Game Thread: Lady Vols Vs Texas A&M, Thurs Jan 2nd ; Away game; 8 PM Eastern; SEC+ stream win 91-78

[KnoxLikeUs]

That officiating crew made ACC and B1G refs look competent.

I particularly liked the one overruling calls on the baseline from her spot at half-court.

Is the SEC raiding rec-leagues for refs now? Actually that's not right, most rec-league refs are better than them. My apologies to rec-league refs for the comparison.

You’re right. It was not a good look with officiating no matter what side you were supporting in this game. Even the game announcers couldn’t understand it.

 

[LV renaissance]

Here are the overall efficiency numbers of the five top players through 13 games.

Cooper 19.84
Spencer 14.69
Whitehorn 13.69
Spearman 13.53
Spear 8.46

Cooper is the best player. Spencer having a great season thus far. Whitehorn very consistent in every game. Spearman playing really well. Spear injury a lot of bad games early best player last night. Latham and Hollingshead starting to click.

This is my top 5, so kudos to the "Eff" stat as it is so lovingly called.

 

[newladyvolfan]

This is definitely a little questionable re: sexist because do we ever discuss whether Pearl or Barnes is better looking? Laughable I know!
Having pointed that out…. The prettiest, and I mean stunning, coach was Kellie’s assistant whose name is dang escaping me! Someone help! So beautiful! a head coach now up north I think?

You think Sam looks cute or more like the elephant man.

 

[madtownvol]

Interesting that as aggressive as the officiating was, it only reduced the offense about 8 points below their average.

Exactly. Sometimes you look at the score and have to ask, "how have we scored that much?"

The reffing was atrocious but both sides had to endure crappy calls, though I think the LVs got the worst of it.

But that is a reality of SEC the team will have to adapt to,. They kept a margin so the refs could not determine the game.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Exactly. Sometimes you look at the score and have to ask, "how have we scored that much?"

The reffing was atrocious but both sides had to endure crappy calls, though I think the LVs got the worst of it.

But that is a reality of SEC the team will have to adapt to,. They kept a margin so the refs could not determine the game.

Great analysis. Just got done watching the replay of the 2nd qtr.
One of the most impressive plays of basketball intensity I saw last night was Alyssa Latham with her team up 43 - 23 2 mins left in the 2nd qtr dive full speed on the sideline into the crowd going after a steal.. she then sprints out of the crowd and plays elite on ball one on one defense with a SEC level guard forcing them to give up the ball. The entire time you can hear Samara Spencer voice cheering Latham and her teammates on from the bench to keep that pressure up while sitting with two fouls! It was the same way at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Same way in West Palm Beach in Florida. These are road games! It doesn’t get better from a culture standpoint.
This a team with players and a staff that has played only 13 games together.
This is elite.
GBO!

 

[newladyvolfan]

LoL. I think you might care a little

Jenna is better js

 

[Rickster]

It's been a long time since the Lady Vols have had so many scorers. It's usually one star and another couple of scorers but this team has at least six players that can score and take over a game. I'm interested in how the LV's compete with Oklahoma. To me, it all comes down to this one game when one talks about schedule legitimacy. Take care of Oklahoma and the wins will start taking care of the rankings.

 

[newladyvolfan]

Do you want some great NEWS now.. or do you want it later?? I have big news!!!

 

[th2421]

Here are the overall efficiency numbers of the five top players through 13 games.

Cooper 19.84
Spencer 14.69
Whitehorn 13.69
Spearman 13.53
Spear 8.46

Cooper is the best player. Spencer having a great season thus far. Whitehorn very consistent in every game. Spearman playing really well. Spear injury a lot of bad games early best player last night. Latham and Hollingshead starting to click.

Interesting! Looking at Bart Torvik and the points-above-replacement-player metric (which is new to me) - apparently 5+ is considered excellent and 2-5 is considered good:
- Spencer: 5.2
- Cooper: 4.8
- Whitehorn: 3.8
- Spear: 3.6
- Spearman: 3.4
- T. Darby: 3.3
- Puckett: 2.5

Or looking at win shares on HHS:
- Cooper: 2.0
- Spencer: 1.9
- Whitehorn: 1.5
- Spearman: 1.4
- T. Darby: 1.2
- Spear: 1.2
- Puckett: 1.0

 

[J-Dog 1313]

Do you want some great NEWS now.. or do you want it later?? I have big news!!!

Spill it. GBO.

