SEC Women’s Tournament 2022

[Volfan2012]

Lazy passes, missed bunnies, and turnovers can all be signs of fatigue, too. So can poor free throw shooting. Could be our players aren't in great shape. If so, that's on the coaching staff. A lot of teams that play terrific defense, like this team, subconsciously rest on offense. Maybe that's what's happening. I'm just musing here, considering your complaints.

I actually don't see Tennessee as a really super talented team. Horston is super talented, and Rae and Tamari will play in the W. But who else would you say is a real talented player? 3 of our starters are talented players, but the other two are not. And the bench isn't teaming with five stars, either. Some of those missed bunnies are due to hands that are not soft, some of those passes are because the player doesn't have the talent to thread the needle at high speed. Some of those turnovers are a result of the opponent being more talented than our player.

I agree these losses have been frustrating, but I don't think it comes with lack of effort.

Finishing shots not just throwing up something at the basket. I saw way to many shots like that against LSU. You need a good shot and when you get it you need to finish or get fouled.

 

[LadyOrange]

Finishing shots not just throwing up something at the basket. I saw way to many shots like that against LSU. You need a good shot and when you get it you need to finish or get fouled.

Against LSU, when TK or Rae got the ball near the rim, LSU collapsed 3 and sometimes 4 players on them. I’m TK’s case, it’s not always a good idea for her to try the shot; kicking it out is the best option, and she’s doing that more and more. In Rae’s case, she gets tangled up with those 3 opponents and also needs to kick it out. Her style Is to drive, which is great, but with three defenders in her face, they reach down and grab the ball: turnover. I think she needs to work on timing and knowing where her teammates are. She drives and should anticipate being ganged up on. Kick it.

 

[LadyOrange]

Finishing shots not just throwing up something at the basket. I saw way to many shots like that against LSU. You need a good shot and when you get it you need to finish or get fouled.

Second half of LSU we took better shots and were mentally in the game.

 

[Volfan2012]

Against LSU, when TK or Rae got the ball near the rim, LSU collapsed 3 and sometimes 4 players on them. I’m TK’s case, it’s not always a good idea for her to try the shot; kicking it out is the best option, and she’s doing that more and more. In Rae’s case, she gets tangled up with those 3 opponents and also needs to kick it out. Her style Is to drive, which is great, but with three defenders in her face, they reach down and grab the ball: turnover. I think she needs to work on timing and knowing where her teammates are. She drives and should anticipate being ganged up on. Kick it.

Yep decisions are important and all the players when they see the collapse should give it up cause Darby can hit the open three quite often if you can get her the look.

 

[Volfan2012]

Second half of LSU we took better shots and we’re mentally in the game.

Dialed on defense like we should've been the entire game. That 22 to 10 first quarter kept LSU from losing by a nice margin. Were a slow starter in a lot of games I hope they can remedy that in the SEC Tourney.

 

[LadyOrange]

Yep decisions are important and all the players when they see the collapse should give it up cause Darby can hit the open three quite often if you can get her the look.

Darby impresses me because she does wait for the good shot. If it’s not there, she knows where her teammates are and is a strong passer and can also make jumpers and layups. She makes good decisions.

 

[LadyOrange]

Dialed on defense like we should've been the entire game. That 22 to 10 first quarter kept LSU from losing by a nice margin. Were a slow starter in a lot of games I hope they can remedy that in the SEC Tourney.

Yep. At the end of one, I thought, we gotta make a move now. LSU shot something like 45% the first half and I know they can’t keep that up. But we have to starting closing that gap, now.

 

[Volfan2012]

Darby impresses me because she does wait for the good shot. If it’s not there, she knows where her teammates are and is a strong passer and can also make jumpers and layups. She makes good decisions.

I think she can expand her game not to bad handling the ball. Needs to work on upper body strength and develop ability to create her own shot off the dribble. I think she has the talent in her to do it in the off season. She was really just a freshman this season she could improve overall game quite a lot over a summer.

 

[LadyOrange]

I think she can expand her game not to bad handling the ball. Needs to work on upper body strength and develop ability to create her own shot off the dribble. I think she has the talent in her to do it in the off season. She was really just a freshman this season she could improve overall game quite a lot over a summer.

Agreed. And I think she knows this too. I sense she is committed to be the best player she can be. Her defense has improved. She’s moving her feet and has always had the intensity. Again, she’s not the quickest, but that’s okay. She will work on her game to find ways to compensate. I hear Pat: “You know how I’m going to beat you? I’m going to outwork you.” This is one reason Darby is on the team and will grow her game.

 

[Raebo]

And we all know who Bobby Knight is. Truly credible source. (Blue text).

