Serious question for LVol fans...

[EricLA]

... or anyone who really follows their program... I realize Tennessee played an easier schedule last year (only 1 top 10 game vs. Baylor which they lost) but they only lost 2 games the entire year heading into the NCAA's and with ND's loss in the elite (the only other top 10 team they played) that was their 3rd loss.

now this year they already have more losses than they had all of last year, INCLUDING the NCAA's. safe to say they probably won't win it all this year which puts them at 5 losses, and potentially a loss upcoming to ND could be 6.

what has happened? Sure Tennessee lost Bjorkland, Cain and Brewer, but Cain was often injured and Brewer never really ever 100%. with a 90%'ish healthy Baugh, a plethora of seniors, everyone a year better, a true PG and a freshman class they praised highly, i think it was totally fair to rank them #2 or at the lowest, 3 at the start of the year.

is it that they are just playing a harder schedule (3 top 10 teams so far vs. 1 all of last year)? is it the players that they lost really hit them harder than anyone thought, even tho Cain and Brewer were only #6 and 10 on the team in scoring? or is it that while Pat was still in control last year, she's really given up the reigns this year?

i fully get that Warlick, Demoss and Lockwood are great assistants and very competent, but maybe it's asking too much for them to coach by committee and grow and progress the players while acclimating the new kids.

i'm not looking to dump on Tennessee, but for a fan base who thought they were a lock for the final 4, and a NC contender, so far they are substantially worse (by their lofty standards) than they were last year.

 

[tennfanatic00]

A lot of people talk about mental toughness. This team sleepwalked through the first half and inexplicably was gassed after the first seven minutes of the game!

This senior class has not once shown that they can compete with the elite teams in the game. Well, away from home that is. They can beat anyone when they are at home, but they lose focus when they go on the road.

We were supposed to have all the pieces this year. I don't fully understand why this team hasn't "gotten it", but it seems they never will. Glory Johnson and Vicki Baugh played their hearts out tonight and left it all on the floor. Not sure if we can say that about anyone else.

The focus has been to improve the defense and board play which looks great againt Peter Paul and Mary university, but when we play the big dogs, we are exposed. Our offense will get a major boost when taber comes back. It will really help to free up the post a bit. Whatever slump Strickland is in, she had better get out of it quickly. We need her to be much better than she is right now.

Honestly, this team is still a threat to make a final four...unless we get Baylor in our region. I think we can beat anyone else in the country when we play focused and smart basketball.

 

[JoePgh]

I think the unresolved coaching situation really is a problem. Moreover, I think it affects recruiting as much as it does the current team's play. I will be surprised if they get any more Top-10 recruits to commit until a new head coach is named. Why would any top recruit want to walk into such an uncertain situation that is bound to change drastically during her college career?

I think that if Pat were still her old self, at least two of their losses this year would not have occurred.

 

[alexrgct]

Eric, I posted something in the game thread that I'll basically repeat here with a little variation.

I don't think the LVs are MUCH worse this season than they were last. But they definitely aren't better, and I think they may be somewhat worse.

Last season's LV team was dramatically overvalued because the SEC was simply a lousy conference. After dropping a game to Georgetown (who we certainly know was a bitch to play last year) and losing in Waco, they sailed through conference play (other than a very tightly-contested affair in Lexington). And then came the spin about why they'd improved by way of over-explaining a phenomenon that would have been explained more accurately and succinctly by saying the SEC sucked. So then they go into the NCAAs, and after winning the first round game easily, they struggled mightily against a middling Marquette team at home, looked bad at times against a decent but not very good Ohio State team in Dayton, and then finally fell to a battle-tested Notre Dame squad.

This season, Tennessee has played one hell of a schedule, and that one hell of a schedule extends into the new year. Not only do they have to play ND in South Bend (a game they have very little chance of winning failing an anomolously great outside shooting performance), but there are a couple of other SEC teams that are improved over last season. I don't know that they'll drop another conference game, but it wouldn't be a shocker, certainly.

So yes, a big part of it is the schedule. But it's not the only issue. Some other concerns:

• They can't seem to stay healthy, which means you lose the production from sidelined players AND you lose the opportunity to improve your continuity and chemistry.
• They have a very erratic and young backcourt. It was never fair to expect Massengale to be the savior, and a lot of us were saying that before the season started. Meanwhile, the upheaval seems to have impeded Simmons's progression, or at least have been a factor as far why she doesn't seem to have improved over last year.
• Pat in her heyday was someone who was very, very involved and held everyone accountable. She was a hell of a coach, and was very adept at getting her teams through tough times and having them play their best ball when it counted. Of her eight NCs, only one was a real juggernaut team. The rest lost two or more games. And her championship teams aren't the only examples; even though the LVs fell in the finals in 2004, I though Pat did well just to get that particular team to that point. This team needs some vintage Pat right now, but I don't think that's a possibility.

