Game Thread: SEC Tournament Second Round. #18/14 Lady Vols (9 seed) vs. Vandy (8 seed). Thurs., March 6, 11 am ET, SECN

[LadyViking/Vol]

I think everyone was skeptical about how this team would fare under new coaching .. I believe that the Lady Vols and Coach Caldwell has over achieved this season , with many not sure what to expect.. They beat UConn at Tennessee ,now ranked # 3 in the country , which will always make my season , and beat, as well as played extremely close with other good teams .. I never thought they would win the NCAA championship this year .. I think many believe they wouldn’t win many games this season either .. but 22-9 is not a bad regular season for any team , especially a team in the SEC conference.. I’m hoping like everyone else on here that they get the recruits they need for the style of play Coach Caldwell wants and needs .. I think this team can and will make some noise in the NCAA tourney .. I for one am not going to be negative about the coaches or the players, especially this season .. I would love to win every game .. but I’m ready for a good run in the tournament and see what is in store for the Lady Vols next year !! Rest up ladies ,I’ll be ready to see ya in the tournament !

 

[Volfan2012]

Their legs are too heavy at this point. The system has taken a toll, and that may very well be the reason their shots aren't falling. Physical and mental exhaustion affects shooting, especially when always trying to play catch-up on opponents. If the shots are falling the exhaustion is masked by adrenaline. Without that, we're cooked. It's a vicious cycle that didn't worry me as much earlier in the season. But over the long haul of the season, I'm afraid it finally caught up to them.

Coach Kim made the remark in press this past week she had failed to realize how physical the SEC was and that it had take a bigger toll on players that she expected. I can look for her making a lot of adjustment in year two. I just hope most of the fans will not be to down on her and the team were making the NCAA that hasn't been in doubt in weeks. This team came close to be really awesome end of the season they are physically beaten down. Coach may have to let up on those practices and running a little more next season.

 

[ShortyMac10]

Not pointing this at you personally, it's just that your comment is the perfect lead-in. I don't know how many people listened to Coach Caldwell's post game comments yesterday, but she acknowledged that the SEC conference schedule took a much more significant physical toll on her players than she had anticipated and that she would have to adjust for that next year. I think that it is apparent that we are seeing the effects of that physical toll in the past weeks. I do not want to get into an argument about the physical capabilities of any of our players, but it seems clear to me that most, if not all of our players lost a step or two as the season progressed, particularly on defense. I'm not sure what adjustments she has in mind to permit her to maintain her system and reduce the physical toll on the players, but at least, she is aware of the need to make an adjustment.

Jim

Yup I made another post about the presser she’s soaking it in well me personally I try to listen to every presser after the games just not looking forward to this one

 

[lvocd]

Well Shae said in the postgame interview, once you play them they're predictable because they don't change anything up.. enough said

Shae actually threw Kim Caldwell a bone there. I don't know why she'd want to help Kim by telling that hard truth, but I appreciate that she said it.

I said a week or two ago that Kim needs to mix things up in the postseason. The players need more effort from the coaching/teaching staff, not the other way around.

 

[WVU05UT09]

Not pointing this at you personally, it's just that your comment is the perfect lead-in. I don't know how many people listened to Coach Caldwell's post game comments yesterday, but she acknowledged that the SEC conference schedule took a much more significant physical toll on her players than she had anticipated and that she would have to adjust for that next year. I think that it is apparent that we are seeing the effects of that physical toll in the past weeks. I do not want to get into an argument about the physical capabilities of any of our players, but it seems clear to me that most, if not all of our players lost a step or two as the season progressed, particularly on defense. I'm not sure what adjustments she has in mind to permit her to maintain her system and reduce the physical toll on the players, but at least, she is aware of the need to make an adjustment.

Jim

Its a good start and I'm anxious to see what she does. I'm on board and glad she recognizes it.

I think what has people a little bit on edge is there have been games early in the SEC season where it was obvious a plan B was needed. For me specifically it was the points off layups over the press. I don't know how many times you have to see that before an adjustment has to be made and yet it really hasn't been and could have been. I mean teams learn multiple defenses in a season its really inexcusable after the first 2-3 SEC games it wasn't addressed.

 

[Volfan2012]

Might be a little optimistic to find 10 second team all sec members in order to make the system work. I think you meant just athletes though, but we learned before that just having athletes won’t get it done at times either. I think the talent coming in is great but even then, we need adjustments to the system against teams with great guards and just as much talent. I hope she understands that.