If “potential” is not the most overused word in sport, please tell me what is and provide the credible source so that I might use them in the future.

Even though Bobby Knight once stopped to help my aunt and uncle who were having car troubles, I think he should have been fired long before he was fired. That does not negate the fact that he was a great basketball mind.

 

[River67]

Agreed. And I think she knows this too. I sense she is committed to be the best player she can be. Her defense has improved. She’s moving her feet and has always had the intensity. Again, she’s not the quickest, but that’s okay. She will work on her game to find ways to compensate. I hear Pat: “You know how I’m going to beat you? I’m going to outwork you.” This is one reason Darby is on the team and will grow her game.

Her dad told her shooting will get you on the court and defense will keep you on it

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Finishing shots not just throwing up something at the basket. I saw way to many shots like that against LSU. You need a good shot and when you get it you need to finish or get fouled.

Again, I agree we are not good on offense. Sometimes those shots are the result of being disorganized and having to throw something up at the shot clock. Sometimes they are the result of poor decision making. And sometimes you just have to tip the cap to the defense of the opponent. We don't have a true PG facilitator/distributor. Lack of talent there. And with Rae out, we don't have anyone who can create their own shots. Again, lack of talent. Until we get the kind of offensive talent in the roster that we need to run this offense, we are going to struggle offensively. But I don't think it is from a lack of desire.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Again, extreme response. All of our players are talented or they wouldn’t be Lady Vols.

I agree we have a lot of talent, but I am speaking relative to the competition. For example, we do not have an impactful PG who can run the offense efficiently and effectively.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I get really tired of the inaccurate statements: We have poor fundamentals. Wrong. We need to play focused for 40 minutes…we must continue to work on our mental game.

We can't deny the turnover rates and the poor shooting percentages. And we can't deny the poor FT shooting percentages.

 

[dapeak]

Agreed. And I think she knows this too. I sense she is committed to be the best player she can be. Her defense has improved. She’s moving her feet and has always had the intensity. Again, she’s not the quickest, but that’s okay. She will work on her game to find ways to compensate. I hear Pat: “You know how I’m going to beat you? I’m going to outwork you.” This is one reason Darby is on the team and will grow her game.

That’s literally what I’m impressed with when seeing her recently. The last couple of games I’ve seen her actually attempting to score inside the arc which is something she wasn’t looking to do before Horston went down which is why given the tourney is over 2 weeks away.. I think the staff has told the team what each of them has to do differently to find success and they’re doing it. The balls just have to start dropping in the hoop for them earlier in the game and they’ll be fine. Be intense on defense and intentional on offense.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Jordan Walker could be a third round pick by some team and play overseas. If Anna Wilson can get a shot(which she will) Walker should.

Alexus Dye without back issues and with continued work on her range/shot could get chances in the W while she develops overseas.

Rae has all star potential. TK has starter potential with the right team/teammates. Horston has Olympic potential.

The others I couldn’t say at this stage in their development but I’ve have seen pro potential in some as freshmen(or sophomores).

All true. But who on the team are true difference makers, relative to the opposition in the SEC? Certainly Horston and TK fit that bill, and the RB of last year also. Occasionally, the ones you mentioned rise to the moment, but when you look at their body of work, they are equal to the opposition but not superior.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Yep. At the end of one, I thought, we gotta make a move now. LSU shot something like 45% the first half and I know they can’t keep that up. But we have to starting closing that gap, now.

timeout!!!

 

[LadyOrange]

That’s literally what I’m impressed with when seeing her recently. The last couple of games I’ve seen her actually attempting to score inside the arc which is something she wasn’t looking to do before Horston went down which is why given the tourney is over 2 weeks away.. I think the staff has told the team what each of them has to do differently to find success and they’re doing it. The balls just have to start dropping in the hoop for them earlier in the game and they’ll be fine. Be intense on defense and intentional on offense.

Yes. Kellie coaches matchups with players, too. And they are doing a good job of adjusting.

 

[LadyOrange]

We can't deny the turnover rates and the poor shooting percentages. And we can't deny the poor FT shooting percentages.

But it’s not lack of fundamentals. It’s mental.

 

[LadyOrange]

I agree we have a lot of talent, but I am speaking relative to the competition. For example, we do not have an impactful PG who can run the offense efficiently and effectively.

Hmmmm. Well, I think BK will grow her game.

 

[dapeak]

All true. But who on the team are true difference makers, relative to the opposition in the SEC? Certainly Horston and TK fit that bill, and the RB of last year also. Occasionally, the ones you mentioned rise to the moment, but when you look at their body of work, they are equal to the opposition but not superior.

