Game Thread: Lady Vols V Carson Newman

[Hoya Saxa]

It will take a lot more than 1 exhibition game to return us to national relevance...
As others have stated, Coach KJH should be graded on how we progress through the season. Not on how we played a quarter in the first exhibition game.

Memories are very short. This wasn't the first exhibition game. Unlike Carson Newman and the rest of women's college basketball, Tennessee started practicing together back in July and then flew to Europe to play several exhibition games this past summer. The team has had months to work on chemistry and rotation issues under the direction of Coach Harper. I don't understand all the comments about last night being the team's first outing together.

 

[PineyBluff Vol]

Temper your Enthusiasm, as well as your Disappointment. The season is just beginning...better things are definitely ahead.

 

[Volfan2012]

Game came down offensively to Point Guard position 4 of 18 from the floor. We want be winning much if the point guard position can't give us better efficiency. Post players 6 of 22 was really hard to understand against the small Carson Newman team and has to be considered a real concern for this team. Two guard position was 2 for 9 need more information needed on how this position will contribute for the season not enough shots taken and a few in and outs that could've gone down with better luck. 4 Forward position 7 of 16 McCoy missed some easy shots I really don't see how she can maintain a starting position unless she makes those layups. Three forward 9 of 14 Davis was excellent in this game Burrell came in on fire then started taking some ill advised shots later in the game. As in past seasons the ability for some players to shoot the ball at an efficient level is the biggest concern. I didn't see any improvement out of Massengill as far as shooting the ball. Horston needs to make more effort to finish instead of just throwing up something at the basket. Post and point guard 10 of 40 you could say this is where all the problems were in this game can't get 25 percent out of these two key positions.

I came out of this game thinking we needed Horston and Green at the one and two with Davis and Burrell then pick out a post player of whom I would pick Key. The rebounding in this game wa excellent I didn't see very many second chance shots for Carson Newman. As usual they have players that can make the long three and we sometimes missed getting out on them especially in the third quarter.

I thought the defense was solid gave up 44 this year and 59 last year so we were 15 points better and I think if we had played certain players more Carson Newman doesn't get to thirty. Not much more to take out of this game except you wonder where the offense is gonna come from consistently 70 points on 79 shot attempts is terrible. On that many shots you hope to score 95 at least and 103 would've been terrific efficiency. On to the first game I like the defense looks a lot better than last season expect it will clean up a lot of the few miscommunications we saw last night. Offense concerned because either players can shoot or they can't right now I only see about three players that look dependable shooting the ball.

 

[aretha57]

They have a long way to go to be a top 25 team. Still looks like Holly’s coaching.

Still blaming Holly - I wonder how many more opportunities I will have to post this reply between now and April

 

[GetEmVols]

I thought about giving my assessment on the team, and I actually typed some stuff then deleted it. Bottom line is the program was in disarray, we lost some studs to transfer, and it’s gonna take time to rebuild. Reminds me a lot of the state of our football program. Only time will tell if the Harpers can change the culture that Warlick created. So, I’m gonna take a deep breath, and not expect too much this season. If the Harpers can improve this team, there will be a smile on my face. Volnation, the transformation will not happen overnight. Thoughts and prayers are with the Harpers and staff. They are gonna need it.

Everyone was calling for Pruitt after GA St and now he has us in position to go 6-7 wins. 6-7 sucks but it’s improvement.

 

[Bell42]

I’m not the least bit concerned. First of all, Carson-Newman returned two of their league’s top 6 scorers from last year and can light it up.

Second, the way Kellie structured the game — with the intent to create specific teaching points to be studied on film later — there was never, ON PURPOSE, any combination of players on the floor together long enough to get into a rhythm.

Being an exhibition game against an overmatched opponent that doesn’t count in the records, I thought it was great that the staff found a way to manufacture adversity for the players to deal with — like the obvious confusion some were feeling as a result of the frenetic substitution pattern. There was plenty to take away from that game for the coaches to address.

Carson-Newman may very well win their league this year, and that four-guard lineup of good three-point shooters isn’t something Tennessee is likely to face again.

I expect the Lady Vols to have a different look next Thursday, and I can’t wait! Very little about tonight’s event resembled a real game — there weren’t even the usual cool introductions. I guess they wanted to make sure that next Thursday’s record-counting real season opener got the “special” treatment that an instructional practice game does not.

