Game Thread: Tennessee (14-8, 7-3 SEC) versus Arkansas (17-8, 5-5 SEC) @ Food City Center, 7:00PM (EST), televised by SEC Network

[Amb3096]

She will I can see this because coach has turned team over to ball hogging guard with no team ball at all. In CHRIST Alone

She already said she will and is off the team, so there is no mystery there. The issue with Jersey is that her game just hasn't translated well from HS to college. She's like a worse shooting version of Justine Pissott and doesn't really use her height to her advantage.

 

[Amb3096]

She lives!

Hey Amb

"He" lives

Interesting season so far, eh?

 

[glv98]

Karo is definitely not a 5 in the SEC so it is very commendable she has played that position so much the last two seasons.

Agree. No one ever wanted to play both Karo and Jill out of position so much. But we didn't get a post in the portal and TK came along slowly, so there was no choice. Karo has performed admirably.

KJH said postgame she actually like dJill and Karo on the floor together last night. It's all cut and paste in the 4-5 rotation w Jill, Karo, and TK.

Not sure whose minutes Karo's uncle is upset about, bc neither Darby nor Puckett have much affect on Karo's mins. Darby is struggling big time in all areas and truthfully probably won't get many mins in close games. And if it's Sara's mins Team Karo is after, they can forget that and go on home. KJH has been saying since summer she thinks Sara is the best compliment for Rickea and that is, and should be, the determining factor upon which this team is built. Sara has been solid, if not often spectacular and is going nowhere. Her D will never be her biggest strength, but she has gotten much better.

 

[glv98]

"He" lives

Interesting season so far, eh?

Again, so glad you're back. But did you transition? Could have sworn it was "her". Probably a misunderstanding on my part.

 

[Amb3096]

Again, so glad you're back. But did you transition? Could have sworn it was "her". Probably a misunderstanding on my part.

Nope, always been him

 

[glv98]

Nope, always been him

You are HIM! Hope you'll be around for the WNBA season, I really respect your knowledge there.

We were talking about you the other day in terms of your white hot hatred of the Nikki McCray days at Miss St. You weren't wrong, bless Nikki but that was horrible.

 

[Amb3096]

You are HIM! Hope you'll be around for the WNBA season, I really respect your knowledge there.

We were talking about you the other day in terms of your white hot hatred of the Nikki McCray days at Miss St. You weren't wrong, bless Nikki but that was horrible.

I feel bad speaking ill of the dead, but yeah...not a good look. It was a cautionary tale really. On paper, it seemed like she should have been a great fit. It just reminds us that in spite of Holly not living up to fan expectations, it could have been worse. At least Holly kept the program at status quo for a few years instead of imploding it after year 1. They probably should have stuck with Johnnie Harris, who is doing a nice job with Auburn. But I guess all's well that ends well. Sam Purcell is like a young Vic Schaefer and he's bringing some excitement back to the games, so ends up being best for both Johnnie and MSST.

 

[glv98]

I feel bad speaking ill of the dead, but yeah...not a good look. It was a cautionary tale really. On paper, it seemed like she should have been a great fit. It just reminds us that in spite of Holly not living up to fan expectations, it could have been worse. At least Holly kept the program at status quo for a few years instead of imploding it after year 1. They probably should have stuck with Johnnie Harris, who is doing a nice job with Auburn. But I guess all's well that ends well. Sam Purcell is like a young Vic Schaefer and he's bringing some excitement back to the games, so ends up being best for both Johnnie and MSST.

To be fair, the Nikki year was also the covid year and that made things even worse for everyone. Losing Vic, the covid year, things were just not in the cards for NMP that year. Maybe a case like Holly, where a great player and great assistant is not necessarily a good fit for head coach.

I really like Sam Purcell. If an opening occurs with the LVs, I hope he'll be one of the first calls. I really like Johnnie Harris alot too. Everytime we play them she reminds the press that she recruited Rickea to Miss St.

 

[Vol Hillbilly]

I agree with this post. Karo has gotten lots of minutes and started most of last season. If she’s a team player this shouldn’t be bothering her.

Whoever is producing should play and I’m glad to finally see the coaching staff doing that instead of trying some sort of paint by numbers sub pattern.

Karo is definitely not a 5 in the SEC so it is very commendable she has played that position so much the last two seasons.

You cannot deny her production has been paltry at best since SEC play started. She has not had more than 4 boards in a game and has only score more than 5 once I believe. Sharp drop off from someone who was averaging around 16 against our mid-major non-con opponents.

