The Kim Caldwell System

[volfan102455]

Most of the major programs have great ball handlers so the full court press is ineffective which leads to easy shots and layups. RECRUIT SOME SHOOTERS NOT JUST ATHLETICS.

I think these two points are the major difference between D2, where she developed this system and D1, where she is trying to win games.

Both are why the system she is trying to run will ultimately not work in D1. She will win games against teams that do not have great ball handlers but will fail against the best teams in D1.

She will have to adjust, or she will be back at the D2 level. Tennessee is not playing in D2.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Tennessee’s roster has all the right pieces. Nothing credible can be stated to discredit that fact. You can put on the film from Alyssa (Syracuse), Janiah (Texas A&M), and Jersey (Arkansas) as underclassmen every single one looked like a completely different player. All three have starter experience. Even Robertson who while her game has many deficits last year she put up 30 points on Louisville nearly beating them on a far worse team. Tennessee’s roster is as good as any with a system that does nothing to compliment or enhance their abilities individually nor as a team.
You have coaches winning with far worse talent than Tennessee ranked in the Top 10-15. And I honestly believe UT coach could be successful elsewhere running this system it just serves no true purpose at a top tier WBB program such as Tennessee.
All you have to do is study film of these players currently on the roster and the proof is accessible to anyone that is willing to see.

 

[th2421]

I missed the game traveling for the holidays. Who gave up?

I'm not sure I can really even name names, the team just looked so deflated starting around when Louisville went up 68-52, in a way I never really saw last year except the Kentucky game.

At one point Prawl looked really frustrated (I think it was after Louisville got yet another offensive rebound and opportunity for a 3-point play), and I just wanted to run onto the court and tell her, "it's okay, we came back from these kinds of deficits all the time last year! Just keep fighting!" Because her teammates certainly weren't doing it.

 

[volfan102455]

I don’t particularly even like her scheme and I get highly annoyed at the lack of adjustments buuut

My whole point is it’s ridiculous to be ready to be done with a coach this quick.

It is not working, and she is not adjusting. Her post-game comments pretty much indicate that she has no plans to adjust her style and if it isn't successful, it is because the players do things wrong.

Truth is the opponents are adjusting and getting easy shots. Something has to give, or we are looking at the possibility the worst record ever for a Lady Vols basketball team.

 

[brittannica]

I'm not sure I can really even name names, the team just looked so deflated starting around when Louisville went up 68-52, in a way I never really saw last year except the Kentucky game.

At one point Prawl looked really frustrated (I think it was after Louisville got yet another offensive rebound and opportunity for a 3-point play), and I just wanted to run onto the court and tell her, "it's okay, we came back from these kinds of deficits all the time last year! Just keep fighting!" Because her teammates certainly weren't doing it.

 

[Volfan2012]

I'm not sure I can really even name names, the team just looked so deflated starting around when Louisville went up 68-52, in a way I never really saw last year except the Kentucky game.

At one point Prawl looked really frustrated (I think it was after Louisville got yet another offensive rebound and opportunity for a 3-point play), and I just wanted to run onto the court and tell her, "it's okay, we came back from these kinds of deficits all the time last year! Just keep fighting!" Because her teammates certainly weren't doing it.

We really need her and Civil to start showing us some ability. Civil has been good in limited play went 0 for 4 yesterday. Prawl is having a terrible season her offense has just not been present this season thus far. We have to get some offense from somewhere other than the three or four that are providing most of it.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

The honest truth is this approach will end accomplishing nothing. It is an admission of refusal to take equal accountability.
Teaching and coaching are literally the same. To be a good coach, you have to be a good teacher.
Looking at education today proves just have valuable teachers are and why society must invest in giving teachers the support they need. With Coach Caldwell, she has been unwavering in committing to a system in basketball that simply shouldn’t have this stringent of a grip on any program.
Teachers everyday are told no matter how great a teacher they may be, that you teach to the level of your students. You change teaching strategies sometimes week to week. Never could you tell an administrator (in this case an athletic director) we aren’t successful and I’m not changing the system (or teaching strategy) because it is the players making these mistakes.
Never heard the best teachers or coaches say that out loud. In fact, if it was me and I had to win (doing it the right way) using a system I didn’t prefer but it would be best for my players/team I would make the change without hesitation.
Sometimes things get over complicated and this situation is a prime example of that.

It is not working, and she is not adjusting. Her post-game comments pretty much indicate that she has no plans to adjust her style and if it isn't successful, it is because the players do things wrong.

Truth is the opponents are adjusting and getting easy shots. Something has to give, or we are looking at the possibility the worst record ever for a Lady Vols basketball team.

