Game Thread: Lady Vols vs. No. 1 South Carolina; 7PM Thurs, ESPN

[knoxvol52]

A lot of key board warrior on herEZ

A lot of people who don't see reality they think CKH is wonderful. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion

 

[Majors]

Then why is it no one calls for her head after a win? BTW, there have been 20 of them.

Because those were games she’s supposed to win. Those aren’t benchmark games or contract extension wins. Good news is she won games she lost last year, so there’s that. Bad news is she lost games to ranked lower or unranked teams that turned out to be good when we were Top 5. Those were games we were supposed to win too.

And it’s year 20 of her head coaching career with no equity that she can win at the highest level.

 

[Memvol44]

A lot of people who don't see reality they think CKH is wonderful. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion

She is a very good coach( not great yet)just carries herself with dignity,and represents the University and Lady Vols very well..

 

[lvocd]

No doubt, the boards killed us. We played good defense on a number of possessions only for SC to get 2nd and 3rd chances. The LVs only had 9 TOs (versus 13 for SC) so we can take away that positive. But shooting 4-12 (from the 2) is not good enough when you are matched up against a team that has that much size in the paint. It amazing we got as many paint points as we did. But we needed more shots from the outside. I think the hot first quarter because a double edged sword because the team thought they could keep winning in the paint but that was not sustainable.

Jordan only had 2 TOs, though from the comments you think it was 20. She did force some shots. Some of those were her bad decision making and some were due to not having many other options. SC is a really good defensive team. I agree this is the game where we missed a healthy Key the most all season. Key + Hollingshead would have been more of a fair fight in the paint.

SC's size bothered the LVs in another way. They missed a lot very makeable shots at the rim because I think they were rushing it.

The only part of this game that bothers is the 3rd quarter. It seemed the LVs were anticipating disaster-- "like, oh crap, here it comes!!" and completely lost their composure, They found their courage a bit in the 4th to make it a respectable game. On the next one--this team need to obliterate KY.

This.

 

[creekdipper]

Because those were games she’s supposed to win. Those aren’t benchmark games or contract extension wins. Good news is she won games she lost last year, so there’s that. Bad news is she lost games to ranked lower or unranked teams that turned out to be good when we were Top 5. Those were games we were supposed to win too.

And it’s year 20 of her head coaching career with no equity that she can win at the highest level.

You really expected Western Carolina and Missori State to have Top 5 teams? After all, those teams represent 12 of those 20 years.

As for the "lower-ranked when we played them," is that really relevant? #2 Indiana is the same team that we played early. Early season rankings often get it wrong, and circumstances such as injuries affect seasons. Louisville, NC State, and Texas have all fallen hard from early rankings. Other teams have climbed.

Critiques of coaching and results are fair game as well as talking about winnable games that were lost, but rankings are often deceptive. We were overranked; some of our early opponents obviously were slighted in early rankings.

 

[Rooster1]

No doubt, the boards killed us. We played good defense on a number of possessions only for SC to get 2nd and 3rd chances. The LVs only had 9 TOs (versus 13 for SC) so we can take away that positive. But shooting 4-12 (from the 2) is not good enough when you are matched up against a team that has that much size in the paint. It amazing we got as many paint points as we did. But we needed more shots from the outside. I think the hot first quarter because a double edged sword because the team thought they could keep winning in the paint but that was not sustainable.

Jordan only had 2 TOs, though from the comments you think it was 20. She did force some shots. Some of those were her bad decision making and some were due to not having many other options. SC is a really good defensive team. I agree this is the game where we missed a healthy Key the most all season. Key + Hollingshead would have been more of a fair fight in the paint.

SC's size bothered the LVs in another way. They missed a lot very makeable shots at the rim because I think they were rushing it.

The only part of this game that bothers is the 3rd quarter. It seemed the LVs were anticipating disaster-- "like, oh crap, here it comes!!" and completely lost their composure, They found their courage a bit in the 4th to make it a respectable game. On the next one--this team need to obliterate KY.