Bottom line: Don’t fret, friends! We’ve all read and heard that Kellie’s mantra to the team is “Trust the process.” We fans need to do the same.

Great explanation!

 

[Chippo]

If anyone wasn't able to watch and wants to.

2019 Tennessee vs Carson Newman EXH

Thank you freak. Appreciate it

 

[volnationnj]

Memories are very short. This wasn't the first exhibition game. Unlike Carson Newman and the rest of women's college basketball, Tennessee started practicing together back in July and then flew to Europe to play several exhibition games this past summer. The team has had months to work on chemistry and rotation issues under the direction of Coach Harper. I don't understand all the comments about last night being the team's first outing together.

That's not quite accurate. You know very well that the NCAA has restrictions on how often a coach can engage players during the summer months. It's not like Coach Harper has had them running drills 5 days a week since July.
Yes, I did forget about the European tour. But, quite frankly, they were little more than scrimmages included in a European team vacation.

 

[orangefloyd]

I’m not the least bit concerned. First of all, Carson-Newman returned two of their league’s top 6 scorers from last year and can light it up.

Second, the way Kellie structured the game — with the intent to create specific teaching points to be studied on film later — there was never, ON PURPOSE, any combination of players on the floor together long enough to get into a rhythm.

Being an exhibition game against an overmatched opponent that doesn’t count in the records, I thought it was great that the staff found a way to manufacture adversity for the players to deal with — like the obvious confusion some were feeling as a result of the frenetic substitution pattern. There was plenty to take away from that game for the coaches to address.

Carson-Newman may very well win their league this year, and that four-guard lineup of good three-point shooters isn’t something Tennessee is likely to face again.

I expect the Lady Vols to have a different look next Thursday, and I can’t wait! Very little about tonight’s event resembled a real game — there weren’t even the usual cool introductions. I guess they wanted to make sure that next Thursday’s record-counting real season opener got the “special” treatment that an instructional practice game does not.

Bottom line: Don’t fret, friends! We’ve all read and heard that Kellie’s mantra to the team is “Trust the process.” We fans need to do the same.

“Trust the process “ thats what Derek Dooley kept saying. Maybe it will work this time.

 

[Tennesseefan2019]

The LadyVols looked good but they've got things to iron out just like all teams do going into a season

 

[Volfan2012]

Memories are very short. This wasn't the first exhibition game. Unlike Carson Newman and the rest of women's college basketball, Tennessee started practicing together back in July and then flew to Europe to play several exhibition games this past summer. The team has had months to work on chemistry and rotation issues under the direction of Coach Harper. I don't understand all the comments about last night being the team's first outing together.

The thing about the Europe trip that was different even though you couldn't see the games was the team shot so well couple games over 50 and one around 45. The similarity of all the games is better defensive effort and much better rebounding. We want know a lot until the team plays a few games. Right now I am thinking were gonna be a lot better defensively and much better rebounding team. I think we are again gonna struggle with perimeter shooting and post presence that can score. Hopefully if this happens we'll be involved in a lot of low scoring games and we'll come out on top in most of them.

 

[lvocd]

The LadyVols looked good but they've got things to iron out just like all teams do going into a season

Absolutely!

I doubt that the Notre Dame fans are throwing in the towel after the Irish lost their exhibition last night. I’m disappointed, but not surprised, that there are a few fans on here (not meaning you, Tf2019) who seem ready to judge the entire season based on one scripted scrimmage. They should be thrilled that Kellie came to TBA with a plan for using that exhibition to gather specific information to be used as teaching tools going forward instead of using it to show off how much bigger and quicker we are than C-N.

Does anyone really think that we couldn’t have easily run up the score by using a full-court press on that team? Harper chose to get film on half-court offense and defense instead of getting film on them running and gunning. Kellie has already said that this team will be a fast up-and-down team, but they didn’t do any of that last night on purpose.

Harper has a plan. I trust it.

