Hoping Tennessee Wins

[UcMiami]

I liked Geno's response in the post game presser (last question asked) about if he wanted TN or MD to win. He started by saying the nice thing this time of year is you have no choice about who you play except by losing. And then he said, what he feared was that playing TN at the FF would turn into a circus that disrespected the players on both teams, and the other two teams and coaches at the FF. Anybody who thinks that 95% of the coverage this next week would not have been about Geno and Pat is living in a fantasy world, and that is NOT good for the game. He concluded by saying that what was good for the game was Dayton and what they accomplished in the tournament and the game they played that night.

I agree 100% with Geno!

As I side note - last years FF was all ND/Uconn, Muffet/Geno all the time - I even had to go to the google to look up who Uconn played in the semis, having forgotten that Stanford got there.

 

[DobbsRover2]

Very simple. They're Tennessee. I want them to lose every single game they ever play. Badly.

I really question those people's Husky fandom, who wish for a TN win. That's just not right. And to wish for a TN to get them to the FF? Disgusting! Revolting!

IF you are a true UCONN WBB fan, you should never (EVER) root for TN to win ANY game. Certainly not a game that would get them a FF appearance. You should be ashamed.

Oh, c'mon, if it's UTenn against Alien-soul-suckers-from-planet-BeatPuppies-who-don't-wipe-their-feet-before-entering-your-home, I'm sure you'd at least think about who to root for. Maybe, possibly?

 

[meyers7]

Oh, c'mon, if it's UTenn against Alien-soul-suckers-from-planet-BeatPuppies-who-don't-wipe-their-feet-before-entering-your-home, I'm sure you'd at least think about who to root for. Maybe, possibly?

Not even for a second.

You think TN aren't Alien-soul-suckers-from-planet-BeatPuppies-who-don't-wipe-their-feet-before-entering-your-home?

 

[Huskies Rule]

I will NEVER EVER root for Tennessee - Under any circumstances !

Understood. But while rooting for Tennessee goes against every strand of my DNA and would have likely triggered a fatal autoimmune response, I really really DESPISE Brenda "If they lose a couple more (All-Americas) Geno might have to start coaching like the rest of us" Frese. Relentlessly snarky whiner.

 

[VFLfan]

Hi VFLfan..... That was from quick scan of Volnation..... and "shoot the lights out" was a phrase I used in hyperbolic fashion, which I normally do not do..... but read several posts as to how MD's shots were falling, and Tennessee could hit few shots.... and I thought upon glance of box score that 32% and 39% were pretty comparable..... also..... I get tired of hearing about the injuries..... yes yes, UT has had unfortunate luck with injuries, but I have ALWAYS thought that with their existing roster, they STILL should win vs. their competition..... Boise ST, Pitt and Gonzaga shouldn't have been so close..... I read another poster saying how many McDonalds All Americans are on the TN roster..... and I checked.....on active roster, McD AA's include Burdick, Graves, Massengale, Middleton, Nared, and Reynolds.... for MD, Mincy, Brown, and Howard..... that is 6 to 3..... and while we all know that high school prowess does not always translate to college..... with a strong roster like Tennessee has, ..even with injuries.. to plead poor mouth to me seems pretty lame.....

Having said this, I know full well that Tenn fan base is just that,..... fanatic, they are spirited..... and you can read about the injuries, the shooting, the refs.... etc.... I am sure we are guilty of some of the same..... bottom line is I have little faith - as a WCBB fan - in Holly's ability to lead, motivate, and coach the troops to any great effectiveness..... and think you guys need a change..... I read one of Cierra Burdick's comments at the presser last night after the game..... the question was on some function of the game..... her response was to the effect that she was just going to have to accept that it was what it was, and she would have to take it and "learn from it". She is a senior! There is no more learning!. I hope a better fate for the roster, that the experience Cierra has had there will be more fruitful in terms of results for the underlings coming up in the program..

