Game Thread: (RV/RV) Lady Vols. 56 - (9/9) Virginia Tech 59

[glv98]

Can't believe you didn't use those season tickets of yours. Looks like you weren't alone...

Out of town, family emergency. Been to most games, crowd has seemed a bit down to me all season which is surprising. LOL they didn't even let us start losing first. I thought preseason rankings would bring them in. LV crowds (including me) are just weird anyway. It's so sedate and quiet compared to the men's (where students actually show up) maybe there's more people there than it seems. We'll never know, because they'll always report 10,000 or so.

 

[Jax_Vol]

Would we have gotten scoring out of Franklin or Hollingshead? We didn't get it from anyone else, that's for sure.

No, they wouldn't have added much offense.

We need to find our Zakai among the Lady Vols. Doesn't have to be a point guard. Needs to be a leader who shows up every night to play.

 

[Darth_Vol]

Out of town, family emergency.

Hope all is ok! As much as fans go back and forth here, life is much bigger than basketball...

 

[Prophet1]

I am disappointed with how our season has started as anyone. However, this board has gotten crazier by the game. There are a few things I want to respond to. First, Martha Suarez played defense throughout the game, shutting down their best players. She also got 9 rebounds and according to Coach had a +/- of +8 despite making some glaring mistakes. Hardly a "trash" game. She played way more minutes than she ever has before, so I imagine her defense and minutes probably wore her out for offense. The second thing is that so many people just jump to these horrible conclusions without any information and state them as fact. The fact that 3 transfer players missed the game does not mean KJH made a horrible mistake with the transfer portal or that they don't want to be here. Two of the three are just in a concussion protocol. I am concerned about Jackson, but as one poster stated that this type of suspension is usually about grades, class attendance, or substance use. All of these or serious but it is a bigger jump to say that she is leaving the team or doesn't want to be here. If any of these three are true, she made a bad decision and let's leave it at that until we have more information. I imagine coach is wanting to make sure whatever happened gets corrected before she comes back. Third, I couldn't believe all the crap comments about our defense when it played wonderfully for the most part against one of the most talented offensive teams in the country. Reading the comments, you would have though Virginia Tech would have had their average game with 79 + points rather than the 50 points they got, that they were shooting about 50% rather than the 35% they did, and that we had no defense on the 3-point shooting when we held them to 28%, well below their average. I did see some early lapses on defense but we really corrected those and put a great effort along with creating more steals than usual and having a +15 rebound margin. No, it was the offense that sunk us with so many easy shots missed, the kind Rickea could make in her sleep. Even there, if we had even two more made shots we wouldn't be having this discussion. Having Hollingshead and Franklin would have been enough to beat this top 10 team. I am concerned about our offense and the missing players, but feel that we have played 4 games in a row where defense and rebounding have improved. Hope we get all our mia book ssing players back.

Write a book ,we still lost and we'r e still under .500. And many players suck. esp Marta, who love iso ball.

 

[turbovol]

This forum is such a negative towards Tennessee! I am sure many player, recruits, etc., see this forum and it makes them think twice coming here. Meanwhile, UCONN and SC fans are super supportive, win or lose. As far as Rickea, many I think are reading too far into it. If it were that serious and she was leaving the program or what not, she would not have sat on the bench for the game.

UConn and SC win--and win a LOT, and have won a lot for years. We do not win a lot and haven't for years, so for you to compare our fans with those of UConn--which has won more national titles than anybody and has been a serious title contender every year for 15 years---or with South Carolina, which has won multiple national titles in recent years and is also a regular national-title contender--is rather comical. Let's get real.

 

[glv98]

No, they wouldn't have added much offense.

We need to find our Zakai among the Lady Vols. Doesn't have to be a point guard. Needs to be a leader who shows up every night to play.

I think Jordan Horston and pretty much all of them show up every night to play. They don't need pixie dust or inspirational sayings. They need shooters.

