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

[Amb3096]

I’m starting to feel bad for Horston, sis needs a few players around her and she could be SO good! She doesn’t need to go 1 on 1 all the time and shouldn’t have to handle to ball so much!

I haven’t looked it up but I know her FG % for the season has to be horrible, because she’s the only one with an ounce of offensive game besides Puckett and has to carry such a huge load for this offensively challenged team.

Key, Horston, Burrell, Dye and Puckett SHOULD be a strong enough core to show better than what they did the last two games. Lack of a quality PG is probably what's hurting them the most right now.

 

[brassie]

Today's my Birthday.I am 83 years young today and every year that I can remember my Mom who will be 102 March 9 has reminded me ," son if you can't say something nice about something or someone do not say anything at all ".Today ,I am going to take her advice ......

Happy Birthday!

 

[Rooster1]

Never had to play defense at Troy. That's probably the biggest difference, along with playing extended consecutive minutes.

I thought she'd be a better offensive threat than she's shown, tbh

That sounds right.

 

[Rooster1]

Key, Horston, Burrell, Dye and Puckett SHOULD be a strong enough core to show better than what they did the last two games. Lack of a quality PG is probably what's hurting them the most right now.

As for the PG position, is the issue system or talent?

 

[stlvolsfan]

Tall? I thought Key had three or four inches on Boston.

She’s still a tall physical player…on top of the fact that she’s mobile. Bad combo.

 

[Voltopia]

Key, Horston, Burrell, Dye and Puckett SHOULD be a strong enough core to show better than what they did the last two games. Lack of a quality PG is probably what's hurting them the most right now.

You'd have to stop and think a while to recall the last point guard who's made a real impact. Bobbitt or Massengale I guess? They've certainly recruited others, lots of big names, but they either never met their potential or left the program. Whole lot of super talented 2s being shoehorned into the 1 these last ten years.

Considering how vital a true point guard is to
offensive execution, you have to wonder if maybe there's a correlation between the offensive results and the situation at point.

 

[stlvolsfan]

As for the PG position, is the issue system or talent?

Great question. Neither of our points are fantastic shooters.

 

[SGMVols]

Who comes back for UT next year? Idon’t know the covid years or who is eligible for WNBA picks well enough to know this.

I think Green and Walker are out of eligibility, and though Burrell could come back, I think she’ll leave for the draft.

 

[VolFanGBO]

I think Green and Walker are out of eligibility, and though Burrell could come back, I think she’ll leave for the draft.

Walker could come back

 

[stlvolsfan]

She has played some great games this year versus other bigs and I cannot recall her “backing down”, she has little help down low and is tangled with two defenders mostly. When she gets an inlet pass near the rim she is smothered. Key isn’t getting a bunch of help to look good lately.
Key has played well against Boston before, she gives Boston a tough game. She gives most bigs a tough game if she gets some help.

Defensively she’s not bad, that part you’re correct on, but she doesn’t demand the ball on offense and most time doesn’t even attempt to score.

 

[TJVol95]

If Kellie doesn't start running an offense in the half court - her tenure here won't be as long as we hope.

I really want her to succeed, but looking totally inept is inexcusable.

Holly jr won’t last long

 

[Rooster1]

Walker could come back

Key isn’t eligible for the draft is she?

 

[stlvolsfan]

I think Green and Walker are out of eligibility, and though Burrell could come back, I think she’ll leave for the draft.

Walker is eligible to come back. She was on the Vol Log podcast last week and said she has 1 year of eligibility and she’s not sure if she is coming back or not. Everyone else can return with the exception of Green and Dye. I’m sure Rae is out. Next year’s draft is crazy good…she’d be crazy to wait a year.

 

[Luna2012]

I looked at Fudd's 3 point shots on replay. I think only one was defended. On a couple of other shots someone stepped up late to put up a hand and the rest she was wide open. I listened to Coach Harper's post game and she said that the game plan was to defend Fudd. Had UT been able to limit her 3 point baskets it might have been a different game.

Massey SOS UT 11, UConn 4. Massey rating Depaul 40 and Creighton 39. Providence and St John's are cream puffs. All are conference games.

