Game Thread Lady Vols at West Virginia

[VolBall09]

Who is best suited to guard Martinez effectively?

Green with a guard dropping to double is our best option IMO. Got to have someone on her who can get up and down with her. She’s very mobile. Watching the first two games, Green does do an excellent job boxing out. While she didn’t actually grab that many rebounds she prevented the opposing forward from doing so. Creates space for Rennia/Marta etc to grab the rebound and go in transition.

 

[Volfan2012]

I think we will likely be bringing a double to Martinez in the halfcourt. We really don’t have anyone that can match her physicality 1 on 1. Their center is not as much of a scoring threat. Going to be really important to keep Martinez off the boards, she’s an excellent rebounder. Especially on the offensive end. Whoever Is assigned that mission #1 priority has to be boxing her out every time down the floor. Can really affect her offensive production if you keep her off the boards.

Not physically we have no one but I think she would struggle to shoot effectively against Key more than anyone else. She was throwing up plenty of wild shots around the basket in the game the other night but was getting the rebounds until she scored several times. I wouldn't call her a great shooter but she is definitely a physical player you just have to get position with hands up and hope she misses. The other girl that plays a post position missed two three easy layups in the game as well. You just need someone with length and height to guard Martinez.

 

[Volfan2012]

based on everything I read thus far everyone thinks we will lose to West Virginia....if we do manage to win would it look impressive for our NCAA resume?? What is West Virginia RPI??

They have one really excellent guard and Martinez inside. Other than those two the other players are competent but not really scary good. I think overall were the better team especially if we play our best five a lot more than we've been playing them. I expect to win the game. I would say W Va would probably be a middle of the league SEC team.

 

[Coach Jumper]

based on everything I read thus far everyone thinks we will lose to West Virginia....if we do manage to win would it look impressive for our NCAA resume?? What is West Virginia RPI??

Here is Massey's views:
Key

• Ch = change in ranking since previous update
• Rating = overall assessment of the team's performance to this point in the season
• Power = estimated team strength going forward (used to make predictions)
• Offense = ability to score points
• Defense = ability to prevent the opponent from scoring
• HA = estimated home advantage
• SchP = strength of schedule for games played so far
• SchF = strength of schedule for all games, including those currently scheduled
• E[W]-E[L] = expected wins and losses for remaining schedule

 

[djtee]

Not physically we have no one but I think she would struggle to shoot effectively against Key more than anyone else. She was throwing up plenty of wild shots around the basket in the game the other night but was getting the rebounds until she scored several times. I wouldn't call her a great shooter but she is definitely a physical player you just have to get position with hands up and hope she misses. The other girl that plays a post position missed two three easy layups in the game as well. You just need someone with length and height to guard Martinez.

I agree Martinez at 6-2 will have lot`s of problems shooting over Key

 

[Volfan2012]

I agree Martinez at 6-2 will have lot`s of problems shooting over Key

If she would just shoot like she has thus far we'd be ok. I think she is around 42 percent she is a terrific offensive rebounder. She was getting three shots on some possessions against North Alabama.

 

[Volfan2012]

Here is Massey's views:
Key

• Ch = change in ranking since previous update
• Rating = overall assessment of the team's performance to this point in the season
• Power = estimated team strength going forward (used to make predictions)
• Offense = ability to score points
• Defense = ability to prevent the opponent from scoring
• HA = estimated home advantage
• SchP = strength of schedule for games played so far
• SchF = strength of schedule for all games, including those currently scheduled
• E[W]-E[L] = expected wins and losses for remaining schedule

View attachment 328037

View attachment 328038

If we were playing up to our talent level like I believe we can think we could win by ten. I think we have the better players overall just have to prove it.

 

[Coach Jumper]

If we were playing up to our talent level like I believe we can think we could win by ten. I think we have the better players overall just have to prove it.

I am inclined to agree...if we coach to win going away we cold beat them by 15+,,,but if PT is the desire again, we win by 5 pts

 

[madtownvol]

The starting lineup for the 1st two games ....... Coach Harper said it would be the same for WV ....remains a mystery to me.I know ....I know ....I have not been at practices and I certainly am not the Coach .But ,it makes no sense to me unless Coach Harper is truly sending a message to the team to motivate them in practicing harder .Certainly if she starts the same lineup against Texas who has a 6'7" center and an overall tall team who has a new head coach who develops his " Bigs " like /better than any other women's coach in the country,the potential for a big loss is out there.Hopefully ,this lineup will prevail at WV.

This topic came up a lot last season. When a coach plays a platoon style, who starts matter less than who finishes.

It is possible that the coaching staff has decided at least for now, to treat Horston as last year's Burrell. The spark off the bench who has a little time to read the game and settle down before jumping into the action. That is not a bad idea to have some who can change a game coming off the bench.

Keyen Green is starting I presume because she is perceived as a team leader and is very experienced. Jordan Walker the same. Marta is mature beyond her years and seems very calm and poised. Starting Burrell and Davis needs no explanation.

It may be that Kellie is hoping that this opening line-up will start a game in the right way, playing with composure and defensive intensity. That has not quite worked out yet because of high TOs in the opening quarter. However, I am not sure anyone on the bench would be likely to greatly improve on that.

But to your concern, if Green gets overmatched, it easy enough to make a quick sub for KK or Key. The starting fives does not lock the LVs into a loss or a win. Green could start but 35 minutes of game time could go to KK or Key if they are getting the job done.

