GAME THREAD: Texas A&M in Knoxville, Thursday, 2/19, 6:30 pm EST, SECN+

[madtownvol]

On a slightly different but perhaps positive note, I will say that this board has maintained a fairly high level of decorum in the aftermath of these frustrating losses. I think the discussion has centered on legitimate criticisms and points of debate without getting toxic.

In the Holly and Kellie eras, a loss would result in an unholy influx of drive-by posters from the football board, who hated the current ADs and were generally hostile toward women's sports. They would flood the board with toxic sludge. I am guessing because Danny White remains their hero they are just not up for criticizing one of his most high profile hires. So, cheers to small blessings.

 

[Smallvol#1]

This transfer portal with the house settlement revenue sharing there is going to be more horse buyers at the auction.

Unlike real horses young women will get chose there home/barn.

Even Danny white said they front loaded talent before house settlement revenue sharing kick in.

Tennessee needs to wiser because teams without strong nil backing . Some of them will spend on revenue sharing women's basketball. Probably most won't spend 5% like Tennessee on women's basketball. But every bit spend will drive up prices.

Kim Caldwell needs go 3minutes at least most players shift.
Understand some players might be give the starter a quick breathers.

Be more selective of when press or whether to use a hard press or soft press to shorting opponent shot clock.

Money is not going to fix it if Kim Caldwell not willing to adjust her system . She needs more players than not with a year in her system preference high school players majority.
But sophomores and junior out of the transfer portal make good building blocks if they fit your team system.

With the right senior could be icing on the cake out of the transfer portal.

Lord help, Mud. Your posts still give me eye strain. But I always read you because, when (if) I finally translate, you make a lot of sense. I think I got you this time; remember you promised to help me speak Mudish whenever I got stuck.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Either you don’t know the meaning of basic vocabulary terms or you know very little about sports.. could be both.
Tennessee could open up the job today and hire any caliber of coach they want based on the approach that is taken by the AD and hiring committee.
I don’t expect you to understand that fact. Keep living through the mindset of a message forum which is far removed from the reality of college sports.

That's right, and I believe the situation was the same 2 years
ago when the hired CKC. I thought that you were delusional regarding players, but come on, this is a tough gig, so why would an established coach, a great coach at that, leave their institution and move to an environment that boarders on written abuse every time the team loses. It's the same when Geno retires, this coach, as well as the current and past coaches, are constantly compared to the Pat years. He needs to hire a young coach, but a coach, or even a great assistant coach, that doesn't care about the past but comes from an established program and has been working for a great D1 coach. I don't know how good she would be on her own, but what about Vics daughter? One thing you can be sure of if she is anything like Vic, the passion and knowledge would be a given, so that is the kind of assistant that may be out there. IMO, if she is back next year than DW is not doing his job.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

That’s an opinion. In reality, there’s Tennessee and UConn in WBB. Any other job is secondary to the only two historic basketball programs of all-time with the exception of Notre Dame and Stanford.

Honestly this isn't the glam job at the moment. It died after Holly. It's a recovery job and you will need an good coach who is on the rise. I hate to say it but Coach Yo should be on the list.

 

[alexvol]

Some of the combinations that find their way to the floor are just baffling. One moment that struck me was that after the LVS went down 10-0 with a "what were they thinking" starting, the next group came (with Lauren and Mia) and closed the gap in less than 90 seconds. You don't have to be John Wooden to figure out that you should stick with those 5 while it is working but lo and behold, the hockey sub must happen and TA&M widened the scoring gap back to double digits. Other coaches don't need to take time outs to stop a LV run because our coaches will stop the run for them. It is getting hard to watch.

That has troubled me the whole year ....someone gets hot as a $2 pistol on the 4th of July and is almost immediately substituted for with a line change..... That philosophy has to change as well as her defensive strategy .....she would do well to ask Coach Barnes for some help on the defensive end ......and maybe offensive end as well.

I hope she gave the team off today .....they are exhausted both physically and mentally

 

[vols90]

That has troubled me the whole year ....someone gets hot as a $2 pistol on the 4th of July and is almost immediately substituted for with a line change..... That philosophy has to change as well as her defensive strategy .....she would do well to ask Coach Barnes for some help on the defensive end ......and maybe offensive end as well.

I hope she gave the team off today .....they are exhausted both physically and mentally

Yes, she said in the postgame presser that they would have today off. They're required to have one day off per week.

 

[vols90]

Other coaches don't need to take time outs to stop a LV run because our coaches will stop the run for them. It is getting hard to watch.

