Tenn-Miami -- great start!

[Phil]

I saw the 1st half last night, Tenn was clicking on all cylinders... against a quality opponent.

the fullcourt press was solid against Miami and they arent going to play against teams like the 'canes.

should be a interesting season.

I saw much of the Tennessee Pepperdine game. There were times when Pepperdine could just about play with them, but there were times when Tennessee took it up a notch, and like you say, they were clicking on all cylinders.

 

[Justavisitor]

TN returns everyone and added Ariel. They SHOULD be good, finally. It shouldn't take 3 yrs for their level of talent to gel. Interested to see what happens vs. BU and Stanford.

It didn't take 3 years to gel. They haven't had a true point guard and a mobile center the past 2 years. Players can not succeed out of position when they hit quality opponents. Good teams will expose those holes. ND exposed both TN and UConn. The previous year, they were only sophomores and Baylor dropped to a 4 seed after the BG incident. I imagine you could look at the Stanford success in the same light. They've been a senior led team the past 2 years (Golden and Appel - 2010; Pohlen and Pedersen - 2011). Even with that, they didn't win it all.

This year, not only are those TN players seniors, but they are NOT out of position. Last year, if Stanford has a true point guard, instead of Pohlen, they win it all. Pohlen was a great player, but was out of position. aTm exploited that weakness, because the reality was that across the board, Stanford was the more talented team. Stanford was also the more talented team the year Xavier choked and missed 2 wide open lay ups that would have sealed the deal.

 

[Justavisitor]

I saw much of the Tennessee Pepperdine game. There were times when Pepperdine could just about play with them, but there were times when Tennessee took it up a notch, and like you say, they were clicking on all cylinders.

During those stretches, Ariel was on the bench in foul trouble. First half, she only played 6 minutes. She will need to be available for big minutes. Last night, she hit the wall and Meighan was able to close out the game, but the reality is that the team just runs better when Ariel is on the court.

 

[AboutWeston]

well said... I totally agree

totally incredible... 9 frickin assist

I didn't see the game, but if DC says it, it is most likely correct!

 

[DaddyChoc]

I didn't see the game, but if DC says it, it is most likely correct!

smart man...

 

[UConnCat]

the fullcourt press was solid against Miami and they arent going to play against teams like the 'canes.

Disagree somewhat. I didn't think Tenn's fullcourt press was all that effective against Miami. As Kara Lawson said, most of Miami's TOs were unforced. I thought Miami got lots of open shots against the full court press. Tenn's most effective defense against Miami was its zone in the half court which forced Miami to play other than how it wants to play.

I'll watch the entire game at some point and make sure what I'm saying is accurate. I didn't think Tenn could stop Miami off the dribble but I thought zone would be effective, particularly with Tenn's size and ability to trap.

 

[cardfan]

It didn't take 3 years to gel. They haven't had a true point guard and a mobile center the past 2 years. Players can not succeed out of position when they hit quality opponents. Good teams will expose those holes. ND exposed both TN and UConn. The previous year, they were only sophomores and Baylor dropped to a 4 seed after the BG incident. I imagine you could look at the Stanford success in the same light. They've been a senior led team the past 2 years (Golden and Appel - 2010; Pohlen and Pedersen - 2011). Even with that, they didn't win it all.

This year, not only are those TN players seniors, but they are NOT out of position. Last year, if Stanford has a true point guard, instead of Pohlen, they win it all. Pohlen was a great player, but was out of position. aTm exploited that weakness, because the reality was that across the board, Stanford was the more talented team. Stanford was also the more talented team the year Xavier choked and missed 2 wide open lay ups that would have sealed the deal.

Stanford hasn't had a true point guard in years and Appel was hurt her Sr yr, but we still managed to make it to the four straight F4s while TN was home 3 of them.

 

[Ruffian75]

I am a UConn fan and don't wear tinted glasses. Tennessee looked better last night than they have since 2008. Criticism of Massengale is baffling. That kid is their first true point since Bobbitt and will end up being better once she has a few more games under her belt. . Spani was dynamite. Simmons is playing her corrtect position. This is a very good team that might actually run a structured offense by mid-season for the first time in years. They can beat anyone in the country with the possible exception of Baylor.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Disagree somewhat. I didn't think Tenn's fullcourt press was all that effective against Miami. As Kara Lawson said, most of Miami's TOs were unforced. I thought Miami got lots of open shots against the full court press. Tenn's most effective defense against Miami was its zone in the half court which forced Miami to play other than how it wants to play.

