day and it hurt so bad I almost passed out. I'm fine today. Hopefully that is all it is.

She was favoring the opposite leg. It was the one she landed on and she couldn't put any weight on it when she was leaving the court.

 

[madtownvol]

In regard to all the different subbing in these first couple of games, I will say that I imagine our staff needs a few games of seeing how the different players and combinations of players work together (or not) against different sets of opposing players before coming to any conclusions about who is going to be THE lineup. When you see only each other and practice guys for the all-too-short available scrimmage time to evaluate 15 players, that's not ideal. So the staff is only REALLY seeing where we're at during these real games against opponents our players aren't seeing every day.

Before the Ohio State game I mentioned hoping folks would understand and cut the players and staff some slack when it takes time for this team to work out the kinks. I think I estimated it might be 5 or 6 games in before we start to settle down, and I'm guessing that might be the case still.

I agree and Jordan's injury scrambled the rotation even more. I am not sure Wynn or Miles would have gotten minutes if Jordan had been available (unless the game had become a full on blow-out.)

Miles seized the moment though. Kellie gave her a shout out in the press conference. I think Brooklyn is one of those players that you just never count out. She is gritty and determined.

Some parts of the rotation do seem fairly well set. Powell as primary PG; Jackson on the wing; Key and Franklin as the post rotation. If Jordan is okay (performs every good luck ritual known to humanity), her spot is cemented. So that would be four of five, plus the post rotation.

I am not sure Jordan walker stays in that starting line-up. The team needs more of an outside shooting threat. At this point in time, that looks like Tess but perhaps Justine as she gets acclimatized.

Jordan W. might be the proverbial 6th man spark.

I feel like the team is searching for a way to use Hollingshead, Puckett, Suarez more effectively. Puckett proved her worth last season but she has not found her groove/role this season. Similarly, Marta and Jillian are looking a little lost out there. Jillian's size and athleticism are clear to see but how the team makes use of that, remains unclear at this point.

 

[VolBall09]

If IF Jordy is out, I think Tess goes back into the starting lineup. Her shot is looking really good and she has improved her strength visibly.

Saw her grab a few rebounds against UMASS in a way I have not seen her do before. We got out rebounded and I felt she was making it a point to get in there and mix it up after Horston went out.

I also think Tess on the floor really improves our offensive spacing. She is a true 3 point threat and teams have to respect her. Will open things up for Jackson around that SEC logo where she loves to operate. They made that connection a few times yesterday.

Jordy was beasting the boards in the first couple games so it will take an adjustment from everyone. It’s hard when you’re used to deferring to someone a lot on the glass and then they aren’t available suddenly. I would consider her our primary rebounder.


Jackson, Key, Franklin and Puckett can all pick up some slack in those areas which is fortunate as well. I hope and pray for a healthy remainder to the season.

 

[Volfan2012]

In regard to all the different subbing in these first couple of games, I will say that I imagine our staff needs a few games of seeing how the different players and combinations of players work together (or not) against different sets of opposing players before coming to any conclusions about who is going to be THE lineup. When you see only each other and practice guys for the all-too-short available scrimmage time to evaluate 15 players, that's not ideal. So the staff is only REALLY seeing where we're at during these real games against opponents our players aren't seeing every day.

Before the Ohio State game I mentioned hoping folks would understand and cut the players and staff some slack when it takes time for this team to work out the kinks. I think I estimated it might be 5 or 6 games in before we start to settle down, and I'm guessing that might be the case still.

Exactly why I didn't like the schedule starting out way to tough should've gave us three of four games to get situated before we took on the these better teams Ohio State didn't have to get acclimated same team as last season same for UMass. Were not the same were totally different and fear we might have three or four losses just getting through the non conference schedule.

 

[madtownvol]

If IF Jordy is out, I think Tess goes back into the starting lineup. Her shot is looking really good and she has improved her strength visibly.

Saw her grab a few rebounds against UMASS in a way I have not seen her do before. We got out rebounded and I felt she was making it a point to get in there and mix it up after Horston went out.

