GAME THREAD: @ Oklahoma, Sunday, 2 pm EST, ESPN

[LVBB_Legacy]

Walz was literally outside the AD offices beating down the door, begging for this job twice. I have no doubt we would have been back to a final 4 already had Fulmer not been so stupid.

Why do people keep repeating this falsehood? Walz's agent was playing Holly's firing to get a raise and extension at Louisville. It was never going to happen...

 

[Volstylexx]

Why do people keep repeating this falsehood? Walz's agent was playing Holly's firing to get a raise and extension at Louisville. It was never going to happen...

That’s not what I take away from reading that. In fact, it is exactly what I was saying made me angry. He was never considered for the job bc of the ineptitude of Fulmer as AD.

 

[Volstylexx]

all I know is this. We’re solidly on track for fewest wins in a season since Pat’s first two seasons over 50 years ago. That’s after breaking multiple records this year (biggest losses and losing streaks). This is far deeper and worse than many of failed to realize. With that said, good night all. See ya Thursday.

 

[ScreamingEagleVol]

I generally agree with sentiment with two caveats...

1) I think as money gets tighter from revenue sharing you will see more ACC/Big 12 coaches leave for B1G/SEC schools. One I believe that will happen is close to me as most people are expecting Mark Kellogg (Texas native) at WVU to be choice 1/2 if Texas A&M moves on from Joni Taylor.

2) Tennessee will have a better ability to grab a P2 coach than most other depending on the NIL/revenue sharing at a specific school. I've mentioned Jennie Baranczyk at OU for this reason. Clearly, OU has some money as they were able to land Chavez over Texas and a few others. But OU has a two not so insignificant mouths to feed with softball and gymnastics--both of which are dynasties. I don't know if she would leave but that would be my pitch to her. You will be a higher priority here with a Top 5 NIL budget.

Baranczyk isn’t leaving OU. She’s building something and the city of Norman is developing a $1Billion dollar entertainment district with a committed $330-400 million basketball/gymnastics arena. They’ve given her a raise each year.

 

[mudcat1973]

Why in the world we gave a Div III coach that sort of buy out is beyond me. She would have come here for $100K and three lotto tickets.

Kim improved Marshall 1st place finished in smaller conference division one.

Heupel fired without cause before dec 15 2025 it would be full amount

Drop to 75% fired Dec 15 2027

Drop to 50% fired Jan 31 2030

She probably Kim Caldwell could have coach at Marshall for a good long spell.
Probably ain't going to get her or different coach without giving them aa 4 to 5 year buyout option even if after April goes 50%

It standard for lots coaches to have 4 to 5 left on your contact.
Most recuits would stop coming if a sport a university is the only one coach don't get year add there contact every year.

The football coach has two seasons before Tennessee would 25% by fired him 2027 December

Wondering what percentage of other universities have loophole in women's basketball contact right off the bat 50%
Saving in Kim/ Kellie contact.
A giving football coach lot more time at 100% buyout.

 

[DeerPark12]

Walz was literally outside the AD offices beating down the door, begging for this job twice. I have no doubt we would have been back to a final 4 already had Fulmer not been so stupid.

False.

 

[WVU05UT09]

Baranczyk isn’t leaving OU. She’s building something and the city of Norman is developing a $1Billion dollar entertainment district with a committed $330-400 million basketball/gymnastics arena. They’ve given her a raise each year.

She also just got a new AD and OU just implemented cuts across the AD. Stranger things have happened.

 

[ScreamingEagleVol]

She also just got a new AD and OU just implemented cuts across the AD. Stranger things have happened.

They layed off 15 of 302 full time AD employees to reallocate funds to pay student athletes revenue sharing. Donations and ticket sales are increasing. Their only deficit was due to early entry into the SEC, and not getting the full share of SEC revenue which they will receive next year.

 

[LVBB_Legacy]

That’s not what I take away from reading that. In fact, it is exactly what I was saying made me angry. He was never considered for the job bc of the ineptitude of Fulmer as AD.

He's referring to the administration, not the AD.

 

[dognusty]

If the players didn't trust the system they why they come here. It was great when it was 24-10 but ok. If these players want something different exist stage left.

I don't know if you have ever played a sport. What looks good on paper may not work out. I see a team that was looking to a coach when this didn't work.

