Game Thread: Kentucky at Lady Vols: Sun Jan 7, 12 p.m.; SEC Network,,,,Win 87-69

[VolFuture]

It's good we make halftime adjustments because we have to: We play a decent opponent and almost always fall behind.

The real question is how did we fall behind--by 17, apparently--to such a bad basketball team. Kentucky lost to Austin Pea, lost to NC State by
30, lost to Colorado by 43 points, lost to Cincinnati by 24 points (scoring 41), lost to Minnesota by 19 points. The Cats did manage to beat BC and Arkansas.

Clearly, our second half defense was the difference.

They came off a huge win. It carried over. We overcame and overpowered

 

[creekdipper]

I have it on good authority that the team is just messing around in the first halves in order to bring out the Sillies. Then they turn it on in the second half and can't wait to get back to the locker room to read the comments and laugh.

 

[glv98]

What a wild roller coaster game. Loved the comeback, hated the first half. Obviously if we play like the first half against good teams we won't be able to come back. I certainly never intended to work as hard as I had to today.

Great crowd for a change, alot of fun. Glad it wasn't an embarrassing loss for them. Come back Thursday.

You have to start w TK. I still can't get over the turnaround in her, but the trajectory is up, up, up. So great for her and the team. Those monster blocks on Petty def changed the game. Rim protection is a part of our D again, thank you dear lil Jesus baby.

Sara and Strip just couldn't get it done today, but I thought Jill played very well. Jewel had the breakout we've waited for, espec key in 2nd qtr when no one else could score. Darn if Tess didn't have a very nice game today as well. Her buckets were key and it seems like she and Rickea have a good on court connection.

I've often joked that Rickea could score double digits in her sleep, and apparently she did exactly that today. She blames herself, and Benadryl. She pats her chest and says "Sorry ya'll" and then tells press later to never take benadryl before a game. That would explain alot, bc that may have been the ugliest 27 pt game I've ever seen, esp in the first half. She is just an effing incredible scorer when the chips are down though.

Gotta love Kaiya's quip. She played well today as well as JP. Same ole theme, too many t,o,s, but otherwise good pg play.

All that said, these LVs may be the worst dumb passing team in the history of the game. Sure makes it challenging.

 

[Majors]

I have seen plenty of huge players in women's and men's basketball that play very poorly, even on defense. So it is an insult to Key and Kellie that it in 100% about height.

Key is who she is because of her height. Pretty straight forward. God given and can’t coach height. If you find that insulting, you’re looking to be insulted. Her height regardless of games you saw prior was a saving grace today. Reminder PG don’t get 300 block game games before the game.

And today it was great to have. If you’re insulted by that, I can’t help you. It was huge in protecting rim while they made their run.

 

[madtownvol]

It's good we make halftime adjustments because we have to: We play a decent opponent and almost always fall behind.

The real question is how did we fall behind--by 17, apparently--to such a bad basketball team. Kentucky lost to Austin Pea, lost to NC State by
30, lost to Colorado by 43 points, lost to Cincinnati by 24 points (scoring 41), lost to Minnesota by 19 points. The Cats did manage to beat BC and Arkansas.

Clearly, our second half defense was the difference.

In the end, the LVs won by 18 (a dominating score). We had a blow out game against a less than great opponent.

How did we fall behind? KY may not be a good team but they have some good players, Petty and Scheer, and they are a fast, athletic team and that does create some match-up problems for the LVs

KY came out and maximized those assets; they got Tennessee sped up and they made 3pt shots in 2nd quarter at a way, way, way above their average %.

But, the LVs melted that lead quickly once they started boxing out with more force and cutting down on TOs.

Interestingly enough, Rickea ended her presser by saying, "never take a benadryl before a game" suggesting that she was feeling a little slow and sluggish from her allergy meds.

[She really should switch to Claritin, which does not cause drowsiness]

 

[Lucy]

I never read this thread until the game is over! When LVs come alive you can absolutely predict which posters will be bailing.
One shout out to Major who no matter how well the LVs play and how big they win will keep posting insults to Kellie and saying a win doesn’t matter if we were favored to win!
This thought is not specific to Kellie just coaches in general. You practice all week, team looks good, you start you AA candidate and four other highly ranked, athletic players. The ball is tipped and the team absolutely spits the bit. The team playing looks nothing like the team you have seen for months. Do those coaches sit there and think “I could have been an architect, a pilot…..”