 

[1morevol]

This is definitely a little questionable re: sexist because do we ever discuss whether Pearl or Barnes is better looking? Laughable I know!
Having pointed that out…. The prettiest, and I mean stunning, coach was Kellie’s assistant whose name is dang escaping me! Someone help! So beautiful! a head coach now up north I think?

Now that you bring it up? Pearl vs Barnes, nah, not worth discussing!

 

[jeebie]

Just glad we were able to get out of there with the win despite the horrible officiating. Glad to be back in the friendly confines of Food City Center on Sunday although weather may be a factor in getting to the game.

Exactly. Sometimes you look at the score and have to ask, "how have we scored that much?"

The reffing was atrocious but both sides had to endure crappy calls, though I think the LVs got the worst of it.

But that is a reality of SEC the team will have to adapt to,. They kept a margin so the refs could not determine

 

[newladyvolfan]

Spill it. GBO.

i will post on 2026 Recruiting rn

 

[Mafiaboss]

She’ll learn sec is diff from acc

That’s a problem.

 

[brittannica]

Just glad we were able to get out of there with the win despite the horrible officiating. Glad to be back in the friendly confines of Food City Center on Sunday although weather may be a factor in getting to the game.

Hoping that doesnt deter folks from coming out. Would be great to have 12K+.

 

[Mafiaboss]

Now that we have started SEC play, looking back, how accurate would you say this was?

2024-25 SEC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. South Carolina
2. Texas
3. LSU
4. Oklahoma
5. Alabama
6. Ole Miss
7. Tennessee
8. Kentucky
9. Auburn
10. Mississippi State
11. Texas A&M
12. Vanderbilt
13. Georgia
14. Florida
15. Missouri
16. Arkansas

I would move Ole Miss and Bama down. Oklahoma may be better than LSU. If we beat OK, move us up.

 

[Mafiaboss]

That officiating crew made ACC and B1G refs look competent.

I particularly liked the one overruling calls on the baseline from her spot at half-court.

Is the SEC raiding rec-leagues for refs now? Actually that's not right, most rec-league refs are better than them. My apologies to rec-league refs for the comparison.

Amen.

 

[Majors]

This is definitely a little questionable re: sexist because do we ever discuss whether Pearl or Barnes is better looking? Laughable I know!
Having pointed that out…. The prettiest, and I mean stunning, coach was Kellie’s assistant whose name is dang escaping me! Someone help! So beautiful! a head coach now up north I think?

Jon? That’s not it. We all remember your distain for Vitello and the baseball team.

 

[madtownvol]

Yeah pretty sure who starts doesn't mean much in Kim's world. Except she does use it to "reward" recent good play like last night with Boyd. Good point about needing to distribute the scoring throughout the line changes.

Bigger issue may be who closes. In tight SEC games, we need to see the core five, Spear, Spencer, Ruby, Coop and Zee on the floor together and unsubbed for in the last half of the fourth qtr. Barring foul trouble, I believe we will see that.

Don't think it will happen,but it would be interesting to see that core 5 start and play the first five mins as well as the last five. Establish a good tone, then start fruit basket turnover.

I said last night I think Coop needs more consecutive mins. She goes on these runs then gets lost for awhile then is called on to do it again when things get dicey. I suspect things might get less dicey if she was consistently scoring throughout the game. Of course longer play for her might affect her ability to be so effective in the press. Give and take I guess.

That is one quirky aspect of the CKC system, where one player--Coop--is a level above everybody else. In most situations, she would probably get 30+ minutes in competitive games. On the flip side, she will not get as worn down as the season goes on.
Trade-offs everywhere you look.

 

[madtownvol]

This is definitely a little questionable re: sexist because do we ever discuss whether Pearl or Barnes is better looking? Laughable I know!
Having pointed that out…. The prettiest, and I mean stunning, coach was Kellie’s assistant whose name is dang escaping me! Someone help! So beautiful! a head coach now up north I think?

I think most would give the edge to Pearl. He has a jovial, frat boy demeanor, good hair and nice features. Barnes facial features are a bit sharp (date I say rodent like). Not surprised that Pearl went into sales between coaching jobs. I could totally see him killing it in a used car lot or selling insurance to elderly widows.

Pearl is not afraid to bare his chest either, whereas I am having a hard time imagining Barnes pulling that move. Body confidence counts for something.

Per the Kim versus Kellie catwalk competition. I think those voting Kim are being swayed by the younger, fresh face but Kellie is a classic beauty. She could have been a model in her 20 and 30's. Actually at any point., She rocked those little black dresses on the sidelines.

Not really a competition there but I am glad.

