Tenn vs Alabama (what I saw)

[DaddyChoc]

they played better without Diamond in the game.

Announcers were proudly promoting the SEC and they also mentioned the South Carolina/UConn a few times... they can't wait for the showdown!

 

[CocoHusky]

They played better without Diamond in the game.

Announcers were proudly promoting the SEC and they also mentioned the South Carolina/UConn a few times... they can't wait for the showdown!

You think!
Diamonds shooting numbers in the last 6 games:
Arkansas 6 of 16
ND 7 of 13
Vandy 4 of 12
KY 5 of 15
MSU 1 of 4
AL 1 of 10
34% and TN is 2 and 4 in this stretch. If DD gets even 1 3rd team AA vote I will protest vigorously!

 

[UcMiami]

they played better without Diamond in the game.

Announcers were proudly promoting the SEC and they also mentioned the South Carolina/UConn a few times... they can't wait for the showdown!

So did Alabama play zone or man to man? An inquiring mind wants to know.
And yes - this year is not being kind to Diamond.

 

[Kaizen]

You think!
Diamonds shooting numbers in the last 6 games:
Arkansas 6 of 16
ND 7 of 13
Vandy 4 of 12
KY 5 of 15
MSU 1 of 4
AL 1 of 10
34% and TN is 2 and 4 in this stretch. If DD gets even 1 3rd team AA vote I will protest vigorously!

And, in 18 mins she had 6 TOs.........no wonder they call her Ms. TO

 

[UcMiami]

You think!
Diamonds shooting numbers in the last 6 games:
Arkansas 6 of 16
ND 7 of 13
Vandy 4 of 12
KY 5 of 15
MSU 1 of 4
AL 1 of 10
34% and TN is 2 and 4 in this stretch. If DD gets even 1 3rd team AA vote I will protest vigorously!

You miss the most glaring stats:
1-7, 1-4, 4-4, 2-8, 1-3, 3-6 = 12 assists and 32 turnovers in the same six games for a simply stunning 0.375 A/TO ratio. Only one game with fewer than 4 turnovers and only one game in which she managed a one to one assist turnover stat line.

Absolutely agree that her being on any post season list at this point would be a joke. The surprising thing is that she is actually playing almost exactly the same game she played in her freshman year - I posted this on VolNation because posters were constantly questioning why her play was nothing like she did at UNC (compiled before the Alabama game):
UNC scored 78.8 points per game vs. TN's current 65.8 so offensively they were much more explosive and they shot .444, not great but certainly better than TN's .413

But UNC was also giving up 65.5 ppg vs. TN's current 58.9 and UNC did not play as tough a schedule, not bad but not great.

So UNC played higher scoring games which has an effect on individual scoring and assist numbers but they also gave up more points. And they ended the year with a regular season 22-8 inflated by playing a few more cupcakes than TN. So not that great a team, with a 5-2 post season record. TN is currently 12-8 and likely have some more losses coming so not as successful, but not out of the same league, especially given the schedule differences.

Diamond was a big part of the team and her gaudy 18 point per game average looks nice - but her:
Percentage of team points: TN 22%, UNC 22%
Percentage of shots taken: TN 23%, UNC 24%
Points per shot: TN 1.0, UNC 1.1
Assist per game: TN 2.4, UNC 2.5
Turnovers per game: TN 3.7, UNC 3.4
Rebounds per game: TN 5.0, UNC 5.4
Steals per game: TN 1.9, UNC 1.7
Blocks per game: TN 1.0, UNC 0.3
Fouls per game: TN 2.6, UNC 2.4
Minutes per game: TN 26.9, UNC 27.9
Shooting percentages: TN .402/.241/.778, UNC .426/.279/.776

That to me is an amazingly consistent picture between the two years. Given different competition and different teammates the variation in numbers is meaningless - Diamond is statistically the exact same player providing the same percentage of offense, and the same kind of production in teams that are a bit different in character, but generating fairly similar results.

 

[BRS24]

For a player touted as the next best coming out of HS, it is stunning as to DD's play of late. She had a year to just train and get to know the team, but was hobbled by injuries at the beginning of the season, and the team chemistry is bad. Her timing is off, bad passes, missed shots, and body language and facial expressions don't say "I love this game".

 

[CocoHusky]

You miss the most glaring stats:
1-7, 1-4, 4-4, 2-8, 1-3, 3-6 = 12 assists and 32 turnovers in the same six games for a simply stunning 0.375 A/TO ratio. Only one game with fewer than 4 turnovers and only one game in which she managed a one to one assist turnover stat line.

Absolutely agree that her being on any post season list at this point would be a joke. The surprising thing is that she is actually playing almost exactly the same game she played in her freshman year - I posted this on VolNation because posters were constantly questioning why her play was nothing like she did at UNC (compiled before the Alabama game):

I think it was Nan who opined that Holly should be sued for coaching malpractice and I agree. DD has attempted 100 more shots than the next Lady Vol player despite shooting 39%. Here is the real criminal part FRESHMEN Cooper shooting a whopping 35% on the season has more shot attempts than Graves (59%) and Russell (56%). COME ON HOLLY, that is not even advance stats it is just plain common sense!

