Game Thread: Lady Vols v Vanderbilt: Sunday 2PM: SECN+ Win 85-59

[madtownvol]

Actually, much as we love to fan fic these things....

Kellie entered into the locker room. She stared at her players who were busy posting selfies on the gram and who seemed completely unconcerned about taking an imminent loss. "I can' t defend those Vandy girls, I might break a nail" she heard one player say and another complained that her eyelashes were getting sweaty and she wasn't gonna look good on TV. Another cheerfully said, if we forfeit, we can go out dancing sooner!

Suddenly, Kellie's entire being was consumed by flaming anger. All her years of work, her reputation, her future, all being destroyed by this bunch of lazy, entitled, social media obsessed fashionistas!!!!!!! Then something came over her, a vague memory, a scene from a distant past. DeNiro in Raging Bull, Samuel Jackson in Pulp Fiction, the Beast from Split, the Hulk (you won't like me when I am angry). Much to everyone's shock and horror, Kellie suddendly morphed into a 6-10 350 pound vessel of raging anger. She smashed A chair against the wall. She bludgeoned a basketball to death with her fists. She levitated into the air and frothing at the mouth, red eyes rolled backed into head she screamed "Make those [expletive deleted] shots and plal [expletive deleted] defense or you will be [expletive deleted]sleeping with the [expletive deleted] cat fishes in the [expletive deleted] Tennessee River" that's if you survive the vengeance I am about to lay upon all you {expletive deleted]. Then, this force unleashed from the cauldrons of hell surged toward the team as they cowered in fear and prayed for their lives to be spared.

In act off unimaginable heroism Jon, Samantha, and Joy jumped onto this monstrous mass of pure destructive energy, hellbent on retribution, and somehow, against all odds, they held it back.

Jon screamed to the team," run to the court, you will be safe there but hurry we can't hold her much longer!' And Samantha pleaded, "for the love of God, you have to win this game or we are all DEAD, do you hear me, DEAD." Then, Kellie broke free and all seemed lost but just as suddenly the spirits possessing her body vanished and she collapsed to the floor. Jon tenderly picked up Kellie's head as she whispered with all her remaining strength, "Jon......what...happ...ened?"

And Jon looked down on her and smiled, "Kellie, my love, I think the team will finally follow our game plan."

 

[37620VOL]

Putting Walker on Cooke is certainly a choice . Definitely not a good one. How do you not go with Brooklyn and try to get some runouts, because we’re not beating SC in the half court.

Why would we get runouts with Miles? I get that she's a decent defender, but she creates more runouts for the opponent than she does for us.

 

[chuckiepoo]

We speak Mudcat here.

…fluently!

 

[chuckiepoo]

Kellie entered into the locker room. She stared at her players who were busy posting selfies on the gram and who seemed completely unconcerned about taking an imminent loss. "I can' t defend those Vandy girls, I might break a nail" she heard one player say and another complained that her eyelashes were getting sweaty and she wasn't gonna look good on TV. Another said, if we forfeit, we can go out dancing sooner!

Suddenly, Kellie's entire being was consumed by flaming anger. All her years of work, her reputation, her future, all being destroyed by this bunch of lazy, entitled, social media obsessed fashionistas!!!!!!! Then something came over her, a vague memory, a scene from a distant past. DeNiro as Capone, Samuel Jackson in Pulp Fiction, the Beast from Split. Much to everyone's shock and horror, Kellie suddendly morphed into a 6-2 300 pound vessel of raging anger. She smashed A chair against the wall. She bludgeoned a basketball to death with her fists. She levitated into the air and frothing at the mouth, red eyes rolled backed into head she screamed "Make those [expletive deleted] shots and plal [expletive deleted] defense or you will be [expletive deleted]sleeping with the [expletive deleted] cat fishes in the [expletive deleted] Tennessee River" that's if you survive the vengeance I am about to lay upon all you {expletive deleted]. Then, this force unleashed from the cauldrons of hell surged toward the team as they cowered in fear and prayed for their lives to be spared.

In act off unimaginable heroism Jon, Samantha, and Joy jumped onto this monstrous mass of pure destructive energy, hellbent on retribution, and somehow, against all odds, they held it back.

