Pauldo sisters to the portal

[birdie74]

Piss off

Clever

 

[birdie74]

They fired a LVFL with 3 national championship rings, that had won 20+ games per year for this mess. Someone tell me how this has improved the Lady Vols both on the court and the Lady Vol brand in general.

Perhaps a swing and a miss - but Harper was definitely not the answer…. Fine person, average coach fired previously

 

[Lucy]

At the risk of stirring up a hornet’s nest, UConn is on the verge of a championship right now with a very similar defensive philosophy: full court pressure for 40 minutes. They don’t do the “hockey line substitutions,” but they do use a 9-player deep rotation.

Beyond UConn, there are lots of teams in women’s basketball that employ some form of full court pressure defense throughout the game. Just last night, in the WBIT championship game, both BYU & Columbia pressed each other for the whole game. WV, tOSU and several other top schools press for 40 minutes.

The problem for TN is one of execution and, perhaps more importantly, player commitment. If the players don’t really believe in the system, once things start to go South, everything starts to snowball.

I agree with you regarding the good teams that situationally use it. Our problem was the opponents knew exactly what was coming and either the design or teaching was weak and it resulted in a lay up drill for our opponents. Pat utilized the press to great effect with the Meeks.
I don’t buy the kids weren’t committed or were lazy etc. All of these kids were highly ranked and had great high school/AAU careers. They worked hard, they listened to their coaches. That didn’t change when they put on a UT jersey.

 

[Lucy]

Either Coop was hurt or she was going through the motions. Neither of which would I remotely blame Kim for. You can support the inmates or the corrections officers when this stuff happens. We aren't losing anybody on that court that we can't easily replace. However, if you support he inmates, future coaching candidates will consider that before accepting a job. That much I know for certain.

The mere fact you are comparing our players to inmates says a lot. A basketball team is not supposed to be the bad guys/inmates/players versus the “good” guys/officers/coaches.
In this case I’ll gladly support the “inmates”.

 

[Kosmalski]

They are off to see the Wizard

 

[KTrain]

Vanderbilt freshman Aubery Galvan could play circles around the twins and was rated a 4 star. The recruiters at UT just went on how they were rated without taking a closer look. Winning the recruiting numbers says nothing about the heart of a player and or your win loss record which is the bottom line. The 2025 team who had what a lot called un-athletic players but had more Bball IQ and showed up every game.

 

[birdie74]

I agree with you regarding the good teams that situationally use it. Our problem was the opponents knew exactly what was coming and either the design or teaching was weak and it resulted in a lay up drill for our opponents. Pat utilized the press to great effect with the Meeks.
I don’t buy the kids weren’t committed or were lazy etc. All of these kids were highly ranked and had great high school/AAU careers. They worked hard, they listened to their coaches. That didn’t change when they put on a UT jersey.

I disagree to some extent. I’ve watched multiple games from season 1 and compared to season 2. The effort, execution, will, fight. etc. are significantly different. Seldom did you see a player in season 1 not chase down an errant pass, turnover or mistake. Season 2 it happened with regularity. Seldom did you see a malcontent on the sideline in season 1. You saw it frequently and consistently in season 2. Seldom did you see a bust in coverage in season 1. You saw it multiple times a game in season 2. Seldom did you see blown layups and putbacks in season 1. You saw it every game in season 2. Perimeter shooting was at times excellent in season 1. Horrendous in season 2. The list goes on and on…
Same coaching staff. Same/similar strategy. From my view, there had to be player attitude and leadership issues. Granted, the head coach is ultimately responsible - but you can’t make chicken salad out of chicken poop….

 

[Lucy]

I disagree to some extent. I’ve watched multiple games from season 1 and compared to season 2. The effort, execution, will, fight. etc. are significantly different. Seldom did you see a player in season 1 not chase down an errant pass, turnover or mistake. Season 2 it happened with regularity. Seldom did you see a malcontent on the sideline in season 1. You saw it frequently and consistently in season 2. Seldom did you see a bust in coverage in season 1. You saw it multiple times a game in season 2. Seldom did you see blown layups and putbacks in season 1. You saw it every game in season 2. Perimeter shooting was at times excellent in season 1. Horrendous in season 2. The list goes on and on…
Same coaching staff. Same/similar strategy. From my view, there had to be player attitude and leadership issues. Granted, the head coach is ultimately responsible - but you can’t make chicken salad out of chicken poop….

Not same. Most of those “first year” players were Kellie’s players. Harper actually coached and developed players.

 

[spojo13]

I disagree to some extent. I’ve watched multiple games from season 1 and compared to season 2. The effort, execution, will, fight. etc. are significantly different. Seldom did you see a player in season 1 not chase down an errant pass, turnover or mistake. Season 2 it happened with regularity. Seldom did you see a malcontent on the sideline in season 1. You saw it frequently and consistently in season 2. Seldom did you see a bust in coverage in season 1. You saw it multiple times a game in season 2. Seldom did you see blown layups and putbacks in season 1. You saw it every game in season 2. Perimeter shooting was at times excellent in season 1. Horrendous in season 2. The list goes on and on…
Same coaching staff. Same/similar strategy. From my view, there had to be player attitude and leadership issues. Granted, the head coach is ultimately responsible - but you can’t make chicken salad out of chicken poop….

