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

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.

No, at those schools one should expect more than 1 conference championship in those combined years of 12. At this point with another big game loss is that Kellie/staff are who they are and have been for many years. Just unfortunate it’s coming at our expense.
 
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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.
The talent doesn’t play up to their individual levels or as a team. That’s the frustration. They play well at times but then we see them revert back to the sloppy play. Hold the players accountable to play the way we know they can “all or most of the time”. That’s what seems to be missing and the role of the coach plus giving them the plays.and tools to succeed. ( and there is the weird rotations). The talent doesn’t play at their potential the largest % of the time.
 
The talent doesn’t play up to their individual levels or as a team. That’s the frustration. They play well at times but then we see them revert back to the sloppy play. Hold the players accountable to play the way we know they can “all or most of the time”. That’s what seems to be missing and the role of the coach plus giving them the plays.and tools to succeed. ( and there is the weird rotations). The talent doesn’t play at their potential the largest % of the time.
Agree with that. Believe we saw last night, played one outstanding team qtr. after that team talent was separated.
 
Also i'm not sure how Darby ended up on Beal. Not sure why Puckett did play more.

If Tess was in the game, Beal was really the only one she could match up with defensively. She wouldn't stand a chance against Cooke who is in constant motion. Beal doesn't look to score, but I predicted that she'd change her stance on that once she saw Darby was on her, and she was a lot more aggressive than normal on offense.

I didn't even remember Puckett playing, but I see she played 11 min with 2 rbs and 1 asst and only 1 shot attempt. That's probably why she didn't play much.
 
The talent doesn’t play up to their individual levels or as a team. That’s the frustration. They play well at times but then we see them revert back to the sloppy play. Hold the players accountable to play the way we know they can “all or most of the time”. That’s what seems to be missing and the role of the coach plus giving them the plays.and tools to succeed. ( and there is the weird rotations). The talent doesn’t play at their potential the largest % of the time.
The first quarter was a bit of a mirage, though. SC is notorious for slow starts. Once they settled in, it didn't really matter what Tennessee was doing anymore. The game went however SC dictated it was going to go (either good or bad).
 
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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.
Cardosa had not committed to Syracruse in Massingales sophmore year at UT.
 
If Tess was in the game, Beal was really the only one she could match up with defensively. She wouldn't stand a chance against Cooke who is in constant motion. Beal doesn't look to score, but I predicted that she'd change her stance on that once she saw Darby was on her, and she was a lot more aggressive than normal on offense.

I didn't even remember Puckett playing, but I see she played 11 min with 2 rbs and 1 asst and only 1 shot attempt. That's probably why she didn't play much.

I think she could have played a little more could do no worst then Darby ?
 
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People aren't calling for Kellie's head because of this loss alone. South Carolina did to us what they've done to every team this season. However, Kellie's coaching still leaves A LOT to be desired like it has in every single loss.

Also, people's criticism of her coaching isn't the only reason people are calling for a change. Have you been following the HS recruiting cycles since she's been HC?

I do think that in THIS particular game, Key would've made a difference. Not sure if it would've been enough to win the game though.

As for Jordan Horston- I'm quick to praise her when she plays like the #2 recruit and a top 10 draft pick. I'll also offer criticism when she doesn't live up to that by a wide margin. In tonight's game, I saw both versions. For every great thing Jordan does, she makes up for it with bad shots and poor passes/turnovers. I just don't think that should be the case in year 4.
Let’s just clear this up right now! There aren’t “people” as in a large number or percentage of LV fans “calling for Kellie’s head”! There are a few overreacting malcontents on here creating their own little echo chamber! If you look at posts on here hammering Kellie you will note they are always liked by about the same three or four people. As for the chief Kellie hater, he is a Vandy troll and hated Kellie before she blew her first whistle on Rocky Top!
So you feel free to express your opinion as you see fit but quit inferring there as some sort of groundswell against Kellie.
Whenever I hear the “some people say” or “people are” I know the user of these phrases is just trying to validate their statement or off load what they are saying as the wishes of some anonymous other people. Politicians love this tactic.
 
Has anyone rewatched yet and counted the number of layups/close-in shots we missed? I feel like the number was pretty high, and that those many misses took a heavy toll on the team's confidence. I got the feeling the team fell into the "Oh no. Here we go again" mental hole and then never could claw themselves all the way out again. Ugh.
 
The talent doesn’t play up to their individual levels or as a team. That’s the frustration. They play well at times but then we see them revert back to the sloppy play. Hold the players accountable to play the way we know they can “all or most of the time”. That’s what seems to be missing and the role of the coach plus giving them the plays.and tools to succeed. ( and there is the weird rotations). The talent doesn’t play at their potential the largest % of the time.
Exactly
 
Has anyone rewatched yet and counted the number of layups/close-in shots we missed? I feel like the number was pretty high, and that those many misses took a heavy toll on the team's confidence. I got the feeling the team fell into the "Oh no. Here we go again" mental hole and then never could claw themselves all the way out again. Ugh.

