Game Thread Lady Vols at Penn State

[Catbone]

Holly and Butch will be fired in 2017

 

[Volfan2012]

Let us hope that this team can get to 20 wins and back to the NCAA. I'm not expecting them to be a top ten team but hoped they could finish in the top twenty. This is a team of very inconsistent shooters led by a coach with no offensive strategy. We don't have a lockdown defender as one player shots the lights out for them and goes off for 29 points. 2 for 19 from the three while they hit 9 for a difference of 21 points. They won by 14 you can give a team anything but the open threes.
On to the next game and of course us fans should be worried Va Tech is a lot better team than Penn State.

 

[PineyBluff Vol]

But in the interview she said "I take full responsibility for this".........??????

Holly, doesn't know who to blame because she does not know how to coach. Another, ho-hum game. Not looking good for this season.

 

[gule]

If only she had sat on the bench and shut her pie hole again.

 

[Bah Humbug]

I thought that last season and they made it to the Elite 8.

This team has more of Holly's stamp on them which makes them far worse than last year.

 

[hokievol12]

I probably should post on this thread as a visitor, but ...
Last year TN struggled against every team that decided to commit to playing zone against them, and they lost a lot of those games to less talented teams. In watching them play offense against a zone it appeared that not one player or coach had a clue about fundamental principles of attacking zone defenses. So as an outsider it was pretty surprising to see this problem appear early in the year, and reappear, and reappear, and never see any sign that someone was making changes in practice. And we are now 12 months later, a new year, and the exact same issue shows up again. There are a dozen really good books and as many good video tapes on coaching principles of offense against a zone - I can't believe that the HC and all three assistants have never stumbled across any of these, and after last year i can't believe they didn't actively seek them out - but based on this single game that appears to be the case. Again the players and the coaches didn't appear to have a clue.

You can blame players for not hitting shots or failing to box out, but these are 18-21 year olds that need coaching and guidance - you can't beat a zone defense one on one - that is what it is designed to protect against - you have to beat a zone as a team and that takes coaching.

Another thought to those who want to think that TN uniquely gets players that were 'overrated' coming out of HS. This has been a lament of some TN fans every year since that last monster class at the end of Pat's tenure. At some point you can't keep pointing at the recruits, you have to start looking at the coaching they are getting - sure the rating system for HS players is flawed, but it is flawed in the same way for all recruits for all schools. And it is mostly flawed in underestimating some under the radar players that blossom in college. The real difference in results over a decent sample size comes down to the teaching and coaching and leadership they get in college.

:thumbsup:

 

[Momto2]

This game was a microcosm of how we've played since HW became coach. Different year, same problems.

So true. it's going to be a LONG, season.:banghead2:

 

[Coach Jumper]

I luv this Holly, get after em in the interview. She owned it. There ya go!

Go Lady Vols.

She should own it.

BTW better avatar, but still tasteless for the name that you chose to represent your posts.

Still, better than that disgusting one you had

 

[hokievol12]

I despise than guy up north just like all you folks does, but I can right off think of a few others that are nearly as good. This don't mean they would ever end up here. Schaefer at MState, Bruno at DePaul, Tara at Stanford, Muffett at ND. I am sure there are others and probably some great up and comers/.

I really like the Syracuse head coach, gets his players motivated and inspired, doesn't get the top players often, but maximizes the talent of those who play for him.

 

[Spook1]

Our Lady Vols will be in for a fight against the Lady Lions but will put on a show and prevail victorious!

:loco:You were wrong on predicting the outcome of the game. You do not win games when shooting 2 out of 19 3-point shots...the same problem as last year. The only good improvement from last year was only 12 turnovers versus the near 20 per game. Noted that the new player transfer did absolutely nothing.

 

[NoBackBoard]

A positive from this game--- Post game, Holly seems pissed. She usually just seems disappointed & dumbfounded. Today she seemed pissed! I like that! & she actually called it as it was. Uninspired!

Yea, and she also called out the guard play and admitted that it's her responsibility to get them prepared and more vocal.

 

[djtee]

The key here is the absence of a truly great point guard. Reynolds is lacking in so many fundamental skills and Middleton is better suited to shooting guard due to her slow foot speed. We miss Cooper. She and Hayes should give us top-notch play next year if Holly lets them shine.

Here's the good news: If Holly can't get it done by the end of next year (when she'll finally have a deep, talent-laden roster), the new head coach will have a quality lineup from which to build success.

