NCAA Tournament Game Thread - (5) Lady Vols vs (12) USF Bulls

[GUNTERSVOL]

Don't see any defense they are shooting 59 percent. forced some turnovers, but for what a one point lead.

What were the final statistics?

 

[knoxvol52]

USF on pace to score 100. Pat rolling in her grave.

Well USF barely scored 60+. Think Pat is still rolling over in her grave after that @$$ whipping Lady Vols gave South Florida?

 

[volsagain]

Well USF barely scored 60+. Think Pat is still rolling over in her grave after that @$$ whipping Lady Vols gave South Florida?

What was it 24 - 5 in turnovers yep pretty dang strong if you ask me

 

[LV renaissance]

Fans would look soooooo much less like a bunch of knee-jerking schmucks if every time they're tempted to post "woe is us"-type reactions they simply hold off a few minutes and see if things change first. We crushed them, but you'd have thought early on that some folks here thought we didn't even belong in the tourney.

That is especially true for this team and system. They can look disjointed and then suddenly brilliant in a period of pandemonium for a 3-minute stretch where they hit threes, get several turnovers, and go on a 15-0 run.

 

[LV renaissance]

There are several people in the press, who I don't think mostly follow the LVs nearly as closely as the regulars here do, continued to question the possibility of dissention on the team. I hope this game put that ignorant theory to rest, though our first game in the SEC tourney should have done so beforehand. In both games, the Lady Vols smashed the point spread about 2 times over, and established records or near records. KSU established the all-time record yesterday for a 5 seed over a 12 seed (42 points), so our 35-point spread was not far behind that record pace. That is even more impressive with us playing no one more than 20 minutes. Ohio State, for example, played all their starters over 25 minutes and a couple around 30 minutes.
It is clear that Kim's assessment was correct: That the Lady Vols got fatigued by the end of the year and that she needs to make some revisions for next year. You would think if you read some of the posts here that this would be a Herculean task. If you look at the facts, we played two of our best games near the end of the year (Ole Miss and Bama), so the fatigue factor really became evident the last 3 or 4 games. Changing the way we practice and being more mindful of rest time should easily help with this. Also, I could imagine by next year that our 2nd team and perhaps even a few 3rd teamers (hello Stickland) will get more minutes during the brutal SEC schedule than they did this year. Coach couldn't afford to give a few of the second teamers a bunch of minutes in the big games this year due to the talent drop-off. I am really glad that the issue was fatigue and not dissention. This seems quite correctable by next year.

 

[Volfan2012]

What is YOUR postgame assessment?

Slow starts continue to be a problem and will kill us against a team like Ohio State. Glad we could put it together in the second quarter which was by far our best one of the game. We were off and on against a team we were supposed to win big against and in the end we did. Held them to their average which wasn't looking possible after the first quarter.

Ohio St average 78 would like to see us hold them to their average and hope the offense can score at least one point more.

 

[Volfan2012]

What were the final statistics?

Did what we were supposed to do in the end first quarter was ugly for us and thus the comment. They should never shoot 59 percent in any quarter seems everytime we play the opponent does their damage in the first quarter. South Florida was not good enough to maintain it and ended up shooting 39 percent. If we hold Ohio State to 39 percent we will win the game. If they shoot 59 percent in the first quarter that will not happen.

 

[Majors]