I think difference making though is what you’re able to do for your specific team. We have equal talent to most teams because of where our roster is currently. Coming into the season I’d say we still had about the 3rd best talent in the SEC, 12th best in the nation. BUT staff, talent, and talent development showed at one point were a top 6 team in the country easily.

Our season isn’t lost by any means because of how our staff and team is built(I still hold out hope that Horston will play by the round of 32) BUT the loss of Rae and how that’s affected her game. In the first game of the season remember how explosive she was? Imagine that player alongside Horston and Key for the entire season.

Marta never playing this season who would have been A HUGE difference maker because of her skillset and versatility. Basically is a quicker more experienced version of Puckett if her foot issues are resolved and how would that change the look of the team?

Keyen going down was TOUGH. Her maturity, her leadership, her skill.

Each of those three are difference makers for this team that quite honestly we lost. Rae isn’t Rae consistently right now If we’re honest, so she’s a player lost.

The fact that with injury we got a 3 seed and will more than likely host this year is very telling of the direction we’re headed. While I know we need more talent and improved recruiting, I also think what we’re bringing in works because the staff understands chemistry and what building a team looks like. I don’t think we’ll go the route of all out athleticism and skill then teaching roles etc. while I think 3 difference making players are needed for any team I also think we’re surrounding those players with skilled girls who understand their roles and skill sets already and are willing to grow and excel within that role because knowing the roles you’re great at gets you to the next level and keeps you there.

 

[LadyOrange]

If “potential” is not the most overused word in sport, please tell me what is and provide the credible source so that I might use them in the future.

Even though Bobby Knight once stopped to help my aunt and uncle who were having car troubles, I think he should have been fired long before he was fired. That does not negate the fact that he was a great basketball mind.

There is no definitive source because this is opinion. My definition of potential is that a player or team can be coached to improve and buy into the coaching. Lots of moving parts.

 

[Dak1219]

Jordan Walker could be a third round pick by some team and play overseas. If Anna Wilson can get a shot(which she will) Walker should.

Alexus Dye without back issues and with continued work on her range/shot could get chances in the W while she develops overseas.

Rae has all star potential. TK has starter potential with the right team/teammates. Horston has Olympic potential.

The others I couldn’t say at this stage in their development but I’ve have seen pro potential in some as freshmen(or sophomores).

Tamari is by far outplaying Mercedes Russell at this stage of her career and look where Mercedes is now. Already being one of the top defensive players in the country, another Year of strength work to get stronger and offensive back to the basket moves and development, we could see an All - American type season from Tamari Key next year. It will all depend on continued growth.

 

[dapeak]

Tamari is by far outplaying Mercedes Russell at this stage of her career and look where Mercedes is now. Already being one of the top defensive players in the country, another Year of strength work to get stronger and offensive back to the basket moves and development, we could see an All - American type season from Tamari Key next year. It will all depend on continued growth.

TK has that potential in her offensively to be a cornerstone of a great team while not be the star. But she has to score. Keep the ball high and become comfortable literally jumping and shooting over players with a soft touch. She’s gotten a short jump hook shot. She has a jump shot she doesn’t use often. And she has the spin and scoop that doesn’t take advantage of her height. She needs to get the ball spin and go straight up without crouching to get “spring” in her jump. And shoot the jumper when they leave her open, it frustrates me so much when she has the time to set her feet and shoot it every time they give it to her.

 

[glv98]

If “potential” is not the most overused word in sport, please tell me what is

Talent. Or it's a tie, potential and talent are equally overused and both are almost meaningless at this point.

For example, we do not have an impactful PG who can run the offense efficiently and effectively.

I know this has become a mantra around here, and who doesn't always want an elite PG. But I think Walker and Miles are getting unfair flack as the talentless hangers on holding this team back on offense. Neither is a good enough shooter, but Walker has hit some very timely baskets for us this year. Her a/t.o. stats are solid. We know how much she contributes rebounding and defense.

Also, I'm totally not giving up Miles improving all aspects of her game. There's a player who's always locked in.

I'll bet if Rae was even half herself, JH hadn't gotten hurt, and ANYONE could consistently hit open shots, we'd be talking about how solid the PGs have been. IMO our offense doesn't flow because we don't move or cut well and bc our shooting is so poor, not bc no one can distribute
We've been getting better shots lately, ball not stuck in someone's hands as much, but we just can't hit them.

PG is thankless, it's like being a quarterback. Everyone likes the one who's not currently playing. We recently went gaga over a PG in the portal whose stats are actually a little worse than Walker's in a much weaker conference. But she has "talent" and "potential'!

Know who else was called a "limited" "can't create" "too slow afoot" PG? Kellie Jolly.