Tennessee Post Game Thread (merged)

[veivoli]

As I was watching a highlights reel from the game, after Kayleigh’s second length-of-the-court drive, and the glorious celebration that followed, I couldn’t help wondering if she is the happiest kid in D1 WCBB. She went far afield, all the way to the west coast, and finally she is home. She is well loved by her teammates, and her talents fit really well on this new team in the basketball capital of the world.

Welcome home, Kayleigh! This is where you belong.

I've said this in another thread, but think it's worth repeating: She must be relishing playing in a team where the offense doesn't consist of give the ball to our star and get out of her way so she can stuff her stats.

 

[Phil]

The starters did not need to be in at the end of this game.

I think it's considered an unwritten rule that the losing team has to throw in the towel, (call of the press, take out the top players, or otherwise signify that the result is obvious), before the team-leading has to call off the dogs. They can be exceptional situations such as the Syracuse game.

I also note that the season has seen quit a few examples of teams up by 16 or more points and having that lead evaporate, so while sometimes it seems like much more than a 10 point lead means the result can be written down, that have been quite a few significant size comebacks the season, so no team-leading by his few as 16 points should decide it's time to pump the brakes. And if you want examples of such margins overcome you need to look no further than, ohhh, let's say the first half of the UConn Tennessee game. Yes the lead get well beyond 16, but when it got close to 30, it was close enough to the end of the game that I think Geno felt this is a Azzi's last game against Tennessee (barring a meet up in the tournament) so letter play to the end.

 

[Phil]

CD. Future coach.

She's even starting off with the right initials.

 

[Phil]

Condolences to the wbb fans in South Bend, Knoxville , Columbia and elsewhere who tuned into the UConn Tenn game at halftime hoping to see the mighty Casey strike out: there is joy in Mudville tonight

Ah, so you're letting the cat out of the bag.

This game was orchestrated. Let UConn get out to a 16 point lead to feed the UConn fans. Then, let Tennessee come back and tie it, so basketball fans watching of the games and paying attention to scores will realize they need to be watching this game. Once you suck them in, they'll stay and boost the viewer numbers, then UConn can be UConn and blow them off the court. It was all for the ratings! </sarc>

 

[Phil]

If you want to take a short trip over to Volnation, you will surprisingly discover quite a few LV fans complaining about how the refs screwed TN yesterday…. 😱

But when you lose by 30, it’s really an enormous stretch to suggest that you lost because of the refs.

Trsut me, they are capable of enormous stretches. When a semi-reasonable fan pointed out that the foul calls were roughly even, they pounced. Yes! There should've been twice as many on UConn!

 

[TheGOAT23]

Great photo

Textbook!

I have wondered for a long time why it is that the refs seem to favor UConn's opponents, at least according to the Boneyard.

That’s all fan bases.

 

[boontonbomber]

You miss my point. It is simply that fans believe their team is the only one getting screwed by the refs. I don’t support that belief.

More importantly, Geno doesn’t buy it either. I think if you asked Geno about the refereeing in the game against TN, he would be perfectly happy with the way the game was called.

Both teams play agressive, physical defense. There were just 20 total fouls called: 11 on TN & 9 on UConn. UConn won the rebounding battle as well as the turnover battle. The refs let them play which, if you’re the better team, is exactly what you want.

The only time I will complain about the refs is if there is a continuous procession to the FT line, where the refs call every ticky-tack foul on both teams, turning the game into a foul shooting contest.

I don't support that belief , either. It's just that I would expect Boneyarders, in general, to be more sophisticated fans, who are able to watch games in a bit less biased manner. So much for that. Thanks for your usual thoughtful comment.

 

[oldude]

I don't support that belief , either. It's just that I would expect Boneyarders, in general, to be more sophisticated fans, who are able to watch games in a bit less biased manner. So much for that. Thanks for your usual thoughtful comment.

I think most BY’ers are pretty knowledgeable basketball fans when it comes to players fouling. Essentially understanding that refs get it right most of the time and occasional bad calls or missed calls tend to even out. But I have noticed that in some games, particularly physical ones like the matchup with TN, some UConn fans will get lost in the rabbit hole on what they perceive to be a bad call or non-call that goes against the Huskies.

