Geno article from Knoxville | The Boneyard

Geno article from Knoxville

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Pooty good, as they used to say in Pogo.

Axshully, I'm kinda warming to the idea of meeting Tennessee in the Final Four. I'd even go down there after the season is over just to witness the official renaming of the city from Nashville to Gnashville.
 

stwainfan

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I think there is a real good chance the teams can play in final four.
 

doggydaddy

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I think there is a real good chance the teams can play in final four.
A chance? Sure.

A real good chance? Way to many questions for anyone to know that yet. To me, all of these have to be yes for TN to make the FF.

1. TN will have to replace the production of Spani and Williams. They both played some of their best basketball in the tourney.

2. Returning sophomores Massengale and Burdick need to make a jump in performance. They had their moments last year but for the most part, against the better competition, they really struggled.

3. Senior leadership from Simmons? I think most would believe that to be an oxymoron. Except for a short hot streak in the UL game, she hurt the team when she was in. Lazy defense, quick shooting, bad passing.....one play after the other. She needs to step it up as a señor.

4. Health - Carter has to be healthy. No reason to believe she won't be. But there is a lot of pressure on her to possibly start, according to some TN fans. She is a great athlete. Can she play like a sophomore or will she have more of a learning curve with her issued time from last year? And Harrison has been bit by the injury bug several times in her career. Can she stay healthy? She certainly has talent.

5. The Lady Vols have a terrific freshman class coming in. With great talent comes great expectations. And there will be no shortage of either with this class. Russell is the key. But they need her to play like the number 1 incoming freshman against the Better teams and like the FOY come tourney time. Jannah Tucker is also coming back from injury.

So, overall, lots of question as most teams have. Once the regular season gets into full swing, we might have a clearer look at TN's chances to meet Uconn in the final four.
 

CL82

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A chance? Sure.

A real good chance? Way to many questions for anyone to know that yet. To me, all of these have to be yes for TN to make the FF.

1. TN will have to replace the production of Spani and Williams. They both played some of their best basketball in the tourney.

2. Returning sophomores Massengale and Burdick need to make a jump in performance. They had their moments last year but for the most part, against the better competition, they really struggled.

3. Senior leadership from Simmons? I think most would believe that to be an oxymoron. Except for a short hot streak in the UL game, she hurt the team when she was in. Lazy defense, quick shooting, bad passing.....one play after the other. She needs to step it up as a señor.

4. Health - Carter has to be healthy. No reason to believe she won't be. But there is a lot of pressure on her to possibly start, according to some TN fans. She is a great athlete. Can she play like a sophomore or will she have more of a learning curve with her issued time from last year? And Harrison has been bit by the injury bug several times in her career. Can she stay healthy? She certainly has talent.

5. The Lady Vols have a terrific freshman class coming in. With great talent comes great expectations. And there will be no shortage of either with this class. Russell is the key. But they need her to play like the number 1 incoming freshman against the Better teams and like the FOY come tourney time. Jannah Tucker is also coming back from injury.

So, overall, lots of question as most teams have. Once the regular season gets into full swing, we might have a clearer look at TN's chances to meet UConn in the final four.
Good observations, as always. I think that is all 'doable.' I have to say Tennessee isn't a marquee game for me anymore. It's been too long; the no Summitt, players are different, etc. They are no longer the evil empire... still evil, just not an empire anymore.;)
 

stwainfan

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Yes both of these teams are among the most talented teams.
Let me try and answer.
1. Yes I think with this roster that production can be matched.
2. One thing also is that some of the big games Harrison missed. Yes she played against Stanford on a injured ankle. I think having Harrison and Russell will open some things up for others. I think Massengale has improved a lot at Tennessee.
3. I think Simmons has got better in overall game. I think she can step up.
4. Carter is in summer workouts with the team. The little time she and Massengale were both in the game last year I liked what I saw. She may be the best on ball defender on the team. Plus having her back will push Ariel for playing time.
5. Yes I think Russell will have a terrific career. Tucker as long as there are no problems with the knee she will be fine.
Yes there are a some questions right now. That will only be answered when the season gets going.
 

