Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2023-24

[VolBall09]

NC State can’t get anything going on offense. They’re missing Baldwin who could get a bucket inside when needed. If they can’t get it in transition they aren’t getting it at all.

South Carolina still looks surprisingly unorganized to me. For returning 9 players you’d have thought they would be a bit more on the same page. Not really getting in any kind of rhythm in this game. A short stretch here and there that put them game out of reach but it’s not impressive so far.

All the pieces are there for SC to repeat but something about this group just doesn’t seem like it’s clicking at the moment. Not feeling the chemistry like I did last season.

 

[chuckiepoo]

chloerilla

Sounds like an STD…

 

[lvocd]

I have to say I feel proud of PaoPao and the way she has transformed her body. As a fifth-year senior, she knows this is her final season to make a lasting impression on WNBA scouts, and she took thatassignmentSERIOUSLY.

I love to see athletes mature like that.

 

[VolBall09]

Oof MIZZOU about to drop another game to a nobody. They’re gonna have to let Robin go and just let the assistants finish this season. It’s bad, bad. Will be really hard to recruit for years if they let her roll this one all the way.

 

[lvocd]

Oof MIZZOU about to drop another game to a nobody. They’re gonna have to let Robin go and just let the assistants finish this season. It’s bad, bad. Will be really hard to recruit for years if they let her roll this one all the way.

Dang! I'm gonna have to watch a little of that. Her teams are usually pretty tenacious. Wonder what happened?

 

[ShortyMac10]

NC State can’t get anything going on offense. They’re missing Baldwin who could get a bucket inside when needed. If they can’t get it in transition they aren’t getting it at all.

South Carolina still looks surprisingly unorganized to me. For returning 9 players you’d have thought they would be a bit more on the same page. Not really getting in any kind of rhythm in this game. A short stretch here and there that put them game out of reach but it’s not impressive so far.

All the pieces are there for SC to repeat but something about this group just doesn’t seem like it’s clicking at the moment. Not feeling the chemistry like I did last season.

Rivers was a no show
And SC gotta get used to not playing wit milla and Chloe didn’t play but they’ll jell but don’t see them going undefeated in conference

 

[lvocd]

Rivers was a no show
And SC gotta get used to not playing wit milla and Chloe didn’t play but they’ll jell but don’t see them going undefeated in conference

I'm just not seeing many (if any) opponents who will be able to stay with South Carolina for 40 minutes and beat them. It's real darn hard to go undefeated, but I think they've got a good chance of doing it this year.

Of course, Tennessee almost spoiled their undefeated season last time, so maybe the basketball gods will throw us a bone and let us play spoiler THIS season.

 

[lvocd]

Future opponent game alert:

Iowa's game against VaTech (at Iowa) starts at 5:30 on ESPN2!

 

[VolBall09]

Dang! I'm gonna have to watch a little of that. Her teams are usually pretty tenacious. Wonder what happened?

Just couldn’t replace any of the little talent they lost. Frank graduated and they were not able to replace her with anywhere near that type of player.

Dembele transferred to South Florida and that was probably their undoing. She was very quick and for her flaws she did have SEC speed and ball handling.

The transfers they were able to aquire are mediocre and their recruits the last couple years have all been unathletic big guards.

 

[VolBall09]

First glance Iowa offense is still looking great. Olsen gives them that player who can get a bucket whenever.

Stuelke at the 4 seems more natural to me and I think she’s going to really come into her own this season.

Their defense still lacks a lot to be desired. Olsen is not a good defender, has been beat off the bounce 4-5 times already in just the first 5 minutes of game time. O’Grady needs to step up and be a rim protector for them, she’s still too timid.

 

[ShortyMac10]

I'm just not seeing many (if any) opponents who will be able to stay with South Carolina for 40 minutes and beat them. It's real darn hard to go undefeated, but I think they've got a good chance of doing it this year.

Of course, Tennessee almost spoiled their undefeated season last time, so maybe the basketball gods will throw us a bone and let us play spoiler THIS season.

I gotta see everyone play I got them winning the sec but just think it might be 1 or 2 slip games nothing major

But you right let’s see if the gods are on our side this season

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Tennessee played South Carolina close three times last season not one.

Played LSU close and got some bad calls late in that game.

The issue wasn’t how the team performed against good teams, it was how they performed against decent teams and playing down to lesser competition.

That’s why I don’t understand why some posters continue to dismiss the early blowouts as if this isn’t a sign of improvement when in the past slow starts, long droughts with the second unit, and putting away bad teams was a struggle.

 

[lvocd]

Lobo cannot help herself. Every single time she does a game, at some pount she'll make her recruiting pitch for Geno and Connecticut basketball. Every single time.

 

[VolBall09]

Tennessee played South Carolina close three times last season not one.

Played LSU close and got some bad calls late in that game.

The issue wasn’t how the team performed against good teams, it was how they performed against decent teams and playing down to lesser competition.

That’s why I don’t understand why some posters continue to dismiss the early blowouts as if this isn’t a sign of improvement when in the past slow starts, long droughts with the second unit, and putting away bad teams was a struggle.

Yep, that was a hallmark for several years dating back to Holly’s tenure.

Boiled down to a lack of consistent effort to me. Lack luster effort against inferior teams that cost us wins that were absolutely necessary. Then there would be moments of supreme effort against top competition where we would win or fall just short.

As a fan it was very frustrating knowing the team COULD play that way and was just choosing not to at times.

Both previous coaches frequently stated they were not going to coach effort. Which I suspect must have been a common phrase Pat used. The difference was Pat DEMANDED excellence, therefore did not have to coach effort. Excellence was not being commanded the last few years. At least not across the board. It was expected of a few players but not the entire team.