Jon screamed to the team," run to the court, you will be safe there but hurry we can't hold her much longer!' And Samantha pleaded, "for the love of God, you have to win this game or we are all DEAD, do you hear me, DEAD." Then, Kellie broke free and all seemed lost but just as suddenly the spirits possessing her body vanished and she collapsed to floor. Jon tenderly picked up Kellie's head as she whispered with all her remaining strength, "Jon......what...happ...ened?"

And Jon looked down on her and smiled, "Kellie, my love, I think the team will finally follow our game plan."

…excellent. Fan fic extraordinaire!

 

[LUVMESUMVOL]

I don’t see any C on South Carolina roster who can matchup with Jillian Hollingshead versatility. TN matches up better with South Carolina than LSU doe

I don’t see any C on South Carolina roster who can matchup with Jillian Hollingshead versatility. TN matches up better with South Carolina than LSU does.[/QUOTE
Everyone let’s give a warm Lady Vols welcome to this brand new member to this board.Hi Mississippi Vol Hi Thee Iron Vol (LOL)

 

[lvocd]

Kellie entered into the locker room. She stared at her players who were busy posting selfies on the gram and who seemed completely unconcerned about taking an imminent loss. "I can' t defend those Vandy girls, I might break a nail" she heard one player say and another complained that her eyelashes were getting sweaty and she wasn't gonna look good on TV. Another said, if we forfeit, we can go out dancing sooner!

Suddenly, Kellie's entire being was consumed by flaming anger. All her years of work, her reputation, her future, all being destroyed by this bunch of lazy, entitled, social media obsessed fashionistas!!!!!!! Then something came over her, a vague memory, a scene from a distant past. DeNiro in Raging Bull, Samuel Jackson in Pulp Fiction, the Beast from Split, the Hulk (you won't like me when I am angry). Much to everyone's shock and horror, Kellie suddendly morphed into a 6-10 350 pound vessel of raging anger. She smashed A chair against the wall. She bludgeoned a basketball to death with her fists. She levitated into the air and frothing at the mouth, red eyes rolled backed into head she screamed "Make those [expletive deleted] shots and plal [expletive deleted] defense or you will be [expletive deleted]sleeping with the [expletive deleted] cat fishes in the [expletive deleted] Tennessee River" that's if you survive the vengeance I am about to lay upon all you {expletive deleted]. Then, this force unleashed from the cauldrons of hell surged toward the team as they cowered in fear and prayed for their lives to be spared.

In act off unimaginable heroism Jon, Samantha, and Joy jumped onto this monstrous mass of pure destructive energy, hellbent on retribution, and somehow, against all odds, they held it back.

Jon screamed to the team," run to the court, you will be safe there but hurry we can't hold her much longer!' And Samantha pleaded, "for the love of God, you have to win this game or we are all DEAD, do you hear me, DEAD." Then, Kellie broke free and all seemed lost but just as suddenly the spirits possessing her body vanished and she collapsed to floor. Jon tenderly picked up Kellie's head as she whispered with all her remaining strength, "Jon......what...happ...ened?"

And Jon looked down on her and smiled, "Kellie, my love, I think the team will finally follow our game plan."

I just KNEW something like that must have happened, though a bit of projectile vomiting would have been a real show stopper.

 

[Darth_Vol]

I wouldn't go that far. Stanford had them and let them off the hook. UConn gave them all they wanted without Fudd, who would presumably be back for the rematch.

They're good, clearly the best team this season. They aren't unbeatable...

Let's just throw Indiana out there too...

 

[creekdipper]

Madtown...stunning page-turner. Couldn't put it down! Destined to be a best-seller and movie adaptation.

Can't wait for the sequel (and the Classics Illustrated version)!

 

[Orange_Mamba]

Why would we get runouts with Miles? I get that she's a decent defender, but she creates more runouts for the opponent than she does for us.

The first half of the season when she did see minutes she upped the pace for us. When Kellie put her in with Rickea and Jordan we scored fast it didn’t matter that we didn’t have a half court set. They fed off her energy believe or not. She wasn’t turning the ball over like our guards have been consistently doing. And she knows how to penetrate the lane and kick the ball to the open shooter. Something our current guards also have trouble doing.

