Game Thread: Lady Vols at No. 4/3 LSU; 7PM; ESPN2

[youcancallmeAl]

Jackson and Horston's turnovers in fourth quarter may have settled the game. Those players wanted the ball fed to them on the low block. Our primary ballhandlers were not big enough to see over LSU defenders forcing Jackson and Horston to try and get to the block on the dribble. Need to reassess that tactic.

Excellent observation. They have to come out high just to get the ball, then try to dribble drive through three defenders. Not good. Maybe have a taller player come out to receive a pass at the periemter and throw it in to one of them on the block

We still struggle with player movement and ball movement. Some of that( I think) is because our smallish point guards struggle with making passes to the wing hince to much dribbling.

Too much dribbling is right. It cost us dearly in this game. Kellie needs to incorporate crisp passing in her offense and de-emphasize dribbling. Just watch the men's team.

If I was CKH, I would hire an offensive analyst to assist with our offense. Coach Staley's first National Championship was won with the former head coach of Vanderbilt sitting behind the bench advising on offensive sets.

I think it would be a good idea for AD White to hire a retired successful coach to analyze the entire program from head to toe and make recommendations for changes. He/she could critique Kellie's offensive and defensive approaches. It looks to me like Kellie is going to need a lot of help to remain the HC of the LV's. I'm sure he doesn't want to fire any coach, much less one that is a LV legend. He needs to bring in mucho support to avoid that.

Yours was a very thoughtful post.

 

[LUVMESUMVOL]

? LSU was throwing the ball over the press.

Not at first they made the adjustment and started throwing over the press

 

[tonyc]

The fouls were crazy. When LSU comes to Tenn you will kill them. No Contest

 

[volmanNC]

If we get a stacked team through the portal.

Dream on!

 

[JordyG]

The fouls were crazy. When LSU comes to Tenn you will kill them. No Contest

You know how I feel @tonyc. This LV team matched up well offensively and defensively against this LSU team and should have won. If this LV team had just one more shooter that was consistent from the arc they would have won. It certainly would have opened up the driving lanes. No question. But an offense that just stands around trying to create off the dribble, then tosses up prayers and hoping for rebounds doesn't win in the SEC anymore. This LV team though will beat them at UT, no doubt.

 

[Memvol44]

Agree, these girls came to play tonight.Left everything on the court.Kellie had them ready. Neutral court we win this game. The free throw discrepancy was concerning. I do wish Kellie had a bit of Kim in her.

 

[Peas29]

I feel there’s a combination of things that need changing including the fanbase in a sense. The young ladies that are beating us are some of the same players a lot of y’all say y’all don’t won’t here at UT. The game’s personality has changed. You need young ladies that fear nothing once they step out on the court and won’t be pushed around. Some may like to use the term ghetto or thug but however you look at it we need some of those players. Just because that’s their mentality on the court it doesn’t mean it’s the same off the court. Shooters, shooters, shooters is all we hear on this board but what does it matter if they can’t get the shot off. I’m sorry to be the one to break it to some of y’all but the days of wanting ladies in a southern sense on the court are over. Something is going on in the weight room as well because our lady Vols are too easily knocked off course. That being said I still believe we can make a late run if everything falls into place. As a whole the program and fanbase included has to come off this snobbish mindset when it comes to recruiting.

 

[Memvol44]

I’m not giving up on our team, because they would be wrong, but I want our team to understand if you can’t win these games now, it only makes it harder to winning the game later.

Where was the poor coaching? Kellie had these girls ready to play!

 

[glv98]

I feel there’s a combination of things that need changing including the fanbase in a sense. The young ladies that are beating us are some of the same players a lot of y’all say y’all don’t won’t here at UT. The game’s personality has changed. You need young ladies that fear nothing once they step out on the court and won’t be pushed around. Some may like to use the term ghetto or thug but however you look at it we need some of those players. Just because that’s their mentality on the court it doesn’t mean it’s the same off the court. Shooters, shooters, shooters is all we hear on this board but what does it matter if they can’t get the shot off. I’m sorry to be the one to break it to some of y’all but the days of wanting ladies in a southern sense on the court are over. Something is going on in the weight room as well because our lady Vols are too easily knocked off course. That being said I still believe we can make a late run if everything falls into place. As a whole the program and fanbase included has to come off this snobbish mindset when it comes to recruiting.

Nah, you can be a really good player and not tongue lick, taunt, priss and gloat. You see Rickea Jackson tonight? Or Jordan Walker?

Also, no one should use the term ghetto or thug bc those are just trigger terms and have less than nothing to do with how any individual chooses to act on the court.

 

[Voltopia]

All of this wailing and gnashing of teeth. Things are what they are. This team has a month to improve. Let's hope they improve. They need 4 more wins to be a sure thing for the NCAA tournament, though five would be better. If they do that, a rematch with LSU in the SEC tournament could be in the cards. I for one hope they get another shot at ESPN's precious "Bayou Barbie."