Think you need to look at season stats I think 9 games with more than 4 boards and probably double figure games with more than 5 points with reduced minutes. So she can to tenn as a forward and coaching staff badly managed post and she is forced to play there and be happy. This team has NO concept of team ball and play like neighborhood playground games with each having thier own agenda on being the hero. I agree Karo is not upper level sec player but with her work ethic she has earned better than what she gets. And poor Edie not even on the floor. I am sure she works hard in practice, maybe coach should move
Her to a post ,lol

 

[th2421]

Mike Neighbors after the game last night: "This is a Tennessee team that we always seem to catch at their full strength. We always seem to catch them with everybody available, there are no injury reports. It's a team that I think will peak at the right time. I know they have a tough schedule down the stretch with South Carolina twice and LSU. Looking ahead, I think they're a team out of our league that anybody that's not paying attention to how hard Kellie (Harper) schedules is not paying attention. They're doing a lot of good for our league in doing so. Not every team in our league does that. We need Tennessee to schedule how she does. I know it's hard on her to be without Rickea (Jackson) and without Tamari (Key) early in the year and play some of the best teams in the country. I think that's going to show up for them when it comes tournament time. I have a great deal of respect for how they do it and how they go about it."

 

[VolBall09]

Mike Neighbors after the game last night: "This is a Tennessee team that we always seem to catch at their full strength. We always seem to catch them with everybody available, there are no injury reports. It's a team that I think will peak at the right time. I know they have a tough schedule down the stretch with South Carolina twice and LSU. Looking ahead, I think they're a team out of our league that anybody that's not paying attention to how hard Kellie (Harper) schedules is not paying attention. They're doing a lot of good for our league in doing so. Not every team in our league does that. We need Tennessee to schedule how she does. I know it's hard on her to be without Rickea (Jackson) and without Tamari (Key) early in the year and play some of the best teams in the country. I think that's going to show up for them when it comes tournament time. I have a great deal of respect for how they do it and how they go about it."

This is what any losing coach says.

Neighbors is, in my opinion, the worst coach in the SEC at the moment.

Only thing on his resume is coaching Kelsey Plum. Everything he ever earned that looked really good was on her coattails.

Reminds me of Cheryl Burnett at Mo State who coached Jackie Stiles. She used the elevated play during Stiles’ tenure to get a better job. She was atrocious at Michigan and only last a few seasons.

 

[Amb3096]

Mike Neighbors after the game last night: "This is a Tennessee team that we always seem to catch at their full strength. We always seem to catch them with everybody available, there are no injury reports. It's a team that I think will peak at the right time. I know they have a tough schedule down the stretch with South Carolina twice and LSU. Looking ahead, I think they're a team out of our league that anybody that's not paying attention to how hard Kellie (Harper) schedules is not paying attention. They're doing a lot of good for our league in doing so. Not every team in our league does that. We need Tennessee to schedule how she does. I know it's hard on her to be without Rickea (Jackson) and without Tamari (Key) early in the year and play some of the best teams in the country. I think that's going to show up for them when it comes tournament time. I have a great deal of respect for how they do it and how they go about it."

Tennessee has been a terrible matchup for Arkansas for the last few years. The biggest issue is that the Razorbacks best players are a bunch of 5'7-5'9 guards and Dauda is the only true inside presence they have, and even she's not much of a back to basket player. Plus, losing Sasha Goforth this year was huge.

For Tennessee, consistency is the biggest issue. They don't play to their talent level too frequently, and it shows up at the worst times. They are better than Alabama and Ole Miss. Even with TAMU (who I think matches up well with them), they shouldn't have lost by 15 points. They need to not have a let down in their rematch, and they need to not give Vandy any hopes that they can win. The rest should take care of itself.

 

[Dansky]

Mike Neighbors after the game last night: "This is a Tennessee team that we always seem to catch at their full strength. We always seem to catch them with everybody available, there are no injury reports. It's a team that I think will peak at the right time. I know they have a tough schedule down the stretch with South Carolina twice and LSU. Looking ahead, I think they're a team out of our league that anybody that's not paying attention to how hard Kellie (Harper) schedules is not paying attention. They're doing a lot of good for our league in doing so. Not every team in our league does that. We need Tennessee to schedule how she does. I know it's hard on her to be without Rickea (Jackson) and without Tamari (Key) early in the year and play some of the best teams in the country. I think that's going to show up for them when it comes tournament time. I have a great deal of respect for how they do it and how they go about it."

