Schedule out early

[ivyleague]

We were a top four team overall, with five losses, going into the 2014 NCAA Tournament. I don't see why 5 losses would disqualify us from being a top 4 team overall this year. There are a lot of tough road games on our schedule. I personally think that we will have 1 or 2 fewer losses than that.

I think the only in-conference opponent that will give UT trouble will be South Carolina. With that game being in Knoxville, I give the advantage to Tennessee and ultimately will be somewhat surprised if Tennessee loses. South Carolina has Wilson, Coates, Mitchell, and White (who didn't play any significant minutes last year due to injury, so her skill set has not yet been tested at the college level), but UT has DeShields, Russell, and Graves, plus other impact players in Carter, Jones, Nared, Reynolds, and Cooper (assuming she adjusts as well to the college game as is expected). Some of the other conference games will likely be fairly competitive, particularly given that they are away games (Kentucky, Texas A&M, Mississippi State), but Tennessee should still win those.

Out of conference, Tennessee could potentially lose to Notre Dame. If the game were being played in Knoxville, I would give the advantage to Tennessee; however, it is an away game. That said, Notre Dame is without Loyd. This game could go either way, although Notre Dame has the advantage. Stanford will be a decent team, but no match for UT, even playing on their home court. I will be shocked if Tennessee doesn't win that game. I believe Tennessee will handle Texas fairly easily, especially given that the game is in Knoxville. Oregon State may prove to be a difficult game, especially as it is an away game, but I still think UT can handle them if the players play up to their potential and aren't suffering from illness or injury. Chattanooga, Syracuse, Wichita State, and Penn State could all be good, competitive games, but, barring injury or illness, I will be very, very surprised if UT even comes close to losing any of them.

Tennessee has the potential to be undefeated going into tournament play, but realistically I look for one, perhaps two, losses (with the most likely losses coming at the hands of Notre Dame, Oregon State, OR (not and) South Carolina . . . I do not think Tennessee will lose to all three). Unless injury strikes, I do not think this is a 5-loss team.

 

[LVJeff]

I would include Chattanooga as a tough game, but I see in the first to mention them. Why?

1-It's a home game for the LV's. The last time the UTC women came to TBA to play the LV's they were beaten badly 80-56 and the last time they played anybody in TBA it was a bad loss to Pittsburgh in the NCAA tournament.

2-Last season's win by UTC was at Chattanooga and although they earned it, it was a nail biter and a 4-point win eked out over an injury depleted LV squad that was playing without Harrison.

3-UTC has no one IMO to counter Russell. They have a 6-3 and a 6-5 player on the roster but neither played in last season's win over the LV's.

UTC has a bunch of returning players and Foster is a very good coach. But if this is a tough game for the LV's, it could be a frustrating season. But who knows? Holly's teams have a habit of starting games slowly. I hope they don't start the upcoming season slowly.

 

[Eric Viesturs]

1. Home is worth 3 or 4 points. I didn't predict Chattanooga would win, but I'm puzzled that a team that the Tennessee last year and returns four of five starters doesn't even deserve a mention.

2. Harrison won't be playing this year.

3. Russell will be a handful, but you and I have both seen teams with a dominant center lose, or at least play a close game.

I won't be surprised if Chattanooga is closer than some of the other games listed. I could be wrong.

 

[stubbs9]

No one knows whats going to happen. Let's just wait and see. This team will have to learn to play together with the addition of Diamond so I think the first 5 games will be a learning experience. Those games may be closer than we think.

 

[Eric Viesturs]

stubbs9, no one is forcing you to speculate. Some of us enjoy it.

 

[armchair]

The Vols have a lot of good pieces, good players, no question. The question is, can Warlick build a championship team out of them? We'll win the vast majority of our games for the same reason we always do--because we have more talent that nearly everybody team we play. But can we beat good teams, can we play well in the NCAA? I'm a Warlick skeptic but hope she proves me wrong this year.

 

[BMvol27]

Do you have the ability to articulate with logic and reason why you believe a top four team -- one that you claim to support -- will lose so many games? Or are your posts just meaningless troll drivel?