I also think Tess on the floor really improves our offensive spacing. She is a true 3 point threat and teams have to respect her. Will open things up for Jackson around that SEC logo where she loves to operate. They made that connection a few times yesterday.

Jordy was beasting the boards in the first couple games so it will take an adjustment from everyone. It’s hard when you’re used to deferring to someone a lot on the glass and then they aren’t available suddenly. I would consider her our primary rebounder.


Jackson, Key, Franklin and Puckett can all pick up some slack in those areas which is fortunate as well. I hope and pray for a healthy remainder to the season.

Good points all around. Jordan is the team's Swiss army knife. She is their best rebounder, their best perimeter defender, and (along with Jackson), the teams best offensive creator. Really hope she is okay not just for the team but her her. She had her time to shine in the NCAA stripped away by injury last season. She needs luck to go her way.

 

[Volfan2012]

If IF Jordy is out, I think Tess goes back into the starting lineup. Her shot is looking really good and she has improved her strength visibly.

Saw her grab a few rebounds against UMASS in a way I have not seen her do before. We got out rebounded and I felt she was making it a point to get in there and mix it up after Horston went out.

I also think Tess on the floor really improves our offensive spacing. She is a true 3 point threat and teams have to respect her. Will open things up for Jackson around that SEC logo where she loves to operate. They made that connection a few times yesterday.

Jordy was beasting the boards in the first couple games so it will take an adjustment from everyone. It’s hard when you’re used to deferring to someone a lot on the glass and then they aren’t available suddenly. I would consider her our primary rebounder.


Jackson, Key, Franklin and Puckett can all pick up some slack in those areas which is fortunate as well. I hope and pray for a healthy remainder to the season.

Watched Tess last night her defense has improved enough that she is not a huge liability on the floor. 3 of 7 from the three will take that any game. If Jordan is out someone going to have to take that rebounding load other than Jackson. We don't lose the rebounding battle if Jordan played entire game last night. Finally coaches need to carve our a role for Hollingshead she is so athletic but seems lost on what exactly her role is with the team. I thought she would be working more in the paint on offense and defense that hasn't been the case in first two games. I feel Key, Hollingshead, and Franklin on the inside, Walker and Darby at the two, Powell and Miles point, Jackson at the three along with Puckett and a few minutes for Pissott. Marta seems more inclined to be an inside player as well not a lot of foot speed to play on the perimeter. Where Striplin and Wynn fit in if anywhere at all remains to be seen. If Jordan can play then I like her more inside with Key and Jackson as the slashing three. Darby as your shooting two and Powell at point. That is my starting five with Jordan healthy.

 

[madtownvol]

Exactly why I didn't like the schedule starting out way to tough should've gave us three of four games to get situated before we took on the these better teams Ohio State didn't have to get acclimated same team as last season same for UMass. Were not the same were totally different and fear we might have three or four losses just getting through the non conference schedule.

Other than the fan base having conniption fits, so what? I am good with the team being battled tested before conference. November and December is window dressing for the conference schedule. I would definitely take a strong finish over the fade we had last season.

 

[Volfan2012]

Other than the fan base having conniption fits, so what? I am good with the team being battled tested before conference. November and December is window dressing for the conference schedule. I would definitely take a strong finish over the fade we had last season.

Not against playing the games just wish we'd had three or four games before.

 

[Volfan2012]

Watched the replay of that Jordan Horston drive about 12 times looks like the injury is to the left leg and looked like an ankle injury to me as the left foot comes down way to wide from the body and the landing on is is very awkward. Of course the way she landed on that foot could be anything it was almost a twist onto the side of the foot.

 

[Volfan2012]

Video has now been taken down so was going to link it but no longer exists.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Watched the replay of that Jordan Horston drive about 12 times looks like the injury is to the left leg and looked like an ankle injury to me as the left foot comes down way to wide from the body and the landing on is is very awkward. Of course the way she landed on that foot could be anything it was almost a twist onto the side of the foot.

I am confused in that the contact from the defender seemed to be directly to the right knee, yet she immediately grabbed the left knee. Non contact to the site injuries scare me. Do not remember if the medical folks addressed the ankle or the knee.