Game Thread: (7) Lady Vols 86 - (RV) Arkansas 83

[mlindsay]

The UConn web site moved that game on their listed schedule to where it was actually played. So it was my mistake to not include DePaul. See how I did that? Admit I made a mistake?

But it was still only 21 days. And South Carolina cancelled their game not UConn. So you stated something wrong. More than one time.

If you mean Bueckers? She wasn't back for the make up game. And the fact that you believe that UConn INTENTIONALLY postponed that game tells me you still have on that tinfoil hat.

Again does Geno agree to the cancellation if he has a team he can win with and your whole tenure here has been a mistake! So I apologize for my mistake for conversing with you! See how I did that? I want you to have this same love and passion for Uconn should they have a few forgettable seasons like my lady vols and not look to jump to another school because they're winning! Your loyalty to Rutgers (especially after the way he did Kia) shouldn’t even have allowed you to become a Uconn fan so with that being said, I’d rather wear a tinfoil hat than to be a cowardly lion! It’s okay to be true to yourself and who you really are!

 

[VolBall09]

Again does Geno agree to the cancellation if he has a team he can win with and your whole tenure here has been a mistake! So I apologize for my mistake for conversing with you! See how I did that? I want you to have this same love and passion for Uconn should they have a few forgettable seasons like my lady vols and not look to jump to another school because their winning! Your loyalty to Rutgers (especially after the way he did Kia) shouldn’t even have allowed you to become a Uconn fan so with that being said, I’d rather wear a tinfoil hat than to be a cowardly lion! It’s okay to be true to yourself and who you really are!

I say no. I think if he had a competitive team this season he would have been pissed and throwing a fit about it in interviews.

You know he had to do a happy dance when Dawn hung up the phone.

It’s not like they’re a bad team, but their chemistry isn’t right at all this season. They’ll have some transfers. I’m thinking a big name might head out.

 

[creekdipper]

DePaul game would have likely been a loss if pkayed in Dec. without Fudd. SC would almost certainly been a loss. Postponements and cancellations have really helped protect CONN ranking.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Again does Geno agree to the cancellation if he has a team he can win with and your whole tenure here has been a mistake! So I apologize for my mistake for conversing with you! See how I did that? I want you to have this same love and passion for Uconn should they have a few forgettable seasons like my lady vols and not look to jump to another school because their winning! Your loyalty to Rutgers (especially after the way he did Kia) shouldn’t even have allowed you to become a Uconn fan so with that being said, I’d rather wear a tinfoil hat than to be a cowardly lion! It’s okay to be true to yourself and who you really are!

 

[mlindsay]

DePaul game would have likely been a loss if pkayed in Dec. without Fudd. SC would almost certainly been a loss. Postponements and cancellations have really helped protect CONN ranking.

Facts but they'll never admit to it, the Marquette game in December may have also been a loss especially after having loss to Louisville and possibly Depaul. A 3 game skid would've likely taken them out of the Top 25 and whether the UConn fans want to admit it or not, I feel it played a role in his Covid cancellations/postponements. You can say you don't have the numbers but is that true or is it that you don't trust having to rely on the likes of DeBerry and Paith and at the time of postponements I believe Mir hadn't announce her decision to transfer but I could be wrong on that front!

 

[Bballnut1952]

Again does Geno agree to the cancellation if he has a team he can win with and your whole tenure here has been a mistake! So I apologize for my mistake for conversing with you! See how I did that? I want you to have this same love and passion for Uconn should they have a few forgettable seasons like my lady vols and not look to jump to another school because they're winning! Your loyalty to Rutgers (especially after the way he did Kia) shouldn’t even have allowed you to become a Uconn fan so with that being said, I’d rather wear a tinfoil hat than to be a cowardly lion! It’s okay to be true to yourself and who you really are!

Of course he would agree to the cancellation. A fellow coach called and asked. Geno and Dawn have no issues with each other. And it allowed UConn to make up that DePaul game.

Geno has never been afraid to play another team. More made up stuff by you.

I won't explain again why I am a fan of both Rutgers and UConn. If you were making up things about Rutgers I would call you out on that too.

