Tennessee Postgame Thread

[hookshot]

Just saw major tornado and storm warnings in Knoxville tonight until 9:45. Low pressure might have affected the Huskies!

Orange tornado arrived in second half, blew us away

 

[VA Huskie]

Not surprising at all. I'm shocked it was as close as it was. The Huskies just aren't very good.

Try rooting for UVA…that’s “not very good”. UConn is still a top ten team!

 

[hookshot]

Their coach subbed 5 for 5 at one point. Our coach would never do that.

Neither would any other coach, but its workin for her

 

[donalddoowop]

Try rooting for UVA…that’s “not very good”. UConn is still a top ten team!

He has been very critical of UConn this season.

 

[Blond D.]

I thought the Huskies outplayed the Vols.
We did pretty good except we couldnt hit our bunny shots. There was at least 10 lay-ups or easy right-under-the-basket shots we usually make that was just not falling tonight.
10 shots is 20 points that easily would have made the difference.
One other problem is how we let them drive thru us and get some layups at the end of the game which THEY did not miss.

This will be a good thing for us to learn from. Now we know what to work on.

 

[uconnever]

Wow! Missing 16 layups & 15 three pointers while only losing by 4 points is amazing.
Give Tennessee credit, but this loss was self- inflicted.

This is what I said, despite our lack of height and aggression, we can beat anyone in the country. Everyone simply needs to be comfortable playing together. I think it just can be Azzi and Aubrey aren’t mixed in YET with the team chemistry so in the big games there’s more mistakes and they haven’t been able to get it done, but if they are who I think they are, we beat South Carolina. We should not lose again this year, except for as we saw tonight, foul trouble. And I’ve heard people say it’s the conference. I think it definitely is, as in who have we played big and athletic like that recently? Now that doesn’t mean we won’t be ready the next time. This game hopefully toughened us up because that is also what they need.

 

[Zonepress]

This is what I said, despite our lack of height and aggression, we can beat anyone in the country. Everyone simply needs to be comfortable playing together. I think it just can be Azzi and Aubrey aren’t mixed in YET with the team chemistry so in the big games there’s more mistakes and they haven’t been able to get it done, but if they are who I think they are, we beat South Carolina. We should not lose again this year, except for as we saw tonight, foul trouble. And I’ve heard people say it’s the conference. I think it definitely is, as in who have we played big and athletic like that recently? Now that doesn’t mean we won’t be ready the next time. This game hopefully toughened us up because that is also what they need.

Aubrey played a great game and looked very comfortable

 

[ERWUC65]

Goals are the same every year, i.e. final 4 or NC !. Other than some players still shaking off injuries and Jana not able to live up to overblown expectations (offset by Sarah actually over-performing her high pre-season expectations), there was/is no reason to temper goals, for this year. However, this is the strongest group of 6 to 8 teams that has been seen in many years, maybe ever. So maybe an elite 8 is the worthy goal for this injury plagued team, but consider last year's team was even more injury plagued and came within an eyelash of final 2. so not time to throw in the towel yet

You made a couple of good points here, first being that we are still shaking off injuries, and yes, I know that some players over the past have come back better than before, but not all and let's add that it is both a difficult physical and mental challenge. I know we don't want to think about it but I think our nature to play tenative in hard games has a legitimate basis with our stars, and it affects the entire team when the leaders don't play up to the standards we expect. When you have your best seniors/grads/redshirts like Paige, Azzi and Aubrey in this situation and mix in a bunch of sophmores and freshmen you have to adjust your expectations accordingly. To add to this, the 2024-2025 season not only has 6-8 great teams, but another 10 that can win on any given night, and the player talent level/depth on these teams is exceptional. Not to say that the FF is out of reach, but with the continued health of all, a heavy dose of confidence (a good effort against SC) and a great draw anything is possible.

 

[OviedoFLHusky]

"Going cold" suggests that the team shot below average. If you limit the sample to the 6 best opponents, this was not below average.

Even though I'm admittedly bad at math, I respectfully disagree. The team did shoot below their average. I also chose who I thought were the 5 best opponents so far this year (choosing a 6th was too subjective a call for me), and even averaging those numbers out, they still shot below average.

 

[maple]

I thought the Huskies outplayed the Vols.
We did pretty good except we couldnt hit our bunny shots. There was at least 10 lay-ups or easy right-under-the-basket shots we usually make that was just not falling tonight.
10 shots is 20 points that easily would have made the difference.
One other problem is how we let them drive thru us and get some layups at the end of the game which THEY did not miss.