It isn't a player issue. Prawl was doing work, but you kept letting 34 threes fly. This is the system but it doesn't work at the moment. Adjust to your players vs players adjusting to your ego.

 

[Volfan2012]

Why in the world we gave a Div III coach that sort of buy out is beyond me. She would have come here for $100K and three lotto tickets.

Looks there is a time this year where it goes down to two million. Looks like after that first season he went all in thought this was a much better roster which proved not to be true. There are players that were on that first team that have underperformed to an extent that wouldn't be believable if it wasn't happening right before our eyes.

 

[Volfan2012]

Was going to be tough this season if all the players supposedly great talents underperformed to the extent they have as the season has progressed. The schedule was ridiculous who agrees to play this many top teams all on the road then get an SEC schedule where you play most of the top teams on the road. The system is not one that will work every game in the SEC. Even some of the worst teams figured it out like A&M and Miss St who got so many open looks at the basket even they shot great percentages.
I agree probably would be best to cut our losses now, but I don't see it happening so just have to hope they can get the right players and they can perform to their ability and next season will be far different than this one.

 

[volsagain]

all I know is this. We’re solidly on track for fewest wins in a season since Pat’s first two seasons over 50 years ago. That’s after breaking multiple records this year (biggest losses and losing streaks). This is far deeper and worse than many of failed to realize. With that said, good night all. See ya Thursday.

Fewest wins that's bad. But lots of things have to be taken into account. #1 lost one of your best offensive players for disciplinary. #2 5 freshman and 3 portal players learning the system #3 egos and buying in. #4 Spearman regression and 3 x 3 got in her head she was a 3 point shooter . She didn't land the 3 point shooters she needs. Offense looked really good at Glenville lots of motion and options for shots. Think we have seen how good the offense can be when they are actually running it . But half court defense has just been terrible and it's mostly because we don't have good defenders down low they don't know how to help each other out. Yes she likes the 3s if the right players are talking them but also likes the dribble drive and score or kick out for open shots . The subbing and full court trapping needs major revisions IMO. She's learning to deal with things she's never faced just like all the other successful coaches went through in there early career. Hopefully she gets things closer to where we want it by next season.

 

[blue41]

just saw answer about missing Barker

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Fewest wins that's bad. But lots of things have to be taken into account. #1 lost one of your best offensive players for disciplinary. #2 5 freshman and 3 portal players learning the system #3 egos and buying in. #4 Spearman regression and 3 x 3 got in her head she was a 3 point shooter . She didn't land the 3 point shooters she needs. Offense looked really good at Glenville lots of motion and options for shots. Think we have seen how good the offense can be when they are actually running it . But half court defense has just been terrible and it's mostly because we don't have good defenders down low they don't know how to help each other out. Yes she likes the 3s if the right players are talking them but also likes the dribble drive and score or kick out for open shots . The subbing and full court trapping needs major revisions IMO. She's learning to deal with things she's never faced just like all the other successful coaches went through in their early career. Hopefully she gets things closer to where we want it by next season.

Bet our AD has his finger on the pulse of desired and probable player retention and acquisition efforts. They are not sitting around waiting on signing days and portal windows. Have to believe that will be his decision driver now and in the future, not talking heads and social media sensationalism. He can deal in facts, not presumptions as he lines up and allocates money to meet negotiated requirements through winks and nods.

 

[OldNSlow]

Why do people keep repeating this falsehood? Walz's agent was playing Holly's firing to get a raise and extension at Louisville. It was never going to happen...

This is 100% False. Not true. Lie. If you knew anything about Mr Walz you would know he does not have an agent. This shows what typical fans know. Nothing. Just guess and talk talk talk. Its on us for not giving this coach serious consideration, because if he had been hired we would not be drowning in our sorrows this morning. I just don't get how some people can be so uninformed.

 

[mcdoug]

Kim is in year two-- she's got another year. (as long as she makes the tournament)

Utilizing the time-honored S.W.A.G. method of professional estimation I have determined that the probability of Kim returning to TN for a third year is .70. (Estimation is subject to change with the emergence of new data or a couple more beers.)

 

[RetroVol]

@glv98, I believe you called the third-quarter substitutions in real time. Claude agrees with you.

Claude says: The side-by-side really highlights the contrast: Tennessee had 42 sub events to Oklahoma's 28. Oklahoma kept things simple with mostly 1-1s and 2-2s while Caldwell was churning through every configuration. That Q3 column for Tennessee is brutal — 13 events including four rapid-fire 1-1s in the final minute.

