#9 Tennessee Lady Vols vs. #4 Baylor Lady Bears Season Opener Game Thread
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 4:00 PM EST
in Lady Vols Basketball
104 comments
The Tennessee Lady Vols open up tonight at home against the Baylor Lady Bears at 5 PM Eastern. This game will be one of the biggest early attractions of the season, in part because it will be the debut of Baylor's 6'-8" freshman giantess Brittney Griner. Her matchup against Tennessee's Kelley Cain will likely be the feature of the night.
Coverage:
- TV: ESPN2
- Online: ESPN360, Lady Vols Radio, GameTracker
| Position | Name | Experience | Height | PPG | RPG | APG | |
 |
G | Angie Bjorklund | Jr | 6-0 | 12.3 | 3.0 | 2.6 |
| G | Taber Spani | Fr | 6-1 | - | - | - | |
| F | Glory Johnson | So | 6-3 | 10.2 | 7.2 | 0.6 | |
| G-F | Shekinna Stricklen | So | 6-2 | 13.3 | 5.9 | 3.0 | |
| C | Kelley Cain | So | 6-6 | 8.2 | 5.3 | 0.6 | |
 |
G | Kelli Griffin | Jr | 5-8 | 6.9 | 3.1 | 3.5 |
| G | Melissa Jones | Jr | 5-10 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 1.5 | |
| F | Morghan Medlock | Jr | 6-1 | 6.9 | 4.5 | 0.4 | |
| P | Ashley Field | So | 6-2 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 0.1 | |
| P | Brittney Griner | Fr | 6-8 | - | - | - |
0 recs |
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And the hand check foul.
Those are big this year. A chance for cheapies if you’re smart.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 5:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm in and out here this evening
but this girl for Baylor looks like She-Goliath out there – are we sure Cain is 6’6"? Because she looks more than two inches taller.
Great crowd for the season opener though
by Will on Nov 15, 2009 5:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'll be spotty too.
I don’t know if I’ll make the whole game. We have curling later tonight.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
3 and a half minute scoreless streak let Baylor get back into it.
2 fouls on Cain already. Griner’s going to be trouble.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 5:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
She seems to have a knack for drawing fouls.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Griner for drawing them, or Cain for committing them?
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Griner for drawing them.
She leans into defenders as she shoots.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Still stone cold shooting.
1 shot for the last about 6 minutes.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 5:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That block had some attitude with it
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Nov 15, 2009 5:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
26-26 Baylor lead at the half.
Tennessee is really fortunate for that. They’re probably outplaying Baylor slightly, but their shooting has been absolutely horrible. Baylor’s shooting % is low too, but their shots have been more contested than UT’s.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 5:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Score?
Can’t be 26 all if they lead. I’m planning on watching half #2
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 15, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's not too bad
One possession game. Which in basketball may as well be a tie.
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 15, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That Cain foul was BS but Lady Vols up by three 26 - 29
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Nov 15, 2009 6:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
and 4th foul on Griner after ball stolen from her
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Nov 15, 2009 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
AWESOME
you’re ahead of 360 but I don’t care.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 6:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you dont have cable right?
so no ESPN2 for you?
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Nov 15, 2009 6:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
WOW
What a rebounding streak. That’s something they can build on.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 6:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
should be able to now that Griner is on the bench
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Nov 15, 2009 6:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I see that we're winning now
And that Griner is in serious foul trouble. Great play!
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 15, 2009 6:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
For THREEEEEE
Nice lil run here.
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 15, 2009 6:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
foul trouble for the Bears this half.
their turn
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 6:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Did they expand the baselines in the offseason?
There’s a lot of space around the goal (out of bounds) that I haven’t seen before.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
My question:
How many commercials can they run? Seriously.
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 15, 2009 6:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
36-38
baylor responding well after timeout and Vols run
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Nov 15, 2009 6:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
But we're in the one-and-one already.
At the 12:57 mark. Woo!
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
there we go - fatten the lead up again 38 - 46
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Nov 15, 2009 6:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That was a near-disaster tuned into a fantastic sequence.
Tennessee has looked fantastic these last two minutes.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
So anybody think Gran would take the Memphis job?
Gonna be totally P.O.’d if Memphis hawks one of our chimera heads
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Nov 15, 2009 6:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don't know enough about him one way or the other.
He may, but Memphis is an 8-4 spot at best.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Btw
Not a fan of this “commercial/play/commercial” thing. There should be more game time than commercial time.
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 15, 2009 6:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I hate timeouts before the TV timeout.
It decimates the flow of the game.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Man, that timeout was really useful for Baylor.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
For real
And just look at that steals graphic. 9-1. Nice.
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 15, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Brewer just picked up her fourth.
I’m, um, not sure how that happened. To put it mildly.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That's because I'm not sure it happened
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Here comes Baylor, two quick Tennessee fouls.
That second one was legitimate.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
She has a sort of Jabbar skyhook.
It’s closer in, but it’s something Griner can’t deal with.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 6:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Skyhook implies some kind of arc, which doesn't always happen.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cain just lofted a nasty brick hook shot.
Little softer next time.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's amazing what a year of coaching can do.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm pretty sure they just interrupted the game to go to commercial
AGAIN
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 15, 2009 6:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bailout call on the drive.
She was out of control.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Your storylines of the game:
- Cain v. Griner
- Stricklen dominating the rest of the floor
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And Cain has four now, too.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 6:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No kidding.
Not only just Cain v. Griner, but what happens when the two are removed.
Both teams went into slumps without their centers, but it took a slow, prolonged stretch for Baylor to take advantage, while Tennessee ran right over Baylor once Griner was on the bench.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 6:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Also:
- terrible three-point shooting (3/19 – yikes)
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 7:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Much of that was the cold streak in the first half.
They called two very quick fouls on Cain, which sent her to the bench. For about 10 minutes, UT never went inside, instead just lobbing from the perimeter. And they went stone cold.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 7:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, and it ended up not mattering today.
Still, it may matter at sone point.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cain has Griner dead to rights.
She’s faking to get Griner to jump, then shoots with Griner on the way down.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 6:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Is it too much of a jinx to say:
This is a great way to open the season?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 7:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don't think so.
Surely the first 38 minutes are worth noting. Now go get the last 2!
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 7:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Can Pat teach Bruce
How to teach FTs?
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 15, 2009 7:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Cain's fouled out of the game
Still, excellent effort. It’s weird; she went 6/12 and I’m thinking she underperformed.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 7:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Good call on the charge there
Out of control, Bjorklund was set.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 7:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wow.
From Gamecast: Tennessee’s shooting 37%, Baylor’s shooting 39%. On the other hand, Tennessee’s 22/73 while Baylor’s 18/47.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 7:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
No kidding.
But this is showing why those matter, and why those things translate to wins.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks!
It’s entertaining as long as everyone remembers what brought the phrase into the national lexicon.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 7:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice ball control by Strickland.
bounce it off a Bear, then dance out of the way as it rolls out of bounds.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 7:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Now I think you can say it's been a good start to the year
by Incipient_Senescence on Nov 15, 2009 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What now? I didn't get that
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Graysnail on Nov 15, 2009 7:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Man, it's nice to see a LV team win by outworking the opponent.
by Hooper on Nov 15, 2009 7:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great coaching by Summit
thats what won us this game
RIP Steve McNair (1973 - 2009) Retire #9!
Member of the Committee to Keep Keith Bulluck.
Eric Berry for Heisman!!
by Pride of the Southland on Nov 15, 2009 7:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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