And as we saw with Rennia in the ETSU game, line-ups and player rotation plans can get quickly exploded by early foul calls.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Here is Massey's views:
Key

• Ch = change in ranking since previous update
• Rating = overall assessment of the team's performance to this point in the season
• Power = estimated team strength going forward (used to make predictions)
• Offense = ability to score points
• Defense = ability to prevent the opponent from scoring
• HA = estimated home advantage
• SchP = strength of schedule for games played so far
• SchF = strength of schedule for all games, including those currently scheduled
• E[W]-E[L] = expected wins and losses for remaining schedule

View attachment 328037

View attachment 328038

do you have a link to his website??

 

[VolBall09]

Not physically we have no one but I think she would struggle to shoot effectively against Key more than anyone else. She was throwing up plenty of wild shots around the basket in the game the other night but was getting the rebounds until she scored several times. I wouldn't call her a great shooter but she is definitely a physical player you just have to get position with hands up and hope she misses. The other girl that plays a post position missed two three easy layups in the game as well. You just need someone with length and height to guard Martinez.

Key is definitely our best interior defender. Everyone has a hard time shooting over her, which I love! Haha. I worry she may get in foul trouble with the style Martinez plays though.

 

[Volfan2012]

I am inclined to agree...if we coach to win going away we cold beat them by 15+,,,but if PT is the desire again, we win by 5 pts

They are not going to have a big crowd screaming at them so it should be about a neutral court. I feel confident that two or three players that have played a lot thus far won't play as much in this game.

 

[Volfan2012]

do you have a link to his website??

Massey Ratings - Sports Computer Ratings, Scores, and Analysis

 

[VolBall09]

They are not going to have a big crowd screaming at them so it should be about a neutral court. I feel confident that two or three players that have played a lot thus far won't play as much in this game.

eDIT: I lied I remember seeing an article today’s saying no fans in December for WV.

 

[Volfan2012]

Key is definitely our best interior defender. Everyone has a hard tome shooting over her, which I love! Haha. I worry she may get in foul trouble with the style Martinez plays though.

After she misses the first time we have to get it not let her get on the boards. They haven't been going that much inside in their first three games. I think they were going about 50 perimeter and 20 inside in the first three games. Hopefully they don't get 70 shots against us. I would like to see us play the type of floor game where they get about 55 shot attempts to our 70. That being with free throws being about equal.

 

[Coach Jumper]

do you have a link to his website??

sure do:
Massey Ratings - College Basketball Women's : NCAA D1 Ratings

 

[Coach Jumper]

eDIT: I lied I remember seeing an article today’s saying no fans in December for WV.

parents only

 

[PRG]

Green with a guard dropping to double is our best option IMO. Got to have someone on her who can get up and down with her. She’s very mobile. Watching the first two games, Green does do an excellent job boxing out. While she didn’t actually grab that many rebounds she prevented the opposing forward from doing so. Creates space for Rennia/Marta etc to grab the rebound and go in transition.

Interesting that we are discussing what to do with Esmery ! Why .... because in 2019 I brought up the lady playing down the road at Hamilton Heights ! But she was just a 3 * ranked player and we had no need for her !

Well Vic at Miss. State offered her and here she is at WV, and we are worried about how to stop this lowly player that no one wanted ?

 

[Darth_Vol]

When she starts winning against some of the better teams or even one of the better teams then I will shutup. Out of her 23 wins thus far we haven't really beat anyone that we should've lost to. I think she is a good coach seems to have us going in the right direction. I still don't agree with that lineup or the rotation. That is why she makes the big bucks cause maybe her plan will work still to be determined. Just scary to me and I may be wrong that she has confidence that Green or Suarez can go against Martinez I hope they can. You can't get in a big hole in this game won't be able to dig your way back at their place.

This, and if they get off to a slow start and dig themselves an early hole Kellie is opening herself up to a lot of second guessing. Early cupcakes like WKU and ETSU provide opportunities to tinker with the lineup, now it's time to get serious...

 

[Darth_Vol]

based on everything I read thus far everyone thinks we will lose to West Virginia....if we do manage to win would it look impressive for our NCAA resume?? What is West Virginia RPI??

I think looking at both rosters objectively, most would take Tennessee's. As I said before, it will come down to coaching. It would be a solid road win, and these are the games Kellie needs to start proving she can win...

 

[Volfan2012]

Interesting that we are discussing what to do with Esmery ! Why .... because in 2019 I brought up the lady playing down the road at Hamilton Heights ! But she was just a 3 * ranked player and we had no need for her !

Well Vic at Miss. State offered her and here she is at WV, and we are worried about how to stop this lowly player that no one wanted ?

Forget the stars a player with a high motor like hers is worth a scholarship. I wish all our players played with her intensity. She gets after it on the court and I think that is her biggest asset overall. She is so physically active that if you don't have someone to match her intensity she will work you over.

 

[Volfan2012]

This, and if they get off to a slow start and dig themselves an early hole Kellie is opening herself up to a lot of second guessing. Early cupcakes like WKU and ETSU provide opportunities to tinker with the lineup, now it's time to get serious...

I totally agree with this excellent post.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Lady Vols hit the road for SEC/Big 12 Challenge

 

[PRG]

Forget the stars a player with a high motor like hers is worth a scholarship. I wish all our players played with her intensity. She gets after it on the court and I think that is her biggest asset overall. She is so physically active that if you don't have someone to match her intensity she will work you over.

That was one of my main points ...... Vic Shafer did not count her stars !!!! Just saw a good player with effort and a heart with a will to win ! JMO

 

[Coach Jumper]

This, and if they get off to a slow start and dig themselves an early hole Kellie is opening herself up to a lot of second guessing. Early cupcakes like WKU and ETSU provide opportunities to tinker with the lineup, now it's time to get serious...

I totally agree with this excellent post.

Me too...but I consider the source and say that this is an anomaly and will be exception,,the not the rule