Game Thread Lady Vols at West Virginia

[PG1]

Beating up on an undersized and underskilled Furman team will provide minimal preparation for Texas, unless Furman happens to have a highly skilled and athletic 6'2/6'5 post combination along with athletic guards.

Be careful we have lots of fans who believe beating Pellissippi St every chance you get is a good thing for team chemistry.

 

[glv98]

Be careful we have lots of fans who believe beating Pellissippi St every chance you get is a good thing for team chemistry.

Each to their own opinion, but I don't think a game like this in a season where games are hard to come by is a crime against humanity. Especially so early in the season for a young team who haven't played together much. There's always the argument over what kind of game experience vs practice time is most beneficial. Hey I'm just happy for another chance to see them play.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

I don't know WNBA draft like you guys do, but is there a degree to which scouts expect an inconsistent Lady Vol player to be an underdevoloped gem waiting to be polished? Maybe its potential they're looking at.

yup THIS

 

[Amb3096]

Still, to my eye, most of our losses over the last several years appear to have boiled down to some of our scorers having been frustrated because we are, as a team, a quarter- to a half-step slower than opposing guards and forwards. Even a teeny bit less foot-speed can make a world of difference to opponents who have quick, swarming defenses that disrupt our flow.

So, IMO, that’s at the core of why Tennessee lost today. Not lack of desire, or lack of energy, or lack of good coaching. Our players were discombobulated because they were frustrated, and that type of frustration snowballs. I can never be angry over a loss when I think another team was just quicker than ours. It just is what it is.

Furman up next, then Texas, and I’m looking forward to both! GO LADY VOLS!

The tall guard has it's disadvantages...but the advantages should outweigh any bad with the right player: ability to shoot over or post up smaller players, rebounding, shot blocking and closing off passing lanes. Not to mention these were top 10 6'0+ guards going up against lower ranked players. The problem is that they aren't using their strengths to their advantage.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Each to their own opinion, but I don't think a game like this in a season where games are hard to come by is a crime against humanity. Especially so early in the season for a young team who haven't played together much. There's always the argument over what kind of game experience vs practice time is most beneficial. Hey I'm just happy for another chance to see them play.

I am enjoying every game because any minute of any day the whole LV program can be shutdown with one positive test im just thankful they are healthy and we get to watch them play.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

This board after a loss is somethin else.... guys its okay the sky isnt falling.

 

[Amb3096]

This board after a loss is somethin else.... guys its okay the sky isnt falling.

I remember the days when Tennessee would lose to a top 15 team, and the sky would be falling on the forum. Or when they wouldn't be a top 2 seed in the NCAAT. Then it was lowered to getting a double bye in the SECT or hosting the first two rounds in the NCAAT. Then it was winning one game in the NCAAT. Unfortunately, I think it's a reality for the program these days that losing to a bubble tournament team in OT has become the new program standard for success.

 

[glv98]

I remember the days when Tennessee would lose to a top 15 team, and the sky would be falling on the forum. Or when they wouldn't be a top 2 seed in the NCAAT. Then it was lowered to getting a double bye in the SECT or hosting the first two rounds in the NCAAT. Then it was winning one game in the NCAAT. Unfortunately, I think it's a reality for the program these days that losing to a bubble tournament team in OT has become the new program standard for success.

Right. We been fairly lousy for a long time so our standards are indeed lowered. The good ole days, heady as they were, were barely in the lifetime of these players. Haven't sniffed a deep tourney run in ages, much less an FF. You accurately and painfully trace the inevitable sad path to lowered expectations.

But have you had a recent bout of amnesia? We knew all this coming in to the season. Beating a decent team on the road is still a hill we haven't climbed. Not happy about it, but yes, that's where we are.

But I still think its too early to give up on any improvement whatsoever for the whole season.

 

[drawing dead]

SEC vs Big 12

6 & 1

 

[VolFuture2k22]

All this game proved to me is that the players aren’t fully bought in to Kellie’s system... and neither are the LV fans. Kellie likes playing 10-12 players and have everyone contribute. It’s apparent to me that most fans here don’t believe in a system like that.