From all accounts Craig is a good coach..... I know Ezry was brought in from KY to elevate recruiting among other things..... It is long overdue (in my opinion) that Holly take the reins of this team..... get coaching help if necessary on the offensive side of the ball, and take stock in the rich resources she has right in front of her eyes

Thanks for your thoughts...and I completely understand the being tired of the injuries lament. But come on...both of our posts were sitting on the bench by seasons end. How are you suppose to make up for that? So while I wasn't using injuries as an excuse per se, it doesn't change the fact that what I said about having no one who could guard Jones one on one and having to eventually send over a second to help out leaving one of the MD guards wide open as being a key reason why we couldn't get it done. Burdick, as hard as she played this season, is NOT a post player and Graves just can't jump to save her life. So, yes, while we have plenty of McD AAs (which I agree with you...HS ratings don't mean a thing), our roster this year ended up being a jumble of players that played out of position and couldn't overcome their limitations to bring the program a FF this year. Maybe next year everyone can go back to playing where they are comfortable. I know Holly has some growing to do...but she ain't going anywhere anytime soon so we have to hope she continues to improve each year. If you look at some of our games this year, you can see some growth (at ND is one of them where we actually played pretty well). We can all talk about this or that coach would be better than Holly...but again...she isn't going anywhere any time soon. All we as a "fanatic" fan base can do is be honest and hope we can improve.

 

[DobbsRover2]

Not even for a second.

You think TN aren't Alien-soul-suckers-from-planet-BeatPuppies-who-don't-wipe-their-feet-before-entering-your-home?

I do remind myself that Greg and Duane Allman, Aretha Franklin, Bessie Smith, Reese Witherspoon, Oscar Robinson, Tina Turner and many other admirable people are from TN, but yeah, so is Johnny Knoxville of course. Did not know that Bill Belichik is also from there. I've also had a few UTenn grads on my fantasy football teams, so that must count for something. But it would probably take some potentially favorable factor for UConn (like a bad match up ahead in the Tourney) for me to find a reason to be gruntled about a UTenn Tourney win.

 

[CCinCT]

Understood. But while rooting for Tennessee goes against every strand of my DNA and would have likely triggered a fatal autoimmune response, I really really DESPISE Brenda "If they lose a couple more (All-Americas) Geno might have to start coaching like the rest of us" Frese. Relentlessly snarky whiner.

No dispute on your assessment of Frese. However the general demeanor of a significant number of UT fans, excluding the rational (mostly) posters on this board precludes any respect from me. There's more than one UT board and they're both tainted.

 

[johnnyc]

But some stubborn souls have never heard of burying the hatchet.

Yes it is unfortunate that Tenn can't find it's way to apologize.

 

[meyers7]

I do remind myself that Greg and Duane Allman, Aretha Franklin, Bessie Smith, Reese Witherspoon, Oscar Robinson, Tina Turner and many other admirable people are from TN, but yeah, so is Johnny Knoxville of course. Did not know that Bill Belichik is also from there. I've also had a few UTenn grads on my fantasy football teams, so that must count for something. But it would probably take some potentially favorable factor for UConn (like a bad match up ahead in the Tourney) for me to find a reason to be gruntled about a UTenn Tourney win.

Being from Tennessee and attending University of Tennessee are two very different things.

 

[j66kicker]

Agree Sally. I thought by now people would undertsand that hate, revenge, etc. hurts the giver much more than the reciever. But some stubborn souls have never heard of burying the hatchet. I feel sorry for these. I look forward to the day we can rise above this. C'mon folks, you can do it.

This is just a sports rivalry, not a religious war. We don't even dislike (most of) them as individuals, just conceptually as a sports rival. In that context, they can burn in hell until they apologize, then let the -kickings resume.

 

[Brochacho]

Last night was a win win. Tennessee wins, UConn gets to obliterate them. Tennessee loses and they don't make the Final Four, and they've missed the last 7. Oh by the way, UConn has made the last 8.

 

[BRS24]

Even sportswriters are saying the same old things -

Lady Vols fall just short of reaching Final Four once again

"Tennessee's Final Four drought continues for one more year. Fortunately for the Lady Vols, reinforcements are on the way."

 

[Woof 101]

Thanks, but there are tons of tickets. I already have a ticket and am sitting in the lower level and I know tons of Gamecock fans who have already gotten tickets.

Funky Chicken! He specifically said championship game I don't think you'all will be needing that one. Enjoy your time at The Final Four.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Funky Chicken! He specifically said championship game I don't think you'all will be needing that one. Enjoy your time at The Final Four.

Thanks, see you on Tuesday; birds vs. pups.