I think having a "mean chipmunk" coach is going to be secret sauce that propels this team to greatness.

 

[volfan102455]

Vandy, Alabama, and LSU can’t score with Tennessee.

We’ve seen Vandy peak against Michigan State and that’s nowhere near Tennessee ceiling.

I think LSU, Texas, and Kentucky play us on their homecourt and have the coaching experience to game plan to control the tempo. Neither of those teams have the depth to play at Tennessee pace.

LSU has the least amount of depth of any of the ranked teams in the SEC. And LSU is small. For some strange reason, they get credit for a 6’6 player that barely impacts the games I guess. Other than that it’s a 6’0 possibly 5’11 forward and a 6’3 forward. The transfer from Arkansas is not a forward or post player.

I’ll like to see how Tennessee fans travels to each of those games. There was some noticeable orange in the crowd last night on the road at Texas A&M. If we can get some support in those games going 3-0 could happen.

Vandy scored 108 against Georgia. Vandy has broken the century mark in 5 games. Tennessee has broken that in 6 games. Not sure I understand the Vandy can't score with Tennessee comment.

Several other SEC teams have broken that mark so far this year in several games. LSU scored 98 points against Arkansas.

I don't really think we know how those games will turn out just yet but to say those teams that have also been scoring a lot of points can't score with Tennessee is a very bold statement.

 

[madtownvol]

This game not withstanding the defense has been really bad in a few other games as well. When your not cutting off the drive with help defense then it is bad defense. You do everything you can to prevent players from getting to the basket they were getting there with ease in that second half. Like I said I saw it and I saw the officiating. I'm just glad we can score enough to still win.
We gave up 78 to a team that averages 68 and 56 percent shooting to a team that averages 43 percent so there you go.

Agree. I am a bit shocked that many of our players are giving up the baseline so easily. It is not just Tess but even Coop, Ruby, and Spence, all of whom have the lateral quickness to close those angles off. That is basic stuff.

So long as this team keeps up the aggressive high pressing, they will be vulnerable to long passes over the top and there will be wide open players if the press is broken.

Right now , it is a plus minus game against better teams, I think the results tend toward the minus, I felt like they had a found a better balanced in providing some pressure but keeping some players in half court guarding position but against TAM, they went back to the hyper aggressive press,

It worked in the 1st half and the TAM made the adjustments and roasted them in the 3rd. Needed a quicker defensive adjustment there....

 

[Volfan2012]

Agree. I am a bit shocked that many of our players are giving up the baseline so easily. It is not just Tess but even Coop, Ruby, and Spence, all of whom have the lateral quickness to close those angles off. That is basic stuff.

So long as this team keeps up the aggressive high pressing, they will be vulnerable to long passes over the top and there will be wide open players if the press is broken.

Right now , it is a plus minus game against better teams, I think the results tend toward the minus, I felt like they had a found a better balanced in providing some pressure but keeping some players in half court guarding position but against TAM, they went back to the hyper aggressive press,

It worked in the 1st half and the TAM made the adjustments and roasted them in the 3rd. Needed a quicker defensive adjustment there....

Right now I am just living with the fact that whatever the other team scores we just score more. Getting up by 22 the mind relaxes hard to stay in play like your 10 behind mode. I hope it is coming for us this team can be really special they can really play when they are locked in. Giving up 78 points and still winning by 13 is unusual in WCCB. Some teams just have the type talent you can't stop. I didn't consider A&M to be that kind of team. When they went to the up temp down hill game we evidently were not prepared even though Coach Kim says we practice against that style every practice. Coach Kim says that we have not played hard for 40 minutes yet still take a quarter off in games. So Oklahoma is a great game to play all four like she thinks they can. A game that vaults you into the top ten in the country if you can win.

 

[volfan102455]

All I will say is that the issues of the second half, in particular the 3rd quarter, will be our downfall if they are not corrected. Normally a 20 plus lead should suffice and hold up, but against the better teams, they tend to not panic and whittle away at the lead with high percentage shots after they settle down and adjust. This is based on the expectation that the percentage the Lady Vols will shoot will be much lower. It is a battle of the odds.

I do think the opponents probably get caught up with the pace at the start but then settle down and realize that with patience they can work themselves back into the game. It is going to be interesting to see how this offense plays out over the season.

I'm hopeful we have a good year - cautiously optimistic but do expect losses to happen against the better teams. They are not going to panic and will play the odds.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Now that you bring it up? Pearl vs Barnes, nah, not worth discussing!

Hard to beat a belly painted orange…