Game Thread: Tennessee (15-8, 8-3 SEC) versus No. 1 South Carolina (23-0, 10-0) @ Food City Center, 2/15, 7:00 PM (EST), ESPN

#52
#52
37620VOL said:
The only advantage we have going for us is that we can deploy our best defensive strategy. There will be no reason to pull Key out beyond the free-throw line. So we can be aggressive with our defense at the 3-point line and Key can clean up some blow byes. I fear that rebounding and turnovers will be our downfall.
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I disagree Key will need to come out because when SC put PoaPoa, Hall , Tessa on the floor they all can create there shot plus shoot lights out from 3. Also with TN gaurds being small they are setup for SC screen action at the top to make room the the 3 players to get easy looks from 3.
 
#53
#53
glv98 said:
Honestly, I'd rather chew glass than go watch this game. But I'm going out of a sense of loyalty, maybe I can help absorb some of the punishment. If we keep it under 20 I'll be relieved.
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God Speed
 
#56
#56
Volfaninfl2 said:
Just a reminder, LSU lost to SC, by 6 points. They also lost to Auburn and MS ST. So many highly ranked teams have lost to unranked teams this year. Someone forgot to tell the unranked teams they couldn’t possibly win, so many did.

Play to win, Lady Vols!!!
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Absolutely correct. I would add however for LSU results mentioned, the two losses were on the road and their performance vs SC was at home. It is hard to win on the road in this conference obviously, so maybe that works to the LV’s advantage tonight. This is the annual game I refrain from predictions or discussing in general, too many friends here and too much respect for the UT program to go there. Would love to see a great game tonight.
 
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#57
#57
37620VOL said:
The only advantage we have going for us is that we can deploy our best defensive strategy. There will be no reason to pull Key out beyond the free-throw line. So we can be aggressive with our defense at the 3-point line and Key can clean up some blow byes. I fear that rebounding and turnovers will be our downfall.
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During the UConn game, they left Watkins open 15 feet out and she made them pay by easily sinking mid-range jumpers. Chloe Kitts was doing the same. That forced them to come out to guard them further away from the basket and opened things up for their guards to drive. Although it didn't work for them, I think Tennessee needs to the same. Don't guard them until they prove they need to guard them (see: Clark, Caitlin vs. Johnson, Raven, 2023 Final Four)
 
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#58
#58
djtee said:
I disagree Key will need to come out because when SC put PoaPoa, Hall , Tessa on the floor they all can create there shot plus shoot lights out from 3. Also with TN gaurds being small they are setup for SC screen action at the top to make room the the 3 players to get easy looks from 3.
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If Key is playing m2m defense against any of the players you mentioned, we have big problems. Key should be guarding Cardoso and possibly Watkins or Kitts, and she should not follow them out to the 3-point line when they have the ball. Now, she will need to hedge on screens, but in doing so she will still be able to help deter easy layups on blow byes.
 
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#59
#59
Amb3096 said:
During the UConn game, they left Watkins open 15 feet out and she made them pay by easily sinking mid-range jumpers. Chloe Kitts was doing the same. That forced them to come out to guard them further away from the basket and opened things up for their guards to drive. Although it didn't work for them, I think Tennessee needs to the same. Don't guard them until they prove they need to guard them (see: Clark, Caitlin vs. Johnson, Raven, 2023 Final Four)
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Hey Amb, agree here mostly, but the best defense I have seen played against SC this year was by NC, and they did not concede anything from 15 feet in the entire game. Made it hard for the guards to penetrate with passes into the post. Yes, it leaves a team vulnerable to the 3, but they had good guard defenders for that also. Getting the ball into the post was a chore for S.C. the entire game and by extending their defense out to about 15 feet made it difficult for the SC guards to drive also.

Key is long enough to come out to 13-14 feet and be effective if her backside help is there. JS needs to be able to decently guard against the three in this game, because SC guards will shoot from there this year. Powell and Wynn should be solid against that tonight, but watch for the matchup of between JS and whomever she is guarding tonight. If you follow player defensive ratings you will get why I emphasize that.
 