 

[Bayareahusky]

Thanks for your thoughts...and I completely understand the being tired of the injuries lament. But come on...both of our posts were sitting on the bench by seasons end. How are you suppose to make up for that? So while I wasn't using injuries as an excuse per se, it doesn't change the fact that what I said about having no one who could guard Jones one on one and having to eventually send over a second to help out leaving one of the MD guards wide open as being a key reason why we couldn't get it done. Burdick, as hard as she played this season, is NOT a post player and Graves just can't jump to save her life. So, yes, while we have plenty of McD AAs (which I agree with you...HS ratings don't mean a thing), our roster this year ended up being a jumble of players that played out of position and couldn't overcome their limitations to bring the program a FF this year. Maybe next year everyone can go back to playing where they are comfortable. I know Holly has some growing to do...but she ain't going anywhere anytime soon so we have to hope she continues to improve each year. If you look at some of our games this year, you can see some growth (at ND is one of them where we actually played pretty well). We can all talk about this or that coach would be better than Holly...but again...she isn't going anywhere any time soon. All we as a "fanatic" fan base can do is be honest and hope we can improve.

You know, you make it difficult for me because I really cannot disagree with any of your points... Hah!!! Despite fact I have always spoken for the obvious talent on the roster, there is no question - to support your point - that injuries have hurt you badly on a positional level..... to have posts out, especially vs. Gonzaga and MD with existing trees in the paint, is a lot to overcome.... and your point about Burdick and Graves to improvise and play other positions is certainly well received..... we have that to a lesser degree with Tuck and Stewart .... who has the height but is not a natural post.....

On Holly, I have been a longtime skeptic.... and I do not have a dog in the fight...... but I just get honestly frustrated for my Tenn friends ( yes, and i do have these!!) when I see her operational strategy..... I honestly feel guilty a bit busting on her.... but sometimes... my opinions get the best of me...... i saw yesterday either on the Summit or Volnation someone suggest "well name someone who can do job better than Holly"..... to which I thought many can..... but she is getting a bit better if one looks at the record..... and next year will be a litmus test I think with how she handles DD (or as conjecture goes, how DD will handle Holly!) My wish for her is that .... at a minimum..... she gets some coaching help offensively...... and let her focus on where she is comfortable.... the defensive side of the ball....

A couple of misc comments ..... I really feel for the seniors.... Burdick Massengale and Harrison..... they committed before Pat's illness announcement.... they all stood tall and honored commitments..... and their fortunes could have been better..... they all seem like fine young ladies and I am sure their experiences have been good in KVille...... and next year...... I have been on the record as a UConn fan..... 2 people I am rooting for in orange are Jannah Tucker..... bless her heart she has been through so much..... and Mercedes..... surgery like that is hard to come back from all the way..... and I hope she is able to run the floor and have full mobility in everything..... I hope she has a good career for the Lady Vols...... Also as I have said before..... I appreciate the Tennessee posters here and the flavor they bring the forum here..... you and your army of orange invaders ..... it is always a breath of fresh air to exchange honest opinions about a game so great......

 

[meyers7]

Yes if only to tell him to FOAD . He caused my Bruins much pain back in the day.

I will tell you this- the only Montreal players I've ever respected are the late Jean Belliveau and Saku Koivu. Talk about two pearls cast before swine....

Maybe you can bury the hatchett. Deep.

 

[willtalk]

---------------------------to hear Deb Antonelli yap on Saturday and again tonight about how it is tough to replicate what Pat did and it may not be possible to do so in today's game.....

I think she (Deb) may well be right. In reality the decline in the Tenn program from where it was didn't just happen once Holly became coach. The decline began to happen under Pat Summit. How much of this was a result of her being affected by Alzheimers is conjecture. I do feel that it is much harder today than it was in the past to establish a dominant program like Summit and Gino did. The talent level of WCBB in respect to players and coaches has increased drastically. The dominate programs in the past attracted the best of a limited player pool, because of the general lack of top level coaching in women's basketball. I think that the decline under Summit affected the perception of the quality of the Tenn program and removed a lot of the luster that was established over the years. This has not happened with UConn. The program still maintains the reputation as the best program in the country so Geno still has his choice of the cream of the crop each year. Parity has not affected Uconn as much as it has Tenn. The larger high school talent pool along with more good coach's in WCBB makes it harder for teams like Tenn to maintain continued dominance because today's circumstances produce more quality teams that can compete both on the court and for recuits. I feel that Geno was the prototype of the new wave of coach's coming into WCBB. They ( Geno exemplified this) presented a threat to the established old vanguard which consisted of a few good coaches who because they were operating in a field of mediocrity had every advantage. The coming influx of new talent portended their decline and that is the underlying issue that Summit had with Geno. She didn't like the handwriting she saw on the wall. The raising of the bar was changing WCBB and ending the dominance of the old established vanguard.