I suppose we will find out as season nears the end. the ncaa selection committee will have to select more than 2 sec teams. We have a chance with our history and the poor teams in the conference other than sc and lsu. Maybe we can win a game.

 

[djtee]

She already said she will and is off the team, so there is no mystery there. The issue with Jersey is that her game just hasn't translated well from HS to college. She's like a worse shooting version of Justine Pissott and doesn't really use her height to her advantage.

I agree with you 100% on Jersey just like Pissott it's like the two are afraid of contact. 6-3 Kitts is also on the slim side but will get in the post and mix it up with the bigs.

 

[Amb3096]

I agree with you 100% on Jersey just like Pissott it's like the two are afraid of contact. 6-3 Kitts is also on the slim side but will get in the post and mix it up with the bigs.

Kitts is way, way better than I thought she would be. She's gonna be really good for SC. Not quite sure what happens once Joyce Edwards gets on campus, though. And I think SC is still in the running for Sarah Strong. If she also signs, they will have a major logjam at the 4. If one or more of them develop more perimeter skills, that will be a scary frontcourt.

I have no idea where Jersey is thinking of going, but I don't think her body of work to date has been particularly impressive. I think her stock has plummeted compared to where it was as an incoming college prospect.

 

[WinnerCircle]

I’m reading a lot of explaining around here right now in these threads from certain posters and NVs… it’s simple.. play the elite duo Jewel Spear and Rickea Jackson with former 5-star McD All-American Jillian Hollingshead, elite shot blocker TK, and former All-SEC Freshman Sara ‘Buckets’ Puckett majority of the minutes and no team is beating this team on Rocky Top.

Rotate Powell, Wynn, and Karo in the right spots!

Tennessee is tied for 2nd place in the SEC and in the drivers seat!

Lets goooo
Lets GBO

 

[Volfaninfl2]

I agree with this post. Karo has gotten lots of minutes and started most of last season. If she’s a team player this shouldn’t be bothering her.

Whoever is producing should play and I’m glad to finally see the coaching staff doing that instead of trying some sort of paint by numbers sub pattern.

Karo is definitely not a 5 in the SEC so it is very commendable she has played that position so much the last two seasons.

You cannot deny her production has been paltry at best since SEC play started. She has not had more than 4 boards in a game and has only score more than 5 once I believe. Sharp drop off from someone who was averaging around 16 against our mid-major non-con opponents.

I agree with this post. Karo has gotten lots of minutes and started most of last season. If she’s a team player this shouldn’t be bothering her.

Whoever is producing should play and I’m glad to finally see the coaching staff doing that instead of trying some sort of paint by numbers sub pattern.

Karo is definitely not a 5 in the SEC so it is very commendable she has played that position so much the last two seasons.

You cannot deny her production has been paltry at best since SEC play started. She has not had more than 4 boards in a game and has only score more than 5 once I believe. Sharp drop off from someone who was averaging around 16 against our mid-major non-con opponents.

You might want to check Striplin’s stats instead of guessing. She has actually scored more than 5 points per game in SEC play, 5 times, but you cannot be fair in comparing players’ production on our team without considering minutes played. Sara is getting 10 and sometimes almost double the minutes Striplin is getting. Is Sara a rim protector, no. Striplin can also play the 4 position, and shoot 3’s. Is Sara better on defense, maybe, but Striplin‘s scoring average is 50.3%, while Sara’s is 46.1%, and that you can compare fairly.

Karoline Striplin 2023-24 Stats per Game - NCAAW - ESPN

The 2023-24 NCAAW season stats per game for Karoline Striplin of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

 

[VolBall09]

You might want to check Striplin’s stats instead of guessing. She has actually scored more than 5 points per game in SEC play, 5 times, but you cannot be fair in comparing players’ production on our team without considering minutes played. Sara is getting 10 and sometimes almost double the minutes Striplin is getting. Is Sara a rim protector, no. Striplin can also play the 4 position, and shoot 3’s. Is Sara better on defense, maybe, but Striplin‘s scoring average is 50.3%, while Sara’s is 46.3%, and that you can compare fairly.

Karoline Striplin 2023-24 Stats per Game - NCAAW - ESPN

The 2023-24 NCAAW season stats per game for Karoline Striplin of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

Fair. I did actually look it up but was looking at the wrong column for scoring. I don’t like how the stats are displayed on the individual profiles lol. I’m always on my phone and hate that you can’t see it all in one snapshot.

