Tennessee Post Game Thread (merged)

[BBallF]

It's often been said that the great ones see the next play, not just the one that is happening at the moment. Larry Bird and Wayne Gretzky are two of the best examples. Paige has that ability too. I remember watching her play at Seton Hall two years ago and I just watched her on defense. Sure enough she knew where the second pass would be, not just the first one. Sarah has the same gift. She has the ability to see what the defender will do, not just is doing. I would never compare Paige to Sarah except to say they both travel down the same road when it comes to that rare quality.

 

[ucmiami2]

I would agree that it has begun, not already happened. Every season is an evolution of the team of that year to an NCAA version of themselves. There were things yesterday and the game before that were new, some subtle, some obvious.

For example, yesterday's second half was the best "game" Serah has played with us. It wasn't just the points which was the obvious part, it was the elevation on her shots, her movement on the offense, her defense, her hustle to get down court. For Allie, the shooting and scoring have been obvious, but her defense has improved and her passing as well. The confidence level on her stroke is sky high and that turns a shooter into an assassin. How about Kayleigh? She was possessed yesterday and even more fearless than before. Those 2 full court drives were game breakers. Ash's shot is way back and she has great belief all her shots are going in. All of these elements, and there are more including Jana and the new found physicality yesterday and what began right before her injury have been evolving over the season.

True, Geno has his rotation, he knows what works, but he too is still learning. He has said as much even before yesterday's game. You are going to see a better version of yesterday's team tomorrow and then in April too.

I just don't know what the ceiling is for this team. Will the defense get much better? Is that even possible? Will the offense improve? A 48 point second half against that team yesterday was pretty impressive.

Rather than speculating, I'm just going to sit back and watch and really enjoy.

Not to beat this to death, but there is always tightening and development through at least the NCAA first weekend. But unlike last year when I think the team and coaching were still struggling to figuring things out through the TN loss, this year that end much earlier - Dec or the beginning of Jan. And since then they know! There is still stuff to work on, yes. The execution still has lapses, but for example, Serah knows her role, she knows the system, and so work to do, yes, but anxiety, no.

Got to say - the energy and excitement coming from Jana off the bench is so infectious - I think she has important minutes for this team coming down the road, but what she is providing when she is not in a game is priceless!

 

[MSGRET]

I couldn't believe they'd get burned 2 in a row. Those trees essentially never moved.

I believe that one of the reasons that they didn't move was that they were afraid that she would pass off to the player that they were guarding and that they would have scored.

 

[msf22b]

For me:
This was one of the great, all-time UConn games
I’m incredibly moved by the 2nd half display of sheer dominance.
Could watch it a hundred times.
Such intelligence, skill and consistent excellence

I always knew Heckle was a keeper.
She’s going to have a great career here
But watching Serah battle against the UTenn front line in the 2nd half, after being pushed around in the first…She hasn’t played in games like this…it takes a while…I’m patient now.

So much talent
Almost forgotten; the whirling dervish didn’t even play.