Game Thread: Tennessee Lady Vols (12-6, 5-1) @ Ole Miss (14-5, 4-2) ESPN 3:00PM EST 01-28-2024.

[Dak1219]

So Key and Hollingshead can’t start over Puckett and Striplin but will start with any other team. So I guess Striplin and Puckett will start for any other Sec as well, but whatever we all have our opinions, and I respect yours.

There is no reason that karolyn Striplyn should be starting at this point with Tamari Key available. Tamari is a true SEC post and obviously has the respect of the head coaches because they put her on the all SEC second team without playing for over a year. She's also 6 ft 7 and very few teams have that.

It makes absolutely no sense. It allows the opponents to get comfortable getting to the paint or shooting from the perimeter because our guards have to give a step because there is no rim protector behind them if they get beat. Teams grow confidence and sometimes you can't stop that momentum.

Kelly Harper should have enough sense to put the best five on the court from the beginning of the game to dictate how the game is going to be played from the opening tip and then sub as needed throughout the game. If she can't figure that out she can't win at the highest level.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

I agree that the roster isn’t very good, but that is ultimately the fault of the head coach.

That’s all on the coach, nobody else is to blame.

 

[lvocd]

There is no reason that karolyn Striplyn should be starting at this point with Tamari Key available. Tamari is a true SEC post and obviously has the respect of the head coaches because they put her on the all SEC second team without playing for over a year. She's also 6 ft 7 and very few teams have that.

It makes absolutely no sense. It allows the opponents to get comfortable getting to the paint or shooting from the perimeter because our guards have to give a step because there is no rim protector behind them if they get beat. Teams grow confidence and sometimes you can't stop that momentum.

Kelly Harper should have enough sense to put the best five on the court from the beginning of the game to dictate how the game is going to be played from the opening tip and then sub as needed throughout the game. If she can't figure that out she can't win at the highest level.

It very well could be that Tamari has asked not to start.

If that's the case, it's disappointing. Key has been a participant of several leadership programs while at Tennessee, and it seems to me that with such extensive leadership training under her belt that she should be able to see how her stepping up and into a starting position in order to get the team off to its best start in the paint would be a fantastic leader move.

If it's just Kellie deciding to bring her off the bench because she "doesn't like change," then Kellie is screwing up bigtime.

 

[Coach Jumper]

So Key and Hollingshead can’t start over Puckett and Striplin but will start with any other team. So I guess Striplin and Puckett will start for any other Sec as well, but whatever we all have our opinions, and I respect yours.

I said "make" the team for Sara and Karo,,,Key and Jillian would start.
Don't mix my words

ANd no one says Key and Jillian "can't" start except coach Kellie.
Certainly not my assessment

Read the first words of the Nike description, "guard skills",,,not post skills
Jillian was a four star "Forward",,,not a Center out of HS,,not a Center.
If she played Forward and not a backup post,she would thrive
and this is not my opinion,,it is ESPN's

 

[Dak1219]

It very well could be that Tamari has asked not to start.

If that's the case, it's disappointing. Key has been a participant of several leadership programs while at Tennessee, and it seems to me that with such extensive leadership training under her belt that she should be able to see how her stepping up and into a starting position in order to get the team off to its best start in the paint would be a fantastic leader move.

If it's just Kellie deciding to bring her off the bench because she "doesn't like change," then Kellie is screwing up bigtime.

And Kellie is known to not like change unless something major happens like a loss at Ole Miss and that we should have never lost had we just played a little defense and rebounded a little better. Key draws a ton of attention in the paint because of her size. That's an advantage all in itself

 

[Golfteacher]

This is a chicken and egg debate. How about it's both? We just don't have enough truly elite players and our coaching isn't good enough to do more with less so we can win the games that will then bring the elite players. It's a depressing cycle we're stuck in.

Sadly, the coaches can’t coach up what they have. This team is performing worse than under Holly.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

SARA HAD 6 ASSISTS AND DIDNT PLAY IN THE SECOND HALF BC OF DARBY ?!?!?!???????

Maybe relook. Looks like Sara had 1 assist. Maybe include turnovers in the stats?

 

[mudcat1973]

Tennessee goes six of nine rest of the season.
Tennessee in the NCAA tournament with a record of
Eighteen and Ten
No party for sure on the fire Kellie crowd
Danny White not firing Kellie mid season
I said Tennessee finished top THREE SEC season schedule.
Which will get them in the NCAA tournament
Eighteen and Ten gets Tennessee in.
Six wins vs non South Carolina LSU tigers South CAROLINA
Gets Tennessee to 18 wins 10 losses

SeC will get five to eight teams in the NCAA tournament
Georgie
Missouri
Texas A&M
Vanderbilt
Arkansas
Alabama

Have more power to decide Kellie fate
Than fans who mostly come out after losses.
Kellie would done been fire if her trolls on her had their way..
At least some Kellie got go crowd post all th time.

