Game Thread: Iowa v Lady Vols, Sat Dec 7th ; Shark Beauty Women's Champions Classic; 7PM; FOX network TV; WIN 78-68

[VolBall09]

LOL this was most def not what you were saying a year ago.

Definitely was. My biggest and most consistent gripe with Tess has ALWAYS been her defense and inability to keep players in front.

 

[Orange_Mamba]

I agree 100% on using her more in the paint. She usually draws a less physical defender and needs to use that to her advantage. I’d like to see her cut to the basket and post someone up instead of catching on the perimeter and trying to back them down with the dribble for 15 feet.

She also does not rebound as well as I think she should for her size and frame. Doesn’t get early position and use her body to box out. She stands behind and just lets her defend have it.

She has always been streaky but I’m worried this year. Her shot looks so different and not in a good way. She is letting her poor offense affect her defense. The two way compounding mistakes are back breaking for her teammates at times.

She DID step up last night and start guarding Stuelke like she should in the second half. She was really physical with her and shut her down. I was worried Stuelke was going to go off after her first half. She was just blowing by Sara to the bucket and shooting layups untouched, cutting all over without so much as a bump.

I wouldn’t put not knowing how to post up on Sara though. That’s strictly on the past coaching staff for not trying to expand her game. She’s built like power forward. But they’ve had her on the perimeter her whole playing career. I wonder why she doesn’t seek out the middy either she found success with it last season.

 

[VolBall09]

I wouldn’t put not knowing how to post up on Sara though. That’s strictly on the past coaching staff for not trying to expand her game. She’s built like power forward. But they’ve had her on the perimeter her whole playing career. I wonder why she doesn’t seek out the middy either she found success with it last season.

Eh idk, seems to me she doesn’t like playing in there. Doesn’t like the physicality.

I also suspect she practices MUCH different than she plays based on comments from both Kim and Kellie. That’s tough when you’re seeing it in practice and it doesn’t translate to live play.

 

[stllvf]

different take - post game interview: I totally enjoy the responses of Coach Kim, to both Dumb questions and those otherwise. A four word answer to a question that took 30 seconds to be asked. When she has finishe answering a question - she has finished! Idle elaboration is not her style.

She would never make a good member of this board were elaboration of personal opinions is the expectation. (smile)

 

[glv98]

I wouldn’t put not knowing how to post up on Sara though. That’s strictly on the past coaching staff for not trying to expand her game. She’s built like power forward. But they’ve had her on the perimeter her whole playing career. I wonder why she doesn’t seek out the middy either she found success with it last season.

It's just not accurate to say the previous staff never used Sara in the post. Sara posted alot last year. I saw her practice w the post group a few times. I don't remember Sara ever having a middy game however. All been 3s or post.

different take - post game interview: I totally enjoy the responses of Coach Kim, to both Dumb questions and those otherwise. A four word answer to a question that took 30 seconds to be asked. When she has finishe answering a question - she has finished! Idle elaboration is not her style.

She would never make a good member of this board were elaboration of personal opinions is the expectation. (smile)

Man I love this about her. Absolute no BS, no nonsense, no performing She'll ruffle some feathers eventually bc boy is she direct. Seems like a person who doesn't suffer fools at all.

 

[Volfan2012]

Better ball handling teams will turnover less .
Some better shooting going to get more important as season goes on.

t
Totally true reason I am hoping for better shot selection now. I thought it was a lot better in the second half last night after some really poor thought out shots in the first half.

 

[glv98]

Definitely was. My biggest and most consistent gripe with Tess has ALWAYS been her defense and inability to keep players in front.

OK, you are allowed your revionist history. But you, like almost everyone, was also frequently frustrated w her inability to even get a shot off, much less hit one, against elite competition. Hopefully she'll prove us both wrong this season.

 

[VolBall09]

The Iowa forum really was funny yall should give it a browse. It’s like an alternate universe from our board.

They thought they got called for touch fouls all game, they loved Lucy’s smile we all wanted wiped off her face, and they said we’re thugs who are just athletic and awful at basketball about 15 times.

Then suddenly we closed the deal and they all shut up and started blaming Jan for her team not being ready for the press and having 30 turnovers. Lol

 

[Volfan2012]

different take - post game interview: I totally enjoy the responses of Coach Kim, to both Dumb questions and those otherwise. A four word answer to a question that took 30 seconds to be asked. When she has finishe answering a question - she has finished! Idle elaboration is not her style.

She would never make a good member of this board were elaboration of personal opinions is the expectation. (smile)

Reason her press conferences are six minutes long not the 12 plus that other coaches usually last. They ask her do you think the subbing will have to change as the season progresses. Kim answer no. That was it to that question in one of the press conferences.

 

[VolBall09]

OK, you are allowed your revionist history. But you, like almost everyone, was also frequently frustrated w her inability to even get a shot off, much less hit one, against elite competition. Hopefully she'll prove us both wrong this season.

Hitting them really hasn’t ever been her problem. Her release has historically been too slow and that is a big reason she was limited against better competition.

Which is what you like to point out.

It does seem improved, with this 5 out offense she is also getting better looks most of the time. Trying to run her off a screen and get her a look is never going to be the best way to get her a shot.

Has to come off a skip pass or in transition where she’s mostly wide open.

Spencer is a player we could screen for and get her some threes. She has a really quick release and she shoots a good percentage. She needs to take more out there and a couple others need to take less.

 

[lvocd]

Like someone else alluded to, we may or may not be seeing Kim's normal sideline behavior yet. For the sake of the baby, pregnant women typically try to remain as calm and stress-free as they possibly can.

So who knows? Once the babe is breathing on his own, we may see Caldwell breathing fire at officials! I doubt we will, but just sayin' we may or may not really see Kim until we're only seeing Kim and not Kim coaching for two.

