TN over ND

[eebmg]

Tennessee may not have an offensive system but they have talent and in this game, they showed some real intensity and made some key shots. On the other hand, I have never seen such passive defense by ND on the perimeter. I guess they thought that having Turner block shots was enough? Only Mabrey came to play. Really weird.

 

[Iowafan]

At the end of the game Notre Dame looked like the team not sure what to do. Tennessee seemed to have some poise. The opposite of what I thought it would be. This is a turning point for Tennessee. If they can repeat this effort I think they can finish the conference strong.

 

[Orangutan]

Well, that sucked. Just a total disaster of a 4th quarter. No other way to put it. ND just collapsed.

Everything that could go wrong did. Couldn't make shots. Couldn't get defensive rebounds. Poor decision making. Fouled too much.

I'm sure some of it was Tennessee defensive adjustments but I don't know what happened to the offense in the 2nd half. After the slow start, it looked great for most of the first half. Just stopped running the offense properly in the 4th quarter.

To credit Tennessee, they did a great job of amping up their defensive pressure without fouling in the 2nd half. I might suggest that some of those plays would have been called differently at a neutral site or in South Bend.

 

[chuck.r]

View attachment 18726

I should drive over to ACC Headquarters in the morning

While you're there, put in a good word for UConn....

 

[StephStorrs]

Looks like Pat was in the building tonight. Congratulations to the LVs for finding a way to win and scrapping back. They'll likely lose their next game but they should enjoy the win tonight.

 

[Ozimoto]

Yep, should be up 20 by now.

Too much one on one by both teams right now. Tennessee could win a street ball game, ND had better get it together.

Precisely. Notre Dame went into a period of one on one play and let Tennessee back into the game. The Irish looked like they panicked and played scared.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Ridiculous. Tennessee was presented with so many offensive opportunities, but they clearly had no idea what to do. Could not get the ball to Russell, who should get it on every possession.

ND is shockingly disjointed. They've now been upset twice. I think they move to 9th or 10th in the polls tomorrow.

So after blowing the game against unranked Ole Miss, Tennessee takes out #6 ranked Notre Dame. Typical of a poorly coached team: gets up for the big games, but slacks off against mediocre competition.

Having said that, the win probably assures HW that she won't get fired. Yet.

Very surprising that ND can't get its act together. They were supposed to be stronger this year than last. An experienced back court in Arike and Allen. Two top recruits in the front court, and a strong post player (HS POY). So how is it they can't beat Tennessee, an unranked team that's lost six times?

Not impressed by either of them.

 

[JordyG]

I am not so sure. I usually have great respect for ND and always consider them the toughest challenger to UConn. But I have been very underwhelmed by them this year for the first time in a long time. I am honestly not surprised they lost this game. I don't think Muffet is either.

I agree here. I complained earlier this year that ND seems to have gone the Louisville route of amassing talent and not giving enough consideration for character and team oriented players. Tonight ND looked like a collection of individuals that thinks talent means team. Only Allen and Nelson seem to really know their roles on this team. ND's outside shot, a strength of this team for years failed them. That Mabrey and Westbeld aren't particularly athletic doesn't help. Everyone else seems content to play 1 on 1. Consequently this team doesn't really have an identity. The assists/shots made ratio notwithstanding, does anyone see this as a good passing team? ND used to have the 2nd prettiest offense in the country. How did that disappear? The guards don't trust the shooters, the shooters can't create for themselves and their lack of athleticism outside of Allen, Turner, Ogunbowale and Young hurts them. When things get tough, where's the focus and execution? Who do they go to? Muffet's got a lot of 'splainin' to do.

 

[osceola48]

You have the LV's ? The same team that just lost to Ole Miss. ?
If ND doesn't win by double figures, there is truly something wrong in South Bend.

There is truly something wrong in South Bend.

 

[stwainfan]

Good game good win.

 

[CocoHusky]

Well, that sucked. Just a total disaster of a 4th quarter. No other way to put it. ND just collapsed.
Everything that could go wrong did. Couldn't make shots. Couldn't get defensive rebounds. Poor decision making. Fouled too much.I'm sure some of it was Tennessee defensive adjustments but I don't know what happened to the offense in the 2nd half. After the slow start, it looked great for most of the first half. Just stopped running the offense properly in the 4th quarter.
To credit Tennessee, they did a great job of amping up their defensive pressure without fouling in the 2nd half. I might suggest that some of those plays would have been called differently at a neutral site or in South Bend.

I'm not trying to add to you misery but Arike is giving up more than she contributing. That has got to be fixed.

 

[JordyG]

Good game good win.

Bad game, good win.

 

[trb123]

Irish supporters will now appreciate Megan Walker's decision to deselect Notre Dame from her list of schools.
Today's 4Q was not worth a mass.

 

[HuskyNan]

Never thought I'd find myself rooting for TN, but....

Guess I've finally reached the point where I dislike ND more than TN!

I didn't really care who won, as far as liking one team more than the other, but I usually like to watch the way ND runs its offense. The Irish can play such a pretty game that, given my druthers, I would prefer to watch over the LVs. Credit to Tennessee for forcing the Irish into their style of play. It's not great basketball but it got them the W.

 

[stwainfan]

Since it's a we back Pat game. That's the way it should end.