Good post…the turnovers were 9 for UT and 7 for SC.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

Pass, screen drive right results in a circus shot. Come back do it again on the other side. Pass, screen, drive left results in a turnover. They come right back down and freaking do it AGAIN!! Same ole play again and again.

Designed Play

For all of those pointing out the low turnovers. Rewatch game, a shot thrown into the air without a chance to go in, is basically a pass to SC aka a Turnover Just won’t show that way on stat sheet.

 

[Raebo]

I had obligations that kept me from watching tonight. Just catching up and seeing TN led by as many as 10 points?! It seems like we played well for a while. What changed in the game that led to SC coming back from that?

SC started playing like SC. We packed it in on defense. SC couldn’t hit anything from outside 12 feet. Overall about 20 or 25% for the first quarter. We were getting several open close in shots. SC made some adjustments on defense and midway in 2nd quarter they started making their outside shot. Game was basically over at that time.
It wasn’t that we were playing that great for the first 14 minutes of the game. SC handled the packed in defense poorly until they hit a couple 3 pointers and seemed to get their confidence back. IMO

 

[Chippo]

Except for the 3rd quarter,, the ladies did a good
Job. SC just outplayed us thats all. Had too many
weapons in their arsenal. At least the score was
respectable and kudos to Dawn for not pouring
the points on.

 

[37620VOL]

Except for the 3rd quarter,, the ladies did a good
Job. SC just outplayed us thats all. Had too many
weapons in their arsenal. At least the score was
respectable and kudos to Dawn for not pouring
the points on.

Well that, and the second quarter with that 17-0 run.

 

[RAVOL]

I am about where I was before the game. This is one I couldn't imagine winning, especially with SC coming off a close call which I am sure got their attention. Before the game, I figured anything around 10 points or less of a margin would be a sign of improvement, anything high teens or worse would be a real disappointment, and here they are somewhere in the middle.

Rickea was amazing that she could still be that skilled on offense against the best post players. It is becoming increasingly aggravating when something switches in Horston and she becomes a head case at pivotal times in the game. She gave tremendous effort in the first half (I think 10m of her 11 rebounds were in the first half). but forced things at times, which is understandable given the competition. In the third quarter she completely lost poise and lobbed impossible shots early in the shot clock rather than look for teammates. This is the stretch in the game where SC went on another run and put the game out of reach. The literal moment that Horston was pulled, that is when we started making an impressive mini-comeback and played with more poise. When Horston came back in towards the end of the game, immediately she commits 2 turnovers in a row and our momentum was completely lost. Before then, it looked like we might lose by about 6 to 10 points, which would have been perceived as a step in the right direction. We can't afford to mentally lose one of our best players. When I got back to the car and hears the Horston was player of the game, I imagined that whoever chose that missed the 2nd half completely. I have loved Jordy as a LV and have defended here as recently as a few days ago. I really thought she had made significant progress in battling this head-case tendency, and the few games which she regressed seemed like the exception. Now they seem like they are becoming the rule again. We need her at the best so we can go on some type of run in the tournaments.

You are spot on yes Jordy on Defensive end and rebounding we need but offensively she was a wreck even few times open at basket just throws the ball wildly. But I know she sees that we will struggle to score at our guard position so she tries to overcompensate. Would be nice if she could join Jackson in scoring column in tournaments because if she does it bodes well for our stay. In CHRIST Alone

 

[Chippo]

Well that, and the second quarter with that 17-0 run.

