Is Tennessee v LSU Threadworthy

[tigers4ever]

Good win for LSU but I agree with others, I don't see them as a top 3 team. I think more realistically they're probably in the 6-10 range, but honestly they're hard to gauge since the SEC is so weak this year and they didn't play anyone non-conference. Tournament time will be interesting if they are a 2 loss team with 2 bad losses to South Carolina. I can't think of too many other examples of a P5 team that will have played exclusively unranked teams, plus the #1 team twice.

That said, with Morris stepping up her play, they have a very talented and athletic trio in her, Flaujae Johnson, and Angel Reese that could give any top team fits. Angel didn't have a great night for her and still wound up with 18/17. The intensity was missing in the first half but she brought it in the second. For someone with as big of numbers as she has, she really isn't the most polished player but she gets those numbers based on sheer will and effort on the glass--I enjoy players that are high motor like her even if she is quite cocky on the court. Morris was great tonight, I love her story of being kicked off by Kim, bouncing around colleges and finding her footing the last 2 years under Mulkey. Off night for Johnson but she's been consistent all year for them. She's one of the top 2-3 freshmen in the country (after Latson and debatably Van Slooten).

I think they're a solid team, but I'd definitely bet on SC/Stanford/Indiana/UCONN if they met up with LSU in the tournament based on what I've seen this year. I think it's more of a toss up if they matched up with any of the squads ranked 6-10.

It is strange that 21 games in and nobody really knows if LSU is legit. Kim has acknowledged this in several pressers and alluded to it again tonight. In addition to the 3 players you mentioned, you have a really reliable and steady L. Williams who quietly goes about her business every game and a really streaky Carson as a 3 point shooter. On any given night, this starting five can compete with any team in the country but they can be streaky and after them, there is little depth. So they will struggle to hang with a team like s Carolina with a string bench. Poa, Poole and Smith come off the bench to give good defense but it's never certain what they will give you offensively.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

She really struggled to finish against Tennesse’s size. The reason she had so many rebounds were all her missed around the basket.

Terps fans know this all too well.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

It is strange that 21 games in and nobody really knows if LSU is legit. Kim has acknowledged this in several pressers and alluded to it again tonight. In addition to the 3 players you mentioned, you have a really reliable and steady L. Williams who quietly goes about her business every game and a really streaky Carson as a 3 point shooter. On any given night, this starting five can compete with any team in the country but they can be streaky and after them, there is little depth. So they will struggle to hang with a team like s Carolina with a string bench. Poa, Poole and Smith come off the bench to give good defense but it's never certain what they will give you offensively.

Let's see what happens in the South Carolina games.

 

[cancontent]

Good win for LSU but I agree with others, I don't see them as a top 3 team. I think more realistically they're probably in the 6-10 range, but honestly they're hard to gauge since the SEC is so weak this year and they didn't play anyone non-conference. Tournament time will be interesting if they are a 2 loss team with 2 bad losses to South Carolina. I can't think of too many other examples of a P5 team that will have played exclusively unranked teams, plus the #1 team twice.

That said, with Morris stepping up her play, they have a very talented and athletic trio in her, Flaujae Johnson, and Angel Reese that could give any top team fits. Angel didn't have a great night for her and still wound up with 18/17. The intensity was missing in the first half but she brought it in the second. For someone with as big of numbers as she has, she really isn't the most polished player but she gets those numbers based on sheer will and effort on the glass--I enjoy players that are high motor like her even if she is quite cocky on the court. Morris was great tonight, I love her story of being kicked off by Kim, bouncing around colleges and finding her footing the last 2 years under Mulkey. Off night for Johnson but she's been consistent all year for them. She's one of the top 2-3 freshmen in the country (after Latson and debatably Van Slooten).

I think they're a solid team, but I'd definitely bet on SC/Stanford/Indiana/UCONN if they met up with LSU in the tournament based on what I've seen this year. I think it's more of a toss up if they matched up with any of the squads ranked 6-10.

I saw this differently. Tenessee's bigs frustrated her and she went into a shell. She wanted to make this a show, per the LSU theme for the season. Towards the end of the first half you could see her trying to create something and had those two wild drives to the hoop.

What I didn't understand is how she wasn't called for a tech in the second half. Poa got called for clapping towards Puckett. Reese licks her fingers and dances after getting a foul and not a peep. When you compare them, they both seemed minor, so I'm confused why Poa got hit with the technical from a consistency perspective.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Despite their weak OOC, LSU is "good enough" to win a title, but more than likely not "consistent" enough to make it happen. One thing is obvious....if they don't solidly win the rebound battle, then they probably couldn't take down teams 1-15 on most nights. All those rebounds make up for inconsistent shooting.