 

[Bballnut1952]

Facts but they'll never admit to it, the Marquette game in December may have also been a loss especially after having loss to Louisville and possibly Depaul. A 3 game skid would've likely taken them out of the Top 25 and whether the UConn fans want to admit it or not, I feel it played a role in his Covid cancellations/postponements. You can say you don't have the numbers but is that true or is it that you don't trust having to rely on the likes of DeBerry and Paith and at the time of postponements I believe Mir hadn't announce her decision to transfer but I could be wrong on that front!

"A 3 game skid would've likely taken them out of the Top 25 and whether the UConn fans want to admit it or not, I feel it played a role in his Covid cancellations/postponements."

I'll admit that you feel it played a role in cancelling. Geno was afraid of losing so he faked the Covid testing. Tin Foil Hat thinking.

The Marquette game was postponed because of Covid issues in the Marquette program. I've told you that a few times. Is that too complicated to understand?

UConn women’s basketball game against Marquette canceled

Same with DePaul but it was UConn with Covid. And it's the Big East that postpones the games.

UConn’s game against DePaul cancelled due to COVID

Same with Villanova, UConn with Covid.

Friday Night's Game Against UConn is Postponed - Villanova University

Your statement "Possibly losing" is a fact. It was possible. It's always possible that another team can beat UConn.

However short handed, as Tennessee fans like to say, they are still running out there top 5 players.

UConn is 12-0 against Marquette.
UConn is 20-1 against DePaul with their one loss in 1983
UConn has won their last 12 against Villanova and haven't lost until 2004.

Possibly losses to any of those three teams? Sure. Probable? No.

Mir announced on 12/27. Before any of those games.

Those games were postponed due to Covid. You need 7 players available in the Big East to play.

"Six of the seven conferences made their minimum threshold seven players and one coach, while the Big 12 made its threshold six players and one coach. "

For these games they only had a 12 player roster with the two transfers.

UConn had 4 players out with injury. Bueckers, Griffin, Fudd and Muhl.

There were either 3 or 4 players that had to isolate with Covid.

That leaves only 4-5 players available to play.

THOSE are the facts. You should read this post a few times so you can understand what I am saying.

 

[LV renaissance]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Arkansas also has Barnum back. Someone with decent size. She didn't play the first game against UT. Arkansas had just blew out their last 3 opponents(including LSU), and played SC tough in their last loss eventually losing by 9. This was a good win after such a bad loss.

The other relevant thing about the rematch is that it is difficult to beat a good team twice.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Actually, Ramirez played essentially the same game the second time as the first. Five made threes in each game, 29 points in 44 minutes last night and 26 points in 40 minutes in the first game, 8 rebounds last night and 6 in the first game, 2 steals in each game. I would say that the player with the significant improvement was Samara Spencer. 17 points, 4 rebs, and 4 assists last night compared to 8 points, 6 rebs, 0 assists, and 1 steal in the first game. She did play 43 minutes in last night's game versus 25 in the first game, which may be a sign of Coach Neighbor's trust in her.

Jim

Spencer is hands down a better, more talented player than either Miles or Walker. That Tennessee has put this run together without a PG of similar value to Spencer speaks to what a great job of coaching Kellie has done.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Nice deflection. You said there wasn't any evidence Arkansas had improved more. There is plenty of evidence, you just choose to ignore it.

Yes, Tennessee got the win which is the most important thing, but it's clear their defensive struggle against Auburn wasn't an anomaly...

Two data points among twenty do not necessarily make a trend. What's most clear is that Kellie's victory against Arky was not an anomaly, given she has 18 other victories, including two against Arky, and the loss to Auburn is an anomaly, as she only has only one other loss in 21 games sample size. Statistical analysis is hard...................

 

[Memvol44]

Spencer is hands down a better, more talented player than either Miles or Walker. That Tennessee has put this run together without a PG of similar value to Spencer speaks to what a great job of coaching Kellie has done.

They don't play the same position.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

They don't play the same position.

