A Four Game Sample, and Recruiting

[krichunaka]

We're gonna play fast, we're gonna shoot early, then attack the boards. And, press, full court and forever. We're going to try to speed you up, and make you uncomfortable.

We're not quite there, but our coach reminds us that her players will just "have to experience it." They might have to come sit beside her to learn to guard without fouling, or to contemplate the importance of boxing out. She stated that they might literally have to lose a game to fully learn the lessons; chief among them, "you are how you practice." They had a "bad one" followed by a bad shootaround before facing U T Martin; then, come game time, it was a disarray of bricks and air balls. You might say it was horrendous. But the Lady Vols began to make shots to get to 2-and-0, followed by a competitive battle with MTSU, then the 202-point shootout with Liberty. We could debate the level of comeptition, but it's fair to suggest that these most-recent opponents - MTSU and Liberty - will win a lot of games. At any rate, we're 4-and-0 and moving forward.

So, there's work to be done, and the Xs and Os and the players who orchestrate them are still being sorted. But the die is cast, the scheme, in place. It is not always aesthetically pleasing, but it truly is grounded in fundamentals. At times it might look chaotic enough to make James Brian Quinn proud, but the integrity is there in spades. It's about rebounds, steals and turnovers. It's our bright, beautiful, and expecting leader's very own approach to finding and making more shots.

Every rule has exceptions, of course. Here, locally, Happy Valley had a coach - Charlie Bayless. Lived to close to a-hundred. A lovely man. A legend. He had good players with which he won several-hundred games. Or was it thousands? Coach Bayless' claim to fame wasn's just that his teams won a lot of games, and conference, district, regional titles; and they even won a state championship. Others have done things like that. What set Bayless apart was his penchant for slaying giants. It wasn't exciting. It was breath-taking. He would, as they used to say, "pull the ball out," and beat some really good ones. Regardless of which team you pulled for, however, it was tortuous to witness. Escruciating! If you have ever watched a rabbit fight a rattle snake, then, you know.

Bayless' approach in those no-shot-clock classics was a bit counter-intuitive. He didn't care if nobody took a shot. Not a single shot. Well, except for that one, last, chancer, right at the buzzer. He had his own special way of making more shots. To Charlie, it was all a matter of timing.

What about us? On those days and nights when we cannot out-volume the opponent, will we possess the wherewithal to find and make the one that counts most? I am not betting against Kim Caldwell. She's just so straightforward and confident, and she is resolute that her approach will be successful.
So is Mia
And her sister, Mya
And then, Deniya
And now, Jaida
And Lauren
*Reserving the right to edit.
Cheers.
Edited to add: "Lauren" (see above).

 

[lvocd]

 

[Volfan2012]

What were doing different here thus far and what her team was not doing at Marshall is dropping into a half court defense after the ball leaves the back court. Watched enough of last year Marshall to know that they pressed until the ball passed half court and then they went into a man on man defense or zone they didn't keep pressing. Saturday we were still trying to press and trap when the ball passed the time line. We'd have three players around the ball and when she could get the pass off it was either an uncontested layup for their big or an open three for their shooters. I think this is what Coach Caldwell will fix in the ten days. We will see them more of a regular half court defense when they get the ball past the time line.

 

[Coach Jumper]

What were doing different here thus far and what her team was not doing at Marshall is dropping into a half court defense after the ball leaves the back court. Watched enough of last year Marshall to know that they pressed until the ball passed half court and then they went into a man on man defense or zone they didn't keep pressing. Saturday we were still trying to press and trap when the ball passed the time line. We'd have three players around the ball and when she could get the pass off it was either an uncontested layup for their big or an open three for their shooters. I think this is what Coach Caldwell will fix in the ten days. We will see them more of a regular half court defense when they get the ball past the time line.