 

[chuck.r]

Perhaps McGraw needs to consider benching a couple of the starters until they get with the program about running her disciplined offense, instead of free-lancing it. Seems had they stayed the course they would have at least kept pace with the Lady Vols in the 4th and been in a better position to take the win. 7 points in the 4th quarter? - Yeesh! A classic case of letting a less talented team hang around long enough.

I'm curious about the fouls situation - it appeared Tenn had a passel of fouls to give in the final 10 seconds to use to whittle the clock & impede ND's final play attempt.

 

[Blue Huskie]

There's a difference between inconsistent (which TN is) and bad.

The difference lies with how into the game Diamond DeShields is mentally.

When it comes to team play no there isn't. Inconsistent is bad.

 

[Gus Mahler]

There is truly something wrong in South Bend.

And it's not like this is early December.

 

[Zorro]

wtf happened in those last 11 seconds? Was UT deliberately fouling anyone who touched the ball or what? (I could not see the game down here.)

 

[bleeckerhusky]

Well, that sucked. Just a total disaster of a 4th quarter. No other way to put it. ND just collapsed.

Everything that could go wrong did. Couldn't make shots. Couldn't get defensive rebounds. Poor decision making. Fouled too much.

I'm sure some of it was Tennessee defensive adjustments but I don't know what happened to the offense in the 2nd half. After the slow start, it looked great for most of the first half. Just stopped running the offense properly in the 4th quarter.

To credit Tennessee, they did a great job of amping up their defensive pressure without fouling in the 2nd half. I might suggest that some of those plays would have been called differently at a neutral site or in South Bend.

Just look at the free-throw disparity. ND 6-9, TN 14-22. Big difference in a 2 point game.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Good Win for Lady Vols. They played some great defense in the 4th quarter without fouling. Having 3 fouls to give with 7 seconds left in the game disrupted ND's final possession and they didn't get a good shot to tie or win game. Surprising with the guards ND has that they can fall completely apart in the 4th quarter.

Definitely out of the running for a #1 seed regardless of what they do in rest of ACC Conference Play.

 

[Orangutan]

I agree here. I complained earlier this year that ND seems to have gone the Louisville route of amassing talent and not giving enough consideration for character and team oriented players. Tonight ND looked like a collection of individuals that thinks talent means team. Only Allen and Nelson seem to really know their roles on this team. ND's outside shot, a strength of this team for years failed them. That Mabrey and Westbeld aren't particularly athletic doesn't help. Everyone else seems content to play 1 on 1. Consequently this team doesn't really have an identity. The assists/shots made ratio notwithstanding, does anyone see this as a good passing team? ND used to have the 2nd prettiest offense in the country. How did that disappear? The guards don't trust the shooters, the shooters can't create for themselves and their lack of athleticism outside of Allen, Turner, Ogunbowale and Young hurts them. When things get tough, where's the focus and execution? Who do they go to? Muffet's got a lot of 'splainin' to do.

The offense was fine and the passing was good in the 1st half. The question is what happened in the 2nd. The outside shot didn't fail ND. They were 5-8 from 3. If anything, they should have taken a few more. I thought there were a couple that Young should have taken but didn't.

 

[Ozimoto]

Good game good win.

Yes, for Tennessee it was. They came to play tonight.

 

[Zorro]

Holly is a genius! Extend her contract!

 

[Charliebball]

Muffet no longer beating the Turner drum is she.

Turner, a very good player with offensive limitations................an All American ............I don't know, maybe at that position............POY, not even close.................. KLS, Collier and Gabby are all having better seasons as are many others in my opinion.....

 

[msf22b]

Very bad loss for Notre Dame
The disastrous start didn't help...at the end, those points were crucial.
Westbeld had a terrible game
Turner had to get passive with the fouls, effected her O game
I don't know why they played straight zone, the whole game.
The UTenn win is still Pat ball with its flaws and all...no real O.
How there was no help to switch onto Nard at the end was criminal.
Arike = Dianond...Whomever plays the worse loses.
The one thing I liked...you have fouls to give...use them...Prevented a legitimate shot
So Holly is not absolutely, completely clueless.

 

[Orangutan]

Just look at the free-throw disparity. ND 6-9, TN 14-22. Big difference in a 2 point game.

Against both Tennessee and NC State ND made more field goals and lost.

 

[easttexastrash]

There is truly something wrong in South Bend.

What is the usual analysis?

• Team chemistry
• Poor coaching
• There's a diva/trouble maker on the team
• They are not giving 100% effort all the time
• They don't play good defense
• They don't play good offense

 

[toadfoot]

Only saw the game intermittently, but I spent time watching Turner and I was struck at how poorly she runs the floor. Injured or disinterested maybe?

 

[easttexastrash]

Very bad loss for Notre Dame
The disastrous start didn't help...at the end, those points were crucial.
Westbeld had a terrible game
Turner had to get passive with the fouls, effected her O game
I don't know why they played straight zone, the whole game.
The UTenn win is still Pat ball with its flaws and all...no real O.
How there was no help to switch onto Nard at the end was criminal.
Arike = Dianond...Whomever plays the worse loses.
The one thing I liked...you have fouls to give...use them...Prevented a legitimate shot
So Holly is not absolutely, completely clueless.

I am not sure that I would describe Diamond's effort today as anything but impacting and positive. She REALLY wanted this game and it showed all game long.