 

[RockyMTblue2]

If DD gets even 1 3rd team AA vote I will protest vigorously!

A travesty - those watch lists! Oy veh.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Cooper played well against Alabama as did Russell... I didn't even see Diamond, I was wondering if she was in the locker room as the game was being played

 

[cabbie191]

You miss the most glaring stats:
1-7, 1-4, 4-4, 2-8, 1-3, 3-6 = 12 assists and 32 turnovers in the same six games for a simply stunning 0.375 A/TO ratio. Only one game with fewer than 4 turnovers and only one game in which she managed a one to one assist turnover stat line.

Absolutely agree that her being on any post season list at this point would be a joke. The surprising thing is that she is actually playing almost exactly the same game she played in her freshman year - I posted this on VolNation because posters were constantly questioning why her play was nothing like she did at UNC (compiled before the Alabama game):

I read your post on VN and thought it was great. And as I recall, VolNation posters didn't skewer you for it.

Somewhat connected: yesterday's solid win over Alabama has not appeased VolNation posters one bit when it comes to their negative feelings regarding DeShields and Warlick. They are agreeing with DaddyChoc that the team was better off with DeShields on the bench.

The other thing they saw was an improved offensive flow with Graves out (foot injury suffered during practice) and playing only one big. No credit to Warlick on this - hoping she'll see the results and adjust her game plans accordingly, but not very hopeful.

 

[sivad40]

So did Alabama play zone or man to man? An inquiring mind wants to know.
And yes - this year is not being kind to Diamond.

They played zone. I have noticed some Vol fans have already turned against on Diamond and others are blaming her shooting woes on injuries and getting use to new teammates. I didn't see the plus/minus stats for the game. but Tennessee has to be in the negatives when she is in the game.

 

[toadfoot]

Cooper played well against Alabama as did Russell... I didn't even see Diamond, I was wondering if she was in the locker room as the game was being played

But Alabama is dreadful. Very little size and even less talent. I think the only AAC team Alabama might be able to beat is Houston.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Tenn still looked better, and played better without Diamond... I wouldn't care if they were playing Lobo's daughter at this point

 

[bags27]

I have very mixed feelings about DD (setting aside the team she's playing for and her decision [thank goodness!] not to come to UConn). But she's still a kid, probably influenced by all the attention she got in high school, believing her press clippings and friends, etc. It's always sad when someone doesn't make the best use of their talents, which she clearly has, along with charisma. Had she been willing to submit to tougher coaching, she coulda had class, Charlie; she coulda been a contender....

 

[Orangutan]

Have y'all seen this?: John Adams - Lady Vols' victory doesn't resolve DeShields dilemma

Sample quote: "She is the most talented player on the team. Yet she has become a liability to the very team some thought she would lead to the Final Four."

Safe to say Diamond's struggles have escaped the realms of message board chatter. I know she hurt her ankle before the Mississippi State game. I wonder if that is part of the problem. She hasn't blamed it for her performance and neither has Warlick, but these last two games have been shockingly bad, even compared to her overall unimpressive performance this season.

 

[blaqtech]

But Alabama is dreadful. Very little size and even less talent. I think the only AAC team Alabama might be able to beat is Houston.

Hmm..... Houston might win that matchup

 

[UcMiami]

Have y'all seen this?: John Adams - Lady Vols' victory doesn't resolve DeShields dilemma

Sample quote: "She is the most talented player on the team. Yet she has become a liability to the very team some thought she would lead to the Final Four."

Safe to say Diamond's struggles have escaped the realms of message board chatter. I know she hurt her ankle before the Mississippi State game. I wonder if that is part of the problem. She hasn't blamed it for her performance and neither has Warlick, but these last two games have been shockingly bad, even compared to her overall unimpressive performance this season.

Her 'wheels' have been a constant issue - at UNC, in her year of sitting, with USA basketball, preseason this year and now mid season. I was really surprised to see the Miss State stat line - a player who you do not start because she injured her ankle ends up playing 30 minutes - basically the whole second half and overtime period.

 

[UcMiami]

Hmm..... Houston might win that matchup

Depends on whose court it is played on - Alabama has not won a single road game.

 

[cabbie191]

Her 'wheels' have been a constant issue - at UNC, in her year of sitting, with USA basketball, preseason this year and now mid season. I was really surprised to see the Miss State stat line - a player who you do not start because she injured her ankle ends up playing 30 minutes - basically the whole second half and overtime period.

I have a friend who is very close to the Tennessee program. She wrote recently that DeShields has been more injured than most anyone realizes, and from how it was written, I infer she includes Lady Vol fans.

 

[Beemer]

Injuries have become epidemic at UT. Is it time for a new conditioning coach? Or a new trainer? Both?

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Holly's answer for DD is her answer for everything: back to the gym. 'Course, that directly contradicts her saying DD has to get out of her head. Typical Holly, unthinkingly throw some stuff up there.