Game Thread Lady Vols vs. ETSU

[Rickster]

Didn't watch the game tonight, but the 1 rebound Green got was a surprise to me. She only had 1 rebound in the last game too. And that's against two small teams. Hopefully this is an aberration; otherwise, I can't see her being a factor in SEC play.

I thought ETSU boxed out well. When the ball came off the rim, we had no one close enough to get it. A lot of rebounds just went where we weren’t. Kinda strange there for a while.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Just saw Kasi grab the most athletic rebound of her career. Wish she had finished that putback! Doesn’t need the post dribble. She’s definitely more aggressive and in better shape.

y'all are hilarious

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Why did McCoy get so many minutes? Why?!? I love Rae’s composure through two games and i love how she barked back when she had to come out the game and said “why... i only need a bandaid”

My other favorite moment was when Rennia looked at Mccoy and then yelled lol

I cant I gotta rewatch the whole game just for these moments

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Jordan was 4 of 9 shooting with 2 for 3 on 3's,,2 rebs, 3 assists, 1 block and 5 steals and all you see is 3 TO's
tunnel vision

okay this a good post and even putting the video of her blinding the camera *chefs kiss*

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

I cant I gotta rewatch the whole game just for these moments

You will see Rae go to the bench and say it.. Rennia was irritated talking under the basket with Mccoy and i was like yes finally. Mccoy should have had more turnovers because she lost about 3-4 more balls players passed her and were charged with the turnover lol

Another positives were the execution on the j bounds plays.

 

[VolBall09]

why can’t the lady vols ever play scrappy once?

I thought they did really, 16 steals and solid defense. Just couldn’t get anything going offensively. Primarily due to the excessive substitutions trying different lineups and getting reserves minutes.

 

[Orange Maniac]

McCoy had a rough game last night. If there was a way to screw up, she found it. Hopefully, she will get her head back in the game.

 

[stlvolsfan]

I’m glad to see Jordan Horston have a better game. She’s going to be a difference maker. We will go as she goes.

 

[Volfan2012]

I think there was a lot of experimenting going on last night and that shouldn't and probably won't happen next game on the road. I think I could figure out a rotation now and a dept chart. For me it looks something like this:

PF-Suraez, Green, McCoy
WF-Davis, Suarez
C-Key, KK, Saunders
WG-Burrell, Salary, Renne
PG- Horston, Walker

Need to get Suarez off the perimeter and down in the stretch four I didn't like her on the perimeter picking up the dribble and then panicking and passing into a turnover. I think she is much better suited inside so she can pop out for short jumpers or even a three. She is good on getting boards and think she could get some stick backs complemented by Key inside. I think she would be better defensively inside because of her foot speed. She needs to guard a bigger player not a point guard or perimeter player. The point guards are Horston and Walker no one else should play there unless we get in some sort of foul trouble. One or the other should be there the entire game. Salary looks much better suited as an off guard emergency point guard and the backup for Burrell. Key has to be the starting center ridiculous to me to see Green in that position she is a four and needs a big center in there with her to be effective. She has some shifty moves under the basket which are not going to be effective against big centers so Key takes the big center away and someone else is guarding her. Davis and Burrell over 30 minutes why would we not play them over 30? Fouls trouble or injury the only reasons not to get someone else some minutes. KK can get a few minutes in relief of Key. Suarez can play some three while Davis gets a rest. Salary or Renne can take up the down time for Burrell.

I just hope were not going to have the barrage of substitutions when we play West Virginia we need to tighten up the rotation quite a bit and also get players in roles that they can handle better. Hopefully players will settle into positions and not play everywhere like this last game. JMO

 

[luballer]

In the postgame presser, Horston mentioned she has been dealing with some personal issues. She stated that Kellie called and spoke with her and told her to just play and have fun. Last night she seemed more relaxed and “like herself”. It was also mentioned that Marta was in the gym after the game shooting free throws.

I know we returned the majority of our production from last year, but this team is still young and growing. We have 7 underclassmen to go along with 2 transfers. Throughout the season we will have some “ugly wins and head scratching moments”. These young women are playing during a pandemic, and we have no idea what they are going through mentally. It’s going to be a crazy ride, but I look forward to watching them grow as a team.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Full game:

 

[Volfan2012]

Coach Harper and player interviews.