It is ok to try to trap the ball "one step into" the half-court line bc at that step the BHer cannot back track,,,but once the ball gets into the half-court,,you are right, the defense has to adjust or change

 

[Voltopia]

lol, just putting this thought out there, but, you know, maybe some of the current players on the actual roster are straightforward and confident too?

 

[madtownvol]

What were doing different here thus far and what her team was not doing at Marshall is dropping into a half court defense after the ball leaves the back court. Watched enough of last year Marshall to know that they pressed until the ball passed half court and then they went into a man on man defense or zone they didn't keep pressing. Saturday we were still trying to press and trap when the ball passed the time line. We'd have three players around the ball and when she could get the pass off it was either an uncontested layup for their big or an open three for their shooters. I think this is what Coach Caldwell will fix in the ten days. We will see them more of a regular half court defense when they get the ball past the time line.

100%. That structural flaw is what everyone was missing when complaining about the players' effort. No amount of effort can compensate for having 3 players pressing high and leaving huge gaps in the paint or the corner. The ball will always move faster than the players and if the other team breaks the press, you are left hoping for a bad pass or missed shot.

 

[glv98]

It is ok to try to trap the ball "one step into" the half-court line bc at that step the BHer cannot back track,,,but once the ball gets into the half-court,,you are right, the defense has to adjust or change

Some of those traps up high on the ball handler work well and lead to turnovers, esp on undersized guards like Amoore, etc. Question is does that happen often enough to make the gamble of leaving someone open in paint worth it.

100%. That structural flaw is what everyone was missing when complaining about the players' effort. No amount of effort can compensate for having 3 players pressing high and leaving huge gaps in the paint or the corner. The ball will always move faster than the players and if they break the press, you left hoping for a bad pass or missed shot.

A similar "structural flaw" caught up with Pat in the early 2000s. She loved overplaying and leaping into passing lanes SO much she held on to it until Geno literally busted through the back door and started stacking up his own championships against us.

We knew this uber defense would be a gamble. Now they have a good sample of game action to know when to use it and how and hopefully make necessary adjustments. Lots more for the players to learn and experiment with. Hopefully they'll eventually merge into a hybrid system that adjusts to matchups and situations. And is successful.

 

[Ovol]

We're gonna play fast, we're gonna shoot early, then attack the boards. And, press, full court and forever. We're going to try to speed you up, and make you uncomfortable.

We're not quite there, but our coach reminds us that her players will just "have to experience it." They might have to come sit beside her to learn to guard without fouling, or to contemplate the importance of boxing out. She stated that they might literally have to lose a game to fully learn the lessons; chief among them, "you are how you practice." They had a "bad one" followed by a bad shootaround before facing U T Martin; then, come game time, it was a disarray of bricks and air balls. You might say it was horrendous. But the Lady Vols began to make shots to get to 2-and-0, followed by a competitive battle with MTSU, then the 202-point shootout with Liberty. We could debate the level of comeptition, but it's fair to suggest that these most-recent opponents - MTSU and Liberty - will win a lot of games. At any rate, we're 4-and-0 and moving forward.

So, there's work to be done, and the Xs and Os and the players who orchestrate them are still being sorted. But the die is cast, the scheme, in place. It is not always aesthetically pleasing, but it truly is grounded in fundamentals. At times it might look chaotic enough to make James Brian Quinn proud, but the integrity is there in spades. It's about rebounds, steals and turnovers. It's our bright, beautiful, and expecting leader's very own approach to finding and making more shots.

Every rule has exceptions, of course. Here, locally, Happy Valley had a coach - Charlie Bayless. Lived to close to a-hundred. A lovely man. A legend. He had good players with which he won several-hundred games. Or was it thousands? Coach Bayless' claim to fame wasn's just that his teams won a lot of games, and conference, district, regional titles; and they even won a state championship. Others have done things like that. What set Bayless apart was his penchant for slaying giants. It wasn't exciting. It was breath-taking. He would, as they used to say, "pull the ball out," and beat some really good ones. Regardless of which team you pulled for, however, it was tortuous to witness. Escruciating! If you have ever watched a rabbit fight a rattle snake, then, you know.

