Margo on Lady Vols Trip to Notre Dame

[msf22b]

Geno has said a number of times that the best HS players come to college ball knowing essentially nothing and it is getting worse all the time. Sure, Geno & Co. place a premium on attitude because these kids have to be teachable and be willing to sacrifice their views of how they fit in the universe for the sake of the team, but the most important first step for the freshman is to learn some pretty basic stuff. The McD's AA stuff is fun, but it is hit and miss and at best just gets a kid through the front door. Tenn's current crop is a perfect case study in this.

IF (which Heaven forfend!) Geno were to somehow find himself taking over the LV program just as it sits, within two weeks three players would have quit the program and the ones who were left, whoever they were, would be playing smart basketball, playing their butts off and winning games.

There was something in the last 5 or 6 minutes where the UTenn kids, made one final, supreme effort, surely knowing that their rally was going to fall short, trying to recapture something; their pride, perhaps.

They hit a few shots, made a few steals and tried their darnedest.
(I don't understand why they didn't press from the beginning, it was one of their...perhaps their only, consistent weapon).

I think this unexpected outburst indicates that they care, have pride, and are teachable. They really want to win...just don't have a clue how

This diminishment of competence that they have exhibited this season, is perhaps the reason for the ESPN (more than the talent on mike) rant. The company is really concerned, on many levels, surely business included, about the precipitous drop in the stock of this program.

It's all on Holly, poor thing. Last night wasn't a complete embarrassment, not making the Tourney or additional losses to the unranked would be.

 

[Intpseeker]

There was something in the last 5 or 6 minutes where the UTenn kids, made one final, supreme effort, surely knowing that their rally was going to fall short, trying to recapture something; their pride, perhaps

This frantic, frenetic approach to the fourth quarter has been a staple of UT, at least in many of the games this year. I've wondered why they wait so long and why this isn't their primary D, given that whatever else they are using doesn't appear to be effective.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

This frantic, frenetic approach to the fourth quarter has been a staple of UT, at least in many of the games this year. I've wondered why they wait so long and why this isn't their primary D, given that whatever else they are using doesn't appear to be effective.

They could not sustain it and the surprise factor would dissipate.

 

[FASTEDDY]

She needs to Stop the videos.
At least stick to audio, video is not her thing.

 

[UcMiami]

This frantic, frenetic approach to the fourth quarter has been a staple of UT, at least in many of the games this year. I've wondered why they wait so long and why this isn't their primary D, given that whatever else they are using doesn't appear to be effective.

They were getting schooled earlier in the game when they went to trapping full court pressure - three or four trips in a row ND got either a free layup or a wide open three and the lead ballooned. Holly called of the dogs pretty quickly. In the last few minutes ND started throwing the ball away and missing free throws as they seem to coast to the end..

 

[JoePgh]

IF (which Heaven forfend!) Geno were to somehow find himself taking over the LV program just as it sits, within two weeks three players would have quit the program and the ones who were left, whoever they were, would be playing smart basketball, playing their butts off and winning games.

If (very hypothetically) Geno / CD / Shea / Marisa could have had the Tennessee roster since October 15, I predict that they would be undefeated at this point, and would have won most if not all of the games by double digits. They certainly have more talent than Notre Dame, and probably every other team that they have played. Talent-wise, they are in the best position of anyone to challenge UConn this year for an NC, but I really don't think that will happen.

I believe that everyone on the Tennessee roster (yes, even Diamond, although I admit to being queasy about that) would, at this point, accept whatever coaching was needed to make them successful, and they would be successful if that coaching were available to them.

 

[CocoHusky]

If (very hypothetically) Geno / CD / Shea / Marisa could have had the Tennessee roster since October 15, I predict that they would be undefeated at this point, and would have won most if not all of the games by double digits. They certainly have more talent than Notre Dame, and probably every other team that they have played. Talent-wise, they are in the best position of anyone to challenge UConn this year for an NC, but I really don't think that will happen.

I believe that everyone on the Tennessee roster (yes, even Diamond, although I admit to being queasy about that) would, at this point, accept whatever coaching was needed to make them successful, and they would be successful if that coaching were available to them.

