Warlick Better Get a Grip on Simmons...

[VollyParton]

On the pay site, you can read more about Ariel's situation, but I will go ahead and tell you that she experienced dizziness after practice, and so she wasn't cleared to play. "It's up to her" - you could take that to mean, "it's up to her body and how she recovers," or you could make a wild assumption and get on the Internet and say she's "scared."

 

[Sandvol]

On the pay site, you can read more about Ariel's situation, but I will go ahead and tell you that she experienced dizziness after practice, and so she wasn't cleared to play. "It's up to her" - you could take that to mean, "it's up to her body and how she recovers," or you could make a wild assumption and get on the Internet and say she's "scared."

It sounds like they cleared her to "light" practice. Kind of like when a Doctor sends someone back to work after illness he might recommend light work or no lifting, etc. And, really at this point I'm not sure her return would help the team. Maybe if she's ready by first round give her some minutes and see how she does. I guess she can't be any more disruptive than Simmons.

 

[VollyParton]

Lots of offensive rebounds are not a good stat to hold because it means there are a lot of missed shots.

Are you serious? I know you Con fans like to poo-poo rebounds because that is Pat Summitt's big emphasis, but do you really believe what you just said? "Lots of offensive rebounds are not a good stat to hold because it means there are a lot of missed shots."?? Seriously???

Let's look at a game. Two teams play, and the score is 86-77. Well, we can see there was some offense going on at least. We look deeper and see they each shot 47.8%. But one team made 26 rebounds (6/20) and the other made 48 rebounds (17/31). Can we tell something from this? While both teams shot the same rate, one team was clearly getting more possessions than the other - they controlled the ball more and while shooting the same rate as the other team, won the game. Here are some quotes from that game:

Winning coach: We work on rebounding every day, every day.

Losing player: I think we came out strong and hard. You could tell that we really wanted to win the game, but rebounds and second chance points are what really hurt us. We could have blocked out better. They're tough on the boards. ... We knew that coming into the game. They're also known for transition offense and I think we did good defending that. But the rebounds, that's just unacceptable and we're going to have to work on that. ... They rebounded, and all their posts almost had double-doubles. ... We have got to work on our rebounding.

Note that neither side was saying they needed to try to shoot 100% so they could have less offensive rebounds. Because that would be stupid.

And while I'm talking to you, I think it's pretty lousy of you to come over here and trash our players like you do. You don't even watch our games, that's obvious from your comments.

 

[VollyParton]

And, really at this point I'm not sure her return would help the team. Maybe if she's ready by first round give her some minutes and see how she does.

You have a point, but I would love to have another guard who plays at the level she was playing when she got hit. Another thing is playing time is earned in practice, so if she hasn't even practiced, she won't play, or at least won't play ahead of the other guards.

 

[Sandvol]

You have a point, but I would love to have another guard who plays at the level she was playing when she got hit. Another thing is playing time is earned in practice, so if she hasn't even practiced, she won't play, or at least won't play ahead of the other guards.

Maybe in first round game if we have big lead stick her in at two on the wing and let her try to knock down a couple of threes.

I'm somewhat concerned she's still dizzy after a month or more.

 

[VollyParton]

Maybe in first round game if we have big lead stick her in at two on the wing and let her try to knock down a couple of threes.

I'm somewhat concerned she's still dizzy after a month or more.

The more I think about it, I'm not sure now that "dizzy" was the word, maybe it was "light-headed." But she was feeling some effect after a no-contact practice, so she was not cleared to play. Imagine if she had played against LSU or A&M.

 

[SamQB7]

Lol.

 

[Daloth]

So you shoot 17 shots when others are shooting better? I think the really good coaches tell them to pick up their games in other areas like assists, rebounds and steals. If you focus on just the shooting you put inordinate amount of emphasis on it.

You should go watch the 30 for 30 documentary Winning Time with Reggie Miller. He explains very well how shooters work in slumps. I think he knows a bit more about shooters than you or I (or probably even any current NCAA women's or men's head coach).

 

[newandbetter]

Simmons, Lady Vols top Kentucky 71-70 in final | Times Free Press

 

[Voluble2]

The rest of the Massengale quote from Holly made it clear she meant it was up to how quickly Ariel heals. If you take it completely out of context then yeah, it makes it sound like she is sandbagging... but common sense would tell you that isn't the case even if you missed the rest of the quote. I think this was explained to Armchair once before, but he must have missed it. Not everyone reads every post.

