Game Thread: Lady Vols vs. Alabama

#326
#326
Good analysis as usual, but I do disagree with your concern about Alabama's scoring. Jon said before the game that they were going to concentrate on their 3 point shooting and their point of emphasis with the players was keeping their man in front of them so they wouldn't have switches that would create open 3 point shots.

That did make our defense less effective on drives to the paint, but kept Alabama from getting 3 point shots would have enabled them to close the gap on our 20 point lead in the second half.

Kellie did mention this in her post game show with Brian Rice and said that they would address with the team some technique changes to make their man defense more effective in the paint.

madtownvol said:
The LVS shooting almost 54% from the field and 82% is way above the baseline for this team. [If this becomes their new normal, they would be great bet for the final four]

Plus, Jordan Walker had the game of the season and one of her all-time best tonight. Odds are that is not going to be her standard outing (please prove me wrong Jordan!!)


Having said that, there are some great signs of offensive development. More movement off the ball, nice back cuts for easy shots. Puckett is reading the game really well. The way she is playing, I don't want to see her minutes cut at all.

On the thing about good coaches developing players. Hollingshead is fast tracking at a pace that may be in violation of the law. She has gone from looking lost to a confident and skilled post. She still has some rough edges but Kellie's polishing machine is working overtime.

Look out SEC, Tess Darby's is coming for you. She is about to eliminate the narrative of not being able to create her own show with that little Steph Curry side step.

Justine is on the cusp. You can see some confidence when she putting the ball on the floor (and not turning it over). I know this game was only a cameo but that light bulb is about to go off.

Rickea is shooting around 70% from the field from the last 2 games. Honestly, I can see her shooting at something close to that for the rest of the season (unless someone brings Kryponite to the game).

The elephant in the room is giving up 76 points. The LVs great offensive game mask that shortcoming but they gave up way too many layups. Tamika called it just right in noting the team is still playing as though Key is there to guard the paint. The LVs have to do a better job keeping players in front of them.
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#327
#327
madtownvol said:
I will give you credit for not disappearing after a big win, like some other "fans" who post here (and who are once again noticeably absent during the happy times). However, every signal over that last few games is that Coach Kellie and LV legend-in-the-making Rickea Jackson have reached a mutual understanding and all is honky dory on the team. So, again, why keep pounding this old news drum in the context of the LVs being off to a 2-0 SEC start? (And Rickea averaging 25 pts a game in SEC play) Live in the moment, stop and smell the roses.
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It’s not disappearing as my comments about JH were taken as a jab probably because of the messenger more than the message. Just stated JH with a low scoring day and RJ pumping in 20+ along with Tess softened the blow. Can’t be expected by RJ and JH to play lights out…both need to be on together to advance. Today was one of those days of Tess having a day well above her average that pushed the game to double digits.
 
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#328
#328
EarlVolFan said:
Good analysis as usual, but I do disagree with your concern about Alabama's scoring. Jon said before the game that they were going to concentrate on their 3 point shooting and their point of emphasis with the players was keeping their man in front of them so they wouldn't have switches that would create open 3 point shots.

That did make our defense less effective on drives to the paint, but kept Alabama from getting 3 point shot would have enabled them to close the gap on our 20 point lead in the second half.

Kellie did mention this in her post game show with Brian Rice and said that they would address with the team some technique changes to make their man defense more effective in the paint.
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That's fair. Sometimes you have to give something to eliminate a bigger threat. But, we know from past history, the LVs are going to have some games where they don't score in 80s and shoot over 50% and that means they are going to need lock down defense against good teams where they both defend the perimeter and don't give up easy lay-ups. That is the standard they need to compete with the South Carolinas and Stanfords.

They still have some work to do but I am confident they will make the necessary adjustments.
 
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#329
#329
Majors said:
It’s not disappearing as my comments about JH were taken as a jab probably because of the messenger more than the message. Just stated JH with a low scoring day and RJ pumping in 20+ along with Tess softened the blow. Can’t be expected by RJ and JH to play lights out…both need to be on together to advance. Today was one of those days of Tess having a day well above her average that pushed the game to double digits.
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I did not say you disappeared, just the opposite actually.