I think Kellie is having a coaching dilemma with the current team. On one hand she wants to implement her system and have everyone contribute, starter or not, and on the other hand she realizes the girls she currently has weren’t recruited for a system like that.

Whichever she chooses though, the players MUST BUY IN because right now I believe the Lady Vols biggest flaw is a bad attitude and lack of competitiveness when they do get their minutes (Most likely caused by said dilemma above).

 

[Darth_Vol]

But have you had a recent bout of amnesia? We knew all this coming in to the season. Beating a decent team on the road is still a hill we haven't climbed. Not happy about it, but yes, that's where we are.

Last year was last year, I think coming into this season the expectation (hope) was to start winning games like today...

 

[glv98]

I believe the Lady Vols biggest flaw is a bad attitude and lack of competitiveness when they do get their minutes (Most likely caused by said dilemma above).

Totally disagree. I have seen absolutely nothing in the first 3 games that indicates bad attitude. I thought they fought hard throughout the game today, certainly did not see a lack of competitiveness.

Its so interesting to me how often sloppy play is attributed to willful bad behavior - bad attitude, low IQ, laziness, lack of desire, etc. Its why so many people seem to think players can be punished out of errant play. I wonder why we do this?

 

[VolBalls33]

I only listened to the game as I was working, and was excited listening to the comeback in the 4th quarter. Then the last 1:20 happened. Also down 6 in OT a few possessions late and we are shooting jumpers? Just from that alone, just overall low IQ basketball.

I am not sure how someone 6'6 gets 2 shots all game, regardless of just playing 18 minutes due to foul trouble.

When is the last time the Lady Vols have had a solid 3 point shooting squad? And mentions of Rennie as if she will ever play more than 5 min pg all year. It's not to be mean or rude, but she just isn't a power 5 school basketball player. Can't wait for those futute recruits to finally get to Knoxville. We need some outside shooters!!

As bad as Davis played and the team shooting 2 of 19 from 3, the team still could have won the game. Sitting here watching this Texas Texas AM game, Texas honestly doesn't look very good. Win or lose I will continue to support my Lady Vols!!

 

[gule]

Well, it did take WVU overtime, the home floor and the worst game of RD career to gain their first ever win over the LVs.

 

[glv98]

Last year was last year, I think coming into this season the expectation (hope) was to start winning games like today...

Oh definitely. I thought going in this was actually a huge tone-setting game for KJH. And it was so damn gettable. But once again, couldn't get there. Got close, couldn't eek it out. So at any point fans can say it ain't gonna happen this year and bail, I'm just not at that point with this team yet. Need a few more blows with a blunt instrument I guess.

 

[drawing dead]

All this game proved to me is that the players aren’t fully bought in to Kellie’s system... and neither are the LV fans. Kellie likes playing 10-12 players and have everyone contribute. It’s apparent to me that most fans here don’t believe in a system like that.

I think Kellie is having a coaching dilemma with the current team. On one hand she wants to implement her system and have everyone contribute, starter or not, and on the other hand she realizes the girls she currently has weren’t recruited for a system like that.

Whichever she chooses though, the players MUST BUY IN because right now I believe the Lady Vols biggest flaw is a bad attitude and lack of competitiveness when they do get their minutes (Most likely caused by said dilemma above).

LV fans would approve of playing 10-12 players and have everyone contribute...

If we had 10-12 that could and still win.
But unfortunately we don’t. It is really that simple.

 

[glv98]

LV fans would approve of playing 10-12 players and have everyone contribute...

If we had 10-12 that could and still win.
But unfortunately we don’t. It is really that simple.

Exactly. Your 10 player rotation is only as good as your 10th player. And must be deployed situationally and strategically given the current flow of the game. So no, I won't like a platoon-like rotation just because its time to sub. Until, of course, that system gets us back to glory, then I'll learn to love it quickly I'm sure.

