Game Thread: Lady Vols v Florida A&M, Tues Nov 7, 6:30, Food City Center, Knoxville

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Coach Jumper

Coach Jumper

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- No. 11/12 Tennessee opens the 2023-24 campaign on Tuesday evening, welcoming Florida A&M to Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center for a 6:02 p.m. ET contest.

The Lady Vols are in the midst of a three-game run over a period of only five days to open the season.

UT played the USA Women's National Team on Sunday night, faces FAMU in Knoxville on Tuesday, departs for Tallahassee on Wednesday and then meets #18/22 Florida State on Thursday night.

Kellie Harper begins year five as head coach at her alma mater, and she leads her Lady Vols against another LVFL in first-year head coach Bridgette Gordon.

This will mark the third all-time meeting between these schools, with Tennessee owning a 2-0 record.

THE LATEST FROM THE LADY VOLS​

UT's Jackson Named To Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch ListLady Vols Battle USA Women's National Team, Fall 95-59UT's Jackson On 16-Player Wade Trophy Watch List Everything Orange Podcast | Jewel Spear (Women's Basketball) Six In Double Figures As #11/12 Lady Vols Cruise Past C-N SEC Coaches Pick Lady Vols Third Key Named To Lisa Leslie Award Watch List Lady Vol Media Day Coverage Jackson Named To Cheryl Miller Award Watch List Lady Vols Open At #11 in AP Poll, #12 In USA TODAY Sports/WBCA Coaches Poll