 

[mcannon1]

Sloppy. Twice as many turnovers as assists. Disappointed.

 

[Bballnut1952]

Sloppy. Twice as many turnovers as assists. Disappointed.

Can you imagine if I posted that?

I’ll just add that I didn’t see much difference In the team compared to last season.

 

[Coach Jumper]

with frequent subbing, continuity and flow is affected.
So is familiarity of movements and tendencies.
that said, turnovers in such a high substitution environment will happen at a higher rate.


This should be the last game of mass substitutions like that.
We are nine players deep with four deep-subs at this point.
That may change, and possibly will...but for now, this is what I see

 

[Chippo]

I think there was a lot of experimenting going on last night and that shouldn't and probably won't happen next game on the road. I think I could figure out a rotation now and a dept chart. For me it looks something like this:

PF-Suraez, Green, McCoy
WF-Davis, Suarez
C-Key, KK, Saunders
WG-Burrell, Salary, Renne
PG- Horston, Walker

Need to get Suarez off the perimeter and down in the stretch four I didn't like her on the perimeter picking up the dribble and then panicking and passing into a turnover. I think she is much better suited inside so she can pop out for short jumpers or even a three. She is good on getting boards and think she could get some stick backs complemented by Key inside. I think she would be better defensively inside because of her foot speed. She needs to guard a bigger player not a point guard or perimeter player. The point guards are Horston and Walker no one else should play there unless we get in some sort of foul trouble. One or the other should be there the entire game. Salary looks much better suited as an off guard emergency point guard and the backup for Burrell. Key has to be the starting center ridiculous to me to see Green in that position she is a four and needs a big center in there with her to be effective. She has some shifty moves under the basket which are not going to be effective against big centers so Key takes the big center away and someone else is guarding her. Davis and Burrell over 30 minutes why would we not play them over 30? Fouls trouble or injury the only reasons not to get someone else some minutes. KK can get a few minutes in relief of Key. Suarez can play some three while Davis gets a rest. Salary or Renne can take up the down time for Burrell.

I just hope were not going to have the barrage of substitutions when we play West Virginia we need to tighten up the rotation quite a bit and also get players in roles that they can handle better. Hopefully players will settle into positions and not play everywhere like this last game. JMO

Don't see Emily playing much with 2 other
Centers. She only played 4 minutes. 5 Minutes the first game.

 

[VolBall09]

with frequent subbing, continuity and flow is affected.
So is familiarity of movements and tendencies.
that said, turnovers in such a high substitution environment will happen at a higher rate.


This should be the last game of mass substitutions like that.
We are nine players deep with four deep-subs at this point.
That may change, and possibly will...but for now, this is what I see

Would agree. I think we are possibly 10 deep when Darby returns. Based on what I’ve seen/heard her handle and shooting will get her some minute if she’s quick enough to defend.

Did notice coach Harper didn’t seem to hockey style sub as much this year as she did last. Still a ton of subs but it was 2-3 at a time. The first few games last year it was 5 in and 5 out. Really don’t think we’re seeing much of Saunders, McCoy and Rennie this season. Jaiden seems like a great gal and I think coach likes her personality. Seems like she might practice better than she plays.

Everyone on here can agree she really struggled last night. She only had two TOs in the box score but she was responsible for 5-6 more not catching passes. There was a moment when Rennia was on the floor surrounded and McCoy was SCREAMING for the ball. Rennia passed it to her and McCoy never moved an inch and the ETSU player took it back for a layup. Rennia was really frustrated with her all night.

Meeting the pass is one of the most basic basketball skills. You’re gonna get the ball or get fouled. Gotta keep your feet active and stay moving.

 

[VolBall09]

Don't see Emily playing much with 2 other
Centers. She only played 4 minutes. 5 Minutes the first game.

I think Emily is OK with her role on this team though. She loves the lady vols and she always sounds positive and upbeat in her interviews. She knows her job is to be a great teammate and cheer from the bench. Always one of the first players up after a positive play. I don’t think she’ll ever crack the minutes much at UT but she does add to the team.