With that said, the Boneyard isn’t even close to the apoplectic reactions that consume VolNation relative to fouls, particularly after a loss. I must confess that I do occasionally like to read the comments over there, purely for the purpose of entertainment.

 

[Tonyc]

Let me settle the ref problem. Its very easy Give the Whistle to Me I have a better view from my TV screen than they do. LOL

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Kim is over her head and I suspect the poor thing, million dollar contract and all, knows it. I can't imagine what the practices look like. I suspect she's adopted her childishly simple (for lack of a better word) strategy because she lacks the ability to devise a real offensive and defensive scheme, let alone 2, 3 or 4. It wasn't by accident that the point guard got stripped in her first play of the game.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

I think most BY’ers are pretty knowledgeable basketball fans when it comes to players fouling. Essentially understanding that refs get it right most of the time and occasional bad calls or missed calls tend to even out. But I have noticed that in some games, particularly physical ones like the matchup with TN, some UConn fans will get lost in the rabbit hole on what they perceive to be a bad call or non-call that goes against the Huskies.

With that said, the Boneyard isn’t even close to the apoplectic reactions that consume VolNation relative to fouls, particularly after a loss. I must confess that I do occasionally like to read the comments over there, purely for the purpose of entertainment.

It would be depressing to check out except they're so darn good at it. Still, nothing like "he gave Maya's mother a job" days!

 

[oldude]

Kim is over her head and I suspect the poor thing, million dollar contract and all, knows it. I can't imagine what the practices look like. I suspect she's adopted her childishly simple (for lack of a better word) strategy because she lacks the ability to devise a real offensive and defensive scheme, let alone 2, 3 or 4. It wasn't by accident that the point guard got stripped in her first play of the game.

Yea, reading Volnation you would think that Kim’s days are numbered. Of course, Volnation is not the TN AD or President who hired Kim and presumably would be responsible to fire her. Ultimately, what TN does for the rest of the season will dictate whether she goes or stays. Unfortunately, TN is heading into a brutal month of basketball where they will face SC, TX, Ole Miss, OK & Vandy among others.

 

[Tonyc]

Yea, reading Volnation you would think that Kim’s days are numbered. Of course, Volnation is not the TN AD or President who hired Kim and presumably would be responsible to fire her. Ultimately, what TN does for the rest of the season will dictate whether she goes or stays. Unfortunately, TN is heading into a brutal month of basketball where they will face SC, TX, Ole Miss, OK & Vandy among others.

Back in the ole days Tenn had a board called the Summitt. Boneyarders would go over and post and it was terrible. Then the Vols started posting to the Boneyard and it became a war. Believe it or not Vol nation is a little bit calmer but still.....................

 

[Basingstoke]

This may be sacrilegious, but I would like Kim to stay and evolve and grow so that her coaching becomes more than a (relatively effective) one-trick pony. Hopefully, she will be given the encouragement to look in the mirror and see that there are tremendous holes in what her teams have been coached to both achieve and withstand from opponents.
One of the tremendous things that I glean from Geno interviews is that he, CD and their staff give their teams the tools to achieve and, equally important, be able to frequently self-correct (perhaps being given a well-timed nudge) within a game.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Yea, reading Volnation you would think that Kim’s days are numbered. Of course, Volnation is not the TN AD or President who hired Kim and presumably would be responsible to fire her. Ultimately, what TN does for the rest of the season will dictate whether she goes or stays. Unfortunately, TN is heading into a brutal month of basketball where they will face SC, TX, Ole Miss, OK & Vandy among others.

What do you mean "unfortunately" @oldude.😉

 

[oldude]

What do you mean "unfortunately" @oldude.😉

Well, here’s my take. I want UConn to have as many Quad1 wins as possible when the Selection Committee gets around to seeding the tournament. That means that I want to see teams UConn has beaten, like Louisville, MI, Iowa, USC, tOSU & TN, keep on winning, so that there is absolutely no doubt that UConn is the #1 seed.

