Game Thread: Lady Vols v UT-Martin, Away, Sun. Nov 9th, 3PM, ESPN+; (Win 72-61)

The ladies did not quite showcase their true potential in this match. From the moment the game began, it felt as though their hearts were not ignited by that fierce competitive spirit we know they possess. While Robertson delivered a commendable performance, Wolfenbarger appeared to fall short of her remarkable capabilities. The contest was far closer than it ought to have been. Every great team experiences its share of highs and lows, and I can only hope that this experience serves as a valuable lesson, guiding them to rise stronger in their future endeavors.
 
The ladies did not quite showcase their true potential in this match. From the moment the game began, it felt as though their hearts were not ignited by that fierce competitive spirit we know they possess. While Robertson delivered a commendable performance, Wolfenbarger appeared to fall short of her remarkable capabilities. The contest was far closer than it ought to have been. Every great team experiences its share of highs and lows, and I can only hope that this experience serves as a valuable lesson, guiding them to rise stronger in their future endeavors.
I’m hoping this was a nod to Martin as Pat’s point of origin… subconsciously. They may actually have been embarrassed by the huge LV turnout…
 

Surprisingly, Coach seemed calm, poised, and gracious here despite our disappointing overall performance. It calmed my reactivity to the game as well and somehow gave me more confidence going forward. I enjoyed Nya's comments too, especially how she is adjusting from being the main player on a team to being on a team with several talented players. She may well be one of the ones who may really grow this year. With her being a senior, we need her to.
 
UT Martin definitely did Pat Head a great honor through their strong play and with their sellout crowd today, and I am happy for their team, university and fanbase. Before the game the announcers were wondering how they'd handle the moment, and what a thrill for them that they handled it as well as any team could have hoped. Good for them for doing Pat proud!
 
Last edited:
UT Martin definitely did Pat Head a great honor through their strong play and with their sellout crowd today, and I am happy for their team, university and fanbase. Before tye game the announcers were wondering how they'd handle the moment, and what a thrill for them that they handled it as well as any team could have hoped. Good for them for giving doing Pat proud!
Thank you. A tip of the cap is rare around here…
 
Mia Pauldo and Jaida Civil are two of the best freshmen in the country. I would say Jaida Civil and Mia Pauldo right now is in the Top 3 along with the freshmen at USC for NCAA FOY. No other freshmen and not many other players regardless of classification are as athletic as Civil.
For as good as both Mia and Mya have been, I think it’s the depth of this team that will separate it from the opposition.
This is a top 5 roster in WBB. Some players are struggling right now and need time to get in a flow/rhythm in this system.
When it does click they will be unguardable offensively.
The LVs are 11 deep against every team this season. Unheard of in WBB.
Look up Z. Johnson
 
  • Like
Reactions: th2421
I look at this as a valuable game for us. I think some of the players thought they could easily take down this team without a lot of effort, but UT Martin says that is not happening. We really played hard the second half I liked what I saw in those two quarters even if we were only able to build 11 point deficit.

We really should consider less three point shooting 9 for 29 31 percent and 17 for 29 two point shooting. Last two game 63 percent from the two and tonight 59 percent from those shots seems they should be a higher percentage of our shots. This game they were 50-50. I think it should look more like 70-30. We got 17 free throws to their to their 14 another positive that we finally had the most free throws. 15 to 5 in offensive rebounds which was a must against this smaller team. 22 turnovers to their 23 way to many unforced turnovers for us.
 
View attachment 788224
View attachment 788223

at
utm-logo
UT Martin
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Lady Vol Network
Nov 9(Sun), 3:00 P.M. ET

Score Predictions: (winners will be determined by closest to BOTH scores,,not total points)...otherwise a score of 132-1 would win this challenge
AvatarTNUT-MTTL
@MAD8668154
@RetroVol8943132
@th24218954143
@RespectAPA9130121
@Volfan20129255147
@TNRazor9351144
@Deebowbear9457151
@1morevol9753150
@Purplehaze269751148
@Rickster9741138
@Orange Maniac9847145
@orangemadam9853151
@Rooster19939138
@knoxvol5210151152
@chuckiepoo10353156
@vols9010743150
@J-Dog 131311048158
@Coach Jumper11252164

View attachment 788536
 
  • Like
Reactions: Volfan2012
I look at this as a valuable game for us. I think some of the players thought they could easily take down this team without a lot of effort, but UT Martin says that is not happening. We really played hard the second half I liked what I saw in those two quarters even if we were only able to build 11 point deficit.

We really should consider less three point shooting 9 for 29 31 percent and 17 for 29 two point shooting. Last two game 63 percent from the two and tonight 59 percent from those shots seems they should be a higher percentage of our shots. This game they were 50-50. I think it should look more like 70-30. We got 17 free throws to their to their 14 another positive that we finally had the most free throws. 15 to 5 in offensive rebounds which was a must against this smaller team. 22 turnovers to their 23 way to many unforced turnovers for us.
One of the most concerning things to me is that CKC has said she’s ordered less three point shooting. She said coming in she knew that was a weakness, that she still didn’t have a consistent knock down three point shooter. Therefore, the plan was to use the superior size and athleticism to get to the rim. She was willing to change the three point dominant aspect of her system based on need.

Unfortunately, for some reason, the team seems not to have gotten that message. They’re either not understanding or willfully not adhering. And there seems to be no coherent offense in place to replace the early shot clock 3 chunking. To me, that’s evidence of a real problem. Buy in and response seems to lag so far this year. Still plenty of time to fix though.
 
Or maybe just avoid sports fan message boards if you’re overly sensitive to criticism of lack luster early season games.

