Game Thread: Lady Vols Vs Texas ; Thurs Jan 23rd ; Away game; 8 PM Eastern; SECNetwork

#826
#826
SGMVols said:
I think our current resume falls just short of a host. Iowa skidding has hurt. Only 2 quad 1 wins as things currently stand and one of those is Richmond, and that is barely hanging on as a Q1 currently.

We’re actually a couple more Iowa and Richmond losses away from possibly having NO quad 1 wins and you’re never getting a host spot with that.

We’d probably be a 5 seed right now imo

NET is a tool, but it’s not the be-all and end-all when it comes to the committee
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The committee announced that NET would be much more of an emphasis this year and the eye test with or losses doesn't look to bad considering Oklahoma, Texas and LSU were all top 10 teams in very close losses. Vandy on the road is still a top 30 team with a very good record. I guess we will have to wait and see.
 
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#827
#827
Vols2015 said:
We’ve done that now in 3 games and it’s not worked, so we just keep doing it until it works? I rather would have gone inside to get an easy layup and use as much time as possible to get OT.
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As I remember it, at least, we did try to get inside and the defensive collapsed on us: we couldn't get a decent inside shot. We didn't have "an easy layup," unfortunately. I understand what you're saying, and don't mean that I would have played for the 3 by design. We went there because it was open and nothing else was. I was about to shout when she let it go. I expected it to go in.

The thing about second guessing decisions is they are second guesses. If the shot goes in, everyone thinks it was genius and courageous. I thought it was a good shot in the context at the time the ball left her hands. No one has to agree with me on that.
 
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#828
#828
Well hell!
Growing pains are tough! I firmly believe good things are coming for this team. Eight points from being undefeated. I don’t care what anyone says about moral victories, I do believe this team can take pride in how far they have come in learning a new system with many new teammates.
If CJC is going to be the harda$$ as it appears she will, I hope there is an assistant like Holly was to soothe some hurt feelings and keep their heads up. Locker room leadership so important when you aren’t seeing the results of your hardwork! Go Lady Vols! Love this team!
 
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#829
#829
I’m going to be precise in analyzing how we play against South Carolina on Monday.
I’m calling the W. I think we’re heading to another game that is decided at the buzzer.
If it plays out that way, understand that in year 1 Tennessee has a chance at winning a SEC and National Title.
This team is achieving “growth” at an unforeseen level under Coach Caldwell and her staff. The players have nothing to hold their head down about at this point of the season sitting at 15-4. I think at FCC/TBA arena they get a big W in game 20 of a new era.
I’m going out on a limb and saying the LVs are the WBB version of the Washington Commanders. Underrated and dangerous.
GBO ‘solid’!
 
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#830
#830
ThatVolGuy said:
Puckett is just an indescribable liability on defense. She might as well be made of stone.

And then watching Spearman run along next to the Texas player with her arms down while she gets an uncontested layup. What in the world?
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Not even trying to contest the shot. She knew she had 4 fouls and was selfish knowing that she'd foul out. Then proceeds to try to be the hero with a horrible 3pt shot. Not a team player. Latham or Jill could have held it down but...
 
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#834
#834
13de46df303623747a52b6e65b43a799.gif
 
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#835
#835
I think it’ll be best at this moment to stop assuming.
A lot of this is part of the process. Show me a team with a new head coach, entirely new staff, and several newcomers that have performed better during a season that involves so many outside factors including the biggest one at the moment a head coach on maternity leave.
Be realistic.
I don’t get any sense players are even thinking about transferring so why make it a distraction. That’s not even worth focusing on with all the possibilities in their grasp.
GBO ‘solid’!
 
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#838
#838
I hate losing yet another game on the last shot. That being said, this team has really improved this season. Our offense was remarkably efficient against an excellent team on the road. I am son glad we are now prioritizing the drive and penetrate and then either shoot or pass it to the open three-point shooter. We shot over 50% from the field and over 50% from the 3-point line, even when our best player was out of sync the whole night and our best three-point shooter didn't get one. Actually, this is remarkable when you look at it this way. I think these close losses both show how close we are to being really good AND that we really need a big post player or two from the transfer portal to fully arrive. We need this for both defense and rebounding. We only have a couple of natural rebounders currently, and it has been the difference in our losses. Coach said after the early routes that we were winning the rebound margin only because we were more athletic and not because we were doing what a great rebounding team does by anticipating where the ball will be and boxing out. Her system, with some tweaks, will get much better when we have 10 athletic defenders next year. It is limited by having several players who just aren't athletic enough despite their valiant efforts to do their best. Meanwhile, this year is not over and hopefully we can get some big wins (I include very doable wins against Bama, Ole Miss and Kentucky). We will be so battle tested by the NCAAs that I can see us pull off a major upset in the tourney. That is, if the coaches and players can keep the faith and hard work.
 