She was in charge of making the chicken salad. She chose every last player/ingredient on that team. If it was chicken poop, then she chose to make the recipe starting out with it. When it was every last player, then it was a failure on her part no matter which way you want to spin it. These were all HER choices

 

[birdie74]

She was in charge of making the chicken salad. She chose every last player/ingredient on that team. If it was chicken poop, then she chose to make the recipe starting out with it. When it was every last player, then it was a failure on her part no matter which way you want to spin it. These were all HER choices

Indeed, she is in charge of the salad and the ingredients. My point - obviously poorly made - was that players like Spear, Whitehorn, Spencer, Spearman and Latham played far better in year 1, than the same and/or new players in year 2. Something other than just coaching was amiss. I contend chemistry, player leadership and recruiting missteps were all factors. Caldwell is in charge. Yr 3 is a correction - or you move on to another staff.
You will have to admit that yr 1 exceeded expectations significantly…

 

[birdie74]

Not same. Most of those “first year” players were Kellie’s players. Harper actually coached and developed players.

So Spear, Whitehorn, Spencer, Spearman, and Latham were Kellie’s players???

Looks like Kellie coached and developed Missouri pretty well this year…Otherwise, Coach Caldwell’s toxic team would have beaten Missouri by 60…. I wish her well, but she was not the the solution here…. DW took a gamble and most likely failed. Yr 3 will provide that answer…

 

[mudcat1973]

Last year was the first time other SEC coaches had seen the gimmicky system. They had no problem defeating it on second look.

This year had more All Americans

Last year had players who were taught had to play as team.
The Fromer lady coach show leadship
And inspired leadship in her players

This team the coach staff inspired the players to play with a goal of let me score more than my teammates for I might get to start next game.

 

[Woodworker]

This year had more All Americans

Last year had players who were taught had to play as team.
The Fromer lady coach show leadship
And inspired leadship in her players

This team the coach staff inspired the players to play with a goal of let me score more than my teammates for I might get to start next game.

To add to that I think her and the AD thought we can get better players than last year roll the ball out there and we can't lose. It was working at first of the year lesser opponents then get to batter coaches and teams and they didn't know what to do when the system wasn't working.

 

[volbeast33]

This year had more All Americans

Last year had players who were taught had to play as team.
The Fromer lady coach show leadship
And inspired leadship in her players

This team the coach staff inspired the players to play with a goal of let me score more than my teammates for I might get to start next game.

We didn’t have any veterans that had leadership capabilities. We were relying on too may freshman.

 

[lfvol]

We didn’t have any veterans that had leadership capabilities. We were relying on too may freshman.

What? Spearman, Robertson, Barker and the transfer center were all last year players. Cooper was in her third year as was Latham. They had a lot of veterans.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

Indeed, she is in charge of the salad and the ingredients. My point - obviously poorly made - was that players like Spear, Whitehorn, Spencer, Spearman and Latham played far better in year 1, than the same and/or new players in year 2. Something other than just coaching was amiss. I contend chemistry, player leadership and recruiting missteps were all factors. Caldwell is in charge. Yr 3 is a correction - or you move on to another staff.
You will have to admit that yr 1 exceeded expectations significantly…

They tied for 8th in conference and lost twice to Vanderbilt, beat Uconn which was big, but exceeded expectations significantly, no.

 

[volbeast33]

What? Spearman, Robertson, Barker and the transfer center were all last year players. Cooper was in her third year as was Latham. They had a lot of veterans.

None of those players are known to be leaders. I didn’t like the transfer class we brought in. I think Cooper will be fine around the right players. Barker has been an issue everywhere she has been. Robinson is not very good. Wolfenbarger doesn’t even try to play competitive basketball. Spearman is more of a follower. Latham has some of those qualities.

 

[ReignSupreme]

None of those players are known to be leaders. I didn’t like the transfer class we brought in. I think Cooper will be fine around the right players. Barker has been an issue everywhere she has been. Robinson is not very good. Wolfenbarger doesn’t even try to play competitive basketball. Spearman is more of a follower. Latham has some of those qualities.

The goalpost continues to move lol

 

[lfvol]

None of those players are known to be leaders. I didn’t like the transfer class we brought in. I think Cooper will be fine around the right players. Barker has been an issue everywhere she has been. Robinson is not very good. Wolfenbarger doesn’t even try to play competitive basketball. Spearman is more of a follower. Latham has some of those qualities.

Didn’t say they were good players. They weren’t but it wasn’t because they had no veterans. They had the wrong veterans. Whose fault is that?

 

[birdie74]

They tied for 8th in conference and lost twice to Vanderbilt, beat Uconn which was big, but exceeded expectations significantly, no.

Sweet 16 with rookie coach and late roster construction - yes

 

[volbeast33]

Didn’t say they were good players. They weren’t but it wasn’t because they had no veterans. They had the wrong veterans. Whose fault is that?

100% Kim Caldwell’s fault. She owns everything that happens good and bad to HER program.

 

[volbeast33]

The goalpost continues to move lol

How did I move any goalposts?

 

[th2421]

She was in charge of making the chicken salad. She chose every last player/ingredient on that team. If it was chicken poop, then she chose to make the recipe starting out with it. When it was every last player, then it was a failure on her part no matter which way you want to spin it. These were all HER choices

Or, they weren't really her choices because she wasn't involved enough in the recruiting process (which is also a failure on her part), and she hopefully realizes now that she must be more involved moving forward.

 

[spojo13]

Or, they weren't really her choices because she wasn't involved enough in the recruiting process (which is also a failure on her part), and she hopefully realizes now that she must be more involved moving forward.

DP already stated she had some hand in it, and no coach would allow that, but let’s say she had no input into who played on her team, that tells me she is still way in over head and even more not ready for this job. It’s an epic failure on her part no matter the answer.

 

[1reVOLver]

I grow weary of all the pro and con about staff, player selection, player development or lack of player development and the rest of the well debated details. It can, for me at least, be reduced to a single question:

If you were the AD, and had a budget of ~$1.5 million maximum, would you hire Kim Caldwell to be the head coach?