I do know who we do have if everyone stays Cooper, Boyd, Spearman, and Latham are all very athletic and can play it. Whitehorn still don't know if the system is right for her. Mia and Mya Pauldo can play it. Civil will be a star in it. Prawl and Hurst might not be right for them only time will tell. So I firmly believe we have seven either on the team or coming.
We need to know who were playing and adjust for that team. Sometimes there will be teams you cannot press or you just need to mini press force them to get the ball in then fall back.

 

[volforlife10]

I do know who we do have if everyone stays Cooper, Boyd, Spearman, and Latham are all very athletic and can play it. Whitehorn still don't know if the system is right for her. Mia and Mya Pauldo can play it. Civil will be a star in it. Prawl and Hurst might not be right for them only time will tell. So I firmly believe we have seven either on the team or coming.
We need to know who were playing and adjust for that team. Sometimes there will be teams you cannot press or you just need to mini press force them to get the ball in then fall back.

what gives u the notion the system might not fit prawl?

 

[spojo13]

I do know who we do have if everyone stays Cooper, Boyd, Spearman, and Latham are all very athletic and can play it. Whitehorn still don't know if the system is right for her. Mia and Mya Pauldo can play it. Civil will be a star in it. Prawl and Hurst might not be right for them only time will tell. So I firmly believe we have seven either on the team or coming.
We need to know who were playing and adjust for that team. Sometimes there will be teams you cannot press or you just need to mini press force them to get the ball in then fall back.

For sure. I do hope we’re looking for some post help and some consistent outside shooters in the portal. Like any young coach, they’ll grow. I’m hoping this is where we’ll see growth next year.

 

[Volfan2012]

what gives u the notion the system might not fit prawl?

Just her style of play. She is not ultra quick plays a similar game to Whitehorn just a lot better shooter and understanding of how to play the game. She will be far better than some we have playing it now. The ones who look like stars to me are the Pauldos and I really think Civil is going to be another Cooper as far as the press she is ultra quick.

 

[Volfan2012]

For sure. I do hope we’re looking for some post help and some consistent outside shooters in the portal. Like any young coach, they’ll grow. I’m hoping this is where we’ll see growth next year.

Better get a big body just to guard the rim if you want to press. Need that inside presence on offense as well.

 

[spojo13]

Better get a big body just to guard the rim if you want to press. Need that inside presence on offense as well.

For sure. Even with all the talk about positionless basketball, you still need an athletic big. Someone that can bang but also run.

 

[UTtoDC]

Coach Kim made the remark in press this past week she had failed to realize how physical the SEC was and that it had take a bigger toll on players that she expected. I can look for her making a lot of adjustment in year two. I just hope most of the fans will not be to down on her and the team were making the NCAA that hasn't been in doubt in weeks. This team came close to be really awesome end of the season they are physically beaten down. Coach may have to let up on those practices and running a little more next season.

Everything Kim Caldwell said after SEC Tournament elimination to Vanderbilt

Transcript of what Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell said after falling to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament.

tennessee.rivals.com

She acknowledged the team’s fatigue again today, more in depth I’d say, and seems to think that has contributed to the disappointment of the last 2-3 weeks.

 

[Volfan2012]

We deserve what we get at this point.

The only bright side is that we may be home when the portal opens and get a jump on everybody else. It opens March 23rd should have some big names in there three or four days later. I am interested to see if Danny White and the NIl systems are willing to support the team to get the top players in there cause for a lot of them it will be all about Nil deals.

 

[Voltopia]

Everything Kim Caldwell said after SEC Tournament elimination to Vanderbilt

Transcript of what Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell said after falling to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament.

tennessee.rivals.com

She acknowledged the team’s fatigue again today, more in depth I’d say, and seems to think that has contributed to the disappointment of the last 2-3 weeks.

The thing is, no one on the team averages more than 26 minutes a game, and the 10th player by minutes averages 14.5 minutes of play per game.

I know she's mentioned load management, but I'm somewhat apprehensive as to where the load management can improve those numbers. I guess the idea would be that you can have a 12 deep roster that all plays, but gosh that's going to be a slough. You'd almost have to be intentionally sitting players and having your third string step up for major minutes in uncompetitive games.

 

[th2421]

I hope we can stay up far enough to go to North Carolina to play. Hate to go to a place far away Kansas St or Ohio St. Other places we could land would be Oklahoma, West Virginia, Even freakin Alabama or Ole Miss depending on what they do. Dropping to a six seems likely couple weeks to rest and get better hope they use it wisely.

