Game Thread: (7/7) Lady Vols 56 - (10/9) Connecticut 75

[Voluble2]

This is a no win situation for the Lady Vols. If they win the game then it is because UConn is depleted and it doesn't mean all that much.

If they lose, then it confirms they were never really contenders for anything and deepens their skid. People will say good teams like UConn can beat us with one hand tied behind their backs.

The team has to look at this as a must win, and a chance to start the process of rebuilding the season. Because while there may not be much upside for us, there is a huge amount of downside. That is usually a recipe for disaster, so it will take some maturity to avoid that trap and come out of an emotionally fraught game against a bitter rival with a win on the road.

I just don't see UConn as being a game where a struggling team gets their mojo back. But I didn't see a hapless, last place Auburn team (whose attendance looked like family reunion day at the local orphanage) being where they would lose it, so we will just have to hope for the best.

The team has really made a mess for themselves and only they can fix what ails them. At this point, there is no coaching going to cure them of this funk. They have to give the effort and spit out whatever they have stuck in their craw before it chokes them. The remainder of the season will be whatever they decide to make of it.

 

[creekdipper]

CONN depleted? Because one player is out?

Most teams would love to have a "depleted" roster of Williams, Fudd, Nelson-Ododa, Westbrook, and Ducharme (all Top 5 recruits including two #1 and a third #2), not to mention having an All-Big Ten transfer.

Then you've got Muhl, who started 15 games as a freshmen and wasn't ranked due to being from Croatia plus #23 Edwards and 6'5" Gabriel.

Consider that two players who transferred out due mainly to lack of playing time were both top 30 h.s. recruits. That's the embarrassment of talent riches on the CONN roster.

Considering that their fans consider their coach to be the GOAT, how could they ever even come close to losing a game? Must be because their coach came to practice wearing a headband and uniform to have a little fun with the team, because we all know that coaches having some fun with the team results in collapse of team discipline.

 

[Mr.Vol2U]

CONN depleted? Because one player is out?

Most teams would love to have a "depleted" roster of Williams, Fudd, Nelson-Ododa, Westbrook, and Ducharme (all Top 5 recruits including two #1 and a third #2), not to mention having an All-Big Ten transfer.

Then you've got Muhl, who started 15 games as a freshmen and wasn't ranked due to being from Croatia plus #23 Edwards and 6'5" Gabriel.

Consider that two players who transferred out due mainly to lack of playing time were both top 30 h.s. recruits. That's the embarrassment of talent riches on the CONN roster.

Considering that their fans consider tgeir coach to be the GOAT, how could they ever even come close to losing a game? Must be because their coach came to practice wearing a headband and uniform to have a little fun with the team, because we all know that coaches having some fun with the team results in collapse of tram discipline.

Facts! They have a great team without Paige. They just like to use that excuse to fit the criteria

 

[Voluble2]

CONN depleted? Because one player is out?

Most teams would love to have a "depleted" roster of Williams, Fudd, Nelson-Ododa, Westbrook, and Ducharme (all Top 5 recruits including two #1 and a third #2), not to mention having an All-Big Ten transfer.

Then you've got Muhl, who started 15 games as a freshmen and wasn't ranked due to being from Croatia plus #23 Edwards and 6'5" Gabriel.

Consider that two players who transferred out due mainly to lack of playing time were both top 30 h.s. recruits. That's the embarrassment of talent riches on the CONN roster.

Considering that their fans consider their coach to be the GOAT, how could they ever even come close to losing a game? Must be because their coach came to practice wearing a headband and uniform to have a little fun with the team, because we all know that coaches having some fun with the team results in collapse of team discipline.

I am just telling you what people are going to say. They were out their best player. They had a bunch who had been out and are rusty. They weren't able to practice as a team etc... Do you really think they and ESPN would not play that card?

 

[chuckiepoo]

I am just telling you what people are going to say. They were out their best player. They had a bunch who had been out and are rusty. They weren't able to practice as a team etc... Do you really think they and ESPN would not play that card?

No. Their fans (read: Dirt_Ball, et al) certainly will.

 

[djtee]

I'd have a very different opinion if asked a week ago. I just don't think the team is trending in the right direction to beat a hated rival on the road.

Tennessee will dominate the glass, but will still suffer from turnovers, poor shooting and defensive breakdowns that leaves UConn shooters open.

77-62, with the game mostly under control for UConn by the midpoint of the 3rd. I'd love to see Tennessee show out; I'm just not sure whether they have it in them to win even if they play better than this past stretch.