This will be a good thing for us to learn from. Now we know what to work on.

To be honest, they should have known this by now. And they should have improved.

It kills me to be negative … I would prefer to be happy with ANY win. But I struggle to see any improvement between ND -> USC -> TN. It feels like we are still consistently losing in the same way. The poor shooting is absolutely the worst and we continue to shoot like crap in important games and go lights out in games that mean nothing. Why?? I wish I knew.

 

[VA Huskie]

Even though I'm admittedly bad at math, I respectfully disagree. The team did shoot below their average. I also chose who I thought were the 5 best opponents so far this year (choosing a 6th was too subjective a call for me), and even averaging those numbers out, they still shot below average.

View attachment 106826

Wow!

Even though I'm admittedly bad at math, I respectfully disagree. The team did shoot below their average. I also chose who I thought were the 5 best opponents so far this year (choosing a 6th was too subjective a call for me), and even averaging those numbers out, they still shot below average.

View attachment 106826

Wow! That’s really, really telling. We’re actually a pretty poor 3 point shooting team against those 5 highlighted teams. That might explain a lot about who we are and who we can be. Certainly not as good as I thought we were.

 

[donalddoowop]

A lack of athleticism had nothing to do with the loss. A player does not need to be athletic to make a layup or hit a wide-open shot. An open shot is an open shot whether against a weak team or highly ranked team. I believe it is more mental than physical.

 

[Vowelguy]

Even though I'm admittedly bad at math, I respectfully disagree. The team did shoot below their average. I also chose who I thought were the 5 best opponents so far this year (choosing a 6th was too subjective a call for me), and even averaging those numbers out, they still shot below average.

Ahh. I was referring to the 3-point shooting. 24, 19, 26, 20, + 21 vs Ole Miss. Today's 25% was actually above avg.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I will never throw our players under the bus!
For myself it's a major disappointment to see our girls play like they do in so-called "big games"! They're so much better than their performances show!
One big reason for our UConn troubles is talent has been spread to more and more programs, because of NIL, transfers, making more teams competitive!
At the beginning of every season I look at the roster and see wall to wall talent! Geno & staff get the best players they can!
But IMHO our players in BIG games try to hit "5 point" baskets, trying to hard! The missed layups is like they're SHOT PUTTING the ball to the rim instead of a gentle push!
They are tremendously NICE girls that don't have the killer instinct in their bones!
DT, Birdie, Stewie, Shea, MJ, Renee, Maya, Tina (in her junior and senior years), Rebecca, Rizzotti, you get the idea, would rip the opponents heart out and eat it for lunch!
There's nothing UConn can do about the Big East Conference!
We're in it for better or worse, so complaining about it makes no sense!
I still believe all the injuries over the last 3 1/2 years have taken a toll by disrupting practice time and game time! Everyone is disjointed from missed time!
I don't have an answer to the above but the players should have a player only meeting and air out the answers!
The talent is as good as any team in Division I, it's just not being realized!

 

[Dugway]

Didn’t see the game, don’t plan to watch a replay now knowing the outcome against the ugly orange team.

Reading the post game thread and all of these comments, most seem to suggest that we had another poor offense game. I’ve had concerns about our offense all year. But offense is only half of the game.

Our defensive has been really solid; or maybe it’s just my opinion, but I haven’t had the same unease with our defense. Tonight we gave up 80. I didn’t see it, but are you all certain that the loss was a result of our lack of offense? We gave up EIGHTY!

 

[packwrap]

I'll be positive. In a road game against a 40 min "press and 3" team:

-We held TN's leading scorer 7 pts below her avg.

-We won the turnover battle and points off turnovers.

- We held them to 25% 3pt shooting 7/28.

- We even won at the free throw line! (In Knoxville)

- and we had more total shot attempts.

So the mathematics of the Tenn press did not win it for them.

Of course we lost. Our own shooting was poor, we were outrebounded(expected), played bad in last 2 min, and Paige/Azzie had quiet nights.

Still a loss in a close, exciting, 1 posession game. Just like USC.

In other good news, KK and Aubrey rose to the challenge of who would step up in a big game vs a ranked team.

This loss has no bearing on how we play, again away at SC. A lot to learn here, and some motivation to play with a chip on our shoulder down in Columbia. Not just Paige, but whole team would like to earn a big win.

I'm still looking forward to the SC game and an Elite 8 game on March 30.

 

[uconnfan68]

Didn’t see the game, don’t plan to watch a replay now knowing the outcome against the ugly orange team.