 

[turbovol]

Suarez, Puckett, and Darby all have qualities that can help us. Do they also have deficiencies in their games? Sure. It's the job of our coaches to devise offensive and defensive systems that can accentuate their positive basketball skills and minimize their weaknesses. They've got to help players show can shoot get open shots. I don't see much of that with our slow-moving offense, which is make three or four passes and then hope Horston or Jackson can score. That's not going to cut it against good teams.

 

[Fatoldman]

They showed her at the beginning of the game right before tip-off and she was dancing. Not speculating on why she wasn’t dressed but whatever it is I hope it’s been taken care off or addressed. Lady Vols will need her.

Why was Jackson happy about letting her team down by doing something to cause her coach to not even let her suit up for the game?

 

[glv98]

Hope all is ok! As much as fans go back and forth here, life is much bigger than basketball...

All ok, thanks.

Careful there, you've got a black hearted reputation to uphold!

 

[Coach Jumper]

I thought the game was played rather even. Lapses in scoring on both sides. Missed chippies on both sides. Both teams played hard to the end. VaTech had no answer for Horston. Also, TN provided insufficient help for Horston.

They didn't share the ball at times and when they did share it, the recipient didn't expect it,,,this is happening more often

 

[Prophet1]

"You can always find fault in losing and always find praise in winning". Prophet1
" You can always find praise in losing and always find fault in winning" . Prophet1

 

[Jax_Vol]

I think Jordan Horston and pretty much all of them show up every night to play. They don't need pixie dust or inspirational sayings. They need shooters.

It has been so long since the Lady Vols had shooters, I can't remember what they look like.

In my opinion, they need toughness and heart.

Interesting stat from today was Marta with 9 rebounds. Actually, outrebounded Key who had seven.

Horston is the leader. I didn't word my comment well.

We need a couple who are willing to do dirty work without requiring the ball in their hand. Striplen provides some taste of that flavor.

 

[glv98]

It has been so long since the Lady Vols had shooters, I can't remember what they look like.

So what then, we quit trying to fix our embarrasingly poor offense and instead get some new inspirational posters about guts and desire? Maybe hand out lunch pails? If that's what they're doing no wonder we're under .500.

How bout offensive movement that gives questionable shooters at least a better chance?

 

[teacherdean]

By far, except for the shooting droughts, the LV’s best games. The defense was great and they gave themselves a chance to win the game. TK played one of her better games. If Jackson had be available there is a good chance we could have won this game. Go Lady Vols keep on improving.

 

[LV renaissance]

I watched the dismal first quarter on my phone in an airport, then had to board. Was going to punish myself by watching the rest when I got home. Never saw a comeback or going to the buzzer coming. I haven't found a replay yet, anyone seen one? Thought it would be on demand on espn but don't see it so far.

I did look over the box score and highlights though. Wonderful that Tamari played well, may it continue. I love Jordan Horston so much right now, and our relationship has been rocky throughout her career. What a tough situation for her, having to take up the slack of her apparently wayward teammate and BFF. She works so hard, cares so much and speaks so honestly. But she is just not a very good shooter Unfortunately, neither are about 90% of her teammates.

Great that we worked exclusively on D in practice and apparently it was better. But this lot very much needs to be getting shots up. And then there's our crappy offensive execution overall. Which is why not having one of our one-on-one options available was so devastating.

I do like that they fought back though. They're like that scrappy little team from the end of last year, only with JH, and a true point guard. They have to get better though, especially shooting %. I'm beginning to really worry about Sara P. We really, really need her to find her shot.

I hate the word "indefinite" re RJ, but am encouraged she was on the bench. Ain't gonna lie, visions of Diamond D danced through my head when I heard she was being held out. Hope this turns out instead to be a cheesy, overtold story at the final four of how this turned the season around for RJ and the LVs.

Anyone seen a replay?

Fortunately, the difference is that Jackson was dancing and Diamond would be pouting and frowning.

 

[Orange_Mamba]

Tennessee hasn’t had a problem recruiting top players it’s the coaching they receive when they arrive that’s the problem. Go all the way back to the last few yrs of Holly, they might have a game plan before tip but as soon as that ball goes up everything is disregarded. We look like disorganized aau team. So much so you have ppl start questioning why these girls were ranked in the first places

 

[kell7517]

Why was Jackson happy about letting her team down by doing something to cause her coach to not even let her suit up for the game?