TN. At this point, I almost feel sorry for them. They could be more competitive, but that offense they run is DOA. I couldn't even identify it at times. Is it a 4 out 1 in? Very little movement except for the player dribbling the ball nonstop. Horrific spacing. Screens. Remember those? Weak to no cuts on most half-court possessions. Players are stuck on the 3-point line. Passes are late. Just a hot mess to be honest. A team doesn't have to be uber-athletic to run offense. They don't need to be speed demons. They do need to be composed and on the same page.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Let's see what happens in the South Carolina games.

I'm expecting a low-scoring, high-foul affair. Oh...and a lot of rebounds.

 

[Geew1992]

I think Tennessee and LSU are similar teams. Dribble dribble dribble, shoot, miss offensive rebound.

 

[oldude]

Having watched UConn-Nova on Sunday, I was struck by a major contrast with the TN-LSU game. Player and ball movement in half court sets was crisp and consistent in the UConn-Nova game.

In the TN-LSU game, not so much. A lot more dribbling and one on one basketball, particularly from TN. A number of great athletes, to be sure, but both teams will be vulnerable in the Big Dance to any team that knows how to run offense.

 

[mbr33ct]

It is strange that 21 games in and nobody really knows if LSU is legit. Kim has acknowledged this in several pressers and alluded to it again tonight. In addition to the 3 players you mentioned, you have a really reliable and steady L. Williams who quietly goes about her business every game and a really streaky Carson as a 3 point shooter. On any given night, this starting five can compete with any team in the country but they can be streaky and after them, there is little depth. So they will struggle to hang with a team like s Carolina with a string bench. Poa, Poole and Smith come off the bench to give good defense but it's never certain what they will give you offensively.

I know this is not a UConn thread and I apologize but one can say the same for UConn, if they're legit or not. Both teams have different reasons as to why this might be the case. For UConn it must be of who is playing versus who's not playing and the fact only 5...ok 7 players are playing and winning but somehow the AP voters still have them at #5 after having the #1 OOC schedule and then some.

In LSU's case it's the opposite, yes they keep on winning but their OOC SOS get's in their way. I will say Carolyn Peck tried her best to defend LSU's OOC SOS rank last night, when ESPN put up an image of their NET rank along with their lofty OOC rank.

Bottom line, all this will come out in the wash, until then we both have our cross to carry.

 

[TC22]

I'm expecting a low-scoring, high-foul affair. Oh...and a lot of rebounds.

As long as the fouls are called both ways….Generally speaking, when there has been a big game at home, SC takes care of business with this group of Seniors. It’s already a sell-out, so there will be 18,000 screaming fans in the building. The story of the game will be who wins the rebounding game. You better believe that’s going to be both team’s focus because that’s the strength of SC and LSU. But I digress….we have Kentucky and UConn this week. We will know a lot more about our teams, respectively, after this week.

 

[Bayareahusky]

LSU didnt look great but it is funny TENN never looked like it was in the game.... maybe just me

 

[tigers4ever]

I saw this differently. Tenessee's bigs frustrated her and she went into a shell. She wanted to make this a show, per the LSU theme for the season. Towards the end of the first half you could see her trying to create something and had those two wild drives to the hoop.

What I didn't understand is how she wasn't called for a tech in the second half. Poa got called for clapping towards Puckett. Reese licks her fingers and dances after getting a foul and not a peep. When you compare them, they both seemed minor, so I'm confused why Poa got hit with the technical from a consistency perspective.

I think the difference is that poa's clap was directed at the opposing player whereas Reese's was a celebration with her own team. So poa's was more taunting as opposed to celebrating. Taunting is what got Reese in trouble last week so hopefully she learned and now Poa will as well.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

I think the difference is that poa's clap was directed at the opposing player whereas Reese's was a celebration with her own team. So poa's was more taunting as opposed to celebrating. Taunting is what got Reese in trouble last week so hopefully she learned and now Poa will as well.

TBH...I didn't think Poa did all that much. Did she say something as well?

 

[LwrcasefaN]

LSU didnt look great but it is funny TENN never looked like it was in the game.... maybe just me

They were in the game but didn't look poised enough to work together to...get over the hump.

 

[GoCardinal]

I know this is not a UConn thread and I apologize but one can say the same for UConn, if they're legit or not. Both teams have different reasons as to why this might be the case. For UConn it must be of who is playing versus who's not playing and the fact only 5...ok 7 players are playing and winning but somehow the AP voters still have them at #5 after having the #1 OOC schedule and then some.