Bayless' approach in those no-shot-clock classics was a bit counter-intuitive. He didn't care if nobody took a shot. Not a single shot. Well, except for that one, last, chancer, right at the buzzer. He had his own special way of making more shots. To Charlie, it was all a matter of timing.

What about us? On those days and nights when we cannot out-volume the opponent, will we possess the wherewithal to find and make the one that counts most? I am not betting against Kim Caldwell. She's just so straightforward and confident, and she is resolute that her approach will be successful.
So is Mia
And her sister, Mya
And then, Deniya
And now, Jaida
And Lauren
*Reserving the right to edit.
Cheers.
Edited to add: "Lauren" (see above).

I remember Charlie. Think he won a state championship and his tallest player was 6’.

 

[BruisedOrange]

We're gonna play fast, we're gonna shoot early, then attack the boards. And, press, full court and forever. We're going to try to speed you up, and make you uncomfortable.

We're not quite there, but our coach reminds us that her players will just "have to experience it." They might have to come sit beside her to learn to guard without fouling, or to contemplate the importance of boxing out. She stated that they might literally have to lose a game to fully learn the lessons; chief among them, "you are how you practice." They had a "bad one" followed by a bad shootaround before facing U T Martin; then, come game time, it was a disarray of bricks and air balls. You might say it was horrendous. But the Lady Vols began to make shots to get to 2-and-0, followed by a competitive battle with MTSU, then the 202-point shootout with Liberty. We could debate the level of comeptition, but it's fair to suggest that these most-recent opponents - MTSU and Liberty - will win a lot of games. At any rate, we're 4-and-0 and moving forward.

So, there's work to be done, and the Xs and Os and the players who orchestrate them are still being sorted. But the die is cast, the scheme, in place. It is not always aesthetically pleasing, but it truly is grounded in fundamentals. At times it might look chaotic enough to make James Brian Quinn proud, but the integrity is there in spades. It's about rebounds, steals and turnovers. It's our bright, beautiful, and expecting leader's very own approach to finding and making more shots.

Every rule has exceptions, of course. Here, locally, Happy Valley had a coach - Charlie Bayless. Lived to close to a-hundred. A lovely man. A legend. He had good players with which he won several-hundred games. Or was it thousands? Coach Bayless' claim to fame wasn's just that his teams won a lot of games, and conference, district, regional titles; and they even won a state championship. Others have done things like that. What set Bayless apart was his penchant for slaying giants. It wasn't exciting. It was breath-taking. He would, as they used to say, "pull the ball out," and beat some really good ones. Regardless of which team you pulled for, however, it was tortuous to witness. Escruciating! If you have ever watched a rabbit fight a rattle snake, then, you know.

Bayless' approach in those no-shot-clock classics was a bit counter-intuitive. He didn't care if nobody took a shot. Not a single shot. Well, except for that one, last, chancer, right at the buzzer. He had his own special way of making more shots. To Charlie, it was all a matter of timing.

What about us? On those days and nights when we cannot out-volume the opponent, will we possess the wherewithal to find and make the one that counts most? I am not betting against Kim Caldwell. She's just so straightforward and confident, and she is resolute that her approach will be successful.
So is Mia
And her sister, Mya
And then, Deniya
And now, Jaida
And Lauren
*Reserving the right to edit.
Cheers.
Edited to add: "Lauren" (see above).

Thank you for taking the time to think, compose, and post this, @krichunaka.

Thanks also for the quip alluding to James Brian Quinn. His name was new to me, and I honestly felt blessed after reading about him and his life as an educator. Inspiring.

A Giant Passes

The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

www.tuck.dartmouth.edu

 

[Rickster]

We're gonna play fast, we're gonna shoot early, then attack the boards. And, press, full court and forever. We're going to try to speed you up, and make you uncomfortable.