IMO the talent level on the Lady Vols (Diamond included) is being vastly overrated. Examples: Alexa Middleton was advertised as one of the best shooters in the class same as Maybrey 2.0 DD in some of the ratings was number 1 in the class yet despite being National Freshmen of the year defending Diamond is easy because she shoots less than 30% on contested mid range jumpers and she shoots ALOT. Mercedes Russell was listed as #1 by some in that same class and despite being 6'6" has a pair of hands and lack of lower body strength that she might as well be 5'10". Could Diamond start for ND? Maybe. But I don't see anyone else on Lady Vols roster who could crack the ND rotation. Could any Lady Vol player crack the UCONN line up? FORGETABOUTIT!
When you combined over rated talent with lack of structure defensively and offensively the results are predictable. While Geno /CD/Shea / Marisa would definitely add structure it is a fairly tall order for anyone to get that done in 4 months.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

yes, even Diamond, although I admit to being queasy about that

You are rightfully queasy to make that leap with DD.

 

[HuskyNan]

IMO the talent level on the Lady Vols (Diamond included) is being vastly overrated. Examples: Alexa Middleton was advertised as one of the best shooters in the class same as Maybrey 2.0 DD in some of the ratings was number 1 in the class yet despite being National Freshmen of the year defending Diamond is easy because she shoots less than 30% on contested mid range jumpers and she shoots ALOT. Mercedes Russell was listed as #1 by some in that same class and despite being 6'6" has a pair of hands and lack of lower body strength that she might as well be 5'10". Could Diamond start for ND? Maybe. But I don't see anyone else on Lady Vols roster who could crack the ND rotation. Could any Lady Vol player crack the UCONN line up? FORGETABOUTIT!
When you combined over rated talent with lack of structure defensively and offensively the results are predictable. While Geno /CD/Shea / Marisa would definitely add structure it is a fairly tall order for anyone to get that done in 4 months.

I think that, given better coaching on positioning, spacing, rhythm, and motion offense, the LVs could truly be one of the top 3 teams (legitimately). There's tremendous impatience on the LVs that speaks of youth/immaturity. I don't know who's at the rudder in Tennessee but it sure isn't anyone that can run an offense and considering that this is going on a long time, it's hard to blame the kids.

 

[Rocket009]

I think that, given better coaching on positioning, spacing, rhythm, and motion offense, the LVs could truly be one of the top 3 teams (legitimately). There's tremendous impatience on the LVs that speaks of youth/immaturity. I don't know who's at the rudder in Tennessee but it sure isn't anyone that can run an offense and considering that this is going on a long time, it's hard to blame the kids.

Watching the TN games, they don't run offense, they run plays. When those plays break down, no one seems to know what to do so they a) take a bad shot, b) force the play and turn the ball over c) pass the ball around the perimeter aimlessly. I think it's coaching system that has been passed by long ago and is also not well implemented for what it is.

They have a lot of talent - but the talent is simply not developing.

 

[Zorro]

"Watching the TN games, they don't run offense, they run plays."

A VERY astute distinction!! I hadn't thought of it that way, but you are undoubtedly right. Of course, they don't always even run plays.

 

[msf22b]

Watching the TN games, they don't run offense, they run plays. When those plays break down, no one seems to know what to do so they a) take a bad shot, b) force the play and turn the ball over c) pass the ball around the perimeter aimlessly. I think it's coaching system that has been passed by long ago and is also not well implemented for what it is.

They have a lot of talent - but the talent is simply not developing.

I don't get the play comment.
Does passing the ball around the perimeter while looking inside for an available post constitute a "play?"
Aside from fast breaks, do they have any other "plays?"

 

[UcMiami]

Agree Nan - it is hard to judge any TN player based on the current product on the floor. I think because we have at least a picture of DD in her year at UNC we can say that she likes to shoot and so far as a college player playing in less than structured offenses, she is a career 40% shooter and a career under 30% shooter from three, with a propensity to create more turnovers than assists (.75 career A/TO.) With players like Russell and Graves playing with USA in more structured (though much less practiced) systems they have looked much better than what they have produced at TN. Beyond that it really is hard to say what they could produce in the right environment.