Another Example of SEC Mediocrity/Tenn loss

[toadfoot]

Not to toot my own horn, but earlier today I had a conversation with fellow BY'er Frodo where I suggested that Arkansas would win despite being about 12 point underdogs. I can't claim that I actually predicted an Arkansas victory, but darn close.

 

[toadfoot]

You forgot the rousing #20 Florida loss to GA at home where the teams were a combined 25 of 45 from the free throw line and 7 of 35 from three.
Of the 14 SEC teams playing tonight only 4 scored more than 66 points, while 6 failed to reach 60 points

Right, good call, I completely forgot that one

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

And this is all due to the fact that the SEC and some other conferences (ACC) have learned how to game the system. The NCAA needs to make it clear that having a cupcake OOC to fatten up a team's won-lost record is not going to be rewarded with inflated RPI's and then they need to go about changing the way RPI's are calculated to achieve that result. Good teams in weak conferences should not be penalized as much because they have little or no control over their conference opponents strength, but everyone has a good deal of control over their OOC schedule. There's simply no excuse for conferences like the SEC, that are constantly proclaiming their excellence to play miserable OOC schedules and then be rewarded for it.

While you can game the system some, it isn't quite as easy as you make it out. Some of the highest RPI's that did not make a tourney were teams that did not play strong enough OOC. They do look at that, and also (regardless of RPI flaws) the relative numbers of what they perceive as "good wins" and "bad losses" are factored into seedings as well.

Only UConn plays the number of really tough teams that it does OOC. For many years, Rutgers and Notre Dame when they were in the oBE played fairly tough OOC schedules compared to other major conference teams, although I know RU has decreased the strength.

 

[ocoandasoc]

From what it looks like, if the opponent handles the LV press, doesn't turn the ball over and give them easy transition baskets, then they struggle. If the press works, they look much better. Arkansas did a decent job handling the press, forced TN to play offense and defense and scored just enough to win..

EXACTLY! The other key is how DeShields plays. She had seven turnovers tonight. Tenn fans ask "What's the matter with her?" The answer is: Nothing. This is exactly how she played at NC. (But of course, they thought that putting on an orange uniform would make her a better player. Sorry. "Inconsistent" is still her middle name.

 

[Icebear]

The thing about it is...they do have the talent and have shown some ability to win games.
So they could beat Notre Dame...not saying they will, but I bet they play tons better than they did tonight.
If they don't compete and lose to Vandy as well, they're really toast

No, I don't think that is possible on their best night without it being ND's worst night at the same time.

 

[HuskyNan]

Here's the box score from Tenn-Arkansas. Mercedes Russell and Bashaara Graves (I wish that kid had been a Husky) were a combined 7-10 with 18 points but they only took 10 shots, well, probably 13 because they got to the foul line. Yet, Diamond DeShields (6-16) and Jaime Nared (2-11) took almost 40% of Tennessee's shots, even though they were shooting only 30% from the field. Two effective post players that are doing damage down low, and DeSheilds and Nared were chucking up low percentage shots? What the hey? These aren't scrubs that played for some awful high school in the middle of nowhere, these are elite players that should know better. In a few of the games, or partial games, that I watched, guards and small forwards don't even look at the post most times. It's bizarre.

I'm torn here. While the Tennessee program can't lose enough for me and a small part of me is enjoying the Tin Foil Hat Brigade's misery, I feel terribly for the players like Graves.

 

[NoelAustin]

I'm thinking that we may not have seen their worst yet.

It's not so much that the Vols are perennial underachievers - it's more that they are becoming increasingly irrelevant with each passing year. The last time Tennessee was in the Final Four Crystal Dangerfield was in the 4th grade. The HS stars of the coming years will not be smitten by the legendary team that was.

 

[HoopsFan21]

This is Diamond's 3rd year of college. Maybe she's just not that good? Not every top recruit pans out or lives up to the hype.

 

[Jim R]

They have a bounce back game against ND, right? I have this fantasy that they lose that one too and drop out of the top 25.

And you gotta like those odds. The LVs not only don't have the offense to win that game, their defense can't stay with ND's shooters. As long as Turner is healthy, it shouldn't be close.

 

[Sonny44]

From what it looks like, if the opponent handles the LV press, doesn't turn the ball over and give them easy transition baskets, then they struggle. If the press works, they look much better. Arkansas did a decent job handling the press, forced TN to play offense and defense and scored just enough to win.

