Stanford over LV

[toadfoot]

I must confess that watching UT's program descend into the toilet makes me almost giddy

BTW, is this the least-talented Stanford team in years, or is it just me?

Yep, said nearly the exact same thing in the Stanford vs Texas thread a few days ago.

 

[toadfoot]

It will be very interesting to see how UT fares against Oregon St. I'm not convinced that Oregon St. is anywhere near being a top 10 team and their best win to date is against Hofstra, which Sagarin has at #79.

 

[Bigpetunia]

Where my Margeaux at?

 

[Huskies Rule]

Tara V. is a top coach, no doubt. But I was surprised to see how poorly her team handled UT's press. Tennessee was only able to make the margin of defeat "respectable" by predictably pressing in Q4, yet Stanford wasn't ready for it. Leading by 18 with ten minutes to go, they had to know a press was coming, it was the only way UT could possibly get back in the game. But the Tree looked totally flummoxed, trapping themselves by inbounding into the corners, trying to dribble through double-teams, etc. Stanford seems to be in a down-year talent-wise, with only Thompson and McCall. Vanderveer will have her hands full finishing ahead of Oregon State and UCal in the Pac12 (and by year's end I suspect even UCLA or ASU.)

No matter, any Tennessee loss is a good loss.

 

[Gate81]

I always like to look at the number of McDonald's All American players a team has.. not a true litmus test..... but it gives an idea of the talent level. tonight Tenn 7 vs. Stanford 3 Stanford is pretty well coached..... and they seem to have taken the best from what they have learned..... I remember last year the very first game, when they beat us, they were implementing a brand new offense.... i do think Tara is a good coach..... little talent this year..... but she is doing OK .

So if Tara had 7 McD AA and Holly 3, what would have been the score?

 

[Gate81]

Tara V. is a top coach, no doubt. But I was surprised to see how poorly her team handled UT's press. Tennessee was only able to make the margin of defeat "respectable" by predictably pressing in Q4, yet Stanford wasn't ready for it. Leading by 18 with ten minutes to go, they had to know a press was coming, it was the only way UT could possibly get back in the game. But the Tree looked totally flummoxed, trapping themselves by inbounding into the corners, trying to dribble through double-teams, etc. Stanford seems to be in a down-year talent-wise, with only Thompson and McCall. Vanderveer will have her hands full finishing ahead of Oregon State and UCal in the Pac12 (and by year's end I suspect even UCLA or ASU.)

No matter, any Tennessee loss is a good loss.

Was at the game tonight, and agree with all of you who watched on TV. Would just add the following: the press and near collapse occurred mostly when Tara had to take Thompson out for a few minutes to spell her...she played nearly the whole game since the other Guard Bri Roberson had a bad night, meaning that freshman Marta Sniezek got a LOT of action. She had several of the turnovers in the game, but also some great passes -- assists and otherwise.

I was not all that impressed by Holly's defense. Seemed to me that when the going got tough, they got to hacking -- and some VERY physical fouls. Amazing no one got hurt.

Agreed on the coaching, and Diamond DeShields spent a lot of time as a vacuum cleaner (ball went in, never out). Have to say I felt sorry for her for a few seconds after she threw up an airball and the entire football team was mercilessly on her case. Something's awfully bad in TN -- strange that the chemistry could be that bad when 3 of their players played together on a club team in OR for several years (Russell, Reynolds and Nared - who shot well tonight; they played with Stanford's Kailee Johnson). Best part of being there: not having to listen to Peck. She drives me NUTS with her SEC bias and inane comments.

 

[DaddyChoc]

where is Margo...?

 

[ThisJustIn]

how about a little Maria (heh heh):
@mmcornelius I usually have to mute broadcast. @CAROLYNPECK provided great insight for @LadyVol_Hoops game. Volume up for 4 quarters!

 

[ThisJustIn]

Or a little Michelle (with a typo?): Stanford's balanced attack overwhelms uninspired Lady Vols
It was a game that was, in many ways, a shell of its former shelf.

Not just because, for the first time in the 33-year history of the annual matchup, neither Stanford nor Tennessee was ranked in the top 10.

Not because Maples Pavilion, which is historically full to the rafters and rocking when the Lady Vols come to town, was a little more than half full and sufficiently enthusiastic.

But because neither the 14th-ranked Lady Vols nor the 15th-ranked Cardinal look like obvious contenders to be in Indianapolis in April.

The two most storied programs in the history of the game, the standard-bearers in their respective conferences, are looking up at long line of teams with more talent, more potential right now.

Both still have to prove they belong in that line.

 

[pinotbear]

how about a little Maria (heh heh):
@mmcornelius I usually have to mute broadcast. @CAROLYNPECK provided great insight for @LadyVol_Hoops game. Volume up for 4 quarters!

oh, Lord, that one is beyond saving! (We knew that, of course).
I thought of any number of rude gifs I could post, but, I'm going with one of my tried-and-true favorites..

 

[TRest]

how about a little Maria (heh heh):
@mmcornelius I usually have to mute broadcast. @CAROLYNPECK provided great insight for @LadyVol_Hoops game. Volume up for 4 quarters!

