Game Thread: Lady Vols Vs Oklahoma; Sun Jan 5th ; Home game; 3 PM Eastern; ESPN

[Clad in Big Orange]

Proud of the ladies. Feels like a moral victory after 3 quarters of the game. Also feels like heart break to lose it that way. Sara was too open to turn that down but we needed Spear to shoot.

 

[RespectAPA]

Spearman was horrible all game

Puckett was worse.

 

[utVolFanInVA]

It was wide open and in rhythm. We didn’t have time to pass up a look like that. No guarantee a better shot would’ve come.

She had space to take two steps to the free throw line where she is pretty good. We only needed 2 points.

 

[SGMVols]

How do you feel about Puckett shooting that instead of getting the ball to someone that can get downhill and get a shooting foul

Zero problem with it. You take the first good look you get in that situation. And she had a GREAT look.

 

[zeppelin128]

We back tho

First time I've had the chance to watch the LVs this season. Love the defense and intensity I saw.

 

[Jravol78]

There is no quit in this group & this was an impressive effort . No shame in losing by one to a top 10 team. The world would be a better place if the reactionary legions of the miserable would either shut up or better yet go away.

 

[Vols2015]

Mistake. And she knows it. Down 2, take that shot. Down 1, you drive.

Yes, Sara even had a chance to dribble and then pull up around the free throw line.

 

[teeball]

Damn. Did anyone think Puckett was going to make it.

Sadly NO! Her shooting this year has been awful. She shouldn't be getting as many minutes as she is. I would rather see Strickland in the game over Sara. Oh well, what a fantastic comeback. Go Lady Vols!

 

[ttharp]

A senior needs to know the plan & the clock better
Too many times earlier I was asking g myself where is Darby for the kickoff out 3...
Not sure why she wasn't in and at least in position for that open look

I’ll have to go back and watch, but to me it looked the staff drew that up for Sara.

 

[VolBall09]

x

 

[GBO18]

It was wide open and in rhythm. We didn’t have time to pass up a look like that. No guarantee a better shot would’ve come.

There was still plenty of time to run the play which I’m sure included getting the ball back to Cooper.

 

[SGMVols]

She had space to take two steps to the free throw line where she is pretty good. We only needed 2 points.

When has Puckett ever been effective off the dribble though?

 

[volfan102455]

Not going to be critical of that wide open shot - Just not going to. The offense is all about taking the quick shot when you get open.

A coaching moment on how to transition from the normal "take it when you are open" to being more selective for a "last second shot" to win the game.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Cause she was wide open.

with 6 seconds left tho

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Someone send protection from VolBall09.

Yeah, that poster is unhinged.

 

[Voluble2]

The play should have been get the ball to Cooper on the inbounds .....that is all

I believe we did and she had to give it up.

 

[Vols2015]

Despite the end, this team was down 19, never gave up. This is a learning lesson that Kim and team can take with them. This is not the end LV Nation! Go LV!

To add a little more on my response, let’s also keep in mind, we DID NOT know what this year would bring with the new coaching change, style of play, players, etc. We have far exceeded expectations at this point in the season. Let’s not allow one hard fought loss be our end. Sometimes a loss is needed to make our players realize how important 4 quarters of defense really is.

 

[TnVolsX4]

I’ll have to go back and watch, but to me it looked the staff drew that up for Sara.

I thought so too.

 

[Sudden Impact]

And that is exactly what we are looking at. This was really a must win game for us at home if we wanted to be in the conversation. Puts us right back to being mediocre in the national picture.

Damaging for the players confidence too getting rocked at home. Not a good look at all.

Are you just a doubting thomas, drama queen or just a half baked fan. Sad whatever the case. Tough loss but again competitive and more than you can expect after the last 8 years. OBTW OK is top 5 rank team

 

[VolBall09]

I’ll have to go back and watch, but to me it looked the staff drew that up for Sara.

I do not think so, she thought twice about it and that’s why she bricked it. Play was gonna be for Jewel for three or Cooper to the hoop. That’s why spear was in the opposite corner. Puckett was supposed to set the screen for Cooper to come off to the basket with Spear in the corner.

 

[volfan102455]

Im not a fan of Sara at all but she shoots 3s and was WIDE open in an offense that teaches you to shoot. Can’t blame her. Just hate not having the ball in Cooper or Spear’s hands to end it

Agree the entire offense is about taking the shot when you are open.

 

[utVolFanInVA]

When has Puckett ever been effective off the dribble though?

She is shooting 24% from 3-pt. With 6 seconds left, she should not shoot a three only down 1. Bad decision no matter how you dice it.

 

[RespectAPA]

When has Puckett ever been effective off the dribble though?

Wasn't her only 2 of the game fairly mobile? (also, to hav only 2 makes in 19 minutes of play, and only 1 rebound... Jesus)

 

[brittannica]

Wasnt the outcome we wanted, but the fight they showed was amazing. Folks around me were impressed, and now I'm gonna have Ruby sign my basketball. I am excited to see this team against LSU.

 

[teeball]

Absolutely the last person on the team you want to take the game winning shot.

Props to OK for knowing that and not even bothering to guard her.

Very, very, very bad decision by Kim to have Pucket in at the end and allowing them to guard us 5 on 4.

+1,000