This current team has no fire, determination or guts. And for some confounding reason, the head coach consistently seems baffled beyond belief.

Well said well know Reynolds is not a point guard and so do Holly. So i think the coach should just let Reynolds play her game as a 2 guard and look for her shots. Because if you look at the game we looked like last year team with limited offense and we don`t want that. And with limited depth we can`t play 4 or 5 just can`t. As for Nared he had a good game she was rebounding machine yesterday. But my message to her on offense his stop throwing the ball up and look for contact, Just go up hard and strong on ever play. Looks like Russell might be playing a lot of mins this year. As for Nunn she needs to step her game up right now. I also think giving Harris a few mins here and there would keep Russell fresh.

 

[dillyo51]

Diamond, wassup tho? U the leader of this team and play like that? wassup ma? How can u allow that kind of performance?

Is speaking English too difficult for you?

 

[Only1COJ]

I believe it's going to be a long season for a lot of teams..

#15UK lost to Colorado, but beat a ranked Miami team..
#11Stanford lost to Gonzaga, but beat #8Texas

No one is saying their seasons are over.. Or calling for their coache's head. Sheesh.. Calm down people! Hopefully, this will be an eye opener for this LV team..

 

[th2421]

Wasn't able to watch this game, but I'm interested to see how the "read and react" offense develops over time. As someone else mentioned, we may not have the best roster for it now, but it's probably a smart move long-term. It's what UConn's been doing for years and I believe ND as well.

There's a lot of "doom and gloom" talk here, but I see some encouraging signs as compared to last year, including Diamond still showing up when her shots aren't falling (5 assists, 2 steals, a block), improved A/TO ratio against the zone, increased aggression from Russell and Nared, and others have mentioned they found their spots in the zone but just couldn't hit good looks.

Agreed that the one-on-one defense is troubling - would like to see us use the zone more with this roster.

 

[Amb3096]

Wasn't able to watch this game, but I'm interested to see how the "read and react" offense develops over time. As someone else mentioned, we may not have the best roster for it now, but it's probably a smart move long-term. It's what UConn's been doing for years and I believe ND as well.

There's a lot of "doom and gloom" talk here, but I see some encouraging signs as compared to last year, including Diamond still showing up when her shots aren't falling (5 assists, 2 steals, a block), improved A/TO ratio against the zone, increased aggression from Russell and Nared, and others have mentioned they found their spots in the zone but just couldn't hit good looks.

Agreed that the one-on-one defense is troubling - would like to see us use the zone more with this roster.

They didn't force the ball inside, which accounted for the low turnovers. But Diamond and Alexa were the only perimeter players who tried to attack the zone using the dribble. Diamond missed most of her shots and Alexa was too slow to get very far. The rest of the perimeter players (and sometimes Nared) just hovered around the 3 point line and jacked up 3s that they bricked. I saw at least 2 airballs off uncontested 3s (one of which turned into an assist to Russell - best pass of the night!).

The guard play - Jordan, Alexa and MeMe - was the main culprit in this game. They just have to be better in terms of taking/making open shots, moving without the basketball and playing defense. These deficiencies can be masked on the days that Mercedes, Jaime and Diamond are all able to score, but those 3 guards need to step it up and be dependable when the shots aren't falling for all of the Big Three. Nunn and Dunbar also have to be reliable options off the bench. Right now, Nunn is not helping the team at all. Mercedes played 37 minutes, Jaime played 40 minutes. And this is against a pretty weak team. They can't go through the whole season playing those kinds of minutes. Nunn and Dunbar need to step it up, big time.

I thought I saw some zone from Tennessee last night. When that happened, PSU got the ball to Paige and she would attack the holes in the zone to get all the way to the basket for an uncontested basket. That's what the LV guards need to practice.

 

[mike099]

I just cannot understand how a player like Nunn is not contributing more. Apparently the excuse has been, she is not in playing shape. I cannot understand how any of these players would be out of shape. To me a dedicated player would be working out and in shape first and then working on shooting, etc. next.

 

[djtee]

They didn't force the ball inside, which accounted for the low turnovers. But Diamond and Alexa were the only perimeter players who tried to attack the zone using the dribble. Diamond missed most of her shots and Alexa was too slow to get very far. The rest of the perimeter players (and sometimes Nared) just hovered around the 3 point line and jacked up 3s that they bricked. I saw at least 2 airballs off uncontested 3s (one of which turned into an assist to Russell - best pass of the night!).