Small, quick, and strong guards vs our two guards is what I'm getting at. They have been at a disadvantage all year, with Miles as a freshman and Walker as someone who just doesn't have that skill set.

 

[mlindsay]

Small, quick, and strong guards vs our two guards is what I'm getting at. They have been at a disadvantage all year, with Miles as a freshman and Walker as someone who just doesn't have that skill set.

Miles doesn't look to score and Walker would prefer to score but is being asked to facilitate. If Walker were playing off the ball instead of on the ball, we wouldn't be having the conversation about them compared to Spencer, but I get what you're saying. Spencer has been put into a position where she is relied upon to score within their offense. Walker and Miles not so much.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Miles doesn't look to score and Walker would prefer to score but is being asked to facilitate. If Walker were playing off the ball instead of on the ball, we wouldn't be having the conversation about them compared to Spencer, but I get what you're saying. Spencer has been put into a position where she is relied upon to score within their offense. Walker and Miles not so much.

I guess what I'm trying to say is we don't have a guard or perimeter player available to guard someone like Spencer or Ramirez. And it shows. We have to put Horston on their best guard, or have to scheme a help-defense to cope with that kind of quickness and speed.

 

[Voluble2]

I guess what I'm trying to say is we don't have a guard or perimeter player available to guard someone like Spencer or Ramirez. And it shows. We have to put Horston on their best guard, or have to scheme a help-defense to cope with that kind of quickness and speed.

Walker did a terrible job early in the game, but played Ramirez really well down the stretch. She fought over the screens and then we had Tamari waiting on the other side of the screen if Ramirez lost her on a pick. Walker was really hustling, and we made a good adjustment. I am not sure which coach is calling these adjustments, but I don't recall seeing them last year so much. But of course, we didn't have much depth to work with then either.

 

[madtownvol]

Walker did a terrible job early in the game, but played Ramirez really well down the stretch. She fought over the screens and then we had Tamari waiting on the other side of the screen if Ramirez lost her on a pick. Walker was really hustling, and we made a good adjustment. I am not sure which coach is calling these adjustments, but I don't recall seeing them last year so much. But of course, we didn't have much depth to work with then either.

Yes, Walker fighting over the screens was an important adjustment. She had a poor first half but came back strong.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Walker did a terrible job early in the game, but played Ramirez really well down the stretch. She fought over the screens and then we had Tamari waiting on the other side of the screen if Ramirez lost her on a pick. Walker was really hustling, and we made a good adjustment. I am not sure which coach is calling these adjustments, but I don't recall seeing them last year so much. But of course, we didn't have much depth to work with then either.

I believe you're correct. I was watching early when Walker was getting beat repeatedly. I though Horston was on Ramirez down the stretch, but I am often mistaken, and could have been here, too. Ihope I am wrong, and Walker was on Ramirez late. That gives me more confidence in her defense.

 

[VolBall09]

I believe you're correct. I was watching early when Walker was getting beat repeatedly. I though Horston was on Ramirez down the stretch, but I am often mistaken, and could have been here, too. Ihope I am wrong, and Walker was on Ramirez late. That gives me more confidence in her defense.

Walker was on her most of the second half, especially the 4th quarter. She was working her behind off too. She got really gassed towards the end of the quarter and Horston had to pick her up some in OT.

 

[Rickster]

Walker is not exactly a fleet defender but she contributes a good bit to overall team defense. I like her sneakiness around the basket. She has a nice stroke and can go off if not defended well. I'm more concerned with how we defend the spread offense of teams fast and good enough to drive but also able to kick out to a high percentage shooter.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Walker was on her most of the second half, especially the 4th quarter. She was working her behind off too. She got really gassed towards the end of the quarter and Horston had to pick her up some in OT.

Thanks - memory isn't what it used to be!

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Walker is not exactly a fleet defender but she contributes a good bit to overall team defense. I like her sneakiness around the basket. She has a nice stroke and can go off if not defended well. I'm more concerned with how we defend the spread offense of teams fast and good enough to drive but also able to kick out to a high percentage shooter.

Yes, and I get concerned when teams attack us with full court press. We don't have a lot of terrific ball handlers.