GAME THREAD: Tennessee vs. Southern Indiana, Dec. 22, 6:30 p.m., Food City Center, SECN

#1
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RetroVol

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#1
Here's a game thread. Summary credit to Claude 4.5.
Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles (8-2)

Head Coach: Rick Stein, now in his 27th season at USI. One of the winningest coaches in program history with 600+ career victories. Won OVC Coach of the Year in 2024.

Last Season (2024-25): Went 23-13 (12-8 OVC, 4th place). A step back from their remarkable 2023-24 campaign when they went 25-7, won both the OVC regular season (17-1) and tournament titles in just their second D-I season, and made the WNIT.

This Year's Squad: This is a retooled roster. USI lost several key players to graduation including All-OVC performers Meredith Raley, Vanessa Shafford, and Madi Webb. They've brought in multiple transfers and rely heavily on:
  • Ali Saunders (Sr., G) - Valparaiso transfer and their go-to scorer. Just dropped 35 points in their win over Morehead State on Saturday.
  • Chloe Gannon (Jr., F/C, 6'2") - Returning inside presence from Manchester, TN
  • Channah Gannon (Fr., F/C, 6'4") - Chloe's younger sister, adding more size inside
  • Shannon Blacher & Maddy Fay - Junior transfers from Northern Illinois
Style of Play: Defense-first program. Known for strong rebounding, holding opponents to low shooting percentages, and grinding out physical games. They'll have multiple contributors and won't rely on one star.

Bottom Line: Solid mid-major program making noise in their D-I transition. Tennessee should handle them, but don't expect a pushover—this is a well-coached team that plays hard and competes against power programs (they led IU at halftime earlier this season before losing 67-63).
 
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#6
#6
Volfan2012 said:
Going 85 to 63 about 22 point win. We should have a lot of energy to play after that last two quarters vs Louisville. A must win for sure and several games coming up we need to win. The second half of the SEC season is torture.
Click to expand...

I may have to pull a Leanne Morgan and take to the bed for the second half of the SEC season.
 
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#12
#12
volsagain said:
Something has to inspire this team and I don't know what that may be. They are playing a little lax and uninspired. Someone needs to step up and be a leader and hopefully start playing as a team.
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Maybe looking at SEC play as a fresh start and reset will help. Of course the SEC is a hell of a thorny bear to hug for comfort.

Do modern teams do that old cliche “players only meeting “ anymore?
 
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#13
#13
glv98 said:
Maybe looking at SEC play as a fresh start and reset will help. Of course the SEC is a hell of a thorny bear to hug for comfort.

Do modern teams do that old cliche “players only meeting “ anymore?
Click to expand...
I know our team had a leadership team last year that met on their own some. I remember it being said that Kaniya Boyd was on it as a freshman. I don’t know if they have one this year. Honestly, I think that is a lot of the problem. No leadership.
 
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#14
#14
glv98 said:
Maybe looking at SEC play as a fresh start and reset will help. Of course the SEC is a hell of a thorny bear to hug for comfort.

Do modern teams do that old cliche “players only meeting “ anymore?
Click to expand...
Sure but you need a Alfa in the house. We need a leader bad , I think Mia will be one but that's hard to ask of a freshman.
 
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#16
#16
glv98 said:
[...]
Do modern teams do that old cliche “players only meeting “ anymore?
Click to expand...
I hope so.

But do freshmen ever call for them? I could see some of our freshmen lobbying Janiah to call a players only meeting, if they thought it would help. But it's really tough for any new player, freshman or transfer, to assume that level of leadership voice. It's inevitably, by insinuation, calling out the team's established players for their lack of vocal leadership.
1766419534259.pngThose meetings (when successful) usually take place when players have just experienced some long-needed unity, but from an embarassment or crisis. Also, players only meetings can only happen among teammates who are confident that no one has a Pandora's Box that must never be opened. Otherwise, it becomes an intervention (or divided locker room) rather than a players only meeting.

I'm not saying this because I know, have heard, or even suspect anything. It's just an observation from experiences good and bad.
 
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#17
#17
Gotta say, on a quick turnaround--including travel--following that Louisville loss, I don't like facing a mid-major team whose forte is rebounding. That means they rebound on technique and discipline, not size. And after our shooting exhibition in Brooklyn... they will be that much more comfortable packing the paint and daring us to fling poo from the perimeter.

If we're not hitting above average from three and from the foul line, it will put immense pressure on our press to accumulate those needed extra shot attempts.

Hopefully I'm just feeling pessimistic from the winter solstice. ;)
 
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#18
#18
SIU's defensive numbers are really good, though they've been against a pretty weak schedule.

They are 3rd in the NCAA in points per game defense (50.2), 8th in FG% defense (33.1%), 21st in 3pt. defense (25.2%), 35th in 2pt. defense (39.1%), 20th in turnovers forced per game (22.5), and 1st in opponents' assists per game (7.7).

Given that both teams like to force a lot of turnovers, this could be another sloppy one. That said, they haven't played anyone with close to our level of athleticism. Especially if we come out angry and focused after Saturday's embarrassing loss, we should win this by 25+.

I'll say 82-55.
 
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#19
#19
th2421 said:
SIU's defensive numbers are really good, though they've been against a pretty weak schedule.

They are 3rd in the NCAA in points per game defense (50.2), 8th in FG% defense (33.1%), 21st in 3pt. defense (25.2%), 35th in 2pt. defense (39.1%), 20th in turnovers forced per game (22.5), and 1st in opponents' assists per game (7.7).

Given that both teams like to force a lot of turnovers, this could be another sloppy one. That said, they haven't played anyone with close to our level of athleticism. Especially if we come out angry and focused after Saturday's embarrassing loss, we should win this by 25+.

I'll say 82-55.
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If they want to run up and down the court with us we'll beat em by 50 . I'm not counting on that looking like there coach is well seasoned. 75 - 62 hopefully I'm wrong and we win by 40
 
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#20
#20
BruisedOrange said:
Gotta say, on a quick turnaround--including travel--following that Louisville loss, I don't like facing a mid-major team whose forte is rebounding. That means they rebound on technique and discipline, not size.
Click to expand...

That’s my fear as well.

My BVS is flaring pretty bad right now. I sure picked the wrong time to quit barbiturates.

😉
 
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#25
#25
Here's where we stand on predictions so far. @J-Dog 1313, I'm loving your faith! As always, check the table for errors.

UserTennesseeSouthern IndianaMargin (UT-USI)
chuckiepoo786810
vols90786711
volsagain756213
RetroVol826715
Volfan2012856322
Hoosier_Vol926725
th2421825527
84Vol3996732
J-Dog 13131036142
 
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