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

[turbovol]

They both get better talent, that’s what wins and players gravitate towards that. If we happen to get a stacked team and start winning, we will get the number 1 game changing recruits.

It's not just talent--though that's certainly a factor these days between us and UConn/SC and others. PS had more talent than Geno some
years--including in one or two national title games--and lost. He's a much better offensive coach than any coach we've had.

 

[brassie]

She is, trust. Her metrics are against a shite big East conference.

But they were pretty good tonight.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Stop. You don’t know. You do not have inside information.

you were saying

 

[DarkPhoenix]

If we only had that 3rd go to scorer, that’s what we really need. People can talk about Angel Reese but if she decided to come with Rickea we would be undefeated right now. We need to get multiple game changers in the portal, that’s our only chance next year.

 

[utkCREW]

But they were pretty good tonight.

You’re arguing with a troll that is trollish bc he’s pissy that his team has sucked ass for 10+ years. Go away, lol.

 

[Amb3096]

If we only had that 3rd go to scorer, that’s what we really need. People can talk about Angel Reese but if she decided to come with Rickea we would be undefeated right now. We need to get multiple game changers in the portal, that’s our only chance next year.

They basically need to get replacements at the level of Jackson and Horston from the portal to remain semi competitive. Time to find the next Lopez Senechal…

 

[Prophet1]

Has been about defense all season. Keep talking about getting better, but when you let a team shoot 60 percent your not getting better. We have some players that can play defense some of them don't start or play enough minutes. Your not winning games giving up over 80 points not going to happen. I don't see the defense getting any better to late in the season and we've had plenty of time to get better. It comes down to personnel and after about four players were really very untalented.
I don't know who determines who guards who, but some very weird matchups tonight. Walker should not have been on Senegal Lopez and Horston on Muhl definitely should've switched there.
Geno got his point across got every foul he wanted in the second half of the game.

Do you think Kellie should have started the game with man defense ? She did wait too long to utilize the zone.

 

[brassie]

Let's be candid: UConn = better talent, better coaching, better sets, better (smarter) decision making, better shooting, better...everything.

Assist/Turnover ration: It's a very telling/significant TEAM state--I've been pointing to this stat for FOREVER as a major reason for our demise--and it's especially revealing when we play UConn:

UConn A/TO: 24/15
UT A/TO: 12/21

We had 2 players with 5 turnovers each--Walker and Jackson. Can't happen. Walker is not good in games against good opponents.
We had 1 player with 6 turnovers--Horston. That's three veteran players with 16 freakin' TOs. Absurd.

Same glaring problem we've had for 15 years.

Let's check the player efficiency ratings for this game:

UConn starting 5: UT starting 5 +1

17 4 (Puckett)
17 4 (Walker)
20 6 (Darby)
22 6 (Jackson)
24 16 (Hollingshead)
20 (Horston)

Yikes. That's all that can be said, really.

Tonight UConn scored 20 points off turnovers. UT scored 8.

 

[Tennessee12]

Where would Justine go that she would play more next year? I believe she is a starter next year unless something is there I’m not seeing.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Tonight UConn scored 20 points off turnovers. UT scored 8.

They had the talent to finish, some of our players can’t even make a layup

 

[Majors]

If we only had that 3rd go to scorer, that’s what we really need. People can talk about Angel Reese but if she decided to come with Rickea we would be undefeated right now. We need to get multiple game changers in the portal, that’s our only chance next year.

. It’s an easy game plan, take either RJ or JH out of the game scoring and bank on Tennessee not having anyone step up to drop 20+ points plus bench help. Tonight it was RJ off by her typical points. Jillian with a nice game but 11 points and very little bench help.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Where would Justine go that she would play more next year? I believe she is a starter next year unless something is there I’m not seeing.

She will be a starter

 

[Coach Jumper]

Do you think Kellie should have started the game with man defense ? She did wait too long to utilize the zone.

when we pressed the connies they freaked,,,why did we not press the whole game. We would have worn them out

As soon as they went to the bench in Q2 we ran em off the court
I just don't get it

 

[Majors]

They had the talent to finish, some of our players can’t even make a layup

Kellie stated the layup issue in her postgame. Basic day 1 basketball

 

[SGMVols]

If we only had that 3rd go to scorer, that’s what we really need. People can talk about Angel Reese but if she decided to come with Rickea we would be undefeated right now. We need to get multiple game changers in the portal, that’s our only chance next year.

There is no way we get anyone close to JH or RJ‘s caliber in the portal. We are going to be worse next year. I think April 2024 is when Danny White will pull the plug on Kellie. I just hope she doesn’t ruin the tournament streak on the way out.

 

[BigALWiLson]

The difference was turnovers and guard play. Turnovers and the ability to shoot beyond 20 ft. UC got way too many easy buckets but honestly they have better players and play much better basketball as a team.

 

[volnationnj]

Where would Justine go that she would play more next year? I believe she is a starter next year unless something is there I’m not seeing.

Justine could start next year. Or she could be recruited over from the portal, like the entire 2021 class was.

 

[Ladyvolfan45]

There is no way we get anyone close to JH or RJ‘s caliber in the portal. We are going to be worse next year. I think April 2024 is when Danny White will pull the plug on Kellie. I just hope she doesn’t ruin the tournament streak on the way out.

Not impossible to get one big time player out the portal but two? That’s not going to happen. The coaching and development aspect will be tested more than ever next year

 

[SGMVols]

You will never, ever hear Rick Barnes say he was “proud of our fight” after losing by 17 points. A microcosm of the difference between a team chasing a 1 seed and one who will end up on the bubble. You get what you tolerate.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Not impossible to get one big time player out the portal but two? That’s not going to happen. The coaching and development aspect will be tested more than ever next year

A player has the ’it’ factor or they don’t. Look at Evian Westbrook for example, did she get so much bett with that great coach once she got there. Her number were down across the board.

 

[Rooster1]

Kellie, bless her heart, cannot coach at the elite level. Watch what happens when UConn plays SC. LSU is going to destroy the Lady Vols.

I think when Uconn plays SC, especially since it is in Conn, it will be close, for 3 qtrs at least, Uconn could win, they shoot so well, but I have to think SC has the quality depth to win that game.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

I think when Uconn plays SC, especially since it is in Conn, it will be close, for 3 qtrs at least, Uconn could win, they shoot so well, but I have to think SC has the quality depth to win that game.

I don’t care what happens when those teams play

 

[Majors]

You will never, ever hear Rick Barnes say he was “proud of our fight” after losing by 17 points. A microcosm of the difference between a team chasing a 1 seed and one who will end up on the bubble. You get what you tolerate.

Powerful line “You get what you tolerate”

In her interview tonight with Brian, she spoke of the crowd. “It felt like the good ole days” was her response.

 

[creekdipper]

I would hope that some intrepid reporter would ask Auriemma if he plans to cancel the series now that he's opened up about being cheated every time he comes to Knoxville. I mean, what coach wouldn't?

 

[Rooster1]

Senegal Lopez is a good player but i just don`t see her shooting lights out against SC. They have players that can check her i think.

Amihere will close the door on that one…Beal will get her some also. SC has recruited so well and so deep they have excellent options at all spots on the floor, and those options are elite athletically, no slow or non agile types. SC cannot shoot like Uconn, not by any stretch, but they can defend and rebound better and they are waaaay deeper in top end talent. One thing about this SC team is that they have the #1 rated defense in the nation for points allowed, shooting % and rebounding margin, do not expect Uconn to break that trifecta in spite of their superior shooting. It will come down to teamwork and depth I hope.