Tonyc

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Tenn has a couple of years before we can consider them a FF pick. Can they make it this season yes IF they are in the right bracket and IF the freshman can be developed by seasons end. As good as Williams is for Duke and I think better then Russell she struggled as a freshman as most bigs do as freshman. Don't kid yourself Russell will have her ups and downs too. Tenn guards will be the key. They need to make plays to get their team mates involved. Simmons can not be jacking up shots without passing and getting her team mates involved. Simmons is not a shooter shes a gunner and there is a difference. This is a season where Tenn will need to get their underclassman minutes and developed. They are the future. I don't care how many awards Simmons gets she needs to become a team play, get her team mates involved and not think when Tenn needs a basket that she is the person who has to take the shot. There are 4 people on the floor with her and she needs to understand that.
 

UConnCat

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I think Massengale has improved a lot at Tennessee.

No, she hasn't. Massengale's play last year was very disappointing. The bigger the game the more passively and poorly she seemed to play. Holly challenged her on her lack of leadership last season.

Championships are won by teams that play well when the pressure is on. That means great players (KML, Stewart) playing great in the biggest games. I don't (yet) see players like that on Tennessee's roster. Simmons has the skill but so far hasn't shown the mental makeup to play her best when her best is needed (NCAA tournament). Holly has work to do.
 

Icebear

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The big thing TN needs to do is to learn how to win big games all over again.
 

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Very interesting story on espn.com on last night's festivities. It's an article which mentions Geno a lot and is written, ironically enough, by Maria Cornelius. The article also suggests the UConn-Tenn series may resume soon, but both Holly and Geno would love it if the two teams met in Nashville next year. Holly presented Geno with some Volunteer wine and wine glasses made from mason jars.

http://espn.go.com/womens-college-b...357783/women-basketball-hall-fame-inducts-six

Some Highlights:

Foster had one of the better lines of the night when he said he paid Auriemma a salary of $1,000 to be an assistant at St. Joseph's and that is "now a good wine night for Geno."

"I'm in the Hall of Fame because I played at the right school, at the right time with the right teammates," Rizzotti said, "and I was taught to be a champion by the best coach who's ever coached the game." [Brave woman, that Jen]

Smith-Knight got the biggest laugh of the night after she crossed the stage following a video introduction from Texas teammate Fran Harris, who said when she first saw Smith-Knight on campus she noticed a rear end that needed its own zip code.

"I know all of y'all are looking at my butt," said a still-in-shape Smith-Knight, who was wearing an elegant blue dress.

Wicks also thanked her family and coaches -- she said she seeks passionate people in all of her endeavors, thus her respect and love for Auriemma -- and she thanked her partner, Camille, a recognition that drew applause.

 

stwainfan

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ncw_geno_holly2_200.jpg
 
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Pooty good, as they used to say in Pogo.

Axshully, I'm kinda warming to the idea of meeting Tennessee in the Final Four. I'd even go down there after the season is over just to witness the official renaming of the city from Nashville to Gnashville.

Axshully - new word of the month! I was kinda thinking Auriemmaville would be good. That should be a popular change.
 

JS

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Golly, Geno must not be a horrible ogre if Holly likes him, huh?
Maybe not even a suspicious character anymore. But let's indulge in a brief departure from the spirit of détente.

MMC: "The series ended . . . because Pat Summitt suspected recruiting shenanigans that she didn't expect from an elite coach."

Somewhat pejorative and awkward non-explanation. She suspected him of what she didn't expect.

With the other coaches, I guess she didn't suspect them. Or, she expected the shenanigans she suspected. Or, she expected to suspect them and was surprised when her expectation they would be suspects unexpectedly dissipated.

Well, leave us not get convoluted.

For my part, I suspected Summitt of trying to forestall the inevitable in a petty way that I didn't expect from an elite coach.

I kind of liked John Adams's non-explanation better than Maria's. Pat was "miffed" at Geno's (whatever) tactics. That captures the paltriness better.

Also liked Adams's flat-out statement that UConn has surpassed Tennessee as the sport’s marquee program. For that undeniable (in all sane quarters) truth, I can forgive, and indeed find acceptable, the further statement that Geno has achieved "almost" Summitt-like status.

I can wait for the final tally, and the comparison doesn't matter all that much. I like to watch UConn play and wouldn't trade it for any lesser brand of ball -- even play of "almost" Geno-like status. (Ain't much around like that.)

