Game Thread: Lady Vols v Vanderbilt: Sunday 1PM, TV-SEC network,,,Final: TN 84 Vandy 71

[madtownvol]

A win is a win but wish we played with more of a killer instinct, keep pouring it on. Ralph’s team takes on her tough personality and never quit. Know we get their best shot but a little disappointed in the finish.

Don't believe the hype. Any SEC team playing at home is going to put up a fight. If vandy is so tough, they would not have been out rebounded by 14. Rickea getting into foul trouble hampered things a bit. They did not defend Harbison well. With TK Harbison would have way fewer points as the game would have turned into a block party. Our defensive schemes have still not just adjusted to her absence in the paint. Karo had one of her best games but a shot blocker she isn't nor is Franklin and Hollingshead had an off night.

 

[Memvol44]

The improvement from year 1 til now has been one of a kind. She’s literally a lottery pick right now i believe she’s better than Haley Jones as well.

Oh yes,does more things better

 

[Volfan2012]

QUOTE="Prophet1, post: 22303112, member: 70419"]Horston is all around a team player , she involve her team mates to the nth and deny selfishness.
Should be the number one pick in the draft.

And up for player of the year!!! She is never mentioned![/QUOTE]
Boston will be number one we know but yes she is playing huge. I want her to stay another year if Tamari can come back get than NIl money up.

 

[Prophet1]

Here’s the stats without the minutes. Rickea with 23 points in a rough game, they just slip up on you. Striplin, Tess, Horston, Franklin, many helped get the win.

SEC Women's Basketball: Tennessee Lady Volunteers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores - Box Score - Jan 8, 2023

Look , Rickea wasn't the catapult , it was Darby . And Horston. Points don't tell the narrative. Plus I listen to it on the radio and all I could hear was DARBY DARBY DARBY, when our big two was t clicking.

 

[Volfan2012]

Don't believe the hype. Any SEC team playing at home is going to put up a fight. If vandy is so tough, they would not have been out rebounded by 14. Rickea getting into foul trouble hampered things a bit. They did not defend Harbison well. With TK Harbison would have way fewer points as the game would have turned into a block party. Our defensive schemes have still not just adjusted to her absence in the paint. Karo had one of her best games but a shot blocker she isn't nor is Franklin and Hollingshead had an off night.

The energy of home teams will always make them a threat. If you come in low energy you can lose. Sometimes you also have to contend with hometown Refs. We had our moments today when we would get down on defense and play then we'd take a few plays off.

 

[glv98]

Good close to the game, but I am concerned about our lack of focus when we are up in games. If I’m not mistaken, I believe we have had big leads in all 4 SEC games, and lost focus where the game got tighter.

KJH had an interesting take on this post game: our offense is so good when we get way ahead it feels like we can score at will so giving up a basket late is no big deal. Of course she is not on board with that and will address LOL.

I agree with those who say KJH is partially responsible for the late swoon with her "inventive" lineups. It's such a hard choice, you want to get subs minutes but we have to win in the now. Its why she gets the big bucks.

One thing this team is starting to prove is that for the first time in a long time our offense can carry us if our defense isn’t perfect. Can’t remember the last time we started SEC play with this many 80+ games.

See above. Our offense has just soared the last half dozen games or so. Low turnovers, high assists, much better movement, and most of all, the addition of Rickea Jackson, natural born scorer. Even on an off day.

Horston has just been SO good. 13 points, 8 boards, 8 assists, 1 turnover.

See above. Having an offensive star like RJ frees JH completely to be the complete player she is. And vice versa. You can see how comfortable and in rythmn JH is. Even on an off day.

However, an off day for both at the same time like the first half would be a disaster against a really good team. Have to make sure that never happens. Kudos to RJ for the strong 4th, just like JH last game.

Striplin goes home with a pocket full of dimes that JH dropped her the whole game. She better watch out or sticky fingers Tess will steal them. 4 steals! Good for Striplin getting in position and hitting the layups. I thought Franklin, as always gave good mins. 5 pts, 4 rebs, a block and a steal in 14 mins. My poor Sara! I think she'll be ok, we need her.