Tennessee Lady Vols Substitution Patterns
vs Oklahoma - Chronological

	TN	OKLA
Q1	8:55 3-3 6:26 5-5 4:59 5-5 3:02 5-5 2:12 5-5	6:26 3-3 4:59 2-2 3:48 2-2 2:12 1-1
Q2	10:00 1-1 7:46 3-3 6:34 5-5 5:26 2-2 4:59 1-1 3:50 3-3 2:49 4-4 2:28 1-1 1:22 2-2 0:00 1-1	10:00 3-3 7:46 3-3 5:26 1-1 3:50 1-1 3:06 1-1 2:49 2-2 2:28 1-1 1:22 3-3 0:00 1-1
Q3	9:17 1-1 7:46 2-2 7:26 1-1 6:59 3-3 5:58 2-2 4:26 2-2 4:00 4-4 3:33 2-2 1:47 4-4 0:49 1-1 0:16 1-1 0:08 1-1 0:03 1-1	7:26 2-2 5:58 1-1 5:09 1-1 4:57 1-1 1:47 4-4 0:34 3-3 0:16 2-2 0:08 2-2 0:03 2-2
Q4	9:10 1-1 9:00 2-2 7:29 5-5 6:32 1-1 6:11 4-4 4:46 2-2 3:37 3-3 2:55 3-3 0:48 1-1 0:46 1-1 0:29 1-1 0:27 1-1 0:26 1-1 0:22 1-1	10:00 2-2 7:29 1-1 6:40 2-2 4:46 1-1 3:37 2-2 0:27 1-1

 

[spojo13]

I remember last season when everyone kept saying just wait till these new players get here next year. Told ad nauseam that all Kim needed to take the next step were the right players for her. We’re back to that same refrain again it seems. It’s just now we don’t need cheetahs and athletes for next year, but good ole lower level, nothing but heart players that play with all the effort. In my estimation from other’s beliefs on here that this system just needs 10 very unique, skilled, special players to make it work at this level. That’s all it will take!

But just like it’s not all on the coaching, it’s not all on the players either. Just bringing in new players isn’t going to magically fix this mess. Everyone needs to understand that both coaching and players need adjustments. If someone has a bad attitude, sure tell them to look elsewhere. If the system is not bringing out the best in what we manage to get through recruiting, then adjust the system. It’s not an either or proposition. Both need to be thoroughly reconstructed.

 

[RetroVol]

And, just out of curiosity, I asked Claude to compare Oklahoma this year to Ohio State last year, and what we get is the failure of two platoons to coalesce this year. Claude said:

58% big-batch in the Ohio State game vs 38% in Oklahoma. The two-platoon system in the tournament was running nearly three-fifths of all sub events as full-unit or near-full-unit swaps. Against Oklahoma it was barely a third, with 1-1 swaps making up 43% of all events compared to just 28% against Ohio State.

Ohio State (2024-25) — 43 events:

5-5 swaps: 9 (Q1: 4, Q3: 4, Q4: 1)
6-6 swap: 1 (Q4 8:01 — the Puckett correction)
4-4 swaps: 9 (Q1: 2, Q2: 4, Q3: 2, Q4: 1)
3-3 swaps: 6 (Q2: 2, Q3: 1, Q4: 3)
2-2 swaps: 6 (Q1: 1, Q2: 2, Q3: 2, Q4: 1)
1-1 swaps: 12 (Q1: 3, Q2: 1, Q3: 5, Q4: 3)
Batch 3+: 25 of 43 (58%)

Oklahoma (2025-26) — 42 events:

5-5 swaps: 6 (Q1: 4, Q2: 1, Q4: 1)
4-4 swaps: 4 (Q2: 1, Q3: 2, Q4: 1)
3-3 swaps: 6 (Q1: 1, Q2: 2, Q3: 1, Q4: 2)
2-2 swaps: 8 (Q2: 2, Q3: 4, Q4: 2)
1-1 swaps: 18 (Q2: 4, Q3: 4, Q4: 6)
Batch 3+: 16 of 42 (38%)

 

[RAVOL]

The point blank layups that seniors down low are missing on this team right now, you could insert Oliviyah Edwards who is 18 years old and she would make those plays.
It’s simply about having a drive to play with a competitor’s mentality, and focus to be consistent.
Oliviyah Edwards is a better player right now in the post than any senior post player on this year’s roster.
And she’s coachable as both a person and player.
It is downright ridiculous how players on this team think it’s acceptable to walk by your coach(es) following mistakes they make on the court.

