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

[th2421]

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

As bad as it was having Rickea out for almost all of the big non-conference games, it really benefits us that our SEC schedule seems to get progressively more difficult as Key continues to play her way back to her old self.

 

[creekdipper]

Speaking of hugs, Kellie had a nice moment with Brooklyn in the handshake line.

 

[WinnerCircle]

Kentucky didn’t have an answer for Jewel Spear. Nobody could defend Jewel.. when they put a PG on her it was a mismatch. When they put size on her it was a mismatch.
20 points on just 9 field goals is outstanding.
Her best days in a Vol uniform have yet to come… make not mistake this is an elite player.. former AAC leading scorer and 2x Team USA player.

 

[glv98]

One more thing on RIckea's very bad start, she took herself out of the game on defense as soon as she got one foul. Rickea never sacrifices time on the court or opportunities to score baskets for the sake of playing defense. Given her role on the team, it's not the worst decision in the world and it's also her instinct. She knew another foul meant the bench for the rest of the wretched half and she was in no way going to risk that. She backed off any contact immediatly.

I still blame the benadryl for the horrific passes.

 

[Majors]

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

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.

I’m happy where she’s at and happy for the kid . Without her 6 blocks we don’t win today. That run of blocks changed the complexity of the game.

 

[glv98]

If TK had any vertical at all, she'd be the most dominant D player in the country. She gets most of her blocks barely leaving the floor. Her timing on those is uncanny though.

 

[WinnerCircle]

Player of the Game IMO.
Lets GBO

 

[gule]

I’m happy where she’s at and happy for the kid . Without her 6 blocks we don’t win today. That run of blocks changed the complexity of the game.

complexion

 

[mudcat1973]

also a very nice crowd for a sunday at 12!!! also a good win infront of the 5 star recruit that was visiting this weekend.

Crowd was into the game. Speaks volumes fans see Tennessee improve play with Jackson and now Key getting h better shade. The fans at game are still coming doesn't matter what the Kellie got go crowd say on here are saying.

 

[glv98]

Crowd was into the game. Speaks volumes fans see Tennessee improve play with Jackson and now Key getting h better shade. The fans at game are still coming doesn't matter what the Kellie got go crowd say on here are saying.

Sunday crowds are always the best. But today was really good considering the crappy, cold, rainy weather and an early start that bumped heads w church. Really into the comeback in the second half.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Kentucky didn’t have an answer for Jewel Spear. Nobody could defender Jewel.. when they put a PG on her it was a mismatch. When they put size on her it was a mismatch.
20 points on just 9 field goals is outstanding.
Her best days in a Vol uniform have yet to come… make not mistake this is an elite player.. former AAC leading scorer and 2x Team USA player.

Just watched the rewatch and one thing jumped out at me
Kellie didn't sub without purpose this game.
SHe subbed when she needed to and let them stay when they needed to.

At 2:52 in Q2 we were down 45-28 (down 17)
With 26 seconds to go we were down 47-37 (down 10)
during thatspan we went on an 11-2 run at one point.
The reason this stands out,,,Kellie had RJ, Karo, Sara, Tamari,,sitting
On the court: Jazzy, Kaiya, Tess, Jillian and Jewel (scored 8 during this span)
Kallie let them maintain the run and it cut the deficit to 10

Good job coach!

 

[Dak1219]

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.

Tamari said huge pics and can hit the 15 ft jump shot from the free throw line and elbow area. We've seen her hit them consistently when she takes them she just doesn't take a lot of them.

 

[WinnerCircle]

Just watched the rewatch and one thing jumped out at me
Kellie didn't sub without purpose this game.
SHe subbed when she needed to and let them stay when they needed to.

At 2:52 in Q2 we were down 45-28 (down 17)
With 26 seconds to go we were down 47-37 (down 10)
during thatspan we went on an 11-2 run at one point.
The reason this stands out,,,Kellie had RJ, Karo, Sara, Tamari,,sitting
On the court: Jazzy, Kaiya, Tess, Jillian and Jewel (scored 8 during this span)
Kallie let them maintain the run and it cut the deficit to 10

Good job coach!