The committee is supposed to avoid conference match-ups that early in the tournament, and as the only SEC team currently on the 5-line, they should absolutely not send us to Alabama, Ole Miss, or Oklahoma.

 

[Volfan2012]

The committee is supposed to avoid conference match-ups that early in the tournament, and as the only SEC team currently on the 5-line, they should absolutely not send us to Alabama, Ole Miss, or Oklahoma.

I am wondering if we can hold a five. We have six quad one wins only about seven other teams in the entire country that have that many. If we hold a five I see NC is where we go. It would be nice to beat them at least have the opportunity to do so.

 

[Rons1989]

Point blank need to go into next season with some type of half court offense you cant out athlete everyone even when you have athletes or we will be right back here again next year we are sooooo predictable its not even funny....

 

[Volfan2012]

Finally congrats to Vandy they just closed the all time record versus Tennessee to 80 for us to 12 for them. They are gaining.

 

[Volfan2012]

Point blank need to go into next season with some type of half court offense you cant out athlete everyone even when you have athletes or we will be right back here again next year we are sooooo predictable its no even funny....

Post presence is a must in the SEC Spearman is ok more of a four we need a big girl in there with a little more bulk. Someone like Oldacre would do nicely.

 

[th2421]

I think everyone was skeptical about how this team would fare under new coaching .. I believe that the Lady Vols and Coach Caldwell has over achieved this season , with many not sure what to expect.. They beat UConn at Tennessee ,now ranked # 3 in the country , which will always make my season , and beat, as well as played extremely close with other good teams .. I never thought they would win the NCAA championship this year .. I think many believe they wouldn’t win many games this season either .. but 22-9 is not a bad regular season for any team , especially a team in the SEC conference.. I’m hoping like everyone else on here that they get the recruits they need for the style of play Coach Caldwell wants and needs .. I think this team can and will make some noise in the NCAA tourney .. I for one am not going to be negative about the coaches or the players, especially this season .. I would love to win every game .. but I’m ready for a good run in the tournament and see what is in store for the Lady Vols next year !! Rest up ladies ,I’ll be ready to see ya in the tournament !

Agreed. For all the complaining, this team is still going to be a 5-seed in the NCAA tournament, or at worst a 6-seed. So, either improvement for last year or at worst, no worse. We're #13 in the NET. Last year we finished #30. Don't believe in the NET? We're #11 at HHS. Last year we finished at #23. Not bad for a first-year coach, especially for her first year at the P4 level.

I agree Coach Kim has some adjustments to make going into next year and I'm confident that she would agree with that.

 

[th2421]

I am wondering if we can hold a five. We have six quad one wins only about seven other teams in the entire country that have that many. If we hold a five I see NC is where we go. It would be nice to beat them at least have the opportunity to do so.

We've been cheering for Florida St. and Iowa all season to make sure those stay Q1 wins, but now they are both knocking on the door of stealing our 5-seed.

 

[VolBlocker]

Shae actually threw Kim Caldwell a bone there. I don't know why she'd want to help Kim by telling that hard truth, but I appreciate that she said it.

I said a week or two ago that Kim needs to mix things up in the postseason. The players need more effort from the coaching/teaching staff, not the other way around.

Kim doesn't need to mix anything up. We just don't have the players to play her style yet. When next season gets here...mouths will be shut.

 

[Volfan2012]

Kim doesn't need to mix anything up. We just don't have the players to play her style yet. When next season gets here...mouths will be shut.

Vandy in Knoxville next year is a must win. Going to be a game I mark on the calaendar as soon as that schedule comes out. I never wanted to beat a team down more than them. Coach Kim needs to get the players ready to make that happen.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Point blank need to go into next season with some type of half court offense you cant out athlete everyone even when you have athletes or we will be right back here again next year we are sooooo predictable its no even funny....

We will have improved talent next year, and the pre SEC schedule will have to be a training period. I think we will handle the ball better and likely shoot the ball better. We will have to play better at the inside, both on offense and defense plus improve our defensive rebounding. Hopefully, we will also pick up a couple of players from the portal.
I have been impressed with the way in which this team has improved. I think it will improve more in each of the next 2-3 years. I eagerly await the future.

 

[Volfan2012]

Looks like Auburn coach is the first to go. I really expect A&M and Arkansas to follow will be surprised if they don't. SEC the conference is a job creator.

I'm saying Harper to Auburn. I really believe she can get that job.