I'd have a very different opinion if asked a week ago. I just don't think the team is trending in the right direction to beat a hated rival on the road.

Tennessee will dominate the glass, but will still suffer from turnovers, poor shooting and defensive breakdowns that leaves UConn shooters open.

77-62, with the game mostly under control for UConn by the midpoint of the 3rd. I'd love to see Tennessee show out; I'm just not sure whether they have it in them to win even if they play better than this past stretch.

I like Tennessee in this matchup because we will not be dealing with guards that have speed and will pick your pockets, Plus UConn has no bench TN 64 - 58

 

[J-Dog 1313]

I like Tennessee in this matchup because we will not be dealing with guards that have speed and will pick your pockets, Plus UConn has no bench TN 64 - 58

I see TN 64-50. Go get'em LVs.

 

[Volfan2012]

I don't see us winning on the road hope I'm wrong. They have played a lot better in the last few days and we've played a lot worse. Personally I'll be glad when we can play a few games at home. In this last stretch we've been on the road almost constantly and I think that is what has affected the team both in energy and performance.

 

[djtee]

I see TN 64-50. Go get'em LVs.

UConn backcourt right now is not on the level of Fla in my opinion, Smith, Broughton, Rickards are good as it get`s when it comes to playing on the offensive and defensive end. Also remember Rickards went to Christ the King in NY.

 

[FormerLadyVolFan]

Who finds it interesting that this game is on Fox Sports instead of UConn's parent company, ESPN?!

 

[djtee]

I don't see us winning on the road hope I'm wrong. They have played a lot better in the last few days and we've played a lot worse. Personally I'll be glad when we can play a few games at home. In this last stretch we've been on the road almost constantly and I think that is what has affected the team both in energy and performance.

It`s not that They have played a lot better in the last few days and we've played a lot worse it`s all about the matchup. Like in the Ark game if Daniels don`t get hurt we lose that game due to the matchup problem in the backcourt. UConn don`t present a problem like Aub,Fla,Ark with there guards 6-2 Ducharme is on the slow side.

 

[Raebo]

This should be an interesting game that can go either way.. It might be a close game but I wouldn’t be surprised if either team wins by 8+ points.
UConn is not anywhere the tough teams they were in the past. They are not a top ranked team! They lack chemistry and are trying to find their go to player. Their passing is fairly good but not as crisp as in the past. Their record has been good lately but they have been cupcakes. In the past they would have won these games by 40+ but now they win these games by about 20-25. We should be able to out rebound them.
Yes we are struggling the past couple weeks. If we play more as a team we can turn it back around in my opinion. Some of the things I would like to see and that we can do; Key play 30+ minutes, Burrell and JH play a little bit more under control instead of driving toward the basket like they are playing against a high school defense, kick the ball out to an open teammate, play a little bit under control.
I have no idea how this game will go but it will go a long way In determining how the rest of our season will go.

 

[Volfan2012]

It`s not that They have played a lot better in the last few days and we've played a lot worse it`s all about the matchup. Like in the Ark game if Daniels don`t get hurt we lose that game due to the matchup problem in the backcourt. UConn don`t present a problem like Aub,Fla,Ark with there guards 6-2 Ducharme is on the slow side.

Daniels played the entire game when we played them on the road. So hard to say that would've changed anything. A lot of it has been the difference of playing at home and on the road. I think the Florida and Auburn games are entirely different games in Knoxville. team looks very tired 9 of 13 games on the road really tough stretch in the schedule.

 

[Rooster1]

UT’s Perimeter defense will need to be very good in this game, with Fudd back Uconn has 3 players that can light it up from deep. Also, I’m not sure who Rae B will defend….Docharme and Williams are both bad matchups for her while she is still not 100%.

 

[StorrsCentral]

Who finds it interesting that this game is on Fox Sports instead of UConn's parent company, ESPN?!

The game is on Fox Sports because that is the network of the Big East. I don't know why everyone says thar ESPN is the UConn network. ESPN owns the SEC network and the ACC network. Haven't you noticed that the ESPN studio people are SEC people?

 

[Coach Jumper]

The game is on Fox Sports because that is the network of the Big East. I don't know why everyone says thar ESPN is the UConn network. ESPN owns the SEC network and the ACC network. Haven't you noticed that the ESPN studio people are SEC people?

almost every ESPN WCBB tweet has the connies as the clip...go to the ESPN site and scroll through the WCBB section daily and let me know when a day goes by that one or two of the first five subjects aren't the connies

 

[djtee]

Daniels played the entire game when we played them on the road. So hard to say that would've changed anything. A lot of it has been the difference of playing at home and on the road. I think the Florida and Auburn games are entirely different games in Knoxville. team looks very tired 9 of 13 games on the road really tough stretch in the schedule.

