Week 5 - Dec 2 to 8

[UConnCat]

Remains to be seen how effective it will be, but let me tell you: it gets tedious to watch. First five or so minutes it was kind of amusing, but after a while, it just became a grind - other than the fast break shots from Tennessee, the whole affair is messy, chaotic, and haphazard. It's like the opposite of watching a UConn or Notre Dame this season, which are teams that have some really beautifully executed plays, as well as incredibly talented athletes. This was just a hot mess. I can't imagine watching a season of that as a Vols fan, yikes. But you do you, Kim...

I'm with you 100%. Tennessee fans are so hungry for success they'll happily take the wins even if it means covering their eyes for half the game.

The coach does need to upgrade the non-conference slate. Hopefully that happens in the future.

 

[UConnCat]

Caldwell's style of play requires better 3-point shooters than are currently on the roster. Not sure what is going on with Jewel Spear, whom I've always liked. Big guard, good shooter who I thought may be given a shot in the WNBA. She is struggling so far this season.

I will be interested to see the player development in this helter-skelter style of play. If players aren't leaving Tennessee pro-ready then recruits will look elsewhere.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Caldwell's style of play requires better 3-point shooters than are currently on the roster. Not sure what is going on with Jewel Spear, whom I've always liked. Big guard, good shooter who I thought may be given a shot in the WNBA. She is struggling so far this season.

I will be interested to see the player development in this helter-skelter style of play. If players aren't leaving Tennessee pro-ready then recruits will look elsewhere.

Yeah, I'm not a Vols fan so I don't have to worry about this, but that was my reaction too: this is not a great system to get pro ready. It's extremely admirable how much the players seem bought into a system in which they already had 36 substitutions 4 minutes into the game, but there's no way that approach is going to be ideal from a player development perspective. It really just reminds me of the ASU hockey line substitutions system under CTT -- but on steroids. And I didn't begrudge CTT for doing it, precisely because the Sun Devils were never going to get top pro prospects, so her system was great for solid role players. I'm not sure I see this working the same way for a team like the Vols that is used to generating top pro players, but time will tell. Mostly... I just don't want to have to watch it!

 

[BRS24]

At the half, Michigan only up 32-31 over Northwestern. No other surprises as of yet.

 

[azfan]

No letdown for Molly Miller's crew following the big win over the kitties. 22-10 over the outmatched Utah State Aggies. I have to compliment the Aggies for playing with more cohesion and energy than Natasha Adairs Sun Devils.

Meanwhile could Lindy LaRoche pull off the upset? Rebs are within one at the end of the first quarter.

 

[Centerstream]

At the half, Michigan only up 32-31 over Northwestern. No other surprises as of yet.

Nope, no surprises, so far it seems like the other teams ranked in the Top 25 have had cake walk wins.

 

[azfan]

Lopes paced by ex UNLV Rebs Durazo-Frescas (11) and Obiazor (10) to lead at the half. Lindy LaRoche doesn't miss either as Rebs are tied up in Waco.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Ouch. Gonzaga blew a 20 point halftime lead against Colorado St. Went to OT, they eventually lost by 2. Looks like Bettencourt has been pulled from the starting lineup.


Okay, that's weird. Both halves featured a 43-23 scoring discrepancy, but they obviously flip flopped from one half to the other.

 

[nwhoopfan]

At one point Villanova appeared to be in control against Fairfield. Can't remember what the margin was when I looked but it was double figures. Fairfield came back to win by 3.

 

[visitingcock]

At the half, Michigan only up 32-31 over Northwestern. No other surprises as of yet.

NW was a tough out, but Michigan survived.

 

[Vowelguy]

Remains to be seen how effective it will be, but let me tell you: it gets tedious to watch. First five or so minutes it was kind of amusing, but after a while, it just became a grind - other than the fast break shots from Tennessee, the whole affair is messy, chaotic, and haphazard. It's like the opposite of watching a UConn or Notre Dame this season, which are teams that have some really beautifully executed plays, as well as incredibly talented athletes. This was just a hot mess. I can't imagine watching a season of that as a Vols fan, yikes. But you do you, Kim...