THIS!!! It's so frustrating

 

[madtownvol]

Unless we don't win another game, I think CKC gets another year (and she still probably will anyway). But I do think it will be with an understanding that changes have to be made and I think she may be forced to get rid of some assistants - probably like Angel Rizor and Lexie Barrier. Maybe even a new S&C coach...

Not to pile on but she has to upgrade those 3 positions with folks who have coached at the top tier level.

 

[KTrain]

Unless we don't win another game, I think CKC gets another year (and she still probably will anyway). But I do think it will be with an understanding that changes have to be made and I think she may be forced to get rid of some assistants - probably like Angel Rizor and Lexie Barrier. Maybe even a new S&C coach...

On S& C, I agree. I thought this years team would be more athletic... but.....Last night the full court dribble drive had Civil and Pauldos and others behind chasing and reaching. I'm thinking if they are getting by you and out running you while dribbling the ball. Where is the athleticism or the wear down of other team and us supposedly with fresher legs due to playing 10. Just don't add up. They looked livelier the whole game but hitting 80% will give you adrenaline rush, that had to be their best game ever sans the drought they had in the 4th for a while.

 

[dillyo51]

Listened to Kim with Mike Keith. She had VERY brief comments. Didn't sound good to me.

Brian Rice?

 

[mudcat1973]

Lord help, Mud. Your posts still give me eye strain. But I always read you because, when (if) I finally translate, you make a lot of sense. I think I got you this time; remember you promised to help me speak Mudish whenever I got stuck.

Was basically sayings high school recruits and soft more and junior class transfer portal players would be better for Kim Caldwell system. Have longer time to learn the system.
But be right fit for Tennessee and them.

Right senior like Baker did not look her name spelling up.
But she was a good fit icing on cake. More better fit players like 6'"4 Baker from UCLA better your team chemistry Will be.

Other part with teams without having good NIL support some those will chip in some revenue sharing might not be like Tennessee and Georgia 5% revenue sharing but more teams spending it is going to harder to get bunch of players three to four good fits. Need be wiser in the transfer portal players.

Think she needs to play players 3 minutes at least.
They are times you need a player to rest the starter.
And play a short shift.

She needs to be wiser when to press and if it all out hard trap for a trunover.
Or a soft press optimistic looking for a turnover when the opportunity percent it's self . Trying to shorting opponent shot clock.

 

[alexvol]

She said that she has been taking notes for ( I assume ) change .....there has been little evidence so far that she has used any of those notes for change ,the proof is in the pudding now .She needs to play hard half court defense and call off the full court press which has been totally ineffective against good teams and even against some bad SEC teams. The philosophy that line changes every few minutes will tire teams down and in the end will pay dividends in 4th quarter has not proved out against SEC teams.

Her 5 out offense has also been ineffective against SEC Teams.She needs to ....imo....to have some set plays with screens to get the ball to the best shooters ....not everyone firing away from 3 point land when they are open.....the opposition has learned who to let shoot the three ball. That offense is ok in transition if they get the defensive rebounds and get the ball out quickly and either get uncontested path to the basket or have a "good " 3 point shooter wide open in the corners .When this doesn't happen this offense is abysmal .

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Kim literally spared Joni Taylor another year at A&M while hers might be in the balance.

According to which rocket scientist? Until she displays the loser mentality of her fiercest detractors DW will allow her to hang on unless the key FR and inbound folks bail.Some substantial replacements for All the SR will be key as well.

 

[River67]

Completely different teams with different coaches or in a rebuilding phase. You love an apples or oranges Kellie comparison.

Not defending Kim but let’s not act like beating Karen Aston or Sherri Coale toward the end of their career was anything to write home about.

Kellie beat both Vic and Jenny

 

[Smallvol#1]

Unless we don't win another game, I think CKC gets another year (and she still probably will anyway). But I do think it will be with an understanding that changes have to be made and I think she may be forced to get rid of some assistants - probably like Angel Rizor and Lexie Barrier. Maybe even a new S&C coach...

…..then she has to listen to them. Change does not matter unless it is effective.

 

[ScreamingEagleVol]

Still not to concerned about not making the NCAA no matter any of the ending results. Net is 22 sos is 1 were still a 6 seed even after that crappy loss. At least everyone else we play is rated highly so sos will remain 1 Net stay at least 25 so were a long way of dropping past 35 which would be where it would get scarry to not make the NCAA field.