Striplin is not a rim protector though. Not sure where you’re coming up with that. I think her defense is atrocious actually. She’s pretty good one on one in the post with a similar sized player. Her help defense is non-existent. Tends to give up a layup rather than contesting and doesn’t help out our perimeter players.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

Fair. I did actually look it up but was looking at the wrong column for scoring. I don’t like how the stats are displayed on the individual profiles lol. I’m always on my phone and hate that you can’t see it all in one snapshot.

Striplin is not a rim protector though. Not sure where you’re coming up with that. I think her defense is atrocious actually. She’s pretty good one on one in the post with a similar sized player. Her help defense is non-existent. Tends to give up a layup rather than contesting and doesn’t help out our perimeter players.

Only mentioned rim protector because someone had said Striplin isn’t one, which is true, but neither is Sara.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

Fair. I did actually look it up but was looking at the wrong column for scoring. I don’t like how the stats are displayed on the individual profiles lol. I’m always on my phone and hate that you can’t see it all in one snapshot.

Striplin is not a rim protector though. Not sure where you’re coming up with that. I think her defense is atrocious actually. She’s pretty good one on one in the post with a similar sized player. Her help defense is non-existent. Tends to give up a layup rather than contesting and doesn’t help out our perimeter players.

Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kellie has told her, be careful on getting fouls, we need you to back up Tamari.

 

[Volstylexx]

I suppose we will find out as season nears the end. the ncaa selection committee will have to select more than 2 sec teams. We have a chance with our history and the poor teams in the conference other than sc and lsu. Maybe we can win a game.

Problem is with 3 more losses, we could fall all the way to 8th in the league. That's why Vandy and Aggies are must wins.

 

[Deebowbear]

Agree. No one ever wanted to play both Karo and Jill out of position so much. But we didn't get a post in the portal and TK came along slowly, so there was no choice. Karo has performed admirably.

KJH said postgame she actually like dJill and Karo on the floor together last night. It's all cut and paste in the 4-5 rotation w Jill, Karo, and TK.

Not sure whose minutes Karo's uncle is upset about, bc neither Darby nor Puckett have much affect on Karo's mins. Darby is struggling big time in all areas and truthfully probably won't get many mins in close games. And if it's Sara's mins Team Karo is after, they can forget that and go on home. KJH has been saying since summer she thinks Sara is the best compliment for Rickea and that is, and should be, the determining factor upon which this team is built. Sara has been solid, if not often spectacular and is going nowhere. Her D will never be her biggest strength, but she has gotten much better.

Hell they all looked good shooting the ball but look how Arkansas was playing no inside game at all

 

[th2421]

I’m reading a lot of explaining around here right now in these threads from certain posters and NVs… it’s simple.. play the elite duo Jewel Spear and Rickea Jackson with former 5-star McD All-American Jillian Hollingshead, elite shot blocker TK, and former All-SEC Freshman Sara ‘Buckets’ Puckett majority of the minutes and no team is beating this team on Rocky Top.

Rotate Powell, Wynn, and Karo in the right spots!

Tennessee is tied for 2nd place in the SEC and in the drivers seat!

Lets goooo
Lets GBO

Who is playing point guard in this "simple" rotation of players playing the majority of minutes? And is Rickea the...shooting guard in this lineup?

 

[Rooster1]

Who is playing point guard in this "simple" rotation of players playing the majority of minutes? And is Rickea the...shooting guard in this lineup?

WC doesn't have answers to the questions Travis, but they are good ones. Maybe tomorrow night he will address them when he finally reveals the big announcement (don’t hold your breath). He did promise Thursday night on his redo…..lol

 

[alexvol]

Mike Neighbors after the game last night: "This is a Tennessee team that we always seem to catch at their full strength. We always seem to catch them with everybody available, there are no injury reports. It's a team that I think will peak at the right time. I know they have a tough schedule down the stretch with South Carolina twice and LSU. Looking ahead, I think they're a team out of our league that anybody that's not paying attention to how hard Kellie (Harper) schedules is not paying attention. They're doing a lot of good for our league in doing so. Not every team in our league does that. We need Tennessee to schedule how she does. I know it's hard on her to be without Rickea (Jackson) and without Tamari (Key) early in the year and play some of the best teams in the country. I think that's going to show up for them when it comes tournament time. I have a great deal of respect for how they do it and how they go about it."

Really hope he is right ....but I have severe misgivings about it .