In LSU's case it's the opposite, yes they keep on winning but their OOC SOS get's in their way. I will say Carolyn Peck tried her best to defend LSU's OOC SOS rank last night, when ESPN put up an image of their NET rank along with their lofty OOC rank.

Bottom line, all this will come out in the wash, until then we both have our cross to carry.

UConn has multiple ranked wins against ranked opponents and their roster has not even been complete all year. I'm not really understanding the comparison.

 

[cancontent]

UConn has multiple ranked wins against ranked opponents and their roster has not even been complete all year. I'm not really understanding the comparison.

Neither do I. From what I've noticed majority of the teams ranked higher than UConn are/were undefeated (e.g. OSU, LSU and South Carolina). And their ranking has improved steadily the past few weeks. The cross bearing analogy seems like a stretch.

 

[mbr33ct]

UConn has multiple ranked wins against ranked opponents and their roster has not even been complete all year. I'm not really understanding the comparison.

Indeed, that's part of my comparison, I mentioned by saying UConn has the #1 OOC SOS (which implies they have multiple ranked wins and against ranked opponents if they go look at it) and also playing with 5-7 players but yet the AP/Coaches Poll voters still have UConn at #5...IMO, voters must not know whether UConn is legit as well. Let me ask you, do you feel UConn is getting their fair shake from the voters?

I was simply replying to the poster who said, "It is strange that 21 games in and nobody really knows if LSU is legit". I gave my reasons suggesting as to why that may be the case for LSU.

Neither do I. From what I've noticed majority of the teams ranked higher than UConn are/were undefeated (e.g. OSU, LSU and South Carolina). And their ranking has improved steadily the past few weeks. The cross bearing analogy seems like a stretch.

You didn't like the reference to the cross? I added for extra drama effect.

 

[dabears17]

Ignore the polls. Charlie has UConn projected as a 1 seed and LSU a 2 seed in his two most recent Bracketologies.

Coaches poll has UConn ranked 2nd. My bad, coaches have UConn ranked 4th. Must of been looking at Net, not coaches poll.

 

[GoCardinal]

Indeed, that's part of my comparison, I mentioned by saying UConn has the #1 OOC SOS (which implies they have multiple ranked wins and against ranked opponents if they go look at it) and also playing with 5-7 players but yet the AP/Coaches Poll voters still have UConn at #5...IMO, voters must not know whether UConn is legit as well. Let me ask you, do you feel UConn is getting their fair shake from the voters?

I was simply replying to the poster who said, "It is strange that 21 games in and nobody really knows if LSU is legit". I gave my reasons suggesting as to why that may be the case for LSU.


You didn't like the reference to the cross? I added for extra drama effect.

Ahhh okay, I see. I think the voters have just been going by record. Until recently, there were 3 undefeated teams so I understood OSU being ahead of UConn even though I didn't think they were necessarily better. Looking at the current rankings, the only team above with the same amount of losses is Stanford. The Pac-12's strength helps Stanford's case when justifying the ranking. So, I think voters are just going by record even though I am not sure LSU is better than Indiana for instance.

Regarding UConn getting a fair shake, I just think it is difficult simply because of the injuries. I believe if UConn had everyone, they would firmly be a top 2 team. Maybe even the best team. In UConn's case, I think they are currently projected to be a 1 seed still. Even if they lose to SC, I think they will manage to stay on that line barring an expected loss along the way. LSU's case is a little murkier. How would a bad loss at SC impact their seeding and rank? Or what if they happen to lose one to someone we don't expect? At this point, some of these top teams can afford an unexpected loss (Stanford just had one) because of the strong schedules beforehand or in conference. LSU may not have this same luxury.

 

[HuskyNan]

Ignore the polls. Charlie has UConn projected as a 1 seed and LSU a 2 seed in his two most recent Bracketologies.

Coaches poll has UConn ranked 2nd.

He’s not on the committee and polls have no effect on seeding

 

[cancontent]

Indeed, that's part of my comparison, I mentioned by saying UConn has the #1 OOC SOS (which implies they have multiple ranked wins and against ranked opponents if they go look at it) and also playing with 5-7 players but yet the AP/Coaches Poll voters still have UConn at #5...IMO, voters must not know whether UConn is legit as well. Let me ask you, do you feel UConn is getting their fair shake from the voters?

I was simply replying to the poster who said, "It is strange that 21 games in and nobody really knows if LSU is legit". I gave my reasons suggesting as to why that may be the case for LSU.


You didn't like the reference to the cross? I added for extra drama effect.