 

[Bayareahusky]

I think she (Deb) may well be right. In reality the decline in the Tenn program from where it was didn't just happen once Holly became coach. The decline began to happen under Pat Summit. How much of this was a result of her being affected by Alzheimers is conjecture. I do feel that it is much harder today than it was in the past to establish a dominant program like Summit and Gino did. The talent level of WCBB in respect to players and coaches has increased drastically. The dominate programs in the past attracted the best of a limited player pool, because of the general lack of top level coaching in women's basketball. I think that the decline under Summit affected the perception of the quality of the Tenn program and removed a lot of the luster that was established over the years. This has not happened with UConn. The program still maintains the reputation as the best program in the country so Geno still has his choice of the cream of the crop each year. Parity has not affected Uconn as much as it has Tenn. The larger high school talent pool along with more good coach's in WCBB makes it harder for teams like Tenn to maintain continued dominance because today's circumstances produce more quality teams that can compete both on the court and for recuits. I feel that Geno was the prototype of the new wave of coach's coming into WCBB. They ( Geno exemplified this) presented a threat to the established old vanguard which consisted of a few good coaches who because they were operating in a field of mediocrity had every advantage. The coming influx of new talent portended their decline and that is the underlying issue that Summit had with Geno. She didn't like the handwriting she saw on the wall. The raising of the bar was changing WCBB and ending the dominance of the old established vanguard.

Great post here..... yes, Deb actually repeated her Saturday words last night, and I thought about it again..... with Geno raising the bar so high and surpassing Pat's accomplishments, what business does Deb have suggesting that Holly does not have a snowball's chance in hell of replicating what Pat did...... to be technical.... perhaps she was referring to the era Pat operated in..... but I took from her comments that Holly did not have a chance to match Pat's success in the form of aggregate accomplishment..... so do not hold her to that standard.....

It can also be interpreted in a sexist way..... in that an upstart Italian immigrant male can achieve and surpass a level of excellence that a female inheriting a legend's program cannot hope to attain..... The comments on Holly that Deb voiced last night came between 5 and 6 minutes left in the first half......

 

[Bayareahusky]

I think she (Deb) may well be right. In reality the decline in the Tenn program from where it was didn't just happen once Holly became coach. The decline began to happen under Pat Summit. How much of this was a result of her being affected by Alzheimers is conjecture. I do feel that it is much harder today than it was in the past to establish a dominant program like Summit and Gino did. The talent level of WCBB in respect to players and coaches has increased drastically. The dominate programs in the past attracted the best of a limited player pool, because of the general lack of top level coaching in women's basketball. I think that the decline under Summit affected the perception of the quality of the Tenn program and removed a lot of the luster that was established over the years. This has not happened with UConn. The program still maintains the reputation as the best program in the country so Geno still has his choice of the cream of the crop each year. Parity has not affected Uconn as much as it has Tenn. The larger high school talent pool along with more good coach's in WCBB makes it harder for teams like Tenn to maintain continued dominance because today's circumstances produce more quality teams that can compete both on the court and for recuits. I feel that Geno was the prototype of the new wave of coach's coming into WCBB. They ( Geno exemplified this) presented a threat to the established old vanguard which consisted of a few good coaches who because they were operating in a field of mediocrity had every advantage. The coming influx of new talent portended their decline and that is the underlying issue that Summit had with Geno. She didn't like the handwriting she saw on the wall. The raising of the bar was changing WCBB and ending the dominance of the old established vanguard.

and to be more clear..... with Deb's comments.... i would have felt much better for Holly's sake if she said it just may not be possible to achieve the success that Pat OR GENO achieved in today's WCBB game..... to me it came off as "Pat could achieve success , but you do not stand a chance"

 

[VFLfan]

You know, you make it difficult for me because I really cannot disagree with any of your points... Hah!!! Despite fact I have always spoken for the obvious talent on the roster, there is no question - to support your point - that injuries have hurt you badly on a positional level..... to have posts out, especially vs. Gonzaga and MD with existing trees in the paint, is a lot to overcome.... and your point about Burdick and Graves to improvise and play other positions is certainly well received..... we have that to a lesser degree with Tuck and Stewart .... who has the height but is not a natural post.....