And yeah, the last thing we want is for someone with a head injury to play against LSU or KY in a tournament game. That was rough.

 

[Volfan2012]

I really think she needs to take the rest of the year off. We may see her in the NCAA and if we do fine. I can go the rest of the way with who we have or support her as well if she makes it back. I like the chemistry of the team right now. They know how to come back and close out games.

 

[DeerPark12]

RE Massengale: When asked in a /taped interview/ three or four days ago if Massengle was ready to play, Warlick said that "it's up to Ariel." I infer from that that Massengale has been cleared to play. That would mean that she has passed the concession protocol. If she has not been cleared, then why would Warlick say it was up to the player? It wouldn't be up to the player. Massengale was on the court warming up in the background when Warlick made the comment. I have not read or heard anything definitive on this because the team's reporters are too docile to ask any real questions, and because of this silly new imperative to shroud everything in secrecy. Perhaps an enterprising UT reporter should meet one of the trainers at night in a parking garage--deep throat/watergate style--and get the word: "She's got a sprained ankle--but you didn't get that from me.." If she has not been cleared to play, then I'm wrong and Warlick said the wrong thing.

For the FIFTH time SHE HAS NOT BEEN CLEARED BY THE DOCTORS TO PLAY.

I don't know why you continue to take an out-of-context quote from Holly that clearly referred to her healing process to justify some sort of agenda on your part. I don't know how much clearer you want it to be.

 

[Slydell]

For the FIFTH time SHE HAS NOT BEEN CLEARED BY THE DOCTORS TO PLAY.

I don't know why you continue to take an out-of-context quote from Holly that clearly referred to her healing process to justify some sort of agenda on your part. I don't know how much clearer you want it to be.

Thank you, DP. I'd love to see AMass return for the NCAA run, but this injury appears to be more serious every day. I hope it isn't a career ending situation for her. It has to be tough for such a competitive person to be sitting on the bench throughout the season and post season play.

 

[Bodeydad]

We live and we die with Simmons. As she goes the Vols go. She had an off night and we still won. I just hope we can sign another shooting guard soon who can score 2,000 points for the Lady Vols.

Hope she gets her touch back for the tournament. We need her at the top of her game. I think she has been under a lot of pressure.

Close it out with a championship Meighan.

 

[VolNExile]

I'm recovering from a concussion (happened when I sat down on my couch and hit my head on the counter behind it, I swear; how pitiful is that.) For a week I thought I had some sort of vicious stomach bug: dizzy, nauseated, unending headaches, staggered like a sailor setting foot on dry land for the first time in a year. I also couldn't think worth a damn. Woozy, unable to keep a train of thought going. It took a while to connect it back to whacking my head. All in all, it took four weeks to start feeling normal again.

I can't imagine how someone has gone through four or five of these things. All I had to be able to do was wobble around the house, fire up the laptop for my telework job, and make it up and down the stairs without killing myself. The thought of having to play basketball while feeling like that makes me nauseated all over again.

I'd love to see her play again, and the same for any athlete who is concussed, but the thought of getting stuck in that state forever is horrifying. I hope that they'll use every bit of caution and common sense before letting her back in. Athletes who want to compete don't always make the smartest decisions for themselves.

 

[Convoluted]

Are you serious? I know you Con fans like to poo-poo rebounds because that is Pat Summitt's big emphasis, but do you really believe what you just said? "Lots of offensive rebounds are not a good stat to hold because it means there are a lot of missed shots."?? Seriously???

Let's look at a game. Two teams play, and the score is 86-77. Well, we can see there was some offense going on at least. We look deeper and see they each shot 47.8%. But one team made 26 rebounds (6/20) and the other made 48 rebounds (17/31). Can we tell something from this? While both teams shot the same rate, one team was clearly getting more possessions than the other - they controlled the ball more and while shooting the same rate as the other team, won the game. Here are some quotes from that game:

Winning coach: We work on rebounding every day, every day.

Losing player: I think we came out strong and hard. You could tell that we really wanted to win the game, but rebounds and second chance points are what really hurt us. We could have blocked out better. They're tough on the boards. ... We knew that coming into the game. They're also known for transition offense and I think we did good defending that. But the rebounds, that's just unacceptable and we're going to have to work on that. ... They rebounded, and all their posts almost had double-doubles. ... We have got to work on our rebounding.

Note that neither side was saying they needed to try to shoot 100% so they could have less offensive rebounds. Because that would be stupid.

And while I'm talking to you, I think it's pretty lousy of you to come over here and trash our players like you do. You don't even watch our games, that's obvious from your comments.