 

[RetroVol]

The honest truth is this approach will end accomplishing nothing. It is an admission of refusal to take equal accountability.
Teaching and coaching are literally the same. To be a good coach, you have to be a good teacher.
Looking at education today proves just have valuable teachers are and why society must invest in giving teachers the support they need. With Coach Caldwell, she has been unwavering in committing to a system in basketball that simply shouldn’t have this stringent of a grip on any program.
Teachers everyday are told no matter how great a teacher they may be, that you teach to the level of your students. You change teaching strategies sometimes week to week. Never could you tell an administrator (in this case an athletic director) we aren’t successful and I’m not changing the system (or teaching strategy) because it is the players making these mistakes.
Never heard the best teachers or coaches say that out loud. In fact, if it was me and I had to win (doing it the right way) using a system I didn’t prefer but it would be best for my players/team I would make the change without hesitation.
Sometimes things get over complicated and this situation is a prime example of that.

And how do you know she has not changed her teaching strategies? Just because someone hasn't changed their goal doesn't mean they haven't changed the approaches they are taking to reaching their goals. I cannot argue with those who hate Kim's system because of what they believe it is rather than the results it has obtained. But it is unfair to Kim, unless you have inside knowledge of what is occurring within her coaching staff, to claim that she is not changing the ways she is trying to help her players effectively execute her approach. In fact, if you think about it, she has clearly said she has changed her approach in several ways. Less physical training during the summer. She held back on putting as much of her system in during the summer. She's embraced the use of analytics and that has seemed to help some players. IShe didn't introduce the "white board" in practices as early this year. In some interviews, she has seemed to even indicate that the system is not as inflexible as some in this forum seem to believe.

Criticizing Kim's system out of your own basketball knowledge is fair. May or may not be correct, but it's fair.

Projecting onto Kim and her staff mindsets, emotions, and attitudes without evidence is not fair.

Assuming that she is not changing her approaches in practice without inside knowledge of what is happening in practice is not fair.

Let's be fair. Opinionated is fine, but let's be fair.

 

[DDavis]

Here is the irony of this system to my uneducated BB eyes. Last yrs team, with half the roster of players that supposedly were not athletically suited to play Kim's system, played it a lot better than this yr.'s team that is full of athletic players.

You could say last yrs team just had more experienced players but most of the players on this team are experienced players. The lack of BB fundamentals??

I think the hiring of assistant coaching for recruitment is top notch but who is teaching these kids about the fundamental part of basketball.

 

[DDavis]

The honest truth is this approach will end accomplishing nothing. It is an admission of refusal to take equal accountability.
Teaching and coaching are literally the same. To be a good coach, you have to be a good teacher.
Looking at education today proves just have valuable teachers are and why society must invest in giving teachers the support they need. With Coach Caldwell, she has been unwavering in committing to a system in basketball that simply shouldn’t have this stringent of a grip on any program.
Teachers everyday are told no matter how great a teacher they may be, that you teach to the level of your students. You change teaching strategies sometimes week to week. Never could you tell an administrator (in this case an athletic director) we aren’t successful and I’m not changing the system (or teaching strategy) because it is the players making these mistakes.
Never heard the best teachers or coaches say that out loud. In fact, if it was me and I had to win (doing it the right way) using a system I didn’t prefer but it would be best for my players/team I would make the change without hesitation.
Sometimes things get over complicated and this situation is a prime example of that.

Great assessment

 

[djvols]

Well here goes nothing, so be gentle. There is too much freedom in the offensive system. Roles need to be defined and followed, cutter, screener, driver, post up, whatever. Agree subbing needs to be altered as well as the presses. Run and Jump should only be pulled out at certain times, that's were they get beat repeatedly. And if your going to focus on transition offense then push the ball down the floor.

 

[madtownvol]

And how do you know she has not changed her teaching strategies? Just because someone hasn't changed their goal doesn't mean they haven't changed the approaches they are taking to reaching their goals. I cannot argue with those who hate Kim's system because of what they believe it is rather than the results it has obtained. But it is unfair to Kim, unless you have inside knowledge of what is occurring within her coaching staff, to claim that she is not changing the ways she is trying to help her players effectively execute her approach. In fact, if you think about it, she has clearly said she has changed her approach in several ways. Less physical training during the summer. She held back on putting as much of her system in during the summer. She's embraced the use of analytics and that has seemed to help some players. IShe didn't introduce the "white board" in practices as early this year. In some interviews, she has seemed to even indicate that the system is not as inflexible as some in this forum seem to believe.

Criticizing Kim's system out of your own basketball knowledge is fair. May or may not be correct, but it's fair.

Projecting onto Kim and her staff mindsets, emotions, and attitudes without evidence is not fair.

