Tennessee Lady Vol News

[Volfan2012]

 

[37620VOL]

Currently, our three-point shooting is .140 and free-throw shooting is .519, which are 340th and 341th in Division I, respectively (of 348 teams). Our players need to get in the gym and put up shots....a lot of shots. Our FT shooting alone can lose us a bunch of games.

And not just putting up shots... Work on shooting fundamentals, then game style shooting.

 

[Volfan2012]

We could also use a little education on what is a good shot and bad shot. I saw several bad shot attempts in all three games.

 

[Darth_Vol]

Other than the three point shot some are not that bad. Were making 44 percent if you take off the three point attempts. Three point some players have no reason to shoot them. I agree it is what it is thus far, but not buying into not getting better until it happens for an entire season and then you know it's true.

Shooting 44% on two-pointers is awful. Maybe the percentages will even out some and the free throw/three point shooting will improve from comically bad to just bad, but it's really hard to see a high ceiling with this offense even when Burrell returns.

I'm also wondering what the hell the coaches are working on with these players as far as shooting mechanics and psychological/motivation when even the veterans that have been with them for a while still can't hit a free throw...

 

[37620VOL]

Shooting 44% on two-pointers is awful. Maybe the percentages will even out some and the free throw/three point shooting will improve from comically bad to just bad, but it's really hard to see a high ceiling with this offense even when Burrell returns.

What is your opinion on our opponents two point percentage... 29%?

Fourth best in the nation.

I cannot find a strength of schedule statistic but our RPI is currently #37

 

[Rooster1]

29% defense on 2’s is insane

 

[Rooster1]

Shooting 44% on two-pointers is awful. Maybe the percentages will even out some and the free throw/three point shooting will improve from comically bad to just bad, but it's really hard to see a high ceiling with this offense even when Burrell returns.

I'm also wondering what the hell the coaches are working on with these players as far as shooting mechanics and psychological/motivation when even the veterans that have been with them for a while still can't hit a free throw...

10% better on 44% shooting is 4.4% higher overall, or 48.4% total from 2, which is close to 50%. It’s not hard to imagine the team improving shooting by 10%, Dye alone could improve that number tremendously.
Prob seeing the low point in shooting stats right now.

 

[J-Dog 1313]

10% better on 44% shooting is 4.4% higher overall, or 48.4% total from 2, which is close to 50%. It’s not hard to imagine the team improving shooting by 10%, Dye alone could improve that number tremendously.
Prob seeing the low point in shooting stats right now.

This same principle applies the LVs FT percentage. That too will improve.

 

[Rooster1]

This same principle applies the LVs FT percentage. That too will improve.

FT % needs a bigger rebound in success rate to be as impactful . Here, a 10% improvement on around 20 FT taken per game only yields 2 points per game, really need FT% to go up around 20% or get to the line more.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

FT % needs a bigger rebound in success rate to be as impactful . Here, a 10% improvement on around 20 FT taken per game only yields 2 points per game, really need FT% to go up around 20% or get to the line more.

I was really rooting hard for two points late in that USF game.

 

[Darth_Vol]

What is your opinion on our opponents two point percentage... 29%?

Fourth best in the nation.

I cannot find a strength of schedule statistic but our RPI is currently #37

It's an incredible number... a combination of really good defense from Tennessee against really bad offenses from both Florida teams. I think we'll have a much better idea of how good the defense really is after the next game...

 

[Volfan2012]

Shooting 44% on two-pointers is awful. Maybe the percentages will even out some and the free throw/three point shooting will improve from comically bad to just bad, but it's really hard to see a high ceiling with this offense even when Burrell returns.

I'm also wondering what the hell the coaches are working on with these players as far as shooting mechanics and psychological/motivation when even the veterans that have been with them for a while still can't hit a free throw...

Needs to be higher than 44 percent for sure. Huge problems created on offense by the Burrell injury and by Dye not playing as expected. I look at the people shooting free throws thus far and none have ever been great free throw shooters in their career. Evidently they didn't put the time in this summer to get better. The prospects for this season were to win 20 to 22 game in the regular season and at least get to the sweet 16 in the NCAA. We haven't looked good, but we haven't lost either. The goal is never to lose to a team rated lower than you are and hope you can beat a few of the ones ranked higher. Accomplish those goals this season and then recruit top 10 class in 2023 and in addition to Justine add at least two quality portal players for next season. Just have to see how it plays out from here one game at a time. If you don't have patience no problem could turn out some of us have to much patience, but I will continue to be patient and see what happens this season and the next recruiting class and any portal additions for next season.