Now back to the new Era of Good Feelings.
 

stwainfan

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Golly, Geno must not be a horrible ogre if Holly likes him, huh?
I just try and follow the basketball stuff. I don't get into all the other stuff. I know some players from both teams are friends. Both current players and former players use the things like twitter to communicate back and forth.
 

stwainfan

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No, she hasn't. Massengale's play last year was very disappointing. The bigger the game the more passively and poorly she seemed to play. Holly challenged her on her lack of leadership last season.

Championships are won by teams that play well when the pressure is on. That means great players (KML, Stewart) playing great in the biggest games. I don't (yet) see players like that on Tennessee's roster. Simmons has the skill but so far hasn't shown the mental makeup to play her best when her best is needed (NCAA tournament). Holly has work to do.
Tennessee was one of the top scoring teams last year. Scoring 77.6 points per game now they add a game changer in Russell.
 

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Tennessee was one of the top scoring teams last year. Scoring 77.6 points per game now they add a game changer in Russell.

You seem like a good & loyal Tennessee fan, stwainfan, and I appreciate that you've always been a friendly and civil visitor.

Tennessee's problem isn't necessarily scoring. The LVs were, as you said, a top team in scoring - 4th, as a matter of fact. However, the team was also 228th in scoring defense and 98th in turnovers per game (with an assist to turnover ratio of a dreadful .92). These issues need to be addressed before Tennessee is considered an elite team again. Yes, the LVs have a boatload of talent, but so did Rutgers, Texas and Oklahoma. Hopefully Holly can right the ship for you guys.

Tennessee (27-8)
Women's Basketball National Ranking Summary
Thru Games 04/09/2013
Back to team selectionsSoutheastern - All Teams
Category - Rank - Actual National Leader - Actual
Scoring Offense - 4 - 77.6 Connecticut - 82.5
Scoring Defense - 228 - 63.9 Hampton - 47. 8
Scoring Margin - 21 - 13.7 Connecticut - 32.7
Field-Goal Percentage - 10 - 44.9 Baylor - 51.5
Field-Goal Percentage Defense - 111 - 37.6 Stanford - 31.6
Free-Throw Percentage - 21 - 75.9 Iowa St. - 80.5
Rebound Margin - 36 - 5.9 Liberty - 16.9
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game - 148 - 5.1 FGCU - 9.4
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage - 18 - 35.5 Duke - 40.5
Won-Lost Percentage - 27 - 77.1 Notre Dame - 94.6
Assists Per Game - 60 - 14.6 Baylor - 21.6
Blocked Shots Per Game - 74 - 4.1 High Point - 8.0
Steals Per Game - 137 - 8.9 Duquesne - 14.0
Turnovers Per Game - 98 - 15.9 Villanova - 10.5
Personal Fouls Per Game - 62 - 14.7 N.C. Central - 10.6
Assist Turnover Ratio - 61 - 0.92 Baylor - 1.58
Turnover Margin - 141 - 0.57 Quinnipiac - 8.55
Three Pt FG Defense - 112 - 29.4 Stanford - 23.5

Category Player Rank Actual National Leader Actual
Points Per Game (250 ranked) Meighan Simmons 72 16.8 Jerica Coley, FlaInt 26.3
Rebounds Per Game (250 ranked) Bashaara Graves 145 8.0 Artemis Spanou, RMorrs 15.6
Assists Per Game (250 ranked) Ariel Massengale 71 4.5 Kacie Cassell, Akron 7.8
Blocked Shots Per Game (250 ranked) Cheyenne Parker, HighPt 4.43
Steals Per Game (250 ranked) Jocelyn Floyd, Duqsne 4.97
Field-Goal Percentage (250 ranked) Meighan Simmons 155 41.2 Brittney Griner, Baylor 60.7
Free-Throw Percentage (250 ranked) Jacqui Kalin, UNI 95.5
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage (250 ranked) Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, UConn 49.2
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game (250 ranked) Meighan Simmons 125 1.97 Morgan Eye, Mo. 3.5
Assist Turnover Ratio (250 ranked) Ariel Massengale 56 1.72 Adrienne Pratcher, TexA&M 2.76
Double Doubles (30 ranked) Chiney Ogwumike, Stan. 28.0
Triple Doubles (30 ranked) Chelsea Hopkins, SDSt 4.0
 

stwainfan

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Thanks Nan!
Yes I agree the defense needs to be better. I think some of that was when Harrison missed some games. Now adding Russell a player who can block shots it also helps the defense. Also having another big to go in helps Graves and Harrison. Carter a terrific on ball defender will also help on defense.
 
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