We're not quite there, but our coach reminds us that her players will just "have to experience it." They might have to come sit beside her to learn to guard without fouling, or to contemplate the importance of boxing out. She stated that they might literally have to lose a game to fully learn the lessons; chief among them, "you are how you practice." They had a "bad one" followed by a bad shootaround before facing U T Martin; then, come game time, it was a disarray of bricks and air balls. You might say it was horrendous. But the Lady Vols began to make shots to get to 2-and-0, followed by a competitive battle with MTSU, then the 202-point shootout with Liberty. We could debate the level of comeptition, but it's fair to suggest that these most-recent opponents - MTSU and Liberty - will win a lot of games. At any rate, we're 4-and-0 and moving forward.

So, there's work to be done, and the Xs and Os and the players who orchestrate them are still being sorted. But the die is cast, the scheme, in place. It is not always aesthetically pleasing, but it truly is grounded in fundamentals. At times it might look chaotic enough to make James Brian Quinn proud, but the integrity is there in spades. It's about rebounds, steals and turnovers. It's our bright, beautiful, and expecting leader's very own approach to finding and making more shots.

Every rule has exceptions, of course. Here, locally, Happy Valley had a coach - Charlie Bayless. Lived to close to a-hundred. A lovely man. A legend. He had good players with which he won several-hundred games. Or was it thousands? Coach Bayless' claim to fame wasn's just that his teams won a lot of games, and conference, district, regional titles; and they even won a state championship. Others have done things like that. What set Bayless apart was his penchant for slaying giants. It wasn't exciting. It was breath-taking. He would, as they used to say, "pull the ball out," and beat some really good ones. Regardless of which team you pulled for, however, it was tortuous to witness. Escruciating! If you have ever watched a rabbit fight a rattle snake, then, you know.

Bayless' approach in those no-shot-clock classics was a bit counter-intuitive. He didn't care if nobody took a shot. Not a single shot. Well, except for that one, last, chancer, right at the buzzer. He had his own special way of making more shots. To Charlie, it was all a matter of timing.

What about us? On those days and nights when we cannot out-volume the opponent, will we possess the wherewithal to find and make the one that counts most? I am not betting against Kim Caldwell. She's just so straightforward and confident, and she is resolute that her approach will be successful.
So is Mia
And her sister, Mya
And then, Deniya
And now, Jaida
And Lauren
*Reserving the right to edit.
Cheers.
Edited to add: "Lauren" (see above).

Very well said!!!

 

[Volfan1000]

We're gonna play fast, we're gonna shoot early, then attack the boards. And, press, full court and forever. We're going to try to speed you up, and make you uncomfortable.

We're not quite there, but our coach reminds us that her players will just "have to experience it." They might have to come sit beside her to learn to guard without fouling, or to contemplate the importance of boxing out. She stated that they might literally have to lose a game to fully learn the lessons; chief among them, "you are how you practice." They had a "bad one" followed by a bad shootaround before facing U T Martin; then, come game time, it was a disarray of bricks and air balls. You might say it was horrendous. But the Lady Vols began to make shots to get to 2-and-0, followed by a competitive battle with MTSU, then the 202-point shootout with Liberty. We could debate the level of comeptition, but it's fair to suggest that these most-recent opponents - MTSU and Liberty - will win a lot of games. At any rate, we're 4-and-0 and moving forward.

So, there's work to be done, and the Xs and Os and the players who orchestrate them are still being sorted. But the die is cast, the scheme, in place. It is not always aesthetically pleasing, but it truly is grounded in fundamentals. At times it might look chaotic enough to make James Brian Quinn proud, but the integrity is there in spades. It's about rebounds, steals and turnovers. It's our bright, beautiful, and expecting leader's very own approach to finding and making more shots.

