Tennessee Lady Vol News

[LV renaissance]

The heartbreaking losses seem to have fueled criticism and doubt about our approach on this board. On the contrary, I think nationally it has erased the sense of doubt that many coaches and others thought Kim's approach couldn't work. Many doubted that this approach would be competitive in the SEC, especially against teams such as LSU. It wasn't the approach that made us barely lose the two games, as by all pundits the Lady Vols have seriously less talent than LSU with their 3 All Americans and a rising star in Gilbert and also less talent than OU. While our talent may be undervalued, there is still a big gap between us and the top teams. I am not suggesting that there shouldn't be significant tweaks in the system and more consistency of the execution by the players. However, I don't think with our talent we would have been so close to winning both games playing more traditional basketball, especially the LSU game. When you have matchups such as Morrow vs. Spearman, Morrow is going to dominate no matter the system. Even the computers are impressed with the loss (up in two systems) and we are still projected to be a Sweet 16 team by the beloved Creme.
While I stand with the above, I have to admit that I am writing this to myself as well. There is a part of me that is bit heartbroken by losing both of the games on the last shot and there is frustration that we have only won one game against a top 10 team the last few years. So, if you don't like my sunshine, I meet you in my clouds.

 

[chuckiepoo]

While the heartbreaking losses seem to have fueled criticism and doubt about our approach on this board. On the contrary, I think nationally it has erased the sense of doubt that many coaches and others thought Kim's approach couldn't work. Many doubted that this approach would be competitive in the SEC, especially against teams such as LSU. It wasn't the approach that made us barely lose the two games, as by all pundits the Lady Vols have seriously less talent than LSU with their 3 All Americans and a rising star in Gilbert and also less talent than OU. While our talent may be undervalued, there is still a big gap between us and the top teams. I am not suggesting that there shouldn't be significant tweaks in the system and more consistency of the execution by the players. However, I don't think with our talent we would have been so close to winning both games playing more traditional basketball, especially the LSU game. When you have matchups such as Morrow vs. Sperman, Morrow is going to dominate no matter the system. Even the computers are impressed with the loss (up in two systems) and we are still projected to be a Sweet 16 team by the beloved Creme.
While I stand with the above, I have to admit that I am writing this to myself as well. There is a part of me that is bit heartbroken by losing both of the games on the last shot and there is frustration that we have only won one game against a top 10 team the last few years. So, if you don't like my sunshine, I meet you in my clouds.

Whole heartedly agree! Pump that Sunshine,

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Nowhere have I read or listen to basketball analysts or writers say Tennessee had significantly less talent than LSU or Oklahoma.
I don’t know why posters on here or on social media continue even talking about talent after the 13-2 start to this season.
Tennessee is in the top 3 in scoring offense in the country.
I don’t care what system is being ran if Tennessee didn’t have really good talent it wouldn’t work in any P4 conference.
At some point, people that keep trying to discredit the talent just have to come back down to Earth.

 

[lvocd]

Nowhere have I read or listen to basketball analysts or writers say Tennessee had significantly less talent than LSU or Oklahoma.
I don’t know why posters on here or on social media continue even talking about talent after the 13-2 start to this season.
Tennessee is in the top 3 in scoring offense in the country.
I don’t care what system is being ran if Tennessee didn’t have really good talent it wouldn’t work in any P4 conference.
At some point, people that keep trying to discredit the talent just have to come back down to Earth.

Yeah, I agree with you on the "significantly less talent" part. We are obviously perceived by the folks who vote on the top talent every year for awards, less talent than LSU by their standards and in their opinions ...

But to my eye, overall I don't perceive a SIGNIFICANT difference in talent. There are differences, yes. They definitely have more experience playing together, they definitely have a more experienced coach, and since we have exactly zero players named to any all-Amercan squads and they have three, it's hard to argue that we're on the same exact level.

But just looking with an eye purely for how our players move their bodies versus how LSU players move theirs, I don't see that they are significantly more talented at all. I also think our players still haven't even come close to reaching their potential, but I don't see LSU getting significantly better between now and NCAA Tournament time. I believe the Lady Vols WILL get significantly better.

 

[ttharp]

Candace seems to be a huge fan of Queen Kim!

Now can the staff fly Candace in to work with Zee Spearman?

 

[Dak1219]

Tenn rose in the NET rankings after the LSU game.

DI Women's Basketball Rankings - NCAA Women's Basketball NET Rankings | NCAA.com

That is because Georgia Tech took a bad loss to Virginia Tech I would assume.