My theory has been that if this were an effective gameplan you'd see it in the pros. The fact that you never ever do suggests to me that good players can beat it. But we'll see.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Princeton erased I think a 15 point deficit to tie up Utah late in Q4, but ultimately lost by 3. Joining Gonzaga as a traditionally really good non P4 program that is inhabiting Struggle City so far this season.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I thought about going to the UCLA-Washington game today, but didn't make the trip. Looks like it was close thru Q1, UCLA steadily pulling away since. Ladine and Stines are a combined 5-18, those 2 have been shooting poorly for a while now. That needs to change.

 

[Plebe]

Princeton erased I think a 15 point deficit to tie up Utah late in Q4, but ultimately lost by 3. Joining Gonzaga as a traditionally really good non P4 program that is inhabiting Struggle City so far this season.

No great shame in losing a one possession game at Utah, a team that beat Notre Dame. Princeton is down from last year and will not be an at-large team but has not plummeted to the depths Gonzaga has.

 

[CAbballfan2]

Yeah, I'm not a Vols fan so I don't have to worry about this, but that was my reaction too: this is not a great system to get pro ready. It's extremely admirable how much the players seem bought into a system in which they already had 36 substitutions 4 minutes into the game, but there's no way that approach is going to be ideal from a player development perspective. It really just reminds me of the ASU hockey line substitutions system under CTT -- but on steroids. And I didn't begrudge CTT for doing it, precisely because the Sun Devils were never going to get top pro prospects, so her system was great for solid role players. I'm not sure I see this working the same way for a team like the Vols that is used to generating top pro players, but time will tell. Mostly... I just don't want to have to watch it!

This! The run and gun isn’t something that seems sustainable. Sure, if you’re having a great shooting night it could be deadly. But what about teaching the ins and outs of the game. I’ve watched 2 Tennessee games so far this season and I’m not of a fan of just seeing a team jack 3s. In my opinion, that’s not basketball. But maybe it will work for them? Who knows

 

[nwhoopfan]

After falling behind by at least 17, maybe 19 at one point, Washington rallied to get as close as 5. 73-62 final. I guess it could've been worse. I'm still dumbfounded by their 14 point loss against Montana.

 

[Stagnant]

Washington to me has two of the most impressive losses this season. But I am coming from a place of “I don’t think they are a tournament team”. So close losses to both LSU and UCLA really impress me.

 

[Stagnant]

No great shame in losing a one possession game at Utah, a team that beat Notre Dame. Princeton is down from last year and will not be an at-large team but has not plummeted to the depths Gonzaga has.

Princeton’s best player is out for the season. That might have something to do with it.

Also, I saw Rutgers lost again. They have a couple exciting players. But it is going to be a long year in the big 10.

 

[Kaizen]

South Carolina 44 - TCU 23 at halftime.

 

[packwrap]

Iowa Coach Jensen’s pregame speech about Tenn;
“They might be a little bigger. They might be a little more athletic. But they’re not better basketball players than us.”

That was true for 37 minutes...then suddenly the LVols could shoot.

Intriquing game. Somehow Iowa used more rebounds and a higher% to neutralize all the turnovers. Ultimately the mathematics finally worked out for Coach Caldwell at the end.

 

[packwrap]

South Carolina 44 - TCU 23 at halftime.

Prince 2 points 1 board at half. She is struggling with the 18 year olds from SC.

 

[Vowelguy]

Funny, some were saying that the other teams would be "scared" of UConn after last night's game over #22 Lou. Laughable of course. But moreso give what SC is doing at #9 TCU.

 

[12au]

A&M loses by 39 in College Station. Do we think Joni survives 2025? My guess is she makes it through, then is fired in 2026

 

[Vowelguy]

A&M loses by 39 in College Station. Do we think Joni survives 2025? My guess is she makes it through, then is fired in 2026

Instead of her normal non-conf sked, Kim should've just scheduled an extra game against TAMU.

There was some top recruit who followed Joni from GA to TAMU. Is she still there or did she bail?

The mid-SEC is going to benefit from the deadweight at the bottom of the conference this year.

 

[WBBTakeover]

A&M loses by 39 in College Station. Do we think Joni survives 2025? My guess is she makes it through, then is fired in 2026