And again, about a month ago, this is where it looked like Tennessee would be. If they go 5-1, they'll be at 21-9 going into the SECT. Let's hope they take care of that business and put themselves in a position for that rematch.

 

[th2421]

All of this wailing and gnashing of teeth. Things are what they are. This team has a month to improve. Let's hope they improve. They need 4 more wins to be a sure thing for the NCAA tournament, though five would be better. If they do that, a rematch with LSU in the SEC tournament could be in the cards. I for one hope they get another shot at ESPN's precious "Bayou Barbie."

And again, about a month ago, this is where it looked like Tennessee would be. If they go 5-1, they'll be at 21-9 going into the SECT. Let's hope they take care of that business and put themselves in a position for that rematch.

Exactly. And with this loss, we actually moved back up two spots to #12 in Her Hoop Stats ratings.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Exactly. And with this loss, we actually moved back up two spots to #12 in Her Hoop Stats ratings.

No positives from this game at all, we loss and that’s all that matters

 

[glv98]

Exactly. And with this loss, we actually moved back up two spots to #12 in Her Hoop Stats ratings.

No positives from this game at all, we loss and that’s all that matters

Ok, someone call Her Hoop Stats and tell them to move us down.

 

[madtownvol]

Frustrating loss. Neither team shot well (both at 40%) but LSU had huge separation at the FT line 23 for 31 versus 6 for 12. Point 1, 50% is not cutting it. What happened to operation FT? Second that disparity seems insane when both teams were driving to the paint a lot.

But Jordan Walker having 19 and Rickea having a decent night, the stage was set but Jordan just did not getting it going until the game was basically done. Too many empty possessions that as everyone has noted, had too much dribbling and not enough spacing or ball movement.

The LVs also won in the 3pt shoot category, making 8 to LSU's 3. A lot of factors pointed to this be a winnable game.

Against Uconn, I felt like we were ultimately facing a better team. Here, the LVs can match-up but got rattled in stretches and just missed shots in the clutch.

The team made some good adjustments from Uconn so I don't think this game is a disaster by any means but they also let a winnable game (albeit on the road where the officials seemed to be influenced by the crowd) slip away.

 

[madtownvol]

I just feel relieved. We really needed this to be at least competitive, and there for a minute, I thought we could actually win. Impressed that they came out focused, not intimidated by the crowd, in fact took the big crowd right out of it the first half. Good game plan on (She's No)Angel. I thought there was great effort throughout. Also great glasswork first half.

Jillian should have played much more! I'm very encouraged by her progress.

Poor Jordy. The girl with the curl. Just an average game fm her and we probably win. What surprised me most is she only got 3 rebounds. Can't remember the last time she got that few. But fortunately a career night from Walker made up alot of the slack and kudos to JW. I'm sure she'd rather it had happened with a win, but she was awesome.

Really glad to see RJ have such a nice game, and in spite of the late t.o.s she really did. Sort of took over for awhile. 17 pts on 8-14 shooting, 8 rebs, 5 assists and a block in 37 mins. However, she has made about 6 straight t.o.s on that spin move we all know is coming by now. I think she's starting way too deep on that, and starting out too slow. I'd like to see her make quick sharp cuts more, also use the pull up more. I did like that they brought her deeper late in the game to post up. Overall, it's great to have RJ back in the starting lineup and playing this much, she seems more in a rythmn. And I'm sure ahe's licking her chops for another romp thru the lesser SEC. By March, she should be primed and ready to go.

We have to win out in the SEC, except SC of course. We'll see LSU again in the SEC semis. I'll actually look forward to that.

Oh and, I'm really glad we're so much classier than LSU. They do truly reflect their coach.

Agree with everything you say. The obvious point and I am sure the staff is working on this, is finding some ways to get Rickea in motion and running off screens. Her dribbling around the top of the key is not playing to her strengths, If she gets blocked or stripped going to the rim, hey, nice play defense, we will get ya next time. But every scouting report has to be get her dribbling on the perimeter because that is where defenses attack her. Ball handling is her kryptonite. If she gets the ball in space where she make a quick move, then it is basically count it before the ball leaves her hand.

For this team to win big games, they need just about what they got tonight. Someone else to step up with Rickea, like Walker did, and have solid games from role players like Jillian H and Jaz Franklin. The missing piece was Jordy not putting up a 20 point effort. We have a three cylinder vehicle- Rickea, Jordan, and everyone else. We need a game where all are firing. But no options left npw but to steam roll the rest of the SEC and give Dawn and company a big surprise. Upsets happen and the LVs are due for one.

 

[volnationnj]

If we get a stacked team through the portal.

Pre-season, fans were saying this team was stacked. #5

 

[volnationnj]

Hollingshead with only 18 minutes played. I know she picked up a couple of early fouls but her playing time has to be maximized.