Should have said 1st and 4 th quarters. Thought about the 2 nd after posting

 

[Amb3096]

SC had the right strategy for Tennessee. They largely only used single coverage on Jackson and Horston, and either forced them into a difficult low percentage shot or lived with the consequences. This essentially forced those two to beat them by themselves and pretty much neutralized everyone else if they weren't getting open looks (Darby in particulary). In contrast, Tennessee gambled big time and really surrounded Boston/Cardoso, but gave their guards a ton of time and space to make jump shots, which they started hitting after the first quarter. Jackson/Horston were hitting shots/getting to the line in the 1st quarter, but their shooting percentages were way below what they've been doing the last few weeks. Once SC took the lead in the 2nd quarter and then blew it open in the 3rd, the game was over. Even when Tennessee cut it to 9 in the 4th, it seemed that SC was content to walk out with the win instead of piling on. Once Tennessee threatened, they just tightened the clamps to bring the lead back to 15 or so. It was a missed opportunity, because there won't be many games where both Boston and Cardoso aren't playing that well.

Jackson got hers, albeit less efficiently while having to deal with some pretty elite defenders and guarding Boston at the same time. Striplin was a nice surprise. Her timely triples halted the bleeding and without them, SC probably would have pushed the lead well into the 20s. Horston did a great job rebounding and some impressive blocks, but her shot selection and decision making was poor. Everyone else on the team basically was a non-factor on either end of the ball. I thought that this would be a great opportunity for statement games for Hollingshead and Puckett, but they were either quiet or non-existent.

 

[RAVOL]

Jackson was and is Elite and Jordy is Elite defender and rebounding but her offensive game she is still struggling. I believe if Jordan had an Elite guard like Cooke for SC her offensive game would be better because in these games against Elite players she knows she has to force because Tess can't , not her skill set. SC was not worried about paint area they can defend it without helping just about everybody else we play like KY Sunday can not guard the paint which allows us wide open 3's which is Tess game. In championship level games you have to have a shooting guard who can shoot but also put it on the floor and get to the rim. Sunday against KY we will get open looks hope we are on Jackson will have 25 and we will dominate paint area. In CHRIST Alone

 

[Volfan2012]

The Lady Vols are about the only team in any sport at Tennessee that is not Nationally ranked. Who thought that would ever be the case? Was ranked in football, men's basketball, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, and Track and field. The Lady Vols are dragging down the entire sports program when it used to be one of the leaders. I don't know when the AD will have enough and try to fix the problem. Right now Women's basketball is the team not ranked at Tennessee.

 

[knoxvol52]

She is a very good coach( not great yet)just carries herself with dignity,and represents the University and Lady Vols very well..

Never said she wasn't a good coach,I said she couldn't succeed to the level she needs to here at UT

 

[knoxvol52]

The Lady Volunteers came out of the gate with good energy but South Carolina has too many horses for the Lady Volunteers to pull off the upset last night.

That goes back to recruiting name one recruit that has thrived that Harper recruited and Horston does not count Warlick recruited her

 

[JFP]

The Lady Vols are about the only team in any sport at Tennessee that is not Nationally ranked. Who thought that would ever be the case? Was ranked in football, men's basketball, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, and Track and field. The Lady Vols are dragging down the entire sports program when it used to be one of the leaders. I don't know when the AD will have enough and try to fix the problem. Right now Women's basketball is the team not ranked at Tennessee.

Cardosa was lost to UT for lack of recruiting effort. Massingale had played with her and it was thought she could influence Cardosa to come to UT. Massingale became disinchanted and left the team.

 

[Amb3096]

Cardosa was lost to UT for lack of recruiting effort. Massingale had played with her and it was thought she could influence Cardosa to come to UT. Massingale became disinchanted and left the team.

Massengill left her junior year. Cardoso had already long committed to Syracuse at that point. Seems that it was long thought that Hamilton Heights would provide a pipeline for the Tennessee program, but off all the high profile players that went there (Massengill, Cardoso, Esmery Martinez, Elizabeth Balogun, Treasure Hunt), they only got one player and only for 2 years.

 

[knoxvol52]

Cardosa was lost to UT for lack of recruiting effort. Massingale had played with her and it was thought she could influence Cardosa to come to UT. Massingale became disinchanted and left the team.

