Margo on Lady Vols Trip to Notre Dame

[DaddyChoc]

one thing about "video" you can hear the tone, excitement, disappointment... emotion, body language, sarcasm etc. unlike a message board comment. What you see is what you get... no assumptions or "reading between the lines"

 

[Fiftyish]

[QUOTE="


How can an assistant coach that played and coached (12 years?)for Stringer possibly teach UTenn players anything about offense.[/QUOTE]

Their offense scheme is owned by the Head Coach not the assistant coach and Holly had been an assistant to Pat Summitt for 28 years. She has to take responsibility for any problems with the offense.
Her staff, including Jollette Law, also owns a piece of their current problems but ultimately it comes back to Holly. Just my opinion.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Chemistry. Margo rants a lot about it, and she may be right. What I don't understand, is how DD might not have good chemistry with the team after spending a year with the team before being eligible?

Also, her quote "these girls know how to play basketball, they were McD AAs", makes me wonder again about the rankings, and even more so, do the AAs really know how to play basketball, or are their skills enhanced by being the best on their HS team, when in reality, deficiencies are hidden? That might be the most impressive part of recruiting by Geno & staff. They look for the things that will help the program, look for BB IQ, and for those that understand how to play within a team concept.

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.

 

[EricLA]

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.

Rocky is 100% right and I'd take it a step further...

I disagree with Margo. High school kids do NOT know how to play basketball. They know how to score. That's pretty much where it ends. Most of them are the best on their respective teams by far, most have little to no competition (unless they are on an AAU team or trying out for USA Basketball), most have an average work ethic at best, and many have a sense of entitlement (what can YOUR college program do for me?)...

Just look at KLS this year. #1 kid in her class and a prolific scorer in high school. Gets to college and Geno needs to teach her not only about how UCONN's offense runs, but how to play defense as well. There's a huge learning curve which is why SO MANY freshmen do not have AA seasons when they come to UCONN. Geno doesn't let them do the same old stuff they did in high school. He not only teaches them the game the way it should be played, but also usually has to break them of lots of bad habits.

My point is that most kids are McD AA's because scored a crapload of points in high school and are seen as really promising college players. Tennessee fans are finding out what happens when you don't help develop that talent. Same with Duke. I would say coaches like Geno, Muffet, Kim, Jeff, and even Brenda, Dawn and Karen Alston are (or are becoming very good) at getting the most out of their players. IMHO this is one reason why parity is so prevalent in WCBB. Next year I really don't see a clear favorite but I would say there are at least 7-8 (and maybe more) teams who will have a legit shot at the NC...

 

[Zorro]

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.

 

[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.