 

[lvocd]

I meant to mention this last night, but the “obscure highlight of the game,” for me, came at the end of the 3rd quarter. Kasi gets hacked hard for the umpteenth time — no whistle, of course — and she actually stays on the court after the buzzer sounds to end the quarter to give the official a little grief and a look that low-key asked, “How long have you been legally blind?” I loved that Kasi showed a little bit of attitude by simply speaking up for herself.

Also, even though she didn’t score and was only in the game a couple of minutes, I appreciated the fact that Jessie Rennie was in there mixing it up and creating havoc with her minutes. Also, Keyen Green had some really strong moves inside. Actually, on second look, just about everyone had at least one outstanding moment, and most had several. I’ll take it.

One more thing: ETSU is lucky to have native Tennessean Coach Brittney Ezell at the helm. I absolutely love her.

 

[Volfan2012]

Don't see Emily playing much with 2 other
Centers. She only played 4 minutes. 5 Minutes the first game.

She is the third option at the five which means unless we get in serious foul trouble or run out of players for another reason she want play much and that is why she is listed third.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Didn't watch the game tonight, but the 1 rebound Green got was a surprise to me. She only had 1 rebound in the last game too. And that's against two small teams. Hopefully this is an aberration; otherwise, I can't see her being a factor in SEC play.

kinda blurry but Keyen had the board but Marta ran away with it

 

[Volinnooga]

By the way, what was the starting lineup?

 

[37620VOL]

Just got to watch the game and expected to be mad but I'm not. ETSU looked better than I expected. Yes, the turnovers --- we've got to clean that up. But Horston (after her first 90 seconds of stupidity) looked really good. Burrell was very good, maybe her best game. Davis was excellent - very efficient, 5 steals in 18 minutes. Marta played much better than her stat line indicated - that nutmeg pass(!) to Green. Davis, Burrell, Horston, Walker, and Salary look really good defensively. This team has a much higher basketball IQ than any recent team.

Offensively we need to accept what we are a guard and wing dominant scoring team. The posts do not have the necessary offensive skills to justify the turnovers that occur when we try to force the ball to them. Green has skills but too short, KK lacks offensive skill and athleticism and center of gravity is too high, Key doesn't seem to want it enough in the postup game. So let's accept that the posts should not be a focal point of our offense. If they are wide open fine, but no more forcing it --- the risk outweighs the reward. Let the posts concentrate on what they are good at ... grabbing those boards and defense.

I'm looking forward to seeing this team grow. There is definitely more leadership and several players seem to be learning their limitations and finding their roles.

 

[Volfan2012]

By the way, what was the starting lineup?

Suarez, Davis, Green, Burrell, and Walker.

 

[madtownvol]

Just got to watch the game and expected to be mad but I'm not. ETSU looked better than I expected. Yes, the turnovers --- we've got to clean that up. But Horston (after her first 90 seconds of stupidity) looked really good. Burrell was very good, maybe her best game. Davis was excellent - very efficient, 5 steals in 18 minutes. Marta played much better than her stat line indicated - that nutmeg pass(!) to Green. Davis, Burrell, Horston, Walker, and Salary look really good defensively. This team has a much higher basketball IQ than any recent team.

Offensively we need to accept what we are a guard and wing dominant scoring team. The posts do not have the necessary offensive skills to justify the turnovers that occur when we try to force the ball to them. Green has skills but too short, KK lacks offensive skill and athleticism and center of gravity is too high, Key doesn't seem to want it enough in the postup game. So let's accept that the posts should not be a focal point of our offense. If they are wide open fine, but no more forcing it --- the risk outweighs the reward. Let the posts concentrate on what they are good at ... grabbing those boards and defense.

I'm looking forward to seeing this team grow. There is definitely more leadership and several players seem to be learning their limitations and finding their roles.

I agree with you particularly on the scoring make-up of this team. I think some fans still view the CPS, pound the paint model, as the way the game should be played but offenses have evolved to feature wing players and second, our post players are not great scorers. They are better off the ball, getting put backs and both Green and KK did a nice job in several cases of sealing the lane to wing players (Burrell and Davis) could get a scoring lane.

Key seems much more comfortable on the defensive side, hunting down blocks, rather than being a scoring threat. I think that part of her game will come over time but she is not there yet.