BROADCAST INFORMATION
  • Zack Nelson (play-by-play) and LVFL Kamera Harris (analyst) will have the call for the SECN+ live stream.
  • All games included in the ESPN package (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) will be available through WatchESPN, accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 or Xbox One to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.
  • The contest also can be heard on Lady Vol Network stations and by audio stream, with Brian Rice providing play-by-play.
  • A link to the live audio stream can be found on the Hoops Central page or the schedule on UTSports.com.
  • For a list of Lady Vol Network affiliates, please click on the Fans tab at the top of UTSports.com, select Vol Network and then select the Vol Network Affiliates tab.
  • Air time generally occurs 30 minutes prior to tip-off.
  • SiriusXM will broadcast Tennessee's next two games vs. Florida A&M and Florida State on satellite radio, carrying those games on the SEC Channel (SiriusXM 374).
GAME PROMOTIONS
  • It's Knox County Schools Night. Fans may donate two unused school supplies items and receive one complimentary ticket.
  • Kids 12-and-under pricing for this game is only $5.
  • Fans can download the Tennessee Athletics app to join the Coca-Cola GBO Zone Lightshow.
  • Purchase tickets at AllVols.com or by calling the Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-332-VOLS or 865-656-1200.
PARKING, TRAFFIC FLOW, ENTRY ALERTS
  • Fans coming to campus looking to purchase parking will do so on site with a credit card for all events, including men's and women's hoops.
  • The designated rideshare drop-off/pick-up area will be on Todd Helton Drive west of Food City Center.
  • Campus parking is limited for large Food City Center events, but there is a free shuttle service from the Ag Campus for all fans, dropping off and picking up immediately adjacent to Food City Center. ADA shuttles and entry will operate the same as previous years.
  • Due to on-going construction and upgrades to Neyland Stadium, fans should be advised of changes coming to normal traffic patterns on Phillip Fulmer Way and Peyton Manning Pass during the 2023-24 basketball seasons. Please prepare in advance and stay tuned for more information.
  • Phillip Fulmer Way from G-10 garage to Neyland Stadium Gate 21 vicinity will be closed (tentatively set for Dec. 4, 2023).
  • Vehicular entry via the area northeast of the Food City Center will at times be inaccessible, and avoiding that vicinity is strongly recommended.
  • All tickets and Tennessee Fund parking passes remain digital.
  • Just like last season, fans will see walk-through metal detectors outside of all Food City Center entrances.
LADY VOLS IN OPENERS
  • Tennessee possesses a 46-3 all-time record in its first home contest of the year through 2022-23.
  • The Lady Vols have won 23 straight times in their first appearance at Thompson-Boling Arena and in 40 of their past 41 campaigns.
  • UT is 44-5 all-time in season openers over the past 49 years, including 28-3 at home, 8-2 on the road and 8-0 at neutral sites.
  • Tennessee had won its last nine season openers and 21 of its last 22 until the setback at Ohio State last year.
  • With that outcome in Columbus, the Big Orange women now are 40-9 in their first road game of the season.
KELLIE HARPER IN OPENING GAMES
  • Kellie Harper is 7-1 while coaching a Power 5 school (4-0 at NC State, 3-1 at Tennessee) in season openers.
  • Her teams defeated East Tennessee State (away), Western Kentucky (home) and Southern Illinois (home) in her first three seasons at UT, respectively, and then fell to No. 14/15 Ohio State in 2022-23.
HARPER VS. THOSE WITH UT TIES
  • In match-ups vs. teams with former Lady Vols as head coaches, Harper is 7-3. She is 2-1 vs. LSU (Nikki [Caldwell] Fargas), 1-0 vs. Lipscomb (Lauren [Avant] Sumski) and 4-2 vs. Kentucky (Kyra Elzy).
  • The meetings with Elzy were the first times a UT coach faced a former teammate head to head.
  • In contests vs. teams with former Lady Vols on the staff, Harper is 11-6. She is 2-0 vs. Vanderbilt (Kortney Dunbar), 1-1 vs. Indiana (Brian [Bass] Schomaeker), 1-0 vs. Lipscomb (Lauren [Avant] Sumski, Ariel Massengale), 2-1 vs. LSU (Nikki [Caldwell] Fargas), 4-4 vs. Kentucky (Kyra Elzy, Niya Butts), 1-0 vs. Southern Illinois (Jody Adams-Birch) and 1-0 vs. Rutgers (Nikki McCray-Penson).
  • In contests vs. teams with former Lady Vol staff on the opposite bench, Harper is 18-12. She is 5-1 vs. Alabama (Brian Johnson), 3-0 vs. Arkansas (Lacey Goldwire), 4-4 vs. Kentucky (Matthew Mitchell, Kyra Elzy, Niya Butts, Amber Smith), 2-1 vs. LSU (Nikki [Caldwell] Fargas), 1-5 vs. South Carolina (Jolette Law), 0-1 vs. West Virginia (Bett Shelby), 1-0 vs. Texas (Calamity McEntire), 1-0 vs. Texas A&M (Greg Brown) and 1-0 vs. UCF (Greg Brown).
HOME SWEET HOME
  • This is the 37th season that the Tennessee women's and men's basketball teams called Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center home. The Lady Vols own a remarkable 508-56 record (.901) in the mammoth venue through the 2022-23 home slate.
  • The 500th win came on Jan. 1, 2023, via an 89-76 victory over Alabama.
  • The Lady Vols have built a combined 661-80 (.892) home mark in contests played at Food City Center, Stokely Athletics Center and Alumni Gym.
  • Kellie Harper is 57-11 overall, 30-6 vs. non-conference foes and 26-5 in SEC play in games played on The Summitt through the 2022-23 campaign.
UT/FAMU NOTES
  • UT is 2-0 vs. Florida A&M and 8-0 vs. schools from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
  • Interestingly enough, Tennessee has scored 96 points against the Rattlers in each of the previous meetings.
  • The last match-up came on Nov. 18, 2018, with UT winning in Knoxville, 96-31.
  • The first clash came on March 16, 1995, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Knoxville, with the Big Orange prevailing, 96-59.
  • Jewel Spear's father, LeRonne, earned a B.S. in computer info. systems from FAMU (1997).
A LOOK AT FLORIDA A&M
  • In addition to having a new coaching staff, Florida A&M features nine out of 15 players on the 2023-24 roster who weren't on the team a year ago.
  • Two starters return, including 5-9 graduate point guard Ahriahna Grizzle, who was second on the squad at 10.9 ppg. a year ago after transferring from Alabama. She also led the team in assists (95), steals (60) and free throw percentage (82.4).
  • Also back is 5-9 senior guard Ivet Subirats, who put up 7.5 ppg. and was second the team with 36 three-pointers with starts in 28 of 29 contests in 2022-23.
  • FAMU is picked to finish 10th of 12 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference this season.
GLANCING BACK TO LAST SEASON
  • The Rattlers finished the 2022-23 season with a 6-23 overall record and 4-14 mark in the SWAC.
  • FAMU averaged only 59.0 points per game and gave up 71.0, committing 20.4 turnovers per contest, shooting 38 percent from the field and getting out-rebounded, 39.5 to 35.0.
  • Florida A&M also played an extremely challenging non-conference slate last season, facing Florida, South Florida, Michigan State, Mississippi State and Cal along the way.
ABOUT THE COACHING STAFF
  • The Rattlers are led by first-year head coach and LVFL Bridgette Gordon, who starred at Tennessee from 1985-89, helping the Lady Vols claim their first two NCAA titles in 1987 and 1989.
  • Gordon also served a stint as an assistant at UT from 2017-19 under then-head coach Holly Warlick.
  • She stands No. 2 all-time in career points (2,462) and No. 12 in rebounds (915) in UT history.
  • Her historic tenure at Tennessee is commemorated with a No. 30 retired jersey banner suspended from the rafters of Food City Center, and she is enshrined in the UT and Women's Basketball Halls of Fame.
  • The DeLand, Florida, native replaced another LVFL, Shalon Pillow, who coached FAMU for three seasons before stepping down July 6, 2023.
  • Gordon was hired as an assistant at New Mexico State on June 2 under LVFL Jody Adams-Birch before accepting the post in Tallahassee in July.
  • Gordon also has been at Stetson, Georgia State, Wichita State, SMU, Kansas State and Cincinnati in a college coaching career that began in 2004-05.
  • FAMU assistant Jordan Harris is the brother of LVFL Kamera Harris, the color analyst for the Lady Vols-Rattlers SECN+ broadcast.
WHAT'S NEXT?
  • After playing a team from Tallahassee on Tuesday night in the form of Florida A&M, the Lady Vols will travel to Tallahassee Wednesday to take on No. 18/22 Florida State on Thursday night.
  • That contest is slated for 6 p.m. ET at the Donald L Tucker Center and will air on ESPN2.
  • Tennessee possesses a 2-0 series record vs. the Seminoles, but the programs haven't met since playing at Tallahassee on Feb. 8, 1985, and in Knoxville on Jan. 26, 1986.
 
