Graves was ACTIVE--and when she is active she contributes because of her size and athleticism. Good on defense and boards.
However, she and Harrison have got to stop dribbling the ball in the paint. Both of them get the ball inside--and then dribble around (or try to) the big guarding them. It's crazy--a recipe for turnovers. Harrison gets away with it because she's athletic--but she would not get away with it against smart teams: they will double her and steal the ball. And Harrison usually has a lot of turnovers--5 tonight, and 4 for Graves. Twice I saw Harrison get the ball about five feet from the basket: She could easily just turn and shoot a soft jumper--and should have. Instead, she holds the ball for a second or so, then goes to her (comfortable) left hand with the dribble, goes around her defender (in the paint, mind you!). She scored both times, but you risk losing the ball when you don't have to--it is crowded inside. It ASTOUNDS me that Lockwood hasn't taught them the basics--but then he's never impressed me as a coach. (Nice guy, I'm SURE!) Any opposing coach with half a brain will double Harrison and then our Vols will be in the soup. If you get the ball low, pivot, go up and shoot without hesitation, the other team can't really double you; you get the shot off before they can. It's fun-da-ment-al.
Nonetheless, good win--nice comeback. Showed some toughness against a meh LSU team that has been in free fall. (Caldwell as UT coach? No thanks.) I hope Simmons can relax going forward--but I'm not confident. And neither is she come tourney time. She morphs into Nervous Meghan and her shooting goes in the toilet. We are going to need her to play well and with confidence.
