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

[Volfan2012]

Here's my take, we have one or two good to great players but the supporting cast is not very good. We don't appear to be developing talent. Until Harper can do that she isn't going to get the elite players needed to compete. It's that simple.

I don't know much about Harper, or her staff but one, the other, or both are going to have to improve or we are looking for another coach soon.

i think that they have developed to the extent of their ability. Most of them are better than they were last season, but still sub quality meaning something like 8 minutes a game. The need for better players is evident. I don't know how it is going to happen will know more come July ist.

 

[Amb3096]

Every advantage. They are given - and they take - every advantage. The sport bows to them, and looks the other way when he acts in his self-interest (can't have a phenom like Parker out there repping Tennessee, now, can we? Some young girl might get the wrong idea.)

And yet for all that, a few fouls calls and suddenly he's crying like a child, throwing a tantrum about how unfair it is and how it's all rigged.

Not sure having international connections to tap into that pipeline is anything nefarious. What is surprising is that he already gets the pick of the litter from the US market, but still has his eye overseas to make sure he's getting the best he can from the rest of the world. That is smart roster management.

 

[lvocd]

Not sure having international connections to tap into that pipeline is anything nefarious. What is surprising is that he already gets the pick of the litter from the US market, but still has his eye overseas to make sure he's getting the best he can from the rest of the world. That is smart roster management.

As has been stated many, many times, Auriemma routinely gets the best players, and while he is obviously an outstanding teacher of efficient basketball, it certainly does help that his roster is ALWAYS full of truly great players. Always. It doesn't suck to be him, despite what he tries to convince everyone to believe.

 

[creekdipper]

What were we doing picking oranges????

Making orange juice?

 

[Voltopia]

Not sure having international connections to tap into that pipeline is anything nefarious. What is surprising is that he already gets the pick of the litter from the US market, but still has his eye overseas to make sure he's getting the best he can from the rest of the world. That is smart roster management.

It's not nefarious, I'd agree - there's nothing illegal or whatever about it. Team USA allowed him to be the head coach twice and he took it. They enabled it, he just took advantage of it.

I'm just - bitterly, to be sure - laughing about how petulant he can get in the face of all the advantages he has both made and been given. In a sport with very few high level rivals, it's amusing to me to see him get so frustrated about "how things are down here" and complain about even the slightest perceived advantage. For all his accomplishments, he is still a very small man sometimes.

 

[creekdipper]

I agree Rooster. I couldn't understand why she didn't play most of the third quarter. Perhaps Kellie was saving her for the fourth, where she played most of the minutes.

I believe she would have fouled out, but we needed to take that risk. Conn players stayed in the game with foul trouble.

 

[dtnvol]

If UT starts this lineup against LSU:
5-Hollingshead
4-Jackson
3-Horston
2-Darby (I suppose)
1-Walker
Its a good start imo

The Walker vs Powell thing….I have no answer. But Holl should start at the 5, and RJ should start also at the 4. It’s that time of the year, put the best in now..

I agree...I don't why the heck, CJH likes digging an early hole and then try to claw back...

 

[Amb3096]

It's not nefarious, I'd agree - there's nothing illegal or whatever about it. Team USA allowed him to be the head coach twice and he took it. They enabled it, he just took advantage of it.

I'm just - bitterly, to be sure - laughing about how petulant he can get in the face of all the advantages he has both made and been given. In a sport with very few high level rivals, it's amusing to me to see him get so frustrated about "how things are down here" and complain about even the slightest perceived advantage. For all his accomplishments, he is still a very small man sometimes.

I'm not even sure that being HC of Team USA gave him any advantage over other coaches there. Dawn has been the coach the last few cycles, and she's not going for the international market. I think it's more likely that the UConn brand in women's basketball is so strong that it's drawing interest from players beyond the US borders. And to his credit, he was the chief architect in building that brand.

I agree that his petulent little outburst last night was beneath someone of his standing (athough on par for him as a person). I have a hard time taking him seriously when he plays the victim.