By the way, although I enjoy a Tennessee loss as much as the next man, that last point is sobering for me. As much as Pat angered me by discontinuing the series with UConn (which I thought was bad for the sport and thus irresponsible), she's a treasure. It makes me sad not to have that presence on the sidelines that she used to provide. Having said that, I truly hope she's continuing to enjoy coaching.

 

[speedoo]

A lot of people talk about mental toughness. This team sleepwalked through the first half and inexplicably was gassed after the first seven minutes of the game!

This senior class has not once shown that they can compete with the elite teams in the game. Well, away from home that is. They can beat anyone when they are at home, but they lose focus when they go on the road.

We were supposed to have all the pieces this year. I don't fully understand why this team hasn't "gotten it", but it seems they never will. Glory Johnson and Vicki Baugh played their hearts out tonight and left it all on the floor. Not sure if we can say that about anyone else.

The focus has been to improve the defense and board play which looks great againt Peter Paul and Mary university, but when we play the big dogs, we are exposed. Our offense will get a major boost when taber comes back. It will really help to free up the post a bit. Whatever slump Strickland is in, she had better get out of it quickly. We need her to be much better than she is right now.

Honestly, this team is still a threat to make a final four...unless we get Baylor in our region. I think we can beat anyone else in the country when we play focused and smart basketball.

I see a contradiction in the two highlighted comments. If they can't compete with elite teams away from home, what makes you think they can beat ND, UConn or Stanford on a neutral court?

 

[MilfordHusky]

I agree with speedoo about the seeming contradiction. I cannot see the LVs beating any of the top 4 on a neutral court. They look like an Elite 8 team. If the don't lose in the round of 8, I think an earlier loss is more likely than a later loss.

 

[cferraro04]

I think Bjorklund's contribution to TN has been understated. There were a lot of games where Bjorklund had a tremendous 2nd half...put the team on her shoulders, got everyone going and TN pulled out wins when they were behind at the half. The benching of Bjorklund in the NCAAs last year was a mistake... I think she is missed by this team.

 

[tennfanatic00]

I see a contradiction in the two highlighted comments. If they can't compete with elite teams away from home, what makes you think they can beat ND, UConn or Stanford on a neutral court?

Th problem is that they are not playing focused and smart basketball away from home.

It isn't a contradiction. When they play focused and intense, they compete...it just seems that the only place they can do that is at home. If they can figure it out and have that same effort on the road, they can beat anybody.

It's been stated even here many a time that we have the talent to compete with anybody. This team just doesn't have that killer instinct that you need to put teams away on the road.

 

[tennfanatic00]

I see a contradiction in the two highlighted comments. If they can't compete with elite teams away from home, what makes you think they can beat ND, UConn or Stanford on a neutral court?

To address your question even more directly, the way they played and have been playing on the road, they cannot beat anyone in the top four on a neutral site. My comment was that if we maintained the same focus and intensity on the road that we have at home, we could compete and beat just about anybody except Baylor.

 

[speedoo]

I think Bjorklund's contribution to TN has been understated. There were a lot of games where Bjorklund had a tremendous 2nd half...put the team on her shoulders, got everyone going and TN pulled out wins when they were behind at the half. The benching of Bjorklund in the NCAAs last year was a mistake... I think she is missed by this team.

I agree completely. I think Summitt's incessant criticism of Angie, which included public humiliation, was completely unwarranted. They also miss Angie's perimeter defense, which was superior to anyone else they have.

 

[speedoo]

To address your question even more directly, the way they played and have been playing on the road, they cannot beat anyone in the top four on a neutral site. My comment was that if we maintained the same focus and intensity on the road that we have at home, we could compete and beat just about anybody except Baylor.

OK, I understand your point, and I certainly agree that they have played better at home. But to think this group of seniors, after 4 years can somehow gain focus and intensity to play better on the road is just wishful thinking.

 

[Icebear]

Eric, I posted something in the game thread that I'll basically repeat here with a little variation.

I don't think the LVs are MUCH worse this season than they were last. But they definitely aren't better, and I think they may be somewhat worse.

