Game Thread : Lady Vols @ Arkansas, Thurs. 7PM; SEC Network win 87-66
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If we get past LSU in the SEC tournament, we are a number 3 or 4 seed, playing at home the first to games of the NCAA. The focus should be on playing well against S.C. Net has a lot to do with scores when you are home and away. Tonight, we should have increased our net ranking with a big double digit win against another projected NCAA tournament team.
True but like everything this time of the season ,it's a trade off. Much as I love watching every second of Rickea play, I thought 33 mins might be a little much for her in a 20 pt win. She seems tireless, but I'd hate to wear out those gazelle legs.
So this is how it was supposed to look all season with Kea and Jordy. Really special and fun to watch. IMO Kea is easily the best offensive player we've had since Candace. Really impressed that even tho Arky clogged up the middle, Kea and Jordy's versitility afforded them plenty of opportunity to score.
Tess, Walker and Powell all with good, steady games. Good for Powell, boy she needed that. Jill struggled, but she'll be ok. Dang I wish we could get Sara going!
KJH emphasized in post game radio interview that no one has decided anything about going or staying and participating in Sr day does not indicate anything different. Glad to hear.
Combined w second half against Vandy, this was probably our best little stretch of the season. Roll on!
LV renaissance
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A tough early season schedule is only a good thing if it helps make your team a better, stronger team. If
you lose to all the good teams you play and then get beaten in the 2nd round of the NCAA, then the scheduling
doesn't mean diddly. It's just talk. At the end of the day all that matters if whether you are a good team or not come
the NCAA tourney--whether you are a contender or a pretender. It's why all the carping Vol fans have done about UConn's
easy conference and easy scheduling over the years has been nonsense. Why? Because easy schedule or not, they almost always have a very
good team that's in the Final Four and in the hunt for a national title. That's all that matters.
you lose to all the good teams you play and then get beaten in the 2nd round of the NCAA, then the scheduling
doesn't mean diddly. It's just talk. At the end of the day all that matters if whether you are a good team or not come
the NCAA tourney--whether you are a contender or a pretender. It's why all the carping Vol fans have done about UConn's
easy conference and easy scheduling over the years has been nonsense. Why? Because easy schedule or not, they almost always have a very
good team that's in the Final Four and in the hunt for a national title. That's all that matters.
LUVMESUMVOL
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Volstylexx
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I don't see a four-seed within the realm of possibility for this team (unless they beat SC and then end up making the SEC tournament final). Our net ranking at 18 and SOS 1 is high, but too many other teams ahead of us on the seed line have the quality wins and metrics. A 10-loss team isn't ending up on the 4 lines, and as other posters have commented - our path is much easier as a 6/7 than a 4/5 or 8/9 (Creme said tonight TN was much closer to an 8 seed than to a 6). Pending a collapse over the last 3 and SECT, we will likely avoid the 8/9 seed and a 2nd-round matchup with a 1 seed.
That was a good win. The Offense looked a lot better. There was movement and there were backdoor cuts. They (someone other than Darby) were hitting the 3 early. That made Arkansas weary of the 3 so Rickea and Jordan could go to work. I'd love to see Puckett, Franklin, and Striplin get double digits consistently because it would make this team dangerous. To make a deep run in the tournament we need at least 4 consistent players scoring double digits as both Horston and Jackson will possibly get around 20 or so each. I saw in the Vanderbilt game they average 33 points together. Now we just need consistent guard play and to cut down on turnovers and needless fouls. At one point in the Vandy game they mentioned 15 points off turnovers cut them down and we will have a good chance.
Coach Jumper
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And if Rickea played for Connecticut???? They all play 35-38 minutes per game and consistently make it to a final four. Rickea is an elite athlete. She could probably go 60 minutes and be ok. She looked pretty good at 45 minutes at Mississippi State last week. Seems like half the people on this board think we should be playing 3 on 3 half court so we don't tire our girls out. Got it
LOL
madtownvol
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Rickea is 21 or 22 yrs old and had a lot of rest earlier in the season, so I am not too worried about her wearing down. Kellie is managing Jordan's minutes a bit more which I think may reflect that Jordan, no offense to Rickea, she puts out more effort because of her responsibilities as de facto point guard/ creator, rebounding force, defensive stopper, slash and drive scorer, one women full court press, concession sales manager, court maintenance, and a few others I have forgotten.