 

[creekdipper]

I love Lady Vols basketball but unlike some on here I’m not blind to the deficiency of the team the coaching and the inability to get top recruits.last night should be an eye opener for the ones with dark orange shades and refuses to see the truth I’ve seen a many of posters bring facts about the problems they have seen with our program but they get criticized and viewed as being negative by posters who just for the love and deep loyalty for the program let the heart sway the mind I’m not a Geno fan but he had that undermanned team prepared and ready I’m of the opinion I rather have an ass of a coach that has my team ready and program at elite status than any coach who isn’t no matter if he or she is a good natured

You forgot to add, "Period!"

 

[Volfan2012]

The Assistants did a good job of bringing in Jackson, and Hollingshead should've probably went for a point guard other than Powell. She is almost an identical player to Walker. Franklin is playing as well as she can not the same player she was before the injury. She could glide down court and beat bigs with explosive moves. She lost a lot of that with the injury. Still a good player but not what she was.
For the rest of the season should be committed to about an 8 player rotation. Jackson, Horston, Hollingshead, Franklin, Darby, Walker, Powell, and Puckett if you need a three to win the game. She can make that one not the others in the game. Still can win five of the last games on the schedule go about 13 and 3 in the SEC. which would be third place. That probably is a 6 or 7 seed. Do what you can in the SEC tourney then try to get to the sweet sixteen all I see for this season.

 

[Amb3096]

The Assistants did a good job of bringing in Jackson, and Hollingshead should've probably went for a point guard other than Powell. She is almost an identical player to Walker. Franklin is playing as well as she can not the same player she was before the injury. She could glide down court and beat bigs with explosive moves. She lost a lot of that with the injury. Still a good player but not what she was.
For the rest of the season should be committed to about an 8 player rotation. Jackson, Horston, Hollingshead, Franklin, Darby, Walker, Powell, and Puckett if you need a three to win the game. She can make that one not the others in the game. Still can win five of the last games on the schedule go about 13 and 3 in the SEC. which would be third place. That probably is a 6 or 7 seed. Do what you can in the SEC tourney then try to get to the sweet sixteen all I see for this season.

I'm actually surprised. I thought Powell and Jackson would be the two impact transfers, with Franklin playing a Keyen Greene role and Hollingshead as a building block for the future. I was critical of Powell shooting too much in the early games, but she has been a non-factor on offense since probably the IU game. Don't know if it's confidence down or just the law of averages finally coming into play, but I thought she'd be a bigger boost to the team than she's been.

 

[dtnvol]

Easy to understand the weaknesses of our team. No point guard production and at least two players on the floor most of the time that can't guard anybody. Post play is average. The only two slots on the floor where we match up with anybody effectively is when Horston and Jackson are both playing the wings.
Defense against ranked teams Ohio State 87, Indiana 85, UCLA 80, Stanford 77, UConn 84. I look for LSU to score over 80 as well and SC later this season. You got to come up with a plan to stop 80. You may have a shot to win at 70 but 80 your losing 95 percent of the time.

Yeah and I unfortunately, I think next year is going to be a complete disaster...☹

 

[creekdipper]

Senechal will be guarded like she’s in a stray jacket by Beal and Amihere and Edwards will really have to work for her points against Boston.

The only stray jacket will be on the bench.

It's always the best part of the SC/LSU matchup. It's the fashion equivalent of Fonzie vs. Laverne. Or Penelope from Criminal Minds.

 

[glv98]

As has been stated many, many times, Auriemma routinely gets the best players, and while he is obviously an outstanding teacher of efficient basketball, it certainly does help that his roster is ALWAYS full of truly great players. Always. It doesn't suck to be him, despite what he tries to convince everyone to believe.

Pat stated man, many times that the secret to her success was simple - have the best players. Her rosters were full of them and did not suck to be her.

 

[Volfan2012]

Yeah and I unfortunately, I think next year is going to be a complete disaster...☹

It looks that way right now. Only thing that would save it if all the Seniors stayed their covid year and Key was able to play again. We go out and get and elite player or two especially a point guard out of the portal. That is a lot that I know want happen figure Jackson can't wait to get out of here. I figure Horston will try her hand at the WNBA as well and Key may retire. All that and were looking really bad for next year.