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#3
#3
Volfan2012 said:
Really expecting this to be a Tennessee beatdown of Florida A&M. Will be really disappointed if we don't win by 40. NO reason for them to get 60 points on us. I'd think something like 93 to 53 as a score.
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Number one I believe KJH will put in lineups which she will not use in games against major D1 competition. This is how she does things because she uses these type of games as practice. So don't be surprised. I do not believe Florida A&M is as good as CN so it will be surprising if they get anywhere close to 50 points. I would like to see the ladies work on their defense, setting picks and creating their own shots. I especially would like to see them work on denying shots in the paint. CN scored way too many points in the paint. With Key and Holinshed in the paint I believe the paint is well protected but others need to protect the paint as well.
 
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#4
#4
Golfteacher said:
Number one I believe KJH will put in lineups which she will not use in games against major D1 competition. This is how she does things because she uses these type of games as practice. So don't be surprised. I do not believe Florida A&M is as good as CN so it will be surprising if they get anywhere close to 50 points. I would like to see the ladies work on their defense, setting picks and creating their own shots. I especially would like to see them work on denying shots in the paint. CN scored way too many points in the paint. With Key and Holinshed in the paint I believe the paint is well protected but others need to protect the paint as well.
Click to expand...
Our first and second team are both better than they are so we should be progressing the score and winning all four quarters. The defense was not good against Carson Newman actually looked better against USA.
 
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#5
#5
Wells has not played any where near her capability thus far. I guess she is still a little in awe of being at Tennessee. I can see her break out soon.
 
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#6
#6
After watching both exhibitions, which were the polar opposite of one another, here are my thoughts on the lineups for TN going into the first game.

PG: Powell, Wells, Darby E. - Powell gets the start for her rebounding performance against USA and overall defensive. However, I think the offense flows more cleanly when Wells runs the show, and her best is yet to come in a TN uniform. She's so good. I'm not sure how the season will transpire, but I do know that these two will be integral for the Lady Vols to reach their potential this season.

SG: Spear, Wynn - Spear must be the consistent scorer at this position. We haven't seen it yet, but it's evident in the makeup of this team. Wynn has clearly improved; while she will not be the 3-point threat this season, we should have enough to fill in there. She will be needed on defense, and if she can keep herself on the floor with her ability to drive and dish successfully and with control, we will see her this season.