The guard play - Jordan, Alexa and MeMe - was the main culprit in this game. They just have to be better in terms of taking/making open shots, moving without the basketball and playing defense. These deficiencies can be masked on the days that Mercedes, Jaime and Diamond are all able to score, but those 3 guards need to step it up and be dependable when the shots aren't falling for all of the Big Three. Nunn and Dunbar also have to be reliable options off the bench. Right now, Nunn is not helping the team at all. Mercedes played 37 minutes, Jaime played 40 minutes. And this is against a pretty weak team. They can't go through the whole season playing those kinds of minutes. Nunn and Dunbar need to step it up, big time.

I thought I saw some zone from Tennessee last night. When that happened, PSU got the ball to Paige and she would attack the holes in the zone to get all the way to the basket for an uncontested basket. That's what the LV guards need to practice.

I agree with you Mercedes playing 37 minutes against a bad team is not good. As for Nunn Dunbar Holly needs to light a fire under there rear. We all know Pat would have been face to face with the two letting them know there play is unacceptable.

 

[Amb3096]

As for Nunn Dunbar Holly needs to light a fire under there rear. We all know Pat would have been face to face with the two letting them know there play is unacceptable.

Or it could be that they just aren't that good. Let's be fair to Schaquila. She wasn't a top HS prospect, she transferred from a weak school in a weak conference, and she wouldn't have gotten a single look from Tennessee if not for the fact that Holly struck out on Cox, Holmes and McCoy. There shouldn't have been much different expectations for her than there was for Kamara Harris. Both were brought in for depth, although some on this board were predicting Schaquila would be an upgrade from Bashaara before she played a single game. Even then, she doesn't need to be able to do much but rebound, play some defense and not turn the ball over. If she averages more than 5-6 ppg this season, that would be a bonus but not an expectation. But for her to do this, the Tennessee guards need to play better. Otherwise, with Mercedes on the bench, there will be no easy baskets for the team.

Dunbar...to be honest, I never expected her to play much. She was always in my eyes going to be towards the end of the rotation. If not for the recruiting whiff this season combined with the injuries to Carter and Cooper, I doubt she would have seen anything more than garbage minutes. With the class coming in next year, unless she really distinguishes herself this season, she will be back to the end of the bench with MeMe and Kamara next season.

 

[ladyvosl23]

Sometimes We got in Gaps and Sometime we didn't > IT was soo funny when jamie nared Air ball the ball and no one was on her. the Pace against the zone because we like to make sure there is still air in the ball instead of moving . The ball . Virgina Tech is going to play zone. Hell Everybody is until we move flash to short corner flash diamond to the high post. skip pass and duck in for mederces, but she has to be stronger when doubles come.

 

[mlindsay]

Or it could be that they just aren't that good. Let's be fair to Schaquila. She wasn't a top HS prospect, she transferred from a weak school in a weak conference, and she wouldn't have gotten a single look from Tennessee if not for the fact that Holly struck out on Cox, Holmes and McCoy. There shouldn't have been much different expectations for her than there was for Kamara Harris. Both were brought in for depth, although some on this board were predicting Schaquila would be an upgrade from Bashaara before she played a single game. Even then, she doesn't need to be able to do much but rebound, play some defense and not turn the ball over. If she averages more than 5-6 ppg this season, that would be a bonus but not an expectation. But for her to do this, the Tennessee guards need to play better. Otherwise, with Mercedes on the bench, there will be no easy baskets for the team.

Dunbar...to be honest, I never expected her to play much. She was always in my eyes going to be towards the end of the rotation. If not for the recruiting whiff this season combined with the injuries to Carter and Cooper, I doubt she would have seen anything more than garbage minutes. With the class coming in next year, unless she really distinguishes herself this season, she will be back to the end of the bench with MeMe and Kamara next season.

I agree with you to an extent but part of it is Holly needs to decide how she wants to play and go from there. If the emphasis is to get Russell the ball, then Nunn shouldn't be starting, she should be backing up Russell off the bench (as we saw against ETSU).

At Winthrop she played the 4 but when she post up, the person playing the 5 would go to the high post and they would alternate who goes where. As the odd person out (her and Harris are new to the team) she has to get adjusted to her teammates and that isn't as easy to do when there are (cliques) one the team.

Jordan isn't getting it done at the Point (partially because she is passing up opportunities to score and realistically should probably be transitioned more toward the wing). Holly and her loyalty to her and her undeniable faith in Russell is part of what is killing the team (outside of her inability to coach).