I'll watch the entire game at some point and make sure what I'm saying is accurate. I didn't think Tenn could stop Miami off the dribble but I thought zone would be effective, particularly with Tenn's size and ability to trap.

good points...

I just think that the press rattled them a lil to make it a more frantic game... but as you said a half court zone may have been more effective due to their size.

its still nice that they were able to "try it" against a quality team.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Stanford hasn't had a true point guard in years and Appel was hurt her Sr yr, but we still managed to make it to the four straight F4s while TN was home 3 of them.

and didnt win jack'

 

[UConnCat]

I just think that the press rattled them a lil to make it a more frantic game... but as you said a half court zone may have been more effective due to their size.

its still nice that they were able to "try it" against a quality team.

I think Miami prefers the more frantic game despite the fact that it sprayed the ball all over the court (at least the parts I watched). But perhaps the press wore the Miami guards down a bit which is also a possibility. Like I said, I want to sit down and watch the entire game.

 

[tnvolfan65]

Stanford hasn't had a true point guard in years and Appel was hurt her Sr yr, but we still managed to make it to the four straight F4s while TN was home 3 of them.

We still won more titles during that span than Stanford, and while yes making the final four is great, and Tennessee's lack of presence in them recently is something defining this senior class, I don't think it means one team is better than the other. We beat y'all 2 of those 3 years we were home.

 

[stwainfan]

This was type game I expected. I think Miami is good. Tennessee has more speed and athletic ability. Now a true pg to run the show. Spani has looked real good.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

I am a UConn fan and don't wear tinted glasses. Tennessee looked better last night than they have since 2008. Criticism of Massengale is baffling. That kid is their first true point since Bobbitt and will end up being better once she has a few more games under her belt. . Spani was dynamite. Simmons is playing her corrtect position. This is a very good team that might actually run a structured offense by mid-season for the first time in years. They can beat anyone in the country with the possible exception of Baylor.

To be honest, I never thought of Bobbitt as a true point guard. She was short, could pass, and could shoot when open (especially the corner three), but she was not a true playmaker from the position. She couldn't run an effective pick and roll (in part because of her size). And she struggled with bigger, quicker guards. When Duke went to Knoxville in 2007, Harding ate Bobbitt alive, so they switched her to Abby Waner, who also scored at will over and around her. TN ended up using a lineup of Hornbuckle and Spencer as the default backcourt to combat Duke's guard strength. Bobbitt had the luxury of playing with Parker, who could create for herself but also could create for others because of the amount of attention she demanded. Bobbitt also had the benefit of playing with Anosike who, in college, was a very good passer for a post player.

Massengale is a true playmaker, something Tennessee has not had for a very long time.

 

[Alydar]

Tenn certainly looked real good last night. The only thing they need to do now is beat a top team on the road. Last year they played some great games at TBA but they were a different sort on the road. They play at Stanford this year. ND would also be a good test if ND had their team healthy by then but that is unlikely.

And before we annoint the Husky freshmen we need to see how they respond at Baylor and at ND.

 

[intlzncster]

TN returns everyone and added Ariel. They SHOULD be good, finally. It shouldn't take 3 yrs for their level of talent to gel. Interested to see what happens vs. BU and Stanford.

This is true, but when you don't have a PG, it's damn tough to gel.

Ariel will be a real boon for them. Unfortunately for TN, I don't see a freshman PG leading them to a NC. Not a knock on TN, just the state of things. In March, freshman PGs rarely get it done. It really hurt both UConn and Baylor last year to be starting a freshman at the point.

 

[intlzncster]

During those stretches, Ariel was on the bench in foul trouble. First half, she only played 6 minutes. She will need to be available for big minutes. Last night, she hit the wall and Meighan was able to close out the game, but the reality is that the team just runs better when Ariel is on the court.

This remains the real problem for TN, imo. Not so much foul trouble, but that you are dealing with a freshman PG. As I said above: "Ariel will be a real boon for them. Unfortunately for TN, I don't see a freshman PG leading them to a NC. Not a knock on TN, just the state of things. In March, freshman PGs rarely get it done. It really hurt both UConn and Baylor last year to be starting a freshman at the point."

I'm trying to think of a freshman PG in the last 25 years or so that has lead a team to a NC. There must be at least one, but I can't think of any.