Way too dramatic for my tastes UConn doesn't need any extra drama this season.

 

[tigers4ever]

I honestly think Tennessee wins tonight if they can hold Angel Reese go under 30. Lsu is just so overated man.

Charlie Crème's latest bracketolgy has Huskies and Tigers in same region it might be easy road to final four for UConn. I don't think LSU is overrated as far as starting 5 is concerned, but they will probably struggle in tournament due to lack of depth and consistency. If UConn is healthy, I think it's a toss up between them and SCar.

 

[tigers4ever]

I'm not impressed by LSU. Hardly anyone showed up for them other than Morris and Reese and Angel didn't play that well except for her trademark rebounding.

I thought flau'jae and Ladazhia did exactly what was needed of them. Flau'jae defense of Horston was top notch and included 5 steals, and 8 rebounds. Williams was her steady solid self. Smith scored 6 in 4 1/2 minutes. I think she got hit in nose and didn't return. And how great is it that Reese ended up with 17/18 and 3 steals and that's when she "didn't play well."

 

[bballnut90]

I saw this differently. Tenessee's bigs frustrated her and she went into a shell. She wanted to make this a show, per the LSU theme for the season. Towards the end of the first half you could see her trying to create something and had those two wild drives to the hoop.

What I didn't understand is how she wasn't called for a tech in the second half. Poa got called for clapping towards Puckett. Reese licks her fingers and dances after getting a foul and not a peep. When you compare them, they both seemed minor, so I'm confused why Poa got hit with the technical from a consistency perspective.

I think the first part is accurate. She didn't get a lot of touches early (outside of the game opening basket), picked up an early charge and I think got visibly frustrated and forced the issue. Rebounding wise I thought the intensity was lacking in the 1st (only 4 boards, Tennessee dominated the offensive glass) but in the second she flipped a switch and was a lot more active going after rebounds and seeking out contact.

Agree with what @tigers4ever said about the validation for Poa's tech but not Reese's.

 

[cancontent]

I think the first part is accurate. She didn't get a lot of touches early (outside of the game opening basket), picked up an early charge and I think got visibly frustrated and forced the issue. Rebounding wise I thought the intensity was lacking in the 1st (only 4 boards, Tennessee dominated the offensive glass) but in the second she flipped a switch and was a lot more active going after rebounds and seeking out contact.

Agree with what @tigers4ever said about the validation for Poa's tech but not Reese's.

I considered the finger licking as taunting, similar to Poa's clapping, especially since she drew the foul off of Jackson on that play.

 

[tigers4ever]

I considered the finger licking as taunting, similar to Poa's clapping, especially since she drew the foul off of Jackson on that play.

Well then I guess it's lucky for LSU you weren't the ref last night.
But really, it can be a fine line but I think taunting needs to be directed at a person. That's why pulling on your jersey chest, screaming or howling to the student section or flexing your muscles etc is not teed up. They are not directed at a person. Ftr, Im not a fan of the finger licking. First time I remember seeing it was when Jamies Winston did it. Didn't like it then, didn't really like it last night but I do like Angel's attitude. She keeps the team pumped up. Morris has one of the purest shots in the NCAA and if it takes Reese getting on her to keep her engaged instead of Mulkey benching her, that's a great trade off.

 

[Big12wbbFan]

I considered the finger licking as taunting, similar to Poa's clapping, especially since she drew the foul off of Jackson on that play.

Reese is very fortunate she did not get technical. Announcers even mentioned this. I have not watched a lot of LSU games but in few I have watched, at least one player got a technical or a warning.

I am very surprised Kim has allowed the taunting and show boating to continue. It is not the best look for LSU and could likely cost them games in the future, especially in NCAA tournament.

 

[cancontent]

Well then I guess it's lucky for LSU you weren't the ref last night.
But really, it can be a fine line but I think taunting needs to be directed at a person. That's why pulling on your jersey chest, screaming or howling to the student section or flexing your muscles etc is not teed up. They are not directed at a person. Ftr, Im not a fan of the finger licking. First time I remember seeing it was when Jamies Winston did it. Didn't like it then, didn't really like it last night but I do like Angel's attitude. She keeps the team pumped up. Morris has one of the purest shots in the NCAA and if it takes Reese getting on her to keep her engaged instead of Mulkey benching her, that's a great trade off.

Exactly, a very fine line. Personally, I thought it was directed at Jackson because they were very competitive against each other last night. Similar to when she got T'd for the stare down after the block a few games back.

Her passion and energy is definitely contagious however there are times where it's getting pretty close, sometimes over that line from what I'm seeing.