T

 

[knoxvol52]

Tennessee goes six of nine rest of the season.
Tennessee in the NCAA tournament with a record of
Eighteen and Ten
No party for sure on the fire Kellie crowd
Danny White not firing Kellie mid season
I said Tennessee finished top THREE SEC season schedule.
Which will get them in the NCAA tournament
Eighteen and Ten gets Tennessee in.
Six wins vs non South Carolina LSU tigers South CAROLINA
Gets Tennessee to 18 wins 10 losses

SeC will get five to eight teams in the NCAA tournament
Georgie
Missouri
Texas A&M
Vanderbilt
Arkansas
Alabama

Have more power to decide Kellie fate
Than fans who mostly come out after losses.
Kellie would done been fire if her trolls on her had their way..
At least some Kellie got go crowd post all th time.

T

What do you call posters that praise the team when the Lady Vols play well but also will criticize them when they aren't playing up to the level they should be at?

I consider my stance as a realist, although if you would prefer to call. Me a "NegaVol" by all means have at it.

I been called worse in my life, don't believe me I have an ex wife that will confirm.
NegaVol is way down the list she would call me .

 

[Deebowbear]

Tennessee goes six of nine rest of the season.
Tennessee in the NCAA tournament with a record of
Eighteen and Ten
No party for sure on the fire Kellie crowd
Danny White not firing Kellie mid season
I said Tennessee finished top THREE SEC season schedule.
Which will get them in the NCAA tournament
Eighteen and Ten gets Tennessee in.
Six wins vs non South Carolina LSU tigers South CAROLINA
Gets Tennessee to 18 wins 10 losses

SeC will get five to eight teams in the NCAA tournament
Georgie
Missouri
Texas A&M
Vanderbilt
Arkansas
Alabama

Have more power to decide Kellie fate
Than fans who mostly come out after losses.
Kellie would done been fire if her trolls on her had their way..
At least some Kellie got go crowd post all th time.

T

They only win 3 out of those 6 games

 

[gray0306]

Tennessee goes six of nine rest of the season.
Tennessee in the NCAA tournament with a record of
Eighteen and Ten
No party for sure on the fire Kellie crowd
Danny White not firing Kellie mid season
I said Tennessee finished top THREE SEC season schedule.
Which will get them in the NCAA tournament
Eighteen and Ten gets Tennessee in.
Six wins vs non South Carolina LSU tigers South CAROLINA
Gets Tennessee to 18 wins 10 losses

SeC will get five to eight teams in the NCAA tournament
Georgie
Missouri
Texas A&M
Vanderbilt
Arkansas
Alabama

Have more power to decide Kellie fate
Than fans who mostly come out after losses.
Kellie would done been fire if her trolls on her had their way..
At least some Kellie got go crowd post all th time.

T

reminds me of the fleetwood mac song Dreams

 

[Coach Jumper]

reminds me of the fleetwood mac song Dreams

tell me lies tell me sweet little lies

 

[Volfan2012]

After watching parts of the game again it was the failure of our players to be able to rebound and not make silly turnovers. Some of the turnovers are ingrained in the system as the desire to get the ball inside even force it in there was present on to many possessions in that game yesterday. Ole Miss figured out real quick what we were trying to do and just over played it and made some steals. We kept trying it anyway something like seven times before we started playing more driving to the basket which was more effective when Kaiya was in there. Rebounding was more effective when Kaiya was in there, She is a better rebounder than any of our post players. In the end Ole Miss won the offensive boards by 5 and the turnovers by 4 for nine more possessions. It is the common game style of a Kellie Harper coached team. We give up more possessions than we get almost every game. When we win it is because of field goal percentage almost every time. They got 70 shots at basket we got 62. We evened it out a little by making 8 threes to their two, but their four more field goals and three more made free throws put them over the top. Can't be a consistent winner without rebounding missed opponent shots and taking care of the basketball and getting a shot on the other end. So that is the story of this team and our Coach can't fix it so that is where we are and where we've been all season. Where we will be when the season is over.

 

[Volfan2012]

Just to add really disappointed that Kaiya Wynn only got 12 minutes when she was in there making a difference on both ends of the court.

 

[knoxvol52]

By all means not a CKH hater, she loves Tennessee but I truly believe she isn't the answer as HC. Holly at least went to Elite 8 and fans called for her head what's so different in this situation.

Do I believe a big time coach would come here, probably not .

Danny White will make rite decision he will probably swing for the fences but in the end it probably would be a Mid Major up and comer.

Honestly the Lady Vols are 4th in the pecking order with Football,Mens Basketball and now Baseball ahead..

Shouldn't be though Lady Vols kept Tennessee name revelant during down times of Tennessee Sports..

 

[Volfan2012]

By all means not a CKH hater, she loves Tennessee but I truly believe she isn't the answer as HC. Holly at least went to Elite 8 and fans called for her head what's so different in this situation.

Do I believe a big time coach would come here, probably not .

Danny White will make rite decision he will probably swing for the fences but in the end it probably would be a Mid Major up and comer.