 

[FrozenLVFan]

Game came down offensively to Point Guard position 4 of 18 from the floor. We want be winning much if the point guard position can't give us better efficiency. Post players 6 of 22 was really hard to understand against the small Carson Newman team and has to be considered a real concern for this team. Two guard position was 2 for 9 need more information needed on how this position will contribute for the season not enough shots taken and a few in and outs that could've gone down with better luck. 4 Forward position 7 of 16 McCoy missed some easy shots I really don't see how she can maintain a starting position unless she makes those layups. Three forward 9 of 14 Davis was excellent in this game Burrell came in on fire then started taking some ill advised shots later in the game. As in past seasons the ability for some players to shoot the ball at an efficient level is the biggest concern. I didn't see any improvement out of Massengill as far as shooting the ball. Horston needs to make more effort to finish instead of just throwing up something at the basket. Post and point guard 10 of 40 you could say this is where all the problems were in this game can't get 25 percent out of these two key positions.

I came out of this game thinking we needed Horston and Green at the one and two with Davis and Burrell then pick out a post player of whom I would pick Key. The rebounding in this game wa excellent I didn't see very many second chance shots for Carson Newman. As usual they have players that can make the long three and we sometimes missed getting out on them especially in the third quarter.

I thought the defense was solid gave up 44 this year and 59 last year so we were 15 points better and I think if we had played certain players more Carson Newman doesn't get to thirty. Not much more to take out of this game except you wonder where the offense is gonna come from consistently 70 points on 79 shot attempts is terrible. On that many shots you hope to score 95 at least and 103 would've been terrific efficiency. On to the first game I like the defense looks a lot better than last season expect it will clean up a lot of the few miscommunications we saw last night. Offense concerned because either players can shoot or they can't right now I only see about three players that look dependable shooting the ball.

No argument about poor shooting especially missed layups. However poor ball movement and breakdown of the offense were big factors as well. We need a PG who can run the offense, and I don't think Massengill or an unproven freshman are that person. Green is better suited to play the SG.

 

[Hoosier]

my takeaway from C-N game -- I'd like to see our rebounders put up shots when they get a rebound, not just whang it up there hoping it will go in (because it usually doesn't)

 

[NewDog]

I’m not the least bit concerned. First of all, Carson-Newman returned two of their league’s top 6 scorers from last year and can light it up.

Second, the way Kellie structured the game — with the intent to create specific teaching points to be studied on film later — there was never, ON PURPOSE, any combination of players on the floor together long enough to get into a rhythm.

Being an exhibition game against an overmatched opponent that doesn’t count in the records, I thought it was great that the staff found a way to manufacture adversity for the players to deal with — like the obvious confusion some were feeling as a result of the frenetic substitution pattern. There was plenty to take away from that game for the coaches to address.

Carson-Newman may very well win their league this year, and that four-guard lineup of good three-point shooters isn’t something Tennessee is likely to face again.

I expect the Lady Vols to have a different look next Thursday, and I can’t wait! Very little about tonight’s event resembled a real game — there weren’t even the usual cool introductions. I guess they wanted to make sure that next Thursday’s record-counting real season opener got the “special” treatment that an instructional practice game does not.

Bottom line: Don’t fret, friends! We’ve all read and heard that Kellie’s mantra to the team is “Trust the process.” We fans need to do the same.

Carson-Newman was 8-30 on threes. It wasn’t the Lady Vol defense that was the problem.

Once Harper settles on a rotation of 7-10 player, the offense should run smoother. I’d be concerned with only 5 assists on 28 basket. They had 25 second chance points. They won’t get that many opportunities against the SEC.

 

[lvocd]

Carson-Newman was 8-30 on threes. It wasn’t the Lady Vol defense that was the problem.

Once Harper settles on a rotation of 7-10 player, the offense should run smoother. I’d be concerned with only 5 assists on 28 basket. They had 25 second chance points. They won’t get that many opportunities against the SEC.

True. But still, I also wonder how all of the stats might have been different (if at all) if the game plan had been to play our top 7 in a way that maxed out their physical advantages instead of the game plan being to create teaching moments.

I suspect the stat sheet will look much different after next week’s first regular-season contest.

 

[Volfan2012]

Carson-Newman was 8-30 on threes. It wasn’t the Lady Vol defense that was the problem.

Once Harper settles on a rotation of 7-10 player, the offense should run smoother. I’d be concerned with only 5 assists on 28 basket. They had 25 second chance points. They won’t get that many opportunities against the SEC.

Carson Newman also had 0 second chance points and 0 free throws unheard usually no matter who you are playing. The defense looks potentially very good the offense looks potentially very bad hopefully that will change. Tennessee has 25 offensive rebounds score 25 second chance points that should be higher.