Every rule has exceptions, of course. Here, locally, Happy Valley had a coach - Charlie Bayless. Lived to close to a-hundred. A lovely man. A legend. He had good players with which he won several-hundred games. Or was it thousands? Coach Bayless' claim to fame wasn's just that his teams won a lot of games, and conference, district, regional titles; and they even won a state championship. Others have done things like that. What set Bayless apart was his penchant for slaying giants. It wasn't exciting. It was breath-taking. He would, as they used to say, "pull the ball out," and beat some really good ones. Regardless of which team you pulled for, however, it was tortuous to witness. Escruciating! If you have ever watched a rabbit fight a rattle snake, then, you know.

Bayless' approach in those no-shot-clock classics was a bit counter-intuitive. He didn't care if nobody took a shot. Not a single shot. Well, except for that one, last, chancer, right at the buzzer. He had his own special way of making more shots. To Charlie, it was all a matter of timing.

What about us? On those days and nights when we cannot out-volume the opponent, will we possess the wherewithal to find and make the one that counts most? I am not betting against Kim Caldwell. She's just so straightforward and confident, and she is resolute that her approach will be successful.
So is Mia
And her sister, Mya
And then, Deniya
And now, Jaida
And Lauren
*Reserving the right to edit.
Cheers.
Edited to add: "Lauren" (see above).

And Caldwell gets on her players's asses about playing horrific defense as evidenced after the Liberty shootout.

 

[GameTime]

As so well stated by you guys, coach Kim wants/demands a strong defensive presence to be the other half of her LVs offensive attack that is about to rip open the SEC when league ball begins.....
As a fan, it's great theater to watch our opponents struggle to get the ball across the 10 second line...Don't let em breathe ladies, and they will eventually succumb to your "in your face defense" and deadly 3 ball attack...It's a mathematical certainty.

 

[Volfan2012]

100%. That structural flaw is what everyone was missing when complaining about the players' effort. No amount of effort can compensate for having 3 players pressing high and leaving huge gaps in the paint or the corner. The ball will always move faster than the players and if the other team breaks the press, you are left hoping for a bad pass or missed shot.

Exactly has to be corrected why the last two opponents have shot over 50 percent. Think we must start dropping out of the press when the opponent makes half court. I like to see us go all out in the backcourt even more than what is happening now. Although the player guarding the player to receive the outlet pass has been way to slow on closing when the trapped player tries to make the pass. Should be getting more turnovers there.
SEC teams are more athletic you will have to be able to play more halfcourt defense so might as well start now. We can beat these teams were playing now not playing any defense, but need to get it going cause the better games are getting very close.

 

[Volfan2012]

We have to play way better to win in the SEC. Defense has not been effective thus far. I'm hoping Western Carolina will be the beginning of a way better team especially on defense.

 

[madtownvol]

We have to play way better to win in the SEC. Defense has not been effective thus far. I'm hoping Western Carolina will be the beginning of a way better team especially on defense.

CKC steering clear of tougher teams in these early games-- though I know MTSU has been tricky in the past-- was a savvy move. The conversation and overall vibe would be quite different if the LVs were carrying one to two losses out of the gate.

 

[AllVols3]

CKC steering clear of tougher teams in these early games-- though I know MTSU has been tricky in the past-- was a savvy move. The conversation and overall vibe would be quite different if the LVs were carrying one to two losses out of the gate.

The schedule was probably made before she was hired. She had no bearing on this schedule I wouldn't think.

 

[Lucy]

As so well stated by you guys, coach Kim wants/demands a strong defensive presence to be the other half of her LVs offensive attack that is about to rip open the SEC when league ball begins.....
As a fan, it's great theater to watch our opponents struggle to get the ball across the 10 second line...Don't let em breathe ladies, and they will eventually succumb to your "in your face defense" and deadly 3 ball attack...It's a mathematical certainty.

This may be my favorite picture of CKC!

 

[madtownvol]

The schedule was probably made before she was hired. She had no bearing on this schedule I wouldn't think.

