ND smackdown of Tennessee, Post Mortem

[SWHuskyFan]

This game made me sick...

It gave me a severe case of schadenfreude!
Oh, the pain of such horribly derived pleasure.

Your Ol' Pal BooHoohahaha

I'm finding it harder to hate UT. More and more, I just feel pity. I feel bad for Pat, really bad. I think maybe she figured she'd fight the good fight and continue her life. This disease is just too strong, it's not a fair fight. I really think ESPN was borderline cruel by focusing on her so much.

I also feel terrible for the players. This is not what they came to UT to do. Who knows how different their first few years have been from what prior classes of players have experienced. This year has been a circus. They seem to not have any answers.

Last year I would of hoped they lost every game and in humiliating painful ways. This year, I just can't get to that feeling of hate. I hope Pat's able to get to the next phase of her life as smoothly as possible.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I'm traveling and forgot the game was tonight.

Wow! I expected about 90-75. The lowest scoring output in Tennessee history? Ouch!

Two things are obvious:

1. ND is a load, against even UConn or Baylor.

2. Can people stop the silly talk about Tennessee being a 2 seed?

 

[DaddyChoc]

you missed all those comments in their "game thread". but the rout was so severe, it became impossible to blame the loss on the refs.

oh... I didnt read the "game thread", toooooo long. Normally a "the refs sucks" thread stands on its own

 

[msf22b]

Where was Novosel tonight, she was pretty invisible. Can you imagine what the score had been if she had her customary game?

 

[alexrgct]

I'm traveling and forgot the game was tonight.

Wow! I expected about 90-75. The lowest scoring output in Tennessee history? Ouch!

Two things are obvious:

1. ND is a load, against even UConn or Baylor.

2. Can people stop the silly talk about Tennessee being a 2 seed?

They may not deserve it, but I'd be surprised if they weren't...unless this loss causes them to go into tailspin.

 

[cohenzone]

MIlford Husky said:I'm traveling and forgot the game was tonight.

Wow! I expected about 90-75. The lowest scoring output in Tennessee history? Ouch!

Two things are obvious:

1. ND is a load, against even UConn or Baylor.

2. Can people stop the silly talk about Tennessee being a 2 seed?[/quote]

I still wouldn't throw away the idea of UT as a #2 if for no other reason than there still might not be 8 other teams better than them on a consistent basis. Probably UConn, Baylor, ND, Stanford, Duke, Ohio State and then throw a bunch of teams into a hat with UT. Most of the teams in that UT group would probably be pounded by UConn, Baylor and ND. Rutgers doesn't show me the talent (forgive me karma gods). Purdue, meh. I haven't seen most of the others in the top 16. Kentucky maybe, but my test is how different are those teams relative to the top than UT on a regular basis. At any rate, they are unlikely to be lower than a 3 unless a few other teams in their league show that they can handle them. They probably won't lose many more, if any, before the NCAAs.

 

[CompSci87]

Dave O' Brien went into a monologue about how Tennessee will play anybody anywhere. Doris Burke is from South Bend. Notre Dame is from South Bend. Skylar Diggins is from South Bend. Doris was so busy carrying on about Skyler's 150,000+ fans on tweeter that she didn't correct him.

I think O'Brien was joking based on some kind of travel problems that caused Doris to be stuck in South Bend for a few days. He was saying that she'd been there so long that she knows the place inside out now, locals are asking her for directions, etc. Not very funny, but not said in error either.

 

[msf22b]

As good as ND looked in the second half, the box score is fascinatng. Nothing from the bench except for Achonwa, zilch!
With Novosel invisible as stated earlier, it would appear that there are approaches to attacking this team. Tonight it was the starting 4 plus Achowna

 

[speedoo]

I hope they become Old Dominion or La Tech.

Could happen, but there is a big difference between the SEC and whatever conferences those two former contenders were in.

 

[speedoo]

I'm finding it harder to hate UT. More and more, I just feel pity. I feel bad for Pat, really bad. I think maybe she figured she'd fight the good fight and continue her life. This disease is just too strong, it's not a fair fight. I really think ESPN was borderline cruel by focusing on her so much.

I also feel terrible for the players. This is not what they came to UT to do. Who knows how different their first few years have been from what prior classes of players have experienced. This year has been a circus. They seem to not have any answers.

Last year I would of hoped they lost every game and in humiliating painful ways. This year, I just can't get to that feeling of hate. I hope Pat's able to get to the next phase of her life as smoothly as possible.

Yeah, I'm starting to feel the same way. I even pity their hateful miserable fans for being so delusional about everything to do with their team.

 

[speedoo]

I'm traveling and forgot the game was tonight.

Wow! I expected about 90-75. The lowest scoring output in Tennessee history? Ouch!

Two things are obvious:

1. ND is a load, against even UConn or Baylor.

2. Can people stop the silly talk about Tennessee being a 2 seed?

If this game tonight was representative of their overall season, yeah the talk would be silly. But they are capable of running the table from here and if they do that, as SEC champs, they will have strong #2 seed credentials.