This staff can not recruit big time players now for some reason,is it the staff or Harper who knows I don't.

 

[glv98]

Jackson got hers, albeit less efficiently while having to deal with some pretty elite defenders and guarding Boston at the same time

You were right about that and I was wrong. I expected the first time they let RJ get near Boston would be in the handshake line. Given the 50 or so lbs RJ was giving up, she fought valiently, as did Horston. And wow, Striplin!

Funny that "less efficiently" for RJ is 6-14 as opposed to the usual 65%. But I do wish her midrange had been falling better.

I said last night, RJ closes Memorial Gym in Lexington Sunday with 30 pts. No one in the lesser SEC can come close to stopping her.

it seemed that SC was content to walk out with the win instead of piling on.

I was right about this one. Much as she annoys me, Dawn runs a class act. I knew she wouldn't rub it in.

Jackson was and is Elite and Jordy is Elite defender and rebounding but her offensive game she is still struggling. I believe if Jordan had an Elite guard like Cooke for SC her offensive game would be better because in these games against Elite players she knows she has to force

This is a great point. An elite handler and distributor would help JH so much. But if she could only learn she doesn't need to force and to do so is destructive, not helpful. I know she knows this, but just can't stop doing it. The last few games I've noticed the TV commentators are really starting to call her out for this inconsistency. She's a metaphor for this team, and KJH is right, that last inch is a freaking mile.

 

[Volfan2012]

You were right about that and I was wrong. I expected the first time they let RJ get near Boston would be in the handshake line. Given the 50 or so lbs RJ was giving up, she fought valiently, as did Horston. And wow, Striplin!

Funny that "less efficiently" for RJ is 6-14 as opposed to the usual 65%. But I do wish her midrange had been falling better.

I said last night, RJ closes Memorial Gym in Lexington Sunday with 30 pts. No one in the lesser SEC can come close to stopping her.

I was right about this one. Much as she annoys me, Dawn runs a class act. I knew she wouldn't rub it in.

This is a great point. An elite handler and distributor would help JH so much. But if she could only learn she doesn't need to force and to do so is destructive, not helpful. I know she knows this, but just can't stop doing it. The last few games I've noticed the TV commentators are really starting to call her out for this inconsistency. She's a metaphor for this team, and KJH is right, that last inch is a freaking mile.

Jackson was very efficient last night 21 points on 14 shot attempts. They had to foul her a lot to keep her from scoring. On the other hand Horston 14 points on 17 shot attempts is not so great. She started out the game under control can never manage to keep that going for an entire game. SC big thing is rebounding their misses 72 shot attempts to our 60, The big things for them were the way Fletcher and Cooke were making the perimeter shot. We had to give them something to control Boston and Cordoso as much as possible. They end up 13 of 26 50 percent for 34 points. It is going to be very hard if not impossible for anyone to beat them when they get that kind of guard play. Boston and Cordoso 8 for 20 was lower than usual, but Cooke and Fletcher were huge in this game.

 

[djtee]

To me this was one of the biggest problems for Tennessee in this game, Only Horston had more then 5 rebounds she had 11 ?. Also i'm not sure how Darby ended up on Beal. Not sure why didn't Puckett play more.

 

[djtee]

SC is beatable. Should be an interesting tournament. Shout out to Rickea for playing through some tacky calls and Striplin for her 3’s. Unfortunately we needed more (and sometimes less) from a couple of others.

Sure they are beatable eveyone is beatable and to be fair the refs called tacky fouls on both sides. The bottom line is this team needs to be able to pick up the slack when Jackson or Horston go to the bench for anyreason it is what it is. KJH knows she will need those players next season that`s why you are starting to see Wynn more.

 

[gule]

Sorry fellow lady Vol fans but it was entirely my fault that Tn blew it last night. I left the birthday party to check the early game score and saw it was 26-16 with Tn up, I think. I started watching for a couple minutes and SC went on a huge run. Game Over! All my fault!!!!!