SF: Puckett, Darby T., Strickland - Sara has separated herself as the starter, in my opinion. She has looked comfortable scoring within the offense at multiple levels. She was even successful in 1v1 situations, which will ultimately be needed at times. Tess is a threat from multiple areas and will be needed, especially when other's shots are not falling. As long as her defense can continually show up, she'll be a needed offensive option for TN in all games. I'm not sleeping on Ace, I just think her minutes will be limited this year behind other players. The defense at this position will be a question moving forward.

PF: Jackson - Honestly, one thing I enjoyed seeing this preseason is that Jackson is the last starter on the court before she comes out. The team must operate around and for her. I won't put a minute count on it, but she'll need to play most of the 40 minutes against the better teams. This is HER team.

C: Hollingshed, Striplin/Key - I think Hollingshed needs to be the mainstay here. I'm not sure why Striplin got the start for the USA game, but Hollingshed is the real deal and seems ready for a big season. Striplin should be a solid second-stringer at this point, offer something a bit different to provide Jill sufficient rest, and could be used more often when the matchup doesn't favor Jill (same for Key). Finally, Key will be necessary on D if the Lady Vols can make a run to the, dare I say, final four. The duo of Hollingshed and Key has looked good so far on the court and has so much potential.

Would love to hear other's thoughts on this. As always, go Vols!
 
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#7
#7
UTtoDC said:
After watching both exhibitions, which were the polar opposite of one another, here are my thoughts on the lineups for TN going into the first game.

PG: Powell, Wells, Darby E. - Powell gets the start for her rebounding performance against USA and overall defensive. However, I think the offense flows more cleanly when Wells runs the show, and her best is yet to come in a TN uniform. She's so good. I'm not sure how the season will transpire, but I do know that these two will be integral for the Lady Vols to reach their potential this season.

SG: Spear, Wynn - Spear must be the consistent scorer at this position. We haven't seen it yet, but it's evident in the makeup of this team. Wynn has clearly improved; while she will not be the 3-point threat this season, we should have enough to fill in there. She will be needed on defense, and if she can keep herself on the floor with her ability to drive and dish successfully and with control, we will see her this season.

SF: Puckett, Darby T., Strickland - Sara has separated herself as the starter, in my opinion. She has looked comfortable scoring within the offense at multiple levels. She was even successful in 1v1 situations, which will ultimately be needed at times. Tess is a threat from multiple areas and will be needed, especially when other's shots are not falling. As long as her defense can continually show up, she'll be a needed offensive option for TN in all games. I'm not sleeping on Ace, I just think her minutes will be limited this year behind other players. The defense at this position will be a question moving forward.

PF: Jackson - Honestly, one thing I enjoyed seeing this preseason is that Jackson is the last starter on the court before she comes out. The team must operate around and for her. I won't put a minute count on it, but she'll need to play most of the 40 minutes against the better teams. This is HER team.

C: Hollingshed, Striplin/Key - I think Hollingshed needs to be the mainstay here. I'm not sure why Striplin got the start for the USA game, but Hollingshed is the real deal and seems ready for a big season. Striplin should be a solid second-stringer at this point, offer something a bit different to provide Jill sufficient rest, and could be used more often when the matchup doesn't favor Jill (same for Key). Finally, Key will be necessary on D if the Lady Vols can make a run to the, dare I say, final four. The duo of Hollingshed and Key has looked good so far on the court and has so much potential.

Would love to hear other's thoughts on this. As always, go Vols!
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We have so many defensive questions… I think we’ll be playing a lot of players and knowing Kellie she will probably play girls based on their willingness to play team basketball. I’m not sold on Sara at all as above the rest esp on her wing D and decision making. She also fades has all 5 of her points in the first 2 minutes then didn’t score again? Our post really need to step up in help to esp on help and drives.

Another point of concern is that 6 minute stretch where we didn’t score in the 3rd with our “starters”… we left our pgs out to die on 1 on 1 d so we need secondary ball handlers and those only are Kaiya and Ace imo rn Rickea will have to step up in this role
 
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#9
#9
Florida State getting set to play at 5 and that’s where a lot of the focus will be despite the LVs kicking off against Florida A&M tomorrow in the season opener.

The biggest storyline since Tennessee signed two elite guards out of the portal has been the trio of Rickea Jackson, Destinee Wells, and Jewel Spear leading a returning core from last season that advance to the Sweet 16.

Following the final scrimmage, TN is poised to take the court with the trio of #1 options spearheading an explosive team built to be a force to be reckon with in the SEC.