Reading the post game thread and all of these comments, most seem to suggest that we had another poor offense game. I’ve had concerns about our offense all year. But offense is only half of the game.

Our defensive has been really solid; or maybe it’s just my opinion, but I haven’t had the same unease with our defense. Tonight we gave up 80. I didn’t see it, but are you all certain that the loss was a result of our lack of offense? We gave up EIGHTY!

The 80 was about 11 under their average, so we did a few things right. Cooper was held in check until the 2nd half. UT shot their 2s better than we did. We were very out of sorts. Even Sarah made mistakes we haven’t seen from her all year. Others just shot way below their best. Maybe the atmosphere was too much for them. This team has too many deficiencies to go very far. Athletic teams just have their way.

 

[NYCHUSKIES]

Just wasn't our night tonight. Too many missed layups.. We technically won this game, but we didn't. It's all good.. these games are all about a learning curve. I'm thinking Uconn is going to pour it on south Carolina. Uconn will avenge this loss and take it out on South Carolina. Either way, great game.. congrats to the Vols .

 

[Glenn]

We gave up 11 points in the last 3:19, after tying the game at 69. They scored on nearly every possession. Defense lost the game.

 

[Fore!]

What’s your solution? I’m tired of the complaining when there’s absolutely nothing that can be done about it

There is no solution to them being in the Big East; but it is accurate to say the league doesn’t help them get better.

 

[packwrap]

There is no solution to them being in the Big East; but it is accurate to say the league doesn’t help them get better.

True. What gets frustrating is it appears some posters think it's Geno's decision to play in BE, and that if he just made a phone call tomorrow, we could still play this year in last 8 games of ACC.

One item we are lucky with is that teams like Tenn and SC, are willing to play us in Feb, during conference play. Most teams play 0 out of conference games past Dec.

Without these Feb games, we would have no chance to benchmark v good teams prior to ncaa.

Obviously, what's in it for them is it 's great for WBB, and they can have big TV games and electric crowds. Something tells me Coach Caldwell will be happy to continue the series.

 

[browns]

I am going to disagree respectfully. I am not ready to concede that Tennessee was the better team. Tennessee was behind at the half and UConn was able to build its lead up to 7 points. Azzi and Paige picking up their 3rd foul early in the 3rd quarter allowed Tennessee to take the ball to the vulnerable player. And, that is exactly what Spencer was able to do...she exploited Azzi's vulnerability due to her foul trouble, and time after time they took it into the paint and were able to score.

I think that tonight Tennessee was the better team. However, UConn went into a difficult environment in Knoxville, was weak in the post (down a player), had a bad shooting night from three, and missed at least 8 lay-ups. Shot a dismal 25% from three. And, we only lost by 4 points.

Remember that UConn's defense was extremely good... forcing Tennessee into committing 19 turnovers while taking pretty good care of the basketball themselves only committing 12 turnovers. We saw how Aubrey is beginning to get back her sea legs and we saw some of what she is capable of bringing to the game. We also saw the improvement that KK has made and she is showing how she can impact the game. If this game is played on a neutral court, and UConn has an average night we win this game by double digits.

But it wasn't an they lost

 

[Fore!]

I see that comment as more for the UConn fans/posters than the players. Posters tend to overrate the team based on how they play against Big East teams. OTOH, Stewie won four NCs playing in the AAC and Big East.

Please don’t compare this squad to any of Stewie’s; there is no comparison talent wise, on court chemistry, or confidence

 

[Fore!]

It’s a shortcoming for this year’s squad. Last year, while Aaliyah was only 6’3”, she was a fierce defender and rebounder in the paint. Before that Dorka then Liv. This year, Sarah is our best rebounder at 6’1”. As I said in my OP, I think UConn has to consider putting Aubrey in the starting lineup for added defense and rebounding.

I don’t disagree; however, her recovery timeline may not permit it yet.

 

[Fore!]

Time to reevaluate. Our best win is UNC. That’s just a fact. We can’t shoot the 3 against good competition. And the lineups Geno likes to roll with against the big east don’t cut it.

Kk was on a final four team as a starter. She’s proven tonight and against usc she’s dynamic and effective. She needs to be in the lineup consistently. We need to develop that chemistry. Aubrey showed she can be pivotal. Start to actually get her game time in the big east games. Shade is consistently ineffective in big games. Reevaluate her role. Just my honest take.

And something needs to be done about the passivity.