The interesting question I have is, will they be sent to Kingston in order to get the matchup with UConn "one last time"? After the debacle tonight, including all the camera shots of Summitt looking completely uninvolved, I think the selection committee may not think that is such a great idea anymore.

 

[schmendrick]

I actually wanted them both to lose. Muffett is okay, but I just don't like the arrogance of ND sports in general. I also thought it odd that McGraw kept her entire starting team in until 1 minute was left. I guess she really did want to smack Tenn.

Agreed. I missed the game but I've noticed Notre Dame running up the score to cruel and unusual margins. Is this a function of their rank superiority, Muffett keeping her starters on the floor in a rout far longer than Geno would, or something else?

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

Tennessee has talent, athleticism, and skilled players. But they are a group of individual players, not a cohesive team/unit. This year's seniors came in as the top-rated class, but have not made a Final Four, much less been a national title contender. I am curious to see how Tennessee does when they graduate, as there will still be plenty of talent left.

 

[speedoo]

Tennessee has talent, athleticism, and skilled players. But they are a group of individual players, not a cohesive team/unit. This year's seniors came in as the top-rated class, but have not made a Final Four, much less been a national title contender. I am curious to see how Tennessee does when they graduate, as there will still be plenty of talent left.

I don't know what you mean by plenty of talent, but they won't have any experienced posts next year other than Harrison. If I were voting in a pre season poll, they would definitely not be in my top ten.

This senior class has been hampered from the beginning because they never had a competent true point guard. That's the fault of the coaches, not the players.

 

[easttexastrash]

There is no clear leader anymore, in my opinion. And I think that they players are as scattered as the direction from the coaching staff.

 

[Kibitzer]

While reading dozens of posts, both here and there, I am reminded of the old axiom that dictates that, if you work really, really hard, you just might succed in distilling a teentsy bit of perfume from a huge mound of horse manure.

 

[rington]

As much as I hate Tennessee, I too found it sad to see Pat sitting there expressionless with her eyes glazed over. I thought it was almost invasive for the camera to focus on her so much. A friend of mine has early stage Alzheimer's, and he gets confused easily and is sometimes overwhelmed. It's a terrible disease.

I agree. Her friends should encourage her to step down.

 

[Rob Signor]

Hard to put a finger on what is going on with this Tenn team. After the Baylor game they had me convinced they were for real. The also looked good a couple other times I have seen them. They are hard to gauge. I do think their point guard Massengale is a good player but may have been overhyped just a bit. They have no go to player at all. KML. Bria and Tiffany are all better all around players than anyone on the Tenn Roster. And when Massengale comes out of the game they have no one to run the point. Williams is good but is coming off a knee injury. I think she is better than massengale when healthy. I will stop now I am getting off track

 

[EricSD]

Tennessee has talent, athleticism, and skilled players. But they are a group of individual players, not a cohesive team/unit. This year's seniors came in as the top-rated class, but have not made a Final Four, much less been a national title contender. I am curious to see how Tennessee does when they graduate, as there will still be plenty of talent left.

but nowhere near the talent they will need to really contend for a NC, despite the wishes/hopes of their fans. i'd go so far as to say not only has UCONN recruited substantially better than Tenn going back to our effective class of 2009 thru 2012, but from 2010-2012, Duke and A&M have also outrecruited Tennessee.

and given how poorly some of the players have underperformed and developed over their 4 years, i'd not be surprised to see other programs with "lesser" recruits also pass Tennessee going forward.

now Tenn has a big headstart with Davis from 2013, but they are desperate for a big class, numbers-wise and quality-wise. given the issues with Pat, i think it will be very difficult for them to land the plethora of top 10 talent needed to contend for NC's... IMHO next year they don't start the season in the top 5. maybe 7 or 8...

 

[Icebear]

nice to see no complaints about the refs, flopping or throwing their bodies into defenders... did Diggins get a "reach around" steal?

Yes and was called for the foul and was, also, called for lowering her shoulder and driving into the defender, too.

 

[pinotbear]

Yeah, I'm starting to feel the same way. I even pity their hateful miserable fans for being so delusional about everything to do with their team.

well, maybe not that far yet. Sympathy for the players, doing the best they can? - yes. Sympathy for PS & her family, as they deal with the cruel hand that fate has dealt them? - yes. But, sympathy for the puffed-up toad segment of the Orange faithful?

 

[terif831]

I'm finding it harder to hate UT. More and more, I just feel pity. I feel bad for Pat, really bad. I think maybe she figured she'd fight the good fight and continue her life. This disease is just too strong, it's not a fair fight. I really think ESPN was borderline cruel by focusing on her so much.

I also feel terrible for the players. This is not what they came to UT to do. Who knows how different their first few years have been from what prior classes of players have experienced. This year has been a circus. They seem to not have any answers.

Last year I would of hoped they lost every game and in humiliating painful ways. This year, I just can't get to that feeling of hate. I hope Pat's able to get to the next phase of her life as smoothly as possible.