 

[Lucy]

I have nothing to base this on and I believe someone else has already mentioned this but I am concerned over CKC’s color. She looks flushed a lot. Maybe this is how she always is during the season but it worries me that her blood pressure may be jumping around. Being a worry wart because if it was a significant problem she would be in bed. Wish this baby would get here!

 

[Lucy]

Candace seems to be a huge fan of Queen Kim!

Now can the staff fly Candace in to work with Zee Spearman?

We need that quote on tee shirts and hand them out to recruits!

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Nowhere have I read or listen to basketball analysts or writers say Tennessee had significantly less talent than LSU or Oklahoma.
I don’t know why posters on here or on social media continue even talking about talent after the 13-2 start to this season.
Tennessee is in the top 3 in scoring offense in the country.
I don’t care what system is being ran if Tennessee didn’t have really good talent it wouldn’t work in any P4 conference.
At some point, people that keep trying to discredit the talent just have to come back down to Earth.

Facts are facts. If you can not observe the difference in talent between Us and LSU and Oklahoma, you are in serious need for a lesson in the game of basketball.

 

[brittannica]

I have nothing to base this on and I believe someone else has already mentioned this but I am concerned over CKC’s color. She looks flushed a lot. Maybe this is how she always is during the season but it worries me that her blood pressure may be jumping around. Being a worry wart because if it was a significant problem she would be in bed. Wish this baby would get here!

I noticed this too and was a bit concerned. It does seem like she is trying to be calm in games, which is good, but I also know too many women who were young and fit and suddenly developed pre-eclampsia. We are so close to Baby Caldwell!

 

[Dak1219]

Facts are facts. If you can not observe the difference in talent between Us and LSU and Oklahoma, you are in serious need for a lesson in the game of basketball.

100%. LSU started three players, two of whom were seniors, who will be WNBA first-round draft picks. Our current team does not have that level of talent. Aneesa Morrow alone with her 20-20 double-double should be indicative of the level of talent on LSU's bench. The thing is with those 3, they do it every night consistently. That is what will make them highly sought after pro's.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Facts are facts. If you can not observe the difference in talent between Us and LSU and Oklahoma, you are in serious need for a lesson in the game of basketball.

No, what you need to do is know the difference between facts and opinions. Tennessee is building chemistry and learning a new system. A team facing a major discrepancy in talent would not have been competitive in either game.
It’s just really common sense.
If you can’t see that then understand what basketball knowledge you think you’re presenting is full of misconceptions.
The facts come down to the LVs are 13-2 as a result of a 3-pt margin combined in two games that they were talented enough to win both at the buzzer.
Moving forward now.

 

[chuckiepoo]

No, what you need to do is know the difference between facts and opinions. Tennessee is building chemistry and learning a new system. A team facing a major discrepancy in talent would not have been competitive in either game.
It’s just really common sense.
If you can’t see that then understand what basketball knowledge you think you’re presenting is full of misconceptions.
The facts come down to the LVs are 13-2 as a result of a 3-pt margin combined in two games that they were talented enough to win both at the buzzer.
Moving forward now.

Thank you for your opinion. Settle down, boo. If you were truly the expert you present yourself to be, you would be coaching in the D1 ranks. Again, you bring great stuff generally, then ya get self righteous. I will hang in there with you. I believe you mean well.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

But to my eye, overall I don't perceive a SIGNIFICANT difference in talent. There are differences, yes.

But just looking with an eye purely for how our players move their bodies versus how LSU players move theirs, I don't see that they are significantly more talented at all. I also think our players still haven't even come close to reaching their potential, but I don't see LSU getting significantly better between now and NCAA Tournament time. I believe the Lady Vols WILL get significantly better.

This ^ 100%.
GBO!

 

[volinbama256]

Why the heck are we playing Uconn in the middle of conference play when no other SEC team is dipping out of conference? I thought we were not doing this anymore, that it was a Gino/Pat rivalry that we've moved on from? Not good timing and placement IMO, to have to get up for a big game like that, even at home, and have it wedged in between coming back from Mizz on Sunday and then going back on the road to LSU that weekend...Is this something UTAD wanted to bring back? If so, I wonder why?

 

[Volfan2012]

Why the heck are we playing Uconn in the middle of conference play when no other SEC team is dipping out of conference? I thought we were not doing this anymore, that it was a Gino/Pat rivalry that we've moved on from? Not good timing and placement IMO, to have to get up for a big game like that, even at home, and have it wedged in between coming back from Mizz on Sunday and then going back on the road to LSU that weekend...Is this something UTAD wanted to bring back? If so, I wonder why?