There is a coach on this staff that can relate to this group of players and can get the best out of some of them and I think if Holly sits back and just let certain players play (in a sense) we might see far greater results. Remember last season when she benched herself in a sense at halftime and the players looked extremely dominant under Coach Law. Coach Law also was vital in landing all of the recruits in the 2017 class as well as getting Diamond to change her ways last season.

I am still trying to give her the benefit of the doubt but some coaches are just better off as assistant coaches. It's not saying that she can't coach at all it is simply saying she shouldn't be the person running the show.

 

[Amb3096]

I agree with you to an extent but part of it is Holly needs to decide how she wants to play and go from there. If the emphasis is to get Russell the ball, then Nunn shouldn't be starting, she should be backing up Russell off the bench (as we saw against ETSU).

At Winthrop she played the 4 but when she post up, the person playing the 5 would go to the high post and they would alternate who goes where. As the odd person out (her and Harris are new to the team) she has to get adjusted to her teammates and that isn't as easy to do when there are (cliques) one the team.

Jordan isn't getting it done at the Point (partially because she is passing up opportunities to score and realistically should probably be transitioned more toward the wing). Holly and her loyalty to her and her undeniable faith in Russell is part of what is killing the team (outside of her inability to coach).

There is a coach on this staff that can relate to this group of players and can get the best out of some of them and I think if Holly sits back and just let certain players play (in a sense) we might see far greater results. Remember last season when she benched herself in a sense at halftime and the players looked extremely dominant under Coach Law. Coach Law also was vital in landing all of the recruits in the 2017 class as well as getting Diamond to change her ways last season.

I am still trying to give her the benefit of the doubt but some coaches are just better off as assistant coaches. It's not saying that she can't coach at all it is simply saying she shouldn't be the person running the show.

First to the bolded part :lolabove::lolabove::lolabove::lolabove::lolabove: At least her breath doesn't stink! (I don't disagree with you BTW).

Getting that out of the way....

I agree that Nunn probably shouldn't start, unless the opposing team has a big, imposing but offensively challenged 4. Nared can get the job done against most of the teams. Even against SC, she would be a must have on the court because she can put points on the board. Nunn, Harris and Dunbar have to combine for about 25 mpg this season, and have to do something while they are on the court...whether it's rebounds for Nunn, blocks for Harris or some outside shooting for Dunbar. Otherwise, Nared and Mercedes will be burnt out shells mid-way through the SEC season. It's one thing to play them 35+ mpg against the likes of ND or SC, but if they have to do it against every team that's slightly better than a Div II team, then they are screwed.

 

[djtee]

I agree with you to an extent but part of it is Holly needs to decide how she wants to play and go from there. If the emphasis is to get Russell the ball, then Nunn shouldn't be starting, she should be backing up Russell off the bench (as we saw against ETSU).

At Winthrop she played the 4 but when she post up, the person playing the 5 would go to the high post and they would alternate who goes where. As the odd person out (her and Harris are new to the team) she has to get adjusted to her teammates and that isn't as easy to do when there are (cliques) one the team.

Jordan isn't getting it done at the Point (partially because she is passing up opportunities to score and realistically should probably be transitioned more toward the wing). Holly and her loyalty to her and her undeniable faith in Russell is part of what is killing the team (outside of her inability to coach).

There is a coach on this staff that can relate to this group of players and can get the best out of some of them and I think if Holly sits back and just let certain players play (in a sense) we might see far greater results. Remember last season when she benched herself in a sense at halftime and the players looked extremely dominant under Coach Law. Coach Law also was vital in landing all of the recruits in the 2017 class as well as getting Diamond to change her ways last season.

I am still trying to give her the benefit of the doubt but some coaches are just better off as assistant coaches. It's not saying that she can't coach at all it is simply saying she shouldn't be the person running the show.

well said and i did address the Jordan issue early she is not a point and is passing up to many shots. Holly just need to say look i know we do not have a true point so just go out and play your game look to score.

 

[gule]

let DD play pg and let the rest rebound after she takes the 1st shot.
I'd be playing dd and MeMe, Russell, Jamie and Kortney/middleton till after new years. everyone else get's garbage minutes only.

 

[cwbytruckers]

You have to think that no matter how the rest of the season goes Holly gets 1 more year regardless. The number 1 recruiting class guarantees that. But if she doesn't make strides in the next couple years I can't see fans or coaches wanting her.