Tennessee Postgame Thread

[hoopsfan22]

I too agree 100% with what Coach Geno said to Ms. Rowe, But I did not like how he spoke to her and that he didn't apologize to her later on TV. Maybe he did say something to her off the camera but I do believe he owes her a good one on one interview.

Go Huskies!!

We'll never know, but he apologized to Maria that one time he went off on her, so he at least has enough self awareness to know when he crossed the line.

 

[BobbyJ]

Yeah. Maybe. However UConn is going to need CD if they want a realistic chance. Though AE and Dorka will have to have more than 7 (AE only one rebound in the 2nd half yesterday) and 6 rebounds respectively if they're going to have a real chance of winning.

Didn’t say that I expected them to, just that they could try.

 

[Bills Fan]

I agree that a gritty gutsy win is a good experience for the team. There’s much for them to be proud of in it, especially Nika Lou and Aaliyah.

I also think there were a few embarrassing moments for the refs, which is just another obstacle for us to overcome.

And Tennessee has some things to be proud of, Jordan Horston in particular. They played especially well in the 2nd quarter. And they have some things to regret and maybe even be embarrassed about. I expect they’ll be licking their wounds over this game for a while.

I hope TN gets over it quickly so that they beat LSU.

 

[freshler40]

Yeah. Maybe. However UConn is going to need CD if they want a realistic chance. Though AE and Dorka will have to have more than 7 (AE only one rebound in the 2nd half yesterday) and 6 rebounds respectively if they're going to have a real chance of winning.

Totally agree that one or two more starter type players will be needed for a serious stretch run. The bones are great, need a little more seasoning for a great stew.

 

[Rocket009]

Tonight's game, watching our "bigs" play has me worrying about our play around the basket against South Carolina. I agree with a few posters who want to see Dorka become more forceful under the hoop.....on defense+offense.

I'd like to see the team box out a lot better. Too many times they are just out numbered under the basket - especially last night.

 

[LarryLegend]

seems like Lou has taken on the role that Evina covered last year.

 

[jaydee602]

I don't think Geno was disrespectful to Holly Rowe. It looked like he was frustrated & knew that he could rant to his pal Holly. She was smiling the whole time. And knowing the professional that she is, amused Holly was probably thinking, "This is great television!"

 

[Bone Dog]

I don't think Geno was disrespectful to Holly Rowe. It looked like he was frustrated & knew that he could rant to his pal Holly. She was smiling the whole time. And knowing the professional that she is, amused Holly was probably thinking, "This is great television!"

I was wondering if he wanted to be overheard by the refs, get a point across without confronting them: "I have access to the national media and you don't."

 

[hoopsfan22]

I was wondering if he wanted to be overheard by the refs, get a point across without confronting them: "I have access to the national media and you don't."

Where do the refs go after the half? There's a bit of delay before Geno's half time interview, and I assumed the refs like the players were long gone from the court by the time Holly asks her question and Geno answers it.

 

[Mdoggie]

I hope TN gets over it quickly so that they beat LSU.

Why would you want Tennessee to win anything?

 

[Dezoworld]

Kind of hard to grab a ball when your broken thumb has a protective sleeve on it.

It didn't seem to be a problem her last couple of games getting double doubles. She didn't have a thumb sleeve on against Tennessee. So my guess it's fully healed or she wouldn't be out there.

 

[jazz]

I'm confused. Lou has been one of our best offensive threats (AE being the other) all season long, scoring in double figures every game she has played. Not sure why you think this may be a one-off. Also, she's a designated shooter. She's not going to have NM's assists or DJ's rebounds. She's doing her primary job very well, as is NM.

I agree but she was red hot against a really tough team. She was hitting left and right. Didn't she score 10 points more than her season average. Also, didn't see shoot close to 70% in the game? She is shooting closer to 50% for the year I would think and that has a lot of very poor teams sprinkled in there. Her yearly total as very good but she was great in this game, on the road against a very long, quick good defensive team!