 

[Volfan2012]

True. But still, I also wonder how all of the stats might have been different (if at all) if the game plan had been to play our top 7 in a way that maxed out their physical advantages instead of the game plan being to create teaching moments.

I suspect the stat sheet will look much different after next week’s first regular-season contest.

No doubt in my mind they would've been different. I doubt Carson Newman scores 44 points and I doubt they only commit 19 turnovers. I think Green, Horston, Davis, and Burrell playing around 30 minutes definitely changes all that all are looking great on defense Davis and Burrell vastly improved Green and Horston are naturals.

 

[LVsinceJV]

Who would you all place at point?

I think we should develop Jaz as the primary point guard with one back up (perhaps a freshman like Horston or Rennie). We need cohesion and consistency in that position.

 

[djtee]

Post is a weak point. Saunders a project, KK serviceable but slow and cannot elevate, Key seems by far the most athletic. In my opinion her minutes will increase as the season progresses.

i agree Key will get better and her minutes will increase as the season progresses. I also wish Kellie would have hired a real post player coach. Because right now they we have one, I know some will disagree but Kellie could have reached out to someone like Nicky Anosike or Michelle Snow.

 

[madtownvol]

Absolutely!

I doubt that the Notre Dame fans are throwing in the towel after the Irish lost their exhibition last night. I’m disappointed, but not surprised, that there are a few fans on here (not meaning you, Tf2019) who seem ready to judge the entire season based on one scripted scrimmage. They should be thrilled that Kellie came to TBA with a plan for using that exhibition to gather specific information to be used as teaching tools going forward instead of using it to show off how much bigger and quicker we are than C-N.

Does anyone really think that we couldn’t have easily run up the score by using a full-court press on that team? Harper chose to get film on half-court offense and defense instead of getting film on them running and gunning. Kellie has already said that this team will be a fast up-and-down team, but they didn’t do any of that last night on purpose.

Harper has a plan. I trust it.

The doom and gloom responses to this game are plain silly. This game has historically held ZERO diagnostic value about the upcoming season. I wait just a touch longer before proclaiming the season is over since, you know, it has not officially started yet.

 

[Coach Jumper]

KK got killed on ball screens whole game because she dropped down so low in the post that the guard had open jumpers. Hey Jumper, any drills to address it?

Sure there is, but first analyze why....

KK when she had to step out on a guard, she jab stepped and immediately backed away.
Once the guards knew her pattern, she was bait..."watch for her to jab-step in and the wait for her to back off (Since she never finished a closeout, all the shooter had to do was be patient).

KK has to work on footwork and mix up her pattern.
She can't do the same thing over and over or a good player will see it and wait for it.

What KK has to do is trust her "help defense and close out fully on the shooter ever so often. I mean !!! close out so close to those tiny shooters that they pass it away in fear. Once they wait for a full closeout, then use the retreat to avoid being driven on.

It is all about foot speed and mixing it up

 

[Coach Jumper]

The scary thing is Holly's teams never looked this bad against Carson-Newman in this long, storied exhibition rivalry...

Holly's team also never got better as the season went on, they got weaker
Kellie's team traditionally start slow and gain momentum.
Patience, Garth

i agree Key will get better and her minutes will increase as the season progresses. I also wish Kellie would have hired a real post player coach. Because right now they we have one, I know some will disagree but Kellie could have reached out to someone like Nicky Anosike or Michelle Snow.

Or Coach Jumper

SF's are my wheel-house,,
PF's are my second best output
But I can work with the big's almost equally

 

[T.J.]

If anyone wasn't able to watch and wants to.

2019 Tennessee vs Carson Newman EXH

Thank you for posting! I'm kind of depressed though after reading all the negativity.

 

[djtee]

Holly's team also never got better as the season went on, they got weaker
Kellie's team traditionally start slow and gain momentum.
Patience, Garth



Or Coach Jumper

SF's are my wheel-house,,
PF's are my second best output
But I can work with the big's almost equally

Ha ! good one ! i know her team traditionally start slow and gain momentum. But remember this is not Missouri State or Missouri Valley Conference we will need a post game to have any shot at winning the SEC or making a deep run in the post season. I just think hiring a post player coach will help the Freshmen and KK get there game up to speed.