Kellie Harper has dramatically changed the LVs style of play

[#1LVLS MAN 4 LIFE]

All things considered CKH and staff have handled their affairs rather well. From a program perspective she has navigated from inheriting a program in "crisis", losing three of it's best players, and a slightly agitated fan base, to stabilizing the program, and building a team where fundamentals are being built. Too often, in my opinion, in the world of athletics some believe that high level HS recruits equates to high level fundamentals, this has burned us in years past. This team is a top 15 -- 25 team with a lot of opportunity to move up higher. This team is a quiet steady step in the right direction.

 

[creekdipper]

watching the end of the Georgia game, felt like I was watching a middle school girls game.

Your local middle school sure grows some mighty big gals.

 

[madtownvol]

watching the end of the Georgia game, felt like I was watching a middle school girls game.

We know that was a bad stretch. Now we are talking about the Alabama game.

How did you feel watching the men against Florida?

Bad games or bad stretches in games happen.... It is when bad spells become routine that we have problems.

 

[VolBall09]

We know that was a bad stretch. No we are talking about the Alabama game.

How did you feel watching the men against Florida?

Bad games or bad stretches in games happen.... It is when bad spells become routine that we have problems.

Precisely. It’s tough, but you cannot allow a bad quarter to cause a bad game. Or a bad game to cause a bad week. We let our poor play snowball in the past.

Huge growth moment seeing them come out and take care of business against Alabama. I said it in another thread; but 3 seasons ago there is no way we have a loss like UGA followed by a 30 point victory over a quality team. I fully expected us to drop 3 in a row after that Georgia game.

Now I have a lot of hope!

 

[GameTime]

She has a system just need two or three more highly rated players to operate in it. As the roster gets better and deeper which I can see happening then we'll start seeing even more results and wins.

They're coming my friend, they're coming...Stay strong.

When the next recruiting class is wearing the uniform of the LVs, they'll give us shelter from the storm we have all been living in for too many seasons....

Then, when Justine gets here the following season, and joins the 2021 class in court combat, the LVs will ascend to the NCAA throne and take the crown of superiority, once again...

"Try and imagine a place where it's always safe and warm...Come in she said, I'll give you shelter from the storm."

 

[creekdipper]

The Tennessee PR department could sure use GameTime right about now.

 

[VOLPAT]

If you compare this current LV team to Holly's teams, and even last year's team, it is quite striking how different the offensive game has become. Under Holly, the LVs wanted to push pace, run and gun, and use their generally superior athleticism against opponents. The key to beating the LVs was slowing the game down and forcing them into more methodical half court sets. Under Holly (and her ultimate undoing), the LVs steadily become less and less proficient in running half court sets and less effective in transition.

Under Kellie, it is almost the exact opposite. The team is much more methodical and deliberate on offense and using a lot more the shot clock. Kellie wants to use size, rather than speed, to score points. And the LVs points in the paint are definitely up. Against Bama, I saw a nice improvement in that the LVs were still deliberate in running their offensuve sets but they were moving ball quicker, with less dribbling from the PG, which made the defense chase more and created lanes or open shots.

I am not crazy about the frequent pairing of Tamari and KK but it seems consistent with a goal of dominating through size and controlling the boards.

The potential problem with this approach is that a team has to hit some threes for it to be sustainable or else teams will crowd the paint and make it really difficult to execute high low type plays. Against Bama, when they were making a little run, for example, the LVs hit several threes in close sucession (from Davis, Burrell, and I think Walker) that broke the run. So suffcient outside shooting (along with keeping TOs down) are keys to success for this offensive style to keep working

Per the Georgia meltdown, the GA coach made a nice adjustment by going with a smaller line-up and as they say, speeding the game up against the LVs, who, in turn, lost their composure (and the game).

During the run, Kellie tried to stay big, with a long stretch pairing Key and KK, and that did not go well.

I would love to see Coach Harper use a small ball line-up in stretches (which would not be that small actually) to combat the type of adjustments that GA made, using for example, Rae, Rennia, Destiny, Jordan H and Jordan W.

She certainly seems to be holding the team accountable and coaching more hands on. The team actually plays together and gives the impression they like each other. Coach Harper needs to recruit a point guard with the fire and determination of Kellie Jolly.

 

[PointGuard]

Our layup percentage seems higher.

And two finger whistle attempts have been almost eliminated. So there’s that.

 

[creekdipper]

Ouch!

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Kellie has dramatically changed the style of play @madtownvol ..this is a full game of the SEC tourney game in 2019 when Holly coached

 

[creekdipper]

Four major improvements:

The program emphasizes the team concept rather than being built primarily around one player. As Candace Parker liked to say, "Pick your poison"

The players are learning and embracing their roles to best aid the team. And are willing to adapt mid-game if one element of their game is off in order to contribute in other ways.

The team listens to the staff, trusts the game plan and scouting reports, and works hard to execute the plan.

This team plays hard and doesn't wilt under pressure.

 

[VolBall09]

And two finger whistle attempts have been almost eliminated. So there’s that.

Don’t forget the foot stomp. That’s how you really knew Holly meant business.

 

[stllvf]

one comparison between the current and the former coach is the post-game interviews. Harper is rooting for her players and when she uses "proud" or "disappointed for the team" I hear both professional and heartfelt words. Her players are human beings, young women as well as basketball players.

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

And two finger whistle attempts have been almost eliminated. So there’s that.

I have missed those whistles lol I could here it no matter how loud the arena was

 

[LadyVols_WBK]

Kellie gets fired up too y'all

 

[LadyOrange]

I think some people are being unduly harsh on Marta because she is being asked to do a lot of different things, and is carrying a high load for a freshman. But she is not really a guard though she handles the ball a lot and makes some nice passes. I compare her more to Mimi Collins, who was also kind of a hybrid "point forward" type of player. Mimi had the benefit of a full pre-season and none of the covid disruptions and did not have to adjust to a new culture. Even with that, she made a lot of mistakes and was not all that impactful until later in the season when she started to find her way. And her role was much more limited than what Marta is being asked to do. Next year should be Marta's break out season but she is doing quite well all things considered.

And Marta is still learning to play American ball. All of her experience until UT was European. She didn’t arrive on campus until very late summer last year, so I think she’s coming along nicely. Enormous talent.

 

[VolBall09]

Kellie gets fired up too y'all

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I’m enjoying her updated wardrobe this season as well. Coach has been enjoying that new salary and it looks great!

On that note I also love when they dress professionally. I’m not a fan of the coaches in casual wear. Not sure why but it just seems right that they dress nice for the game.