 

[Majors]

I never read this thread until the game is over! When LVs come alive you can absolutely predict which posters will be bailing.
One shout out to Major who no matter how well the LVs play and how big they win will keep posting insults to Kellie and saying a win doesn’t matter if we were favored to win!
This thought is not specific to Kellie just coaches in general. You practice all week, team looks good, you start you AA candidate and four other highly ranked, athletic players. The ball is tipped and the team absolutely spits the bit. The team playing looks nothing like the team you have seen for months. Do those coaches sit there and think “I could have been an architect, a pilot…..”

Appreciate it! Thought I was blocked good to know you still look. Again, nice game by RJ and Key. Goes back to my saying, win the games you’re supposed to win.

 

[glv98]

At this point, Hollingshead’s value to this team is little more than just spelling Striplin and Key. She’s become wallpape

Couldn't disagree more. Jill had a really nice game today when Strip was uncharacteristically ineffective.

Key is who she is because of her height. Pretty straight forward. Reason why they can two things…God given and can’t coach height. If you find that insulting, you’re looking to be insulting. Her height regardless of games you saw prior was a saving grace today. Reminder PG dong get 300 block game games before the game.

This is almost too silly to argue with, and wtf does that last sentence mean anyway? Only Kellie Harper's great patience and caring have made it possible for TK to be on the floor at all. Alot of coaches would have given up months ago when progress appeared to be zero. Harper stuck with TK, but not to the detirment of the team. found minutes where she could. I think alot of TK's barrier was mental and KJH worked through that beautifully. And look where we are now. Can't coach size, but you can coach hearts and minds. Exactly like the Jordan Horston struggle, KJH has been heroic w TK and is finally getting rewarded.

[She really should switch to Claritin, which does not cause drowsiness]

RJ obviously has allergy probs, I remember it this time last year. But you'd think she'd have a go to by now. Wonder what caused her to try something new pre game today. Pretty sure a look at the first quarter film will keep her from ever doing that again. Still though, 27 through the fog? Amazing.

 

[glv98]

The ball is tipped and the team absolutely spits the bit. The team playing looks nothing like the team you have seen for months. Do those coaches sit there and think “I could have been an architect, a pilot…..”

I think that's the hardest part of coaching. Making sure they're focused, sharp, and ready. Also that the game plan you've drilled into them is implemented. Seems like whether they're ready out of the gate is a total crap shoot, at least for KJH.

If the get go ain't good, the next step is halftime adjustments and in spite of what some say, the staff has won that segment bigly lately.

 

[madtownvol]

I never read this thread until the game is over! When LVs come alive you can absolutely predict which posters will be bailing.
One shout out to Major who no matter how well the LVs play and how big they win will keep posting insults to Kellie and saying a win doesn’t matter if we were favored to win!
This thought is not specific to Kellie just coaches in general. You practice all week, team looks good, you start you AA candidate and four other highly ranked, athletic players. The ball is tipped and the team absolutely spits the bit. The team playing looks nothing like the team you have seen for months. Do those coaches sit there and think “I could have been an architect, a pilot…..”

During that bad stretch, I actually imagined Kellie thinking "I use to play with Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamika Catchings"....

 

[madtownvol]

I think that's the hardest part of coaching. Making sure they're focused, sharp, and ready. Also that the game plan you've drilled into them is implemented. Seems like whether they're ready out of the gate is a total crap shoot, at least for KJH.

If the get go ain't good, the next step is halftime adjustments and in spite of what some say, the staff has won that segment bigly lately.

I just heard that Kellie has just hired a new assistant coach whose sole job is keeping players away from pre-game antihistamines.

 

[glv98]

During that bad stretch, I actually imagined Kellie thinking "I use to play with Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamika Catchings"....

. . . and Kyra Elzy and Niya Butts. So great to see Kellie have long hugs with them today. Kyra is a total class act, I will always think so much of her.

 

[madtownvol]

. . . and Kyra Elzy and Niya Butts. So great to see Kellie have long hugs with them today. Kyra is a total class act, I will always think so much of her.

I want Kyra to succeed at KY, except when she plays us. She has my permission to upset LSU and SC.

 

[madtownvol]

I never read this thread until the game is over! When LVs come alive you can absolutely predict which posters will be bailing.
One shout out to Major who no matter how well the LVs play and how big they win will keep posting insults to Kellie and saying a win doesn’t matter if we were favored to win!
This thought is not specific to Kellie just coaches in general. You practice all week, team looks good, you start you AA candidate and four other highly ranked, athletic players. The ball is tipped and the team absolutely spits the bit. The team playing looks nothing like the team you have seen for months. Do those coaches sit there and think “I could have been an architect, a pilot…..”