Good points made here Coach.
There were several plays made by Jewel Spear facilitating the offense in the half-court or fast break, getting steals and taking charges on defense that dictated the game in the 2nd quarter.
The three pointer to cut what was at one point a 15 point lead down to 10 by halftime was exactly what Jewel did for years at Wake night in and night out.
I said TN needed to use her differently because she’s not just a spot up shooter and the self-proclaimed experts on VN not you Coach, kept discrediting this observation.
But watch the film from today, they (the coaches) moved her to the top of the key and gave her space to create separation for a jumper, to drive to the basket, or make a pass.
Kentucky had no answer. Right before the half, she blew right by their best player for what should’ve been an and 1. The officials blew that call and some others but credit to the team for playing through adversity.
Before that, Jewel picked the pocket of one of their PGs and took it the length of the court and drew a hard foul.
All of this completely kept TN from trailing 15-20+ instead of down just 10 pts at halftime.

It’s time for people to put this made up idea (again not aimed at you Coach) that TN will go as far as Rickea Jackson takes them and that’s not a knock on RJ because she’s elite.

And so is Spear. Look at the player resume. 2x Team USA player.

Powell and TK (at full strength) are starters or rotation players for multiple other teams in the SEC not just TN.

Kaiya Wynn is good for this team. Exactly what they need and a missing piece to the puzzle. Jillian Hollingshead is not fully healthy. She’s showing grit. I respect players that give effort even when not playing their best.

Basketball is truly a team sport and it took some time to adjust which is expected for all these newcomers.

Jewel is not a #2 or #3 option by any means. If she’s on your team, and you already have a 1A, then Spear is 1B.

Tess, Karo, and Sara will all have their opportunities during this long season. Tess is playing inspired basketball. Hope she takes that COVID year.

 

[Golfteacher]

The Lady Vols have returned to being a team to be reckoned with. If they continue playing like they're capable of they could go very far this season.

Before they fully return as a team to be reckoned with they must play tough aggressive ball for 4 quarters. Not play lackluster for a quarter or two and then turn it on. They lead the SEC in turnovers per game, that has to be corrected especially against elite teams. We also need Hollingshed to step up as a rim protector when Key is not in the game. I believe that Striplin is best suited to play at the 4 as opposed to playing at the 5. I believe this would help her on both sides of the ball. We also need for Puckett to find her old self, essentially offensively. Some how KJH has to have her players ready to play for four full quarters.

 

[madtownvol]

Before they fully return as a team to be reckoned with they must play tough aggressive ball for 4 quarters. Not play lackluster for a quarter or two and then turn it on. They lead the SEC in turnovers per game, that has to be corrected especially against elite teams. We also need Hollingshed to step up as a rim protector when Key is not in the game. I believe that Striplin is best suited to play at the 4 as opposed to playing at the 5. I believe this would help her on both sides of the ball. We also need for Puckett to find her old self, essentially offensively. Some how KJH has to have her players ready to play for four full quarters.

Striplin and Hollingshead are both 4s being fit into the post box. It has been a recurring problem. If Key can get up to playing 25-30 minute pg, then the post problem is less of an issue.

Sara has been starting well, she got a few easy buckets today but she seems to get nervous and tight when the game is stressful. She seems to be one of the players that gets tunnel vision under duress and makes some inexplicable decisions. Work to be done there....

 

[VolBalls33]

Wish I got to watch the game live, was seeing red checking my phone in the first half. Impressive 2nd half, GLV!!

 

[37620VOL]

I'll just say this, I'm glad I knew the final score before I started watching these last 2 games.

 

[LVBGOTN]

Striplin and Hollingshead are both 4s being fit into the post box. It has been a recurring problem. If Key can get up to playing 25-30 minute pg, then the post problem is less of an issue.

Sara has been starting well, she got a few easy buckets today but she seems to get nervous and tight when the game is stressful. She seems to be one of the players that gets tunnel vision under duress and makes some inexplicable decisions. Work to be done there....

Very true about Sara. Looks like she was crying when she checked out when she threw that pass to the stands. Hopefully she finds the confidence she had at the beginning of the season, we need her.

 

[VolBall09]

Very true about Sara. Looks like she was crying when she checked out when she threw that pass to the stands. Hopefully she finds the confidence she had at the beginning of the season, we need her.

She is so in her head. She needs to see the bigger picture. Gets so caught up in her own mess if she is having a bad night that she’s totally out of sync with the team.