4-0 with 2 road wins sounds good.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Good close to the game, but I am concerned about our lack of focus when we are up in games. If I’m not mistaken, I believe we have had big leads in all 4 SEC games, and lost focus where the game got tighter.

letting a 12-2 run go with four timeouts isn't focus

 

[Volfan2012]

Look , Rickea wasn't the catapult , it was Darby . And Horston. Points don't tell the narrative. Plus I listen to it on the radio and all I could hear was DARBY DARBY DARBY, when our big two was t clicking.

Darby played one of her best games since she has been at Tennessee. Her defense was just as good as her offense and she picked their pocket a couple of times.

 

[madtownvol]

I think part of the problem is the every changing lineup and whomever was guarding Harbison was not doing it well Will have to watch again wasn't paying to much attention to whom was taking her the most.

I don't think you can fault Kellie too much on line-up. Her options were limited. Puckett was in a total funk. Jackson was in foul trouble, Hollingshead was not having a good game. Wynn did an okay job in defense and rebounding and become the safe option. You can't wear poor Jordan out this early in the season so she needs time on the bench.

Defensively, it still seems the LVs are in the habit of letting guards come into the paint where Tamari will send their shots into the 3rd row but there is no TK. When Hollingshead is not in the game (literally and figuratively), we don't have a shot blocker. Going forward, the LVs have got to get better at keeping players in front of them.

On the plus side, Tess had a great all round game, with 4 steals! I love the way that Rickea after going 0-4 got into the game by crashing the boards, It felt like she had an off night but shot almost 50% and had 23pts. I will take that for an "off" game.

Striplin can definitely shine when the opponent does not have a big post presence. But, some aspects of the post game need to get sorted before the LVs face up against South Carolina.

 

[Coach Jumper]

 

[Volfan2012]

Vandy had been averaging 66 a game got 71 on us today. We certainly know we need to get better on defense just waiting for it to happen.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

Darby played one of her best games since she has been at Tennessee. Her defense was just as good as her offense and she picked their pocket a couple of times.

Tess had 4 steals in her fantastic game. She is also a leader. Would not surprise me if she is a starter for the rest of her career as a Lady Vol.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Vandy had been averaging 66 a game got 71 on us today. We certainly know we need to get better on defense just waiting for it to happen.

they were just trying to beat my prediction

 

[VolBalls33]

Beating Vandy is always a good day. 4 SEC wins all by double digits. Let's go for #5 next game!!

 

[glv98]

Look , Rickea wasn't the catapult , it was Darby . And Horston. Points don't tell the narrative. Plus I listen to it on the radio and all I could hear was DARBY DARBY DARBY, when our big two was t clicking.

Darby and Horston (and Striplin) were the catapults, but RJ was the big ole cannon ball they hurled thru the castle door. Points don't tell the whole story, but they do define the final score.

But yeahTess has been outstanding, a stat sheet stuffer in her own right. She's been major in the 4-0 start.

 

[LV renaissance]

Funny how these SEC games have been going: The Lady Vols get a big lead showing how dominant they can be and then all of a sudden we can't stop the other team. There was a stretch in the 4th quarter where Vandy scored 10 out of 13 possessions including some 3s. I know this can happen occasionally but should not happen every game. On the plus side, in each game the Lady Vols stopped the bleeding and recovered right toward the end. That is a level of poise we haven't seen here since Pat's teams.

Tess is one of the most consistent 3-point shooters we have ever had. We have had several ones in the past that were streaky and looked brilliant one game and then shot bricks the next game. What I really like about Tess is she shoots well in most games! Moreover, she had 4 steals and had the second best +/- to Jordy. Striplin, as noted by others, had a really good game as well. Jordy has become a joy to watch, so grounded and court aware in a way she wasn't before this season. I commend RJ hanging in there after a rough start. Puckett, on the other hand, has played so tentative in more games than not. Last year I would attribute this to being a Freshman but it has increased this year so I don't know what to make of it anymore. We will need her as the season proceeds.

In Sum, we are looking really good on offense with positive contributions from an array of players, but the defense has to play more consistently.

