Vols down early (very early)

[UCONNfan1]

By the way, 24 fouls on Tennessee to 15 for MTSU. One thing that was not discussed enough IMHO is the fact that Tennessee has traditionally never been a great offensive team, but rather relied very heavily on defense turning into offense. The problem is the physical nature of their defense won't work with the new rules, and without free flowing and scoring offenses, Tennessee will struggle...

 

[Phil]

Anyway, I'm just in a bit of a pissy mood after watching the men give away a 17 point lead late in the 2nd half and almost blow the game. They won by 1, but man it almost felt like a loss.

I agree.

 

[UCONNfan1]

So... a 10 point Tennessee win. And by the way, it was about a 6 point game till MTSU fouled and sent a parade of Tennessee players to the line at the end.

Aside from a 12 minute stretch where they outscored MTSU by about 20, MTSU either outplayed, or evenly played, Tennessee. Grind for nine? How about just taking one game at a time.

 

[Fightin Choke]

What killed Tennessee was their guard play. Their starting backcourt shot 4/20 and the bench guards shot 2/7, for an overall shooting percentage of 22%. Their bigs shot much better (though Burdick was cold). The guards also had 6 assists vs. 9 TO.

 

[stwainfan]

The main issue in this game was 33 fouls called on Tennessee. Came back and outscored them 45-23 in 2nd half. Russell had 11 points.

 

[doggydaddy]

The main issue in this game was 33 fouls called on Tennessee. Came back and outscored them 45-23 in 2nd half. Russell had 11 points.

Yes, it was the fouls.

Not the 2-11 and 1-5 shooting by Simmons.
Not the 2-9 and 0-3 shooting by Massengale.
How about the 4 TO's and ZERO assist by Simmons.

Count your blessings that MTSU shot 17-31 from the foul line.

 

[UCONNfan1]

The main issue in this game was 33 fouls called on Tennessee. Came back and outscored them 45-23 in 2nd half. Russell had 11 points.

Yep. Problem for Tennessee is the traditional game plan of play super physical defense won't work with the new rules. Time to teach some offense to offset the less physical defense they will need to play.

Tennessee has traditionally recruited great athletes, but not great scorers. Kids like Simmons who put up a zillion shots to get their points do not make for a smooth flowing offense. And they have traditionally relied on very tough, physical defense to fuel their offense. Their team is not designed to thrive under the new rules.

Given that the emphasis this year is on stopping that kind of defense, Tennessee needed to spend time retooling their offense and morph into a team not only of tough/clean defenders, but of scorers. It was pretty clear tonight that at this point they have neither.

A 6 point lead over MTSU with under a minute left? Yikes. They barely averted a disaster.

 

[Yukon]

#4 in the land? I did not see that tonight. Sorry Tenn...

 

[Bestiarius]

The main issue in this game was 33 fouls called on Tennessee. Came back and outscored them 45-23 in 2nd half. Russell had 11 points.

Yes, Tennessee did a lot of fouling. So did MTSU. I'd say the main issue is what is going to happen when the Lady Vols face a good team with some height? But it was a win, enjoy it while you can. You should beat N Carolina in my opinion.

 

[Jim]

Count your blessings that MTSU shot 17-31 from the foul line.

I hear Tennessee has the best free throw defense in the country, hands down.

 

[RandomFan85]

My fellow LV fans were very quick to point out that the emphasis on hand-checking was going to hurt teams like KY, but failed to see that it's going to hurt us a lot more. But 34 fouls doesn't explain horrendous guard play. After 4 years, I think it starts to fall back on the coach. I am afraid we are in for looooong season here in Tennnessee.

 

[UcMiami]

Well - compared to the start last season this was a lot better! I don't think you can read to much into the first week of games especially with the big changes in officiating - it doesn't take too much to throw any team off their stride and 33 fouls can really mess up a planned rotation pattern.
I am not usually an apologist for TN but ...

 

[RandomFan85]

Well - compared to the start last season this was a lot better! I don't think you can read to much into the first week of games especially with the big changes in officiating - it doesn't take too much to throw any team off their stride and 33 fouls can really mess up a planned rotation pattern.
I am not usually an apologist for TN but ...

I agree, you can't read a lot into the first week. But at some point as a Lady Vol fan, I think it would be nice to see the Massengale/Simmons back court play up to their potential. The lack of consistency is so frustrating.

 

[Alydar]

If they committed 33 fouls in the state of Tenn they better sign a couple of walk-on's for the trip to Chapel Hill Monday. They had one player foul out, Graves, and 5 others had 4.

In a way I'm glad I'll be home Monday so I'll get to see the second game.

 

[Tonyc]

LOL this is typical Tenn for the past few years. A lot of talent, no guard play, no chemistry, and no perimeter defense. UNC is next and UNC is a lot of under classman. I think UNC wins. I said preseason Tenn is not a top 5 team and with their easy cupcake schedule they just might be but at best theyre 7-10 . UNC should win by double digets. Having a lot of talent isn't having a good team. Being able to develop that talent, being able to have that talent disciplined to play as a team is what makes you great. Tenn hasn't had and and after tonight they still don't have it. The only way they make the FF is if I buy them tickets and I wont.

 

[EricLA]

Sounds like this isn't a very fundamentally sound Tennessee team. Read that Holly admitted she hasn't taught this particular team any offense yet. If she's only been focusing on defense, that's not a good sign.

 

[msf22b]

I agree, you can't read a lot into the first week. But at some point as a Lady Vol fan, I think it would be nice to see the Massengale/Simmons back court play up to their potential. The lack of consistency is so frustrating.

It's not their lack of consistency.
They just haven't shown that they're much good

 

[ocoandasoc]

The game was televised here in Nashville. The game was called very tight, not to LV's advantage. But if Tenn doesn't shoot better from the perimeter they're going to have problems.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

The two teams combined for 58 fouls. Must have been a dreadful game to watch.

 

[Icebear]

Well - compared to the start last season this was a lot better! I don't think you can read to much into the first week of games especially with the big changes in officiating - it doesn't take too much to throw any team off their stride and 33 fouls can really mess up a planned rotation pattern.
I am not usually an apologist for TN but ...

Exactly and unlike TN's game tonight after UHart UCONN has a ferocious week and no easy start while they work off the rough edges. Caution maybe be the operative word. Batten down the mojo.

 

[Phil]

I'm sure the glass half full LV fans will note that MTN took them to OT last year, and this year the LV's won easily, so this team is much better than last year.

 

[UcMiami]

The two teams combined for 58 fouls. Must have been a dreadful game to watch.

I think at least early on we are all going to have to get used to these types of games. The first half of the year may be filled with processions to the foul line - any team that hasn't taken the new rules/guidelines seriously and worked with their players is going to have a hard time finishing games with 5 eligible players even if they start with 15. And in some ways the weaker teams without strong post play may fair better as a player like Stef might get 2 or 3 offensive fouls just moving from one side of the lane to the other. Stewie got two in about three minutes in the second half of the the first exhibition.

 

[Bestiarius]

I think Tennessee's "Grind for 9" goal is achievable this year. They may even win more than 9 games.

 

[EricLA]

I think Tennessee's "Grind for 9" goal is achievable this year. They may even win more than 9 games.

CLASSIC!

 

[stwainfan]

Here is my take. The first half the team started slow. I think some of that had to do with all the fouls called. Second half looked more of what I expected. Carter was key in starting the 14-0 run to start 2nd half. The team may not have played as good as they can. Still come out of there with a win.