 

[Dak1219]

The first half of the season when she did see minutes she upped the pace for us. When Kellie put her in with Rickea and Jordan we scored fast it didn’t matter that we didn’t have a half court set. They fed off her energy believe or not. She wasn’t turning the ball over like our guards have been consistently doing. And she knows how to penetrate the lane and kick the ball to the open shooter. Something our current guards also have trouble doing.

Yet Walker was a plus-40 yesterday.

 

[37620VOL]

The first half of the season when she did see minutes she upped the pace for us. When Kellie put her in with Rickea and Jordan we scored fast it didn’t matter that we didn’t have a half court set. They fed off her energy believe or not. She wasn’t turning the ball over like our guards have been consistently doing. And she knows how to penetrate the lane and kick the ball to the open shooter. Something our current guards also have trouble doing.

What games are we talking about here? I've just never seen this from her. Her career has been pretty consistent.

Projected over a 40-minute game Miles will have 3.7 tos, 4.6 assists, 1.7 steals, 40% ft shooter, 19% 3pt shooter.

Same stats for Walker 3.1 tos, 5.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 63% ft shooter, 24% 3pt shooter. Plus she is a better rebounder on both ends.

 

[creekdipper]

This may sound harsh, but I think it's unacceptable for any guard to be less than a 70% FT shooter. Unless the player is strictly a defensive specialist with zero offensive skills, free throw shooting is a matter of mechanics (and confidence, which comes from utilizing proper mechanics). Unless the player had the snot knocked out of her and is seeing double (if triple, aim at the middle), she should be able to knock them down consistently.

Free throws are the one area that a player can practice repeatedly, on her own, in a driveway or any court. The only thing missing is the game pressure, and players can impose their own penalties for missed shots and standards for made shots.

 

[37620VOL]

This may sound harsh, but I think it's unacceptable for any guard to be less than a 70% FT shooter. Unless the player is strictly a defensive specialist with zero offensive skills, free throw shooting is a matter of mechanics (and confidence, which comes from utilizing proper mechanics). Unless the player had the snot knocked out of her and is seeing double (if triple, aim at the middle), she should be able to knock them down consistently.

Free throws are the one area that a player can practice repeatedly, on her own, in a driveway or any court. The only thing missing is the game pressure, and players can impose their own penalties for missed shots and standards for made shots.

I completely agree. I would never sign a guard or wing out of HS unless they are a 30% 3pt shooter, 70% ft shooter, and above average defensively.

 

[Volfan2012]

What games are we talking about here? I've just never seen this from her. Her career has been pretty consistent.

Projected over a 40-minute game Miles will have 3.7 tos, 4.6 assists, 1.7 steals, 40% ft shooter, 19% 3pt shooter.

Same stats for Walker 3.1 tos, 5.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 63% ft shooter, 24% 3pt shooter. Plus she is a better rebounder on both ends.

We didn't have an elite point guard and it has been a while since we had one. That is the first place you start building a team that is consistent. How much better would we be with a point guard like Clark or probably even lower quality like Muhl. Not being able to get an elite point guard has made us somewhat erratic. Powell turned out to be a bust this season for whatever reason. She sure was a better player in the Big Ten.

 

[djtee]

We didn't have an elite point guard and it has been a while since we had one. That is the first place you start building a team that is consistent. How much better would we be with a point guard like Clark or probably even lower quality like Muhl. Not being able to get an elite point guard has made us somewhat erratic. Powell turned out to be a bust this season for whatever reason. She sure was a better player in the Big Ten.

WOW! i will give you a lot of credit you drop the hammer on Powell, Some jumped into the ocean when she was pulled from portal and have yet to drop the hammer on her i wonder why.

 

[Volfan2012]

WOW! i will give you a lot of credit you drop the hammer on Powell, Some jumped into the ocean when she was pulled from portal and have yet to drop the hammer on her i wonder why.

Stats don't lie and she doesn't have them this season. I don't think you want to go into next season with Powell and Miles as your point guards. Not saying Powell can't play a lot better. I had high hopes for her. Not going to happen this year it seems. I wouldn't want to risk not getting a point guard for next season if I were still coaching.