 

[Volfan2012]

they were just trying to beat my prediction

They get sky high for us but Coach Harper was right about our defensive intensity

 

[madtownvol]

Tess had 4 steals in her fantastic game. She is also a leader. Would not surprise me if she is a starter for the rest of her career as a Lady Vol.

I agree. She is a smart player who has one very valuable skill, the 3 point dagger and she is building the rest of her game around that. She never tries to do to much. Her defensive game is improving at a remarkable rate and she getting more rebounds, and getting better at creating her own shot. She is even bringing up the court with confidence.

I compare her to Shanna Zolman. SZ was a more highly ranked recruit and a more polished offensive player as a freshman but she was an accident waiting to happen on defense and could be shut down by a good defender. She worker her butt off and become a solid defender who could beat most defenders off the dribble and even did a decent job as an emergency point guard. Tess is a taller player and I don;'t think she will ever be as quick as Zolman but she is going to become a really good all-round player. I love that Kellie can find a diamond in the rough and then polish her up nice and shiny.

If tess wants to use her covid season, should could have two more years. Over two more seasons, she could be the kind of player who could be a real game changer. With her sis on the team, I look for her to be a 5th year senior.

 

[glv98]

On the plus side, in each game the Lady Vols stopped the bleeding and recovered right toward the end. That is a level of poise we haven't seen here since Pat's teams.

Poise, and developed offensive talent. We should appreciate having not one but TWO of the best players in the country. Even on an "off" night for them its hard to see us going into the prolonged scoring draughts that have plagued us. Also, our role player talent is much better. Hallelujah!

 

[madtownvol]

Poise, and developed offensive talent. We should appreciate having not one but TWO of the best players in the country. Even on an "off" night for them its hard to see us going into the prolonged scoring draughts that have plagued us. Also, our role player talent is much better. Hallelujah!

Let's talk about the ball movement in this game. They had a couple of highlight reel, four passes no dribble, lay-up posessions. Rickea had some great finds, as did Jordan (as expected).

 

[madtownvol]

Poise, and developed offensive talent. We should appreciate having not one but TWO of the best players in the country. Even on an "off" night for them its hard to see us going into the prolonged scoring draughts that have plagued us. Also, our role player talent is much better. Hallelujah!

My one concern is that Rickea is not hitting the 3. She is living in the paint and against teams like South Carolina and LSU, she might find it tough sledding. If she had a 3 to keep defensive, she would be unstoppable, Her shot looks great so I think she the capacity. I would not mind seeing her take a few more in the upcoming games to find her stroke.

 

[glv98]

My one concern is that Rickea is not hitting the 3. She is living in the paint and against teams like South Carolina and LSU, she might find it tough sledding. If she had a 3 to keep defensive, she would be unstoppable, Her shot looks great so I think she the capacity. I would not mind seeing her take a few more in the upcoming games to find her stroke.

She's pretty good from mid range too, elbow, ft line etc. Her 3 stroke does look good, but if I'm out there I'm looking for Tess first! But I get the point, RJ needs to stretch the D beyond the paint.

 

[Coach Jumper]

My one concern is that Rickea is not hitting the 3. She is living in the paint and against teams like South Carolina and LSU, she might find it tough sledding. If she had a 3 to keep defensive, she would be unstoppable, Her shot looks great so I think she the capacity. I would not mind seeing her take a few more in the upcoming games to find her stroke.

mid-range is a lost art and I am glad that is a dominant part of her game
let the snipers hit the long range
give me a drive who can pull up or hit a step-back

I appreciate and and impressed with what Tess does
but I covet a player who does what Rickea does

 

[Coach Jumper]

She's pretty good from mid range too, elbow, ft line etc. Her 3 stroke does look good, but if I'm out there I'm looking for Tess first! But I get the point, RJ needs to stretch the D beyond the paint.

that was pretty cool,,,bofus had the same thought

 

[Prophet1]

Powe that went for 21 against us and six threes was 2 of 8 today for 5 points. Were just letting one player go off to much in games have to figure out who is the weak link on defense.

.Don't figure , put in Wynn she's a defensive gem .