 

[Coach Jumper]

I don't know if international players are in Kellie's recruiting strategy, but it could be a solution. Geno's starting five include 4 international players with one on the bench.

and one Dorka is 24 years old

 

[Volfan2012]

Pat stated man, many times that the secret to her success was simple - have the best players. Her rosters were full of them and did not suck to be her.

Never a more true statement. Because the best players can execute your game plan better than average players. They can do the things because of their athletic ability that others can't do. You can have a 150 IQ but if you have two left feet your still just a smart person not an athlete.

 

[plumbervol]

I think technically Harper is a good coach, x&o's etc. She has done a fine job developing Striplin and Jill. She has gotten all out of Walker that she can get out of a short turnover machine. She makes adjustments but she needs help assembling a roster. I was looking at the Top 100 ESPNW list and I do not see TN listed beside any players from 2022 or 2023 other than Justine Pissott who is in logjam mode with Darby and Puckett. If you can't get top 100 talent you better find quick athletic players to fill those slots. We ain't a gettin um. The class of 24 includes TN Ensworth guard who is 5 foot 6 and not a true PG Jaloni Cambridge she is rated on top of that list and I know TN is recruiting her and I know Carolina and Uconn are after her. TN has a shot to get her. The transfer Portal is very important but if you get them you need to take the best you can get and make them elite in a short amount of time

 

[creekdipper]

Well, I was very wrong that conn would be an average team in the second tier of Top 25 without Fudd and Bueckers. They are still a very talented, disciplined team.

 

[Amb3096]

and one Dorka is 24 years old

As is Jordan Walker...

 

[Voltopia]

The class of 24 includes TN Ensworth guard who is 5 foot 6 and not a true PG Jaloni Cambridge she is rated on top of that list and I know TN is recruiting her and I know Carolina and Uconn are after her. TN has a shot to get her.

 

[Volfan2012]

I think technically Harper is a good coach, x&o's etc. She has done a fine job developing Striplin and Jill. She has gotten all out of Walker that she can get out of a short turnover machine. She makes adjustments but she needs help assembling a roster. I was looking at the Top 100 ESPNW list and I do not see TN listed beside any players from 2022 or 2023 other than Justine Pissott who is in logjam mode with Darby and Puckett. If you can't get top 100 talent you better find quick athletic players to fill those slots. We ain't a gettin um. The class of 24 includes TN Ensworth guard who is 5 foot 6 and not a true PG Jaloni Cambridge she is rated on top of that list and I know TN is recruiting her and I know Carolina and Uconn are after her. TN has a shot to get her. The transfer Portal is very important but if you get them you need to take the best you can get and make them elite in a short amount of time

I heard we have no shot to get Cambridge. Hope you know something I don't cause she is just 5'6" but she is an elite athlete that can do it all.

 

[glv98]

As is Jordan Walker...

And with an MBA! She's an impressive young woman.

 

[Coach Jumper]

As is Jordan Walker...

No contest...two very different positions

 

[Amb3096]

I think technically Harper is a good coach, x&o's etc. She has done a fine job developing Striplin and Jill. She has gotten all out of Walker that she can get out of a short turnover machine. She makes adjustments but she needs help assembling a roster. I was looking at the Top 100 ESPNW list and I do not see TN listed beside any players from 2022 or 2023 other than Justine Pissott who is in logjam mode with Darby and Puckett. If you can't get top 100 talent you better find quick athletic players to fill those slots. We ain't a gettin um. The class of 24 includes TN Ensworth guard who is 5 foot 6 and not a true PG Jaloni Cambridge she is rated on top of that list and I know TN is recruiting her and I know Carolina and Uconn are after her. TN has a shot to get her. The transfer Portal is very important but if you get them you need to take the best you can get and make them elite in a short amount of time

All of these players are top 100 talent. The problem is that they need to get some top 10 talent to go with that. Kellie has Jordan and Rickea for another few months, and then that's it.