We fell into the Here we go again phase and Q2 during the 17-0 run
 
Let’s just clear this up right now! There aren’t “people” as in a large number or percentage of LV fans “calling for Kellie’s head”! There are a few overreacting malcontents on here creating their own little echo chamber! If you look at posts on here hammering Kellie you will note they are always liked by about the same three or four people. As for the chief Kellie hater, he is a Vandy troll and hated Kellie before she blew her first whistle on Rocky Top!
So you feel free to express your opinion as you see fit but quit inferring there as some sort of groundswell against Kellie.
Whenever I hear the “some people say” or “people are” I know the user of these phrases is just trying to validate their statement or off load what they are saying as the wishes of some anonymous other people. Politicians love this tactic.

Lol. Does it say anywhere in my post that a large number or percentage of people are "calling for Kellie's head?" I was simply responding to youcancallmeAl's initial post where he/she used that phrase verbatim --- and explaining my take on why I think that's the case. But go off.

And I've seen more than three or four posters on here state that a coaching change needs to be made, which is how I interpret "calling for Kellie's head."

As for the echo chamber, the same could be said for posters who never "call for Kellie's head" and make the case for why they think she's a great coach.

I don't question people's fandom either way.
 
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Simply, as I said before, RJ and JH need to get 40 points. Last night they didn't. The supporting cast then needs to get 30+ points. Last night that didn't happen. There were tons of missed layups, however, it is up to the coach to make adjustments so the simple formula works. That didn't happen.
I like the thought about the weird substitutions as experience for next year.
 
The efficiency in this game was really even for the shots taken. Sc 73 points on 72 shots. Tennessee 60 points on 60 shots. Again when you get out rebounded by 14 and give up a 12 shot differential you almost always lose. The free throws being even and only two difference in the turnovers their huge advantage on second chance points won the game. We couldn't rebound with them no one does. Ole Miss came the closest and was just making a free throw or two away from the upset. When you play SC you have to do what we did give them the perimeter shot and try not to give them two or three chances to score on a possession. We failed to do that and they were very effective from the perimeter which isn't always true of their team.
 
Has anyone rewatched yet and counted the number of layups/close-in shots we missed? I feel like the number was pretty high, and that those many misses took a heavy toll on the team's confidence. I got the feeling the team fell into the "Oh no. Here we go again" mental hole and then never could claw themselves all the way out again. Ugh.
Trying to shoot over Boston, Cardoso and Saxton will do that. Plus Beal is pretty tall too. It's not too different from when Key was playing, where her very presence caused players to rush their shots in the paint for fear of being blocked.
 
This game was lost on national signing day. Plain and simple.

If you're referring to HS recruits, her sophomores are the class of Miles, Puckett, Striplin, and Wynn. Puckett and Striplin are contributors as sophomores, and the other two will be in the future. Her freshman recruits aren't ready to play yet. So, are you referring to the earlier NSD, when she recruited her first class after the firing of Holly? Just curious as to which NSD you are referring?
 
Trying to shoot over Boston, Cardoso and Saxton will do that. Plus Beal is pretty tall too. It's not too different from when Key was playing, where her very presence caused players to rush their shots in the paint for fear of being blocked.

Very good point and too often critical posters never consider that the LVs are playing opponents. On games, when Key would have ten blocks and intimidate 10 others, no one went gee that team can't shoot layups. It was Key dominating the paint. SC uses that same formula and they have a couple of "Keys".
 
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.
Agree about the calls. Impacted us more because we don’t have the depth of talent. Impressed with the poise Rickea was able to show, Kellie knew we had no shot with her on the bench.
 
No, at those schools one should expect more than 1 conference championship in those combined years of 12. At this point with another big game loss is that Kellie/staff are who they are and have been for many years. Just unfortunate it’s coming at our expense.

You left out the small detail that Kellie's teams at those schools won their conference tournament championships in 2005, 2009, 2016, and 2019. As you and everyone else here knows, tournament championships are more important for mid-majors especially because they secure the automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament. The rest of the teams in thatconference can only hope for an at-large bid.

In addition, Kellie was her conference COY in 2007 and 2019 as well as receiving the Kay Yow award in 2019.

I'm certain that you didn't intentionally leave out the four tournament championships (representing 1/ 3 of those 12 mid-major years) just to try to diminish her coaching successes.
 
You left out the small detail that Kellie's teams at those schools won their conference tournament championships in 2005, 2009, 2016, and 2019. As you and everyone else here knows, tournament championships are more important for mid-majors especially because they secure the automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament. The rest of the teams in thatconference can only hope for an at-large bid.

In addition, Kellie was her conference COY in 2007 and 2019 as well as receiving the Kay Yow award in 2019.

I'm certain that you didn't intentionally leave out the four tournament championships (representing 1/ 3 of those 12 mid-major years) just to try to diminish her coaching successes.
.333 in mid major doesn’t move the needle of next level promise either. Three in a row and you get my attention, 4 in 5 years and you wonder where they’ll land. 4 in 12 years plus a P5 firing kind of diminish it’s own record.
 
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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!!!!! :(

It's only half your fault, I wore the wrong shirt during the game. I accept some responsibility
 

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