Assuming that she is not changing her approaches in practice without inside knowledge of what is happening in practice is not fair.

Let's be fair. Opinionated is fine, but let's be fair.

Those are all good points but such speculation is bound to arise after losing a pair blowouts and looking less than stellar against several lower tier opponents.

If the LVs had beaten Louisville, which certainly was the widely shared preseason expectation given the # 8 ranking, no is speculating.

The buck stops with the coaching staff and when things are getting worse rather than better, it is fair to question everything.

 

[volsagain]

Tennessee’s roster has all the right pieces. Nothing credible can be stated to discredit that fact. You can put on the film from Alyssa (Syracuse), Janiah (Texas A&M), and Jersey (Arkansas) as underclassmen every single one looked like a completely different player. All three have starter experience. Even Robertson who while her game has many deficits last year she put up 30 points on Louisville nearly beating them on a far worse team. Tennessee’s roster is as good as any with a system that does nothing to compliment or enhance their abilities individually nor as a team.
You have coaches winning with far worse talent than Tennessee ranked in the Top 10-15. And I honestly believe UT coach could be successful elsewhere running this system it just serves no true purpose at a top tier WBB program such as Tennessee.
All you have to do is study film of these players currently on the roster and the proof is accessible to anyone that is willing to see.

We do not have true bigs that like to play down low and rebound. We have flex players that play weak in the post area. They don't even go up strong for put backs or layups. Jersey has terrible shot form and Robertson needs to slow down a bit she rushs everything.

 

[RetroVol]

it is fair to question everything.

I get that people are frustrated and analyzing what's happening and why. And questioning what we observe or hear said is fine. But generating an unsubstantiated belief that this staff isn't repeatedly trying new ways to get players to perform the way they believe is possible and then criticizing them for "not changing" isn't fair. It's bogus. If someone has inside information on what's happening in practice, or what is inside Kim Caldwell's head, then let's hear it. Otherwise, I'm going to continue to question those who make things up in their own minds and then treat those thoughts as evidence on which to base their criticisms.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

You are wrong again in quoting a statement that you aren’t able to disprove. First off, Alyssa Latham and Janiah Barker played specifically down low at both Texas A&M and Syracuse. Latham averaged 7 rebounds as a freshman. You are just posting things without any truth to it and making no sense at all.

We do not have true bigs that like to play down low and rebound. We have flex players that play weak in the post area. They don't even go up strong for put backs or layups. Jersey has terrible shot form and Robertson needs to slow down a bit she rushs everything.

 

[volsagain]

You are wrong again in quoting a statement that you aren’t able to disprove. First off, Alyssa Latham and Janiah Barker played specifically down low at both Texas A&M and Syracuse. Latham averaged 7 rebounds as a freshman. You are just posting things without any truth to it and making no sense at all.

Your delusional. I like Latham a lot but she is not a true big she does pretty well for her size but that's it . Barker plays as a flex forward and would rather be outside shooting 3s . Don't know what games you been watching because it's not hard to see with your on eyes.

 

[VolRanch]

I agree. This year hasn’t ended, and she’ll get plenty of time since Danny hired her and will see it through. You had asked what people’s expectations are so I listed what I think the majority of people would say. I am not expecting her to win 8 championships. Staley and Mulkey don’t even have that many. The first season was promising, but I would say so far, with more of her selected players, the second season has regressed. I hope they can catch fire, but I just do not know if we have all the right pieces at the moment.

Not to mention the parody that exists now that did not when Pat and Geno were winning every title. The mid level teams are much much better now than they used to be. Which to me is good!!

 

[KTrain]

One of the things I've noticed and frustrated watching is defensive rebounding. Some of the players don't watch and prepare or start moving to the misses off the rim and react. They mostly move when the ball is hitting the floor or a Louisville player had already positioned for a rebound and they rush to try to defend a put back or a wide open long rebound 3. A lot of flat footed, in the 2nd half mostly. It was like Louisville's misses had a magnet to their players hands but they were just more active to wanted rebounds.

 

[madtownvol]

I get that people are frustrated and analyzing what's happening and why. And questioning what we observe or hear said is fine. But generating an unsubstantiated belief that this staff isn't repeatedly trying new ways to get players to perform the way they believe is possible and then criticizing them for "not changing" isn't fair. It's bogus. If someone has inside information on what's happening in practice, or what is inside Kim Caldwell's head, then let's hear it. Otherwise, I'm going to continue to question those who make things up in their own minds and then treat those thoughts as evidence on which to base their criticisms.

I understand where you are coming from but the bottom line is results. If the staff is changing but still getting subpar results, nothing of consequence is changed. We can still make an evidence based assertion that the staff is, to this point, not getting the job done.

