mlindsay
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I had my doubts about Coach Harper and it looks like I was proved wrong I think the LadyVols go 22-7 and 11-5 in the SEC and Coach Harper possibly gets named SEC Coach of the YearI know it is early and to many we haven’t played anyone, but I was wondering has your feelings changed about what this team can be this year and how Kellie will do as coach of this program.
List your Pros and Cons!
Just a few things that I have noticed about this years team. They will not win consistently playing a zone for almost the full game against teams that we will face. They use their height to score many points on rebounding, but I don't see that they have any inside plays to get the ball to their post. Their zone defense often leaves 3 point shooters unguarded, and when they move out to guard they dribble drive to the basket. She never uses a timeout to teach during a game, and she never seems to be tough with the girls. I realize this is a young team, but you have to be a TOUGH coach to the girls to make them better. Am I glad we are 5 and 0 YES Am I glad that we have a new coach Yes I drive longer distances to see the Lady Vols than I do the Men so I am and have been one of their biggest supporters for many years. These are just my observations from the games that I have streamed and watched.Oh my gosh! We must have been having the same thoughts this morning, and I was obviously still writing mine while you were posting yours. lol
As you already know, I am all-in with this team and staff.
The Pros are the way we are playing defense especially against the dribble drive. In past years we were giving up a lot of layups and way to many uncontested. This year when you drive inside you may get the ball back in your face and your gonna be challenged making for a much more difficult shot. We are also playing much better perimeter defense can get a lot better there, but the will to defend and rebound this well so early in the season has been the biggest pro thus far.
I also like the confidence we are showing shooting the ball. We could have a better shot selection and not take some of the shots overall were taking better shots than we did last season.
Another Pro is the players seem to be learning and getting better . This is really making we a lot more optimistic about this team.
The biggest negative has been the turnovers looks like we did a lot better job taking care of the ball in this game. Still don't like how some players are still playing out of control on several possessions.
I also wish we were getting more movement against the zone and stop working for the post entry pass from the perimeter. Against a zone like we were playing last night you need more high low play because they are sagging so much. Getting in the paint drawing defense is the better way to get open shots against a zone like they played against us last night. Of course they were giving us the three and we were making them pay. If we hadn't been hitting the three so well could've been a lot closer game. If we can keep hitting those threes teams will have to open up that sagging zone and getting inside to the basket will be easier.
Just a few things that I have noticed about this years team. They will not win consistently playing a zone for almost the full game against teams that we will face. They use their height to score many points on rebounding, but I don't see that they have any inside plays to get the ball to their post. Their zone defense often leaves 3 point shooters unguarded, and when they move out to guard they dribble drive to the basket. She never uses a timeout to teach during a game, and she never seems to be tough with the girls. I realize this is a young team, but you have to be a TOUGH coach to the girls to make them better. Am I glad we are 5 and 0 YES Am I glad that we have a new coach Yes I drive longer distances to see the Lady Vols than I do the Men so I am and have been one of their biggest supporters for many years. These are just my observations from the games that I have streamed and watched.
I agree with this sentiment somewhat. Seems like they were doing great last year until a player or two were held accountable for academic things and then it was all downhill from there.It's too early. CHW's teams always peaked early (usually due to talent advantage) and faded late (usually due to coaching). Let's see a full season before making any definitive statements....
NEVER uses a timeout; NEVER seems to be tough?
Come on! Beyond TOs, Kellie is constantly dialogue with her players on the bench, during stoppage points and she seems to be teaching at almost any opportunuty.
Timeouts are not magical things that correct problems. Coaches have to read flow of games and decide when one is needed. Last night, Stetson called a lot of timeouts because they were losing control of the game. Kellie did not need to. If the team is following the game plan but maybe some shots are not falling, that is NOT a reason to call time outs.
And the "Bobby Knight" act is just out of step. Kellie's style is not to be a yeller and a screamer but she sure as heck benched Key last night who did not come to play. That is an effective way to get a message across.
I think the LVs are just fine on the coaching side. I do worry that the loss of Zaay will prove to be a bigger problem as the team get deeper into the schedule. A lot of pressure is on Davis and Horston to carry the scoring load.
KK is looking better but Key and Saunders are going to need at least another season before they become consistent post threats.
One bright spot from last night was Massengill hitting some shots in the 2nd.
A number of their first half foibles came from Jazz passing up an open shot and instead forcing a pass or resetting the offense without a better option.
IF she and Rae can deliver double digits on a regular basis than they have a means to compensate for Zaay's absence.
On the defense, your observation holds true for their last 2 first half performances. In both of these games, they largely corrected that problem in the 2nd.
If and when they can bring the defensive intensity for a full game, that will be a BIG step forward,
You are 100% correct about Key did not come to play and was benched. Also notice in watching the replay of the game she was still rubbing her knee on the bench she hyperextended last game.
Good point. Her knee may have still been bothering her. She was not moving well. There was one turnover where Massengill lobbed the ball into her and she did not move and the otherwise catchable ball sailed out of bounds.
Thanks for pointing the potential injury problem. I fell into the bad habit of blaming a player's "mindset" for a situation when there more likely is a physical limitation in play.
That would be a great way to earn trust with a young team. Rip them a new one. I'm sure they would just love it and give their all for someone they have barely met. SMDH You have to build trust and relationships first and foremost. When you do that, they will play hard for you. Women are much different than men in this regard.she never seems to be tough with the girls. I realize this is a young team, but you have to be a TOUGH coach to the girls to make them better.