This may or may not be important if UCLA wins out as they will likely have more Quad1 wins than UConn. That probably won’t matter, except that I can forsee Cori Close making some noise about how they played a much tougher schedule.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Well, here’s my take. I want UConn to have as many Quad1 wins as possible when the Selection Committee gets around to seeding the tournament. That means that I want to see teams UConn has beaten, like Louisville, MI, Iowa, USC, tOSU & TN, keep on winning, so that there is absolutely no doubt that UConn is the #1 seed.

This may or may not be important if UCLA wins out as they will likely have more Quad1 wins than UConn. That probably won’t matter, except that I can forsee Cori Close making some noise about how they played a much tougher schedule.

Well Tenn has 6 more SEC games and is not predicted to win more than 2. Predicted to place 6th. I have to keep reminding myself I have nothing against the Vols, just their fans.

 

[DEpup]

Well, here’s my take. I want UConn to have as many Quad1 wins as possible when the Selection Committee gets around to seeding the tournament. That means that I want to see teams UConn has beaten, like Louisville, MI, Iowa, USC, tOSU & TN, keep on winning, so that there is absolutely no doubt that UConn is the #1 seed.

This may or may not be important if UCLA wins out as they will likely have more Quad1 wins than UConn. That probably won’t matter, except that I can forsee Cori Close making some noise about how they played a much tougher schedule.

It wouldn't be terrible either if Utah and Notre Dame could put some things together and move up the Net. Bransford is back so there is some hope for ND.

 

[BBallF]

I think the metamorphosis for this team has already happened - every year is different. Last year it was this TN game that woke them from the winter doldrums. This year I think it was just confirmation of what has already occurred. Yes, there is more tinkering to do and tightening things up so today's Q2 doesn't happen, but who will be in there, the adjustments available on defense and offense, and the various line-ups that work are solid. The roles for each player have been defined. There is a nine player rotation with K9, Blanca, Allie, and Jana off the bench, and a few more emergency pieces in Caroline, Ayanna, and Kelis that will likely get more run in the next 8 games to see what they can bring with consistency.

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.

 

[Centerstream]

I'm wondering...when listening to the play by play announcer, did anyone else think that Dave O'Brien was making a WBB broadcasting comeback?

 

[UConnCat]

KML patented that transition 3. Lovely play.

What's amazing is that Sarah, who blocked the shot that led to the transition, was behind Azzi and yelled at her to pass the ball to Allie. Sarah saw how the play should unfold. See 2:45+ of the highlights.

 

[BBallF]

What's amazing is that Sarah, who blocked the shot that led to the transition, was behind Azzi and yelled at her to pass the ball to Allie. Sarah saw how the play should unfold. See 2:45+ of the highlights.

Honestly, I'm just blown away by that.

 

[oldude]

What's amazing is that Sarah, who blocked the shot that led to the transition, was behind Azzi and yelled at her to pass the ball to Allie. Sarah saw how the play should unfold. See 2:45+ of the highlights.

I was watching Paige play in Unrivaled last night, when I commented that, “Paige has the highest basketball IQ that I have ever seen.”

My wife sitting next to me said, “What about Sarah?”

It stopped me cold. I had to really think hard about it. Eventually I responded, “I honestly don’t know who’s a smarter basketball player. They’re both great.”

 

[Stagnant]

Go watch the pass Allie makes in the 4th quarter at the 9 minute mark.

 

[mainerhuski]

I am not disagreeing with your main point, BUT according to the box score Uconn gave up a total of two second chance points off 11 O boards (0.2 per)- just how perfect do you want them to be on that stat. Maybe you meant points off of TOs and there they gave up nine, not a terrible number off 15 turnovers (0.6 per)

Uconn on the other hand scored 14 second chance points off 9 O boards (1.6 per) and 36 points off 20 TOs (1.8 per.)

The box is full of Uconn dominance
Assist 25-16
Steals 14-7
Blocks 6-0
Fast Break 22-6
Paint 46-24
Even with their first half struggles those are beat down stats reflective of how the game ended up. Assists/Steals/TO/Blks are right in line with their season stats playing against a difficult opponent.

I love the 6-0 in blocks stat v a taller team!