******
AUBURN 68 LOSS
FLORIDA 46 LOSS
VANDY 50
CHATTANOOGA 189
ETSU 192
GA STATE 312
TENN TECH 144
S. ILL 100
ALABAMA 85

So what's your point?

 

[Amb3096]

Rewatch the game. Key was blocked twice, once by Muhl.

I think he's saying that Tennessee stupidly went right at ONO or Edwards with shorter players praying for a foul and got a Spaulding hamburger in return. When Edwards got the 4th foul on Tamari, she used the backboard/rim to force Key to block from a bad angle. On the other hand, Tennessee was shooting right into ONO's upright arms.

 

[Jax_Vol]

Green is still on the bench. It's not like she died.

If they collapsed so bad because she can't lead on the court for 13 min/game, then they got bigger issues.

She was experienced muscle who could play 4 or 5. They do have big issues...literally. Not enough inside bodies. A team full of 2's and 3's.

Either more minutes for Sanders, or give Striplen (sp?) a role. Sara is doing her part.

 

[Amb3096]

As for the PG position, is the issue system or talent?

Both IMO. They don't look like they're running any kind of offense, and Walker not Miles are particularly good passers or floor general. I was watching Muhl and Westbrook and they are constantly barking orders and resetting the offense. Horston was doing that, but not the others.

Walker isn't really a PG and Miles can't shoot. We've all trashed Muhl here, but she's a significantly better PG than any of Tenn's options. She's not a big time scorer, but she knows when to look for her own shot. Miles only shoots when the shot clock is winding down, not when she's open.

 

[Rooster1]

Both IMO. They don't look like they're running any kind of offense, and Walker not Miles are particularly good passers or floor general. I was watching Muhl and Westbrook and they are constantly barking orders and resetting the offense. Horston was doing that, but not the others.

Walker isn't really a PG and Miles can't shoot. We've all trashed Muhl here, but she's a significantly better PG than any of Tenn's options. She's not a big time scorer, but she knows when to look for her own shot. Miles only shoots when the shot clock is winding down, not when she's open.

Good insight

 

[VolFanGBO]

Key isn’t eligible for the draft is she?

No

 

[Amb3096]

You'd have to stop and think a while to recall the last point guard who's made a real impact. Bobbitt or Massengale I guess? They've certainly recruited others, lots of big names, but they either never met their potential or left the program. Whole lot of super talented 2s being shoehorned into the 1 these last ten years.

Considering how vital a true point guard is to
offensive execution, you have to wonder if maybe there's a correlation between the offensive results and the situation at point.

I agree with you. That's why when I hear, "Salary can play PG!" or "Wynn can play PG!", I just shake my head. Yes, they can physically play PG. They just can't do it well.

Holly was going for too many combo guards (Cooper, Massengill, Middleton, Westbrook, Hayes) and trying to make them PG without having a true floor general. Kellie is doing the same. If walker leaves next year, it will just be Miles at the point...and that will not end well. She needs to get a high level true PG from the portal, and stat!

 

[Amb3096]

She was experienced muscle who could play 4 or 5. They do have big issues...literally. Not enough inside bodies. A team full of 2's and 3's.

Either more minutes for Sanders, or give Striplen (sp?) a role. Sara is doing her part.

That I agree with. They miss her minutes to relieve Key. But if this team was so fragile that they couldn't survive the loss of their backup C who plays 14 min/game, then they weren't as good as I thought they were.

For context, UConn was missing 2 of their top 3 scorers and one of their top reserves, and still didn't miss a beat today.

 

[Luna2012]

Happy Birthday!

Happy BIRTHDAY!!! May you enjoy many more!

 

[cabbie191]

Does uconn ever play road games?

This is their second home game since January 15. One home game was canceled last week.

 

[Spacejam]

I mean I would hope they don’t Leave the roster as it is and actually Look to add players from the transfer portal. I’ll suggest they also look at top Juco players.

 

[Hoya Saxa]

For context, UConn was missing 2 of their top 3 scorers and one of their top reserves, and still didn't miss a beat today.

Bueckers, Fudd, and Ducharme will be a formidable backcourt for the next three years. I'm not sure if it's enough to challenge South Carolina's size.