Last season's LV team was dramatically overvalued because the SEC was simply a lousy conference. After dropping a game to Georgetown (who we certainly know was a bitch to play last year) and losing in Waco, they sailed through conference play (other than a very tightly-contested affair in Lexington). And then came the spin about why they'd improved by way of over-explaining a phenomenon that would have been explained more accurately and succinctly by saying the SEC sucked. So then they go into the NCAAs, and after winning the first round game easily, they struggled mightily against a middling Marquette team at home, looked bad at times against a decent but not very good Ohio State team in Dayton, and then finally fell to a battle-tested Notre Dame squad.

This season, Tennessee has played one hell of a schedule, and that one hell of a schedule extends into the new year. Not only do they have to play ND in South Bend (a game they have very little chance of winning failing an anomolously great outside shooting performance), but there are a couple of other SEC teams that are improved over last season. I don't know that they'll drop another conference game, but it wouldn't be a shocker, certainly.

So yes, a big part of it is the schedule. But it's not the only issue. Some other concerns:

• They can't seem to stay healthy, which means you lose the production from sidelined players AND you lose the opportunity to improve your continuity and chemistry.
• They have a very erratic and young backcourt. It was never fair to expect Massengale to be the savior, and a lot of us were saying that before the season started. Meanwhile, the upheaval seems to have impeded Simmons's progression, or at least have been a factor as far why she doesn't seem to have improved over last year.
• Pat in her heyday was someone who was very, very involved and held everyone accountable. She was a hell of a coach, and was very adept at getting her teams through tough times and having them play their best ball when it counted. Of her eight NCs, only one was a real juggernaut team. The rest lost two or more games. And her championship teams aren't the only examples; even though the LVs fell in the finals in 2004, I though Pat did well just to get that particular team to that point. This team needs some vintage Pat right now, but I don't think that's a possibility.

By the way, although I enjoy a Tennessee loss as much as the next man, that last point is sobering for me. As much as Pat angered me by discontinuing the series with UConn (which I thought was bad for the sport and thus irresponsible), she's a treasure. It makes me sad not to have that presence on the sidelines that she used to provide. Having said that, I truly hope she's continuing to enjoy coaching.

Great post, Alex.

 

[Phil]

Great post, Alex.

So would it kill you to press the "like" button

 

[Kibitzer]

Someone suggested that Pat may have "given up the reigns" this year. Was that a common grammatical error or a sneaky double-entendre?

 

[Ruffian75]

I think Bjorklund's contribution to TN has been understated. There were a lot of games where Bjorklund had a tremendous 2nd half...put the team on her shoulders, got everyone going and TN pulled out wins when they were behind at the half. The benching of Bjorklund in the NCAAs last year was a mistake... I think she is missed by this team.

Last year I was shocked with AB's treatment toward the end of the season and into the NCAA. Their best player for three years had been relegated to the bench.

This year Tennessee has one major problem...a coaching staff with no leader. Pat is pretty much a figurehead at his point. She seems to have very little impact on the team. Another glaring problem I see was exposed last night....a lack of conditioning. Whose fault is that?

 

[Icebear]

So would it kill you to press the "like" button

I frequently do. Just thought this post was worth more. Sometimes they don't seem to register from my iPhone.

 

[Tonyc]

Alot of right on points. Lack of focus, lack of intensity, coaching by committee. Let me add executing offensive plays, perimiter defense and having the entire team on the same page. I have been posting about lack of a point guard since this class came in. Now TN has a pg and this is her first season. She is talented and needs time to develop at the college level. TN on paper is a very strong and talented team. On the floor theyre all over the place. To many times that Ive watched them some of them go through the motions. Those players should be benched and disipline on the team should take priority. You can no longer out talent teams and win againest the top teams. All the top teams have talented players. You cant win by crashing the boards because your bigger, because all the elite teams have bigger players. If comes down to disiplined defense and executing on offense. The lack of consistentcy while on the court has hurt the LVs againest top teams. They can get away with it againest lesser quality teams but againest the best they cant. That is the reason why at times againest lesser teams the LVs struggle. Everybody needs to be on the same page and if theyre not then bench them and bring in somebody who will leave their heart on the floor. Yes TN needs a coach and they needed one last season when Pat was ill. I dont know what they are waiting for. IMO theyve already waited to long.

 

[Phil]

Another glaring problem I see was exposed last night....a lack of conditioning. Whose fault is that?

I didn't see the game, but I heard that from TN fans. Not something I would have predicted, so I wonder what's up with that. And it isn't like they have a short bench and need to play starters, they had only two players with over 30 minutes.