I don’t know why she was benched or not playing and really don’t want to speculate. I just saw her dancing and was thinking well it doesn’t look like an illness.

 

[Mr.Vol2U]

It's so funny when we go 18-1 last year everyone is screaming that's my coach, but now we have a 4-5 start and loses against pretty much all ranked teams and she needs to be fired. You all are funny. What in the hell did you expect to happen today missing three players? We barely lost and almost won. You ask me that's some damn good coaching. Notre Dame blew out UConn today. Wasn't even close and they lost against Maryland, then Maryland lost to Nebraska today, which was blown out by VA Tech just the other day. We lost by what 3 I think. Please chill out and relax. You all acting the like the world is ending. I'm sure they will get it together

 

[gladiator06]

the coaching staff has demonstrated their lack of capability in many areas, but i'll give 'em a pass on this game given RJ didn't play.

i wonder if USA Today wants to reconsider
Harper Voted USA TODAY Sports Network Preseason SEC Coach of the Year

 

[glv98]

Fortunately, the difference is that Jackson was dancing and Diamond would be pouting and frowning.

Yeah, good point and they were definitely giving a sign of hope by having her there and not mopey. However, others have pointed out the bad look of RJ happy and dancing while probably causing her sweaty teammates to lose a very needed and tough game. Maybe some more subdued encouragement would have been good.

Tennessee hasn’t had a problem recruiting top players it’s the coaching they receive when they arrive that’s the problem. Go all the way back to the last few yrs of Holly, they might have a game plan before tip but as soon as that ball goes up everything is disregarded. We look like disorganized aau team. So much so you have ppl start questioning why these girls were ranked in the first places

Offensive execution bedevils the program, has for a decade and a half now. And through 3 coaches, one of them the greatest in history. I can't figure out why they can't figure it out.

 

[creekdipper]

Is this supposed to be a smart a@@ statement? Not sure how i should be taking it. But that is something i dont really care about.

[deleted]

 

[Coach Jumper]

No Rickea, Hollingshead, Jasmine F and yet we played the #9 team in the country to a 3 pt game. the stats are vitrually the same...shooting %, etc....except they shot 32 threes. Made 9 28% not very good but effective enough

The 10-0 run with no timeout,,,not good.
but after dismal start we fought back to 34-32
and did so with 3 of our first off the benchers sitting.
I'd like the win,,,,but I acknowledge the team played a hard fought game
And the bench was more active
I'll take that

But I want the win
sigh

 

[Lucy]

It has been so long since the Lady Vols had shooters, I can't remember what they look like.

In my opinion, they need toughness and heart.

Interesting stat from today was Marta with 9 rebounds. Actually, outrebounded Key who had seven.

Horston is the leader. I didn't word my comment well.

We need a couple who are willing to do dirty work without requiring the ball in their hand. Striplen provides some taste of that flavor.

Was glad to see Kellie call out Striplin’s rebounding today.

 

[Fatoldman]

No Rickea, Hollingshead, Jasmine F and yet we played the #9 team in the country to a 3 pt game. the stats are vitrually the same...shooting %, etc....except they shot 32 threes. Made 9 28% not very good but effective enoughView attachment 520768

The 10-0 run with no timeout,,,not good.
but after dismal start we fought back to 34-32
and did so without 3 of our first off the benchers sitting.
I'd like the win,,,,but I acknowledge the team played a hard fought game
And the bench was more active
I'll take that

But I want the win
sigh

Consistency requires also mentioning VT was missing one of the best guards in the country (Osuwu).

 

[Fatoldman]

the coaching staff has demonstrated their lack of capability in many areas, but i'll give 'em a pass on this game given RJ didn't play.

i wonder if USA Today wants to reconsider
Harper Voted USA TODAY Sports Network Preseason SEC Coach of the Year

Which it is why it is stupid to even have a preseason coaches award