I don't think ND will have a hard time handling the TN press so should win.

From what it looks like, if the opponent handles the LV press, doesn't turn the ball over and give them easy transition baskets, then they struggle. If the press works, they look much better. Arkansas did a decent job handling the press, forced TN to play offense and defense and scored just enough to win.

I don't think ND will have a hard time handling the TN press so should win.

From what it looks like, if the opponent shows up, then they struggle.

 

[Sonny44]

After a while you have to start feeling sorry for them.
OOPs, sorry, lost my head.

 

[msf22b]

They pass the ball around the perimeter likes its a hot potato
And Arkansas dared them to shoot
And no one really wants to.

I know Holly wants them to drive and pass off
But there isn't a heck of a lot of room.

Their rebounding isn't as good as advertised either
A determined team will get their "O" boards a-plenty
Then they don't defend the perimeter real well either.

Coaching surely is what has made them so one-dimensional
They have been figured out.

UCMIami, RVW and others have it perfectly figured out.
I bet the other SEC coaches are licking their chops and perfecting
getting the ball out of their own back-court

 

[Bgillon]

There is a real problem in the locker room with this team. Also the TN people who said Cooper could FPOY and she was much better than Dangerfield are blaming Holly her dismal performances. And where are the people who said Deshields would be AA and lead TN back to glory? Of course Holly deserves blame but I think this is also a poorly constructed team.

 

[msf22b]

Haven't heard much from the Tennessee contingent yesterday or today
How do you guys handicap last night's loss?

 

[meyers7]

Mickey Dearstone in his post game interview with Mercedes Russell, opined that since the Lady Vols are alternating good games with bad, Monday's game at Notre Dame will likely be a win.

They seem to play to their competition somewhat. I would expect a better played game against ND, but ND should still win. Even if TN was having a decent year and not self destructing, I would expect ND to win. I mean it's AT Notre Dame.

 

[meyers7]

You forgot the rousing #20 Florida loss to GA at home where the teams were a combined 25 of 45 from the free throw line and 7 of 35 from three.
Of the 14 SEC teams playing tonight only 4 scored more than 66 points, while 6 failed to reach 60 points

Ouch.

 

[JS]

Formula for playing TN: Handle the ball reasonably well, shoot near forty percent, only lose the rebounding battle by around 10, and play a sagging zone defense and you win.

Having absorbed the four scouting points, the next team
to defeat Tennessee tries them out in a scrimmage . . .​

 

[meyers7]

I'm torn here. While the Tennessee program can't lose enough for me and a small part of me is enjoying the Tin Foil Hat Brigade's misery, I feel terribly for the players like Graves.

Don't feel too bad, they chose their lot.

 

[JS]

a small part of me is enjoying the Tin Foil Hat Brigade's misery

Well, I won't confess that it's more than a small part of me, but . . .

The "Geno cheats" crowd are some of the worst sports in the world.

For their sake, one can only hope the team achieves consistency.

With the Arkansas level of performance, that is.

 

[Roundball fan]

Having absorbed the four scouting points, the next team
to defeat Tennessee tries them out in a scrimmage . . .​

Boy does that picture bring back memories.

 

[CocoHusky]

Boy does that picture bring back memories.

Good or bad?

 

[JSB60]

The problem with the ND/Tenn game is that someone has to win.

 

[Frodo]

The thing about it is...they do have the talent and have shown some ability to win games.
So they could beat Notre Dame...not saying they will, but I bet they play tons better than they did tonight.
If they don't compete and lose to Vandy as well, they're really toast

I wouldn't be surprised if ND runs them ragged. ND has not played well since Turner returned to the lineup...they seem to lack the fluid offense and movement they had when she was out...but they are probably still the best shooting team in the country and I think they'll spread the floor, create some driving lanes for Allen, Cable, Mabry(s) and make it a bad night for UT again.

 

[HoopsFan21]

I wouldn't be surprised if ND runs them ragged. ND has not played well since Turner returned to the lineup...they seem to lack the fluid offense and movement they had when she was out...but they are probably still the best shooting team in the country and I think they'll spread the floor, create some driving lanes for Allen, Cable, Mabry(s) and make it a bad night for UT again.

Part of it is because Mabrey2 has hit a bit of the freshman wall.

 

[Bgillon]

The problem with the ND/Tenn game is that someone has to win.

I want ND to win their games. It only makes our victory look better if they do.