 

[VolBall09]

Reason her press conferences are six minutes long not the 12 plus that other coaches usually last. They ask her do you think the subbing will have to change as the season progresses. Kim answer no. That was it to that question in one of the press conferences.

I loved when the dude asked her which coach she patterned her style after and she just ignored him lol. Said she learned it in college and HS. Ie her dad which I think is awesome. She isn’t being anyone’s ear about coaching. She’s coaching.

 

[VolBall09]

Like someone else alluded to, we may or may not be seeing Kim's normal sideline behavior yet. For the sake of the baby, pregnant women typically try to remain as calm and stress-free as they possibly can.

So who knows? Once the babe is breathing on his own, we may see Caldwell breathing fire at officials! I doubt we will, but just sayin' we may or may not really see Kim until we're only seeing Kim and not Kim coaching for two.

I have wondered that too lol. Trying to keep that BP in check

I am getting a little nervous about how that’s going to play out. If the baby comes in January she will miss a game at least. There are just too many too close and she won’t be able to travel within hours of giving birth.

I still have a sense she won’t be missing much though. Just that type of person, she’ll be there asap and Justin and her mom will be there to help her.

If she is not on the sideline I wouldn’t be surprised if we lose that game or two. Her team definitely responds to her. Not sure who would take the active coaching role. I suspect it would be Jenna.

 

[mudcat1973]

Yeah the three of them need to get together and hit the gym if 2-3 of them can shoot decent every night we are a different team. So far we are getting 1-3 most games.

Tess had more force turnovers than her miss shots.
Kim rewarding Tess with minutes in crunh time.
Is way off from some posters saying the new coach wouldn't have to keep Tess.
I know some posters without looking.
Not calling names.

 

[Volfan2012]

Like someone else alluded to, we may or may not be seeing Kim's normal sideline behavior yet. For the sake of the baby, pregnant women typically try to remain as calm and stress-free as they possibly can.

So who knows? Once the babe is breathing on his own, we may see Caldwell breathing fire at officials! I doubt we will, but just sayin' we may or may not really see Kim until we're only seeing Kim and not Kim coaching for two.

I thought she was giving it to them really good in the Florida State game. Going up and down the side line yelling out things at them and her arms in the air. I don't think she was asking them how their family was doing. She was more subdued last night for sure, but it might have been that long trip bet it is tough on a pregnant woman.

 

[Volfan2012]

Tess had more force turnovers than her miss shots.
Kim rewarding Tess with minutes in crunh time.
Is way off from some posters saying the new coach wouldn't have to keep Tess.
I know some posters without looking.
Not calling names.

Her stealing that inbounds pass and laying it over her head was huge as was that dagger three from the corner. She let the air out of the arena and Iowa when she nailed that one.

 

[Volfan2012]

Definitely was. My biggest and most consistent gripe with Tess has ALWAYS been her defense and inability to keep players in front.

Definitely needs the right matchup and those Iowa girls were exactly the kind of defensive matchups she can handle. Florida State was huge trouble for her never going to be that quick just needs to right matchup plays solid defense for her foot speed just can't handle the super quick player.

 

[knoxvol52]

Coaches can get their point made by calmly talking to officials instead of going into a tirade or screaming at them.

 

[lvocd]

(On Sara)
She has always been streaky but I’m worried this year. Her shot looks so different and not in a good way. She is letting her poor offense affect her defense.

Ya know, I kinda wonder if it's the other way around, that her difficulty staying with the person she's defending, or being slow over on help defense, is what is affecting her offense. Remember, those are the things that go up in the whiteboard as dings on effort. I'm sure she reads and hears a lot about how her lack of foot speed, too, so she may be sensitive about missed defensive coverage and dwelling on THAT too much.

But yeah, I definitely agree her shot mechanics are different this season and, so far at least, haven't worked as well for her. Hope she does start up soon!

 

[Volfan2012]

Coaches can get their point made by calmly talking to officials instead of going into a tirade or screaming at them.

I don't think it works to be a screamer don't see any proof that Refs call game any different.
I've seen her in Refs ear and in the players ear. I've seen her question their calls sometimes with a serious face and other times with a smile.

 

[knoxvol52]

7/29 from 3 point range for 24.1%
Out rebounded 48-33
Won turnover battle only giving up 9 while taking it away 30 times


Poor shooting from 3 and out rebounded by 15 boards and still won by 10 points. This team has the "It" factor and spew extreme confidence no matter what the situation is in the game.

 

[lvocd]

Her stealing that inbounds pass and laying it over her head was huge as was that dagger three from the corner. She let the air out of the arena and Iowa when she nailed that one.

Agreed! That was a crucial moment. Huge sequence!

 

[Volfan2012]

Who is the head coach if Kim is out? Is it the coach she brought from Marshall? I was thinking she might be the backup not for sure.

 

[VolBall09]

Who is the head coach if Kim is out? Is it the coach she brought from Marshall? I was thinking she might be the backup not for sure.

I do think Jenna Burdette is next in line. She’s the one who knows the system and expectations best outside of Kim.

 

[Volfan2012]

7/29 from 3 point range for 24.1%
Out rebounded 48-33
Won turnover battle only giving up 9 while taking it away 30 times


Poor shooting from 3 and out rebounded by 15 boards and still won by 10 points. This team has the "It" factor and spew extreme confidence no matter what the situation is in the game.

Yes my confidence in this team grows by the game. I went into games last year with very low confidence almost expecting to lose certain games. With this team I am confident we can beat anybody we play. Were going to beat a top ten team going to put a huge game together. It is coming I honestly believe someone is going down this season that were not supposed to beat.