Game Thread: Lady Vols v UCONN; Thurs. 8PM; on ESPN

#77
#77
lvocd said:
I've been consistent in my opinion that Auriemma's "bench" was extremely talented and waaaay under-recognized on this board.
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You mean "the slugs?" Ya'll remember back in the day when Geno called his own bench "the slugs". Their most notable role was whoever got to run up and down the bench slapping every hand after every made 3.

My biggest concerns are our mystifying, continuing inability to guard the 3 and who in the world is going to guard Edwards effectively.
 
#78
#78
any game score predictions you want on the OP please post before 4PM
I am going tot he game and will be on the road after 4PM
 
#79
#79
lvocd said:
They've gotten a couple of them back since that game, and while they are certainly diminished without some players, they aren't "devastated." Not with the talent left on that roster, two or three of them who've played professionally in Europe and/or for their country's Olympic teams. You could hardly call a team "devastated" that ranks at the top nationally in nearly every statistical category and after having played a top OOC slate.
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We are going to have to be at the top of our game
all 4 quarters. Plan to watch the game with my
girlfriend afterwe get back from supper
 
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#80
#80
glv98 said:
The jarring thing to me about this game is how our season got where it is. Way back in October, if you'd told us we'd be playing UConn at home without Paige and Azzi and yet were still underdogs, we'd have laughed you off the site. What the hell just happened?
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And yet barring something unexpectedly dramatic happening to either program, this is by far Tennessee's best chance to beat UConn for the foreseeable future...
 
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#83
#83
lvocd said:
I can honestly say I actually would NOT have laughed, and would not have been surprised. I've been consistent in my opinion that Auriemma's "bench" was extremely talented and waaaay under-recognized on this board.
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Their bench was extremely talented before the injuries. With just Patterson, Deberry and Bettencourt remaining, I think only Patterson can be a differenc maker. They have no viable guards to back up Muhl or Lopez Senechal.
 
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#85
#85
glv98 said:
IMO, if we beat them, no one but UConn fans and the NCAA brackett makers will care or remember who the win was with or without.

If we lose, we'll be reminded endlessly by everyone who UConn beat us without. IMO, a loss, esp if its not close, is a real setback for us.

I really like KJH approach that this is all about current opportunity not history. It's also about the big stage exposure. IMO, for the players, what's it's not about is history. They're aware, but it's not motivational for either team. Geno said he gave his team a full history lesson on the rivalry, the history etc. He was asked what his team's reaction was and he said "None". I'm sure it's the same for our team, even if they give the "correct" answer about the history in public. They're kids, therefore if they weren't born it doesn't matter.

The jarring thing to me about this game is how our season got where it is. Way back in October, if you'd told us we'd be playing UConn at home without Paige and Azzi and yet were still underdogs, we'd have laughed you off the site. What the hell just happened?
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So Geno gave his team “a full history lesson on the rivalry, the history, etc.” Doubt he does this for every team they play. If I were a player and watched these games, I would be pumped! Today’s players may be young, but they know the names of the players who played in these big games, Candace, Catchings, Taurasi, just to name a few. No matter what Geno may say, he was definitely using the history of this rivalry as added motivation for his team.

Kellie is right about this being an opportunity for us. Doubt she wants to put any extra pressure on our players, so it’s up to her whether she uses the history in this rivalry as motivation, but Gameday is here, and the game is on ESPN, precisely because of the history of these two teams, their legendary Coaches, and the games they played.

GO LADY VOLS!
 
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#86
#86
Amb3096 said:
Their bench was extremely talented before the injuries. With just Patterson, Deberry and Bettencourt remaining, I think only Patterson can be a differenc maker. They have no viable guards to back up Muhl or Lopez Senechal.
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I should clarify that "the bench" I was referring to are now starters. I don't know anything about Bettencourt, but Patterson is a strong player and, IMO, Deberry has talent.

Certainly Tennessee has way more depth, but there's something to be said about a team that plays mostly the same 5-6 players (out of necessity OR choice) and letting them form strong chemistry on the court. That's how they all end up averaging double figures in scoring.

There are pros and cons to having a short roster. Sure there's a risk of foul trouble becoming an issue, but that never seems to become one for Connecticut, so I'm not counting on Auriemma having to use Bettencourt tonight. lol
 
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#87
#87
Volfaninfl2 said:
No matter what Geno may say, he was definitely using the history of this rivalry as added motivation for his team.
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If you say so. Apparently from his teams nonresponse, it didn't work too well. He seemed a little surprised.

IMO almost all the history stuff is about the fans. To the kids, it's probably about 3rd or 4th on the list. We have intense memories around it, they do not. I'm sure they appreciate the big stage the game still provides but I hope they're way more focused on what this game means for this season and on what they need to do.
 
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#89
#89
J-Dog 1313 said:
I believe Rickea and Jordan H will both come up big, scoring 45 points between them. Sara will score 15 and Tess will score 12. Jordan W, Jasmine P, and Jasmine F will score at least 8 points between them. GBO.
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Hopefully, Striplin gets some points, maybe Jillian, too.
 
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#91
#91
lvocd said:
I should clarify that "the bench" I was referring to are now starters. I don't know anything about Bettencourt, but Patterson is a strong player and, IMO, Deberry has talent.

Certainly Tennessee has way more depth, but there's something to be said about a team that plays mostly the same 5-6 players (out of necessity OR choice) and letting them form strong chemistry on the court. That's how they all end up averaging double figures in scoring.

There are pros and cons to having a short roster. Sure there's a risk of foul trouble becoming an issue, but that never seems to become one for Connecticut, so I'm not counting on Auriemma having to use Bettencourt tonight. lol
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Bettencourt will play, probably around 8-10 min. Otherwise, Muhl and Lopez Senechal will need to play all 40 min and he'll probably want to keep their legs fresh. She's not very good and isn't really P5 material. She's basically UConn's version of Edie Darby. She was ready to go to D3 until Geno offered her a scholarship in desperation after Bueckers was injured. When she's on the court, that's when it's time for Tennessee to break out the all-court press.

Deberry is 6'5 so she'll take up space and is a pretty good defensive player. But the difference between her and Dorka is huge, especially on offense. With Patterson back, she probably falls further in the depth chart.
 
#92
#92
J-Dog 1313 said:
I believe Rickea and Jordan H will both come up big, scoring 45 points between them. Sara will score 15 and Tess will score 12. Jordan W, Jasmine P, and Jasmine F will score at least 8 points between them. GBO.
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I would love to see Tess and Sara attack the paint more to possibly draw some fouls and get to the free throw line. They both are excellent free throw shooters, and the more opportunities we give ourselves in scoring, the better.
 
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#95
#95
chuckiepoo said:
As UConn gets little national coverage during the course of the year, she does fine doing SEC and other top games. But just pay attention tomorrow. She is definitely talented but there is history there. I’ve noted Andraya bend over backwards to flesh out opposing teams talents during broadcasts and during post game analysis. I’m definitely willing to observe with an open mind. Will have Brian’s audio on standby for sure.
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Andraya does a great job regardless who is playing. Quite an asset in the studio.
 
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#97
#97
Vols2015 said:
I also think Jasmine Franklin may play a key role down low for us. We must make our layups!
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We'll need her bigtime, but my fear is she's just a little short for their bugs, er bigs.

For all our transfers, this is by far the biggest game of their careers. RJ did play, and play quite well, in the SEC tourney finals against SC her freshman year, not sure that matches this. Big, big opportunity.
 
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