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#60
#60
37620VOL said:
If Key is playing m2m defense against any of the players you mentioned, we have big problems. Key should be guarding Cardoso and possibly Watkins or Kitts, and she should not follow them out to the 3-point line when they have the ball. Now, she will need to hedge on screens, but in doing so she will still be able to help deter easy layups on blow byes.
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When Feagin or Watkins are playing the 5, that's where it will be a problem because both of them can put the ball on the floor and drive around Keys. They also have range on their jump shots. It will be interesting to see what kind of defense Tennessee draws up.
 
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#61
#61
Line on Fanduel is SC -20.5

Holy crap. I can’t remember this program ever being a 20 point underdog to anyone, and certainly not playing at home.
 
#62
#62
SGMVols said:
Line on Fanduel is SC -20.5

Holy crap. I can’t remember this program ever being a 20 point underdog to anyone, and certainly not playing at home.
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A few weeks back, Kentucky was like a 40 point underdog vs. SC. I was tempted to bet on UK, thinking it's easy money. SC ended up winning by over 60 points. When they get rolling...
 
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#64
#64
Majors said:
God Speed
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Thanks a million. If there's a world record for dancing on graves, I expect you to break it tonight. Twisting the knife on folks who are already bitterly disappointed will be chump change for you the next few days. God Speed!
 
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#70
#70
glv98 said:
Thanks a million. If there's a world record for dancing on graves, I expect you to break it tonight. Twisting the knife on folks who are already bitterly disappointed will be chump change for you the next few days. God Speed!
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I take no pride in pointing out Kellie being in over her head at the expense of our program. I won’t be dancing, just wondering what took everyone else so long. My only regret is Kellie isn’t the coach those hanging on want her to be.

It’s not the girls fault. I 100% support them.

@WinnerCircle time is ticking
 
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#71
#71
Majors said:
I take no pride in pointing out Kellie being in over her head at the expense of our program. I won’t be dancing, just wondering what took everyone else so long. My only regret is Kellie isn’t the coach those hanging on want her to be.

It’s not the girls fault. I 100% support them.

@WinnerCircle time is ticking
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Oh c'mon. At least own you schtick. You'll be dancing with glee. At least you're admitting you'll be doing the "told you so" routine non stop. It's fine, it's what you do and this is a golden opportunity. Just don't insult by saying you won't enjoy it.

Have a said a million times it's not a revelation that KJH was not succeeding at getting elite recruits needed to move the program forward. Was never "what took you so long". It's more she's what we had and we were hoping things would work out game to game. Not that we were dumb or slow, just hopeful. Twist the knife on that.
 
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#73
#73
37620VOL said:
If Key is playing m2m defense against any of the players you mentioned, we have big problems. Key should be guarding Cardoso and possibly Watkins or Kitts, and she should not follow them out to the 3-point line when they have the ball. Now, she will need to hedge on screens, but in doing so she will still be able to help deter easy layups on blow byes.
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Key leaving the paint on defense is NEVER smart--just the opposite. She'll be playing Cardosa, which would make it doubly foolish for her to move very far from the basket.
 
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#74
#74
Tonight may be a rough one. Key hasn’t seen the type of physicality SC brings this year, nor has Hollingshead down low. I will be happy if we can at least compete with effort, even if it’s a blowout. SC I’m afraid is going to be too tough, so I’ll place it at this.


SC: 73
TN: 65
 
#75
#75
glv98 said:
Oh c'mon. At least own you schtick. You'll be dancing with glee. At least you're admitting you'll be doing the "told you so" routine non stop. It's fine, it's what you do and this is a golden opportunity. Just don't insult by saying you won't enjoy it.

Have a said a million times it's not a revelation that KJH was not succeeding at getting elite recruits needed to move the program forward. Was never "what took you so long". It's more she's what we had and we were hoping things would work out game to game. Not that we were dumb or slow, just hopeful. Twist the knife on that.
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We all arrive at the stop at different times. Some sooner than others. It’s not a “shtick” as I along with others wanted to be wrong. This year has been a treading water and tonight we probably find out how far down we go.

I won’t enjoy it…Im numb to the ladies losing much like the days of Buzz, Houston, Dooley, Pruitt and Jones.

A win tonight is a win win for everyone. I walk away for 3 months @WinnerCircle just has to say “Elite” and accept the offer. May the odds be in your favor!
 
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