There are several people in the press, who I don't think mostly follow the LVs nearly as closely as the regulars here do, continued to question the possibility of dissention on the team. I hope this game put that ignorant theory to rest, though our first game in the SEC tourney should have done so beforehand. In both games, the Lady Vols smashed the point spread about 2 times over, and established records or near records. KSU established the all-time record yesterday for a 5 seed over a 12 seed (42 points), so our 35-point spread was not far behind that record pace. That is even more impressive with us playing no one more than 20 minutes. Ohio State, for example, played all their starters over 25 minutes and a couple around 30 minutes.
It is clear that Kim's assessment was correct: That the Lady Vols got fatigued by the end of the year and that she needs to make some revisions for next year. You would think if you read some of the posts here that this would be a Herculean task. If you look at the facts, we played two of our best games near the end of the year (Ole Miss and Bama), so the fatigue factor really became evident the last 3 or 4 games. Changing the way we practice and being more mindful of rest time should easily help with this. Also, I could imagine by next year that our 2nd team and perhaps even a few 3rd teamers (hello Stickland) will get more minutes during the brutal SEC schedule than they did this year. Coach couldn't afford to give a few of the second teamers a bunch of minutes in the big games this year due to the talent drop-off. I am really glad that the issue was fatigue and not dissention. This seems quite correctable by next year.

Some of those so called regulars questioned the “dissension” of the team. Some of the old guard of the board still hasn’t fully accepted CKC and her style.

 

[Volfan2012]

We are getting killed on rebounding.

A lot of it was no opportunity to rebound as they turned it over 16 times. Add that to our rebound total versus give them one turnover and it presents a different picture. Teams might win the defensive rebounding against us if we turned them over 20 more times just no opportunity for defensive rebounds when your winning turnovers by that much.

 

[Majors]

A lot of it was no opportunity to rebound as they turned it over 16 times. Add that to our rebound total versus give them one turnover and it presents a different picture. Teams might win the defensive rebounding against us if we turned them over 20 more times just no opportunity for defensive rebounds when your winning turnovers by that much.

That’s the analytical view verses someone casually looking at the box score.

 

[KTrain]

Did what we were supposed to do in the end first quarter was ugly for us and thus the comment. They should never shoot 59 percent in any quarter seems everytime we play the opponent does their damage in the first quarter. South Florida was not good enough to maintain it and ended up shooting 39 percent. If we hold Ohio State to 39 percent we will win the game. If they shoot 59 percent in the first quarter that will not happen.

That 59% was due to Sammie Puisis having the game of her life. Everything she was throwing up went in the 1st quarter. She dominated high % her teams scoring she was in a zone, but she tapered off after she lost her legs the 2nd half ergo the blow out. She had a NCAA game she will remember rest of her life. There are some good players out there that can just have really good games on occasions.

 

[glv98]

Some of those so called regulars questioned the “dissension” of the team. Some of the old guard of the board still hasn’t fully accepted CKC and her style.

Again, exaggeration for effect. Possibility of dissention was edged up to maybe a time or two as a worry when the late season losses happened. Was quickly dismissed by "regulars" as more likely just fatigue. Never came up again. Your narrative is simply not true.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

All valid points made here. It’s what I’ve been mentioning for awhile, certain posters completely wrote off all the progress, phases of building a system, and success every moment they saw something in year 1 of CKC tenure they disliked or perceived as ineffective. Yes, there were adjustments to be made and will continue to be to solidify the program as one of the top in WBB. Yet a team doesn’t beat Florida State, Iowa, UConn, Ole Miss, and Alabama with as some posters made it seem all these flaws. There are a few areas of improvement that need addressing and CKC has done that with the resources available to turn them into strengths next season. As you stated, I could see a 11-12 player rotation next season with the incoming freshmen class and the likely 1-2 portal additions to add more front court size and depth.

It is clear that Kim's assessment was correct: That the Lady Vols got fatigued by the end of the year and that she needs to make some revisions for next year. You would think if you read some of the posts here that this would be a Herculean task. If you look at the facts, we played two of our best games near the end of the year (Ole Miss and Bama), so the fatigue factor really became evident the last 3 or 4 games. Changing the way we practice and being more mindful of rest time should easily help with this. Also, I could imagine by next year that our 2nd team and perhaps even a few 3rd teamers (hello Stickland) will get more minutes during the brutal SEC schedule than they did this year. Coach couldn't afford to give a few of the second teamers a bunch of minutes in the big games this year due to the talent drop-off. This seems quite correctable by next year.

