Game Thread: Lady Vols at Miss St; 7PM; SEC network

[37620VOL]

I said early on this season that I do not want to make a decision on CKH until the end of the season. But I am at the point where I want to watch Duke finish their season, especially the games they have coming up on 2/16 and 2/23. I hope they are televised somewhere.

 

[MsSportsGuy]

Creekdipper, I seldom disagree with you but I think the "quickness" rationale just does not hold up. When we have Walker, Jackson, Hollingshead on the court, relative to their positions, that is plenty of quicks. Kellie plays Powell and Walker together a lot as well (I don't like that line-up but they should be able to press defensively). When we had Wynn on the court, albeit briefly not much changed. Sure Tess and Karo and Sara are not going to win many sprint battles but teams like Indiana, Ohio State, Iowa, and even Stanford have players in their line-up that are far from being "fast twitch" monsters. They seem to find ways to defend.

The LV's defensive positioning, rotations, court awareness, and anticipation are not very good. Key literally erased a lot of these problems last season. Our defense is as spotty as our offense. They can play well in stretches but can't sustain the intensity and focus over an entire game.

I think some of the players you mentioned are decently quick but there isn't a high level of team quickness overall. Yes in a foot race some of those players would be fine but that isn't the same as being quick with a basketball or being able to make quick shifts in position on the defensive end or move without the basketball.

Agreed that the team can play defense well for periods but can't sustain it for 40 minutes. Key did hide a lot of those issues last year with her anticipation and length.

 

[Lurker]

I think she threw it where the play was designed. State saw it coming a mile away, and yes, she should have faked the pass to RJ and kicked to SP for the wide-open 3. That was a huge inflection point in the game.

That's exactly what I thought at the time. The "play" was to RJ, covered completely or not.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

We need better ball handlers and passers. We need better shooters that work to get open and can score. We need more talented players inside. We need a lesson in fundamentals. We are a soft and passive team. It is frustrating that over the last 10 years we aren’t doing a very good job of recruiting enough of the type of players it takes to win nor are we coaching them up. It is just the cold hard truth.

 

[37620VOL]

That's exactly what I thought at the time. The "play" was to RJ, covered completely or not.

I do agree with you, but a 6th year senior should be able to adapt to what the defense is forcing you to do.

 

[Lurker]

No argument here. It was so obvious that Puckett was amazingly uncovered and wide open and it was also so obvious that she never gave a thought to going anywhere other than Jackson.

 

[Majors]

I think watching what happens with the asst. coaches will be telling. As you know, a HC gets a one time shot at blaming asst. coaches for a bad season and replacing them, but if we see asst. coaches leaving on their own after this season, that could be telling that they think the HC's days may be numbered and bailing early.

Agree, it’ll be interesting to see how it shakes out….it’s interesting in that Jon doesn’t report to Kellie and isn’t going anywhere if she is retained. But could have 1-3 new asst coaches on staff next year. And under those coaches know it’s not ideal coming into this situation.

 

[creekdipper]

Creekdipper, I seldom disagree with you but I think the "quickness" rationale just does not hold up. When we have Walker, Jackson, Hollingshead on the court, relative to their positions, that is plenty of quicks. Kellie plays Powell and Walker together a lot as well (I don't like that line-up but they should be able to press defensively). When we had Wynn on the court, albeit briefly not much changed. Sure Tess and Karo and Sara are not going to win many sprint battles but teams like Indiana, Ohio State, Iowa, and even Stanford have players in their line-up that are far from being "fast twitch" monsters. They seem to find ways to defend.

The LV's defensive positioning, rotations, court awareness, and anticipation are not very good. Key literally erased a lot of these problems last season. Our defense is as spotty as our offense. They can play well in stretches but can't sustain the intensity and focus over an entire game.

I'm at least partially convinced by your asessment. Excellent points.

 

[madtownvol]

I'm at least partially convinced by your asessment. Excellent points.

Thanks. I forgot to mention Horston in my list of quick players but you knew that.

 

[Voluble2]

I think watching what happens with the asst. coaches will be telling. As you know, a HC gets a one time shot at blaming asst. coaches for a bad season and replacing them, but if we see asst. coaches leaving on their own after this season, that could be telling that they think the HC's days may be numbered and bailing early.