Double-doubles X 2 is a good formula for success. We have not had that many games where both of them are basically "on." Definitely fun to watch. Important that Rickea is starting to hit some 3s.
And yes, a really good showing from Powell. Her second very solid game in the last few weeks. also really good to see. On a related note, I loved the pass Wynn made to Franklin on the interior--perhaps a future PG audition?
A pretty good shooting night for the team overall. Hitting some earlier threes, after some initial forced interior plays, opened things up nicely. The Lvs crushed Ark on the boards (59-25). Can't complain about this kind of performance, particularly on the road.
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Solid win tonight. I didn't expect the Lady Vols to basically run Arkansas off the court -- especially given how they've played since the UConn game (and most of the season).
You really have to take it one game at a time with this group in hopes that things just might come together. Having Jackson and Horston gives me a glimmer of hope.
You really have to take it one game at a time with this group in hopes that things just might come together. Having Jackson and Horston gives me a glimmer of hope.
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LasVegasBill23
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And if Rickea played for Connecticut???? They all play 35-38 minutes per game and consistently make it to a final four. Rickea is an elite athlete. She could probably go 60 minutes and be ok. She looked pretty good at 45 minutes at Mississippi State last week. Seems like half the people on this board think we should be playing 3 on 3 half court so we don't tire our girls out. Got it
Nah, not wishing for 3 on 3, just want to protect our jewel. Every extra minute risks injury, as well as worn out legs. But the other me wants to have RJ on the court for every second of the few games we have left with her.
Re managing Jordy's mins, last night I thought KJH had a very good coaching moment when she took her out on the first rotation and not bc of fatigue. BC Jordy had started out a bit out of control, forcing, a few quick t.o.s. Came back much more settled and had a great game. JH has to be managed on court much more than RJ. Her emotions are always right on edge, which is both a gift and a problem.
Re effort, IMO RJ has played harder and much better D lately, upright stance not withstanding (pun intended). I still think her smoothness and cool often gets mistaken for lack of effort.
Poor KJH, having to earn her millions. Of her two stars, one needs extra management oncourt, one off court.
Ole Mike blowing smoke about our schedule due to a complete arse whippin. I still say the schedule was way too much, could have eased off a little and our post season outlook would be much better. Plus I'm mad that it cost me two extra games at home!I want to hear what Mike Neighbors has to say. That should be interesting
Could ya'll hear our postgame pressor? Just me? I could hear the questions but it was like KJH and the players' mics weren't on.
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I agree with those who think Jackson and others played too many minutes in a blow-out game. It's not about whether she and others can play
33 minutes or whatever the number, of course they can. It's why are you not giving your subs more minutes with a 20-point lead? We're way ahead in the 4th quarter and Pissot plays...2 minutes? Wynn and Miles, one or two minutes. Puckett: 10 mins. I thought Hollingshead was playing well enough to be getting more minutes, but in the last two games her minutes have been low. It was nice to see Powell get good PT and play well, but Harper's rotation/minutes are always in flux.
33 minutes or whatever the number, of course they can. It's why are you not giving your subs more minutes with a 20-point lead? We're way ahead in the 4th quarter and Pissot plays...2 minutes? Wynn and Miles, one or two minutes. Puckett: 10 mins. I thought Hollingshead was playing well enough to be getting more minutes, but in the last two games her minutes have been low. It was nice to see Powell get good PT and play well, but Harper's rotation/minutes are always in flux.
LadyVol1908
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Coach Jumper
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VIDEO: Neighbors Following Loss to TennesseeI want to hear what Mike Neighbors has to say. That should be interesting
His mic was marginally better, could hear a little. He downplayed the whuppin on the glass, pointed out they only got five less shots just couldn't hit them. Said that was only partially due to our D. Then turned around and said our rebounding was totally deflating to them. He totally pushed RJ toward the W, said W folks ask him about her and he says YES take her please she's totally transferable to the league. He said they didn't quit, the default silver lining after a butt kicking. Thought their crowd of 3300 was "great", yikes. When we're dissing LV crowds we should keep this in mind. He left out that quite a few of those were LV fans (go 1908!), as noted on the tv broadcast. About halfway thru he turned attention towards their next game w GA and their chances on the bubble w several other SEC teams.
Rooster1
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