 

[lvocd]

Creekdipper, I'm with you on head fakes. It is a skill we obviously don't drill or use very often (if ever), and I sure wish we would. For players who aren't terrific at creating their own shots because they're a tad slower than their perimeter defender, it can be a great equalizer if the defender bites often enough. If I were a player today I would make using the head fake an unbreakable habit.

 

[Rooster1]

Creekdipper, I'm with you on head fakes. It is a skill we obviously don't drill or use very often (if ever), and I sure wish we would. For players who aren't terrific at creating their own shots because they're a tad slower than their perimeter defender, it can be a great equalizer if the defender bites often enough. If I were a player today I would make using the head fake an unbreakable habit.

Bird

 

[volnationnj]

Needs to be higher than 44 percent for sure. Huge problems created on offense by the Burrell injury and by Dye not playing as expected. I look at the people shooting free throws thus far and none have ever been great free throw shooters in their career. Evidently they didn't put the time in this summer to get better. The prospects for this season were to win 20 to 22 game in the regular season and at least get to the sweet 16 in the NCAA. We haven't looked good, but we haven't lost either. The goal is never to lose to a team rated lower than you are and hope you can beat a few of the ones ranked higher. Accomplish those goals this season and then recruit top 10 class in 2023 and in addition to Justine add at least two quality portal players for next season. Just have to see how it plays out from here one game at a time. If you don't have patience no problem could turn out some of us have to much patience, but I will continue to be patient and see what happens this season and the next recruiting class and any portal additions for next season.

Dye is suffering from the same ailment that Striplin suffers from, unrealistic expectations. Because she had a great game against TA&M, fans here projected those numbers for her for this entire season. That wasn't realistic.
This is a team that have won their first 3 games, playing half of the time without their best player. Without Rae, we are somewhere between #20-25 nationally, imo. We've played and beaten a couple of decent teams. However, it will be very difficult, without Rae, to beat any of the top 20, especially away from home. Hopefully, Rae is ready to play effectively when we start SEC play.

 

[lvocd]

Bird

Yes! He is the perfect example of how an effective head fake can elevate the game of a less-than-speedy player. Hell, even if a shooter can be successful in getting their defender to bite even ONCE, if the shooter slides over and makes the shot after getting the defender to leave her feet, that one bucket could end up being the difference between a win and a loss.

GAWD how I sometimes miss the "old days" when head fakes, bounce passes, shot-following and, yes, the hook shot for some centers, were taught as fundamental skills.

I'm old, so what do I know, right? lol

 

[Rooster1]

Yes! He is the perfect example of how an effective head fake can elevate the game of a less-than-speedy player. Hell, even if a shooter can be successful in getting their defender to bite even ONCE, if the shooter slides over and makes the shot after getting the defender to leave her feet, that one bucket could end up being the difference between a win and a loss.

GAWD how I sometimes miss the "old days" when head fakes, bounce passes, shot-following and, yes, the hook shot for some centers, were taught as fundamental skills.

I'm old, so what do I know, right? lol

Here is how that works…..Player practices different head and shoulder fakes, refines them and get some to work.
But unless they were also practicing what to do once the fake worked it’s pointless. They have to also learn to take 1 or 2 dribble to open space and hit a stop and pop shot when the defender bites or take it straight to the hoop.
If they don’t show they have that move the fake will soon be disregarded. Freshmen learn this early and the good ones start practicing what happens next when the fake works. The slower ones will try double or triple head/shoulder fakes without displacing their defender.

 

[VOLPAT]

View attachment 367957

This is my favorite. She’s so genuinely happy.

 

[volnationnj]

Yes! He is the perfect example of how an effective head fake can elevate the game of a less-than-speedy player. Hell, even if a shooter can be successful in getting their defender to bite even ONCE, if the shooter slides over and makes the shot after getting the defender to leave her feet, that one bucket could end up being the difference between a win and a loss.

GAWD how I sometimes miss the "old days" when head fakes, bounce passes, shot-following and, yes, the hook shot for some centers, were taught as fundamental skills.

I'm old, so what do I know, right? lol

Bird did have a very effective pump fake. Principally because his opponents knew that if he got the shot off cleanly, it had a good chance of going in. If I'm playing against a poor percentage shooter, she can head fake me all day and I'm not going for it.