Honestly the Lady Vols are 4th in the pecking order with Football,Mens Basketball and now Baseball ahead..

Shouldn't be though Lady Vols kept Tennessee name revelant during down times of Tennessee Sports..

JMO I can't see her being back even if we make the tourney. She would have to make the elite 8 I think and really we probably should move on. I think we've seen what were going to get with her. I see her style and it hasn't changed much in five seasons.

 

[volmanNC]

JMO I can't see her being back even if we make the tourney. She would have to make the elite 8 I think and really we probably should move on. I think we've seen what were going to get with her. I see her style and it hasn't changed much in five seasons.

I hope your opinion is correct...!!! It would be nice to have a strong LVBB team again. I was so sad the day Fulmer hired this coach! I knew what was coming..

 

[mudcat1973]

JMO I can't see her being back even if we make the tourney. She would have to make the elite 8 I think and really we probably should move on. I think we've seen what were going to get with her. I see her style and it hasn't changed much in five seasons.

18 10 Tennessee in NCAA tournament
17 11 Tennessee needs one sec Tournament win for Good chance to make NCAA tournament.
16 12 need a SEC championship final or maybe win it to makes the NCAA.

Tennessee makes the NCAA tournament
There's no for sure firing coming.
If Tennessee lower than a 8 seed
Tennessee first round NCAA tournament win on the road will be a upset by TV people.
That might be enough to get Kellie to 24 /25 season.
Like some said before Danny White and higher ups are not moving by commits in Social Media or fan board s Kellie's fate depends on remaining games..

No matter how much the wolves blowing hot air at Kellie's house on rocky top.

There's room for debate from Kellie's supporter's to the bunch wants to run her out of rocky top Tennessee coaching jobs.

Saying we loved you Kellie but you shouldn't never got the job.
Should stayed Missouri state bears some will say. If she's gets fired.

 

[Butch s]

Tennessee goes six of nine rest of the season.
Tennessee in the NCAA tournament with a record of
Eighteen and Ten
No party for sure on the fire Kellie crowd
Danny White not firing Kellie mid season
I said Tennessee finished top THREE SEC season schedule.
Which will get them in the NCAA tournament
Eighteen and Ten gets Tennessee in.
Six wins vs non South Carolina LSU tigers South CAROLINA
Gets Tennessee to 18 wins 10 losses

SeC will get five to eight teams in the NCAA tournament
Georgie
Missouri
Texas A&M
Vanderbilt
Arkansas
Alabama

Have more power to decide Kellie fate
Than fans who mostly come out after losses.
Kellie would done been fire if her trolls on her had their way..
At least some Kellie got go crowd post all th time.

T

I wish she had of “done been fire”

 

[Butch s]

It's time. I like KJH but that's not reason to keep her. Quit dishonoring the Summit legacy by trying to turn someone into the next her...... Go find someone who can recruit at the highest level and coach/develop players at the highest level, get serious about the program or come clean and admit it's not a priority.

Well said

 

[djtee]

And Kellie is known to not like change unless something major happens like a loss at Ole Miss and that we should have never lost had we just played a little defense and rebounded a little better. Key draws a ton of attention in the paint because of her size. That's an advantage all in itself

Let's say the coach starts Key and she get's into foul trouble who do you bring into replace her? Striplin wrong answer, Hollingshead wrong answer. No one

 

[mudcat1973]

I wish she had of “done been fire”

Georgia Vanderbilt roads games will tell the tell on Tennesse NCAA tournament fate so enough.
Kellie's Fate depends on remaining games.
Not sun shine wishes or
The pitch forks carrying /
Tar and feather crew of Kellie's bashers

 

[glv98]

Let's say the coach starts Key and she get's into foul trouble who do you bring into replace her? Striplin wrong answer, Hollingshead wrong answer. No one

Agree. I'm not against TK starting if she's physically able, but I don't think it makes that much difference whether she starts or comes in on the first shift change. Also, sadly, it wouldn't have helped yesterday bc it was not a game TK was going to be successful in. Hopefully she'll get back on the upturn, but yesterday was as bad as her early season games.

 

[knoxvol52]

Georgia Vanderbilt roads games will tell the tell on Tennesse NCAA tournament fate so enough.
Kellie's Fate depends on remaining games.
Not sun shine wishes or
The pitch forks carrying /
Tar and feather crew of Kellie's bashers

Defeating a Georgia team that is 1-5 in conference and 10-9 overall wil tell the tell?
Vanderbilt is overachieving and got brought back to reality at Tennessee and definitely vs South Carolina..

 

[djtee]

Agree. I'm not against TK starting if she's physically able, but I don't think it makes that much difference whether she starts or comes in on the first shift change. Also, sadly, it wouldn't have helped yesterday bc it was not a game TK was going to be successful in. Hopefully she'll get back on the upturn, but yesterday was as bad as her early season games.

I have reached out to a few people in the NC area they seem to think the same way i'm thinking Key will not be at full tilt this year. Now they could be wrong and i could be wrong.