She was a -20 in the +/- stats today. Overthinking everything again on both ends of the floor. Her eyes were definitely glistening when Kellie took her out but she made a turnover and then a poor defensive play that led to a 3 point play and gave the lead back to Kentucky.

Super talented young woman, just needs to play basketball and take a deep breath. She’s going for perfection instead of positive. We don’t need her minutes to be perfect, we just need them to be positive.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

She is so in her head. She needs to see the bigger picture. Gets so caught up in her own mess if she is having a bad night that she’s totally out of synch with the team.

She was a -22 in the +/- stats today. Overthinking everything again on both ends of the floor. Her eyes were definitely glistening when Kellie took her out but she made a turnover and then a poor defensive play that led to a 3 point play and gave the lead back to Kentucky.

Super talented young woman, just needs to play basketball and take a deep breath. She’s going for perfection instead of positive. We don’t need her minutes to be perfect, we just need them to be positive.

Do the stats match?

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https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/utsports.com/documents/2024/1/7/14_-_UT_UK_WBB0107.PDF

 

[37620VOL]

Miles was -26. Gotta love it.

 

[mudcat1973]

Just watched the rewatch and one thing jumped out at me
Kellie didn't sub without purpose this game.
SHe subbed when she needed to and let them stay when they needed to.

At 2:52 in Q2 we were down 45-28 (down 17)
With 26 seconds to go we were down 47-37 (down 10)
during thatspan we went on an 11-2 run at one point.
The reason this stands out,,,Kellie had RJ, Karo, Sara, Tamari,,sitting
On the court: Jazzy, Kaiya, Tess, Jillian and Jewel (scored 8 during this span)
Kallie let them maintain the run and it cut the deficit to 10

Good job coach!

Didn't you listen to Kellie post Arbun Tigers game the player's who finished the game were playing going so they just rolled with it. Seems the. staff are getting a feel of which players play good together.

 

[mudcat1973]

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.

Kyra was a year later than Jollie and Holdsclaw. But having watch her in person some of their NCAA turment games on rocky top . Even Kyra calls Kellie KJ. So she maybe Harper now but most of the time .. I think on Kellie and her playing days it's Jollie first.that pops in my mind.

 

[mudcat1973]

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

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.

TK set a pick for Edia to score a basketball early in the season. Not the only one but it stands out. To many posters just watch or post about scoring rebounds-steals-blocks assists.

 

[mudcat1973]

Good points made here Coach.
There were several plays made by Jewel Spear facilitating the offense in the half-court or fast break, getting steals and taking charges on defense that dictated the game in the 2nd quarter.
The three pointer to cut what was at one point a 15 point lead down to 10 by halftime was exactly what Jewel did for years at Wake night in and night out.
I said TN needed to use her differently because she’s not just a spot up shooter and the self-proclaimed experts on VN not you Coach, kept discrediting this observation.
But watch the film from today, they (the coaches) moved her to the top of the key and gave her space to create separation for a jumper, to drive to the basket, or make a pass.
Kentucky had no answer. Right before the half, she blew right by their best player for what should’ve been an and 1. The officials blew that call and some others but credit to the team for playing through adversity.
Before that, Jewel picked the pocket of one of their PGs and took it the length of the court and draw a hard foul.
All of this completely kept TN from trailing 15-20+ instead of down just 10 pts at halftime.

It’s time for people to put this made up idea (again not aimed at you Coach) that TN will go as far as Rickea Jackson takes them and that’s not a knock on RJ because she’s elite.

And so is Spear. Look at the player resume. 2x Team USA player.

Powell and TK (at full strength) are starters or rotation players for multiple other teams in the SEC not just TN.

Kaiya Wynn is good for this team. Exactly what they need and a missing piece to the puzzle. Jillian Hollingshead is not fully healthy. She’s showing grit. I respect players that give effort even when not playing their best.

Basketball is truly a team sport and it took some time to adjust which is expected for all these newcomers.

Jewel is not a #2 or #3 option by any means. If she’s on your team, and you already have a 1A, then Spear is 1B.

Tess, Karo, and Sara will all have their opportunities during this long season. Tess is playing inspired basketball. Hope she takes that COVID year.

Tess has talked about taking it more than once.