 

[Majors]

Again, exaggeration for effect. Possibility of dissention was edged up to maybe a time or two as a worry when the late season losses happened. Was quickly dismissed by "regulars" as more likely just fatigue. Never came up again. Your narrative is simply not true.

A few here as you stated, like to make sure all sides are covered. It’s a talk out of both sides of the mouth type of posting.

 

[glv98]

There are several people in the press, who I don't think mostly follow the LVs nearly as closely as the regulars here do, continued to question the possibility of dissention on the team. I hope this game put that ignorant theory to rest, though our first game in the SEC tourney should have done so beforehand.

Really? Could you post a few examples? BC I follow closely and I've never once heard any mention of dissention in the press. In fact, the press for this coach and team has been almost exclusively glowingly positive. The ingame announcers could not be more complimentary.

An example was yesterday when they said over and over how totally the system was proven a winner in the SEC without once mentioning the SEC record or finish.

Also, any questions put to rest after the first SEC tourney game got brought up again by the second. We've always known our team could overwhelm lesser teams. The question is against better teams. Sunday is a great chance to put that to rest.

CKC has had a great start. The UConn win and recruiting class solidify that. But we don't have to be over defensive or go all Dawn Staley and pretend offenses that don't exist to 'defend' her.

 

[37620VOL]

Maybe referring to John Adams, but I think most of us know he makes up negative stuff to get clicks.

 

[th2421]

Awesome win. 16-37 on 3s (made by 8 different players), forced 24 TOs (and only committed 6, and really the last one was just letting the shot clock expire to not run up the score), 19 assists, no one played more than 21 minutes, and held them to 39% shooting.

Sam played her best game in a while (Kim had mentioned she was one of the ones who was banged up toward the end of the regular season) and I don't think it's a coincidence that everything seemed to be clicking much better on offense.

 

[glv98]

Maybe referring to John Adams, but I think most of us know he makes up negative stuff to get clicks.

But that's not true either. He asked the question he asked at the introductory presser and since has written a couple of columns about why he was wrong. Did write one after the late losses about how he was partly right and partly wrong. Which is true.

If we're looking for micro aggressions to White Knight for CKC over we need to do better than meanie press. Doing that overlooks one of the best accomplishments of the LV reset. They've become absolute media darlings and thats a good thing.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Again, all valid points made here. It speaks volume that after every single loss now and in the future there’s always an attempt to justify beliefs that the system can’t work at this level of WBB. At this moment, it’s just not only media but fans, opposing coaches/players, sports analysts, etc. Part of it is people that will face this style of basketball want to break the mold because if it becomes effective consistently and dominants the opposition then Tennessee will go on another historic run. Many people have wagered that would never happen and certainly not under an unconventional coach like Kim Caldwell.
So despite its proven success the skeptics will continue to push in a way that casts doubt on the long term success. Is it feasible is their question?
Yet, after a great win which CKC has many already it’s only checked off by that crowd of doubters as a common victory to a certain extent. CKC has beaten South Florida (who beat Duke this year), Richmond (who just blew out a ranked Georgia Tech team), Liberty (who should’ve beat Kentucky yesterday but fell short 78-79), Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida State, Iowa, and UConn with 23 wins and counting currently in year 1.
It’s working..

There are several people in the press, who I don't think mostly follow the LVs nearly as closely as the regulars here do, continued to question the possibility of dissention on the team. I hope this game put that ignorant theory to rest, though our first game in the SEC tourney should have done so beforehand. In both games, the Lady Vols smashed the point spread about 2 times over, and established records or near records. That is even more impressive with us playing no one more than 20 minutes.

 

[Ladyvol777]

That was a nice win for the Lady Vol’s. Had a hard first quarter, but still scored a bunch of points. They fought hard all game. Now on to Ohio State. As always go Lady Vol’s.