6 seed??? Holly’s last season produced a 19-12 regular season record (7-9 conference) and was an 11 seed. Another loss in these last three plus early(?) exit from SEC tourney, I just can’t believe they would be higher than a 9 seed.

 

[LadyVolsDiehard]

Not to pile on but she has to upgrade those 3 positions with folks who have coached at the top tier level.

i been saying for a minute.

 

[LadyVolsDiehard]

According to which rocket scientist? Until she displays the loser mentality of her fiercest detractors DW will allow her to hang on unless the key FR and inbound folks bail.Some substantial replacements for All the SR will be key as well.

 

[Orange007]

i am also not ready to conclude Kim can't get it done. in reality, we have NO CLUE what is really happening with this team. the upperclassman are not leaders and we have a lot of new players. a recipe for disaster. i also think Kim is learning on the fly which ALL of us should have expected. a lot of this chatter is about expectations. a majority of people expected us to reach the FF bc we signed a top class. not realistic. the season is not over. i, for one, am hopeful they fix this funk and go into the tourney underrated but hungry to prove everyone wrong.

 

[lvocd]

Unless we don't win another game, I think CKC gets another year (and she still probably will anyway). But I do think it will be with an understanding that changes have to be made and I think she may be forced to get rid of some assistants - probably like Angel Rizor and Lexie Barrier. Maybe even a new S&C coach...

I don’t know about this one, because one look at the positive change to Deniya Prawl‘s body tells me that at least she has benefited from the strength program. That kid’s arms and legs have the type of definition you can only get from a solid strength program. She certainly did not arrive to campus looking like that.

On the other hand, we can all see that Tay is a little doughy this year compared to years past. I’ve read before that trainers aren’t allowed to mention weight gain because you never know if there might be hidden emotional/psychological reasons behind body changes.

 

[dognusty]

That’s an opinion. In reality, there’s Tennessee and UConn in WBB. Any other job is secondary to the only two historic basketball programs of all-time with the exception of Notre Dame and Stanford.

No it is not anymore. Tennessee is a rebuild. They are not primetime anymore and any coach is going to have a hard time. I would tell you no too coach will come unless you are paying top money

 

[Volfaninfl2]

Especially if she continues to not offer alternatives for what's not working. So far, she has not been able to do that

I don't know, if ever there was a case for you are what your results say you are, and not what you should be on paper, I think this team is it. the word talent is constantly confused with potential.

I thought Moran turned it down. did not accept an interview. Deer Park can correct this if wrong, but I'm pretty sure at least initial feelers went out to established coaches and when none of them expressed interest, they turned to the experiment

DW’s dismissal of TN’s women’s basketball Coach may have had more repercussions than he expected. Maybe other Coaches saw a Coach who took her team to the NCAA every year, Sweet Sixteen twice, so far, despite injuries to her top players every year, and beat 2 National Champions, plus that one point loss to unbeaten SC, and did all that in the toughest conference. It wouldn’t surprise me if they considered working for an AD like that, not very appealing, especially if they were already established, well paid, and in a different conference.

 

[madtownvol]

…..then she has to listen to them. Change does not matter unless it is effective.

I will get grief from some posters for this statement but a rigid, "my way or the highway" and "its everybody else fault" stances are often the marks of insecurity. From her first press conference as LVHC, it seemed like she had a chip on her shoulder about "her system." When you think of great coaches, you don't normally think of them a having specific "system" that they will run come hell or high water. Great coaches are adaptable, listen and learn from their assistants (and even players), and are willing to admit they don't always have all the answers.

Those traits comes with maturity and self-confidence. I am not comparing to CKC to Pat Summit but CPS exemplified all these ideals and importantly she showed that great leadership is being able to create a collaborative enterprise where everyone mobilizes around a shared goal and vision.

You can literally feel the barrier between CKC and her players at times. You can see players, when they are randomly subbed out, sitting on the bench a demoralized look on their faces, like "I don't understand what is going on..."

 

[Volfaninfl2]

No, I don’t think Missouri will ever be in championship contention in the SEC. I’m assuming they’re towards the bottom in funding. Just pointing out they apparently have a good signing class is all.

Never say never, it will take time, and they do have a nice class coming in, and with the tv money, their AD is supportive of Mizzou’s sports, including their women’s basketball program, so there is hope.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

I wonder if KC’s lack of cred is starting to really work against her. It’s all good on paper and in a sales pitch but when things aren’t working the first people you can’t fool are the players. Have they “checked out”? That would be the worst indictment possible.