Paige was a great passer tonight but she needs to find her offensive mojo. Our season somewhat rests heavily on that. I’m her biggest supporter but I was somewhat disappointed tonight.

This team doesn’t look ready to stun South Carolina. And with our resume, I’m predicting a tough road to a final four. No signature win yet, and losses to our top 3 opponents. Just disappointing this evening.

Rough road to the final four for sure; it’ll be a rough road to the sweet 16 with these performances against better competition

 

[browns]

Uconn is a top 10 team but not a top 5

 

[Fore!]

How many "wake up calls" are needed? If basketball's winningest coach hasn't been able to do it over all the years that Paige has been a Husky maybe it's time for all of us stubborn, bone-headed Boneyarders (that includes yours truly) to realize that it just ain't gonna happen. Paige takes the alpha dog role when she can take advantage of poor defense of mediocre teams but in big games against highly ranked competition she lays back for whatever reason. Waiting for the game to come to her? In big games that should not apply. It is in those times that the best player needs to set the example and take the lead. At this time of the season, a clear leader in the biggest games is needed.

Is it time to make Paige the primary ball handler , as she was as a freshman?

 

[sun]

I applaud that the Tennessee coach stuck to her substition pattern to keep her player's legs fresh.
Not one Tennessee player had 30 minutes of PT, while UConn played Strong for 38, Paige for 34 & Azzi for 29 while foul trouble affected her defense.
Meanwhile Strong had 6 turnovers & Azi had 3 turnovers which was 9 of 13 turnovers.
Those amount to possible gane changing & lost scoring opportunities.

People often ask what the problem is with the team & perhaps the answer is lack of maturity & experience which results in some bad decision making.
Every mistake is costly.
Just because UConn only had 13 turnovers doesn't mean that it didn't cost them the game.
Under the circumstances of the team not shooting well, every turnover is one too many.

It was pretty clear from early in the game that some players like Azzi & Shade were struggling to score.
Yet Geno doesn't replace them & hoped that it was temporary.
But maybe it was costly to give them as many minutes as he did considering Azzi had foul trouble

I was surprised that Jana only played 11 minutes, especially considering that Ice didn't play & even though Strong was plagued by turnovers she still played 38 mintues.
The PT seems out of balance compared to how the Tennessee coach substituted, and the outcome of the gsme.

This game was a pressure test and the entire UConn organization failed the test.
Not only the players failed, but the team management failed.
The coaches expect the plaers to read & react, but we the fans should expect that coaches also read & react & make management decisions based on the circumstances occurring during the game.
I can't help but to believe that the coaches are just as resposnsible for the loss as the players are.
UConn could have easily won the game with better management.
Strong did have a high amount of tirnovers while playing the most minutes of anyone on either team.
That doesn't seem like a coincidence, rather it seems like bad decision making.
Azzi too, someone else could have been subbed in.

Frankly, I hear too many complaints about Jana when she only played 11 minutes while others made more critcal mistakes including the coaches.

 

[Jumpy Radar]

Well guys and gals, It was really frustrating watching the game. I have been trying to understand what the problem is with the inconsistency with this team. Many of you have made some really valid points, and I have to agree with a lot of the constructive criticism that has been made. We have been hearing the same thing in losses now for 5 years. Not aggressive enough. Not enough movement. Out rebounded. Etc. Etc. So, you can't help but wonder what is going on. But then I realized that this group especially the core upperclassmen have not really faced adversity together as a team for most of their careers here. Now I'm not one to make excuses for anyone. In fact, I hate excuses. But something really feels off and it is very evident when we are faced with stiffer and better competition.

Tonight, we got out hustled and out muscled. Tennessee seemed to want it more. We had that deer in the headlights look on many possessions. Honestly, we seemed very anxious for the majority of the game.

I'm just wondering could this disfunction be the result of the past few years with a splintered lineup. AE left for the W. Paige and Fudd have not had much time together in their careers here. Add Chen. AG is just getting back. Patterson is out. Ducharme is out. When you mix in the Sophs and Freshy's what you have is a team that doesn't have what I like to call combat experience together. KK and Sarah are stars in the making. Ash is coming around but very inconsistent, and with Ice, I just don't know. Jana is still underdeveloped. The jury is still out on everyone else.

I don't know what the cure is for our ills, but this team has to find a way to band together. Paige has to return to her freshman beast form. Azzi has to rediscover her confidence, or we may see a very quick exit from this year's tourney.

 

[jcoton56]

I hate to say this, but these Huskies are Not Ready for Primetime