I've no doubt TN will win a lot of games, and be in the hunt come the NCAAs, but it will be difficult to get over the hump with a frosh at the point.

 

[pap49cba]

I'm trying to think of a freshman PG in the last 25 years or so that has lead a team to a NC. There must be at least one, but I can't think of any.

Kristi Tolliver?

 

[Jmpenn]

This remains the real problem for TN, imo. Not so much foul trouble, but that you are dealing with a freshman PG. As I said above: "Ariel will be a real boon for them. Unfortunately for TN, I don't see a freshman PG leading them to a NC. Not a knock on TN, just the state of things. In March, freshman PGs rarely get it done. It really hurt both UConn and Baylor last year to be starting a freshman at the point."

I'm trying to think of a freshman PG in the last 25 years or so that has lead a team to a NC. There must be at least one, but I can't think of any.

I've no doubt TN will win a lot of games, and be in the hunt come the NCAAs, but it will be difficult to get over the hump with a frosh at the point.

Toliver at Maryland in 2006

 

[VAMike23]

This was type game I expected. I think Miami is good. Tennessee has more speed and athletic ability. Now a true pg to run the show. Spani has looked real good.

Hey, your avatar got me thinking - what is the latest on Catch? Did she decide to get surgery on the foot in the off-season or is she going to try and just let it heal up? I seem to remember it was a pretty bad tear, so I would guess surgery once the playoffs were over, but I don't remember anything more after that.

And yes, Spani looked good - but Glory was possessed

 

[VAMike23]

Toliver at Maryland in 2006

Also, I don't know how big her scoring or minutes were, but Marion Jones for NC in '94(?).

 

[intlzncster]

Kristi Tolliver?

That's the one. Good call.

 

[VAMike23]

We still won more titles during that span than Stanford, and while yes making the final four is great, and Tennessee's lack of presence in them recently is something defining this senior class, I don't think it means one team is better than the other. We beat y'all 2 of those 3 years we were home.

I love it - a little back-and-forth between Stanford and UT fans on the Boneyard - Just gimme some popcorn

 

[intlzncster]

Toliver at Maryland in 2006

Yep good call guys. I'd also say that that particular tournament lined up for Maryland. They got the right draw, got hot at the right time, and then the right opponents lost before having to play them. I'm thinking particularly about TN and LSU. Both teams would have beat Maryland that year. MD caught lightening in a bottle.

Anyhow, it is a rare occurrence indeed.

 

[pap49cba]

If memory serves Tolliver hit a 3 at the buzzer (against Duke?) to put the game into OT and Maryland went on to win.

 

[VAMike23]

If memory serves Tolliver hit a 3 at the buzzer (against Duke?) to put the game into OT and Maryland went on to win.

Yep. That was one incredible game. She hit a falling/drifting 3-ball near the right baseline at the end of reg.

 

[stwainfan]

Hey, your avatar got me thinking - what is the latest on Catch? Did she decide to get surgery on the foot in the off-season or is she going to try and just let it heal up? I seem to remember it was a pretty bad tear, so I would guess surgery once the playoffs were over, but I don't remember anything more after that.

And yes, Spani looked good - but Glory was possessed

I haven't heard about Catchings. I hope she does the best thing for her.

 

[triaddukefan]

If memory serves Tolliver hit a 3 at the buzzer (against Duke?) to put the game into OT and Maryland went on to win.

 

[cardfan]

To be honest, I never thought of Bobbitt as a true point guard. She was short, could pass, and could shoot when open (especially the corner three), but she was not a true playmaker from the position. She couldn't run an effective pick and roll (in part because of her size). And she struggled with bigger, quicker guards. When Duke went to Knoxville in 2007, Harding ate Bobbitt alive, so they switched her to Abby Waner, who also scored at will over and around her. TN ended up using a lineup of Hornbuckle and Spencer as the default backcourt to combat Duke's guard strength. Bobbitt had the luxury of playing with Parker, who could create for herself but also could create for others because of the amount of attention she demanded. Bobbitt also had the benefit of playing with Anosike who, in college, was a very good passer for a post player.

Massengale is a true playmaker, something Tennessee has not had for a very long time.

excellent post

 

[cardfan]

We still won more titles during that span than Stanford, and while yes making the final four is great, and Tennessee's lack of presence in them recently is something defining this senior class, I don't think it means one team is better than the other. We beat y'all 2 of those 3 years we were home.

gee, I wonder why?.....