I say this as someone who believes, in honor of CPS, that the head coach of the LVs should be a woman and so I want CKC to succeed (because I think the next coach hiring is likely to be a man). CKC has done great, beyond all reasonable expectations, in recruiting but there were questions last season about her coaching chops that were glossed over with the wonderful win over Uconn and getting back to the S16. But that team finishing 8-8 in conference and getting bludgeoned by KY and drubbed by Vandy was an underachievement with the roster she had.

When Danny White hired her, he proclaimed it was to win a national championship now!!!! We all knew that was hyperbole but the idea was to get the LVs back in the conversation as a national powerhouse, which had slipped under Kellie.

Now at this point in the season, fans are saying (on the bright side), hey, we still have a shot at qualifying for the NCAA tournament. The fact that something is not going right, seems undeniable.

Whatever the staff is doing, a bigger revamp is needed and that is hard to do in the midst of a season. I would like to hear CKC take a little more responsibility for this poor start. "We are always bad in November" and now "the players just aren't doing what we are teaching them," do not ring like great leadership statements to me. If you ain't looking in the mirror as the head coach, don't expect your players to either. This team may be young but it's not riddled with injuries and it has some very talented experienced players who seem to be undeperforming. Other teams are doing more with way less.

It is still early but the upcoming SEC schedule is a gauntlet. Coming off the preseason, any team wants to feel that they are ready for the challenge and not be in the mode of "we have a lot of stuff to fix in this week before our conference opener."

 

[LadyVolsDiehard]

Yeah, maybe she will change to a schedule that resembles LSUs schedule. I wonder, are there any more Tennessee schools that may need some money?

I wouldn't be surprised if her alma mater and Marshall gets scheduled next season.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

We do not have true bigs that like to play down low and rebound. We have flex players that play weak in the post area. They don't even go up strong for put backs or layups. Jersey has terrible shot form and Robertson needs to slow down a bit she rushs everything.

Jersey plays under 10 mins a game, the issue is Spearman who plays over 30 mins most games, and she wants to stand around and shoot 3’s, can’t rebound, avoids contact at all costs. i could go on but I’ll stop here.

 

[brassie]

These players have all grown up playing essentially the same basketball "system", traditional basketball from JV ball all the way to the WNBA. I wonder about the effect on those players with professional aspirations? My take is that hockey line change basketball does little to prepare them for the W. Will that have an impact on recruiting and will it encourage current players to look elsewhere at the end of the season?

 

[madtownvol]

These players have all grown up playing essentially the same basketball "system", traditional basketball from JV ball all the way to the WNBA. I wonder about the effect on those players with professional aspirations? My take is that hockey line change basketball does little to prepare them for the W. Will that have an impact on recruiting and will it encourage current players to look elsewhere at the end of the season?

The sub pattern is the most stupid aspects of this team's self-inflected wounds. If you look at minutes distribution between the LVs and Louisville, playing time per player did not look that different. The main difference is that we went 10 deep versus their 8. But we had 5 players over 25 minutes as did Louisville.

Our high minutes player (Zee) played 33 minutes and their's played 34. If Jersey's or Kaniya's minutes had gone to Civil and Prawl, the minute allocations per player would have looked almost identical.

So what is the key difference? The way in which those minutes are allocated. One team left players on the floor long enough to create continuity and subbed strategically to exploit game situations and mismatches and the other team was chaotic and made line change subs regardless of the game situation. Guess who won?

This really ain't rocket science. It is being too ego-invested in a gimmick that no one is bothered by any more.

 

[RetroVol]

We can still make an evidence based assertion that the staff is, to this point, not getting the job done.

100% agree that this and everything else in your post. I am not questioning those who criticize results. It's fine to take what we've done so far this year and project a bad SEC campaign. No problem with those whose basketball knowledge lets them explain why CKC's approach that has worked up to this point won't work in the future. All fine.

Just don't impute bad attitudes, emotions, or mindsets to Kim or the other coaches. And don't claim that something is or is not happening in practice unless you've got inside information. Otherwise, I'm fine with folks being as critical as they want. In fact, folks can and will continue to think they can read Kim's mind or astral travel into practices to tell us what is and is not happening. Fact vs. projection is a tough distinction when one is in the midst of a good rant!

 

[LadyVolsDiehard]

If shes going to continue the world’s most complicated system to teach and learn, virtually sacrificing the first third of the season, she absolutely has to cupcake up the schedule. Mulkey style at least.

Ha, so we'll only play Tennessee teams, Glenville State, Marshall, a HBCU, UCLA and maybe Louisville in the challenge in non conference next season. I could see it.