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

#129
#129
I think today is more of a mental challenge for our players than an on-court challenge. I'm glad they carry an awareness of the history of the Lady Vol program. But today they need to have left that awareness on the plane.

To the degree that they can play this as "just the next game" and maintain focus in-the-moment, success is within their reach.

This is like one of those golf tournaments where the experienced caddy says to his young golfer, "Don't look at the scoreboard even once today. Play the shot according to plan, and if the situation calls for you to do something differently, I'll tell you."

Gotta figure that it's in this game that our freshmen will be most vulnerable to "thinking heroically." To their character's credit, I don't see them making the opposite mistake and shrinking from the moment.
 
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#130
#130
stlvolsfan said:
If Tamari gets into early foul trouble, we don’t stand a chance. If Rae continues to catch and immediately dribble the bell off her foot or into a crowd of 4 we don’t stand a chance. Those 2 will make or break this game for us.
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If Dorka plays, UConn has 10 fouls to give from the post to Key’s 5, that will likely be huge in this game.
 
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#131
#131
Rooster1 said:
If Dorka plays, UConn has 10 fouls to give from the post to Key’s 5, that will likely be huge in this game.
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15 if you count Edwards, because she's still a better backup 5 than anyone on Tennessee's bench...and that's without the "Do Not Play Unless An Emergency" bench of Gabriel and DeBerry...also better than Tennessee's backup posts.

Goes without saying, Tamari better be ready to play 40 min today and not take herself out of the game.
 
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#132
#132
Amb3096 said:
15 if you count Edwards, because she's still a better backup 5 than anyone on Tennessee's bench...and that's without the "Do Not Play Unless An Emergency" bench of Gabriel and DeBerry...also better than Tennessee's backup posts.

Goes without saying, Tamari better be ready to play 40 min today and not take herself out of the game.
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The refs will catch hell from Fox Network if they take Key out of the game early with fouls. The orange half of the TV audience will suddenly find motivation to attack that mess in the closet.
 
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#133
#133
Yeah, so GA will likely try to send waves at Key early to see if they can get some early fouls on her. That is what most coaches seem to do now, Key will have to avoid cheap fouls for sure. That will likely be something Key has to adjust to in both upcoming tournaments as well, as many of the tourney teams will have 2-3 post players to give them 10-15 fouls from that spot to try and get Key in Foul trouble.
It’s not an ideal situation, so little room for error, and at the mercy of close calls by refs. The loss of Green is not about her points or boards, it’s the 5 fouls she had to give from the post.
 
#135
#135
There are three simple keys to this game:
#1 Tennessee needs Dye scoring and playmaking ability on the floor to stretch the defense. Coach Harper needs to play her at 5 spot today when Key is out the game or if Key struggles which has the been the case lately.
#2 Get Miles and Puckett in the game early.. can’t wait for signs of needing a spark if the starters get off to a bad start. Tenn needs a PG to step up and be a floor general in this game.. eliminate the bad turnovers. I want to see Miles in that spot today.
#3 Coach Harper substitution patterns have kind of led to stagnant periods on the road.. in the 3 losses this season each opposing team coach allowed their key players to play extended minutes and in cases through some early foul trouble. If it comes to it today.. Horston has to play about 40 minutes. If she gets in foul trouble the 1st half then make adjustments and force the team to play smart. But Horston has to stay on the floor. If Dye and the two freshmen I listed above can play 30 minutes today I like our chances.
 
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#136
#136
TheMississippiVol said:
There are three simple keys to this game:
#1 Tennessee needs Dye scoring and playmaking ability on the floor to stretch the defense. Coach Harper needs to play her at 5 spot today when Key is out the game or if Key struggles which has the been the case lately.
#2 Get Miles and Puckett in the game early.. can’t wait for signs of needing a spark if the starters get off to a bad start. Tenn needs a PG to step up and be a floor general in this game.. eliminate the bad turnovers. I want to see Miles in that spot today.
#3 Coach Harper substitution patterns have kind of led to stagnant periods on the road.. in the 3 losses this season each opposing team coach allowed their key players to play extended minutes and in cases through some early foul trouble. If it comes to it today.. Horston has to play about 40 minutes. If she gets in foul trouble the 1st half then make adjustments and force the team to play smart. But Horston has to stay on the floor. If Dye and the two freshmen I listed above can play 30 minutes today I like our chances.
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I like UT’s chances better tbh if Key plays 30+ minutes because I’m thinking Dorka plays today and if so UT has no answer for her and ODO if Key is on the bench. I have to tape the game today and watch it a few hours late due to an appointment, will be hard not to peak at the score on my phone but I’m gonna try so I can watch the game without prior knowledge.
 