She already reshuffled her assistants, ostensibly to improve recruiting.

Her results are consistent no matter who is on her staff. But I agree that bailing could be a sign. The problem with that is that we are paying the assistants more than they could make elsewhere so they will be less willing to make a move than they otherwise would be.

 

[Jax_Vol]

Has anyone heard....how is Jordy's shoulder?

That looked extremely painful.

 

[lfvol]

We lack athletes outside of JH and RJ….less talented but more athletic teams will expose our weakness/lack of quickness.

I’d add Hollingshead.

 

[lfvol]

I’d expect an overhaul on the assistants either taking jobs elsewhere to get out in front or relieved of duties.

Maybe but the two outside assistants were previously highly regarded. Them leaving is a bad sign.

 

[creekdipper]

You holding out that we are closer to those teams I mentioned, although we don’t have a win against any of them? Quoting facts and all.

Yes, I am. Which of those mid-major teams have scheduled at least six teams that are either currently or were previously ranked in the Top Ten (and Top Six) plus multiple other ranked teams...and would stand any reasonable chance of winning more than one of them? Yes, we were overrated, but we also were victims of terrible timing (Horston out against Indiana; Jackson, Frankin, & Hollingshed out against Va. Tech; Key playing with blood clots, etc.). And, yes, other teams have had to deal with injuries, too, including when they played us.

But the point is that many of our losses were close, very winnable games...one to eight point games, the latter often padded by late free throws. Contending that mid-major teams would have played similar highly competitive games simply isn't supported by any data. We can acknowledge that we javen't come through and have choked in some tight games, but that's a far cry from getting blown out in those games. And weak as the SEC may be this year, it's still a far sight better than mid-major conferences.

It just seems that posters are using hyperbole and contradictory statements to emphasize their narrative. Take Jordy, for instance. The same posters who disparage and insult her for "erratic" play also tout her as a top draft pick when it suits their narrative of disparaging Kellie and her staff. It"s the familar tactic of throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks.

 

[Volfan2012]

The game had a lot of interesting moments. Purcell doing his best Geno moment when he was having three people hold him back as he seemingly was acting like he was going to attack a Ref. Walker not even seeing a wide open Puckett just a couple feet away instead throwing it up to a triple teamed Jackson. We had three or four chances to just make one more free throw to win the game. When Hayes made a three I knew we were doomed a 20 percent three point shooter. Defense wins games you want to win you find a way to get stops we have not been able to do that in way to many games this season.

 

[Majors]

I’d add Hollingshed.

I’d agree with what she’s done the last few weeks.

 

[Majors]

Maybe but the two outside assistants were previously highly regarded. Them leaving is a bad sign.

Those would be the ones to watch for moving on before having to move out.

 

[Aladywhovolunteer]

I saw that too. Puckett was about 4 feet from Walker in he corner behind the three point line, with no defender between them, and no defender on Puckett. I don't know if Walker missed seeing her, or just was determined to get it inside, but when she threw it into a crowd of players and turned it over, I yelled at the TV in frustration.

Agree totally. I also spoke loudly at the TV. Four different players touched the ball and none of them were wearing blue. Have seen it in other games where Darby and Pucket run to their spot and jump up and down and clap for the ball. They are usually ignored. And in most cases rightfully so. Jackson is the best player on our team and it's not close. I thought last night though ...would have been a good chance to let Pucket prove her self but there is a trust issue. If Pucket doesn't shoot the ball quickly, I always brace for the obvious turnover that is coming.

Hollingshead had an excellent game last night. Happy for her. Walker is going to be sorely missed. Yes, She had a difficult turnover night but got her money's worth on the intentional foul. May have been flagrant F1. Not intentional. But Hayes missed both and superwoman Jackson sole the inbounds pass. Just incredible.

Horston is an enigma to me. Tries so hard some nights she is the best player on both teams. However, when you are in a rock fight, pocket passes the length of the court usually decide the game one way or the other. Last night was not our night.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

She already reshuffled her assistants, ostensibly to improve recruiting.

Her results are consistent no matter who is on her staff. But I agree that bailing could be a sign. The problem with that is that we are paying the assistants more than they could make elsewhere so they will be less willing to make a move than they otherwise would be.