 

[VolFuture2k22]

LV fans would approve of playing 10-12 players and have everyone contribute...

If we had 10-12 that could and still win.
But unfortunately we don’t. It is really that simple.

But how do you justify that as a head coach who built their winning career on that philosophy. Tbh most LV fans laugh at “unranked non-talented” all the time... yet we still lose to them. Missouri State would whip this LV team

 

[madtownvol]

Right. We been fairly lousy for a long time so our standards are indeed lowered. The good ole days, heady as they were, were barely in the lifetime of these players. Haven't sniffed a deep tourney run in ages, much less an FF. You accurately and painfully trace the inevitable sad path to lowered expectations.

But have you had a recent bout of amnesia? We knew all this coming in to the season. Beating a decent team on the road is still a hill we haven't climbed. Not happy about it, but yes, that's where we are.

But I still think its too early to give up on any improvement whatsoever for the whole season.

Given the weird nature of this season, I am not quite ready to see this loss as a continuation of that pattern. (Not seeing the game, I a definitive disadvantage here) but the box score suggest that this game had some anomalous qualities. Like Rennia not scoring in double digits for the first since anyone human being can remember (and shooting 4 for 19). And 2 for 19 as a team from outside. And Kellie said that Rennia was getting great looks. So, in a close game, a few more open shots and we are having a different conversation. And the LVs had 24 offensive rebounds to WV;'s 10. That stat alone would normally indicate a winning performance. From I gather from Kellie's interview, the team put together a lot of consecutive defensive stops but followed those with missed shots.

Kellie praised the team for their competitiveness so it does not seem that effort was a problem.

So, maybe the sky is not completely falling but just a few low hanging clouds making things look a bit gloomier than they actually are.

 

[Bballnut1952]

All this game proved to me is that the players aren’t fully bought in to Kellie’s system... and neither are the LV fans. Kellie likes playing 10-12 players and have everyone contribute. It’s apparent to me that most fans here don’t believe in a system like that.

I think Kellie is having a coaching dilemma with the current team. On one hand she wants to implement her system and have everyone contribute, starter or not, and on the other hand she realizes the girls she currently has weren’t recruited for a system like that.

Whichever she chooses though, the players MUST BUY IN because right now I believe the Lady Vols biggest flaw is a bad attitude and lack of competitiveness when they do get their minutes (Most likely caused by said dilemma above).

You make a good point on how Coach Harper distributes the minutes. She has almost always had 10-12 players with double digit minutes. The problem is that except for her great NCAA tourney run before coming to Tennessee her system really doesn't create success for her teams.

 

[Bballnut1952]

Well, it did take WVU overtime, the home floor and the worst game of RD career to gain their first ever win over the LVs.

Does that make you feel better about the loss?

 

[glv98]

You make a good point on how Coach Harper distributes the minutes. She has almost always had 10-12 players with double digit minutes. The problem is that except for her great NCAA tourney run before coming to Tennessee her system really doesn't create success for her teams.

LOL oh yeah one other thing about my "system", it actually doesn't work very well!

 

[VolFuture2k22]

You make a good point on how Coach Harper distributes the minutes. She has almost always had 10-12 players with double digit minutes. The problem is that except for her great NCAA tourney run before coming to Tennessee her system really doesn't create success for her teams.

But that run is what got her the job and started the BEAST that is Missouri State so... also those “other” jobs were literally the start of her career so I don’t get that criticism

 

[VolFuture2k22]

Exactly. Your 10 player rotation is only as good as your 10th player. And must be deployed situationally and strategically given the current flow of the game. So no, I won't like a platoon-like rotation just because its time to sub. Until, of course, that system gets us back to glory, then I'll learn to love it quickly I'm sure.

Lol we just got beat by 8 girls as “bad” as our 10th man

 

[glv98]

Lol we just got beat by 8 girls as “bad” as our 10th man

Totally disagree with that. I thought they were way better than the end of our bench! If not poor Emily could have played the whole game!