WinnerCircle starting 5:

PG: Destinee Wells
G: Jewel Spear
W: Sara Puckett
F: Rickea Jackson
C: Jillian Hollingshead

Starter 6: Powell
Starter 7: Key
Starter 8: Darby
Striplin
Wynn
Strickland
Darby

Note: Former 5-star McD All-American Talaysia Cooper will redshirt the 2023-2024 season.
 
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#11
#11
37620VOL said:
Currently here is how I would distribute the minutes based on the first 2 scrimmages

View attachment 593447
Click to expand...
This almost makes me feel like we were not watching the same games!?!
Wynn will be needed in big games for her defense and ability to draw fouls.
Darby should see fewer minutes as, though she has improved, her defense is still suspect. Spear, Powell and Wells should see their minutes more equal with fresh legs available at all times.
Interesting discussion starter!
 
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#12
#12
Lucy said:
This almost makes me feel like we were not watching the same games!?!
Wynn will be needed in big games for her defense and ability to draw fouls.
Darby should see fewer minutes as, though she has improved, her defense is still suspect. Spear, Powell and Wells should see their minutes more equal with fresh legs available at all times.
Interesting discussion starter!
Click to expand...
Definitely not
 
#17
#17
I want to see Wells and Spear get really comfortable and locked in. They have exactly one game to do that. I'd also like to see Striplin get her shot back. I want Rickea to have a double double; would like her to rebound as aggressively as she did early in the USA scrimmage. Do that early then rest the wheels. I always hope for some continued progress for TK and this may be a good game for that.

Huge game on the road Thursday night.
 
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#18
#18
glv98 said:
I want to see Wells and Spear get really comfortable and locked in. They have exactly one game to do that. I'd also like to see Striplin get her shot back. I want Rickea to have a double double; would like her to rebound as aggressively as she did early in the USA scrimmage. Do that early then rest the wheels. I always hope for some continued progress for TK and this may be a good game for that.

Huge game on the road Thursday night.
Click to expand...
Spear need to be the focal point of the offense when Rickea is out, let her do her thing.
 
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#19
#19
DarkPhoenix said:
Spear need to be the focal point of the offense when Rickea is out, let her do her thing.
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Yes. Jewel needs to assert her inner scorer. I know it's hard for her bc she's trying to defer to Rickea. Hate she missed that last stretch of practices. Hope Kelly will let Jewel play prolonged stretches instead of having the quick hook for her. She needs to play both with and without Rickea.
 
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#20
#20
glv98 said:
Yes. Jewel needs to assert her inner scorer. I know it's hard for her bc she's trying to defer to Rickea. Hate she missed that last stretch of practices. Hope Kelly will let Jewel play prolonged stretches instead of having the quick hook for her. She needs to play both with and without Rickea.
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We had many minor injuries and I would like to keep it that way. I think she’ll get there and back up to speed. Remember our transfers are all learning a new system too Gotta run it and get comfortable to find your time to score
 
#21
#21
Volfan2012 said:
Our first and second team are both better than they are so we should be progressing the score and winning all four quarters. The defense was not good against Carson Newman actually looked better against USA.
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I agree because against CN the defense looked bad and the paint was a welcome mat. Against the USA team, the Lady Vols were over matched, however, they played tough. The USA was particularly strong from the outside. That is the best team they will face this year.
 
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#22
#22
Lucy said:
This almost makes me feel like we were not watching the same games!?!
Wynn will be needed in big games for her defense and ability to draw fouls.
Darby should see fewer minutes as, though she has improved, her defense is still suspect. Spear, Powell and Wells should see their minutes more equal with fresh legs available at all times.
Interesting discussion starter!
Click to expand...
Not you, him...
37620VOL said:
Currently here is how I would distribute the minutes based on the first 2 scrimmages

View attachment 593447
Click to expand...
Strickland played better than everyone he listed above her with maybe the exception of Wynn. Her stats don't reflect the impact she had on the floor. The energy level went up and the intensity went up when she hit the floor. She showed NO FEAR of the USA team.

I call it like I see it, not like everybody wants to hear it
If I was starting a lineup based on how they played (not stats alone, but impacting the game,,,it would be
Jackson
Hollingshead
Strickland
Powell
Wynn
starting this next game

I don't play favorites, I play the ones who brought 100% and left nothing on the floor
 
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#25
#25
LSU goes down 92-78

Early season comparison for UT will be Notre Dame who lost to South Carolina 100-71
 
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