Even early in her tenure it’s clear Kim is a task master who is going to demand excellence for the whole team. She doesn’t look at the positives and give out pats on the back. She’s constantly seeing where the team can improve and driving them toward that goal.

Mentioned rebounding was atrocious in the first game? Second game we absolutely demolished them on the boards. Small sample size, but it’s pretty clear what the emphasis was in practice on Wednesday.

 

[VolBall09]

Lobo cannot help herself. Every single time she does a game, at some pount she'll make her recruiting pitch for Geno and Connecticut basketball. Every single time.

I was so annoyed when I turned this on and they were calling this game too. Despise when espn does this. Much prefer when there are different people physically at the games calling them.

Lobo’s personal UConn bias is really irritating. Carter is a consummate professional and almost never mentions the Lady Vols, even when she rightfully could. Usually she only talks about Tennessee if directly asked to opine.

 

[chuckiepoo]

That’s why I don’t understand why some posters continue to dismiss the early blowouts as if this isn’t a sign of improvement

Protecting themselves from BVS symptoms. Keeping an even keel on their expectations. These last two tenures have some of the pre-championship fanbase on edge. And there’s a lot of us. Be patient.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Tennessee has a lot of basketball to play so I’m not looking ahead to the game at this point.
A few observations that I noticed is Iowa shooters did not shoot any better from long range than our 3pt specialist(s) Darby and Puckett in the first half.
Iowa can’t matchup with or run with Spearman, Cooper, Boyd, Whitehorn, Spencer, or Latham.
The LVs have too much athleticism for Iowa. Playing three or four of the rotation above with Spear, Favor, or Puckett makes Tennessee a formidable opponent.
Hollingshead and Darby have to elevate their play because those 9 players right now are a potent group.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Go Lady Hokies!

 

[lvocd]

I don't know, y'all. Iowa, as always, looks really tough. And VaT is no bunch of scrubs, either.

Maybe it's just BVS as some are suggesting, but I'm suddenly skeert! lol

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Last bit on info from the SC site WBB writer on his top predictions for the team this year and outlook. Schedule is maybe the most brutal ever put together, not sure if that was smart but it will make for an entertaining season.

South Carolina women's basketball: Eight preseason predictions

Before each season I make a series of predictions about the upcoming campaign. Today I present eight elite predictions for the season.

www.on3.com

South Carolina will lose a regular season game for the first time since 2021
“Why: The schedule is incredibly top-heavy. South Carolina plays the preseason no. 2, no. 4 (twice), no. 5, no. 7, no. 8, no. 9, no. 10, and no. 11. At some point they’ll slip up.”

Probably more than a few times this year tbh with that schedule. Dawn bit off a huge bite there, more than any current team could possibly swallow imo.

At first i thought you were sandbagging, but I realize now that you might actually be serious.

 

[VolBall09]

First glance Iowa offense is still looking great. Olsen gives them that player who can get a bucket whenever.

Stuelke at the 4 seems more natural to me and I think she’s going to really come into her own this season.

Their defense still lacks a lot to be desired. Olsen is not a good defender, has been beat off the bounce 4-5 times already in just the first 5 minutes of game time. O’Grady needs to step up and be a rim protector for them, she’s still too timid.

May have spoken too soon lol. Iowa offense was clicking in the first quarter and then struggled the rest of the way. By contrast their defense really picked up in the second half.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Protecting themselves from BVS symptoms. Keeping an even keel on their expectations. These last two tenures have some of the pre-championship fanbase on edge. And there’s a lot of us. Be patient.

Patient for what? The regular season has started and a team with several newcomers (highly talented players) with good resumes are having early success under a new coach that has won at every school they’ve coached.
I believe the team should be given credit for this without assuming it can’t be sustained against other teams.
These are also players that have started in the SEC and ACC for 1-4 years.
After watching games today, especially the teams that Tennessee will face this season there’s nothing to fear in any opponent.
Tennessee has to take care of their own business which I feel confident after seeing in week 1 that Coach Caldwell will push her team to improve game to game. She has a focus on accountability that can change this program in year 1.

 

[lvocd]

I was so annoyed when I turned this on and they were calling this game too. Despise when espn does this. Much prefer when there are different people physically at the games calling them.

Lobo’s personal UConn bias is really irritating. Carter is a consummate professional and almost never mentions the Lady Vols, even when she rightfully could. Usually she only talks about Tennessee if directly asked to opine.

Is it no longer against the rules for former players to recruit for their alma mater? Obviously Connecticut has historically ignored that rule, but for Lobo to brazenly give a strong recruiting pitch for Geno and the Huskies EVERY TIME she does a game makes me think it must no longer be a violation.

 

[VolBall09]

Is it no longer against the rules for former players to recruit for their alma mater? Obviously Connecticut has historically ignored that rule, but for Lobo to brazenly give a strong recruiting pitch for Geno and the Huskies EVERY TIME she does a game makes me think it must no longer be a violation.

I do think they relaxed that, but she has always done so.

As a media member she should refrain for professional reasons. She truly cannot help herself though.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

May have spoken too soon lol. Iowa offense was clicking in the first quarter and then struggled the rest of the way. By contrast their defense really picked up in the second half.

Iowa is a decent team. The Lady Vols have a lot of basketball ahead before this matchup.
I expect the Lady Vols at full strength to fare very well against Iowa.
Whitehorn, Spearman, Boyd, Latham, Spencer, Cooper, and Favor athleticism have created an overall dynamic not seen for years. Spear is in great condition and is on the best team she has had in her college career.
Hopefully both teams can continue to build up some early season success.