Not sure (and you may be right) but my understanding is that pre-conference schedules are not set very far in advance, except for games where there is a standing agreement to play a school. I don't think this is Kellie's schedule at all.

 

[OneVolNation]

Outstanding start, Lady Vols.

 

[alexvol]

We're gonna play fast, we're gonna shoot early, then attack the boards. And, press, full court and forever. We're going to try to speed you up, and make you uncomfortable.

We're not quite there, but our coach reminds us that her players will just "have to experience it." They might have to come sit beside her to learn to guard without fouling, or to contemplate the importance of boxing out. She stated that they might literally have to lose a game to fully learn the lessons; chief among them, "you are how you practice." They had a "bad one" followed by a bad shootaround before facing U T Martin; then, come game time, it was a disarray of bricks and air balls. You might say it was horrendous. But the Lady Vols began to make shots to get to 2-and-0, followed by a competitive battle with MTSU, then the 202-point shootout with Liberty. We could debate the level of comeptition, but it's fair to suggest that these most-recent opponents - MTSU and Liberty - will win a lot of games. At any rate, we're 4-and-0 and moving forward.

So, there's work to be done, and the Xs and Os and the players who orchestrate them are still being sorted. But the die is cast, the scheme, in place. It is not always aesthetically pleasing, but it truly is grounded in fundamentals. At times it might look chaotic enough to make James Brian Quinn proud, but the integrity is there in spades. It's about rebounds, steals and turnovers. It's our bright, beautiful, and expecting leader's very own approach to finding and making more shots.

Every rule has exceptions, of course. Here, locally, Happy Valley had a coach - Charlie Bayless. Lived to close to a-hundred. A lovely man. A legend. He had good players with which he won several-hundred games. Or was it thousands? Coach Bayless' claim to fame wasn's just that his teams won a lot of games, and conference, district, regional titles; and they even won a state championship. Others have done things like that. What set Bayless apart was his penchant for slaying giants. It wasn't exciting. It was breath-taking. He would, as they used to say, "pull the ball out," and beat some really good ones. Regardless of which team you pulled for, however, it was tortuous to witness. Escruciating! If you have ever watched a rabbit fight a rattle snake, then, you know.

Bayless' approach in those no-shot-clock classics was a bit counter-intuitive. He didn't care if nobody took a shot. Not a single shot. Well, except for that one, last, chancer, right at the buzzer. He had his own special way of making more shots. To Charlie, it was all a matter of timing.

What about us? On those days and nights when we cannot out-volume the opponent, will we possess the wherewithal to find and make the one that counts most? I am not betting against Kim Caldwell. She's just so straightforward and confident, and she is resolute that her approach will be successful.
So is Mia
And her sister, Mya
And then, Deniya
And now, Jaida
And Lauren
*Reserving the right to edit.
Cheers.
Edited to add: "Lauren" (see above).

Well said, like you really know and understand what is happening.

 

[Volfan2012]

Expecting huge improvement game five. Team should be fired up and know the defensive a lot better.

 

[volbound1700]

I have a quiet confidence in the new staff and direction of the program but the Lady Vols haven't faced a true challenger yet. MTSU is decent but not a true top 25 threat.

The SEC Women don't seem as strong as the SEC Men. A lot of stupid losses like Texas A&M losing to Ball State this weekend. The SEC Men's league is brutally tough this year.

 

[stllvf]

looking at the records of the SEC teams, Texam a&m is 3-4, and the bottom teams in preconference are Ga, Ark and Mo. the rest are undefeated with exception of SC.

no evidence of not as strong based on games to date

 

[Mafiaboss]

Not sure (and you may be right) but my understanding is that pre-conference schedules are not set very far in advance, except for games where there is a standing agreement to play a school. I don't think this is Kellie's schedule at all.

I think we had a few teams cancel on us and we had to scramble for replacements.

 

[Coach Jumper]

I think we had a few teams cancel on us and we had to scramble for replacements.

Correct