 

[DSunAthletics]

After reflecting on the game, the outcome is not what I expected but it’s not a stepback. People want more wins and the team certainly shouldn’t be content with coming up short in big games. Truth is Puckett, Striplin, Darby, Hollingshead, Pissott, and Powell need to face this kind of competition to get better. I will play anybody anywhere with Rickea Jackson and Jordan Horston. The team around them needs to change and only way that happens is by playing championship caliber teams. You know exactly what you’re going to get from Jordan Walker and Jasmine Franklin.. two veterans that have that dawg mentality. The rest of the core is still developing with three sophomores and a freshman in the center/forward rotation, so there’s been growing pains against strong competition. Striplin will be able to hold her own eventually in this league. Puckett and Darby are a big reason this isn’t a three game losing streak following big shots made on the road against Missouri with Horston out. It may not look the way some want it to at this time. Hollingshead is as versatile as they come and a star in the making. The time to shine is near.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

The last two games our 2 PGs have created too many turnovers by dribbling deep into the paint. They don't pass out they try to score over 2-3 players a foot taller. WHY!!!! If you go back and watch the Uconn game you'll see this happened a lot at key moments killing momentum .

I e been saying that all year, they never pass the ball in the paint, Hollimgshead does the same thing when she gets the ball, if she gets double teamed she still tries to force the shot up, just watch and see.

 

[LadyVol1908]

So I literally just had a thought…..why doesn’t Kellie ever put Horston on the opposing teams best scorer?

Like why not put one of your better on ball defenders on Morris this game? maybe I missed something during the game after I stopped watching.

 

[Cb153181]

So I literally just had a thought…..why doesn’t Kellie ever put Horston on the opposing teams best scorer?

Like why not put one of your better on ball defenders on Morris this game? maybe I missed something during the game after I stopped watching.

because she can’t coach it’s plain and simple as of today.

She still starts Karo knowing Jillian is better, she has a problem with starting her best players at the beginning and trusting them. We continue to get beat by good teams who only go about 6 deep.

Kellie thinks all this subbing and mediocre starters will wear teams down, and that isn’t the case. We are having to rely on our non starters to come in and play catch up. She doesn’t use our players to their strength.

Morris was on fire today and if you’re a good coach you go with Horston on her bc Falujae wasn’t doing much. If you don’t go with Horston you gota bring Kayia in to defend her.

She should’ve let Horston run the point and had Kayia on the wing to take her defender off the dribble and then pass off once the defense collapsed. Once again Kellie doesn’t play to the strength of the team.

Tess. Sara and Karo can’t be in the lineup together against these athletic teams, for the life of me I don’t get why Kellie can’t seem to understand this.

 

[Coach Jumper]

,,,Spending some time practicing fundamentals, especially including ball control, would greatly serve this team, in my humble opinion.

Jim

So would calling a timeout earlier on a 11-0 4th qtr run,,,in my not so humble opinion

If we get a stacked team through the portal.

We have a stacked team this year,,,remember, pre-season #5

,,,However, we played well enough to win. Walker played the best game of her career. Proud of her. Powell needs more confidence and reps. Wish she was a bit taller but that's unfair to her. She plays extremely hard....

Walker is 2" taller than Morris...it isn't about height. Both Walker and Morris proved this tonight. Both had stellar games...its about decision making.

3 timeouts in our pocket, 4th QTR, 2 pt game and we let an 11-0 run happen...Makes a winnable game unwinnable

 

[LasVegasBill23]

Excellent observation. They have to come out high just to get the ball, then try to dribble drive through three defenders. Not good. Maybe have a taller player come out to receive a pass at the periemter and throw it in to one of them on the block


Too much dribbling is right. It cost us dearly in this game. Kellie needs to incorporate crisp passing in her offense and de-emphasize dribbling. Just watch the men's team.


I think it would be a good idea for AD White to hire a retired successful coach to analyze the entire program from head to toe and make recommendations for changes. He/she could critique Kellie's offensive and defensive approaches. It looks to me like Kellie is going to need a lot of help to remain the HC of the LV's. I'm sure he doesn't want to fire any coach, much less one that is a LV legend. He needs to bring in mucho support to avoid that.

Yours was a very thoughtful post.

God knows we need to have an improved offense

CKH doing ok job i think

 

[Rons1989]

LSU NEEDED EVERYONE OF THOSE 31 FROM ALEXIS MORRIS

 

[Volfan2012]

For LSU six players played 188 minutes that is what it has to look like to win these games. We want everybody to get their eight to ten minutes and this is usually when we get hurt the most. Again it was defense 76 is to many points. We could play six or seven players and have a better shot at winning these games. Any team can figure what matchup to exploit when a team plays man to man defense we have our weak players in it that get to play a lot. We would be a really good team if we had better point guards or guards in general.