"Coach Lucy," I don't think the negavols are actually bailing when the LVs turn the game around. I think they can no longer post because they have pounded their keyboards to dust in frustration.

 

[glv98]

I want Kyra to succeed at KY, except when she plays us. She has my permission to upset LSU and SC.

Kyra was very much an early Kaiya Wynn. The absolute lock down perimeter defender on the glory day natty teams, but offensively challenged to put it mildly. Knew the assignment, did it well. Was a teammate of Kellie I believe all 4 yrs.

 

[Lucy]

I just heard that Kellie has just hired a new assistant coach whose sole job is keeping players away from pre-game antihistamines.

Kinda of like the “get back” coach in football!

 

[KTrain]

Six blocks and she shut that post player down to where she didn't even want to try a shot.

Yep, even when she didn't block, UK players where altering their shots, and none were falling. The intimidation was definitely there in the 2nd half.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Key is who she is because of her height. Pretty straight forward. God given and can’t coach height. If you find that insulting, you’re looking to be insulted. Her height regardless of games you saw prior was a saving grace today. Reminder PG don’t get 300 block game games before the game.

And today it was great to have. If you’re insulted by that, I can’t help you. It was huge in protecting rim while they made their run.

If height is the only factor in blocking shots,,,,then Jillian is really 5'9"
Key - 19 blocks in 132 minutes
Jill - 6 blocks in 298 minutes
work on that theory boss

 

[Golfteacher]

The Lady Vols came out of the gate soft but they put it all together in the second half. Key is playing her butt off protecting the rim.

 

[Majors]

If height is the only factor in blocking shots,,,,then Jillian is really 5'9"
Key - 19 blocks in 132 minutes
Jill - 6 blocks in 298 minutes
work on that theory boss

Jillian is a backup for a reason as a JR.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Jillian is a backup for a reason as a JR.

she's still 6'5"
so she should be blocking 41 shots if height is the only factor
Key blocks one every 7 minutes

 

[Majors]

she's still 6'5"
so she should be blocking 41 shots if height is the only factor
Key blocks one every 7 minutes

Not all God given talent is equal.

“Key is who she is because of her height. Pretty straight forward. God given and can’t coach height.” Don’t need you going Madtown a twisting it. She doesn’t go out on the wing and play, she doesn’t shoot from 15 feet, she doesn’t set picks and go to the basket. Her defense is her game and today it was huge.

 

[Volinnooga]

Had a long winded preacher today. When Church was over the Lady Vol’s were way down. For me it’s God, Family, Country then Lady Vol’s. Nice comeback today. Happy for a nice win today. As always go Lady Vol’s.

You must be the good luck charm. Way down until you arrived. Start listening early this week!,

 

[glv98]

she Key) doesn’t set picks and go to the basket.

Yes she does. Can't always catch the pass but she does screen and roll

she doesn’t shoot from 15 feet,

She doesn't do it enough, but she can. She has a very nice jumper. And use to be a good free throw shooter.

Baby steps man. A month ago I thought it was unethical to play her. Now she's giving quality mins in meaningful games as a top notch rim protector. Filling one of the biggest needs of this defensively challenged team.

If TK stays on current trajectory, she'll be contributing more offensively by tourney time.

 

[Volinnooga]

I agree. Don’t know what Sarah Puckett adds at this point. Starting Tess is better. Starting Wynn may be a lot better. What does a player need to do to dislodge Puckett from the starting lineup? Maybe she has a little more fire if she’s not handed the starting spot.

swapping 5 for 5 at the media timeout in the first quarter is a head scratcher.

Starting any group but your top 5 against any opponent, Maybe 4 if it really helps the second unit, is a big head scratcher.

Not adjusting your lineup for best matchups against your opponent is questionable as well.

The game has gone to faster, quicker, more explosive players 1-4 and maybe even 5. Even Kyra Elzy seems to have gone to this model. Cuz that’s what wins. With Key coming along LVs are gonna need their very best perimeter defenders to get over screens to not expose Key’s mobility. They showed it today to some extent. KY was trying to expose Key in the pick and roll game, but the right support was in the game with her. Cmon Kelly, figure it out.

Thanks , Coach. How’s your team doing this year?