Perhaps I didn’t make my point clearly. What I meant was a team that shoots field goals at a high percentage will have fewer opportunities to accumulate offensive rebounds. So looking at the number of offensive rebounds alone isn’t necessarily an indication of anything. Other stats must be analyzed in conjunction to determine how good a teams O Rebounding actually is. I didn’t mean to imply rebounding is not important. Everything is important.

Even though your example is anecdotal, (I can find plenty of examples that refute your example) it proves my point by mentioning factors other than rebounding. Teams do mention not being able to hit their shots as a factor in a loss so it’s not stupid to mention the importance of shooting percentage.

I guess when you accused me of trashing LV players you’re referring to what I’ve said about Simmons. I wouldn’t call it trashing, it’s just my honest opinion. The Kentucky game did nothing to alter what I’ve said about her performance. Six for 18, no assists, two turnovers and one rebound is hardly a superstar performance in the clutch. Credit to her for making 4 foul shots and two steals, but that doesn’t make up for the shortcomings. The game could have easily been lost. That late offensive foul on KY could have easily been a charge and a loss probably would have resulted. But it didn’t so the point is moot.

Finally, I probably have seen all but a few Lady Vol games this year. Don’t know what you think is so obvious about my comments to make you think I don’t watch the games. For your info, I also give uconn trouble about their play. It’s just that this year it’s hard to find flaws except the AAC. I watch lots of WBB games, so I think I have a good grasp of player pros & cons.

 

[Sandvol]

You should go watch the 30 for 30 documentary Winning Time with Reggie Miller. He explains very well how shooters work in slumps. I think he knows a bit more about shooters than you or I (or probably even any current NCAA women's or men's head coach).

Those are always funny statements when someone quotes someone to try to prove a point and then follows with "I think he knows a bit more about shooters than you or I". You act like Reggie is a shooting scientist who has studied shooting and is an authoritative figure. A pro athlete can be as dumb as a brick but he's great at what he does just because he is. He doesn't know why he plays or shoots well he just does. You can talk to 100 different pros and they'll give you 100 different answers on how to shoot a basketball correctly. So, I actually would defer to good college basketball coaches on how to shoot. Plus, NBA basketball is not where you study the science of basketball. Those guys are just great athletes and their game has been rigged to favor the scorer. By the way I've heard that old adage for years and it has never made sense to me. Why continually reinforce something you're doing wrong?

 

[Sandvol]

We live and we die with Simmons. As she goes the Vols go. She had an off night and we still won. I just hope we can sign another shooting guard soon who can score 2,000 points for the Lady Vols.

Hope she gets her touch back for the tournament. We need her at the top of her game. I think she has been under a lot of pressure.

Close it out with a championship Meighan.

Not so much lately. The girls are learning they don't have to rely on Meighan.

 

[Sandvol]

For the FIFTH time SHE HAS NOT BEEN CLEARED BY THE DOCTORS TO PLAY.

I don't know why you continue to take an out-of-context quote from Holly that clearly referred to her healing process to justify some sort of agenda on your part. I don't know how much clearer you want it to be.

So, are you saying she's not been cleared?

 

[Orange Maniac]

I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't walk away from the game. If I had the number of concussions that she has had, I would think long and hard about it. A silly game is not worth major mental health issues later. She needs to do whatever is best for her long term well-being.

 

[clkou]

Maybe moving her to the #2/#3 will help her have less concussions and less susceptible to aggravating the problem. The point can be a more active and dangerous spot relative to shooting guard.

 

[Sandvol]

Maybe moving her to the #2/#3 will help her have less concussions and less susceptible to aggravating the problem. The point can be a more active and dangerous spot relative to shooting guard.

Yeah, Carter got a good face bash the other day.

 

[armchair]

Where does this info about Massengale having four or five previous concussions come from? At UT?

 

[Convoluted]

Where does this info about Massengale having four or five previous concussions come from? At UT?

In 2011 she collided with Burdick and was out with a concussion. Lockwood talked about it in a News Sentinel article. Previous to that one, they occurred in High School. It was mentioned in one of the broadcasts.

 

[governmentmule]

Not so much lately. The girls are learning they don't have to rely on Meighan.

that they have,which is a good thing for them,but you gotta give credit to Simmons,she has made an impact is the games that she has been shooting poorly in

defense,a key turnover or two,some late game points and her free throw shooting,she had a bad game against Ky and didn't she score 17 points, i think ?