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#138
#138
Rooster1 said:
I like UT’s chances better tbh if Key plays 30+ minutes because I’m thinking Dorka plays today and if so UT has no answer for her and ODO if Key is on the bench.
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Alexis Dye is Tenn answer. I think she’s injured to be honest. She doesn’t have the size but there’s not a single player from UConn on the floor who can run or jump with Dye. Next best option would be Puckett. That kid has game. At some point she’s going to go for 20pts in a game.. would help if today was that day.
 
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#139
#139
Tennessee will win this game IMO. Playing in the BE vs the SEC is totally different. I think LV fans should wash what they saw this week out of their memories because I expect a different team on the court today. Limit Williams and Ducharme and it’s pretty much a done deal. Fudd is accurate but not very aggressive and none of ONO, Juhasz, or Edwards can create their own shot so if you pressure Muhl and Westbrook I think you can cause some turnovers. If Tenn can take care of the ball and own the boards like they usually do I think they win. I’ll say UT 67- Uconn 59
 
#140
#140
Rooster1 said:
If Dorka plays, UConn has 10 fouls to give from the post to Key’s 5, that will likely be huge in this game.
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Emily and Striplin are a liability right now and i agree i get it, But at what point do we take the handcuffs off Key?. Her game is to block shots and get on the glass. If she needs play too passive then this team will be in deep trouble come march.
 
#141
#141
Mr.Pivot said:
Tennessee will win this game IMO. Playing in the BE vs the SEC is totally different. I think LV fans should wash what they saw this week out of their memories because I expect a different team on the court today. Limit Williams and Ducharme and it’s pretty much a done deal. Fudd is accurate but not very aggressive and none of ONO, Juhasz, or Edwards can create their own shot so if you pressure Muhl and Westbrook I think you can cause some turnovers. If Tenn can take care of the ball and own the boards like they usually do I think they win. I’ll say UT 67- Uconn 59
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I counted 7-8 ifs in that sequence….not impossible of course but…
 
#142
#142
djtee said:
Emily and Striplin are a liability right now and i agree i get it, But at what point do we take the handcuffs off Key?. Her game is to block shots and get on the glass. If she needs play too passive then this team will be in deep trouble come march.
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I have not seen Striplin play much this year, a few minutes here and there. I am not in the know about why she cannot earn PT, she seems fine when I see her but again, just for a few min here and there. She has the body to bang down low, what is it that keeps her on the bench for entire games?
 
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#143
#143
Rooster1 said:
I like UT’s chances better tbh if Key plays 30+ minutes because I’m thinking Dorka plays today and if so UT has no answer for her and ODO if Key is on the bench. I have to tape the game today and watch it a few hours late due to an appointment, will be hard not to peak at the score on my phone but I’m gonna try so I can watch the game without prior knowledge.
Click to expand...

6-5 Dorka scored 2 points against SC
 
#144
#144
I haven’t watched the Lady Vols play every game, including the loss @ Auburn and Florida. I’ve read posts about losing Green has hurt this team. So a few questions to those in the know, and thanks in advance for your response.
1. Is Green out for the rest of the year?
2. Why so many turnovers, esp against ball pressure?
3. Lastly, and I know nobody has a crystal ball. What are the expectations for this team? They were ranked in top ten a few weeks ago.

I plan on watching the game today and following the game thread for insight. Thanks again!
 
#145
#145
Dorka is a good player, maybe not AA good but she was 1st team B1G and she has had some great games for UConn. She is experienced and any team would love to have her on their team, esp as a #2 Post.
 
#146
#146
It needs to happen and may be too late at this point in the season.. yet I believe Tenn would be in a great position right now had Coach Harper found early minutes for Wynn and Striplin. Even if it’s only a few minutes in a qtr or two a game. Waiting to put them into games due to foul trouble or injury limits the production of each player when they do come into the game. Like against Florida (Wynn) and Georgia (Striplin).
 
#148
#148
Depends on which team shows up today.. If the team that led the nation in Rebound Total/Rebound Margin and Defensive Scoring Per. steps up today then Tenn gets the W. Tenn was playing flat out gritty and physical basketball. Teams didn’t know what hit them by the 3rd quarter.
If the team that got outplayed, out hustled, and dug themselves in a deep hole early as in the last 3 games show up then it could and should get out of hand early. It’s up to the team leaders. Not that I want to single out any players but the PG & C has to do more for the remainder of this season.
They can play better and we’ve seen them play better..
now this team needs consistency.
 
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