True she did play the entire game when we played them on the road. I think Florida matches up better against us then Auburn.

 

[djtee]

UT’s Perimeter defense will need to be very good in this game, with Fudd back Uconn has 3 players that can light it up from deep. Also, I’m not sure who Rae B will defend….Docharme and Williams are both bad matchups for her while she is still not 100%.

I disagree on the Rae Docharme match up, Docharme is fearless player but is slow with no hops so there is no way Rae should have a problem defending her. We can agree to disagree.

 

[FormerLadyVolFan]

Most sports networks don't promote competing network's conferences/teams/games. I wonder why ESPN pumps the Huskies so much/so often when they no longer dominate WCBB ????

The game is on Fox Sports because that is the network of the Big East. I don't know why everyone says thar ESPN is the UConn network. ESPN owns the SEC network and the ACC network. Haven't you noticed that the ESPN studio people are SEC people?

 

[Volfan2012]

My thinking is how does Rae fit in to this team at this point. She has not been herself or at least the player she was as a junior since her return. Her return also, at least to me, seems to have upset team chemistry. I am glad we have her but the role she needs to play needs to be defined. I am seeing way to much of the present role she is playing as being ineffective to winning. I would like to see more perimeter shooting from her and less driving to the basket until she gets her game under control. Hopefully coaches have discussed with all the players the ineffective one on one play that has been going on. Finally to much standing not coming to meet the ball hander forcing them into awkward passes or picking up the dribble. Get some movement and help don't force players into bad mistakes because you stood there and watched them.

 

[Volfan2012]

I want to win the UConn game but in the long range of things doesn't mean much in what needs to be accomplished. We have to stay in the top 16 and get the two NCAA games at home. If we don't I fear an early exit much more than if we can play at home. I'd like to see them come out and play like they played earlier in the season against UConn, but absolutely SEC home games coming up which is four of them are key to us getting where we need to be at seasons end for the tourney.

 

[stlvolsfan]

As much as I hate to say it, my expectations are quite a bit lower for this game than they were a week ago. I hope the ladies come on strong and prove me wrong.[/QUOTE
I’m right there with you. Two weeks ago I would have bet my life’s savings that we would win and without a sweat. Now I’m not even sure that we can keep it within 10. I hope I’m wrong. I want this so desperately for this team and this program.

 

[Rooster1]

I disagree on the Rae Docharme match up, Docharme is fearless player but is slow with no hops so there is no way Rae should have a problem defending her. We can agree to disagree.

Since entering the starting lineup, Docharme is the leading scorer for Uconn, healthy players have a hard time guarding her. Someone not 100% physically would likely get lit up IMO. I’m thinking JH will switch between her and Williams depending on which one is hot. This is a tough game for RB from a defensive perspective.

 

[Volfan2012]

Since entering the starting lineup, Docharme is the leading scorer for Uconn, healthy players have a hard time guarding her. Someone not 100% physically would likely get lit up IMO. I’m thinking JH will switch between her and Williams depending on which one is hot.

I think she would have more success against her than a player like Ramirez of Arkansas still trying to figure out what that was all about. I mean Ramirez lit her up and should've in that first half. When we changed to Walker in the second half Ramirez production hit a low. I think from a size stand point she will be able to guard her don't know that will even be a matchup. I worry that they might try her on Fudd or Williams. The defensive matchups I have been seeing the coaches draw up in the last few games have not been to my liking and rather strange from a defensive point of view.

 

[LV renaissance]

I am just catching up to this thread. I believe I read somewhere that this is the first regular season women' college basketball game on one of the 4 traditional networks, which is a tribute to the history of the rivalry! As far as why now, this is the best weekend for college basketball outside of the NCAA tournaments. There is no football of any type and baseball hasn't started. Fox has been carrying the NFL every Sunday, so there is a scheduling gap for them. This leaves some openings for atypical programming. There also have slowly been some slight gains in ratings for women's basketball over the years, at least when it comes to the NCAA tourney and WNBA, so perhaps this is also a test to see if we can draw as high of ratings as some other alternative programming on this atypical weekend. I hope we can give them a good and competitive game.