Duke fans like Dicky V., too. I forced myself to watch the 4th quarter just to see the Vols lose, but man, those are two mediocre teams. For everyone who believes the women's game emphasizes fundamental basketball, why can't players make a foul shot anymore?

 

[sarals24]

The two most storied programs?? To quote Liz Lemon, what the whaaaaaat?

 

[Zorro]

The single most telling statistic; I was monitoring VolNation last night, and there was not a single complaint about the refs, in spite of the LV having about twice as many foul calls as the Tree. They are totally demoralized over yonder.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

It will be very interesting to see how UT fares against Oregon St. I'm not convinced that Oregon St. is anywhere near being a top 10 team and their best win to date is against Hofstra, which Sagarin has at #79.

Marquette gave OSU (west) a good game in Milwaukee. So they are beatable. But it is hard for me to vision OSU losing to the LV in Oregon.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

BTW, is this the least-talented Stanford team in years, or is it just me?

They pretty much know what they want to do, but don't execute terribly well, with flashes of excellence. Not tight. They set screens too far away to accomplish anything, for example.

 

[hardcorehusky]

To me the biggest surprise was that Maples was half full. Tennessee has had documented problems and do not appear to have the chemistry or coaching to put things together. This years Cardinal appears to be less talented than previous teams and I still think Tara gets them to Sweet 16. However, the lack of buzz around this game is an eye opener for two of the long standing programs in women's basketball. I don't think these 2 will fall like ODU or La Tech, it is apparent that Notre Dame and Baylor have surpassed them over an extended period of time and the gap is widening.

 

[Icebear]

I find her excuses for Tinnisee's shortcomings on both the offinsive and definsive inds if the court to be a manifistation of her baskitball acumin.

Youins is a dialectable response, Kib.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I find her excuses for Tinnisee's shortcomings on both the offinsive and definsive inds if the court to be a manifistation of her baskitball acumin.

I knew it was only a matter of time before the grammar thing caused Kib to melt down!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

To me the biggest surprise was that Maples was half full. Tennessee has had documented problems and do not appear to have the chemistry or coaching to put things together. This years Cardinal appears to be less talented than previous teams and I still think Tara gets them to Sweet 16. However, the lack of buzz around this game is an eye opener for two of the long standing programs in women's basketball. I don't think these 2 will fall like ODU or La Tech, it is apparent that Notre Dame and Baylor have surpassed them over an extended period of time and the gap is widening.

Half full is being generous. I was shocked at the empty seats.

 

[Papa33]

Or a little Michelle (with a typo?): Stanford's balanced attack overwhelms uninspired Lady Vols
It was a game that was, in many ways, a shell of its former shelf.

Not just because, for the first time in the 33-year history of the annual matchup, neither Stanford nor Tennessee was ranked in the top 10.
. . . .
Both still have to prove they belong in that line.

Not sure where Michelle saw the "balanced attack." Two players took over half of Stanford's shots; 0nly 10 assists on 24 made shots. Also not seeing evidence of Tara's fabled coaching: although Stanford passed and moved better than UT (faint praise); most made shots came from dribbling guards; and 20 turnovers (only 4 less than baskets!). End result was a game not enjoyable to watch. Like Tony C, I prefer to see UConn-level execution, even if the result is lop-sided. I don't mean to sneer at other teams' failure to reach that level, but it is painful viewing.

 

[LadyVols9]

my observations:

1. Mercedes has to be more aggressive and stop playing at the 3 point line. I just can't take that anymore. If I see her pass the ball at the 3 point line, one more time my head is going to explode.
2. Diamond is clearly still hurt. She's nowhere near 100%.
3. Nared was REALLY missed and I expect her to be a VITAL part of any upward trend by this team.
4. Our upperclassman are just not cut out for being vocal leaders. Bash and Carter are amazing but shy away from leading THEIR team. The youngins are waiting on the veterans to step up and lead. Just don't see that happening.
5. I do think the team has a chance to turn the corner if injured players can come back and really contribute. We are so beat up. That's the reality. And we are leaning on underclassman to play more minutes than they are ready for.

 

[meyers7]

how about a little Maria (heh heh):
@mmcornelius I usually have to mute broadcast. @CAROLYNPECK provided great insight for @LadyVol_Hoops game. Volume up for 4 quarters!

That's ...

Hilarious.

 

[Kibitzer]

I knew it was only a matter of time before the grammar thing caused Kib to melt down!

In deference to Carolyn Peck: grammar thang.

 

[meyers7]

Didn't get to see much of the game last night, was watching the WNT. But I caught a little of it. Man, TN's offense really did look bad. I'd heard it wasn't good, but wow. My wife, who doesn't really watch WBB other than an occasional UCONN game, asked "why does it look so slow?, are they playing in slo-motion?" Spoiled by UCONN.

 

[WestCoastFan]

It will be very interesting to see how UT fares against Oregon St. I'm not convinced that Oregon St. is anywhere near being a top 10 team and their best win to date is against Hofstra, which Sagarin has at #79.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure we'll get a better reading about the Beavers after they play TU.