Also, you could point the finger at really crazy off-season expectations for this team. A lot were based on some players who have an awful lot still to prove.
The offense is not set around running set plays so sometimes players go rogue. Maybe she can get across that our two point shooting is 60 percent and our three point shooting is 30 percent. We really need more driving the ball with Cooper. Mia needs to be able to break down the defense the way she was doing in the second half of the game. Barker, Latham, and Spearman need to be more willing to become inside threats. The threes we were getting in those last two quarters were far better than those first half heaves. Reason we shot 25 percent first half from three and 36 percent in the second half.
 
The offense is not set around running set plays so sometimes players go rogue.
But the coach has said all season when they go rogue she wants it to be going to the hoop. Coach’s plans and players responses aren’t matching. That’s something they need to work on and I’m sure they will.
 
The offense is not set around running set plays so sometimes players go rogue. Maybe she can get across that our two point shooting is 60 percent and our three point shooting is 30 percent. We really need more driving the ball with Cooper. Mia needs to be able to break down the defense the way she was doing in the second half of the game. Barker, Latham, and Spearman need to be more willing to become inside threats. The threes we were getting in those last two quarters were far better than those first half heaves. Reason we shot 25 percent first half from three and 36 percent in the second half.
Lots to clean up, and so many lineup variants may require some time. Way too early and not enough data points to intelligently apply any rational trend analysis. Making profound statements EITHER WAY requires an application of arrogance by any and all. Players can individually work on cleaning up bad decision processes based on on-court experiences, but teamwork and real meshing time is a variable and shortcomings are magnified at CKC directed speed.
 
Any update on injuries?
Don't think there actually were any. Many were concerned about Coop because she played so little that second half, but listening to the presser I don't think that was injury or illness related. Coach said pointedly that the players that ended the game were the players she felt were giving adequate effort.

The next starting lineup is going to be really interesting. I realize the starting 5 is not all that important; however, it's not based on nothing. It is still used to some extent as a reward or punishment. We'll see what happens, and a lot could be based on practice this week.

The presser is the first time I've heard Nya speak and I'm really impressed with her. Glad she's an LV if only for the short term.
 
Several of us posters, me included, were expecting a blowout and when it didn't happen and they came with no effort, Kim's comment not mine, we overreacted. So let's move on from the Nega stuff, not all posters who complain are Negas. They won, Kim is well aware of what needs to be improved and fixed.

It seems its going to take a bit longer to get this team in shape than a lot of us believed. Patience is hard.
 
One of the most concerning things to me is that CKC has said she’s ordered less three point shooting. She said coming in she knew that was a weakness, that she still didn’t have a consistent knock down three point shooter. Therefore, the plan was to use the superior size and athleticism to get to the rim. She was willing to change the three point dominant aspect of her system based on need.

Unfortunately, for some reason, the team seems not to have gotten that message. They’re either not understanding or willfully not adhering. And there seems to be no coherent offense in place to replace the early shot clock 3 chunking. To me, that’s evidence of a real problem. Buy in and response seems to lag so far this year. Still plenty of time to fix though.

I wish she hadn't said that publicly. First it was not the absolute that many are making it out to be; second, it tipped our hand to our opponents (even though it was probably already apparent).

Martin was sagging off, clogging the paint, and that's the main reason why we had so many turnovers. I think we will see a lot of teams do this to us - it's the smart play against Barker/Coop/Zee etc. If I were the opposing coach, I would absolutely force the LVs to beat me with the 3. Given this opponent strategy, we are going to have to shoot a ton of 3s in the half-court because that is the only thing that the defense is going to give us.
 
I find it interesting that most, I won’t say all, of the posters pointing out some of the flaws and mistakes right now are also couching their posts with the fact that it will hopefully get better as the season progresses. It’s not being negative to watch a game and see the team not playing great or up to potential and state the team doesn’t look great right now. It’s not some overboard judgement on “Queen Kimmie” or the players. Sure there are a few trying to extrapolate from one or two games, but there’s just as many trying to shut down actual discussion of the game and team’s performance. Kim recognizes there’s things to improve on, and a lot of times it’s some of the same stuff that posters recognize on here.
 
I find it interesting that most, I won’t say all, of the posters pointing out some of the flaws and mistakes right now are also couching their posts with the fact that it will hopefully get better as the season progresses. It’s not being negative to watch a game and see the team not playing great or up to potential and state the team doesn’t look great right now. It’s not some overboard judgement on “Queen Kimmie” or the players. Sure there are a few trying to extrapolate from one or two games, but there’s just as many trying to shut down actual discussion of the game and team’s performance. Kim recognizes there’s things to improve on, and a lot of times it’s some of the same stuff that posters recognize on here.
Team will have to get a lot better from where they are now or it won't be the season everyone was expecting. I thought we made some really good strides in the second half of the UT Martin game even though we only won the half by 11. The defense plus effort looked a lot better and on offense we were at least moving the ball better and getting open shots.
 
The offense is not set around running set plays so sometimes players go rogue. Maybe she can get across that our two point shooting is 60 percent and our three point shooting is 30 percent. We really need more driving the ball with Cooper. Mia needs to be able to break down the defense the way she was doing in the second half of the game. Barker, Latham, and Spearman need to be more willing to become inside threats. The threes we were getting in those last two quarters were far better than those first half heaves. Reason we shot 25 percent first half from three and 36 percent in the second half.
Lots to clean up, and so many lineup variants may require some time. Way too early and not enough data points to intelligently apply any rational trend analysis. Making profound statements EITHER WAY requires an application of arrogance by any and all. Players can individually work on cleaning up bad decision processes based on on-court experiences, but teamwork and real meshing time is a variable and shortcomings are magnified at CKC directed speed. Proficient execution at near most efficient speed could be a while, but giving up on game plans is not in CKC’s blood. Should be more rewards in the risk/reward mix and come with reps.
 

Advertisement



Back
Top