Lou raised her game a level against TN and I hope that she can keep it there. That is what I meant. Yes her primary job is to score - I just wish she could get a few more rebounds per game, especially on the offensive end. It wouldn't surprise me at all if NM is getting more rebounds than she is.

NM does her primary job and more, a lot more actually: dish, defense, grab rebounds, lead, and make a shot here and there. I'd like to see Lou get a bit tougher on the boards. But as I said, I'll take her as she is. Terrific scorer.

 

[Dezoworld]

If Lou isn't drafted in the WNBA first round, I'd be shocked. With her height, shooting stroke, finishing around the rim, toughness and now her emphasis on defense, there aren't many guards in this coming draft that has all she has

If Lou isn't drafted in the WNBA first round, I'd be shocked. With her height, shooting stroke, finishing around the rim, toughness and now her emphasis on defense, there aren't many guards in this coming draft that has all she has.

She should be on some te radar. She is playing better then most guards. I kno for sure if Zia Cook gets drafted as high the mock draft has her. Lou should be on a roster

 

[jaydee602]

Where do the refs go after the half? There's a bit of delay before Geno's half time interview, and I assumed the refs like the players were long gone from the court by the time Holly asks her question and Geno answers it.

I seem to remember the UCONN announcers recently reporting that the referees' calls are reviewed at halftime. And that is why we see the officiating take drastic changes in the 2nd half.

 

[HuskyNan]

I agree but she was red hot against a really tough team. She was hitting left and right. Didn't she score 10 points more than her season average. Also, didn't see shoot close to 70% in the game? She is shooting closer to 50% for the year I would think and that has a lot of very poor teams sprinkled in there. Her yearly total as very good but she was great in this game, on the road against a very long, quick good defensive team!

Lou raised her game a level against TN and I hope that she can keep it there. That is what I meant. Yes her primary job is to score - I just wish she could get a few more rebounds per game, especially on the offensive end. It wouldn't surprise me at all if NM is getting more rebounds than she is.

NM does her primary job and more, a lot more actually: dish, defense, grab rebounds, lead, and make a shot here and there. I'd like to see Lou get a bit tougher on the boards. But as I said, I'll take her as she is. Terrific scorer.

I don’t care about the shooting guard grabbing rebounds. She gets pinballed around enough already without banging bodies with post players.

Stay on the perimeter, Lou

 

[Dezoworld]

If you rewatch the game, the refs let anything and everything go under the basket, particularly in the second half. "Scrum" would be too soft a term to describe the

If you rewatch the game, the refs let anything and everything go under the basket, particularly in the second half. "Scrum" would be too soft a term to describe the pushing and shoving.

Giving up 23 offensive boards is just way too much. Definitely no need to blame the refs on this.

 

[housekeys]

With respect to the Geno interview, Holly is a professional and it is not her first rodeo. I don't think she was fazed one bit. She does her job. I think it is more the fans who were hurt and offended, than Holly.

 

[jaydee602]

Poor Rebecca Lobo has a thankless job calling UCONN games. She had to comment about Geno's halftime tirades. If she agreed that the officiating was inconsistent, she would have been labeled as a UCONN homer. Instead, she blamed UCONN's failure to adapt to Tennessee's physical play for the Vol's comeback. Ryan Ruocco bailed her out by mentioning the ridiculous charging call that sent Lou to the bench. Rebecca does a great job remaining neutral during these rivalry games.

 

[jazz]

I don’t care about the shooting guard grabbing rebounds. She gets pinballed around enough already without banging bodies with post players.

Stay on the perimeter, Lou

That's cool. What I hope for might be a bit more than you do, which is ok...I hope..

I think at her size she could get a few more rebounds a game. Other players shoot the ball and she can get an offensive rebound or two a game as well when they miss.

But as I said a few times, she has been terrific and if she keeps this up, I'll take it as it is.

 

[MSGRET]

It didn't seem to be a problem her last couple of games getting double doubles. She didn't have a thumb sleeve on against Tennessee. So my guess it's fully healed or she wouldn't be out there.