You really do need to turn everything exchange into an argument,. don't ya?. Whatever man, you do you.
 
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#330
#330
NoBackBoard said:
This second unit thing is crap. Just play the best players together and sub them when they need a rest or in foul trouble. Kellie is making this much more difficult than it needs to be!
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There was no “second unit thing.” Kellie basically played 8 players today. None of the other three that played had over five minutes! Substitution patterns were good today. With Jordy not feeling well and spending some time in the locker room in the first quarter, the normal rotation got upset a little bit early on.
 
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#331
#331
Coach Jumper said:
fan?
you?
laughing-laughing-hysterically.gif

giphy.gif
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tess prospectsnation #144 four star some high scotts had her top 70 before injury miss summer aau ball softmore year prove tess played the long game and won govols247 more of that 70 player show up vs alabama tess and marta looking better all the time for kellie first class. if tenn cuts down the nets her 20 and 21 , 22 classes plus transfers will be big part of it only horston left from hollies players playing now.
 
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#332
#332
madtownvol said:
I did not say you disappeared, just the opposite actually.

You really do need to turn everything exchange into an argument,. don't ya?. Whatever man, you do you.
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I don’t disappear…unfortunately based on the likeminded stance. You said, I’ll give you credit for not disappearing. I stated it’s not disappearing as my comments were taken as a jab, which should have been taken as a complement to Tess and RJ for picking JH up. So a take a little of your own advice on the arguing.
 
#333
#333
The thing I disagreed with is the implication - heck the outright statement - that JH had an "off game" bc she "only" scored 9 pts, with no mention at all of the rest of the stat sheet stuffing she did. We did not need JH to score today, she wasn't shooting as well, and she didn't force the issue. Instead she found other ways to be very, very valuable.

That is HUGE IMO. If RJ is on, JH is not going to score as much. The fact that JH seems to be perfectly ok with that is awesome, and very team oriented of her. Having RJ may mean JH will not be all SEC, but it may mean she wins the SEC championship. The thing JH has had to fight thru her whole career has been being forced into roles - like PG, and like late game finisher, that she's not really best at. No more.
 
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#335
#335
Lucy said:
I would love for RJ to start MSU game!!!!! To me it was brave and difficult for RJ to transfer for just her Senior year. She would obviously be the team leader at MSU but she chose to come to a new team where day one she moved ahead of almost all the returning players but didn’t have a relationship with anyone except Jordy. Talk about walking on egg shells. I hope by the end of the year she will have found her leadership lane as a LV. Kellie needs to look for leadership opportunities for Kea. This adjustment period/experience will serve her well in the years to come.
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My ballgame buddy, my teenage granddaughter and I were talking about this at the game. She was talking about what an incredible athletic body RJ has, and how physically beautiful she is. Must she have everything LOL? My granddaughter said that's exactly the girl her high school friends tear to shreds! Poor little rich girl. But it is hard, especially being the best player in the group just by walking in the door. And guaranteed to take someone's minutes.

I had hoped it would go a little smoother than it apparently did, and I have been saying RJ should start to remove any doubt of ongoing punishment. But I believe all that doubt is cleared up now, all parties are certainly saying the right things. The healing balm of winning! Hopefully it has been a life lesson for all.

Please, please let her start Thursday!
 
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#336
#336
glv98 said:
The thing I disagreed with is the implication - heck the outright statement - that JH had an "off game" bc she "only" scored 9 pts, with no mention at all of the rest of the stat sheet stuffing she did. We did not need JH to score today, she wasn't shooting as well, and she didn't force the issue. Instead she found other ways to be very, very valuable.

That is HUGE IMO. If RJ is on, JH is not going to score as much. The fact that JH seems to be perfectly ok with that is awesome, and very team oriented of her. Having RJ may mean JH will not be all SEC, but it may mean she wins the SEC championship. The thing JH has had to fight thru her whole career has been being forced into roles - like PG, and like late game finisher, that she's not really best at. No more.
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Points she had an off day by her set standards offensively. You can get wrapped around the wheel on the term, I’m not throwing her under the bus as it was good to see Tess step up. Refreshing to see a someone step up besides RJ and JH. Stated many times for us to go deep in SECT and NCAA tournament is RJ and JH can’t have off nights together.
 