 

[glv98]

If I'm playing against a poor percentage shooter, she can head fake me all day and I'm not going for it.

Good point. There has to be an actual threat to hit the outside shot. Plus, alot of times the offensive player walks, shuffles their feet on the head fake move.

Just by law of averages and the odds, the shooting has to get better. IMO the offense is doing fine moving the ball and setting up good shots. We're just not hitting them. I'm not an expert on shooting mechanics, but no one appears to have noticeably terrible form. I think they'll get better.

Our problem so far, and it is really early, is that no one on a team of historically poor shooters has improved. Nor have the new players yet come close to living up to their hype. We need consistency, especially from Horston and Key who should be the team leaders. I'm really hoping JH can build on her 2nd half performance and string together some solid offensive games with a much better shooting percentage. I think she could lead this team out of the shooting wilderness, but she'll have to be a better shooter than she's ever been before.

I'm just perplexed by Key and don't have as much confidence anymore that she will ever be a consistent offensive factor. I think Dye is more likely to improve significantly on offense, especially once her conditioning improves.

Something better improve by Sunday. Vic is just an outstanding coach, he will exploit every weakness.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I'm just perplexed by Key and don't have as much confidence anymore that she will ever be a consistent offensive factor.

She's shooting 46.7% this year, vs 63% last year. She attempted 9.5 shots per game last season, this season it's only five. Let's hope last year is more indicative of who she really is. This year is just a three game sample, and last years was 25 games. I'd put my money on her to at least get back to that form of a year ago.

 

[Volfan2012]

Dye is suffering from the same ailment that Striplin suffers from, unrealistic expectations. Because she had a great game against TA&M, fans here projected those numbers for her for this entire season. That wasn't realistic.
This is a team that have won their first 3 games, playing half of the time without their best player. Without Rae, we are somewhere between #20-25 nationally, imo. We've played and beaten a couple of decent teams. However, it will be very difficult, without Rae, to beat any of the top 20, especially away from home. Hopefully, Rae is ready to play effectively when we start SEC play.

The expectations were 45 percent from the field double digit scoring and plus 8 rebounds per games. She is at 8 points and 9 rebounds per game right now. Certainly not willing to determine her ability after just three games. I believe the poster that says she has an injury affecting her right now. She has certainly been the rebounder that was expected. I withhold judgement until we play more games. Certainly without Rae were two to three games worse. I can still see a top four finish in the SEC. I can see 20 wins even if she can't return. I agree were probably top 15 with Rae and that drops several spots if she can't play.

 

[dapeak]

She's shooting 46.7% this year, vs 63% last year. She attempted 9.5 shots per game last season, this season it's only five. Let's hope last year is more indicative of who she really is. This year is just a three game sample, and last years was 25 games. I'd put my money on her to at least get back to that form of a year ago.

Key hasn’t played much this season outside of the last game and finished with 10/10/6 after missing some easy ones. If she were to have made her 60% she’d have had about 14 points/10 rebounds/6blocks and we wouldn’t be having the “disappointing” convo. Her shot will fall. She’s more aggressive this season imo and that has led to more fouls being called but she’s learning to play through that. I’m interested in the Texas game to see how she does against the 6’4/6’5 posts they have.. should be a battle. I feel our guards(Walker/Horston/Miles/Wynn) have the athleticism and defensive skill to affect their guards.. should be very interesting

 

[NeedOrange]

Bird did have a very effective pump fake. Principally because his opponents knew that if he got the shot off cleanly, it had a good chance of going in. If I'm playing against a poor percentage shooter, she can head fake me all day and I'm not going for it.

and Bird had a quick release. If you didn't get on him the shot would fly. I heard he shot 300 times a day as a pro. One thing not mentioned also is the ball part of the fake. It's called a head fake but its a replicates the first move of your shot without straightening your legs. It takes a lot of practice to start that shot and then break it off to then drive or draw the foul.

 

[37620VOL]

and Bird had a quick release. If you didn't get on him the shot would fly. I heard he shot 300 times a day as a pro. One thing not mentioned also is the ball part of the fake. It's called a head fake but its a replicates the first move of your shot without straightening your legs. It takes a lot of practice to start that shot and then break it off to then drive or draw the foul.

Quick release and a high release ... with his height, it made him nigh unstoppable. If Pissott can study his game, she could be the WBB version. That's a huge IF.