Have you ever had a broken bone? It takes time for it to heal properly and any jolt or hit causes pain. She has had a broken wrist and thumb in less than a year and most likely the jarring of either is still bothering her. Those people that wear Orange were hacking away at both last light when they were fighting for rebounds. I'm proud of what she is doing because most likely she is doing it while suffering the pain.

 

[JordyG]

I hope TN gets over it quickly so that they beat LSU.

They have and they will. An away game is just what they need.

 

[Monte]

Where do the refs go after the half? There's a bit of delay before Geno's half time interview, and I assumed the refs like the players were long gone from the court by the time Holly asks her question and Geno answers it.

They go right to the nearest bar!

 

[Bama fan]

I always breathe a sigh of relief when Nika has the ball. What a star. What a general. She is the sneakiest stealer in the league. She can dribble around anybody. She's fearless. She's tireless. She's faster than a speeding bullet. Can bend steal with her bare hands. She's NIKA!!!

Not sure if "she can bend steal with her bare hands" was an intentional play on words, but it fits!

 

[jaydee602]

Rebecca Lobo: "Just so you know, if you grab my leg, I’m kicking!"
She was criticizing the double foul call. Joe Vaszily called a foul on Tennessee. During the review, Gina Cross changed it to a double foul. Just a horrible overturn!

 

[my2cents]

It just came over the news. Knoxville , TN is the new "whine" capital of the US, replacing Napa.

 

[housekeys]

BTW, I love the black uniforms. Very Darth Vader, Evil Empire - like

 

[jaydee602]

Have you ever had a broken bone? It takes time for it to heal properly and any jolt or hit causes pain. She has had a broken wrist and thumb in less than a year and most likely the jarring of either is still bothering her. Those people that wear Orange were hacking away at both last light when they were fighting for rebounds. I'm proud of what she is doing because most likely she is doing it while suffering the pain.

Good call! Also, in the past games before Tennessee, Dorka didn't have contested rebounds where the opponent was hacking away at the ball. Good scouting by Tennessee to recognize an opportunity and taking advantage of it. But it doesn't translate to Dorka being "soft"!

 

[Junkman]

Poor Rebecca Lobo has a thankless job calling UCONN games. She had to comment about Geno's halftime tirades. If she agreed that the officiating was inconsistent, she would have been labeled as a UCONN homer. Instead, she blamed UCONN's failure to adapt to Tennessee's physical play for the Vol's comeback. Ryan Ruocco bailed her out by mentioning the ridiculous charging call that sent Lou to the bench. Rebecca does a great job remaining neutral during these rivalry games.

My favorite line in the broadcast was when Lobo, with a nod to Seinfeld, described Lou's jumpshot as, "Real and spectacular."

 

[ME Husky Fan]

I have to give credit when it's due. When the game is big...Horston always shows up.

Not so sure the outcome would have been different but to me it’s a head scratcher that Horston played the most minutes of anyone else on the team but didn’t start.

 

[Bama fan]

One of the problems causing so many charge/block collisions is the dearth of players who have a mid range game. I used to be amazed at how many players would turn down a wide open 6-15 foot shot to barrel in to the basket for a wild, contested shot or worse, a put your head down goal line buffalo charge to the basket. Now I am surprised when a player takes a mid range shot off the dribble. There were two players with that in their game last night, Senechal and Horston. Muhl made one but that is a rarity for her. Edwards takes them but not off the dribble.
One last comment on the refs last night, I thought there was only one “horrible“ call, Senechal’s 3rd foul. Tennessee became the aggressor in the 2nd qtr, cranked up their D, drove the ball hard and hit the offensive boards hard. Uconn just did not match that intensity, got out of sync on offense, and that’s why the game turned around, not the refs IMO. To their obvious credit, they turned it back up in the 2nd half and got the game back under control.

I think the double technical was a gutless attempt to placate the crowd. And the first, third and fourth quarters were called evenly, though the second half was called poorly both ways, The first quarter, with only one foul on either team, was a free flowing affair, but by halftime Tennessee had taken 12 free throws to our two. That's what cranked Geno up, and the fact that we did not respond well in the second. Neither team had a free throw in the 4th . Just not a consistently called game, but that seems to be the rule now.