On Holly, I have been a longtime skeptic.... and I do not have a dog in the fight. but I just get honestly frustrated for my Tenn friends ( yes, and i do have these!!) when I see her operational strategy..... I honestly feel guilty a bit busting on her.... but sometimes... my opinions get the best of me. i saw yesterday either on the Summit or Volnation someone suggest "well name someone who can do job better than Holly"..... to which I thought many can..... but she is getting a bit better if one looks at the record..... and next year will be a litmus test I think with how she handles DD (or as conjecture goes, how DD will handle Holly!) My wish for her is that .... at a minimum..... she gets some coaching help offensively. and let her focus on where she is comfortable.... the defensive side of the ball....

A couple of misc comments ..... I really feel for the seniors.... Burdick Massengale and Harrison..... they committed before Pat's illness announcement.... they all stood tall and honored commitments..... and their fortunes could have been better..... they all seem like fine young ladies and I am sure their experiences have been good in KVille. and next year. I have been on the record as a UConn fan..... 2 people I am rooting for in orange are Jannah Tucker..... bless her heart she has been through so much..... and Mercedes..... surgery like that is hard to come back from all the way..... and I hope she is able to run the floor and have full mobility in everything..... I hope she has a good career for the Lady Vols. Also as I have said before..... I appreciate the Tennessee posters here and the flavor they bring the forum here..... you and your army of orange invaders ..... it is always a breath of fresh air to exchange honest opinions about a game so great.

Agree with your comments on many things, especially the need for an offensive-minded assistant. And we all are rooting for Jannah...she's now going on almost 3 years without playing the game. Who knows if she will ever get back to the level she was. For her sake, regardless of TN's benefit, I hope she does. She deserves it for everything she has been thru. And as much ragging as I endure here over the team I just happen to grow up loving (I do realize I must be a glutton for punishment as this is a UCONN board), I appreciate those of you who I can engage in honest discussions over this sport we all love. Best of luck to you guys in the FF. I may pull for someone other than you guys, but I'm sure that's no surprise.

 

[Beemer]

Maybe you can bury the hatchett. Deep.

Yes right into his forehead.

 

[Bayareahusky]

Agree with your comments on many things, especially the need for an offensive-minded assistant. And we all are rooting for Jannah...she's now going on almost 3 years without playing the game. Who knows if she will ever get back to the level she was. For her sake, regardless of TN's benefit, I hope she does. She deserves it for everything she has been thru. And as much ragging as I endure here over the team I just happen to grow up loving (I do realize I must be a glutton for punishment as this is a UCONN board), I appreciate those of you who I can engage in honest discussions over this sport we all love. Best of luck to you guys in the FF. I may pull for someone other than you guys, but I'm sure that's no surprise.

Thank you VFLfan..... and for the record..... I do not expect, nor want, you to morph into a UConn fan!!! You will be defrocked, decommissioned, and stripped of many of your orange victories..... (sorry that was Boeheim)..... Again, I love the diversity you guys bring to the board here.,.... and enjoy my meetings with Tenn fans at away games and at random other places.... met a nice family from Johnson City just last month in a Chilis in Phoenix.... could not mistake them.... father mother and 10 yr old girl .... all bedecked in orange.... it was worth 2 beers .... an extra half hour, and lively discussion about all things WCBB!

 

[housekeys]

Ironic. In the end, the Lady Vols really did "back Pat". Pat did not want to play UConn, and the Lady Vols obliged.

 

[Geno-ista]

It's not about the current team, it's about the brand!

Well we all know Holly hasn't proven much...but I can't say we lost because of her tonight. We just can't shoot...at all...period...the end. We need consistent shooters.

Moriah Jefferson & Kiah Nurse weren't 3 point shooters in high school when they got here. They shoot 50% from 3 now. Mo Jef shot 1500-2000 3's daily in the off season in 3-4 sessions daily. That's the biggest difference between our kids and mostl everyone else. I could be wrong.

 

[Geno-ista]

Tennessee has absolutely ZERO business complaining about officials favoring anyone. The ball was out on Burdick-clearly. Then Burdick pushes Walker-Kimbrough on the other end with no call!!!

When u r used to getting the calls forever, all your way, everything else becomes a problem.