+1 to all your points, except I guess what I felt for Pat wasn't really pity for her, but a deep sadness for the slow loss of her being experienced by the University, her fans, her coaches, her team, and most of all, her friends and family. It actually made me tear up when they would show her on the sidelines, so uninvolved and inanimate. It's such a cruel, cruel thing.

 

[meyers7]

Could happen, but there is a big difference between the SEC and whatever conferences those two former contenders were in.

Good point. I can still hope though.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

but nowhere near the talent they will need to really contend for a NC, despite the wishes/hopes of their fans. i'd go so far as to say not only has UCONN recruited substantially better than Tenn going back to our effective class of 2009 thru 2012, but from 2010-2012, Duke and A&M have also outrecruited Tennessee.

and given how poorly some of the players have underperformed and developed over their 4 years, i'd not be surprised to see other programs with "lesser" recruits also pass Tennessee going forward.

Ariel and Simmons will have a year together to develop chemistry for next season. Harrison is good, but Graves could be better. I think this year's TN team will have more individual talent than next year's squad, but next year's team will be more cohesive and truly have the sum greater than the individual parts. They could easily be an Elite Eight team next year, with the right offense and Ariel dictating play.

 

[wallman]

I actually think this is really sad for womens basketball in general. I was disappointed in how the players responded to losing in light of everything thats going on as you would hope they would go down fighting. There seems to be lots of issues that may plague them. Simmons is a selfish player and she will be there for 3 more years, in the first half how many touches did Stricklen get? After watching Davis in Arizona I would not call her a go to player as her team was 1 of 3 that underperformed the most. I do like Graves as she is strong and a worker and was by far the best player on Tenn Flight. If they go after NC I don't see the offense improving, just ask the BRO board! Very confusing.

 

[Tonyc]

TN is in the rebuilding mode. Pat has earned the right to coach as along as she wants however TN needs to get someone to teach TN how to run and offense, and how to play defense. The blame from last nights game should be placed on the coaches. Lack of preparation. Some of the players like Baugh and Johnson played hard but in the end you could see TN was demoralized or appeared to be. One of two things will happen from here forward. TN will use this to motivate themselves to play better or they will get worse. TBA holds 25,000 fans and it the powers to be at TN dont do somthing that arena will be empty. The TN fans are not used to this and are not accepting it and they shouldnt. We at UConn would do the same thing if we were in their position. The LVs need help and getting someone who can get them back on the right track needs to happen quickly before they reach the point of no return.

 

[EricSD]

TN is in the rebuilding mode. Pat has earned the right to coach as along as she wants however TN needs to get someone to teach TN how to run and offense, and how to play defense. The blame from last nights game should be placed on the coaches. Lack of preparation. Some of the players like Baugh and Johnson played hard but in the end you could see TN was demoralized or appeared to be. One of two things will happen from here forward. TN will use this to motivate themselves to play better or they will get worse. TBA holds 25,000 fans and it the powers to be at TN dont do somthing that arena will be empty. The TN fans are not used to this and are not accepting it and they shouldnt. We at UConn would do the same thing if we were in their position. The LVs need help and getting someone who can get them back on the right track needs to happen quickly before they reach the point of no return.

Pat and Geno are legends. i don't care who you replace them with, when both are gone, i think there will suddenly be parity in WCBB.

 

[UConnChapette]

Pat and Geno are legends. i don't care who you replace them with, when both are gone, i think there will suddenly be parity in WCBB.

I have to agree. Pat and Geno are, hands down, the top coaches ever to coach women's college basketball. They both have that "je ne sais quoi" quality that makes them unique and has allowed them to experience a remarkable level of success that may never be duplicated.

Now that he has a grand child, and seeing how rapidly Pat seems to be succumbing to the cruel effects of her disease, I have to wonder if perhaps Geno might have thoughts of retiring sooner rather than later creeping in. In my heart, I believe that the day Geno decides to leave UConn will also be the day he decides to quit coaching.

I plan on enjoying every minute of the ride while Geno is at the wheel. The road may get much rougher when a new driver takes over. I will always be a UConn fan, but winning is so much more enjoyable than losing.

 

[Icebear]

We need to find a steady supply of Stefs, Geno says it would keep him coaching for 20 years.

 

[Plumber Luigi]

My take, we don't play Tennessee in the regular season any more so personally I don't care how well they are doing. I'm not going to go out of my way to watch them when they are televised nationally nor I'm going to either rejoice at their losses or worry over their victories. This is the exact same approach I take with other top 25 programs that we don't play against in the regular season (Green Bay, Kentucky, Gonzaga, Maryland, etc). If we could end up playing them in the Tournament due to seating then I'll pay attention to them but otherwise.

That all said I did stumble upon the game Monday night as I was surfing durring another show's commercial break and ND's domination really wasn't a shocker IMO. After all, they were one of the two teams that could play up to our speed.

A cursory glance at Tennessee's record shows that this year's team isn't one of their unstoppable behemoths of years past and with Pat somewhat sidelined due to her illness, she won't be able to rally them as in years past. Right now they are likely a 3 or 4 seed and there's a fair chance they won't win the regular season or the tournament in the SEC.