Several reasons. Being a top four team to start the season doesn't mean anything. We were a top four team to start the last two seasons and didn't finish in the top four. Texas A&M was a top four team at the beginning of last season. Look how that turned out. This team does not have good post play or outside shooting. Notre Dame has beaten us five times in a row by double digits. Playing them in South Bend, I don't expect them to win this one either. South Carolina will be one of the top 2 teams in the nation. We can't compete with their lineup. We were not a good road team last year. If we lost to Chatanooga and Texas, I don't see how it's so unreasonable to think we could lose to Stanford and Oregon State. Plus we usually have some trip-up games that we're not supposed to lose, like LSU and Vanderbilt two seasons ago.

 

[Volfan2012]

I think were a lot better team this year than last year. I think the inside game will be better with Russell, Moore, Graves, and Jones. I think Deshields is the best player we've had on a roster in years. Still to be determined how we shoot outside but I am definitely certain that Reynolds has improved her stroke from the perimeter she has changed her shot and it looks great. Dunbar can shoot the three with anybody in the country if we can find her a place to play. We are loaded on the perimeter with depth and talent.
This is the era when even the best teams lose on the road. We'll lose a couple next season. I don't see any losses at home not even SC. Of course we have to play the season to find out who is right.
One thing for certain the talent is better this season at every position either through summer improvement or players sitting out playing for the first time.

 

[LVJeff]

...Dunbar can shoot the three with anybody in the country if we can find her a place to play.

She has to find her own place on the court by showing she can play defense. With that said, I am curious if Holly will try playing Dunbar and Jones at the same time and play Dunbar inside on defense and outside on offense and Jones outside on defense and inside on offense.

This would maximize each player's potential and minimize their deficiencies.

This team really, really needs to improve their shooting, by a lot.

 

[Volfan2012]

She has to find her own place on the court by showing she can play defense. With that said, I am curious if Holly will try playing Dunbar and Jones at the same time and play Dunbar inside on defense and outside on offense and Jones outside on defense and inside on offense.

This would maximize each player's potential and minimize their deficiencies.

This team really, really needs to improve their shooting, by a lot.

Best idea I have heard to get her on the court wonder if Holly will think of it.

 

[ivyleague]

Several reasons. Being a top four team to start the season doesn't mean anything. We were a top four team to start the last two seasons and didn't finish in the top four. Texas A&M was a top four team at the beginning of last season. Look how that turned out. This team does not have good post play or outside shooting. Notre Dame has beaten us five times in a row by double digits. Playing them in South Bend, I don't expect them to win this one either. South Carolina will be one of the top 2 teams in the nation. We can't compete with their lineup. We were not a good road team last year. If we lost to Chatanooga and Texas, I don't see how it's so unreasonable to think we could lose to Stanford and Oregon State. Plus we usually have some trip-up games that we're not supposed to lose, like LSU and Vanderbilt two seasons ago.

The team that will be on the court in 2015-16 is in no way like the injury-riddled team (in which half of the stars started out or wound up on the bench or playing with injuries bad enough to require post-season surgery) of 2014-15. That injury-laden team still beat the s*** out of Stanford, which will not be as good this year as last; home-court advantage will not help Stanford this year. The Lady Vols, on the other hand, will be a better team this year . . . much better. They should handle Texas in Knoxville easily, just as they should handle Chattanooga fairly easily. Oregon State will be competitive, but the advantage still goes to Tennessee. And I'd like to know what you are smoking if you think that a healthy Russell, a healthy DeShields, and a healthy Graves (plus a bevy of other impact players, including Jones, Carter, Nared, Reynolds, and Cooper) "can't compete" with South Carolina's Wilson, Coates, and Mitchell (and not a hell of a lot of others of proven ability). That comment is just profoundly, monumentally stupid.

The only team against which Tennessee has a better chance of losing than winning is Notre Dame. That's it. The odds are in their favor in every other game.

 

[Eric Viesturs]

We were not a good road team last year. If we lost to Chatanooga and Texas, I don't see how it's so unreasonable to think we could lose to Stanford and Oregon State.

I thought the Oregon State game would be a closer match last year. It turned out to be a blowout. I don't know how much of that was playing at home, matching up well with them, or just having a good day, but I don't expect Oregon state to win, even at their place.

 

[LVJeff]

Best idea I have heard to get her on the court wonder if Holly will think of it.

Pat played Spencer underneath on defense and at the 3 point line on offense. Anosike spent a lot of time on the perimeter on defense but underneath on offense. I don't see why it couldn't at least be tried with Dunbar and Jones.

