Game Thread Lady Vols at Wichita State

[Amb3096]

I agree it's not inherently bad, but the systemic part of the problem is that she's running an offense that she has players that aren't suited for it. A two post offense works best when you have a strong perimeter game. The perimeter game may well yet show up. We'll see.

I think even running a 4 guard, 1 post lineup wouldn't change anything. Assuming Diamond is playing high post, that still leaves three players on the court that have been dead weight on offense so far. At least with the two posts, you have an extra scorer on the court.

Reynolds, Carter, Cooper, Middleton and Jackson need to step up their games in a big way for Tennessee to have any chance to salvage this season.

 

[LVJeff]

I think even running a 4 guard, 1 post lineup wouldn't change anything...

It's already been run several times in a game and you are right. Nothing much different.

 

[clkou]

The crux of the problems IMO is that they need the best 5 players who won't turn the ball over WITH an offense that fosters movement, picks, spreading the floor, good passing, and taking good shots.

Unfortunately what I think we will continue to get is the same offense we've had for the last 4 years where they take their time bringing the ball up, they HAND the ball to their next player - I played for several different coaches and offenses and never had an offense where you dribble to a player and hand them the ball. That creates no space and no opportunity to score and slows you down even more. I also next to never see it for any other competent program that I can recall. That was only done out of necessity if a player stopped their dribble.

Then we will simultaneously have players on the wing or post just standing - literally doing nothing but standing still. There will be an attempt to look inside, but when you don't let the other post set picks for the other post, how can they get open? They will either force it in for a turnover OR opt to try to go one on one and get a bad shot and likely miss as our poor field goal % can certainly attest to.

When the rest of our players are healthy, the coaches will pick lineups featuring our notoriously worst turnover offenders.

But I don't want to be considered one of those perceived NEGATIVE posters, so I'll continue to mention as I often do that we still have one of the most TALENTED group of players. They are just not playing and/or being coached to a fraction of their full potential IMO. Hopefully they will eventually succeed or do better in SPITE of the poor offensive strategies.

 

[madtownvol]

This is the crux of the problem...Holly has got to let these girls play... and if they miss...pat them on the back and hope they hit the next one. "I think half these girls that can actually shoot are afraid to take the shots.
Then you have those that can't shoot that keep firing.
I think Middleton can shoot it but she has to have the green light and if she misses a few keep on shooting." There is enough pressure on these kids, without, knowing, " if I miss this shot, I will be back on the bench".
I am in no way saying that there should be no pressure, after all, you are playing for a very storied program.

Something else, just caught my eye...shooting with a relaxed motion. Shooting with a relaxed motion to me means, shooting when I feel I can hit the shot. Most spot up shooters, feel that if they have prepared right for their shot, that shot takes place as soon as they get the ball. No time to look inside to see who might be open, catch and shoot is the motto for most S.U.S.'s. If you tell me I have to look inside to see who is open, my opportunity has passed.

No, it really is not. There is a problem in how the team is performing, but it is not due to Holly making her players paranoid to shoot. This explanation is a made-up narrative that has somehow become a truism on this board. You can read Holly's comments and the players comments to see that is not the case. After the VT game, for example, Holly said, "we have been dying by the three and need to work for find more mid range shots." That is a pretty accurate assessment and it paid some dividends down the stretch at Wichita.

Holly complains about "quick shooting the basketball" when the team has missed a bunch of 3's. It is her short hand way of saying, "if we can't hit from behind the arc, lets work for a higher % shot." [And yes indeed, her offensive scheme for doing that can be rightly questioned]

Nonetheless, the soundbite she gives in the 30 second interview at half-time, or even statements made during her press conferences, do not equate to her entire game plan. In fact, any smart coach speaks in bland platitudes because you don't want to make too much of the game plan public.

Holly needs to get this team playing much better or a change will need to (or should) be made at seasons end.

But, the problems facing the LVs are not the simple ones that are being propagated on this board - this team would be great if Holly could only understand that you need to SCORE! this team would be great if Holly would only understand that passing is important! this team would be great if Holly would not use a cattle prod on the players after every miss (but she also needs to be
TOUGHER!!!! on the players).

Something is not clicking with this team but Holly is not stupid and she is way too experienced to not figure out the basics.

 

[vol1981]

The Tennessee Tech Lady Eagles who aren't very good beat Wichita State 54-48 in Cookeville tonight.