 

[chuckiepoo]

I completely agree. I would never sign a guard or wing out of HS unless they are a 30% 3pt shooter, 70% ft shooter, and above average defensively.

Which may contribute to CKH’s dilemma.

 

[ffitxela]

South Carolina has no player that is shutting down JH or Rickea one on one. I don’t want to hear or see stats. Bottom line.

SC plays D the way we use too. All I can say is they shut down Angel Reese

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Which may contribute to CKH’s dilemma.

And you would think, with KH being a very good PG in her day, that identifying, evaluating and coaching up PG's would be her strong point.

 

[creekdipper]

I wouldn't even think we need an elite PG if that means POY times like Bueckers or Clark or evem leading team scorers like Miles or Latson. I'm thinking of the Kellie or Dennis Johnson types who know how to direct traffoc, feed the post, penetrate and kick out, and play Tenacious D.

As for FT, at this level, 70% is barely acceptable. I'd hope that starting guards would be 85% or above, money when the game is on the line. It's a real liability when your primary ball handlers are inconsistent at FT and the other team knows it. Should be embarrassing enough to a player that they'd be motivated to improve to help their team win in those situations. A d doesn't do much good to draw fouls if you can't knock them down at crunch time.

I wondet if stats show any negative relationship between lower FT percentages and the adoption of the automatic two shots replacing tbe one-and-one. Certainly has changed strategy and taken some drama out of the game. (I felt the same way when volleyball took away the side out with no points when serving team messed up. It sped the games up, but it took out the nerve-wracking suspense that was special).

 

[lvocd]

Legitimate question: Why do seemingly most people hold guards to a higher standard for free throw shooting percentage than other position players? I don't happen to be one of those people. I think every player should make at least 70% of their free throws. Actually, as often as a good center should be drawing fouls, they should be the ones spending the most extra alone time in the gym alternating between working on using the backboard for close-in shots and shooting free throws. But maybe that's just me.

 

[creekdipper]

I agree that all players at the top levels ought to be able to hit 7 out of 10 free throws. Sadly, not the case.

 

[37620VOL]

I wouldn't even think we need an elite PG if that means POY times like Bueckers or Clark or evem leading team scorers like Miles or Latson. I'm thinking of the Kellie or Dennis Johnson types who know how to direct traffoc, feed the post, penetrate and kick out, and play Tenacious D.

As for FT, at this level, 70% is barely acceptable. I'd hope that starting guards would be 85% or above, money when the game is on the line. It's a real liability when your primary ball handlers are inconsistent at FT and the other team knows it. Should be embarrassing enough to a player that they'd be motivated to improve to help their team win in those situations. A d doesn't do much good to draw fouls if you can't knock them down at crunch time.

I wondet if stats show any negative relationship between lower FT percentages and the adoption of the automatic two shots replacing tbe one-and-one. Certainly has changed strategy and taken some drama out of the game. (I felt the same way when volleyball took away the side out with no points when serving team messed up. It sped the games up, but it took out the nerve-wracking suspense that was special).

I agree again. Don't need a Bueckers or Clark. A Reynolds/Massengale combo with the surrounding talent would be fine.

 

[37620VOL]

Legitimate question: Why do seemingly most people hold guards to a higher standard for free throw shooting percentage than other position players? I don't happen to be one of those people. I think every player should make at least 70% of their free throws. Actually, as often as a good center should be drawing fouls, they should be the ones spending the most extra alone time in the gym alternating between working on using the backboard for close-in shots and shooting free throws. But maybe that's just me.

Shooting is an essential skill for a guard whereas it is a nice skill to have for an otherwise dominant post.

Bigger players are traditionally thought of as less coordinated and it is historically proven that they tend to be less proficient shooters. It is exceedingly rare that you find a large powerful player that also has really good shooting touch and those unicorns are super elite players. Good shooting touch is less essential for a post player that will be beating and banging around the basket because you want them dominating the paint and not standing around the 3p line. All the practice and best coaches in the world couldn't make Shaq a good FT shooter. Some got it and some ain't.

 

[chuckiepoo]

And you would think, with KH being a very good PG in her day, that identifying, evaluating and coaching up PG's would be her strong point.

Another issue that may be contributing is an elevated scholastic expectation.