Already had the deal signed from last season. I bet Kim doesn't do it in January once this contract deal is completed.

 

[volinbama256]

Already had the deal signed from last season. I bet Kim doesn't do it in January once this contract deal is completed.

thanks for the info!

 

[lvocd]

Why the heck are we playing Uconn in the middle of conference play when no other SEC team is dipping out of conference? I thought we were not doing this anymore, that it was a Gino/Pat rivalry that we've moved on from? Not good timing and placement IMO, to have to get up for a big game like that, even at home, and have it wedged in between coming back from Mizz on Sunday and then going back on the road to LSU that weekend...Is this something UTAD wanted to bring back? If so, I wonder why?

If I am recalling correctly, that was the only time Connecticut could do it.

 

[th2421]

Why the heck are we playing Uconn in the middle of conference play when no other SEC team is dipping out of conference? I thought we were not doing this anymore, that it was a Gino/Pat rivalry that we've moved on from? Not good timing and placement IMO, to have to get up for a big game like that, even at home, and have it wedged in between coming back from Mizz on Sunday and then going back on the road to LSU that weekend...Is this something UTAD wanted to bring back? If so, I wonder why?

Texas is also playing Maryland out of conference on MLK Day.

 

[Volfan2012]

Watching Maryland at Wisconsin right now. Wisconsin actually making a game out of it. In the third quarter.

 

[Volfan2012]

Maryland 62 Wisconsin 60 end of three quarters.

 

[Rooster1]

Texas is also playing Maryland out of conference on MLK Day.

SC also plays UCONN

 

[LV renaissance]

Yeah, I agree with you on the "significantly less talent" part. We are obviously perceived by the folks who vote on the top talent every year for awards, less talent than LSU by their standards and in their opinions ...

But to my eye, overall I don't perceive a SIGNIFICANT difference in talent. There are differences, yes. They definitely have more experience playing together, they definitely have a more experienced coach, and since we have exactly zero players named to any all-Amercan squads and they have three, it's hard to argue that we're on the same exact level.

But just looking with an eye purely for how our players move their bodies versus how LSU players move theirs, I don't see that they are significantly more talented at all. I also think our players still haven't even come close to reaching their potential, but I don't see LSU getting significantly better between now and NCAA Tournament time. I believe the Lady Vols WILL get significantly better.

I do agree with you Ivocd that our athleticism and movement of our most athletic 6 players are equal to the LSU starters. I don't think any of our players are yet up with their big 3 in terms of basketball skills except Cooper. Cooper many not be quite as smooth offensively but is incredible on the defensive end and is only a sophomore. Also, since we play 10 players, the rest of our 10 don't match up athletically on the court with the LSU players. I also view Morrow as by far the best player on either team and is undervalued in the player of the year sweepstakes. I agree that we are likely to improve more than LSU or any of the other top teams we play as the season progresses, which I look forward to seeing. I also have complete confidence that even our second 5 will be incredibly athletic by next year and will be able to play with anyone. That will allow coach to platoon a bit more without any drop-off.
Cheers!

 

[lvocd]

I do agree with you Ivocd that our athleticism and movement of our most athletic 6 players are equal to the LSU starters. I don't think any of players are yet up with their big 3 in terms of basketball skills except Cooper. Cooper many not be quite as smooth offensively but is incredible on the defensive end and is only a sophomore. Also, since we play 10 players, the rest of our 10 don't match up athletically on the court with the LSU players. I also view Morrow as by far the best player on either team and is undervalued in the player of the year sweepstakes. I agree that we are likely to improve more than LSU or any of the other top teams we play as the season progresses, which I look forward to seeing. I also have complete confidence that even our second 5 will be incredibly athletic by next year, and will be able to play with anyone. That will allow coach to platoon a bit more without any drop-off.
Cheers!

 

[sgacock]

Why the heck are we playing Uconn in the middle of conference play when no other SEC team is dipping out of conference? I thought we were not doing this anymore, that it was a Gino/Pat rivalry that we've moved on from? Not good timing and placement IMO, to have to get up for a big game like that, even at home, and have it wedged in between coming back from Mizz on Sunday and then going back on the road to LSU that weekend...Is this something UTAD wanted to bring back? If so, I wonder why?

Uhm SCar takes the exact some dip out of conference every year against Geno and has done so for about 12 years.

We did so because we were begging for top opponents at that time. Now it has become tradition plus it brings a spotlight to excellent tv programming that helps recruiting. Our regional conference games don’t quite bring the same national spotlight.

I would suggest that Kym wants that spotlight too.