 

[BMvol27]

The team that will be on the court in 2015-16 is in no way like the injury-riddled team (in which half of the stars started out or wound up on the bench or playing with injuries bad enough to require post-season surgery) of 2014-15. That injury-laden team still beat the s*** out of Stanford, which will not be as good this year as last; home-court advantage will not help Stanford this year. The Lady Vols, on the other hand, will be a better team this year . . . much better. They should handle Texas in Knoxville easily, just as they should handle Chattanooga fairly easily. Oregon State will be competitive, but the advantage still goes to Tennessee. And I'd like to know what you are smoking if you think that a healthy Russell, a healthy DeShields, and a healthy Graves (plus a bevy of other impact players, including Jones, Carter, Nared, Reynolds, and Cooper) "can't compete" with South Carolina's Wilson, Coates, and Mitchell (and not a hell of a lot of others of proven ability). That comment is just profoundly, monumentally stupid.

The only team against which Tennessee has a better chance of losing than winning is Notre Dame. That's it. The odds are in their favor in every other game.

Well, I doubt you'll be saying the same thing in February. I'm just trying to be realistic.

 

[volfanIND]

I thought the Oregon State game would be a closer match last year. It turned out to be a blowout. I don't know how much of that was playing at home, matching up well with them, or just having a good day, but I don't expect Oregon state to win, even at their place.

This was the only game I went to last year. (from Indiana, so my schedule only permits me one big game a year)

I felt Izzy helped win this game for us. She played smart ball, and got their big girl in foul trouble the whole game. She sat on the bench a lot and that helped us. OSU game plan is their outside shooting and their center. We took away their center, so all they had was their 3 point shot, and that was what kept them in the game. They are VERY good shooters and they run a very good offense. I was impressed with their coaching staff. I'm excited for this year's game because Wise is going to be REALLY big for them, her USA summer ball experience really has helped her confidence/leadership. Plus our Oregon girls get to play in front of family and friends!

 

[ivyleague]

Well, I doubt you'll be saying the same thing in February. I'm just trying to be realistic.

Except you aren't being very realistic.

 

[teacherdean]

I predict losses to Stanford, Oregon State, Notre Dame, South Carolina, and one or two others.
Texas will not be good this year.

With the talent we have, baring any injuries, we should be able to beat Stanford (Unless we are out coached) and Oregon State, however, Norte Dame and South Carolina may be difficult but winnable games. I do not believe that Stanford has the talent is another reason we will beat them and what does Oregon State have except a 6'7' post, I think Russell is more talented. I do not believe that any of these teams have Diamond D. talent.

 

[teacherdean]

I know that football season is upon us, but, I can't wait for the Lady Vols to hit the hardwood. I honestly believe that we are a top four team. Injuries are the only thing that can take us out of the final four. I see big things coming out of this team, we have more potential than we have had for the last 4 or 5 years.

 

[ladyvol1969]

When will single game tickets go on sale? I will be in K-town for the UT/Vandy football game and want to stay to see the Ladies take on Texas.

 

[tennparker3]

With the talent we have, baring any injuries, we should be able to beat Stanford (Unless we are out coached) and Oregon State, however, Norte Dame and South Carolina may be difficult but winnable games. I do not believe that Stanford has the talent is another reason we will beat them and what does Oregon State have except a 6'7' post, I think Russell is more talented. I do not believe that any of these teams have Diamond D. talent.

Sydney Wiese, Jamie Weisner, Ruth Hamblin and Deven Hunter and Gabriell Hanson were all starters last year or in Hanson's case, played starter minutes.

Katie McWilliams is a 6'2 Freshman guard who is one of the best incoming players in WCBB (and one of the most underrated).

They will have solid depth with McWilliams, Gulich (6'5 sophomore backup post), Hill (top 5 juco recruit) and two other frontcourt upperclassmen.

They most definitely have more than a 6'7 center. Wiese and Weisner are one of the best backcourts in the country and Hunter is a solid versatile 6'3 forward. Scott Rueck is also a darn good coach.

OSU and ND will be our toughest games this year, SC will be a close 2nd to those 2 games.

 

[governmentmule]

She has to find her own place on the court by showing she can play defense. With that said, I am curious if Holly will try playing Dunbar and Jones at the same time and play Dunbar inside on defense and outside on offense and Jones outside on defense and inside on offense.

This would maximize each player's potential and minimize their deficiencies.

This team really, really needs to improve their shooting, by a lot.

I do like your thinking :hi:

 

[VolsSA]

Tough one