 

[EricLA]

I didn't see the game, but I heard that from TN fans. Not something I would have predicted, so I wonder what's up with that. And it isn't like they have a short bench and need to play starters, they had only two players with over 30 minutes.

kind of makes you wonder, if that's the case, what the seniors were doing over the summer. did a lot of the kids stay on campus for the summer? if so, i wonder why they weren't all working out every day.

 

[tennfanatic00]

One more point to make...Pressure.

Both mental and physical pressure are kryptonite to this group of seniors. When the game gets tight, they get a deer in the headlights look about them. Suddenly, they cannot excecute offensive sets, get lost on defense, and forget to box out. This has gotten slightly better this season, but this team has a ways to go to compete at the top level.

Also, if you watched the game last night, or if you are at all familiar with KY's style, you know the game was extremely physical. The Cats bite scratch and claw their way through a game. The officials didn't call a lot of that last night and the LVs did not adjust. If the game gets called like that again in Knoxville, I would expect a similar outcome. Both Stricklen and Simmons don't play well with a lot of contact and get easily rattled.

Mental toughness would be great, but what I'd love to see is composure. Don't lose your mind when things get tight. That should be when you, as an elite athlete, are at your best. This about sums up the senior class for me. I love them, but they are absolutely infuriating to watch sometimes.

 

[HuskyNan]

Also, if you watched the game last night, or if you are at all familiar with KY's style, you know the game was extremely physical. The Cats bite scratch and claw their way through a game. The officials didn't call a lot of that last night and the LVs did not adjust. If the game gets called like that again in Knoxville, I would expect a similar outcome. Both Stricklen and Simmons don't play well with a lot of contact and get easily rattled.

Mental toughness would be great, but what I'd love to see is composure. Don't lose your mind when things get tight. That should be when you, as an elite athlete, are at your best. This about sums up the senior class for me. I love them, but they are absolutely infuriating to watch sometimes.

If physical play is an issue, the Notre Dame game could be problematic for the LVs. Geno joked last year about all the scratch marks on his players arms after one of the ND games and after seeing this year's UConn-ND tilt, I would say that the Irish's physical presence hasn't diminished at all.

 

[tennfanatic00]

If physical play is an issue, the Notre Dame game could be problematic for the LVs. Geno joked last year about all the scratch marks on his players arms after one of the ND games and after seeing this year's UConn-ND tilt, I would say that the Irish's physical presence hasn't diminished at all.

That was the exact problem last year when we faced ND in the Elite 8. Angie also did not respond well to physical play. Kentucky and ND play a very similar style (that's what made ND vs KY so entertaining to watch). Kentucky will be a tough out for anyone if the refs call the game the way it was called last night. If the whistle blows on every foul, then the wildcats can be beaten by a lot of teams.

 

[trb123]

So who has the better shot at a #2 seed this year - TN or KY?

 

[EricLA]

thanks for all the replies tennfanatic. i know it can be practically impossible to be objective just after a tough loss you probably feel should have gone the other way. and i loved your comments about adjusting to the game. i bet some tennessee fans are blaming the refs for the loss, just as some UCONN fans did against ND. but bottom line, Tenn had a 3 point lead with under 2 minutes, just like UCONN had a 4 point lead with about the same time left vs. ND, and neither team pulled it out. much as i root against Tennessee, i'm betting you guys win by 10 in Knoxville... and i feel the same way about this UCONN team vs. ND in February...

btw to answer trb's question, if it were me, i'd give kentucky a 2 seed at this point along with MD, Duke, and then it would be really close between RU, Tenn and Miami. probably give the nod to tennessee since they beat the other two.

but by the end of the year, i'm betting tennessee has a loss to ND, but after that, i could seriously see them losing to no one else and winning the SEC. in that case, i'd probably give the 2 seed to both Tenn and KY, but it would depend how KY does the rest of the year (ie. lose to Georgia or Vandy or someone else)...

 

[Kevin G]

That was the exact problem last year when we faced ND in the Elite 8. Angie also did not respond well to physical play. Kentucky and ND play a very similar style (that's what made ND vs KY so entertaining to watch). Kentucky will be a tough out for anyone if the refs call the game the way it was called last night. If the whistle blows on every foul, then the wildcats can be beaten by a lot of teams.

I think ND will have trouble with Tenn's height and rebounding capability. ND is not a very big team outside Peters. Baugh, Johnson, and even Stricklen can take advantage.