 

[LV renaissance]

Really? Could you post a few examples? BC I follow closely and I've never once heard any mention of dissention in the press. In fact, the press for this coach and team has been almost exclusively glowingly positive. The ingame announcers could not be more complimentary.

An example was yesterday when they said over and over how totally the system was proven a winner in the SEC without once mentioning the SEC record or finish.

Also, any questions put to rest after the first SEC tourney game got brought up again by the second. We've always known our team could overwhelm lesser teams. The question is against better teams. Sunday is a great chance to put that to rest.

CKC has had a great start. The UConn win and recruiting class solidify that. But we don't have to be over defensive or go all Dawn Staley and pretend offenses that don't exist to 'defend' her.

You must listen not to the Sports Animal, as various commentators on that said they wondered if it was just fatigue. I am surprised that your forgot that several posters here after our loss to Georgia posited that various people were unhappy here, that perhaps something that was going on, etc. My mentioning the SEC tourney was to just solidify the point that it was not dissension that led to our losses. I do agree that our inconsistencies in 3-point shooting and defense did interfere with our ability to win some of our games as well.

 

[Cb153181]

Again, all valid points made here. It speaks volume that after every single loss now and in the future there’s always an attempt to justification beliefs that the system can’t work at this level of WBB. At this moment, it’s just not only media but fans, opposing coaches/players, sports analysts, etc. Part of it is people that will face this style of basketball want to break the mold because if it becomes effective consistently and dominants the opposition then Tennessee will go on another historic run. So despite its proven success the skeptics will continue to push in a way that casts doubts on the long term success. Is it feasible is their question?
Yet, after a great win which CKC has many already it’s only checked off by that crowd of doubters as a common victory to a certain extent. CKC has beaten South Florida (who beat Duke), Richmond (who blew a ranked Georgia Tech team), Liberty (who should’ve beaten Kentucky yesterday but fell short 78-79), Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida State, Iowa, and UConn with 23 wins and counting currently in year 1.
It’s working..

The press works against lower competition. Let’s see how it works tomorrow against a team who also press. Kim doesn’t need to press all game when your going against elite athletes.

Yesterday MamaDembele broke the press multiple times and was able sto get to the paint at ease. Tomorrow that will be Jaloni instead who will score easily.

The press gives opponents an easy 10-15 pts a game. That’s the real issue with her system.

If we don’t press Vandy or Georgia we win those games easily.

The team can play great half court defense or a half court trap. There still wasn’t any adjustments made yesterday with the system.

 

[RAVOL]

Tennessee got what they wanted in 1st Bulls running and gunning playing TN style. They are slow paced team with few subs at all yes they hit shots at hi clip but was sucking wind bad. Game was over at that point because they couldn't even get in good defensive stance. Go Lady Vols. Huge 1st Win for Coach debut as Lady Vols Coach. Taking over this roster rebuilding the best she could and her first power conference job. This Year along with recruiting class is a huge success already no matter what happens tomorrow. Go Lady Vols. In CHRIST Alone

 

[Rickster]

Lady Vol Three-Point Barrage Sinks USF, 101-66, In NCAA First Round - University of Tennessee Athletics

No. 20 Tennessee opened its 43rd-straight NCAA appearance in dominant fashion on Friday night, hitting 16 three-pointers and smashing the SEC season record for treys

utsports.com

 

[BruisedOrange]

A lot of it was no opportunity to rebound as they turned it over 16 times. Add that to our rebound total versus give them one turnover and it presents a different picture. Teams might win the defensive rebounding against us if we turned them over 20 more times just no opportunity for defensive rebounds when your winning turnovers by that much.

Good points, all of which emphasize the original purpose of every aspect of CKC's system -- to produce more possessions than the opponent in each game. More possessions (whether by turnovers or offensive rebounds) allows us to beat teams even when our shots are not falling at as high a rate as our opponent.