#337
#337
Majors said:
I don’t disappear…unfortunately based on the likeminded stance. You said, I’ll give you credit for not disappearing. I stated it’s not disappearing as my comments were taken as a jab, which should have been taken as a complement to Tess and RJ for picking JH up. So a take a little of your own advice on the arguing.
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man, your reading comprehension needs work. Do you understand how "not" works in a sentence?
 
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#338
#338
glv98 said:
My ballgame buddy, my teenage granddaughter and I were talking about this at the game. She was talking about what an incredible athletic body RJ has, and how physically beautiful she is. Must she have everything LOL? My granddaughter said that's exactly the girl her high school friends tear to shreds! Poor little rich girl. But it is hard, especially being the best player in the group just by walking in the door. And guaranteed to take someone's minutes.

I had hoped it would go a little smoother than it apparently did, and I have been saying RJ should start to remove any doubt of ongoing punishment. But I believe all that doubt is cleared up now, all parties are certainly saying the right things. The healing balm of winning! Hopefully it has been a life lesson for all.

Please, please let her start Thursday!
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LVs are a little bit older but still a tricky situation.
Junior High and High school…we’ve got one wading in that swamp right now. Some of those girls are mean as snakes!! I would like to have a word with some of those mothers but I’m not allowed!😬😬😬
 
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#341
#341
According to the post game presser, the new FT coach is Tamari Key. She is charting and monitoring extra ft shooting the players are doing on their own. Jordan Walker pointed it out as something the players are bought into completely, she even joked it needed to start with her. And she was 7-7 today! What a great way to keep TK involved. More and more, I believe TK will be back next year, physical health allowing.

For whatever reason, the 4th qtr letdown just didn't feel like a big deal watching live. This game was never, ever in doubt, and for the first time in ages, it just felt the LVs had a much higher talent level.

Speaking of saying all the right things, RJ couldn't have done that more in the postgame if she were reading from a script. When asked about that special something-something playing against Miss State, she gave the standard "every SEC game, every team" answer. But there was a little smile when the subject first came up.

BTW my granddaughter showed me a post fm a Miss State player on RJ's instagram or something saying "RJ don't start thinking you can do this against us" or something like that. I said that's either friendly ribbing from a former teammate she's still close to, or the dumbest thing any SEC player ever said to another. If serious, I'll bet that MS coach wants to take that player's phone and break it over their head! Yeah, bait RJ, maybe she'll play a little better against you.
 
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#346
#346
I've got to stop now
otherwise I may get fined for battling wits with an unarmed foe

It's been ,,,,
well, it's been
 
#347
#347
mudcat1973 said:
tess prospectsnation #144 four star some high scotts had her top 70 before injury miss summer aau ball softmore year prove tess played the long game and won govols247 more of that 70 player show up vs alabama tess and marta looking better all the time for kellie first class. if tenn cuts down the nets her 20 and 21 , 22 classes plus transfers will be big part of it only horston left from hollies players playing now.
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I giggled mud’. Go Darbys!
 
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#349
#349
lvocd said:
Might receive votes, but if voters actually watch the game I wouldn't be surprised if that fourth quarter slippage hurts them. If they'd finished strong they may actually have been right there. I imagine Kellie is thinking the same thing. Gonna be some tired women at the end of practice tomorrow! lol
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There is no practice tomorrow!
 
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#350
#350
glv98 said:
My ballgame buddy, my teenage granddaughter and I were talking about this at the game. She was talking about what an incredible athletic body RJ has, and how physically beautiful she is. Must she have everything LOL? My granddaughter said that's exactly the girl her high school friends tear to shreds! Poor little rich girl. But it is hard, especially being the best player in the group just by walking in the door. And guaranteed to take someone's minutes.

I had hoped it would go a little smoother than it apparently did, and I have been saying RJ should start to remove any doubt of ongoing punishment. But I believe all that doubt is cleared up now, all parties are certainly saying the right things. The healing balm of winning! Hopefully it has been a life lesson for all.

Please, please let her start Thursday!
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Not sure that it matters if she starts or not. Just knock down a twenty spot, snag a half dozen rebounds, and dish about four assists. 😉
 
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