Now Is It Time to Start the Tennessee Strategizing Thread? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Now Is It Time to Start the Tennessee Strategizing Thread?

Or maybe a lot of people just don't see this game as being any kind of extension of the Old UConn Tenn Rivalry. That era is gone. Could it be the start of something new? Eh maybe. But other than it's UConn playing another top 25 team (per the pollsters) It's just not the thing it was. (and the other reasons stated in previous post)
 
JoePgh said:
I think UConn's main challenge against TN will be to clear the boards against the LV's height, but that hasn't been a big problem for UConn so far this year (even against Baylor), so I think they will figure it out. I don't think TN has a chance to win unless they can get a ton of second-chance points.
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Baylor chose to focus on dropping back on defense instead of going for offensive boards. It effectively eliminated UConn's transition game and was IMO a big factor in the outcome. Tenn has historically used offensive rebounding to score. If they try that and UConn can get the defensive rebounds the Huskies will have a lot of transition opportunities.
 
DefenseBB said:
NO evidence points to this team being really good or even just good.
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Tennessee’s main hope for a victory is using their height to neutralize Liv. Meg, Crystal and Anna could counter that with a deluge of threes, forcing Tennessee to defend the perimeter (if we make most of the shots). Put Kyla, Molly and Christyn as contributors in that mix. With her height, Anna might have an advantage shooting threes over lengthy Tennessee defenders. Crystal’s ability to hit from super long range will either help to overcome height advantage or draw defenders even further from basket, opening lanes. Meg is...well, Meg. No problem.
 
Hopefully this was done by plan and is repeatable, but UConn started their offense much closer to the basket against Tulsa than in the past 3 games. Particularly against Baylor, seemed like most of the motion offense started well beyond the 3 point line. Makes passes more difficult, cuts to basket harder to see, etc. Getting the bigger TN team to move while they are on defense likely something Geno focusing on (as he does most games).
 
Can't compete with all the coaching strategy here. With that I will look at the marketing folks promoting a white out strategy to assist the home crowd dominance. I have gone here in the past to only be ridiculed because the home team is in white. I have followed the game for decades and get that.

It works if they are giving out white shirts to every seat holder.


Not so much if not. I would love a "blue out" for several reasons. First again I realize the five on the floor are in white but 13, 14 thousand fans in blue would off set that very well. Second, I own more garb than should be allowed, shirts, sweats, hoodies, jackets, hats, scarfs, gloves, even pajamas. This happens when you don't need more tools at Christmas, all but a tee shirt are gray or blue.
I see very few fans in anything white at any games, I see very few things offered in white even at the coop. What I do see at the XL Center is a sea of blue even when empty, all the seats and even much of the concrete painted in UConn royal flag blue.
Match the surroundings of our dominant color makes sense to me for a more successful color out.
 
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oldude said:
Capacity for the XL Center is 16,000+. The crowd is generally older, and don’t necessarily support weeknight games like they once did. If this were a Sunday afternoon game I would definitely expect a sellout.
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Thirteen years older than the last time Tennessee went to Hartford, which is a lot considering that it wasn't exactly a youthful crowd in 2007.
 
For those interested, halftime of Tennessee vs Alabama:
Tenn 24 Alabama 17
Tenn shooting 9-26 and 2-10 from three; 11 turnovers, and out-rebounding Alabama 29-18
Oh, and Alabama shooting 7-33.
 
oldude said:
Capacity for the XL Center is 16,000+. The crowd is generally older, and don’t necessarily support weeknight games like they once did. If this were a Sunday afternoon game I would definitely expect a sellout.
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OMG if I lived anywhere near CT I'd be there. C'mon peeps - fill that place up!! Hey, it's an EARLY evening game - and TN is ranked. (Well, #23) Think how much fun it will be - the chance to hopefully witness our team lay a major butt-kicking on the Voles!

ESPN2 (Rebecca & Andy) are promoting our game now at halftime of the SC-Miss State game. Highlights from past big UConn-TN games. Then highlights from this year's UConn team, but only stats from this year's TN team. Seems like a long (4-5 minute) promo.

Get your ticket!!!!
 
TN just won at the buzzer.

Ugly game vs AL & under 50 combined points at the half.

TN is TALL, I think 6 roster players over 6'3". Liv will have her hands full with TN.

They block well - maybe 13 for the game, but not particularly fluid, although could be AL had something to do with that.
 
Plebe said:
Thirteen years older than the last time Tennessee went to Hartford, which is a lot considering that it wasn't exactly a youthful crowd in 2007.
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And a few more NC banners in those 13 years.
 