You are correct big O wouldn't miss as many inside shots. Unfortunately this roster did blow up in Coach face. She thought she could get the best out of Zee and Barker complete buy in well they didn't care enough to bring it game in game out. The freshman our freshman good moments bad moments. I give credit to Nya she has those what was that moment but she is giving her all and as a fan while having to build a program up against the best that is all I can ask for. To many I don't care attitudes and that is shameful but it happens sometimes.

 

[creekdipper]

Is that as close as you can get to accurately stating the facts? Two factual mistakes. Can you spot them?

"Lotto" should be Power Ball?

Division III should be Division 1B?

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Which is why if I'm an ELITE, SOUGHT AFTER COACH, I wouldn't want it.

If a fan base can't be patient and expect a title in two years, then we missed the ball completely.

I don't think I've seen anyone that expected a title in year two. The fanbase has been very patient....include the HW and KH eras and you must agree. This is why DW made a mistake handing the reigns to a high risk candidate. This was coach #3 after a legend. It needed to be right. It may still be, however it is not impatient to expect year 2 to be a positive confirmation that the program is headed up. It has been anything but that.

 

[glv98]

@glv98, I believe you called the third-quarter substitutions in real time. Claude agrees with you.

Claude says: The side-by-side really highlights the contrast: Tennessee had 42 sub events to Oklahoma's 28. Oklahoma kept things simple with mostly 1-1s and 2-2s while Caldwell was churning through every configuration. That Q3 column for Tennessee is brutal — 13 events including four rapid-fire 1-1s in the final minute.

Tennessee Lady Vols Substitution Patterns
vs Oklahoma - Chronological

	TN	OKLA
Q1	8:55 3-3 6:26 5-5 4:59 5-5 3:02 5-5 2:12 5-5	6:26 3-3 4:59 2-2 3:48 2-2 2:12 1-1
Q2	10:00 1-1 7:46 3-3 6:34 5-5 5:26 2-2 4:59 1-1 3:50 3-3 2:49 4-4 2:28 1-1 1:22 2-2 0:00 1-1	10:00 3-3 7:46 3-3 5:26 1-1 3:50 1-1 3:06 1-1 2:49 2-2 2:28 1-1 1:22 3-3 0:00 1-1
Q3	9:17 1-1 7:46 2-2 7:26 1-1 6:59 3-3 5:58 2-2 4:26 2-2 4:00 4-4 3:33 2-2 1:47 4-4 0:49 1-1 0:16 1-1 0:08 1-1 0:03 1-1	7:26 2-2 5:58 1-1 5:09 1-1 4:57 1-1 1:47 4-4 0:34 3-3 0:16 2-2 0:08 2-2 0:03 2-2
Q4	9:10 1-1 9:00 2-2 7:29 5-5 6:32 1-1 6:11 4-4 4:46 2-2 3:37 3-3 2:55 3-3 0:48 1-1 0:46 1-1 0:29 1-1 0:27 1-1 0:26 1-1 0:22 1-1	10:00 2-2 7:29 1-1 6:40 2-2 4:46 1-1 3:37 2-2 0:27 1-1

Re the 3rd qtr subbing spree devolving to lots of 1:1s, Thats called flailing, and she does it a lot these days.

Meanwhile, that’s exactly when OU took the lead over for good. Can’t prove the increased subbing was the exact cause but obviously it was present at the scene of the crime and didn't help. She also began to press and trap more, and that might explain the need to sub.

Anyway, that dreaded third qtr, after huddling and deciding to go full Kim, was wildly unsuccessful.

Retro, did you get a chance to see my post where I ask AI why the system fell out of favor and isnot used more widely? I was just curious your reaction to that and how you think those common sense factors have changed to allow it to be successful now.

 

[creekdipper]

Ugh, it just makes me sick. I remember some fans didn't want Walz because he was trying to "steal" CP when all that early drama happened in her Tennessee career and fans never forgave him more Frese for that. I was pissed then and screaming at fans "who cares! that 10 years ago move on, hes has multiple final four appearances".

We don't want the ones who made appearances or the Homecoming Court attendants.

We want the of the Ball.