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#841
#841
Clad in Big Orange said:
We should never be satisfied keeping it close
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True, but it’s basketball. Losses will happen. The idea is to be playing our best in March. There’s no shame in losing to a top 10 team on the road by 4 points. We have a first year coach who has started improving the program and I doubt she will ever be satisfied by a loss. For us fans, a little perspective is warranted.
 
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#842
#842
If we could have had this shooting night against Vsndy, that would’ve been a comfy win. Odds are, the LVs lose to Dawn and company. so the key is staying positive and have a strong stretch run. This team has shown it can compete with the elite. They just need a bit more executional excellence in clutch time.
 
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#845
#845
One of the best games we've played other than the offensive boards. They got to many of those for us to win. Still I am proud of the team effort and I hope they don't let these losses affect them we can win at home. We have to beat Missouri then we'll face three tough games.
 
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#847
#847
Ok...after a disappointing end to the game for me and my sister there is thought here. If Texas is a final four favorite, then Tennessee proved it is also a contender by going into Austin and really taking it to them. The end of year Vols team will be better than the midseason Vols if they can stay away from injuries. My sister and I will now watch my team play against LSU. We won't watch the Tennessee/South Carolina game together, (she's going home) but she will be pulling for the Vols anyway...lol...I am way more concerned about going into Thompson Boling than I was before this game. That could very well be our 2nd loss. Good luck after that game. Meet you in the SEC tournament final and then the final four....if it plays out perfect.
 
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#848
#848
Texas 89 Maryland 51
Texas 80 UT 76
And at Texas with Booker playing a full 40 minutes and likely hasn't played all 40 all season. And without Caldwell. And the spread was 15.5. To be tied with a minute to go was impressive. Vic a veteran barely beat an assistant at home. Let that marinate about the current staff. Whooped Brenda at Maryland, but struggled with UT young staff. Sign me up excited for the LV future!! Hanging with Vic and Mulkey first season, is definitely a positive.
 
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#849
#849
chuckiepoo said:

1996-97 Women's Basketball Schedule - University of Tennessee Athletics

The official 1996-97 Women's Basketball schedule for the University of Tennessee Volunteers
utsports.com utsports.com

The above schedule bears reviewing. Finished 29-10… with a natty.
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Great ANALOGY ! I was thinking about this the other day. The 96-97 team you could tell they had all the pieces but things just didn't come together until tournament time. Work a little harder on offense and especially on defense and rebounding. As hard as it has been with these close losses it should be building character and toughness. Some need to quit dropping there head and buckle up and win the next play. This team has most of the pieces just got to get it all cleaned up. These Ladies are on the verge of winning a lot of Big games. I'm excited about next year's team but there's plenty to be excited about this. I believe they can grow into a championship team NOW. GLV 💥
 
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#850
#850
VolBalls33 said:
Texas 89 Maryland 51
Texas 80 UT 76
And at Texas with Booker playing a full 40 minutes and likely hasn't played all 40 all season. And without Caldwell. And the spread was 15.5. To be tied with a minute to go was impressive. Vic a veteran barely beat an assistant at home. Let that marinate about the current staff. Whooped Brenda at Maryland, but struggled with UT young staff. Sign me up excited for the LV future!! Hanging with Vic and Mulkey first season, is definitely a positive.
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Also an assistant doesn't carry as much gravitas with refs, who are human. Just think young refs looking over at Schaffer and askance at interim assistant Burdine's, an unfamiliar face her first year in SEC, as they decide charge vs foul, good rebound or over the back at an arena filled with Texas faithful. Yes refs are human and can be skewed.
My assessment, are we a better team if we hit the 3 in the corner with around 4 seconds left for the win, are we a better team. I say no we are the same team but would feel better and would be a reward for hard work. The team showed if they don't let these close losses get to them and they grow just a bit more they can win a neutral court tournament setting type scenario that comes down to legs and short turnarounds.
 
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