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UConn should be able to beat Tenn easily by double digits at home. If not, there is something wrong. The game plan is pretty straight-forward. Run Tenn bigs into the ground. so, expect to see a lot of pressing and quicker shots. If UConn gets stuck in a slow, half-court game, then there could be a big upset.
 
Tennessee is long and athletic and is playing much harder under their new coach..............if any combination of Davis, Burrell, Massengill or Horston are hitting their threes UConn is in for a very tough game...............if not it could get ugly..............
 
I say we need to face guard their best player.....I’m really looking forward to Thursday and say keep the movement going !
 
Zorro said:
Personally, I think our strategy should be to pounce on them like a duck on a bug!
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Agree with your plan of attack Zorro, but that would be something for the Oregon Ducks who we will see soon enough. :)
Maybe a little Vic Schaefer would be similar but more UConn direct.
“They’re like piranhas on a roast,” Schaefer said. “When they go in transition, you can’t get the bone out of the water fast enough.” ;)
 
Tennessee’s Length should help UConn prepare for Oregon, though the biggest problem with the Ducks is only 5’ 11”.
 
Don't give up 30ft 3 point shots at the end of game. That shot was so high, maybe we should lower the ceiling a bit but I suppose that may interfere with some of Crystal's rainmakers ;)
 
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Charliebball said:
Tennessee is long and athletic and is playing much harder under their new coach..............
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Absolutely agree
but as for other discussion above

They don't rebound in any special manner considering their size. I wouldn't worry too much about being O-rebounded to death. They're not Baylor (present) or old Baylor, or older Baylor

Their .335 3-point average is not going to put the fear of god into anyone.

Their backcourt may be vulnerable to the press.

Kellie may be using this game to acquaint her players with what the next level looks like in terms of coherence and execution...Clever woman that; even if its a beatdown in our favor, they'll come away a better team.
 
msf22b said:
Absolutely agree
but as for other discussion above

They don't rebound in any special manner considering their size. I wouldn't worry too much about being O-rebounded to death. They're not Baylor (present) or old Baylor, or older Baylor

Their .335 3-point average is not going to put the fear of god into anyone.

Their backcourt may be vulnerable to the press.

Kellie may be using this game to acquaint her players with what the next level looks like in terms of coherence and execution...Clever woman that; even if its a beatdown in our favor, they'll come away a better team.
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according to the broadcasters last night during the Tenn - Alabama game they are one of the top offensive rebounding teams in the country and they get over 40% of their points off of second chances..............a streaky shooting team and still turnover prone but certainly capable of competing at a high level if on their game........
 
Woof 101 said:
Agree with your plan of attack Zorro, but that would be something for the Oregon Ducks who we will see soon enough. :)
Maybe a little Vic Schaefer would be similar but more UConn direct.
“They’re like piranhas on a roast,” Schaefer said. “When they go in transition, you can’t get the bone out of the water fast enough.” ;)
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"Piranhas on a roast". Yes indeed, a much better simile!! Ferocious defense, with a lot of pressing. Don't give them a chance to get the bone out of the water. The offense will take care of itself.
 
Stop worrying. I watched them play last nite and Im not worried. We win by over 20 if we're not hot. Tenn had problems scoring last nite. The announcers said it was defense. They were at one point in the game 1-10 shooting against Alabama????? Alabama is not a great team. Tenn hit a 30 ft desperation off balance shot to win the game at the buzzer.

Some of you are concerned about Tenn height. Why? Height doesnt win games. Tenn's height is not a factor in scoring only in shot blocking. We're gonna win this game by 20+.
 
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Hopefully Geno will unleash our secret weapons - Kyla & Molly. will be dropping in from all over so quickly the Lady Vols heads will be spinning!!
 
Watched the TN Alabama replay and had the following thoughts:
-TN lucky to win. Alabama should have been awarded the out of bounds ball near end of the game. My replay clearly had the ball off the 2nd TN defender. Alabama also horrid on foul shooting early in game.
-TN plays deliberate. Should be low scoring. Goes inside a lot and does not focus on 3's.
-TN great using their height by keeping hands straight up on blocks. ONO hopefully watched tape and learned.
-Hate to say anything too positive about TN but think their coach doing a fine job. Kelly is a positive motivator, fiery when she needs to be, and calm when the situation calls for. Kudos for her recruiting - likely will see TN as a top team for many years in future.
-If UConn hits their 3's, predict UConn will win by 15+. Takes TN time to set up on defense and likely Megan, Crystal, and Williams (plus Anna) will get multiple opportunities.
 
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msf22b said:
no comprendo
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I would not write off the Vols three point shooting. We have a knack for turning kids that normally don't shoot 3s (well) into KML or Lou when they play against us.
 
I have a question it’s kind of off topic. Which UConn team do you think was the strongest from 2013-2016. IMO I think it was 2014-2015 season
 
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