I forgot about that, so she may have used that one time excuse that HC's use.

 

[Nute Gunray]

Mississippi State grad/fan and also long time LVs supporter.......I didn't actually watch but have seen UT play other games this year.
I too was optimistic about Harper's hire and also the team this year. Rickea Jackson and Jordan Horston are terrific players. I'm glad RJ is doing well at UT. I think it was best for both she and MSU to move on and wished her no ill will.

The LVs are slow. They've been slow dating back to Pat's teams and there isn't much coaching that makes a player faster. Footwork and defense can be improved but only to a point. The LVs also struggle with outside shooting. The current crop of players aren't bad but none of them have offered consistent outside shooting that can accomodate when the defense packs in the paint.

This really is the first game where the LVs lost to a significantly less talented and generally less capable team. While Gonzaga and UCLA aren't exactly world beaters there is no shame in losing to UConn, OSU, Indiana, VT, or even LSU in Baton Rouge coached by one of the best in the game. The schedule was too loaded to start the year but what's done is done.

What can be done now is to drop the stubborness about the rotations and playing time. Your starters are Walker, Horston, Darby, Jackson and Hollingshed. Pucket, Powell and Franklin can come in during short bursts for relief. Your defense is zone. This team isn't able to play man to man against almost anyone. Success for this year will now be winning as many as possible, winning at least one game in the SEC tournament, and making it to weekend 2. if possible. Nothing else matters.

Worry about next year when this is over. There is still time to end on a good note.

Your post is accurate, MsSportGuy. However, Kellie lacks the coaching skills and acumen to implement this starting lineup and stay with this ineup with limited substitutions. This is why she cannot compete with Staley and Mulkey.

 

[madtownvol]

Today, Creme updated his bracket. Surprisingly, he still has Tennessee at a 7 seed despite the loss and projected to play 2nd seed Maryland in the 2nd round.

 

[Jax_Vol]

Today, Creme updated his bracket. Surprisingly, he still has Tennessee at a 7 seed despite the loss and projected to play 2nd seed Maryland in the 2nd round.

If Jordy is semi-healthy, I would not want to be Maryland.

 

[Majors]

Yes, I am. Which of those mid-major teams have scheduled at least six teams that are either currently or were previously ranked in the Top Ten (and Top Six) plus multiple other ranked teams...and would stand any reasonable chance of winning more than one of them? Yes, we were overrated, but we also were victims of terrible timing (Horston out against Indiana; Jackson, Frankin, & Hollingshed out against Va. Tech; Key playing with blood clots, etc.). And, yes, other teams have had to deal with injuries, too, including when they played us.

But the point is that many of our losses were close, very winnable games...one to eight point games, the latter often padded by late free throws. Contending that mid-major teams would have played similar highly competitive games simply isn't supported by any data. We can acknowledge that we javen't come through and have choked in some tight games, but that's a far cry from getting blown out in those games. And weak as the SEC may be this year, it's still a far sight better than mid-major conferences.

It just seems that posters are using hyperbole and contradictory statements to emphasize their narrative. Take Jordy, for instance. The same posters who disparage and insult her for "erratic" play also tout her as a top draft pick when it suits their narrative of disparaging Kellie and her staff. It"s the familar tactic of throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks.

Shows the value of having RJ and JH on the same team. Those two erase a lot of our team deficiencies and that’s where Darth and I have stated we are closer to a mid-major team than we are those we are chasing.

 

[VolBalls33]

That's just not true. We're #20 in the NET, Belmont is #92. We're #13 in Her Hoop Stats ratings, Belmont is #76. Our RPI is #22, Belmont is #86. We lost to LSU and Stanford, both on the road, by a combined 15 points.

We beat Chattanooga by 30, Belmont beat them by 2. We beat Georgia by 13, Belmont lost to Georgia by 11.

This is Belmonts worst season in maybe a decade. The last 5 years they were a top 40 team.

 

[Coach Jumper]

That's exactly what I thought at the time. The "play" was to RJ, covered completely or not.

Jackson is 6' 2 and he is 5' 6 I believe you can throw it over somebody that Tall