Lady vols offense looks ragged as well as their press defense

[mcnabbvolunteer]

UCLA looked like the better coached team yesterday. Their offense ran smoothly and their defense looked solid. We on the other hand let UCLA's offensive players dribble down the court faster than our girls on defense. Press looked ineffective. UCLA's defense outmatched our offense. Hopefully this will be a learning experience for the Lady Vols.

 

[kell7517]

We had 2 seniors, 2 juniors and 1 freshman start. UCLA played 8 seniors and 1 sophomore. Experience mattered.

 

[River67]

We had 1 senior,2 juniors and 2 freshman start. UCLA played 8 seniors and 1 sophomore. Experience mattered.

We started 3 seniors, 1 junior and a sophomore yesterday

 

[kell7517]

We started 3 seniors, 1 junior and a sophomore yesterday

Mia didn’t start?

 

[kell7517]

We started 3 seniors, 1 junior and a sophomore yesterday

My bad. We put the younger ones in at 7:58 in the first quarter after we only score 2 points.

 

[kell7517]

And 2 of those senior starters. First year with this team.

 

[gymmlover]

I think Coach should not press the teams full court that keep breaking the press and getting easy baskets. Go back to half court press or regular defense to stop the drives and layups. The game would have been closer if you take away the easy shots after UCLA broke the full court press. I think coach hopes to wear the other team down with the press and fresh subs but that does not work when the other teams has 8-10 quality players to match our subbing and continue to break the full court press and get easy layups. The second half, coach should have went to half court game. We have great athletes with limited offensive skills (maybe they will come around) while UCLA was loaded with skilled older players who protected the ball and with better offensive skills and height to match ours . Few turnovers and steals by Lady Vols means big trouble to match their scoring.

 

[RetroVol]

Hopefully this will be a learning experience for the Lady Vols.

Preach!

 

[River67]

Mia didn’t start?

Barker, Spearman, Robertson, Cooper and Boyd

 

[kell7517]

Barker, Spearman, Robertson, Cooper and Boyd

Ty. But 2 of those seniors are first year players here. Correct?

 

[Fletcher3g]

Ty. But 2 of those seniors are first year players here. Correct?

Last year everyone was a first year player and the press looked better. Coach did not push as hard this year though trying to save the team. Maybe that is the difference.

 

[RetroVol]

I think Boyd has been earning minutes, mostly on defense and rebound. Hustle. Heads up. Has a knack for the timely play.

 

[RetroVol]

Last year everyone was a first year player and the press looked better. Coach did not push as hard this year though trying to save the team. Maybe that is the difference.

Seems the goal is to have them ready and rolling for SEC play. Fingers crossed.

 

[kell7517]

Last year everyone was a first year player and the press looked better. Coach did not push as hard this year though trying to save the team. Maybe that is the difference.

Agree. Talking to another fan. I told him last year. If we play a team that has two good ball handlers on the court at the same time. They will eat up our press. And still seems true this season as well.

 

[1morevol]

Preach!

Players and coaches.

 

[RetroVol]

Hopefully this will be a learning experience for the Lady Vols.

Preach!

Players and coaches.

Nope. Well, mostly. I don't want our coaching staff "learning" too much from one loss. They're the coaches. Lots of basketball knowledge and experience. They know what they are trying to achieve and what they've been teaching in practice. Maybe they learn a new way to show a player something they've been trying to get her to learn. Maybe they decide to emphasize certain things in watching video or switch up a few drills. But learn anything fundamental? I certainly hope not. An unsteady hand at the tiller is definitely not what this team needs. Or, any team, really.

 

[Rooster1]

nm

 

[stlvolsfan]

I think Boyd has been earning minutes, mostly on defense and rebound. Hustle. Heads up. Has a knack for the timely play.

She’s definitely earned minutes. If Latham can learn to finish…watch out!

 

[RetroVol]

She’s definitely earned minutes. If Latham can learn to finish…watch out!

I hope Kaniya is talking to the twins. Kaniya had to earn minutes last year and came on as the season progressed. Then, for some reason, it was like she had to earn them again this year? Maybe she is one of those players who play better than they practice. Regardless, she can tell the twins especially, and the other freshmen, about how playing time can be earned under this staff's approach.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Still seem to have no answer for a good big on the other team. And I get it, a player like UCLA had will get their points and rebounds but with more size this yr I was hoping we could be more effective in that area in limiting the impact. Still not a fan of the always 5 player sub but hoping it works out.

 

[glv98]

Still seem to have no answer for a good big on the other team. And I get it, a player like UCLA had will get their points and rebounds but with more size this yr I was hoping we could be more effective in that area in limiting the impact. Still not a fan of the always 5 player sub but hoping it works out.

Wish it was that simple. Betts isn't what hurt us. She had seven points, 4 rebounds, 3 turnovers and sat for long periods because of fouls. It was saavy, veteran guards who shredded the press and then shot lights out (uncontested bc we can't close out) that did us in.